Faye Barker's blog

If you picked up a copy of The Guardian newspaper this morning, you may have raised an eyebrow at the headline; "Hidden government plans to privatise the police". The paper reports that two forces, West Midlands and Surrey, are asking security firms to bid for contracts, worth £1.5 billion over seven years, to run some services that are currently carried out by officers. The Police Federation says budget cuts to policing are meaning chief officers face a dilemma as to how to balance the books, but believe this as an "extremely dangerous road to take". Those behind the plan say it's simply looking at innovative ways to try and continue improving on the service provided to communities. Our correspondent Liz Wickham has been investigating for us. We're only two months away from the mayoral elections now, and Boris Johnson has kicked off his re-election campaign today. Addressing the Conservative Party spring forum, he said: "I'm afraid on May 3rd I do see real risks for this city and this country... I see a risk that City Hall will be recaptured by a bunch of semi-reformed Trotskyist, car-hating, Hugo Chavez idolising, newt fancying, tax dodging, bank bashing hypocrites and bendy bus fetishists." So what does his main rival Ken Livingstone think about that? Glen Goodman has been finding out... and it looks like we should be in for an entertaining couple of months of election campaigning! As it's Saturday, our team has been keeping a watchful eye on the football. We'll have a full report on a gripping match between Arsenal and Liverpool this lunchtime (I won't give away the result). Manali will be joining us for the latest weather forecast - I suggest you make the most of this afternoon's sunny spells as tomorrow doesn't look great I'm afraid. However, we need some rain if we're facing a drought don't we?! Do join us all at 5:35pm on ITV1.