Jon Sopel Presenter The Politics Show

Eco-homes could come in all shapes and sizes...

This week...

They're Gordon Brown's big idea, and the government hope they'll go some way to solving two big problems, namely CO� emissions and the housing shortage.

I speak, of course, of eco-towns.

The government has received up to 60 bids for proposed eco-towns, and in the next few weeks it will announce which 10 of the plans have been accepted.

Caroline Flint - will she have eco-answers?

But the towns are likely to face huge opposition.

Sceptics say they're a fig-leaf for overriding planning concerns and that they may not be as green as they sound.

We'll hear both sides of the argument and I'll talk live to the Housing Minister, Caroline Flint.

Passing the buses

And from April this year, those over 60 will have the right to travel on buses anywhere in England.

For some, this is great news.

The proverbial bus pass - a fare deal?

In theory you'll be able to travel from Truro to Kendall - though it might take a while (we've actually looked it up and it takes four days).

But, what about towns which attract a lot of visitors - towns like Brighton for instance?

They say they simply haven't got the money to fund the scheme and that other services will suffer.

Max Cotton has a ticket to ride.

Any other business?

And why don't more women start their own businesses?

John Hutton

That's what John Hutton wants to know - and he thinks we can learn lessons from America, where more women start businesses than in the UK.

And Mr Hutton's been speaking this week about whether or not the right to work flexibly should be extended.

He says that extension might risk losing the goodwill of business.

I'll ask the Secretary of State if this government is really on the side of business.

You can get down to the work of carving the joint after the programme...

The Politics Show on Sunday 24 February at 12:00 GMT on BBC One.

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