In future, in our covering letter, we will advise schools to read the material very carefully before distributing it.

BBC: School in contraception advice row

But the Department for Work and Pensions has since said pensioners can return unwanted winter fuel payments via post, with a covering letter, or by calling its benefits hotline.

BBC: Duncan Smith 'relaxed' over well-off pensioner paybacks

Margaret Beckett even began her covering letter to the prime minister last year regarding the report with "Dear Gordon", so this could never be described as an independent report.

BBC: Your views: July 7 intelligence report