Archive of articles from 2010

Osborne sets the stage for 'once in a generation' spending review

George Osborne (r) and his Lib Dem ally in the Treasury Danny Alexander

George Osborne has published a framework laying out the groundwork for the "once-in-a-generation" spending review this autumn.

First Lords defeat for coalition government

The Lords had a habit of shooting down New Labour legislation

The Lords have inflicted the first defeat of a coalition government in an obscure and surprising procedural move.

Harman nominates Abbott for Labour leader

Diane Abbott will struggle to get onto the ballot paper, even with Harriet Harman's support

Harriet Harman has nominated Diane Abbott for Labour leader.

New deputy Speakers revealed

Three MPs will be elected as John Bercow's deputies

Speaker John Bercow's three deputies have been chosen by MPs.

Dave meets Maggie

Thatcher is thought to be wary of Commons voting reform proposals

David Cameron welcomed Margaret Thatcher back to Downing Street today in an attempt to calm right-wing jitters about the coalition.

Home Office planned ID card criminal checks

The format of the planned ID cards, before they were scrapped by the coalition government

The Home Office planned to cross-references its database of legal immigrants with criminals' fingerprints, it has emerged.

IMF pressures eases Osborne's task

Unrest in Greece followed a lack of action

A warning from the IMF against "delayed or half-hearted" steps to deal with public spending will come as music to George Osborne's ears.

Sterling falls on rating agency warning

The pound fell in reaction to the comments

Sterling has plunged to a new low against the dollar and the euro after Fitch ratings agency delivered a harsh verdict on the state of the British economy.

Frost: Coalition politicians too boring for satire

Sir David Frost during an interview with Tony Blair for Al Jazeera

The introduction of coalition government has put satire in "intensive care", Sir David Frost has said.

Prison terror strategy 'a self-fulfilling prophecy'

Muslim prisoners could be radicalised by a blanket approach, Dame Anne Owers said

Security methods directed towards Muslim prisoners are in danger of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, the inspector of prisons has said.

Hospitals face readmission crackdown

Andrew Lansley's first big speech addresses hospital readmissions

NHS hospitals will be made responsible for patients for 30 days after they are discharged, Andrew Lansley will announce later.

Anger at plans to deport children to Afghanistan

Refugee groups are outraged that children would be deported to a war zone

Migrant groups reacted furiously to plans to deport children back to Afghanistan today.

Lib Dems defect to Labour over coalition

Rob Hannaford and Adrian Hannaford disagreed with the decision to form a coalition with the Tories

Two Liberal Democrat councillors have become the first Devon politicians to defect to Labour over the coalition agreement with the Conservatives.

Golden goodbyes 'worth £10.4m'

Resettlement grant controversy won't go away

MPs who left parliament at the last election were entitled to claim a total of £10.4 million in resettlement grants, according to the TaxPayers' Alliance.