Today: Wednesday 18th May

Nick Clegg is to oppose the idea of getting an independent regulator to promote competition in the NHS, a major part of the government's plan to change the health service. Also on today's programme, will the sport of cycling ever kick the doping habit?

To speed up the loading time for this running order, we have replaced the audio with links. To hear the reports, interviews and discussions, just click on the links.

Get in touch via email , Twitter or Facebook or text us on 84844.

0615
Business news with Adam Shaw: The number of unemployed people in the UK is expected to have dropped again in the three months to March, but economists believe this trend is likely to go into reverse. John Philpott, chief economic advisor for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, unpicks the figures. And chief executive of Easyjet Carolyn McCall explains the budget airline's claim that government plans to increase air passenger duty could cost the industry 77,000 UK jobs.

0650
One of the bloodiest wars of modern times ended exactly two years ago, when the Sri Lankan state defeated the separatist Tamil Tigers. Charles Haviland reports from Colombo on whether Sri Lanka is now truly at peace.

0709
It is the second day of the Queen's historic visit to Ireland, a trip which has not been made by a British monarch for 100 years. Tim Carey, author of a history of Croke Park in Dublin, considers the significance of her visit to the sport stadium.

0714
The UK's copyright laws can not keep pace with digital developments and are in need of extensive reform, according to a new review. Professor Ian Hargreaves, who conducted the report, talks about the best way to shake up licensing.

0718
Business news with Adam Shaw.

0720
Rapists will have their jail sentences halved if they admit their guilt under a plan being proposed by the government. Former Labour MP Vera Baird QC explains why she thinks the move is unworkable.

0725
Sports news with Garry Richardson.

0733
The National Audit Office says the government's multi-billion pound programme to computerise patient records will never be fully delivered, and what has been provided so far has not been value for money. Richard Bacon, a Conservative member of the Public Accounts Committee, outlines the problems. And the health minister Simon Burns responds to calls for the programme to be scrapped.

0739
Paper review.

0742
The Earl of Onslow has died, one of the most colourful of the hereditary peers and an unpredictable pursuer of many different causes, who survived to sit in the upper house by a vote of his fellow members. Lord Strathclyde, leader of the House of Lords, remembers him and looks back at a few of his most extraordinary moments.

0747
Thought for the day with the Right Reverend James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool.

0750
An announcement this morning will reveal the official route for the 2012 Olympic torch, as well as a programme designed to find 8,000 torch bearers. Sports editor David Bond explores the proud history of the torch.

0810
Nick Clegg is to oppose the idea of getting an independent regulator to promote competition in the NHS, a major part of the government's plan to change the health service. Former Lib Dem health spokesman Dr Evan Harris and Conservative backbencher Peter Bone, who used to sit on the health select committee, debate the potential impact of Mr Clegg's opposition.

0821
The chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, Paul McKeevor, will today tell the home secretary that ministers are wreaking revenge on the service with cuts to officer numbers. Mr McKeevor explains the reasoning behind his claims.

0827
Sports news with Garry Richardson.

0834
How do you do business on the internet in music, film or games without breaching copyright? Pete Smith, co-founder of Song Kick, and Antony Bebawi of EMI music publishing debate if the current laws are outdated.

0840
A proposal which would enshrine the rights of victims of crime in law is being launched in Brussels today by, among others, a British campaigner whose son was beaten and brain damaged while on holiday three years ago. Viviane Reding, European commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, explains the move.

0844
The governing body for cycling says it is now leading the fight against drugs, following several major scandals involving some of the world's most successful cyclists. Tim Franks reports on enshrine the rights of victims of crime in law is being launched in Brussels today the sportsmen who take drugs to ride "harder, faster and for longer, day after day".

0850
Business news with Adam Shaw.

0853
South Africans are voting in local government elections which are being seen as a test of the popularity of Jacob Zuma's national government. Our correspondent, Karen Allen, joins us from Kliptown, in the Johannesburg suburb of Soweto.

0857
The Large Hadron Collider at Cern has been up and running for a year now. Its director general Rolf Heuer is in London and has the latest information on what progress it is making.