Among its measures, it imposes a new duty on public bodies - like education authorities and health trusts - to consider reducing socio-economic inequalities, for example with policies preventing poorer children from missing out on places at the best schools.The Equality Act will help businesses treat... [full story]
19th June 2010
Government warned over CGT rise
"So if you put the rate up by less you'll get a bit less revenue and if you put the rate up by a lot you'll get a lot less revenue, which means that it doesn't seem a terribly smart thing to do at this time because it will widen the deficit rather than bring it down." The net effect of a unilateral... [full story]
19th June 2010
BP rejects oil drill partner's 'negligence' claim
Carl-Henric Svanberg BP chairman Reaction to Congress hearing Guide to stopping the oil BP responded that Anadarko was "refusing to accept responsibility for oil spill removal costs and damages", despite a written agreement that the parties would share the costs of any clean-up after a spill... [full story]
David Laws has talent to return, says Duncan Smith
Mr Todd told the BBC: "I think the overriding thing, that I think probably a lot of gay people will feel, is that it's just very sad in this day and age - it's 2010 and he's in the party which is quite arguably the most pro-gay party out of the main three - that he felt that he had to hide his... [full story]
This document sets out agreements reached between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on a range of issues. These are the issues that needed to be resolved between us in order for us to work together as a strong and stable government. It will be followed in due course by a final Coalition Agreement... [full story]
Clegg meets top Lib Dems over election deal with Tories
He did not take any questions, but said the party would press its case for its four priorities - tax reform to make the system fairer, a "new approach" to education to give a "fair start" to all children and to the economy and "fundamental political reform to our political... [full story]
25th April 2010
Foreign Office apologises for Pope 'condom' memo
It listed "positive" public figures who could be made part of the Pope's visit, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair and 2009 Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle, and those considered "negative", such as Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and prominent atheist... [full story]
25th April 2010
Super-rich become wealthier again, Sunday Times says
RICH LIST TOP 10 1. Lakshmi Mittal and family, steel (£22.45bn)2. Roman Abramovich, oil and industry (£7.4bn)3. The Duke of Westminster, property (£6.75bn)4. Ernesto and Kirsty Bertarelli, pharmaceuticals (£5.95bn)5. David and Simon Reuben, property (£5.53bn)6. Alisher Usmanov, steel and mines... [full story]
17th April 2010
General election campaign trail return for leaders
"These are undoubtedly testing times for those making decisions about how much to pay NHS chiefs - balancing recruitment and motivation against the need to keep tight control of the public purse - but it seems that the equation has fallen on the side of high salary awards with pay continuing... [full story]
28th March 2010
Government 'weakness' encourages strikes, Cameron says
"Some of the recommendations, such as paying workers for travelling time and engaging workers on contracts of employment rather than contracts for services, are not possible unless there is a commitment from retailers and labour users to meet such costs, and past experience suggests that this... [full story]
22nd Febuary 2010
Lib Dems announce respite plan for one million carers
CPS CHARGES LAID Elliot Morley - two charges over £30,000 of mortgage interest claimsDavid Chaytor - accused of dishonestly claiming £1,950 for IT services and also £18,000 in rentJim Devine - accused of claiming £3,240 for cleaning services and £5,505 for stationeryLord Hanningfield - faces... [full story]
6th Febuary 2010
'Outrage' as BAE Systems probes end after £280m deal
THE STORY SO FAR... The biggest probe into BAE focused on a £43bn contract to supply more than 100 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The deal began in 1985 but a National Audit Office investigation was suppressed in 1992The SFO launched an investigation in 2004 into the allegations - including claims... [full story]
31st January 2010
Haiti patients 'will die' because of US airlift halt
More US marines arrive to bolster Haiti quake efforts
The deputy head of the World Food Programme here, Ben Yatiri, said that within only a few days many more people would receive food than the 100,000 now being fed - but the worsening security means that every truck that goes out needs very careful planning and a military escort, otherwise it... [full story]
9th January 2010
Councils try to keep roads clear despite salt shortage
WEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO Get the latest on school closures and travel problems via your BBC Local websiteCheck if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News For advice on handling difficult... [full story]
6th January 2010
Schools closed and travellers hit as snow continues
WEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO Get the latest on school closures and travel problems via your BBC Local websiteCheck if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News For advice on handling difficult... [full story]
3rd January 2010
We'll fight every inch to win election - Gordon Brown
"But equally we've got party politics that come in the way. I think our policies, you know, appeal to Liberal voters because, you know, we're for alternative vote system, we're for reform of the House of Lords... and equally at the same time we've got policies on the environment and we've got... [full story]
Bomb suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on UK watch-list
US FLIGHT ADVICE Only one item of hand luggage, including items bought airsideBA and Virgin Atlantic not charging to check in extra hand luggageCheck in wrapped presentsPassengers subject to "pat-down" searches before boarding, on top of usual security checksCustomers to remain seated... [full story]
19th December 2009
Passengers trapped on Eurostar trains relive ordeal
Eurotunnel assisted with the removal of the trains from the tunnel and at first the car service was suspended but it has since re-opened with "significant delays". James Brownell and his friends had a 12-hour wait at Folkestone. They were due to catch the 1800 shuttle on Friday night but only... [full story]
19th December 2009
UN welcomes climate summit deal
AT THE SCENE Richard Black,BBC News environment correspondentWhen President Obama left Copenhagen last night, he appeared to think he carried a nice, neat deal in his back pocket.Perhaps he didn't realise that having it formally adopted in the closing plenary session here would mean getting... [full story]
13th December 2009
All peers and MPs to pay UK tax or quit under Tory plan
Golfer Tiger Woods delays police questions over crash
Born: Eldrick Woods in December 1975 in Cypress, CaliforniaFirst major title: In 1997, less than a year after turning professionalWinner: Of 71 official PGA Tour events, including 14 majorsDescribed as world's most marketable athlete, sponsorship deals with GM, Nike and othersFocus on reluctant... [full story]
Roger Taylor, director of Dr Foster, said: "No hospital in the world would claim to be free of these kinds of errors, but what has been learned over the years is that recording what is happening, and making that information generally public, is the best way to start tackling the issues."... [full story]
19th November 2009
British soldier shot dead in Afghanistan named by MoD
Gordon Smith, SFA chief executive, said in a statement: "It is with regret that we announce George Burley's departure. We now have four months until our next scheduled match, against Czech Republic, and will therefore utilise the intervening period to ensure we attract the best possible replacement... [full story]
