Archive of articles from 2008

Osborne: Labour bankrupting Britain

Shadow chancellor George Osborne has accused Labour of "bankrupting Britain" as figures show the UK has avoided recession - for now.

Minority blamed for 7,000 police call-outs to schools

Police officers have been called into schools in England to deal with violence more than 7,000 times

Police officers had to be called into schools in England because of violent incidents over 7,000 times in the last 12 months, it has emerged.

Branson attacks hospital infection rates

Sir Richard Branson criticises govt "tinkering" on infection rates

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has said if the airline industry had the track record of the NHS on hospital infection it would have been "grounded years ago".

Brown bounce seen ending

A recessionary Christmas appears to have ended the 'Brown' bounce, with the Conservatives extending their poll lead to five per cent.

Science teachers back creationism teaching

Science teachers support creationism teaching

Nearly three-quarters of science teachers say creationism should be taught in schools.

Another Xmas without compensation for Farepak victims

John Mason won Glasgow East earlier this year

The Scottish National party (SNP) has against called on Whitehall to bring forward compensation for victims of the collapse of Farepak.

Quick apology after Tory pressure

Bob Quick has apologised to the Conservatives

The Conservatives have received a full apology from the Metropolitan police's counterterrorism chief after he retracted corruption claims made against them.

Warring govt depts 'have hurt anti-alcohol efforts'

Govt has only recently started addressing Britain's drinking problem

Inter-departmental conflict within government has damaged efforts to address Britain's growing drinking problem, it has been claimed.

Govt raises dementia commitment

Family doctors will receive dementia training

The government plans to provide training to all family doctors enabling them to spot the early signs of dementia, it has emerged.

Govt 'may pay price' for bank bailout

Sir John Gieve admits Bank failed to act

The government could end up making a loss on its investment in the UK banking sector, the deputy governor of the Bank of England has warned.

Tata pumps cash to Jaguar

Jaguar Land Rover to be rescued by its owner Tata

Peter Mandelson's calls for Jaguar Land Rover's owner Tata Motors to resolve its cash flow crisis appear to have been met by the Indian carmaker.

Govt confirms social fund U-turn

The government has underlined its decision not to charge borrowers from its social fund annual interest rates of 27 per cent.

Mandelson wary of Jaguar action

The business secretary has called on Jaguar's owners to be the first to provide financial assistance to the firm

Lord Mandelson has said Jaguar's owners Tata should be the first to help the struggling car maker.

Govt may charge poorest for emergency loans

Emergency loans could require interest rate payments

A government consultation has proposed charging interest on loans provided by credit unions to some of the country's poorest citizens.

Mistakes 'may have doubled Iraq stay' for UK troops

Former defence chief of staff General Sir Mike Jackson has hit out at coalition forces' post-invasion strategy in Iraq.

Lords investigate terrorist financing

Peers are investigating actions against Yassin Abdullah Kadi, an associate of Osama bin Laden

Lords are gearing up to investigate the European Union's tactics against terrorist financing and money laundering.

Deterrence is focus of anti-prostitution plans

Deterrence is focus of anti-prostitution plans

Govt's nuclear sale prompts outrage

The UK's nuclear defence programme is no longer owned by the British state

The government's sale of its remaining holdings in nuclear deterrent Trident to a private US firm has prompted criticism from opposition parties.

Credit crunch a 'birth pang of the new age'

The conference was organised by Mr Brown

The credit crunch is the birth pang of a new age, according to Gordon Brown.

Future of lap-dancing uncertain

Lap-dancing clubs in England and Wales face an uncertain future after the government admitted it is not clear whether new restrictions will apply to existing establishments.