David Cameron has hailed the "unbreakable" friendship between Britain and Pakistan after talks with President Asif Ali Zardari. Do you welcome the meeting?
Mr Cameron said they had discussed how to "deepen and enhance" their strategic partnership and he offered more help with Pakistan's "devastating" floods.
Mr Zardari said: "This is a friendship that will never break, no matter what happens." President Asif Ali Zardari had been criticised for making his UK trip while Pakistan is facing severe floods.
Should Mr Zardari's trip have been cancelled because of the floods in north-west Pakistan? Will the meeting improve Anglo-Pakistan relations?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
British troops targeting a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan have entered the town of Saidabad. Is the fresh offensive a good idea?
The forces have been trying to clear the insurgent stronghold in central Helmand for the last four days, as part of Operation Tor Shezada.
The military have stressed that they still have a long way to go and roads into the town have not yet been cleared of improvised explosive devices.
As many as 180 insurgents are believed to use the town as a base.
Are you in Afghanistan? Can this troop offensive eradicate the Taliban? Will the operation lead to better security in the region? Is a troop offensive against insurgents the right strategy?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia are in Beirut for talks with Lebanese leaders. Will this defuse tension in the region?
It is the Syrian leader's first visit to Lebanon for five years after Syria was forced to withdraw its troops following the killing of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Mr Assad and King Abdullah are concerned that tensions may rise if, as rumoured, a UN tribunal indicts members of the Hezbollah movement for Mr Hariri's assassination.
Can the two leaders work together to help stabilise Lebanon? Will their visit benefit the region? Are you currently in Lebanon?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Ministers are to set out options for reforming the benefits system and moving people from welfare into jobs. Will this work?
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith says he wants radical reform to tackle a "culture of worklessness" and help the least well-off in society.
Ministers want to make sure that people don't find themselves worse off when starting a job than while on benefits, which they say is often the case under the current system.
Labour have questioned whether the plans are affordable and may result in cuts in welfare provision elsewhere.
Are you on benefits? How can the welfare system be improved? Should the plans involve cutting welfare? How can the government move people into work?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The government wants to cut down on the amount of rubbish we produce in England. How can this be achieved?
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has launched a review of how to achieve a "zero waste" economy. The review will look at cutting product packaging and rewarding people for throwing less away.
Other proposals include processing recyclable rubbish rather than sending it abroad.
Councils will also be asked to come up with ways to improve the frequency and "quality" of bin collections and will look at the problems caused by multiple wheelie bins.
Do you agree with government proposals to cut waste? How can the government encourage households to recycle more? Do you think there should be fewer wheelie bins? What facilities would enable you to recycle and reuse more?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean has formally registered to stand for president of his native Haiti. Should stars be politicians?
Dozens of supporters greeted the former Fugees star as he arrived with his wife and daughter at an electoral council office in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Haiti was hit by a devastating earthquake in January which killed more than 250,000 people. Mr Jean is founder of the humanitarian Yele Haiti Foundation, and has played a prominent role in securing aid since the earthquake.
Should Wyclef Jean get involved with Haiti politics? Can Wyclef make a difference in Haiti? Can celebrities make good leaders? Are stars good at securing aid?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The government is planning to scrap the default retirement age in the UK from October 2011. Under the proposal, employers would not be allowed to dismiss staff when they had reached the age of 65. Is this a good idea?
The charity which has led the campaign to end the default retirement age (DRA), welcomed the government's plan saying "It is a massive win for hundreds of thousand of employees who are at risk of being forced out of their jobs."
However, the business group, the criticised the speed of the proposals saying the government's timetable for scrapping the DRA would give companies little time to prepare for the change.
Would you like to work after reaching 65? Has there been enough consultation on the changes? Are you an employer? What effect will these changes have on you?
Q&A: Why raise the pension age?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The home secretary, Theresa May, has signalled the possible end of anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos). Do you think they should go?
Launching a review of Asbos in England and Wales, Theresa May said it is "time to move beyond the Asbo". She added: "We need to make anti-social behaviour what it once was - abnormal and something to stand up to... rather than frequent and tolerated."
More than half of Asbos in England and Wales were breached in 2008, 91Èȱ¬ Office figures show.
The Asbo was brought in by the last government to deal with persistent minor offenders.
Are Asbos outdated? Do you think they have been affective in curbing minor offences? What other measures can be introduced to cut anti-social behaviour?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
David Cameron says 1940 is "the proudest year in British history bar none". What years in British history make you proud?
The Prime Minister was speaking on on Wednesday. Listen to the clip here.
Was 1940 a proud year? Does any year beat 1940? If so tell us why? What makes you proud of Britain? What were Britain's proudest moments?
Thank you for your comments. This debate has now closed.
The benefits of 24-hour drinking have failed to materialise and tougher action is needed to tackle alcohol-related problems, the 91Èȱ¬ Office says. Do you agree?
91Èȱ¬ Secretary Theresa May has unveiled plans to overhaul licensing laws to tackle binge-drinking hotspots ahead of a key speech on anti-social behaviour.
The measures aim to tackle violent disorder and to give communities influence on licensing decisions in England and Wales.
How will these measures affect you? What has been your experience of 24-hour drinking? Do you live or work in an area that has been affected by 24-hour drinking?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The parliament of Catalonia has voted to ban bullfighting. It is now the first region of mainland Spain to ban bullfighting. Do you agree with a ban?
180,000 people have signed a petition arguing that the practice is barbaric and outdated. Bullfight supporters insist that the corrida, as it is known, is an important tradition to preserve.
Some believe that the ban isn't about animal rights but is an attempt by to mark their difference from the rest of Spain by rejecting one of its best known traditions.
What impact will outlawing the corrida have on Spanish culture and livelihoods? What impact will a ban have on other regions in mainland Spain?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
David Cameron has held talks with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on the final day of his trip. How important are relations between the two countries?
Speaking after their meeting the Indian prime minister said his country and Britain could work together to change the world, and that the two nations could take great strides in the global battles against poverty, terrorism and the effects of climate change.
India's growing economy and key role in the G20 means that it is emerging as an important international player on the global stage.
Are you in India? How has David Cameron's visit been perceived? How important are relations between Britain and India? What do you think each country has to offer the other?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to "fight" for Turkey's membership of the European Union, saying he is "angry" at the slow pace of negotiations. Should Turkey be in the EU?
In a speech at the Turkish parliament, Mr Cameron said he wanted to "pave the road" for Turkey to join the EU, saying the country was "vital for our economy, vital for our security and vital for our diplomacy".
He went on to say Turkey could become a "great European power", helping build links with the Middle East. Turkey opened accession negotiations with the EU in 2005 but is considered very unlikely to join in the next 10 years, partly because of opposition from countries such as France.
Is the prime minister right to advocate Turkey's membership to the EU? Will Turkey's inclusion help build links with the Middle East? Has the EU grown too large? Is opposition to Turkey's membership driven by protectionism and nationalism?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
MP's will be breaking up for the summer today, but when they return they will still face the £156 billion deficit which hangs over Britain.
This week, 91Èȱ¬ Radio 5 live Drive is looking for big ideas to drive down the deficit. Today the focus is on foreign and defence spending.
If you were chancellor what changes would you make? Should we scrap the RAF? Can we afford to give aid packages to poorer nations? Does it pay to be in the European Union? What ideas do you have?
You can listen to 91Èȱ¬ Radio 5 live Drive from 4 pm today.
Read the debate on day 1 about home savings, including on health, education and local services.
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
What are your hopes for the 2012 games?
Lord Coe and London Mayor Boris Johnson launched their appeals on Tuesday for thousands of Olympic volunteers to get involved in the London 2012 Olympics.
Events have been taking place at the Olympic site. Gold medallist Chris Hoy was the first to cycle round the new velodrome and former Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson ran a race on a special track against a group of young children.
What do you think of the progress of the London Olympics? Do you live in the area? What impact has the project had already? Are the Olympics a good use of taxpayers' money?
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This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
BP will emerge from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill crisis a smaller and wiser company, according to the man who is due to take over the reins. What is the future for BP?
Bob Dudley, currently in charge of BP's clean-up operation, will replace Tony Hayward as chief executive in October. Mr Dudley described the oil spill as a terrible tragedy from which the company and the industry would learn a lot.
Earlier, BP reported a record $17bn (£11bn) loss, having set aside $32bn to cover the costs of the spill.
What does the future hold for BP? What impact will Tony Hayward's departure have on the company? What should the next chief executive do to improve BP's image?
Thank you for your comments. This debate has now closed.
Plans to grant pre-charge anonymity to men accused of rape have been dropped after protests from MPs on all sides. Is this the right decision?
The coalition government originally planned to grant pre and post-charge anonymity but has now dropped the plan altogether. Labour and women Tory MPs said it could send a negative signal about women who accuse men of rape.
The government will, however, put pressure on media outlets through the not to name suspects.
Should men accused of rape be anonymous? Would anonymity send a negative signal about women who accuse men of rape? Is the coalition government right to drop the plan?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
More than 90,000 leaked US military records have been published on the website , reportedly revealing hidden details of the Afghanistan war. What will be the implications of these leaks?
Three major news publications which have been shown the documents say they include unreported killings of Afghan civilians. They also reveal Nato concerns that neighbouring Pakistan and Iran are helping Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.
The White House has said that such classified information could put the lives of Americans at risk, and threaten national security, while the Pakistani ambassador in Washington said the "unprocessed" reports did "not reflect the current onground realities".
Do the leaks help the understanding of the Afghanistan war? Do they affect the security of the troops on the ground? Do you trust leaked and unprocessed information?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
. What would you change in the police?
The proposals include a new National Crime Agency, which will focus on cross-border organised crime and drug trafficking and will replace the Serious Organised Crime Agency, which was set up by Labour four years ago.
At a local level, police and crime commissioners, who will have powers to set police force budgets, will be elected by the people in 2012. This measure has already met resistance from some senior police officers.
Do you agree with the new measures? Will elected commissioners work? What would you do to make the police forces more efficient?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
MPs will be breaking up for the summer tomorrow, 27 July, but when they return they will still have to deal with the £156 billion deficit which looms over Britain.
This week, 91Èȱ¬ Radio 5 live Drive is looking for your big ideas to drive down the deficit. Today the focus is on home savings, including on health, education and local services.
If you were chancellor what changes would you make? Should people have to pay to visit their GPs, or face a fine if they miss an appointment? Could standards be maintained if class sizes were doubled? Would we manage if our bins were only collected once a month? What ideas do you have?
You can listen to 91Èȱ¬ Radio 5 live Drive from 4 pm today.
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Former trade minister Lord Digby Jones says many universities should consider awarding more vocational qualifications. Can universities do more to prepare graduates for work?
UK universities are attracting record applications but firms often complain graduates do not have the right skills.
Lord Jones said courses need to deal with "the challenges of today".
Are you employer? Do you think graduates have the right skills? Are you a graduate? Has your degree prepared you for the world of work? Should universities offer more vocational courses?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
The US and South Korea have begun a major military exercise in the Sea of Japan, despite threats of retaliation from North Korea. What is your reaction?
The navy and air force manoeuvres involve 20 ships, 200 planes and 8,000 US and South Korean personnel.
Washington and Seoul say the war games are to deter a North Korean aggression. But North Korea called the exercises reckless and threatened to use nuclear weapons in response. China has also criticised the war games and warned against any action which might "exacerbate regional tensions".
Tensions between the two Koreas have been high since the sinking of a South Korean warship in March. An international investigation said the ship was sunk by a North Korean torpedo, a claim strongly denied by North Korea.
Are the exercises a good idea? Is China right to criticise the plans? What should the international community do? How should the US and South Korea react to the North Korean threat?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The health inequality gap in Britain is greater than it was during the post-World War I slump and the Great Depression according to a study published in the . Are health and wealth directly linked?
The UK spent the 1920s attempting to recover from WWI and then endured the Great Depression of the following decade. From that period onwards health inequalities started narrowing until the 1970s.
Since then, the gap has continued to rise steadily. It also means that a pledge by the previous Labour government to reduce the inequality gap between 1997 and 2010 is almost certain to be missed.
Do you agree with the findings of the research? What can be done to tackle health inequalities? Is there anything that we can learn from the Great Depression?
Read more of your comments.
Lessons about sex, relationships and health are not good enough in 25% of schools in England, inspectors say. Do you think standards could be improved?
Teacher embarrassment and lack of knowledge were often to blame, . The report went on to say that in many secondary schools, pupils were taught about the biology of sex but not relationships
The government says all young people should have high-quality teaching in this area and it will take Ofsted's findings into consideration in its review of the curriculum.
At what age should young people start to receive sex education? Should schools be teaching sex education or should this be the parents' responsibility?
Do the over-40s get enough sex education?
Former British Justice Secretary Jack Straw has declined to appear before a US Senate hearing on the Lockerbie controversy. Is this the right decision?
Libyan Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was convicted of bombing a US-bound jumbo jet over Lockerbie in 1988. He was released from a Scottish prison last August after doctors said he only had three months to live.
US senators want to investigate suspicions that BP may have pressed for Megrahi's release in order to help secure an offshore deal with Libya.
The Scottish government has declined an invitation to attend the hearing and oil giant BP is considering its course of action after also receiving an invitation to give evidence to the committee.
Should the US Senate look into the release of Megrahi? When is it acceptable for firms to lobby governments? Is the Scottish government solely accountable for the release? Should UK politicians attend the hearing?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
Question Time, the 91Èȱ¬'s premier political debate programme comes from Hartlepool on Thursday 22 July.
The includes the Immigration Minister Damian Green, the shadow transport secretary Sadiq Khan, UKIP's Nigel Farage, the RMT leader Bob Crow and the economist Ruth Lea.
The debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
BNP leader Nick Griffin has been denied entry to a garden party at Buckingham Palace. Should he have been allowed in?
Buckingham Palace say this is "due to the fact he has overtly used his personal invitation for party political purpose through the media" which in turn increases the security threat and potential discomfort to other guests.
The palace statement said: "The decision to deny entry is not intended to show any disrespect to the democratic process by which the invitation was issued. However, we would apply the same rules to anyone who tried to blatantly politicise their attendance in this way."
Mr Griffin's personal invitation to the garden party on Thursday was issued to him as an elected member of the European Parliament.
Did Nick Griffin blatantly politicise his attendance? Is the ban fair? Should he have been given a personal invitation?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
It's a year since Swindon became the first council in the UK to scrap fixed speed cameras. Should they be removed from the rest of the UK?
The local authority made its decision claiming that cameras did not reduce the number of accidents on the roads. During this period the accident rate in Swindon is said to have remained the same.
Since then, the coalition government has cut funding for the road safety grant this year and says it will no longer fund new speed cameras.
Should fixed speed cameras be consigned to history? Do you live in the Swindon area? Has the removal of cameras made a difference to road safety?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Young people rarely see positive images of lesbian and gay people on TV according to campaign group Stonewall. Do broadcasters need to take action?
The report, , claims ordinary gay people are almost invisible on the 20 programmes most watched by the young. It says just 46 minutes out of 126 hours' output showed gay people positively and realistically.
Gay people were mainly seen as promiscuous, predatory, or figures of fun and the study has called for broadcasters to develop guidelines to ensure more positive portrayals.
What do you think about the portrayal of lesbian and gay people on television? Does it affect attitudes in the wider community? How should we tackle homophobic bullying in schools?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
David Cameron has been criticised after mistakenly saying the UK was the "junior partner" in the allied World War II fight against Germany in 1940. Should he face criticism for saying this?
"We were the junior partner in 1940 when we were fighting the Nazis" he said during his first trip to the US as prime minister.
However, the US officially declared war on Germany on 11 December 1941, shortly after Hitler launched hostilities against the US and four days after the Pearl Harbor attacks which drew the US into conflict with Japan.
No 10 said Mr Cameron had not meant to belittle the efforts of British troops.
What do you think of David Cameron's historical slip? Could his mistake alienate former troops? Is it important to remember historical dates? If so why? Given his speech was about the relationship between the US and the UK and not about WWII, does it matter that he got the facts wrong?
Nick Clegg stood in for David Cameron in his first session of PMQs. What did you think of his performance?
It was the last PMQs before MPs go on their long summer break and with David Cameron in Washington the Liberal Democrat leader was sparring with Jack Straw.
Mr Clegg was tackled on a number of issues including coalition cuts and investment in schools.
What did you think of PMQs? How did Nick Clegg perform? How important are PMQs?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Parents at a school in Somerset have mounted a petition to stop teaching the cartoon series The Simpsons in a media course. What can children learn from cartoons?
More than 400 parents have signed the petition to stop Kingsmead Community School in Somerset teaching a sequence of the hit US cartoon series in a media module.
Parent Joseph Reynolds said the programme was not the right quality of learning material for his daughter and her classmates, but the school's governors have ruled that the cartoon should remain part of the course.
Do you think The Simpsons has a place in the school curriculum? Or should the school change its media module? What can cartoons like The Simpsons teach children?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Victims of crime in England and Wales are treated as the "poor relation", a senior government advisor has claimed. Do you agree?
Senior government advisor, Louise Casey, says crime victims are often sidelined in a criminal system which focuses its attention on the perpetrator.
Ms Casey said that too much emphasis was placed on trying to help all victims of crime, rather than concentrating on those most in need.
Do you agree with Ms Casey's statements? Have you been a victim of crime? Were you happy with the support you received? Do you think the penal system could be improved?
Victim's struggle: Mother's account of her experiences of the criminal system.
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has said he wants diplomats to use every opportunity to win orders for UK firms on the last day of his US trip. What will his visit achieve?
Speaking in New York, David Cameron has promised to transform British foreign policy so that it is focused primarily on promoting UK businesses abroad.
Since Mr Cameron's arrival in the US on Tuesday, a row has erupted over the release of the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi.
Both Mr Obama and Mr Cameron have condemned the decision to free Megrahi.
Does a "special relationship" still exist? What impact will the BP oil spill and the Lockerbie bomber's release have on UK-US relations? Should the relationship focus on the promotion of business?
Listen to Radio's 4 Today programme:
Afghan leader Hamid Karzai has renewed a call for his country to control its own security by 2014. Can the country achieve this?
A major conference on Afghanistan, attended by representatives from 70 countries, has endorsed Mr Karzai's goal for Afghan forces to lead security operations by 2014.
The talks ended with an agreement to channel 50% of aid - up from 20% - through the Afghan government.
What will the day-long conference achieve for Afghanistan's future? Will the meeting be a milestone? How will it be remembered? Are you in the region?
Lyse Doucet will be among 91Èȱ¬ correspondents assessing the impact of the Kabul meeting. You can follow .
What will come out of the 'historic' Kabul conference?
There is more coverage at 91Èȱ¬ World Service and 91Èȱ¬ World News.
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The 91Èȱ¬'s television licence fee could be cut under the government's public spending austerity drive. Do you think the 91Èȱ¬ provides good value for money?
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said that the cost of the TV licence fee - which is used to fund the 91Èȱ¬ - could be cut under new austerity measures.
On Monday, Education Secretary Michael Gove questioned whether the licence fee was good value for money on the 91Èȱ¬'s Today programme.
Do you agree that the licence fee should be cut? Do you think changes should be made at the 91Èȱ¬? Or do you think the licence fee is money well spent? Where would you like to see money spent within the 91Èȱ¬?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has announced aid projects worth $500m (£328m) as part of a five-year $7.5bn (£5bn) for Pakistan. Will this help the region?
Mrs Clinton said she wants the partnership between the US and Pakistan to go "far beyond security against our common enemies." But she also added that the US expects Pakistan to take further, specific actions against militant networks.
On Sunday, the UK also announced that the spending on aid projects in Afghanistan will increase by 40% in efforts to hasten the withdrawal of troops from the country.
Will international aid bring stability to the region? How should that aid be distributed? How should Afghanistan and Pakistan tackle militant networks?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
David Cameron is to launch the government's 'big society' plan, a central theme in the Conservative general election manifesto. What do you think of his ideas?
In a speech in Liverpool, he's expected to promise to train more community organisers, allow charities to consult civil servants and use dormant bank accounts to fund projects.
Mr Cameron's aim is to transfer power from the state to individuals by allowing communities and voluntary groups to help run public services. He says this will ensure greater "people power" and wider change.
Would you join a voluntary group? Would this help you or your community take more control of your life? How can society be made better?
A 91Èȱ¬ investigation has found dozens of new legal highs available online following the ban of mephedrone and naphyrone earlier this year. Does a ban ever work?
It also found mephedrone is still widely available online despite the ban in April.
The governments chief drugs advisor professor Les Iverson said Britain was 'floundering' in its attempts to control the online mephedrone market.
Prof Iverson is calling for a blanket ban for all similar legal highs until they have been tested but critics say that could result in more dangerous substances flooding the market.
Do you think all new 'legal highs' should be outlawed? Would that deter people from using them?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The Civil Aviation Authority has said it is doing all it can to fly people home after the collapse of Greece and Turkey travel specialist Goldtrail. Are you worried about your holiday?
About 16,000 Goldtrail customers were abroad when the company went into administration on Friday afternoon, while a further 2,000 were scheduled to fly from the UK over the weekend.
Goldtrail is the 11th holiday firm to collapse this year, according to the CAA.
2010 has been a difficult year for the travel industry as it recovers from the after affects of the volcanic ash disruption, estimated to have cost it more than £1bn.
What will be the long term impact of this year's events on our ability to travel by air? Are the days of cheap holidays numbered? Do you work in the travel industry?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
UK spending on aid projects in Afghanistan will increase by 40% in a bid to hasten the withdrawal of troops from the country. Will this bring stability to the region?
It is believed the money will go towards more policing, emergency food and medicine as well as providing thousands of job and training opportunities. However, this could mean that spending on aid to many other countries will be reviewed.
International development is one of only two government budgets, along with health, set to be protected from far-reaching spending cuts being imposed by the Treasury.
Can increased spending on international aid be justified during the economic crisis? Have the right priorities been made? Should securing progress in Afghanistan be the UK's main priority? Will the proposed measures hasten the withdrawal of British troops?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Barbie dolls, Action men and My Little Ponies were the must-have toys years ago. Today children want the latest in computer gaming. Is your child a screen addict?
Consultant psychiatrist, Dr Alex Yellowlees, warns that youngsters can rapidly become screen addicts. He says parents can rely too heavily on computer games, even using them as unofficial babysitters. He says they are not a fun and harmless pastime anymore.
It is not uncommon for children to spend upwards of six to eight hours daily on their computers playing games. This may cause them to experience the negative effects of gaming.
Is your child experiencing any gaming-related problems? Is your child socially avoidant or anxious? Why is your child spending so much time fixed to the screen?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has said he will commit the majority of his estimated $13.5bn (£8.8bn) fortune to philanthropy after his death. Are we too dependent on philanthropists?
Mr Allen follows fellow co-founder Bill Gates in pledging billions of dollars to projects designed to help others.
In the UK, the government hopes charitable giving will help plug a funding gap of up to 30%, but it has emerged that some of the country's leading philanthropists have warned that such an ambition is overly optimistic.
Do you welcome the support of philanthropists or is it something we should be concerned about? Are we becoming over reliant on philanthropists?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Question Time, the 91Èȱ¬'s premier political debate programme comes from Bexhill-on-Sea on Thursday 15 July.
David Dimbleby will be by the Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham, former Respect MP George Galloway, Labour activist Sally Bercow, and the broadcaster Nick Ferrari.
The questions asked were:
Are the revelations in Peter Mandelson's book damaging to the Labour Party and has Lord Mandelson damaged his own integrity?
Taking into account his psychological state revealed in recent tape recordings, who should be held responsible for Raoul Moat's actions on his release from prison?
Are GPs qualified to make accounting decisions and will that distract them from their medical duties?
Bearing in mind that bankers received massive bonuses for poor performance, is it not right that a headteacher should be rewarded well for an outstanding school?
With the forthcoming cuts to policing budgets and prison places, has there ever been a better time to be a criminal?
This debate is now closed. Thank you.
Argentina has become the first country in Latin America to legalise gay marriage. What impact will this decision have?
The new law will also allow same-sex couples to adopt children. The issue has divided a country where 91% consider themselves Catholic.
Should other countries in Latin America follow suit? How will the decision affect the country? If you live in Latin America, how do you feel about the decision?
Londonderry has been named the UK inaugural City of Culture. Is Londonderry worthy?
Supporters gathered in Liverpool to see the announcement broadcast live on 91Èȱ¬ One's The One Show at 1900 BST. The competition follows the city's successful tenure as European Capital of Culture in 2008 which saw it host events including the MTV Awards.
It is expected that Londonderry will see economic and social benefits which could leave a lasting legacy although it will not receive any government funding.
Will the title UK City of Culture make a difference to Londonderry's economy? Did Liverpool benefit from its time as European Capital of Culture? Do you live in any of the competing cities?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
Business Secretary Vince Cable has said a graduate tax could be brought in to make England's student funding system fairer and more sustainable. What would you suggest?
It would see students repaying the cost of their tuition through taxation once they begin working, with higher earners paying more. At present, the government lends students money to cover the cost of fees, with graduates beginning to pay back the loan once they are earning more than £15,000 a year.
In his first key speech on universities, Mr Cable set out a series of potentially sweeping changes, including the introduction of more market forces into the higher education sector and more flexible, shorter degree courses.
Should students repay their tuition through taxation? Is this fair? And what do you think of the introduction of two-year degrees? How would you cut the costs of higher education?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
Prime Minister David Cameron says there should be no sympathy for "callous murderer" Raoul Moat. Do you agree?
Mr Cameron told the House of Commons all public sympathy should be for the gunman's victims. He spoke after flowers were left at the scene of Moat's death in Northumberland and messages of sympathy to him were left on Facebook.
Raoul Moat is believed to have shot Samantha Stobbart, 22, killed her partner Chris Brown and injured Pc David Rathband. After a week on the run, Moat apparently shot himself in Rothbury on Saturday.
Do you agree with the Prime Minister? Why do you think there is sympathy for Moat? Should Facebook pages sympathising with him be taken down?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
A skin lightening application for Facebook in India will allow users to make their faces lighter in their profile pictures. How important are these online images?
The application is part of a campaign by skincare company Vaseline to promote its range of skin-lightening creams for men.
Skin lightening creams for women have been on the market for 27 years, but only recently have the creams been marketed for men, with more than half a dozen foreign brands for sale in the region.
In 2009, a poll of nearly 12,000 people by online dating site Shaadi.com claimed that skin tone was considered to be one of the most important characteristics when choosing a partner in certain northern Indian states.
Would you use this application? Should social network users be encouraged to lighten their profile pictures? Is there too much pressure on people to alter their skin colour?
A drop in the crime rate is not linked to a rise in prison population says the Justice Secretary, Kenneth Clarke. Do you agree?
Instead he argues that the fall in the crime rate in the 1990s was because of an increase in the country's prosperity.
Speaking to judges, suggested that an increase in the employment rate had a greater effect in reducing offending than sending people to prison. Instead, he favours rehabilitation and community sentences.
Does a prison sentence stop a criminal re-offending? Do alternatives to prison work? Have you had experience with the prison system?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
on wearing the Islamic full veil in public.
The legislation would make it illegal for women to wear the burka or the niqab in public. Fines of 150 euros (£119) are envisaged for women wearing the veils and men who force their wives to wear the burka could receive a fine of 30,000 euros and a year jail term. If the bill is ratified by the Senate in September, it will become law.
There are estimated to be only about 2,000 women wearing the full veil in France, with most of these in the niqab rather than the burka, although the bill is opposed by many of France's five million Muslims.
The bill has broad cross-party support in the National Assembly and opinion polls suggest overwhelming public support.
Do you wear the burqa or niqab? What do you think of the proposed ban? Should the government have a say in what people wear? If the ban goes ahead, what will it achieve? Are some Islamic veils banned where you live?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
A new survey predicts . What will that mean for the UK?
says by 2051 a growing birth rate, coupled with high levels of immigration from Europe, Australasia and the US, as well as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, will take the UK population to 78m.
One of the authors, , says the UK's ethnic make-up is "evolving significantly". The report predicts ethnic minorities will make up 20% of a 78m population.
Prof Rees says it's not an exact science: "It is impossible to predict exactly how people will move into, out of and within the country... as all of these trends are influenced by a whole range of socio-economic factors."
Will a more diverse population strengthen the UK? Should the government do anything to limit population growth? How will the increasing population impact on you?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
How much is too much for good teachers?
Mark Elms, from in south London, received more than £200,000 in salary, bonuses and backdated payments - £51,957 of which was from a 2008/09 Labour government plan to tackle underachievement in disadvantaged areas.
The top of the pay scale for head teachers is £109,000 for those working in the largest London state schools, but governors are allowed to offer more.
Does education need salary capping? Should governors have the power to increase staff bonuses? Is the prime minister's salary a fair yardstick by which to compare payment in other professions?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Should doctors control the purse strings?
The government wants doctors to club together in consortia to take charge of £70bn for mental health, hospital and community services.
It would represent a but some experts have questioned whether the profession has the skills to take on such a responsibility.
Do you work in the medical profession? Should doctors be given more financial power? Will this mean more paperwork and less patient time for GPs? How would you restructure the NHS?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The Church of England's ruling synod What does this mean for the future of the Church?
The subject of ordaining women bishops has long been a contentious one for the Church, with many traditionalists opposing the move.
Traditionalists had sought exemptions from serving under women bishops, but were given minimal concessions, a move that may result in many leaving the Church.
Are you a clergyman or woman in the Church of England? What do you think of the Church's ruling? Are you worried about the possibility of a split in the Church?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Spain has beaten The Netherlands in extra time of the final of the football 2010 World Cup. What will be the legacy of the tournament?
The World Cup has seen some surprise results, including early exits of leading contenders such as Italy, France, Argentina, Brazil and England. Smaller teams have fared much better than expected.
The tournament has not been untouched by controversy. was warned the games could be subject to match-fixing.
The next World Cup could also see a shake-up in the refereeing system, in England's match against Germany.
Have you been following the World Cup? How has it affected the place where you live? What did you think of teams' performances? Is the final result a good thing for the smaller countries who performed well? Is football due for a shake-up?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Ten Russian spies since the end of the Cold War. Does spying still have a purpose in the world today?
The ten Russian agents left New York after a judge ordered their expulsion during a court hearing at which they admitted spying for a foreign country.
Meanwhile, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has pardoned four people convicted of espionage in Russia.
Two of the four Russians expelled from Moscow are reported to be staying undercover in a British hotel.
How essential are intelligence services for countries? Are there better ways of getting information? What impact does it have with relations between nations?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Question Time, the 91Èȱ¬'s premier political debate programme comes from Edinburgh on Thursday 8 July.
David Dimbleby will be joined by , the Conservative peer Lord Forsyth, shadow International Development secretary Douglas Alexander, Lib Dem MP and Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore, the Deputy First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, and Irish comedian Ed Byrne.
The questions asked were:
Given that the majority of voters actively voted against the Conservative cuts agenda what mandate do the Lib-Con coalition have to implement such aggressive cuts in public spending?
Should we have confidence in a minister for education who didn't take the time to check over his homework before releasing it?
Do you agree with the US senate's call for an official investigation into Scotland's release of Abdelbasat al Megrahi?
Should Britain's withdrawal of troops from Sangin Province be viewed as a beginning of a retreat?
Does planning the referendum on voting reform for the same day as Holyrood elections fit in with David Cameron's pledge to respect the devolved governments?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Two headteachers of Sandwell schools hit by the government mistake over building cuts have said . Is the condition of a school building more important than the quality of teaching?
The coalition government's decision to axe the programme means 715 schools will see their rebuilding projects cancelled.
A number of schools that thought their building plans had been saved have now been told they are in fact being cut. Mr Gove said he had sought to ensure the new list was "as complete as possible and as accurate as possible", adding that he took "full responsibility for that regrettable error".
He has also said that the financial situation means he has to prioritise funding to try to reduce the £155bn budget deficit, and believes that the BSF programme was not value for money and was over bureaucratic.
Are you a parent or teacher worried about these cuts? Should there be more focus on the quality of teaching rather than on school buildings? Should financial cuts be made in education? If so, how would you make the cuts?
. It is the largest prisoner release by the communist authorities for decades. Is this a 'new era' for Cuba?
The Cuban government has been under pressure to free dissidents after hunger strikes by prisoners such as Guillermo Farinas. Their release follows talks in Havana with officials from Spain and the Roman Catholic Church. Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, in Havana, said the move "opens a new era in Cuba".
Cuba has always denied that it has political prisoners, calling them mercenaries paid by the United States to undermine Havana's rule. Laura Pollan, of dissident group Ladies in White, whose husband is a political prisoner, said Cuba was at "the first steps of a true democracy". But the Cuban Commission on Human Rights claims there are still 110 political prisoners in Cuban jails.
What is your reaction to the release of these prisoners? Does this signal a change in the way Cuba is governed? Is this a step towards democracy?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
A row is erupting after Blizzard - the publishers of the popular online game - announced that . Should your online identity be anonymous?
The firm say . Vameras, one of the site community managers, says the forums have become "a place where flame wars, trolling and other unpleasantness run wild".
However users are reacting angrily, citing concerns about safety and privacy.
Is it an invasion of privacy? Does anonymity create a more negative forum environment? How do you promote constructive online conversations? How do you feel about your own online identity?
What is your reaction?
Arizona is the biggest entry point into the US for illegal immigrants - home to an estimated 460,000 of them. Associated problems include drug-trafficking and violent kidnappings. The new law requires state and local officers to query the immigration status of people stopped for a legitimate reason who arouse suspicion of being in the US illegally.
However the justice department says the law is unconstitutional, claiming federal laws do not permit a "patchwork of state and local immigration policies". The law is opposed by President Barack Obama, civil liberties groups, and by the Mexican government.
How should the US tackle illegal immigration? Should Arizona have the right to pass its own immigration laws? Is the justice department right to intervene? Send us your comments.
Will this improve discipline?
Currently, heads can only authorise a search of pupils, without their consent if there are reasonable grounds to do so, but only to look for knives or other weapons.
The government also plans to simplify the guidance on the use of force and to give anonymity to teachers when accused of malpractice, amongst other measures to ensure good discipline in schools.
Can these measures help to improve discipline? What other measures would help? Will these new powers help teachers in their daily job? How will this affect pupils?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
. Has the right decision been made?
Under the so-called "discretion test", gay or lesbian asylum seekers from countries including Iran, Cameroon and other African nations were regularly told to go home and keep their sexuality secret to avoid repercussions.
The 91Èȱ¬ Office said that it took sexuality into account when making its decisions but Lord Hope, who read out the judgement, said: "To compel a homosexual person to pretend that his sexuality does not exist or suppress the behaviour by which to manifest itself is to deny him the fundamental right to be who he is".
Do you agree with Supreme Court's ruling? Should the "discretion test" by UK immigration officials be abolished? Is enough being done to protect gay and lesbian asylum seekers?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
. Will talks improve relations between the two countries?
Speaking after the Oval Office meeting, President Obama praised Israel for announcing that it would allow more consumer goods to enter the Gaza Strip.
Mr Obama has urged the Israelis and Palestinians to resume direct peace talks before a settlement freeze expires in September.
The two leaders downplayed suggestions of a rift between the US and Israel, with Mr Obama saying the bond was "unbreakable".
Will this meeting improve relations between the two nations? Has Netanyahu done enough to appease President Obama's concerns? What will these talks achieve?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
means that more than three quarters of employers require at least a 2:1 degree grade. How difficult is it to get a graduate job?
The Association of Graduate Recruiters says there are more graduates chasing fewer jobs. With vacancies down by 7% and soaring applications there's an average of 69 people chasing each graduate job.
In response, 78% of employers are now filtering out applicants who have not achieved a 2:1 degree. One third of students achieve a 2:2 and will not even be considered by these employers.
Are you a job-hunting graduate with a 2:2? Are you an employer looking for graduates with at least a 2:1? Is the market for graduate jobs too competitive?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
, as football's world governing body, Fifa, threatened to expel Nigeria from world football. Do governments have the right to intervene?
Fifa rules prohibit government intervention in its members' affairs. The governing body's president Sepp Blatter had already warned French president Nicolas Sarkozy of possible sanctions after he pledged to personally lead an investigation into France's acrimonious World Cup campaign.
England's Football Association has been criticised by a former UK sports minister. After England's exit from the World Cup, Richard Caborn commented that .
Is Fifa right to threatened expulsion from international games? Should governments be able to interfere with football? How could the involvement of politicians help improve national team performances?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The 91Èȱ¬'s Annual Report and Accounts has been published, while the as part of its wide-ranging strategic review. Are the right decisions being made at the 91Èȱ¬?
Trust Chairman Sir Michael Lyons says that the Trust would only consider closing the station as part of a wider strategy on the future of digital radio. However, it has accepted plans to close the Asian Network, cut 25 percent of the online budget and close Blast!
The annual report follows recent comments from . However, the corporation's director general, Mark Thompson, has warned that revealing the salaries of its top stars would be "damaging and destructive".
Do you agree with the Trust's verdict on 6 Music? Do 91Èȱ¬ channels and programmes provide good value for money? How should the Corporation be spending its money, and how open should it be in doing so?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
too much according to a survey carried out by Childwise for 91Èȱ¬ Newsround. Is the drinking culture too ingrained in our society?
Half of the 1,234 10 to 14-year-olds questioned for the study said they had seen their parents drunk. Nearly half claimed not to be bothered by adults drinking, but 16% said alcohol made adults angry and aggressive and 30% said they were scared when adults drank.
The survey comes six months after former Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls warned parents in England not to under-estimate the "dangerous consequences" of under-age drinking.
Do adults need to rethink their attitude towards drinking? Should children be educated from an early age about the dangers of alcohol? What action needs to be taken to prevent binge drinking worsening in the next generation?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Do you think he can repeat his Iraq success?
The general, calling the battle in Afghanistan "a contest of wills", said the coalition would not back down against the Taliban, despite a number of gloomy analyses of the war's progress.
"We are in this to win," the new commander said.
He also paid tribute to his predecessor,
What does the future hold for the Afghanistan campaign under Gen Petraeus? Will the change of personnel at the top bring a change in strategy, despite President Obama insisting it will not?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The 91Èȱ¬'s Panorama has learnt that only 18 UK teachers have been struck off for incompetence in the past 40 years. What is the best way to handle incompetence?
This is despite the ex-chief inspector of UK schools, Chris Woodhead, estimating some 15,000 are not up to the job. Panorama has found that bad teachers are moved between schools, rather than having their competency challenged.
Teaching unions dispute the claims. The General Teaching Council for England, says the number is "not clear".
What do you think of the way teacher's incompetence is dealt with? Is the competence system credible? What makes a competent teacher?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
A number of MPs are calling for at big sporting events to be made illegal. Should there be limits on ticket touts?
The ban would include Wimbledon, where tickets for tomorrow's men's final are currently being offered on websites for more than £6,000 a pair.
Currently, it is only illegal to re-sell tickets for professional football matches.
But Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP for Washington and Sunderland North, wants touting to be banned at all "crown jewel" sporting events, such as Wimbledon, the Grand National and the Six Nations Rugby.
Should touting be made illegal at major sporting events? Should a ban be wider than just sporting events? Have you bought tickets from a tout? Do ticket touts provide a necessary service for those needing to sell tickets?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
A is planned for 5 May 2011, the 91Èȱ¬ understands. Would you support the move?
A vote on changing from first-past-the-post to the alternative vote (AV) could be held on the day of Holyrood, Welsh Assembly and English local elections.But the government must first get it through Parliament and may face a rebellion by Tory MPs.
Many Labour MPs oppose a referendum - something pledged as part of the Tory-Lib Dem coalition deal. It is thought the referendum will be linked to plans to change constituency boundaries, which is a key concern of the Conservatives but something fiercely opposed by Labour.
Is the current voting system fair? Does a change need to be made? Is AV the right option to turn to?
What would you be happy to pay for on the internet?
News International, which owns the paper, has introduced the charges in response to falling advertising income.
Currently the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal are the only major papers to have similar paywalls.
Will the business model be a success? Are you a Times website reader? Will charging for content save the newspaper industry?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
David Dimbleby will be joined by the Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, the shadow home secretary Alan Johnson, Telegraph columnist Simon Heffer, Professor of Classics Mary Beard and social policy campaigner Dame Dr Camila Batmanghelidjh.
The questions asked were:
With the Treasury projecting huge job losses in the public sector as a result of the coalition's budget, is Osborne leading us on the path to recovery or the road to ruin?
Who is right about prison? Ken Clarke or Michael Howard?
Is the emergency cap on immigration the equivalent to putting a Band Aid on a gaping wound?
Is the government returning to the old Tory Mantra of "get on yer bike" by asking families to dig up roots and move in order to get jobs?
by pushing for more British officials in senior EU posts. What are your views on Mr Hague's plans?
Speaking at the Foreign Office in London he argued UK representation in Brussels is declining and input waning. He said the UK represents 12% of the EU population but has just 1.8% of staff in entry-level positions at the commission.
Mr Hague has also called for a new focus on improving links with developing countries like India, China and Brazil.
Should Britain have more influence in the EU? What should be the UK's international goals? How crucial are relations between the UK and developing countries?
Nick Clegg is to ask the public to they would like to see abolished. What laws would you change?
The deputy prime minister is launching a website, in which people will be able to propose ways to reduce bureaucracy, make the running of their business simpler and suggest which offences should be removed or changed.
He will say these suggestions will be taken into account when the Freedom Bill is published in the autumn.
What laws would you change and why? How important is it for governments to consult the public in these matters? Can this intiative reduce bureaucracy?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
