Archive of articles from 2009

'Radical' security shift sought

21st century security poses new challenges

Calls for a radical overhaul of Britain's national security needs have brought Britain face-to-face with the changing demands of the 21st century.

ID cards 'will never be mandatory'

The government has made a huge U-turn on ID cards, by promising they will never be mandatory.

Labour launches final education strategy

Schools secretary Ed Balls published the last education white paper before the general election today.

Govt in retreat over expenses privilege fear

Expenses watchdog poses parliamentary privilege risk

Attempts to include a code of conduct for MPs in the parliamentary standards bill were dropped last night over fears it could fundamentally undermine Britain's constitution.

Govt sticks to guns on aircraft carriers

The government has given a mixed response to the IPPR commission on national security's final report, insisting that Britain's aircraft carriers are here to stay.

Hot weather could push up water prices

Water companies' bad debt costs each household an estimated £11 every year.

Climate change and population growth will mean increased pressures on how much water is available, a report concluded today.

GDP falls again

New GDP figures are far worse than expected

There was more bad news for Labour today as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the current recession is deeper than previously thought.

Miliband appeals to business on carbon agenda

Businesses and government ally to tackle climate change

Ed Miliband urged business figures to help him sell the transition to a low-carbon economy to the public yesterday.

Pundits predict early Norwich by-election

Ian Gibsen, who was barred from standing in Norwich North again

Parliamentary insiders are predicting an early by-election in Norwich North, with a writ expected later today.

Fixed penalties double for not wearing seatbelts

Seat belts reduce the risk of dying in a 30mph crash by 60 per cent.

The will be new penalties for motorists who fail to wear seatbelts and use illegal number plates, the Home Office announced today.

Brown accused of homophobic support

Leading gay rights activist Peter Tatchell has launched a vicious broadside against the prime minister ahead of this year's Gay Pride festival.

Aid cut reversal needed to solve food crisis

The G8 must quadruple investment according to an Oxfam report

The G8 must quadruple investment in farm aid to developing nations to fix the global food crisis, according to Oxfam.

Harry Cohen stands down

Labour MP Harry Cohen will stand down at the next election, following his part in the expenses scandal.

Europe 'schism' hangs over Tories

Conservatives face tough European choices, Ashdown says

An incoming Conservative government would struggle to cope with the need for cooperation on defence issues, Paddy Ashdown has warned.

Brown re-launch torn apart by economic allegations

Gordon Brown outlined what basically constituted a Labour manifesto today

Gordon Brown's much trumpeted re-launch was instantly dismantled by a series of damaging economic controversies today.

The police are facing the ramifications of their controversial tactics for the policing of the G20 demonstrations today, as parliament's home affairs committee published a damning report into the mistakes made during the event.

Purnell takes on new job

James Purnell has landed himself another job at think tank demos.

Royal Mail sell off may be delayed

The bill which will part-privatise Royal Mail may be put off until after the summer recess, Lord Mandelson has admitted.

MPs to debate 'expenses watchdog' bill

Parliamentary standards bill before Commons

MPs are beginning three days of intensive scrutiny of the parliamentary standards bill today.

Cameron: Brown is deceiving you

David Cameron held his monthly press conference today

Tory leader David Cameron has launched a strongly worded attack against the prime minister, stopping just short of branding him a liar.

Brits 'responsible for rainforest destruction'

Deforestation: the third source of greenhouse gases emissions

Brits 'responsible for rainforest destruction'

UK condemns Central American coup

Britain has condemned a coup in the Central American state of Honduras, as tensions across the region ramp up to a possible war footing.

Five embassy staff freed by Iran

Iranian government officials have accused the UK and US of stirring up trouble

Five out of the nine UK embassy staff arrested in Tehran have been released, Iranian officials say.

Cancer patients paid to go private

Cancer patients to be paid to go private

Gordon Brown is expected to announce a significant expansion of private sector involvement in the healthcare service today.

Tories to publish 'second jobs' list

David Cameron's front bench team will reveal full details of their second jobs today, in a move which precedes the parliamentary process which would force the details out into the open.

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