The Times has a big two-page spread today and a leader on the growing influence of right-of-centre think tanks. Fascinating as it is, why choose today to concentrate on these think-tanks? Phil Webster, political editor, is a friend of Ed Balls and a fellow supporter of Norwich. They even travel to matches together.

Tucked away elsewhere in the paper is a tiny PA piece on a Charity Commission investigation of another think-tank where Ed Balls once worked. Times readers will have to look hard to find it. All the other papers give it prominence Telegraph – page 4, FT – page 3, Independent – page 24, Mail – page 4, Guardian – page 16, Express – page 4, not forgetting the BBC. Even News International stablemate The Sun has a piece on it.

Fact : The Times had the Smith Institute / Gordon Brown story last year.