Archive of articles from 2008

Boris invokes Apocalypse Now spirit

Boris Johnson says Britain should not view 2009 with "foreboding" in his new year's message, telling Londoners: "Someday, this recession is going to end."

Scottish hospitals end car park charging

Scotland scraps hospital car parking charges

Fourteen hospitals across Scotland have ceased charging for car park use following a groundbreaking move by the Scottish government.

Olympic and local heroes dominate new year's honours

Triple gold medallist Chris Hoy knighted in Queen's new year honours list

Local heroes make up the bulk of today's new year's honours list, but members of Britain's most successful Olympics team in a century are stealing the headlines.

Private firm may manage communications database

Many serious criminal prosecutions rely on communications evidence

The government may ask a private firm to manage its proposed superdatabase of communications data.

Alexander wants Gaza access as UK pledges $10m

Israel says calls for 48-hour halt to Gaza airstrikes are "unrealistic" as death-toll reaches 400

International development secretary Douglas Alexander has expressed his frustration after Israel refused to allow a 48-hour ceasefire against Gaza.

Brown firm on assisted suicide

Gordon Brown remains firm on assisted suicide

The government has no intention of legalising assisted suicide, Gordon Brown has made clear.

Govt wants patients' comments on GPs' performance

Patients will be encouraged to post comments about their GPs' performance on an NHS website

Patients are to be encouraged to comment on their GPs' performance on an NHS website.

Hospitals fear impact of working-hour limit

Doctors will only be allowed to work 48 hours a week from August

Funding to help hospitals cope with working-hours limits for doctors to be introduced next year is not reaching the frontline, it has been claimed.

Buzzword use 'unsustainable'

2009 Lexicon from the Centre for Policy Studies

The government faces criticism today for using too much "jargonboogle".

Ill teachers worry Tories

15,000 teachers in England are off sick every day

The Conservatives have expressed concern over the number of teachers off sick, which they claim reaches 15,000 every day.

Govt urged to put brakes on speeding

Govt urged to put brakes on speeding

Cameron: Labour corrupted by power

David Cameron attacks "corrupted" Labour

David Cameron has accused Labour of being "corrupted by power" in his new year message.

Record knife crime in 2008, Tories say

The number of fatal stabbings reached a record high last year

The Conservatives have drawn attention to knife crime as the year draws to an end, claiming the number of fatal stabbings reached a record high in 2008.

140,000 'receive over £20k' in benefits

Around 140,000 households are receiving more than £20,000 every year from benefits, according to the Conservatives.

Miliband: Israel airstrikes will fuel radicalism

Israel continues air strikes on Gaza Strip for third day as ground forces swell on border

Foreign secretary David Miliband has warned Israel's airstrikes on the Gaza Strip represent a "very dangerous and very dark moment" for the region.

Recession 'will cost 1m jobs'

The recession will probably result in the loss of around one million jobs, an employment thinktank has warned.

5,000 sex crimes 'undetected', Lib Dems claim

Police forces need to spread best practice, Lib Dems say

Nearly 5,000 extra sexual offences would be detected each year if police improved their clear-up rate to those of the best five forces, according to the Liberal Democrats.

New year poses rebel headaches for Labour

Commons could prove challenging for govt whips in the new year

Rebel MPs may defeat the government in the new year as opposition grows to Labour's plans for Heathrow and Royal Mail.

Bishops criticise government for 'immoral' economic policy

Five bishops have publicly criticised Labour's economic policy with some questioning its morality.

Brown to invoke spirit of blitz in new year message

Prime minister to call on British stiff upper lip to get through recession

The prime minister will call on Britons to maintain a stiff upper lip to pass the test of the recession.

Tories planning new tax cuts

George Osbourne says the Tories are considering several tax cutting options

The Conservatives are considering offering three different tax cut proposals deesigned to help those suffering from the effects of the credit crunch, the shadow chancellor has said.

Cinema-style age ratings being considered for websites

Mr Burnham wants greater protection for children on the internet

Movie style age ratings are being considered by the government to protect children from offensive or potentially harmful material on the internet.

Head of retail consortium calls on government to lower business rate

Mr Robertson urged the government to reduce the business rate or risk retail jobs

The head of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has urged the government to dramatically reduce the business rate retailers will have to pay in April 2009 in order to save jobs.

Tories plan new year offensive

David Cameron's Conservatives to go on offensive in new year

The Conservative party will go on the offensive at the beginning of 2009 with a raft of new policy proposals to take the electorate's mind off the economy.