On 14 March the Foreign Secretary met the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, and Chair of the Pakistan People's Party Benazir Bhutto. They discussed the political situation in Pakistan, including the need...

The UK today welcomed a commitment by the European Community to an early review of the data on bycatch of small cetaceans in the English Channel and western approaches.   

New regulations will offer stakeholder pension customers the chance to have their pension moved into investments that will reduce the risk of experiencing a sudden drop in value just before retirement ...

"Sustainable development is central to our foreign policy", Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said today, when he launched the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's first Sustainable Development Strategy and announced...

Up in year to Mar 04

Asked for any comment to the BMA criticisms this morning that Government policies were causing problems in A&E, the PMOS said the important thing was to recognise what Sir George Alberti of the National Centre...

Asked if the Prime Minister agreed with Stephen Ladyman that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) should look again at the decision on Alzheimer drugs, the PMOS replied that it was important to ...

Asked what the Government thought of the way the terrorists had been released under the control orders had been carried out, the PMOS replied that inevitably, given the lateness of getting the process through, it...

Asked what the Prime Minister's view was about the Chief Constable of the Nottinghamshire police saying they couldn't police properly because of Government policy, the PMOS replied that everyone recognised that ...

Asked if there was an exchange of letters from Paul Boateng to the Prime Minister regarding his appointment, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said the Foreign Office would be publishing an exchange...

Briefing from the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman on: Paul Boateng, Nottinghamshire Police, Gerry Adams' fish and chips, Terrorists' release, Alzheimer Drugs/NICE and BMA/A&E.

Immunisation rates for children aged 12 & 24 months for Scotland and for NHS Boards and an analysis showing uptake rates over time in groups of children as they age, for diphtheria and MMR.

Infection Control Standards for Adult Care Homes

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Paul Boateng today announced his intention to accept the position of High Commissioner to Pretoria, South Africa, following the next general election.   

CORRECTED VERSION   

AMENDED VERSION   

The Government is to consult on proposals to help council tenants wishing to use non-standard mortgage products to purchase their homes but cannot do so under current Right to Buy rules.   

The UK is today hosting the first ever international summit on Veterans affairs.   

Circleworth Ltd, a London-based construction company, was fined £7,500 at the City of London Magistrates Court on Friday 11 March 2005. The prosecution, brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE...

The Competition Commission (CC) has accepted undertakings from Knauf Insulation Limited ("Knauf") and its parent company, Gebruder Knauf Verwaltungsgesellschaft KG (Knauf KG), which prohibit the proposed...

A more streamlined FIFG grant funding scheme for 2005 was announced in London today by Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw.   

Plus: Neil Fox and Jamie Redknapp on 37 things all new Dads must know   

A new booklet full of handy information for lone parents was launched today by Minister for Work Jane Kennedy.   

The Government intends to appoint Rt Hon Paul Boateng MP as High Commissioner to Pretoria, South Africa, after the next election. He will succeed the previous High Commissioner, Ann Grant. This appointment...

Countryside communities will be tackling issues from affordable housing to local transport, under a new scheme to give rural people greater influence.

A typical woman's journey through pregnancy is being used to show how Government standards can help provide 'flexible' maternities.

The number of people becoming homeless in England in last year fell by six per cent, according to new figures.

Individuals serving community sentences are putting on their rubber gloves for some tough, dirty jobs in National Clean-Up Week.

CONFERENCE REPORT FROM THE ANNUAL MULTI AGENCY PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE

The number of people becoming homeless in England in 2004 fell by 6 per cent compared with 2003, according to new statistics released today.   

Offenders across the country will be getting their hands dirty this week as part of a Government initiative to give the public a say on how community punishment should benefit their local area.   

John Reid announces agreement on use of predictive genetic tests results by insurers   

Health Minister Stephen Ladyman will today announce an Exemplar showing a woman's journey through pregnancy and birth and illustrating how Government standards can be put into practice to provide greater...

Free tickets are now available to join thousands of other veterans at a special commemorative ceremony in London this summer.

Executive Summary of the Final Independent Evaluation Report of the National Health Demonstration Project Have a Heart Paisley (Phase One), carried out by the University of Glasgow.

Final Report of the Independent Evaluation of the National Health Demonstration Project Have a Heart Paisley (Phse One), carried out by the University of Glasgow

* The mix-adjusted average house price in the UK in January 2005 stood at £178,796, little changed from £178,906 in December 2004 (not seasonally adjusted).   

This Release provides information on local authorities' activities under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002) and a small number of residual cases...

Free tickets are now available to join thousands of other veterans attending a special commemorative event in Horse Guards Parade on Sunday, 10th July.   

The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC), the independent scientific body which advises the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the prescription of diseases within the Industrial Injuries...

Up 146,000 in year to March 2004

Factory gate inflation rises to 2.8%

The Chancellor will unveil his 2005 Budget on Wednesday, 16 March at 1230 GMT. We will be running one continuous live broadcast from 1200 GMT to include Prime Minister's Question Time.

The first outline business plans for empowering rural communities to set their own priorities and target resources are released today. They reflect the issues that matter most to rural communities, including...

Health Minister John Hutton said:   

Patricia Hewitt, Trade and Industry Secretary, today called for greater engagement and dialogue to help the UK retain its position as the best place in the world for science.