Armistead Maupin, pension proposals, Sarah Vine discusses thinning hair

Today we look at the recent government proposals to move toward a flat-rate state pension and the benefits and drawbacks of those changes for women. Jenni is joined by the Pensions Minister, Steve Webb and Dame Anne Begg MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, who continues to raise her concerns about the estimated 430,000 women who could lose out under these alterations.

You can find out more about the work of the Select Committee here and if you would like to submit evidence please email  workpencom@parliament.uk by Friday 15th February.

Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City was first serialised in a local San Francisco paper in 1976.  It told the story of a group of people living in a house in Russian Hill, presided over by free-spirited landlady Mrs Madrigal.  Featuring drugs and gay relationships, the story shocked some locals but went on to be a hugely successful novel which will be the 15 minute drama next week.  Maupin is currently writing the ninth in the series and he joins Jenni to discuss his huge surprise hit.

Last week on Woman’s Hour we discussed men and hair loss. Several listeners asked us to look at the 30% of women who also have to face this condition. Jenni speaks to journalist and Times newspaper beauty editor, Sarah Vine, who has had thinning hair since she was fourteen.

Separated parents are to gain the legal right to spend time with their children with changes being made to current legislation. Over the coming months, Woman’s Hour will be looking at different aspects of shared parenting after a split, and last week we heard from some parents. The Children's Minister Edward Timpson, stated the government’s aim is based on two principles – firstly that the safety of the child is paramount, secondly that both parents should be involved in their upbringing.   Jenni is joined by Sir Alan Beith MP, Chair of the parliamentary Justice Select Committee, to discuss the draft proposals and potential areas of concern.

The crime thriller writer Lee Weeks talks about her latest book Dead of Winter which features human trafficking and organ harvesting. Lee Weeks tells Jenni why she wrote it and her own astonishing personal story of working as an escort, human trafficking and her escape from a Triad gang in Hong Kong.