Pressure mounts on Cameron's aide

The pressure on David Cameron's communications chief Andy Coulson has intensified after MPs approved an investigation by a parliamentary sleaze watchdog.Read

Minister defends spying on aides

A Justice Minister has defended his decision to hire a firm of private detectives to carry out undercover investigations of his aides and colleagues.Read

Dowling favourite to win final BB

Air steward turned TV presenter Brian Dowling is the bookies' favourite to take the Ultimate Big Brother crown on Friday night as Channel 4 waves goodbye to the long-running reality show.Read

Osborne targets benefits lifestyle

Chancellor George Osborne signalled a renewed crackdown on the "out of control" welfare budget - announcing further cuts of £4 billion would be made in the spending review this autumn.Read

9/11 Koran burning only 'suspended'

The anti-Muslim leader of a tiny Florida church says he was lied to and is rethinking his decision to cancel burning Korans to mark 9/11.Read

Handshake 'key sign of longer life'

A firm handshake and brisk walk could be indicators of a longer life expectancy, it has been claimed.Read

Academy schools 'achieving more'

Most academy schools are achieving greater rates of academic improvement than the schools they replaced, a report has found.Read

Jobs recovery 'will take 14 years'

Employment will not return to pre-recession levels for 14 years and could take longer in some parts of the country hardest-hit by Government spending cuts, according to new research.Read

Scheme to reduce reoffending rates

Private investors will be given a cash return of up to £8 million if they help cut reoffending rates among prisoners with short-term sentences, the Ministry of Justice has said.Read

Housing benefit cap 'to cost £120m'

Changes to housing benefit could lead to a surge in homelessness which would cost the Government £120 million a year, a housing charity has said.Read

Planned 9/11 Koran burning scrapped

A Florida minister who had created an international storm with his plan to burn the Koran on the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks has cancelled the event under intense pressure, saying he agreed to back off after reaching a deal to move the location of a controversial mosque near New York's Ground Zero.Read

Planned 9-11 Koran burning scrapped

The pastor who planned an "International Burn-a-Koran Day" on September 11 has called off the protest after his plans were widely condemned.Read

Welfare budget 'faces £4bn cuts'

Chancellor George Osborne has signalled a renewed crackdown on the "out of control" welfare budget - announcing further cuts of £4 billion would be made in the spending review this autumn.Read

New death linked to Legionnaires'

A second pensioner has died of suspected Legionnaires' disease, health officials have confirmed.Read

Policing Pope visit may cost £1.5m

The cost of policing the Pope's visit to Britain could reach £1.5 million, police chiefs have said.Read

Obama wants Koran burning cancelled

US President Barack Obama has urged a Florida pastor to "listen to those better angels" and call off his plan to engage in a Koran-burning protest this weekend.Read

Lansley denies NHS Direct closure

The Health Secretary has been accused of a climbdown over plans to scrap NHS Direct.Read

Police reveal plans to protect Pope

The Pope's visit to Britain will be met with an unprecedented police operation across the country, police chiefs have said.Read

Sleaze watchdog to probe hacking

MPs have referred the News of the World phone-hacking row to the parliamentary sleaze watchdog for further investigation.Read

Interest rate on hold for 18th time

The Bank of England has maintained its emergency support for the economy by keeping interest rates at 0.5% for the 18th month in a row.Read

Quick Links

Contact & Subscribe

Contact Us

View a full list of our editorial contact details plus advertising and subscription information. Read

Classifieds

Go Shopping!

Classifieds

Browse through our classifieds section for bargains galore. Read

Get Involved

We want your local stories, videos & pics.