The fiscal benefits of creating a cleverer, better-educated nation may be harder to predict, or measure. But its a funny kind of Conservatism that pooh-poohs a cost?saving measure proven to make children healthy, wealthy and wise.It is quite a surprise, though a pleasant or at least amusing one, , a surprise because after more than 40 years of book-reviewing I have come to think of myself as an amiable, or sleepy, old tabby-cat whose claws are usually sheathed. It was different when I was young and trying to make a career. Then, as is quite usual, I laid into established writers with vim, vigour and even venom. Actually one of the nastiest of my early reviews brought me one of my closest friendships; this was with Giles Gordon, who had edited a collection of "experimental fiction" that I treated with rather savage mockery. Even authors can be forgiving.

"I still feel up front there should be a few more goals. Maybe in the winter transfer window they might look at that. But I think there is a chance to get to a higher level with the team."

Movers ShakersEURJPY

O tempora! O mores!A delightful interview with Lord Healey on Women's Hour earlier in which the former Chancellor, still going strong at 91 thanks to classical music and poetry, mused on the realities of ageing. To those who describe him as the best Prime Minister Labour never had, he now says: "I regret that I didn't try to be Prime Minister. Perhaps if I had I could have kept Maggie Thatcher out."

21.29pm Then there's the added edge that has developed between the Serb and the Spaniard. The duo used to enjoy the odd kick-about away from the sharp end of the ATP Tour, but that has apparently changed since Djokovic swept to the top of the men's game in 2011. Now, according to a Serbian magazine interview with his father Srdjan a few months back, neither Federer nor Nadal have the respect for Djokovic that his achievements deserve. And that friction is starting to creep on court - take this point in their last meeting, at the Rogers Cup in August. That. Stare.