Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Philip Hammond has criticised the government’s “something for nothing” attitude towards bonus pay for civil servants.

US presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has announced the end of her campaign to become the Democratic nominee for US president, and has fully backed Barack Obama.

MPs have abandoned a legal fight to keep details of their expenses secret from the public. The feud began when the Information Tribunal demanded details of MPs’ second home allowances. Under the Freedom of Information Act, a detailed breakdown of the additional costs allowances of 14 named MPs and former MPs was requested. The battle was [...]

MPs are to vote later today on whether to allow scientists to continue to use hybrid human-animal embryos in stem cell research.

The far-right British National Party has won a seat on the London Assembly after getting 5.3% of votes. Richard Barnbrook, the BNP leader on Barking and Dagenham Council will take up one of the 25 assembly seats after coming fifth in the mayoral contest. He said he would stand up for Londoners regardless of “colour or identity” [...]

Last year, in his final Budget as Chancellor, Gordon Brown announced several changes to national insurance and tax which have now garnered heavy criticism. At the centre of the row is the abolition of the 10p tax starter rate. We explain just what this is, what the fuss is about and who the worst affected [...]

Displaying cigarettes in shops could be banned in England under plans being considered by the government. The Department of Health said it will be launching a consultation to look at ways to stop children smoking. Tougher controls on vending machines in pubs and restaurants are also being discussed, and the public will be consulted on the proposals [...]

Deputy leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman is today being criticised for wearing a stab-proof vest while on a tour of her constituency with local police. She has so far been accused of promoting a bad message about the South London area of Camberwell and Peckham. Ms. Harman has since defended her actions: “I don’t have to [...]

Riot police have been forced to take to the streets in many of Mexico’s cities to protect emo kids from an anti-emo rampage.

Lord Winston Labour peer Lord Winston has accused the leader of Scotland’s Catholic church, Cardinal Keith O’Brien of misleading the public over the government’s embryo research proposals. Fertility expert Lord Winston said statements made by Cardinal Keith O’Brien were a “discredit” to the Church. Scientists say hybrid embryos will bring medical benefits but opponents in the Church say [...]

A bill is going through Parliament allowing scientists to create human-animal embryos for research, to much opposition and debate - so what’s it about? Science researchers insist that such work is necessary to advance the understanding of complex diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and motor neuron disease. What are hybrid embryos? They are embryos that are partly [...]

New rules which could see serious and rightful claims for asylum blocked for up to 10 years have drawn fierce criticism from politicians and human rights organisations. The proposed change in immigration law means that any person who is deported from the UK cannot claim asylum here again for a decade, regardless of any changes in [...]