Senior officers sent a letter to the Ministry of Justice before the announcement on sentencing changes last week.

The London Drugs Commission is calling for possession of cannabis for personal use to be decriminalised.

The economic crisis is the main item on the agenda for today's cabinet meeting, which takes place away from London for the first time since the 1920s.

Labour rebel Frank Field is expected to join forces with former Conservative minister Nicholas Soames to call for a cap on the number of immigrants settling in Britain.

David Cameron has said a Conservative government would introduce tax cuts to reward those who "put their backs into the British economy".

Ministers have expressed anger and regret over the loss of a computer disc containing personal details on thousands of justice staff.

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

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.