"As prime minister, one of the things I'm very keen to do is help families in this position who are mentioned by the media..." Cameron said.

FIFH

I think one problem is that the rhetoric from Miliband is still far too respectful.

The ConDems need to be put on the defensive, and that won't happen while they're being brutally savaged by pastoral politeness from Labour's front bench.

My guess is that the coalition is more precarious than it looks, and a few choice kicks in the headlines and a memorable phrase or two would be enough to undo it.