Two waste management companies were today fined a total of £140,000 at the Old Bailey. The fine followed a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation ...

Defra has today confirmed a case of Contagious Equine Metritis Organism (CEMO) in a horse in the Frome area of Somerset.   

Health Minister Lord Warner today set out further details of the role of the new NHS Institute for Learning, Skills and Innovation.   

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister, Bill Rammell MP commented today on the publication of a UN report on measures to tackle sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeeping operations.   

On 29 September 2004 the Economic Secretary informed the Treasury Select Committee that"In parallel with the Operation Gestalt investigation the Metropolitan Police have also provided advice on a number of other...

My noble Friend the Baroness Ashton of Upholland, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, has made the following written ministerial statement:"With the agreement of the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs...

I am announcing today the publication of a consultation document on draft regulations to amend the town and country planning regulations that give effect to the land use planning requirements of council directive...

I am announcing today my intention to prepare and consult on a revision of Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG) 25, development and flood risk, and a direction in respect of certain development in areas at risk of...

I am pleased to announce that the Ministry of Defence has agreed a Heads of Agreement with Agusta Westland which commits us to working together towards a long-term partnering and business transformation arrangement...

With effect from 1 April 2005, the Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency and the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre will both cease to have agency status. This change will facilitate improved ...

In my previous statement, 16 September 2004, Official Report Column 162WS, I gave an undertaking to keep the House informed of the progress with regard to the creation of the Ministry of Defence Medal Office.I am...

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced last week in his Budget statement that there would be a change to the tax regime for the new compensation scheme which will commence on 6 April 2005...

Over the autumn of 2004 the Government carried out a proactive consultation exercise on "Making space for water", a new Government strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management. There were 268 formal responses...

Last week the UK held an Energy and Environment Ministerial round table, attended by Ministers from 20 countries and representatives from international organisations, business and non-governmental organisations....

I am pleased to advise that DEFRA and the Scottish Executive have today published a joint report on the policy review of British Waterways.The report confirms the prime purpose of British Waterways is to deliver...

Under the UK's Presidency of the Group of Eight countries, the Secretary of State for International Development and I co-hosted a meeting of G8 Environment and Development Ministers in Breadsall, Derbyshire on 17...

In his written statement of 2 March 2005, Official Report Column 89WS, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Jack Straw) informed hon. Members of the outcomes of the...

The eighth report to Parliament on the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme (PPRS) was published today.The report, entitled "PPRS: Eighth Report to Parliament", covers the negotiations and the 2005 scheme and ...

The United Kingdom Passport Service has today published its corporate and business plans for 2005–10. Copies of the plans have been placed in the Library of the House.

The prison service business plan for 2005–06 (including the previously agreed key performance indicator targets) has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

We have today published a consultation paper which sets out detailed proposals for implementing a reformed system of police pensions financing. We intend that the new system should be in place by April 2006 in line...

The third report of the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) on the pay of governor and officer grades in the Northern Ireland Prison Service has been published today and copies placed in the Library. I would ...

On 16 November 2004, I announced the terms of reference for the inquiries into the deaths of Robert Hamill, Rosemary Nelson and Billy Wright. All three inquiries have now begun their work.In the light of its considerations...

Against a planning assumption of dealing with 45,000 new insolvencies and 81,000 new claims for redundancy payments, I have set the Insolvency Service the following targets for the year 2005–06.Published Targets...

I have set Companies House the following targets for the year 2005–06:By March 2006 to provide the capability for 80 per cent. of documents, 1 which it would be possible to e-enable, to be submitted on line.To...

The Highways Agency's 2005–06 business plan is published today and contains eight key targets for the agency to deliver by 31 March 2006. These are:Indicator2005–06 Target1. Deliver the programme of improvements...

The Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Road User Charging Scheme accounts for 2003–04 have been laid before Parliament today under section 3(1) of the Trunk Road Charging Schemes (Bridges and Tunnels) (Keeping of Accounts...

I am today able to announce the annual performance targets in 2005–06 for each of the executive agencies of the Department for Work and Pensions.The targets I have agreed are set out below.Further information ...

I am pleased to announce that the gross discretionary Social Fund budget for 2005–06 will be £719 million. This includes a further increase in net treasury funding of £10 million compared with...

The new arrangements for child support came into operation for new cases and some linked old scheme cases from 3 March 2003. Despite recent progress, some significant problems remain with the new computer and telephony...

Scottish Agriculture - Output, Input and Income Statistics 1995 - 2004

Prospective members of a leading supplier of holiday clubs have clearer and better consumer rights following action by the OFT.   

Arts Minister, Estelle Morris, has placed a temporary export bar on a set of nineteen watercolours, entitled 'Designs for Blair's Grave' by William Blake. In doing so she has acted on the expert recommendation...

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell today struck a deal to start negotiations which will make it easier for the UK film industry to share expertise with Bollywood - the largest film industry in the world.   

The Government is seeking views on proposals to amend the Regulations that require businesses to recycle and recover target levels of packaging waste each year.   

Environment Minister Elliot Morley today launched a new high-level forum to tackle climate change issues in rural areas. The Rural Climate Change Forum will inform policy development and research on reducing...

Defra has today published guidance on the types of non-agricultural activities allowed during the ten month qualifying period for the Single Payment Scheme.   

£20 million funding to harness the commercial potential of micro and nanotechnology (MNT) was announced today by Lord Sainsbury, Science and Innovation Minister.   

Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, today announced the appointment of a new Chair of the Ethnic Minority Business Forum and the appointments of five new members.   

Patients will have greater access to family doctors particularly in areas with a shortage of GPs.

A new congestion-busting carpool lane for the M25 is being considered by the Government. It is hoped the lane would also help the environment.

M74 DECISION LETTER

Five priority areas will be the focus of the OFT's work over the next financial year.   

Thirty local authorities across England and Wales are set to lead the way in helping young people affected by drugs, the Government announced today.   

Defra will be providing £29.3m of funding to address the impacts that extraction of aggregates has on the environment and local communities.   

Environment Minister Elliot Morley today announced a further Government-funded programme to help combat the health risks posed by exposure to radon in homes.   

New figures released today by the Department for Work and Pensions shows more pensioners and more children lifted out of poverty during 2003/4:   

Schools should spend at least 50p per child on food ingredients at meal times say new guidelines.

Households Below Average Income 2003/04 Statistical Publication Notice

The Households Below Average Income statistical report (HBAI) for the period 1994/5- 2003/04 is published today. This National Statistics First Release contains a digest of key results taken from this ...

The Charity Commission is warning the public to be on the look out for conmen selling fake charity wristbands on the internet.

No child should leave school without having had access to high quality arts and culture.

A new £284 million initiative to help businesses manage resources more efficiently and cut waste was officially launched today by Environment Minister Elliot Morley.