The best solutions are not popular with lobbyists, unions or corporations, and to implement them would cost politicians the financial support they desperately need to get reelected.

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In order to win over red-shirt supporters, his government has announced a string of populist economic policies, such as free schooling for 12m students, more financial support for the elderly and, most recently, low-cost loans for the poor.

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Egypt is also seeking additional financial support from western and Gulf states, to help cover the immense cost to its economy of this year's upheavals.

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So following a meeting of the House Committee of the House of Lords, and at their request, I have today written to the senior salaries review body to ask them to review the system of financial support in the House of Lords to increase accountability, transparency and reduce cost.

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But it said a chronic shortage of cancer doctors and the rising cost of treatments meant its predictions might have to be reviewed unless current levels of government financial support are maintained.

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