There is a certain appropriateness that this should be my day, as it is the last day of the tax year for individuals, and for those of you who have to file a Self Assessment tax return, your return for 2012/13 should be available for you to complete soon. Yes, I know, you’ve got until 31 January to do so (but only if you fill it in online), but given how stressful it is when you leave it until the last moment, why not start early?

Of course, it’s not too late to submit your nomination papers for the County elections, although you’ve only got until noon.

So, apart from the public information announcements, what have we got for you today? There were seven council by-elections last night, three in Knowsley, two in Nottingham and one apiece in Wigan and North East Lincolnshire, and we hope to report on those later in the day.

We also have a report on the latest developments in Japan, where the Bank of Japan is taking a very different view towards addressing economic stagnation. Is there a message for the new Governor of the Bank of England there? Staying with finance, we have coverage of criticism of the proposed European Financial Transaction Tax from Sarah Ludford MEP.

For non-drivers out there, and for those of you who take high quality public transport for granted, Judith Bunting invites you to consider how important rural bus services can be. Perhaps more controversially, Antony Hook wonders out loud why Royal Assent is still required for legislation, and asks why we don’t abolish it to save money (amongst other reasons).

And there could be more. Have a burning urge to tell our readers about something, or to express an opinion? Why not send it to us in 500 words, or thereabouts?