Politics
Site: BBC News | UK News | UK Politics | World EditionPM's tour 'to hear economy woes'
Gordon Brown is to begin a three-day tour of England and Wales later which will include a cabinet meeting in the North West.
Restraint urged over tax arrears
Bailiffs called on nearly 600,000 people in council tax arrears in England and Wales last year, the Lib Dems say.
Companies 'facing' gambling levy
Bookmakers and other firms may be forced to fund research into gambling addiction under plans put forward by ministers.
Brown voices Gaza ceasefire hopes
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is hopeful a basis for a ceasefire in Gaza will be found to end the Middle East's "darkest hour".
Cable gives house price warning
Vince Cable warns house prices could fall another 20% as negativity surrounding the market shows no sign of lifting.
Gaza solution is possible - Blair
The conflict between Israel and Hamas can be resolved, ex-UK prime minister and current Middle East envoy Tony Blair insists.
Blair to get US Medal of Freedom
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair will be awarded the US's highest civilian award next week, the White House confirms.
UK short-selling ban to be lifted
A ban on the short-selling of financial shares is to be lifted, the UK's financial regulator confirms.
Cameron makes savings tax pledge
David Cameron proposes to axe tax on basic rate taxpayers' savings and to increase pensioners' tax free allowances.
Halloween knife figures more trick than treat, say statistics chiefs
Statistics chiefs mount a new attack on knife crime figures - including a claimed reduction at Halloween.
Brian Taylor blogs on calls to end farming subsidy
Brian Taylor blogs
Cones hotline
The lasting legacy of John Major's much ridiculed plan
End of an era
Will UK and US ever be as close after Blair and Bush?
Michael Crick
Newsnight blog about Tory hopefuls 'watch list'
Nick Robinson
Credit crunch allows Tory rethink on spending plans
Negative rates
Could the interest paid on our savings fall below zero?
Robert Peston
No news from big companies is good news
State widens homeowner help
The government extends state help for people struggling to make mortgage payments after losing their jobs.
Lobbying rules 'must be stricter'
Lax rules are allowing former ministers to exploit contacts built up in public office for private gain, a committee of MPs warns.
Thatcher pays tribute to Walters
Lady Thatcher leads tributes to her "fearless" economics adviser Sir Alan Walters, who has died aged 82.
PM defends handling of downturn
Gordon Brown says his priority for the year is working on getting the UK economy back into shape, not a general election.
Tories want tougher primary tests
The Tories are calling for more rigorous testing in primary schools amid concern over literacy and numeracy levels.
Disabled rights delay criticised
The UK government is criticised for failing to ratify a UN Convention giving new rights for disabled people.
Brown urges end to Gaza violence
Gordon Brown reiterates the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, as Israeli troops and Hamas clash in Gaza.
Clegg joins attack on VAT 'waste'
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg adds his voice to concerns that the government's temporary VAT cut has been a "waste of money".
UK 'could take Guantanamo men'
Britain should take some Guantanamo inmates if it helps the US close the camp, the former attorney general has said.
End data previews, ministers told
Ministers should not be shown official statistics before they are released, to boost public trust, says the UK statistics chief.
Blears concern for 'ignored poor'
The impact of immigration on some white working-class people is being ignored, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears says.
Grieve: Back public against crime
Adults should be able to challenge anti-social behaviour without fear of prosecution, the shadow home secretary says.
VAT cut has failed, says Cameron
The government's temporary VAT cut has been an "expensive failure", says David Cameron.
Government targets obesity rates
The government launches its "Change4Life" advertising campaign to try to stem increasing rates of obesity.
Treasury mulls new bank bail-out
Chancellor Alistair Darling could inject more taxpayers' cash into Britain's banks as part of measures to boost the economy.
Brown warns of tough year ahead
The prime minister warns 2009 "won't be easy" for Britain as it deals with the global economic crisis.
Most Britons 'still oppose euro'
A BBC Radio 4 poll finds that 71% of people would vote against Britain joining the European single currency in a referendum.
Minister promises sporting decade
The new year is ushering in a decade which will see Britain play a leading role in world sport, according to Culture Secretary Andy Burnham.
Criminal age rise to 14 ruled out
Scottish ministers are considering raising the age of criminal responsibility to 12 but reject a rise to 14.
Brian Taylor's political blog
Dummy puff/betsan blog
Tenants allowed to buy home share
Social housing tenants can now apply to buy a share in their home, says Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie.
Mark Devenport's political blog
Dummy puff/betsan blog
Osborne's plan for Welsh economy
Shadow Chancellor George Osborne says the Tories have the "new approach" people want for economic recovery.
Betsan Powys' political blog
Dummy puff/betsan blog
The Cabinet: Who's Who
Here is a minister-by-minister guide to the members of Gordon Brown's Cabinet.
Shadow Cabinet: Who's Who
Here is a minister-by-minister guide to the members of Tory leader David Cameron's Cabinet.
In full: Lib Dem front bench
Here is a spokesman-by-spokesman guide to the members of Nick Clegg's front bench team.
A-Z of Parliament
Inside Europe
Political websites
Links to parties and other useful websites covering UK politics.
Guide to Parliament
What is Parliament for and how does it work?
In depth: Party conferences
In depth: The Blair Years
Full coverage of The Blair Years
