Archive of July 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.
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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.
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Expenses MPs lose privilege appeal
Three former MPs and a peer's bid to avoid a criminal trial over their expenses claims has failed.
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David Miliband remains Labour frontrunner
David Miliband continues to hold off his brother Ed Miliband in the race for the Labour leadership, a poll suggests.
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Gove shrugs off academy outrage
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.
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Council tax 'vetoes' on offer
Members of the public could block council tax increases under proposals unveiled by the coalition government.
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Osborne crushes MoD's Trident hopes
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.
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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.
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Blunt Cameron stands by Pakistan comments
David Cameron has defended his frank comments about Pakistan, after ruffling diplomatic feathers in Islamabad and beyond.
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Indian 'jobs mission' reaps results
David Cameron and Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh have hailed the British trade delegation's visit a success, after meeting for talks.
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Council pensions 'in peril'
Present arrangements for local authority pensions are not sustainable, the Audit Commission has warned.
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Coalition rewrites post-election history
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.
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Ex-Blair aide cleared of wrongdoing
A former aide to Tony Blair has been cleared of wrongdoing after allegations that she would take cash to exercise parliamentary influence.
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Work till you drop?
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.
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Waste review prompts pessimism
A government waste review has been greeted with pessimism by local representatives, who have warned of the enormity of the task ahead.
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Warsi egg-thrower jailed
A protestor who threw eggs at senior Conservative Muslim Sayeeda WArsi in Luton has been jailed for six weeks.
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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.
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Parties on defensive over voting reform
Leading government and opposition figures have come forward to defend their stance on the voting reform bill following Labour's U-turn.
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Iraq inquiry: Army nearly 'seized up'
The British Army nearly "seized up" in 2006 as it faced a "perfect storm" of challenges, its former head has told the Iraq inquiry.
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'Humble' UK seeks Indian special relationship
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.
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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.
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Cable widens immigration divide
Britain's introduction of an immigration cap is the subject of an ongoing debate within the coalition government, Vince Cable has said.
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Senator's anger at Lockerbie 'stonewalling'
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.
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Home secretary declares war on 'failed' drinking culture
The home secretary has announced a review of antisocial behaviour measures after declaring attempts to moderate drinking had "failed".
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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.