The FT reports that senior Conservatives are split on moves to allow their "pupil passports" to be used by parents wishing to send their children to independent schools.

While shadow chancellor Oliver Letwin and co-chairman Liam Fox back the move, the paper says that shadow education secretary Tim Yeo has privately expressed concern that the move would allow Labour to say the party was helping the middle classes at the expense of the poor.

Meanwhile, the Guardian reports that the Conservatives are set to leave in place most of the government's tax credits.

Despite arguing that they make the less well off more dependent on the state, the party is concerned to avoid giving the impression that it is attacking the poor.