While each year the heads of state sing from the same hymn sheet in praise of scientific research as a vehicle to achieve the objectives of growth and full employment, the first cuts proposed to the future European budget under negotiation yesterday were in this field.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | EU's 'Waterloo' summit angers press

The committee's heard a lot of evidence about whether or not having a good gender balance in the workforce, and in particular, in the board room makes a company more competitive - and it will be interesting to see whether the two sides of the Coalition sing from the same hymn sheet.

BBC: Week ahead in committees