Schools minister Lord Adonis has signalled a major expansion of the government's flagship academies policy beyond the official target of 400.

Senior Conservatives have urged David Cameron to commit the party to big tax and spending cuts to revive the struggling economy.

Gordon Brown is facing renewed calls to impose a windfall tax on the record profits being enjoyed by energy companies to help Britons cope with rising fuel bills.

A senior Labour backbencher has said New Labour has "run its course" and that Gordon Brown must show "strength, will and purpose" to renew the government.

Union leaders have stepped up their call for a new bank holiday, claiming that nearly one million businesses could benefit from the move.

Gordon Brown has used a meeting with the Chinese president to raise the issue of human rights in the country.

The Conservatives have warned that taxpayers may have to foot a huge compensation bill after the personal details of thousands of criminals were lost in the latest government data blunder.

There are more pensioners than children in the UK for the first time, according to official figures.

Labour MP Ann Cryer has announced she will step down from Parliament at the next general election.

A new opinion poll has given the Conservatives a record 24-point lead among those certain to vote, as Labour hits its lowest rating for more than 30 years.

A new opinion poll has given the Conservatives a record 24-point lead among those certain to vote, as Labour hits its lowest rating for more than 30 years.

Latest Home office figures show that the number of Eastern European migrants coming to work in the UK has fallen to its lowest level since accession.

Nick Clegg has set out how his party would make Britain an exporter of green energy by 2050.

Gordon Brown has praised the work of British troops on a surprise visit to Afghanistan.

The Conservatives have obtained figures revealing that 77,302 NHS operations were cancelled in the last year for non-clinical reasons.

Tributes have been paid to the former Labour MP Leo Abse who has died at the age of 91.

Official figures have shown that Britain's public finances improved slightly in July but were still weaker than a year ago.

Ministers have announced £2.25m of funding to increase the number of special constables to 20,000.

The Conservatives are attempting to define the autumn's political debate with George Osborne saying the party is now best placed to promote fairness.

Measures to tighten controls on the movements of paedophiles have been announced by home secretary Jacqui Smith.