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Controversial plans to change the way NHS spends its £100bn budget being considered

Wed, 23 May 2012 18:17:58 GMT

Senior health service managers are considering controversial plans to change the way the NHS spends its £100bn annual budget across different parts of England.

Deep concerns over government plans to cut benefits for alcoholics and drug addicts who refuse treatment

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:59:41 GMT

Doctors and addiction charities today expressed deep concerns over government plans to cut the benefits of people suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction who refuse treatment.

Ken Clarke blames press over full jails

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:37:35 GMT

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke today blamed the popular press for putting thousands of criminals in jail who do not need to be there.

David Cameron forced to withdraw 'idiots' jibe aimed at Ed Miliband and Ed Balls

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:21:57 GMT

David Cameron today dismissed Labour leader Ed Miliband and shadow chancellor Ed Balls as "muttering idiots" as he lost his temper at their heckling during Prime Minister's Questions.

Terror threat from Afghanistan and Pakistan has dropped, says David Cameron

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:19:27 GMT

Half of the major terrorist plots threatening Britain emerge from Afghanistan and Pakistan nearly 11 years after UK troops joined a US-led coalition to oust the Taliban, David Cameron said today.

David Cameron to fight prison voting plan

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:13:11 GMT

David Cameron put the UK on collision course with Europe today as he signalled he will fight plans forcing the UK to give prisoners voting rights.

George Osborne under fire over 'pasty tax'

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:06:22 GMT

A group of MPs from across the political divide lined up today to urge the Government to rethink its proposals to slap 20% VAT on baked goods.

Adrian Beecroft report shows nasty party is back, says Ed Miliband

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:27:28 GMT

Labour leader Ed Miliband has claimed a controversial report by a Downing Street adviser which called for changes to make it easier for businesses to sack people showed the "nasty party" was back.

Downing Street keeps Iran conflict plan under wraps

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:25:21 GMT

Downing Street declined today to discuss the UK's contingency plans in the event of a military confrontation between Israel and Iran, amid reports that ministers have asked law officers to examine whether any British involvement would be legal.

Labour will back David Cameron in prisoner vote fight, says Ed Balls

Wed, 23 May 2012 09:19:11 GMT

Labour will back David Cameron if he chooses to fight an ultimatum issued by human rights judges giving Britain six months to change the law on prisoners' voting rights, shadow chancellor Ed Balls has said.

Society: The only way is Finland

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:30:01 GMT

America may once have been the Land of Opportunity, but thanks to its rising levels of inequality – not to mention the nightmarish visa restrictions – our political class now has another destination in mind. "If you want the American Dream," Ed Miliband says, "go to Finland." This week, the Labour leader told a conference on social mobility that "if you are born poor in a more equal society like Finland, Norway or Denmark, then you have a better chance of moving into a good job than if you are born poor in the United States".

Tory MPs 'seek to roll back state'

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:12:09 GMT

A group of Tory MPs from the 2010 intake today set out a programme of "principled conservatism" to roll back the state and hand more power to individuals and businesses.

Adrian Beecroft criticises 'socialist' Vince Cable

Wed, 23 May 2012 07:15:07 GMT

A controversial Downing Street adviser has accused Business Secretary Vince Cable of being a socialist who "appears to do very little to support business".

Leveson: Lord Mandelson proves all publicity is good publicity

Wed, 23 May 2012 07:00:01 GMT

The recent appearances of Labour figures at the Leveson Inquiry hasn't just been a reunion for the Class of '97, it has also provided an opportunity for them to plug their books.

I won't let you derail law to allow gay marriage, Nick Clegg warns Tories

Wed, 23 May 2012 06:00:01 GMT

Nick Clegg has given a firm promise that the Government will bring in a law to allow gay marriage despite a growing campaign to derail it by Conservative MPs. In a warning to opponents, the Deputy Prime Minister said it is a matter of "how, not whether" same-sex marriage is legalised.

Your chance to air press grievances, Leveson tells MPs

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

MPs who have suffered at the hands of the tabloid press must come forward immediately if they want their accounts to be heard, Lord Justice Leveson said yesterday.

Borrowing rise a new blow to George Osborne's debt-cutting plans

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

The Chancellor, George Osborne, faced another blow to deficit-busting efforts yesterday with more gloom on borrowing as the UK's slide back into recession hit the Treasury's coffers.

Your chance to air tabloid grievances, Leveson tells MPs

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

MPs who have suffered at the hands of the tabloid press must come forward immediately if they want their accounts to be heard, Lord Justice Leveson said yesterday.

UK gets ultimatum on giving vote to prisoners

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Prisoners should be given the right to vote, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled yesterday, in an ultimatum that will undoubtedly increase acrimony between the judges in Strasbourg and the Government.

'Crimbos' replace Asbos – but will they rush children into custody?

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

The Home Secretary has provoked tensions in the Coalition by including powers to lock up children as young as 14 in a new regime of fast-track punishments to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Now's your chance to air tabloid grievances, Leveson tells MPs

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

MPs who have suffered at the hands of the tabloid press must come forward immediately if they want their accounts to be heard, Lord Justice Leveson said yesterday.

Tory MPs 'gagged' welfare-to-work whistleblowers

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Four whistleblowers were yesterday "gagged" by Tory MPs from giving public evidence about widespread fraud in the Government's controversial welfare-to-work programmes.

I won't let you derail law to allow gay marriage, Clegg warns Tories

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Borrowing rise a new blow to Osborne's debt-cutting plans

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

The Chancellor, George Osborne, faced another blow to deficit-busting efforts yesterday with more gloom on borrowing as the UK's slide back into recession hit the Treasury's coffers.

Leveson: Mandy proves all publicity is good publicity

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

The recent appearances of Labour figures at the Leveson Inquiry hasn't just been a reunion for the Class of '97, it has also provided an opportunity for them to plug their books.