SPEECH BY THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER   

Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown today announced that the Treasury will refund the VAT paid on purchases of the new Live Aid DVD and Band Aid 20 record.   

SPEECH BY THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER AT THE ENTERPRISING BRITAIN POLICY SUMMIT, LONDON   

The Winter Supplementary Estimates, presented to the House of Commons today, seek £6,743 million in resources and £7,622 million in cash. The Estimates seek increased resources and cash for existing ...

A Vote on Account for £157,950 million resources and £149,429 million cash for central government was presented to the House of Commons today.   

Check against delivery.   

The Treasury is today launching a consultation on the regulation of investment trust companies.   

Speech by the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer at the BBC World Service Trust Conference   

The introduction of the stakeholder suite of simple, low-cost, risk controlled savings and investment products on 6 April 2005 means that the existing voluntary CAT standard will be discontinued for the...

Improved customer service for businesses and individual tax payers will be delivered through the new HM Revenue and Customs government department (HMRC), introduced in a Bill published by Paymaster General...

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms today announced that Karin Forseke and Michael Slack have been appointed Non-executive Directors of the FSA.   

National Statistics release 2 December 2004 Updates for 2003-04 and earlier years for key series   

The Chancellor announced a series of measures that promote productivity growth, flexibility and fairness, alongside high and stable levels of employment, in the East Midlands, today. The Government's long...

The Chancellor announced a series of measures that promote productivity growth, flexibility and fairness, alongside high and stable levels of employment, in London, today. The Government's long-term goal...

The Chancellor announced a series of measures that promote productivity growth, flexibility and fairness, alongside high and stable levels of employment, in the North East, today. The Government's long...

The Chancellor announced a series of measures that promote productivity growth, flexibility and fairness, alongside high and stable levels of employment, in the North West, today. The Government's long...

The Chancellor announced today a series of measures that promote productivity growth, flexibility and fairness, alongside high and stable levels of employment, in Northern Ireland. The Government's long...

The Chancellor announced today a series of measures that promote productivity growth, flexibility and fairness, alongside high and stable levels of employment, in Scotland . The Government's long-term ...

The Chancellor announced a series of measures that promote productivity growth, flexibility and fairness, alongside high and stable levels of employment, in the South East, today. The Government's long...

The Chancellor announced a series of measures that promote productivity growth, flexibility and fairness, alongside high and stable levels of employment, in the South West, today. The Government's long...

The Chancellor announced today a series of measures that promote productivity growth, flexibility and fairness, alongside high and stable levels of employment, in Wales. The Government's long-term goal...

The Chancellor announced a series of measures that promote productivity growth, flexibility and fairness, alongside high and stable levels of employment, in the West Midlands, today. The Government's long...

Financial Secretary, Stephen Timms MP, today announced the outcome of the Government's review of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) following its first two years of operation.   

The Government today announced the outcome of its review of the regulations facing small firms and their 'business angel' investors. This formed part of the two year review of the Financial Services and...

Part I: UK Government Foreign Currency Assets and Liabilities - November 2004   

A major review of powers for the new revenue department, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), was announced today by the Paymaster General, Dawn Primarolo.   

Better regulation holds the key to jobs and growth in Europe, according to a new joint statement on regulatory reform agreed yesterday. The statement was signed by the Chancellor, the Secretary of State...

Check against delivery.   

The Treasury will today begin advertising for candidates for appointment to the Bank of England's court of directors. The Chancellor will be looking to recommend the appointments of new non-executive directors...

Paul Boateng, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury this week jointly chaired the UK-China Finance Dialogue, designed to extend and deepen the "comprehensive and strategic partnership" between the UK and...

Enterprise and high skilled jobs are now the key to long-term prosperity in Britain, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury - John Healey MP - outlined today when he visited the West Midlands. He pointed...

Progress positive but further work needed, the Government said today, as it brought forward new proposals to strengthen the Myners principles. This follows the conclusion of its review into how effective...

Check against delivery.   

Paul Myners today published his report on the corporate governance of life mutuals commissioned by the Treasury in March 2004.   

Launching the final report of his independent review of the governance of mutual life offices, Paul Myners said:   

Computershare Investor Services plc has formally taken over as the registrar for UK Government bonds, known as gilts.   

In the concluding statement to its Article IV examination of the UK economy, the IMF stated today:   

Chancellor Gordon Brown today instructed the Bank of England, acting as HM Treasury's agent, to direct all UK financial institutions to freeze any funds held for or on behalf of the entity, the Movement...

Inquiry into Processes for Maintaining High Standards of Conduct in Public Bodies, Local Government and the National Health Service Continues: Witnesses for Tuesday 15 June   

The Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by Sir Alistair Graham, has started a series of public hearings in its inquiry to help establish whether current arrangements for promoting high standards...

Witnesses for Thursday 17 June in Edinburgh   

The Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by Sir Alistair Graham, has started a series of public hearings in its inquiry to help establish whether current arrangements for promoting high standards...

Witnesses for Tuesday 29 June in Belfast   

Witnesses for Wednesday 7 July in Cardiff   

The sixth public hearing of the Committee's Tenth inquiry 'Getting the Balance Right: Implementing Standards of Conduct in Public Life' will take place on Tuesday 13 July at One Great George Street, Westminster...

The seventh public hearing of the Committee's Tenth inquiry 'Getting the Balance Right: Implementing Standards of Conduct in Public Life' will take place on Thursday 15 July at One Great George Street, ...

Inquiry into Processes for Maintaining High Standards of Conduct in Public Bodies, Local Government and the National Health Service Continues: Witnesses for Tuesday 14 September in London   

The first results of a long-term research project into public attitudes towards conduct in public life were published today by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.   

Inquiry into Processes for Maintaining High Standards of Conduct in Public Bodies, Local Government and the National Health Service Continues: Updated Witnesses for Tuesday 14 September in London   

Inquiry into Processes for Maintaining High Standards of Conduct in Public Bodies, Local Government and the National Health Service Continues:   

The Rt Hon Baroness Jay of Paddington and Mr Lloyd Clarke QPM have been appointed to the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Both appointments, announced by the Prime Minister are effective from today...

The Committee on Standards in Public Life, which was established by the then Prime Minister in 1994, has no mandate to investigate allegations against individuals. The Committee does not comment on individual...

The Committee on Standards in Public Life, which was established by the then Prime Minister in 1994, has no mandate to investigate allegations against individuals. The Committee has however previously ...

A prospective credit broker from Southend-on-Sea, Essex has had her application for a consumer credit licence rejected.   

A holiday broker and travel club from East Grinstead has had its consumer credit licence revoked by the OFT.   

The OFT is helping businesses to understand new credit advertising rules by publishing answers to frequently asked questions.   

A mobile phone retailer based in Doncaster has had its application for a consumer credit licence refused by the OFT.   

Misleading home working advertisements have been stopped following OFT action. David Breach trading as Delta Data Services and who previously traded as Neath Mailing Services, published adverts which gave...

Peterborough credit broker C&G Marketing Ltd has had its consumer credit licence application refused by the OFT.   

Britain's 335,000 holiday caravanners are set to get a fairer deal following the OFT's new draft guidance on caravan agreements.   

411 licensing actions conducted by OFT   

A debt management trader in Bury, Lancashire has had her application for a consumer credit licence refused by the OFT.   

Shoppers in Hertfordshire are being targeted by the OFT with hot shopping tips and advice as part of a major consumer awareness campaign.   

Static holiday caravan owners at a number of sites in Hampshire, Sussex and Suffolk have fairer contracts following OFT action.   

Fines totalling over £2.4 million (reduced to £1.7 million on leniency) have been imposed against price fixing in the insulated glass (IG) desiccant market following an investigation by the OFT.   

The OFT has issued a further statement of objections (see notes 2 and 3 ) against MasterCard UK Members Forum Limited's agreement on the multilateral interchange fees applicable to UK domestic transactions...

Guidance on how the OFT selects and conducts its market studies has been published today.   

The High Court today ruled that the consumer protection given by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 does apply to domestic credit card transactions but that it does not generally apply to overseas...

The OFT has published top tips to help consumers avoid the pitfalls of shopping for health products online.   

New procedural Rules relating to the OFT's investigation and enforcement functions under the Competition Act 1998 (CA98) come into force today, following approval by the Secretary of State for Trade and...

A motor dealer from Hartlepool has had his application for a consumer credit licence refused by the OFT.   

New research analyses impact upon competition   

Pop star Kym Marsh launches OFT campaign   

A Newcastle used car trader has had its application for a consumer credit licence refused by the OFT.   

Five priority areas have been identified by the OFT as part of its draft annual plan.   

A credit broker from Brentwood has had his consumer credit licence revoked by the OFT.   

A mortgage broker from Sidcup has had his consumer credit licence revoked by the OFT.   

Research by Oxera for the OFT has found that the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) does not appear to have had a negative impact on competition in financial markets.   

A motor dealer based in Telford, Shropshire has had his consumer credit licence revoked by the OFT.   

A follow-up review of liability insurance markets was launched by the OFT today. The review will also look at the 'after the event' insurance (ATE) sector (see Note 2).   

SMMT new car code first to gain approval   

The OFT today referred the anticipated acquisition by Brittany Ferries (Bretagne-Angleterre-Irelande S.A.) of certain assets used by P&O on its Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry route to the Competition Commission...

Dial4aloan Ltd have withdrawn credit advertisements following an approach by the OFT and have put procedures in place to ensure future compliance with the rules.   

A Spanish lottery scam is targeting UK consumers, warns the OFT.   

Frances Warburton, currently Head of Gas Networks Regulation at the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), has been appointed Director for Service Industries in OFT's Competition Enforcement Division...

The OFT welcomes the judgment given today by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) on the appeals brought by Argos Ltd and Littlewoods Ltd upholding OFT's decision that the parties had illegally fixed ...

A Woking trader operating as a car rental company has had his application for a consumer credit licence refused by the OFT.   

A Southwark mortgage broker has had his application for a consumer credit licence refused by the OFT.   

In the first ever cross-border court action taken in Europe to stop a trader in one country deceiving consumers in another, the commercial court in Brussels has ruled in favour of the OFT, preventing Belgian...

The Direct Selling Association has secured approval for its consumer code of practice under the OFT's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.   

Government plans to modernise consumer credit law, have been welcomed by the OFT.   

Consumers warned about websites offering 'free' electronic gadgets   

The OFT has referred the supply of home credit to the Competition Commission for further investigation, following its analysis of a super-complaint submitted by the National Consumer Council (NCC), and...

The OFT is to appeal the ruling by the High Court of 12 November that the consumer protection given by section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 does not generally apply to overseas transactions.   

The OFT has today published its revised competition law guidelines and related guidance in light of EC Regulation 1/2003 (known as the Modernisation Regulation), which substantially changed the framework...

The OFT has decided today not to refer the anticipated acquisition by Virgin Rail Group Ltd (Virgin) of the InterCity East Coast Franchise (ICEC) to the Competition Commission provided that satisfactory...

The OFT today referred the anticipated acquisition by FirstGroup PLC of the InterCity East Coast Franchise (ICEC) to the Competition Commission (CC).   

The OFT has decided today not to refer the anticipated acquisition by Capital Radio plc of GWR Group plc to the Competition Commission provided that satisfactory undertakings are given to address competition...

Advice Given to Oldham Householders   

Householders can help protect their homes and families from unsafe electrics by following the advice outlined in a consumer leaflet published today (16th December) by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister...

Householders can help protect their homes and families from unsafe electrics by following the advice outlined in a consumer leaflet published today (16th December) by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister...

Householders can help protect their homes and families from unsafe electrics by following the advice outlined in a consumer leaflet published today (16th December) by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister...

Householders can help protect their homes and families from unsafe electrics by following the advice outlined in a consumer leaflet published today (16th December) by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister...

Householders can help protect their homes and families from unsafe electrics by following the advice outlined in a consumer leaflet published today (16th December) by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister...

Householders can help protect their homes and families from unsafe electrics by following the advice outlined in a consumer leaflet published today (16th December) by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister...

Responding to the Audit Commission's announcement of the results of Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) for district councils in Worcestershire today, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said...

Will there be a house you want in the North East - will there be a house you can afford to rent or buy?   

Responding to the Audit Commission's announcement of the results of Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) for district councils in Leicestershire today, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said...

Responding to the Audit Commission's announcement of the results of Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) for district councils in Derbyshire today, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said:   

Responding to the Audit Commission's announcement of the results of Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) for district councils in Worcestershire today, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said...

Householders can help protect their homes and families from unsafe electrics by following the advice outlined in a consumer leaflet published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.   

Not heeding the fire safety message this Christmas and New Year could be a matter of life and death, Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope warned today.   

Not heeding the fire safety message this Christmas and New Year could be a matter of life and death, Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope warned today.   

Not heeding the fire safety message this Christmas and New Year could be a matter of life and death, Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope warned today.   

Not heeding fire safety advice this Christmas and New Year could be a matter of life and death, Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope warned today.   

Not heeding the fire safety message this Christmas and New Year could be a matter of life and death, Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope warned today.   

Not heeding the fire safety message this Christmas and New Year could be a matter of life and death, Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope warned today.   

Not heeding the fire safety message this Christmas and New Year could be a matter of life and death, Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope warned today.   

Not heeding the fire safety message this Christmas and New Year could be a matter of life and death, Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope warned today.   

Not heeding the fire safety message this Christmas and New Year could be a matter of life and death, Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope warned today.   

Further Government measures to tackle the problems caused by unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller developments were announced by Minister for Housing and Planning Keith Hill today.   

Herefordshire Council is to receive £300,000 to refurbish the Grafton site, Minister for Housing and Planning Keith Hill announced today. The announcement came as part of a package of further Government...

Further Government measures to tackle the problems caused by unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller developments were announced by Minister for Housing and Planning Keith Hill today.   

Shropshire County Council is to receive £63.5K to refurbish the Craven Arms Gypsy and Traveller site, Minister for Housing and Planning Keith Hill announced today. The announcement is part of a package...

Government Moves To Increase Number Of Authorised Gypsy And Traveller Sites - And Improve Enforcement Against Inappropriate Sites   

Further Government measures to tackle the problems caused by unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller developments were announced by Minister for Housing and Planning Keith Hill today.   

Further Government measures to tackle the problems caused by unauthorised gypsy and traveller developments were announced by Minister for Housing and Planning Keith Hill today.   

Further Government measures to tackle the problems caused by unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller developments were announced by Minister for Housing and Planning Keith Hill today.   

Further Government measures to tackle the problems caused by unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller developments were announced by Minister for Housing and Planning Keith Hill today.   

Further Government measures to tackle the problems caused by unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller developments were announced by Minister for Housing and Planning Keith Hill today.   

More than £3.8 million is being awarded to community groups to help create cleaner, safer, greener neighbourhoods, through the Government's Living Spaces programme.   

More than £3.8 million is being awarded to community groups to help create cleaner, safer, greener neighbourhoods, through the Government's Living Spaces programme.   

East Midlands projects net £228,000   

More than £3.8 million is being awarded to community groups to help create cleaner, safer, greener neighbourhoods, through the Government's Living Spaces programme.   

More than £3.8 million is being awarded to community groups to help create cleaner, safer, greener neighbourhoods, through the Government's Living Spaces programme.   

More than £3.8 million is being awarded to community groups to help create cleaner, safer, greener neighbourhoods, through the Government's Living Spaces programme.   

More than £3.8 million is being awarded to community groups to help create cleaner, safer, greener neighbourhoods, through the Government's Living Spaces programme.   

38 North West schemes claim £890,000 share of funding   

More than £3.8million is being awarded to community groups in the South East to help create cleaner, safer, greener neighbourhoods, through the Government's Living Spaces programme.   

A Rainford farm has picked up an early Christmas present - a £60,000 grant from Brussels... for its sprouts.   

More than £120 million of Government funding is being made available to help disabled people adapt their homes through the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) from 2006-07.   

The results of a "healthcheck" into Initial Training establishments across the UK have been published today.   

The Major Projects Report 2004 (MPR2004) published today by the National Audit Office (NAO) analyses progress up to 31 March 2004 on the MoD's top 20 post-Main Gate projects. The report provides cost, ...

THE ROYAL NAVY is the UK's first line of defence, and the people of Peterborough will be given a special opportunity to find out more about their work in a presentation on Wednesday 17th November.   

A Navy chef from Lincolnshire will be passing on his experiences of life in the forces to new recruits when he works at the Armed Forces Careers Office in Lincoln and pays a visit to his former college...

The prize for the top maritime media person of the year has been awarded to Manuela Sarris and the Sea Vision UK Campaign Team. She received the Desmond Wettern Media Award - an engraved ships decanter...

CAMBRIDGE Royal Navy Careers Office has gained a new Recruiting Officer in the shape of Chief Petty Office Alan Knights.   

Geoff Hoon M.P. Secretary of State for Defence today formally opened the new national headquarters of Skill Force in Edwinstowe, North Nottinghamshire. He met former military instructors who are now working...

The Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Bach, today announced the award of a contract to Atkins for the Systems House role for the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) programme. Atkins will bring a number...

Pudsey, from the BBC's Children in Need appeal, has had a fun day with B Flight, 22 Squadron, the Wattisham-based Search and Rescue team. On Sunday the crew interrupted a training flight in a big yellow...

Group Captain Ross Paterson has recently handed over command of RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow to Group Captain Nigel Beet. Speaking of his appointment the new Station Commander said "I am very much looking...

Royal Marine Norrick Douglas, from Camberwell Green in London, joined the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Diversity Action Team (DAT) in Birmingham in September last year, but today they will have to do without...

Two former Grantham students are to be reunited when they start their Commando training on the same day - even though they didn't know each other was joining the Royal Marines.   

The Army Board of Inquiry into the deaths of six Royal Military Police soldiers at Al Majarr al Kabir police station in Iraq on 24 June, 2003, has been made public today. It identified several factors ...

Royal Marine Norrick Douglas joined the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Diversity Action Team (DAT) in Birmingham in September last year, but today they will have to do without his services as he is in Plymouth...

British and French troops will mark 100 years of the Entente Cordiale in historic ceremonial events in London and Windsor. The events will form the backdrop to President Chirac's visit to mark the centenary...

A collaborative electronic warfare research group was launched today by the MoD. The group, one of the MoD's "Towers of Excellence", brings together the MoD, UK industry and UK academia.   

The MoD has welcomed a National Audit Office (NAO) report on Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs), Lord Bach, Minister for Defence Procurement, announced today.   

Ninety years after the first Christmas box was presented to soldiers and sailors serving in the First World War, British troops across the globe will receive its 2004 equivalent.   

Veterans Minister Ivor Caplin MP will attend a special commemorative service to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz next year.   

LUCKY children from the Sir Harry Smith School in Peterborough were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to take a look around HMS Norfolk, whilst it was docked in London.