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.

A watchdog has called for a series of changes to the UK's "19th century" electoral structures.

Gordon Brown is facing continued calls to impose a windfall tax on energy companies to help families cope with rising fuel bills.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have elected Tavish Scott as their new leader.

A group of MPs has called on the government to make sex education compulsory for primary school pupils.

Council leaders and returning officers have called for curbs on the sale of access to the electoral register.

Government plans to build three "Titan" jails to tackle the overcrowding crisis have been heavily criticised by a prison watchdog.

The strategy of promoting biofuels should be abandoned and the funds used to prevent the destruction of rainforests and peatland, a think-tank has argued.

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.