Steps to toughen up community punishments have been outlined by justice minister David Hanson.

Probation staff union Napo has suggested about one in every 11 prisoners are former members of the armed forces.

The West will not be held to ransom by Russia, the prime minister has said.

The prime minister fully agrees with Alistair Darling's gloomy assessment of the UK economic outlook, Jack Straw has said.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne has written to Alistair Darling accusing him of damaging the UK economy.

A report has warned that numerous government regulations risks overwhelming schools.

The government is preparing to give councils new powers to intervene in the failing housing market, reports have suggested.

MPs have urged the government to provide extra financial help for unpaid carers.

A three-year investigation into public health published by the World Health Organisation has discovered large health inequalities in Britain.

Tony McNulty has said that streamlined frontline police powers would cut red tape, improve efficiency and protect the rights of the public.

A new 'fat map' documenting instances of obesity throughout Britain has shown that more than one-in-10 people are overweight in some parts of the country.

Households are paying more in "green taxes" than is justified by their level of carbon emissions, according to a new report.

The business secretary has effectively ruled out a windfall tax on energy firms, warning that "the era of cheap energy is over".

The government has been warned that plans to build three huge 'Titan' prisons would be a "costly and hugely damaging mistake".

The proportion of unsatisfactory childminders in some deprived areas stands at more than 50 per cent, according to a report by Ofsted.

Foreign secretary David Miliband has warned Russia not to provoke a new Cold War with the West.

Britain is set to become the most populated European nation within 50 years because of high immigration and birth rates, new research has revealed.

The NHS is expected to have a surplus of £1.75bn for 2008/09, the Department of Health has announced.

The Liberal Democrats have set out plans to support homeowners and social housing.

The shadow health secretary has said there can be "no excuse" for being fat.