Archive of articles from 2007

Police begin criminal inquiry into proxy donors

Police to investigate David Abrahams' donations

The Metropolitan police have launched an investigation into the use of intermediaries to launder donations to the Labour party.

Conservatives eye election-winning lead

The Conservatives have pulled ahead to their strongest lead in two decades in a dramatic reversal of fortunes from two months ago.

Ministers defend early years learning

DCFS insists scheme is "play-based" learning

Ministers have been urged to rethink plans to make all toddlers follow a so-called national curriculum from next autumn.

Harman downplays rift with Brown over donations

Downing Street insists Gordon Brown still backing Harman

Downing Street and the Labour party have sought to play down speculation of a rift between Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman over the proxy donor row.

Cameron shares 'positive' meeting with Bush

Cameron seeks to restore Tory links with US

David Cameron met with George Bush yesterday as he attempts to repair his party's ties with the Republicans.

Sports head quits as DoH tackles inactivity

Purnell wants DoH to do more to boost activity levels

Government plans to transfer anti-obesity efforts from Sport England to the Department of Health (DoH) have forced Derek Mapp, the head of Sport England, to resign.

MoD told to prioritise military housing

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been told to get its priorities straight after it resurfaced tennis courts while many troops were living in substandard accommodation.

Calls for criminal investigation into proxy donors

Labour launches own investigation into Abrahams donations

Opposition politicians are increasing calls for a criminal investigation into the proxy donor row as the Labour party launches its own internal investigation.

Smith welcomes guns crackdown

118 arrested and 1,300 guns seized in crackdown

The home secretary has welcomed a crackdown on guns and gangs, which took place yesterday in four cities across England.

Speaker saves Harman from Commons grilling

Harman 'acted in good faith' by accepting donation

Harriet Harman has appeared before MPs to defend her vulnerable position as leader of the House of Commons and deputy leader of the Labour party.

Lords uphold fox hunting ban

Fox hunting ban upheld in the House of Lords

The Law Lords have upheld the government's ban on fox hunting after ruling it is not a human right.

Ministers set out vision for Thames Gateway

Yvette Cooper and Gordon Brown set out £9 billion plans

The government has set out how it plans to deliver the Thames Gateway project by 2016.

King warns of "uncomfortable" economic outlook

Britain's economic outlook is "uncomfortable", the governor of the Bank of England has said.

Straw orders urgent review into magistrates cases

Straw orders review after cases 'written off'

The justice secretary Jack Straw has been forced to open an urgent inquiry into how potentially hundreds of criminals were allowed to walk free.

Labour proxy donor investigation continues

Questions mount over Labour proxy donor scandal

The Labour party has begun its own investigation into the Abrahams donor scandal as the Electoral Commission and commentators look for the smoking gun.

Union flag 'should include Welsh dragon'

The union flag should be emblazoned with the Welsh dragon, a Labour MP has said.

'Imprudent' government office space criticised

NAO Report critical of government estate usage

The government could save £300 million a year if it was more efficient in its use of office space, a report has claimed.

Labour funding chief knew of secret donor

Embattled Brown 'transformed from Stalin to Mr Bean'

Gordon Brown was today left defending another colleague over the proxy donor scandal.

Long hours employment law 'not being enforced'

Barber points to rise in long hours culture

Government attempts to curb excessive working hours are not being enforced, with too many employers flouting the law, the TUC has claimed.

Opposition anger as rail fares rise

Anger at Department for Transport as rail fares rise

The government was today accused of pricing people off the railways after it emerged train fares are set to rise by as much as 14 per cent.

Govt says children 'too busy' to read

Balls wants parents to read with children more

The government has urged parents to enthuse children about books after a global comparison shows British schoolchildren are reading less than five years ago.