Archive of articles from 2008

Brown accused of backtracking on age discrimination

Gordon Brown is accused of letting down the elderly

Prime minister Gordon Brown has been accused of backtracking on his commitment to eradicating age discrimination by a leading elderly rights group.

42-day pre-charge detention pressure builds

Tony McNulty says the government is in "consensus mode"

Ministers are hoping to win over rebel Labour MPs who threaten a government defeat on the issue of pre-charge detention.

Govt rolls out help for fuel poor

The government has announced a series of measures addressing fuel poverty issues after a week of pressure about rising fuel prices.

Guantanamo Brit's plea to PM

Mr Mohamed has been held without trial for six years

A British resident facing the death penalty in Guantanamo Bay has made a last ditch plea to Gordon Brown to intervene in his case.

Poll puts Brown 'below Foot'

Support for Labour has slumped below the nadir of 1980s leader Michael Foot, a new poll suggests.

Calls grow for talks with al-Qaida

Mr Orde is front-runner for the post of commissioner at the Met

The man widely regarded as frontrunner to become the next commissioner of the Metropolitan police has said the government should consider talking to al-Qaida.

Govt hits NHS target

The NHS is set to hit the target on the 60th anniversary

In a rare piece of good news for the government, it appears the NHS is set to meet its target of reducing waiting times to 18 weeks as it celebrates its 60th birthday.

Labour rebel attacks "undemocratic" planning bill

Clive Betts is challenging the government on the planning bill

The planning bill will go down as a piece of "undemocratic and unaccountable legislation" if it is not amended, a Labour rebel has warned.

Medical community at war over cousin marriage

Cousin marriage is popular in Britain's Pakistani community

Deep rifts are occurring in the medical community over an appropriate response to Britain's level of cousin marriage.

No Paisley-McGuinness handshake

Ian Paisley has refused to shake the hand of partner in government Martin McGuinness

Ian Paisley has refused to shake hands with his former enemy and current partner in government Martin McGuinness before his resignation tomorrow.

MDC denies UK assistance in Zimbabwe struggle

MDC has been targeted in north-east of Zimbabwe

Accusations by Robert Mugabe that opposition parties are being bankrolled by the British government have been denied by the Movement for Democratic Change.

New anti-knife warning from government

Government launches hard-hitting campaign designed at discouraging young people from carrying knives

A new campaign warning young people of the dangers of carrying knives has been launched by the government.

Tories on offensive over car taxes

Plans to reform North Sea oil taxation were announced yesterday

The government's support for expanded nuclear energy plans and simultaneous hints at a deferral of the 2p increase in fuel duty have prompted criticism from the Conservatives.

Negotiations with Iraq kidnappers 'ongoing'

Government insists it is doing all it can to secure release of five Britons kidnapped in Iraq one year ago

The government has insisted negotiations to free five Britons held hostage in Iraq for exactly one year are still ongoing.

Child 'culture class' set for launch

Government plans to ensure every child experiences five hours of culture a week moved a step closer to reality today.

NHS IT project dealt further blow

The NHS has terminated its contract with IT provider Fujitsu Services in a major blow to its efforts to transfer much of its work online.

Labour five weeks away from insolvency

Mr Brown could be held personally liable for the debt

The Labour party is five weeks away from becoming insolvent, according to figures released by the Electoral Commission.

Labour mayor expelled from party

Labour bar mayors from running for a third term

The Labour mayor of Doncaster has been expelled from the party after attempting to set up his own political group.

Prescott blames spin for Labour troubles

John Prescott published his memoirs earlier this month

John Prescott says spin culture is responsible for poor relations between political parties and the media.

Govt's nuclear programme will be a 'financial disaster'

The report says Britain should turn its back on nuclear power

The government's nuclear programme will be a financial disaster according to a new report published today.

Hutton: We are facing test of our resolve

Mr Hutton confessed the government was having a difficult time

John Hutton, business secretary, has admitted the government is facing a test of its resolve.

US candidates unite on Darfur

The three remaining candidates for this year's United States presidential election have issued a statement of unity on Darfur.

Union chief to give tuition fee increase warning

Privatisation of tertiary education continues

Further moves to privatise post-16 education will undermine efforts to build strong further and higher education foundations in Britain, a union chief will warn today.

Drawings of sex abuse to be made illegal

The proposals are the government's latest attempt to curb internet child sex abuse

All images of child sex abuse, including drawings and computer-generated images, are set to be made illegal following a Ministry of Justice consultation on the subject.