Labour must take more effective action to help people cope with the economic downturn or face electoral defeat, the TUC leader has said.

The Green Party is set to elect its first leader, with Caroline Lucas favourite for the role.

Scotland's finance secretary has accused Gordon Brown of "caving in" to the case for more powers for the Scottish Parliament.

David Cameron has the power to kill the Lisbon Treaty "stone dead", the leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party has said.

An inquiry chaired by Cherie Booth has denounced the "hysterical rhetoric" of politicians trying to satisfy the "public clamour for prison-based punitiveness."

The prime minister has signalled that the government will not give a one-off payment to help poorer households meet rising fuel costs.

A senior Conservative has said that the Tories must begin to make detailed plans for governing.

The Liberal Democrats have called for minor criminals to be kept out of jail.

Gordon Brown has sought to reassure business leaders and the wider public that his government will bring the economy through tough times.

Harriet Harman is to step up her bid to criminalise the purchase of sex following the release of new figures surrounding public perceptions of prostitution.

Talks between the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein have broken up with both parties committing themselves to further discussions.

Women face a ceiling of "reinforced concrete" rather than glass as they pursue careers in politics and business, according to the equality watchdog.

Gordon Brown's leadership has been called into question by former home secretary Charles Clarke.

Paying organisations to hire ex-prisoners could save £300m and cut reoffending, a right-leaning think-tank has said.

MPs have slammed civil servants for the "non-management" of a department's financial affairs after it exceeded its budget for a second year running.

Student leaders have said "market forces" are creating inequalities between universities.

The Liberal Democrats' campaigns and communications chief has said that he expects the party's forthcoming conference to approve plans for tax cuts.

The mayor of London has launched a new initiative allowing London residents to see how much crime is committed in their neighbourhood on the internet.

New diplomas for subjects such as engineering and construction are being phased in at schools across England.

Alex Salmond has set out the Scottish executive's legislative plans for the next year, including replacing council tax with a 3p in the pound local income tax.