Archive of articles from 2006

Tories to put working families first in 2007

David Cameron says 2007 will be when Labour's "dark side comes to the fore"

The Conservatives are aiming to portray themselves as the party for the working families of Britain with new policies designed to revitalise social mobility, the party's leader has announced.

Minister: Refined drinking culture distant dream

Britain may never adapt to a European drinking culture, Hazel Blears claims

Britain will never be able to achieve the 'cafe drinking culture' found in many European countries due to UK residents' love of getting drunk, cabinet minister Hazel Blears has claimed.

CPS and MI6 chiefs lead new year's honours

Queen's new year's honours are announced

The director of public prosecutions and head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Ken McDonald, leads the list of knighthoods in the Queen's 2007 new year's honours.

NI policing agreement moves closer

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams is confident of breakthrough on policing

A formal consensus over policing in Northern Ireland has become a realistic possibility after Sinn Fein agreed to hold a special party conference on the issue next month.

Britain 'respects' Saddam execution

British government respects decision by Iraq to execute former leader Saddam Hussein

The government says it respects the decision made by its Iraqi counterpart to execute former president Saddam Hussein.

Archbishop says Iraq war 'morally flawed'

Rowan Williams says Iraq war was morally flawed

The archbishop of Canterbury has described the decisions that led to the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 as morally flawed.

Police get thousands more 'dirty bomb' suits

12,000 new police protection suits ordered

Thousands more protection suits for police dealing with dirty bombs have been ordered by the Home Office.

Britain finally pays off WWII debt

Gordon Brown pays off final instalment of lend lease to US and Canada

Britain will today make the last repayment on loans lent by the US and Canada during the second world war - 61 years ago.

Tories back high-speed rail lines

MagLev trains are among the projects being considered by the Tories

The Conservatives are backing detailed studies into three major potential rail projects, including the Maglev 'levitating' train and a high-speed north-south rail line.

Blears defends protest against NHS reform

Labour chairwoman Hazel Blears protests against NHS closures

Hazel Blears, the Labour party chairwoman, has defended her decision to protest against the closure of her local NHS maternity unit.

Blair 'paid for' luxury Miami holiday

Downing Street insists Tony Blair has paid for his Miami holiday

Downing Street has insisted that Tony Blair is paying to stay at the multi-million pound home of Bee Gees star Robin Gibb in Florida.

Education vouchers mooted for talented pupils

Brightest children could get vouchers for extra classes

The brightest children from every school in England could be given vouchers to spend on extra courses, under proposals being considered by ministers.

Worst areas get anti-social behaviour cash

Government announces new crackdown on anti-social behaviour

The 40 local authority areas with the worst anti-social behaviour will get extra money from the Home Office, the government's 'respect' tsar has announced.

Tests at 11 and 14 'should be scrapped'

Think tank calls for teacher assessments instead of key stage tests

National school tests at age 11 and 14 should be scrapped in favour of teacher-led assessments and more focus on reading, writing and maths skills, a new report has urged.

Cruddas warns of declining Labour membership

Jon Cruddas warns of falling Labour membership

Labour party membership could disappear within seven years if the current rate of decline continues, a candidate for the deputy leadership warned yesterday.

Ming gets tough on crime

Menzies Campbell calls for new offensive on crime

Menzies Campbell today called on the Liberal Democrats to "sharpen" their message on law and order and show that the party can be trusted to tackle crime.