News
Nick Clegg pledges biggest political reforms since 1832
19th May 2010
Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg is to pledge the "biggest shake-up of our democracy" in 178 years as he expands on plans for political reform.
The Tory-Lib Dem coalition backs plans for fixed-term parliaments, more elected peers and a referendum on changing the voting system. Mr Clegg will pledge to restore faith in politics in a speech on Wednesday. The Lib Dem leader is also expected to call on the public to nominate laws they think should be repealed.
Ed Balls expected to join Labour leadership race
19th May 2010
Former cabinet minister Ed Balls is set to join the contest to succeed Gordon Brown as Labour leader on Wednesday.
Mr Balls - a close ally of Mr Brown and former schools secretary - is expected to announce his candidacy on a visit to the East Midlands. Only brothers David and Ed Miliband have so far declared they will stand for the leadership of the Labour Party.
'Sausage not steak' increases heart disease risk
18th May 2010
Eating processed meat such as sausages increases the likelihood of heart disease, while red meat does not seem to be as harmful, a study suggests.
A Harvard University team which looked at studies involving over one million people found just 50g of processed meat a day also raised the risk of diabetes. But there was no such risk from eating even twice as much unprocessed meat, such as beef, lamb or pork.
Speaker may face challenge as MPs gather in Commons
18th May 2010
MPs will come to the House of Commons later for the first time since the general election, where they will choose the next Commons Speaker.
John Bercow is likely to return to the role, but not before facing a challenge from some MPs. If enough call for a vote it would be the first such ballot in 175 years.
Stress link to financial squeeze
17th May 2010
Work pressures during the recession have caused a big rise in mental health problems, the charity says.
A survey for Mind suggests that one in 11 British workers has been to the GP for stress and anxiety from the financial squeeze.
Volcano ash cloud delays hit Heathrow and Gatwick
17th May 2010
Passengers using Britain's busiest airports face major disruption after the return to UK airspace of the ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano.
Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports resumed limited flights after being completely closed until 0700 BST. But flights remain grounded in Northern Ireland and much of Scotland and Wales.
Bear with us' urges Nick Clegg
10th May 2010
Nick Clegg says they are working 'flat out' as the Lib Dems and the Tories resume negotiations about forming a government.
Mystery over Manchester gardener with bullet in brain
10th May 2010
Peter Hesford was gardening when he was apparently shot.
Detectives are trying to find out why a 61-year-old man was apparently shot in the eye while gardening in Manchester. Peter Hesford was admitted to hospital with a serious eye injury last month after collapsing outside his home on Grindley Avenue, Chorlton. A CT scan revealed an object lodged in his brain, which ballistics experts said appeared to be a bullet.
Mr Hesford remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital as police try to find out what happened to him.
Election 2010: Leaders into final push for votes
5th May 2010
Leaders make final campaign push.
Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg are into their final day push for votes ahead of the UK election.
After campaigning through the night Mr Cameron, the Conservative leader, said the election was "close" and he was fighting "for every vote".
Mr Brown, Labour leader, visited market workers in Leeds and said he wants as many Labour votes as possible - rather than backing anti-Tory tactical voting.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is visiting Eastbourne, Durham and Sheffield.
Scottish, Irish and Northern Irish airports shut by ash
5th May 2010
Airports in parts of Scotland and Ireland closed from 0700 BST because of risks from volcanic ash, the Civil Aviation Authority has said.
Glasgow, Prestwick and Derry are likely to close all day, Inverness shut in the morning, Dublin from 1100 BST. Belfast and Edinburgh are to close later.
The CAA advised passengers to check with airports before travelling and warned the situation was changeable.
Last month, volcanic ash clouds from Iceland grounded flights for six days.
'Long-term harm' of too much TV for toddlers
4th May 2010
Can too much TV lead to unhealthy habits?
The more TV a toddler watches, the higher the likelihood they will do badly at school and have poor health at the age of 10, researchers warn.
The study of 1,300 children by Michigan and Montreal universities found negative effects on older children rose with every hour of toddler TV.
Election 2010: Labour ministers urge tactical voting.
Both ministers stressed their commitment to Labour candidates
4th May 2010
Labour's Ed Balls and Peter Hain have backed tactical voting in marginal seats to "keep the Tories out".
Schools Secretary Ed Balls told the New Statesman that he always wanted Labour to win but recognised there was "an issue" in Lib Dem/Tory marginals.
But Gordon Brown told GMTV he did not back tactical voting and wanted people to "vote Labour" .
The Lib Dems called it "desperate". David Cameron said it showed voting Lib Dem vote could keep Mr Brown as PM.
Decision time for voters after TV debates, says Brown
30th April 2010
Nick Clegg did his best to ignore Labour activists as he addressed students
Gordon Brown says the "time for decision has begun" for voters after the final prime ministerial TV debate.
The prime minister, who snap polls suggested came third in the debate, said he was not fighting for himself but for the "future of this country".
Also back campaigning, Tory leader David Cameron said the election was "far from won". Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said the election was now a "two-horse race" between his party and the Tories.
Barclays sees big rise in profits
29th April 2010
Barclays said there were signs the economic recovery had started High Street banking giant Barclays has reported a big rise in pre-tax profits for the first three months of 2010.
Profit for the first three months to 31 March was £1.82bn, up 47% on a year earlier, boosted by reducing bad debts.
Underlying profit, which excludes gains on acquisition and disposals, climbed 90%.
Election 2010: Online volunteers to scrutinise MPs
29th April 2010
Democracy activists have enlisted 6,000 volunteers, covering all but one of the UK's 650 constituencies, for a project trying to keep future MPs in check.
The Democracy Club has asked every candidate standing on 6 May for their views on a wide range of issues. It will monitor whether those who enter Parliament stick to their promises.
House price inflation hits 10.5%, says the Nationwide
29th April 2010
The building society said that house prices in the UK had risen by 10.5% in the year to the end of April.
Prices rose by 1% in April to push the cost of the average home to £167,802.
However, the Nationwide predicted that the past year's surge in prices would tail off later this year,with sellers starting to outnumber buyers.
Bowel cancer test could save many lives, study suggests
28th April 2010
A five-minute, one-off screening test could prevent thousands of people dying from bowel cancer every year, a study published in the Lancet suggests.
There are now calls for the test to be rolled out across the UK after results from 200,000 people aged 55-64 found it cut deaths by 43% over 10 years.
Cancer Research UK described the results from the Imperial College, London, study as a "rare breakthrough". Independent advisers will consider the test, the Department of Health says.
The independent bowel cancer screening committee will discuss whether it would be cost-effective to incorporate the procedure - known as sigmoidoscopy - into the UK's screening programmes.
Election 2010: Parties face scrutiny of spending plans
28th April 2010
All the parties say tough decisions will be needed after the election
The parties face growing scrutiny of their spending plans amid claims they are not being upfront ahead of polling day about the scale of future cuts.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the parties' plans were thin on detail. Chancellor Alistair Darling and his opposite numbers, George Osborne and Vince Cable, will all face questions in a series of public appearances.
Labour are campaigning on crime while the Tories and Lib Dems focus on bank reform and tuition fees respectively.
The three largest parties at Westminster came under fire on Tuesday for a lack of clarity about the spending squeeze required to meet their deficit-reduction targets over the next four years.
Many firms 'fear hung Parliament'
26th April 2010
Businesses instinctively prefer a clear mandate to govern, the BCC says
Firms are becoming increasingly concerned about the potential impact on their business of a hung Parliament after the election, a survey suggests.
The British Chambers of Commerce found that 65% of 300 firms it polled were either "concerned" or "very concerned" about the prospect of no clear winner.
Some 13% of firms thought that outcome would be "a good thing", but the BCC said businesses were right to be wary. The study also found most believed VAT would increase after the election.
Election 2010: Tories to target Labour heartlands
26th April 2010
The Conservatives hope to build on their opinion poll lead
The Conservatives are to step up campaigning in seats where Labour are defending healthy majorities, in the wake of the Lib Dem poll surge.
David Cameron said they were "enlarging our battleground" but denied it meant they had given up on Lib Dem seats. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said first-past-the-post votes made "no sense at all" in a three-party system.
Car bomb explodes outside County Armagh police station
23rd April 2010
Ita Gibney, community centre chairperson: "It's very disappointing"
Two people have been injured in a car bomb explosion outside a police station in Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.
The explosion happened at about 2325 BST. Police were told in a call to a Belfast hospital about an hour earlier that a vehicle had been abandoned. Officers were en route to the station, which is staffed on a part-time basis, when the explosion happened. The two people's injuries are not life-threatening. Shots are reported to have been fired before the explosion. The two people who were treated in hospital - a man and an elderly woman - are said to have been left "extremely shaken".
Recriminations grow over airline costs
22nd April 2010
Recriminations are growing over the costs of the six-day UK airspace shutdown as thousands of Britons continue to make their way home.
The Civil Aviation Authority has strongly rejected accusations it was too slow in lifting the flight ban. But many airlines are demanding government compensation, while Ryanair said it will not reimburse passengers costs beyond refunding initial fares.
EU regulations require carriers to cover passengers' reasonable expenses.
Nick Clegg under attack ahead of second election
22nd April 2010
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has come under attack over political donations and policies ahead of the second prime ministerial TV debate.
His colleague Chris Huhne said Tory-supporting papers were trying to "smear" Mr Clegg, after last week's debate led to a Lib Dem poll boost.
UK unemployment increases to 2.5m
21st April 2010
The latest figures give a mixed picture of the UK labour market
The number of people unemployed in the UK rose by 43,000 to 2.5 million during the three months to February, official figures have shown.
The jobless total is now at its highest since 1994. The rate of unemployment now stands at 8% - the highest since 1996 - the Office for National Statistics said.
Ash cloud chaos: Airlines face huge task as ban ends
21st April 2010
Airlines face a "huge logistical operation" as tens of thousands of Britons try to get home after a six-day shutdown because of volcanic ash.
The first flights began landing in the UK on Tuesday night after safety tests showed plane engines could cope in areas of low density ash. Passengers have been warned of further delays because of the backlog and planes not being in the right place.
Some UK flights resume after volcanic ash disruption
20th April 2010
Some domestic flights are taking off in the UK, as airports begin to reopen after five days without flights because of the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.
The first planes from Edinburgh and Glasgow both headed for Stornoway after 0700 BST - among a handful of internal flights scheduled from Scotland.
Election 2010: Deadline looms for registering to vote
20th April 2010
Election 2010: Deadline looms for registering to vote The day of the general election may be less than three weeks away, but for an estimated 3.5 million people an equally important date is looming.
Today - 20 April - is the deadline for registering to be able to vote.
EU emergency talks called on volcanic ash air chaos
19th April 2010
EU transport ministers are to hold emergency talks by video conference on easing the air travel crisis caused by a volcanic ash cloud in Europe's skies.
More than 6.8 million passengers have been affected so far, as the crisis enters its fifth day.
Airports and airlines are questioning the need for curbs said to be costing airlines 130m pounds a day.
Royal Navy ships to return Britons stranded by volcano
19th April 2010
Three Royal Navy ships will be drafted to help return Britons stranded abroad as UK airspace remains restricted.
The move was announced as the UK's emergency committee Cobra met to discuss options in addressing travel chaos caused by a volcanic ash cloud.
The ships HMS Ark Royal, HMS Ocean and HMS Albion have been pressed into action and are heading for Spain and unspecified Channel ports.
Mephedrone ban comes into force in UK
16th April 2010
A ban on synthetic stimulant mephedrone has come into force across the UK. The decision to ban mephedrone followed a number of deaths.
Legislation placing the drug and other related compounds in the Class B category alongside cannabis was rushed through Parliament.
Parties battle on debate verdict
16th April 2010
Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems claim their leader won the TV debate as polls suggest Nick Clegg impressed viewers.
Volcanic ash disrupts UK flights
15th April 2010
Airline passengers are facing massive disruption across the UK after an ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Iceland grounded planes.
Calls to reduce light pollution 'backed by CPRE survey'
15th April 2010
Most people feel their view of the night sky is spoiled by artificial light, a survey suggests.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is calling for more control on the likes of street lighting and neon signs to cut down on the problem.
Social media and the leadership debates
14th April 2010
One week in, and with the prime ministerial debates poised to begin, television has become the centrepiece of the election campaign. But the debates will also be a focus for an unprecedented level of online activity.
Brown admits he made a mistake over bank regulation
14th April 2010
Gordon Brown has admitted he made a mistake in not introducing tougher bank regulation when he was chancellor.
The PM, chancellor from 1997 to 2007, said that in the 1990s the banks had all been calling for less regulation.
"And actually the truth is that globally and nationally we should have been regulating them more," he said in an interview on ITV1's Tonight.
Polish first lady's body returned home
13th April 2010
The body of Poland's first lady is flown to Warsaw to lie in state with that of her husband, President Lech Kaczynski.
Facebook resists installing on-site 'panic button'
13th April 2010
Facebook did agree to develop its existing system for reporting abuse Facebook is continuing to resist placing a "panic button" on its pages despite calls to do so by the head of a British child protection agency.
Labour manifesto: Gordon Brown prepares for launch
12th April 2010
Labour is preparing to unveil its manifesto, pledging not to raise income tax and more public service reform as it bids for a fourth term in office
Married couples proposed tax break
12th April 2010
The Conservatives have pledged to give an annual £150 tax break to married couples and civil partner.
This would apply to basic rate taxpayers earning less than £44,000 where one partner does not use their full personal allowance.
Anger about digital 'stitch-up'
8th April 2010
MPs have passed the Digital Economy Bill. Ministers have been accused of a "stitch-up" to pass laws cracking down on digital piracy before the election.
System of vetting foreign medics 'needs improving'
8th April 2010
Urgent changes must be made to the system of vetting foreign doctors offering out-of-hours GP care, MPs say
31 council bosses earn more than the PM
7th April 2010
Figures published by the Taxpayers' Alliance show that 31 council bosses earnt more than the Prime Minister's £194,250 salary last year. The survey also showed that 1,250 earnt more than £100,000. A spokesperson for the Local Government Association insisted the council salaries gave value for money compared to those in the private sector.
Parents to face fines for unruly pupils
7th April 2010
Schools Minister Vernon Coaker yesterday told schools that they should take parents to court if their children persist to act unruly whilst in school. Heads were told they should use parenting orders forcing parents to ensure their children behave well or face a £1,000 fine.
Doctors to give 'fit notes' instead of sick notes
6th April 2010
Workers who are off sick for longer than seven days will from now on receive so-called fit notes instead of sick notes from their GPs.
Doctors will still be able to say someone is not fit for work, but they will also be able to spell out aspects of jobs workers can still perform. The onus will be on employers to help staff return to work in some capacity.
Brown to call election for 6 May
6th April 2010
The general election campaign is set to begin as Gordon Brown is about to confirm it will be held on 6 May.Following a cabinet meeting in Downing Street he left for Buckingham Palace to ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament.
On returning from the Palace he will confirm the widely-predicted date and call the election "the big choice".
