Archive of articles from 2010

Scientists warn ministers of 'false economy'

The government's proposed cuts in science funding in order to tackle the deficit are a "false economy" and may damage the UK's reputation, leading scientific figures have warned.

Council tax 'vetoes' on offer

Council tax referenda could be introduced from March 2012

Members of the public could block council tax increases under proposals unveiled by the coalition government.

Osborne crushes MoD's Trident hopes

Trident under threat as Osborne stands firm

Defence secretary Liam Fox faces being forced to make sweeping cuts to conventional forces after the Treasury repeated its refusal to pay for Britain's nuclear deterrent from its own coffers.

Welfare reform vision unveiled

A comprehensive shake-up of the welfare system which would see Labour's tax credits potentially replaced by a 'universal benefit' is being outlined today.

Expenses MPs lose privilege appeal

MPs had hoped to use parliamentary privilege defence

Three former MPs and a peer's bid to avoid a criminal trial over their expenses claims has failed.

David Miliband remains Labour frontrunner

David Miliband is the clear frontrunner in the Labour leadership race

David Miliband continues to hold off his brother Ed Miliband in the race for the Labour leadership, a poll suggests.

Iraq inquiry: Prescott dismisses 'tittle-tattle' intelligence

Intelligence used to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq has been dismissed as "tittle-tattle" by John Prescott.

Gove shrugs off academy outrage

Only 153 schools have applied for academy status

Michael Gove has been forced to defend rushing legislation revolutionising the schools system through parliament after the government admitted only 153 schools had applied to become academies.

Blunt Cameron stands by Pakistan comments

Pakistan's commitment to the war on terror is in doubt

David Cameron has defended his frank comments about Pakistan, after ruffling diplomatic feathers in Islamabad and beyond.

Indian 'jobs mission' reaps results

David Cameron meets with Manmohan Singh today

David Cameron and Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh have hailed the British trade delegation's visit a success, after meeting for talks.

Council pensions 'in peril'

Local authority pensions have implications for council tax bills

Present arrangements for local authority pensions are not sustainable, the Audit Commission has warned.

Coalition rewrites post-election history

Tory leaders leave the Cabinet Office during coalition negotiations

David Cameron has denied misleading Conservative MPs during coalition talks with the Liberal Democrats, insisting he did not tell them Labour was offering Nick Clegg's party electoral reform without a referendum.

Work till you drop?

Default retirement age will be dropped from October 2011

Employers will not be able to force 65-year-olds to retire from October 2011, the government has announced, giving older people the opportunity to continue working as long as they like.

Ex-Blair aide cleared of wrongdoing

Politicians were investigated for promoting issues in exchange for cash

A former aide to Tony Blair has been cleared of wrongdoing after allegations that she would take cash to exercise parliamentary influence.

Warsi egg-thrower jailed

Sayeeda Warsi is now chairwoman of the Conservative party

A protestor who threw eggs at senior Conservative Muslim Sayeeda WArsi in Luton has been jailed for six weeks.

Waste review prompts pessimism

The government hopes to drastically reduce waste

A government waste review has been greeted with pessimism by local representatives, who have warned of the enormity of the task ahead.

Scotland confronts tough spending decisions

The Scottish government may have to abandon some of its most distinctive policies in the face of sweeping spending cuts, an independent budget review has concluded.

Parties on defensive over voting reform

On electoral reform, it seems, Labour supporters won't be backing Nick Clegg

Leading government and opposition figures have come forward to defend their stance on the voting reform bill following Labour's U-turn.

Iraq inquiry: Army nearly 'seized up'

General Sir Richard Dannatt (r) with Bob Ainsworth, during his time as head of the Army

The British Army nearly "seized up" in 2006 as it faced a "perfect storm" of challenges, its former head has told the Iraq inquiry.

'Humble' UK seeks Indian special relationship

David Cameron addresses an audience in Bangalore

The strongest British trade delegation to India for decades is beginning its three-day visit, as the UK seeks a new "special relationship" with one of the world's largest emerging economies.

Unease grows over coalition's energy policies

The coalition government's plans for energy security and meeting climate change targets are facing growing concern from environmental groups.

Cable widens immigration divide

Immigration cap will be introduced permanently next year

Britain's introduction of an immigration cap is the subject of an ongoing debate within the coalition government, Vince Cable has said.

Senator's anger at Lockerbie 'stonewalling'

BP's Tony Hayward at an earlier appearance on Capitol Hill

The refusal of key players in the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi to give evidence to the US Senate's foreign relations committee is attracting criticism in Washington.

Cuts undermine Trident renewal

A like-for-like replacement for Britain's nuclear deterrent may not be worth the huge cuts in conventional forces which will be required, an influential thinktank has warned.