Notices and Instructions to Tenderers, Service Specification,Service Standards and Performance, Tendering process and evaluation of Tenders, Form of Tender

Request back of an EC merger made by OFT   

Measures to increase investment and entrepreneurial activity through sustainable growth have been announced by Ministers. Further information on the Government's Local Enterprise Growth Initiative has been published...

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell today confirmed that she has decided not to de-list the Commonwealth Institute in London. But she has amended its list entry to make it clear which parts of the building are most ...

Following the publication of UN Special Envoy Anna Tibaijuka's report on Zimbabwe, the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw commented:   

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister, Kim Howells MP and the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Hassan Wirayuda co-chaired an Interfaith Dialogue with the 38 Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) countries on 21 July in Bali...

Information release under Gas Transporters Licence Standard Special Condition A7 - Guidance Document

Review of Suppliers' Corporate Social Initiatives

OFT campaign to promote consumer codes approval scheme   

Government underlines commitment to driving up local services through partnership   

A consultation on tightening the planning rules for casinos was announced by ODPM Minister, Baroness Andrews today.   

The Government has finalised the highest ever allocation under the Planning Delivery Grant (PDG) to further improve and speed up planning performance.   

Alternative sites and better enforcement are needed to address unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller sites, Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper said today.   

The 1st Battalion The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment(1 D&D) and 1st Battalion The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment (1 RGBW) will start the process that will see them merge to form the 1st ...

New figures show that more new sports facilities are being created and, for the first time, the number of playing fields is growing. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Sport England released the 2003...

Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett today confirmed that the Government Decontamination Service will be launched on the 1 October 2005.   

The final lines on the map were drawn today when Rural Affairs Minister, Jim Knight, announced that the new right of access will be implemented across the whole of England on October 31. Completion of access across...

Getting a better deal for consumers was top of the agenda when Consumer Minister Gerry Sutcliffe met with his front-bench counterparts and representatives from APACS this week.   

Mr Stuart Jack CVO has been appointed Governor of the Cayman Islands in succession to Mr Bruce Dinwiddy CMG who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Mr Jack will take up his appointment in November 2005...

Report on the consultation on regulations and guidance to be made under part 1 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004

As millions of families prepare to hit the road for their annual summer holiday or plan days out during the school break, the Highways Agency is taking steps to help people enjoy trouble-free journeys and avoid ...

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) gave journalists a rundown of events as they stood at the time regarding the bombing in London earlier today. He apologised in advance because like the Prime Minister...

The Queen has been pleased to approve the following Judicial Appointments.

I am today publishing revised guidance for departments on the handling of Members' and Peers' correspondence.Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

The Office for National Statistics' annual report and accounts for 2004–05 is being laid before Parliament today. It contains an assessment of how the Office for National Statistics performed against its key targets...

On 12 July I chaired the first meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) under the UK presidency. The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, South (Mr. Lewis...

The Treasury will publish a consultation paper on Monday 25 July seeking views on its proposals to strengthen and modernise the arrangements under which a limited number of commercial banks in Scotland and Northern...

This is to announce regulations under section 104 Finance Act 1986 to provide relief from double inheritance tax charges in situations caught by the pre-owned assets provisions at Schedule 15, Finance Act 2004.Double...

Regional funding allocations: Guidance on preparing advice is today being published by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Transport, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and myself. This...

I am pleased to announce the publication of the Government's response to the Constitutional Affairs and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Select Committees' report Electoral Registration.As the Committees' report...

The magistrates courts business returns annual report 2004–05 has been laid before Parliament today. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

In the statement I made to this House on 22 July 2004, I said that I would report further material developments in the move towards digital switchover. I am pleased to say that good progress continues to be made...

Key targets have been set for the chief executive of DSDA for financial year 2005–06 1 . The targets are as follows:a. Key Target 1. To meet the customers' requirements as negotiated and agreed in business agreements...

The chief executive of the Army Training and Recruiting Agency (ATRA) has been set the following key targets for 2005–06:Key Target 1To meet the Army's requirement from the ATRA for 666 trained mainstream officers...

I am pleased to announce our decision that the military afloat reach and sustainability (MARS) programme should now enter its assessment phase.This is excellent news for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), which will...

The Ministry of Defence has been reviewing how best to organise elements of our supply chain in order to provide the armed forces with the necessary logistic support in a modern environment. I am today able to announce...

A key principle of the Government's approach to addressing the health concerns of veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf Conflict is that there should be appropriate research into veterans' illnesses and factors that may...

As was recognised in the 2003 defence White Paper, "Delivering Security in a Changing World" (Cm 6041–I), the international situation that we now face is radically different to that of the cold war. As a consequence...

The Government are today publishing summary responses on the remaining issues raised in their consultation on the implementation of the licensing provisions in the Housing Act 2004. These cover the licensing of ...

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects to publish in August:a new Planning Policy Statement on Biodiversity and Geological Conservation; andan accompanying joint ODPM/DEFRA Government Circular: Biodiversity...

I am pleased to announce the final details of the Local Authority Business Growth Incentives scheme (LABGI), which will make its first payment in February 2006. The scheme allows local authorities to retain a share...

In March my right hon. Friend the Member for Streatham and then Minister for Housing and Planning announced the majority of the 2005–06 round of planning delivery grant, a performance-related grant paid to local...

My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister will shortly publish for public consultation Proposed Changes to Regional Planning Guidance for the South East. These proposed changes concern policies on minerals ...

I am pleased to be able to announce further information on the Government's local enterprise growth initiative, launched by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget in March. The responses...

I am announcing today the publication of consultation drafts of four annexes to Minerals Policy Statement 1 (MPS1) "Planning and Minerals". These deal with "Aggregates provision in England", "Brick clay provision...

I am announcing today the allocation of a total of £1.3 billion new resources for the most deprived areas of England. These new resources for the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) and the Safer and Stronger...

On 12–13 July, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (Ruth Kelly) chaired an informal meeting in London of Education Ministers from the EU, accession, candidate and EEA countries...

I have today placed in the Library of the House the Government's response to the third annual report of Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy.The Government welcome the recommendations made in the Independent...

This statement relates to schools' recurrent funding from 2006–07.1. In February this year my Department launched a consultation on proposed new arrangements for school funding from 2006–07. The proposals were...

My hon. Friend the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, announced on 25 January 2005, Official Report, column WS165, that the Government were intending to set up a Government Decontamination Service (...

I have today laid before Parliament DEFRA's Exotic Animal Disease Generic Contingency Plan, in accordance with Section 18 of the Animal Health Act 2002 which came into force on 24 March 2003.This plan sets out the...

Data reported by energy conservation authorities in England under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 in the period 1 April 1996 to 31 March 2004 have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The data have...

My colleague, the Minister for Housing and Planning (Yvette Cooper), and I are today announcing our intention to publish shortly the final versions of three policy documents on waste strategies and planning on which...

On 11 July 2005, suspicions were raised about the possibility of Newcastle Disease being present in pheasants on an estate in Surrey. We acted immediately on suspicion of disease following the control measures set...

I chaired the Council for the agriculture items on the agenda. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary (Commons), Ben Bradshaw, represented the United Kingdom and chaired the Council for the fisheries item...

The Government's strategy on waste is set out in "Waste Strategy 2000", published in May 2000. The strategy is currently under review, and this statement updates Parliament on progress.We have made considerable ...

The General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) was held on 18 and 19 July in Brussels. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mr. ...

For the NHS Appointments Commission and the NHS Litigation Authority, their annual accounts and any accompanying Comptroller and Auditor General report have today been laid before Parliament pursuant to section ...

The Government's response to the Second Report of the House of Commons Health Committee on the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalised Patients, Cm 6635, has been published today.Copies have been placed...

The Government's response to the Health Select Committee's report on NHS continuing care is published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

I have today placed in the Library of the House the action plan in respect of the report into the fire and disturbance at Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre. Mr. Stephen Shaw was asked to conduct a report into...

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has today laid before Parliament the third annual report produced under section 19E of the Race Relations Act 1976 by Mary Coussey, the Independent Race Monitor, and placed...

I am pleased to announce Suzanne McCarthy's appointment as Immigration Services Commissioner. This is a five-year appointment and she will take up the post on 5 September 2005. Mrs McCarthy is a qualified solicitor...

I am pleased to announce that the final annual report and accounts of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) will be laid before Parliament today. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) replaced the ...

I have today laid before Parliament copies of the Forensic Science Service's (FSS) Annual Report and Accounts for 2004–05.Performance against Agency Targets 2004–05The FSS met 18 of its 20 targets and put in...

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has today placed in the Libraries of both Houses the 1st annual report of the Independent Monitor of Certification of Claims as Clearly Unfounded under Section 94 of the Nationality...

On 28 October 2004, my predecessor—now the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett)—announced a review of murder. There has been a long...

The Commission for Racial Equality's Annual Report 2004 is published today.Copies will be available in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies will also be sent to the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly ...

As part of the five-year asylum and immigration strategy announced in February, the government announced its intention to apply targeted screening for TB overseas and at the entry clearance stage, rather than the...

The Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts were laid on the 19 July. Today, the Office for Contracted Prisons has published its Statement of Performance and Financial Information indicating its performance during...

DFID has completed a review of its support programme in Nepal. The review was prompted by political events in the early part of the year.DFID plans to continue a substantial programme in the country and the overall...

Following my written statement to the House on 16 September 2004, and together with the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Defence, I wish to inform Parliament of the establishment and current capabilities...

Copies of the Food Safety Promotion Board annual report 2003, incorporating financial statements for 2002 and 2003 and a review of activities for 2001, has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Expenditure on Ministerial overseas visits for the last three financial years and for the year 1996–97 is estimated as follows: Year Expenditure £ million 1996–97 7.9 2002–03 5.7 2003–04 5.2...

I have today published a list of gifts received by Ministers. The list provides details of gifts received by Ministers valued at more than £140 for the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005. Copies of the...

Listed below are the names of special advisers in post at 21 July 2005, the special advisers' pay ranges for 2005–06, the number of special advisers in each pay band by department and the total pay bill cost of...

I have today placed in the Libraries of the both Houses copies of the revised code of conduct for special advisers and the revised model contract for special advisers. These reflect commitments given by the Government...

I have today placed in the Libraries of the both Houses copies of a revised ministerial code. The code provides guidance on how Ministers should conduct themselves in carrying out their official duties. The foreword...

I have today published the seventh report of the independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. The report provides an account of the work of the committee in advising former Ministers and Crown servants...

My right hon Friend the Attorney-General has made the following written ministerial statement:"In a written statement of 19 July 2005, Official Report, Column 99WS, I informed the House that four British servicemen...

The Annual Report and Accounts 2003–04 have today been published and laid before Parliament. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

I am making today a statement to the House on the interaction of existing Government policy and planning procedures, with regard to the need for new energy infrastructure, arising from the targets, goals and aspirations...

I have today laid before Parliament the annual reports and accounts for 2004–05 for the eight regional development agencies (RDAs) outside London. Copies have been placed in the Library.The annual report and accounts...

The Informal Competitiveness Council hosted by the UK presidency took place in Cardiff on 11 to 12 July 2005. Lord Sainsbury of Turville chaired the first day, covering research issues, and I chaired the second ...

Following news reports in recent weeks, I made a statement about the coal health compensation schemes to the House on 30 June, outlining a number of immediate steps I was taking to respond to these issues.I now ...

I am today announcing the final implementation timetable for the main duties in the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and the outcome of consultations on the use of certain regulation-making powers in the Act.The...

Surplus with USA but deficit with EU 25

Output falls 0.1% in three months to May

Economy grows by 0.4% in Q2 2005

Increase driven by employer payments

Press briefing from the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman on: London explosions, legislation

Generations of future sporting stars have received a cash boost from Olympics minister Tessa Jowell with a pledge of an extra £1 million a year for a talented athlete programme.

Respect for human rights underpins the fight to end poverty, according to a new Foreign Office report which details the work the government is doing across the globe.

Police are continuing to search for those responsible for Thursday's attacks on the London transport network. You can read Tony Blair's statement here.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard was at Number 10 yesterday when news broke of the latest London bomb attacks. He said terrorism was the 'enemy of all free people.'

Press briefing from the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman on: London Explosions / legislation