I found the answer.
In synaptic, under settings - preferences - distribution, the
behaviour selected was Prefer version from [ feisty ]. I changed this
to Always prefer the highest version. I can now update Ubuntu. The
confusion is solved and Ubuntu is now fine.
If someone can close the bug then
Now the update manager says nine updates. Nothing happens when you try
and update. The new update is tcpdump from version 3.9.5-2 to
3.9.5-2ubuntu1. Synaptic package manager shows that 3.9.5-2 is installed
and the latest version but update manager is still not updating
(probably because there
ubuntu feisty fawn. Sorry, should have put that in original post.
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update manager is showing updates available but no update is available
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/128332
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu
Bugs, which is the bug contact for Ubuntu.
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Public bug reported:
Binary package hint: update-manager
Update Manager is showing 8 updates. bind9-host, dnsutils, libbind9-0,
libdns22, libisc11, libisccc0, libisccfg1, liblwres9. All say change of
version from 1:9.3.4-2ubuntu2 to 1:9.3.4-2ubuntu2.1. Synaptic package
manager says packages