Interest rates hit all-time low
The Bank of England cuts rates to 1.5%, the lowest level in its 315-year history, as it continues efforts to help the economy.

Clegg reshuffles top Lib Dem team
Nick Clegg reshuffles his frontbench team to prepare for a general election with moves for Simon Hughes and Steve Webb.

No plan to print money - Darling
Chancellor Alistair Darling denies he is planning to "print money" in order to boost the UK economy.

C-charge fine for Boris Johnson
London Mayor Boris Johnson admits being fined for failing to pay the city's congestion charge.

PM hails UK tourism opportunities
Gordon Brown says Britain must be a leader in the "new type of world economy", ahead of a cabinet meeting in Liverpool.

Nissan plant to shed 1,200 jobs
Car maker Nissan announces it is to axe around 1,200 jobs at its Wearside plant - around a quarter of the workforce.

School tables must be rushed out
News organisations say a rule change hampers their publication of secondary school league tables for England.

Downturn 'fuels unpaid overtime'
The economic downturn is helping to drive record levels of unpaid overtime by workers fearing for their jobs, the TUC claims.

Restraint urged over tax arrears
Councils are taking people to court too quickly if they fall behind with their council tax, the Liberal Democrats claim.

PM swaps fitness tips with Mr Motivator
TV fitness guru Mr Motivator meets Gordon Brown, fresh from a morning run, at Downing Street.

End of an era
Will UK and US ever be as close after Blair and Bush?

Brown on tour
BBC reporters take temperature of industry en route

Best Bushisms
How the outgoing US president tied his tongue in knots

Inside City Hall
Shaun Ley looks at eight years of the London mayoralty

Cones hotline
The lasting legacy of John Major's much ridiculed plan

Clegg urges Israel condemnation
Gordon Brown must "unambiguously condemn" Israel's actions in Gaza, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg says.

Brown boost for apprenticeships
Gordon Brown arrives in Derby as he begins a three-day regional tour, aimed at showing he is heeding economic concerns.

Gurkhas decision delay criticised
The government is criticised over delays in producing a new policy on Gurkha veterans wanting to settle in the UK.

Blair 'hopeful' of Gaza ceasefire
Former UK PM Tony Blair says the elements of a peace plan for Gaza have been accepted, but hard work is still needed.

Cases have 'cut UK terror threat'
The terrorist threat to the UK has been reduced by a series of successful criminal prosecutions, the head of MI5 says.

Credit crunch warning for schools
The economic downturn could be about to hit funding for schools and children's services, a government committee warns.

UK 'must ratify' disability pact
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is urging the British government to ratify the UN Disability Convention

Companies 'facing' gambling levy
Bookmakers and other firms may be forced to fund research into gambling addiction under plans put forward by ministers.

Car parking plan to be extended
A London council announces plans to extend a scheme that charges the most polluting vehicles more to park.

Cable gives house price warning
Vince Cable warns house prices could fall another 20% as negativity surrounding the market shows no sign of lifting.

Brown voices Gaza ceasefire hopes
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is hopeful a basis for a ceasefire in Gaza will be found to end the Middle East's "darkest hour".

UK short-selling ban to be lifted
A ban on the short-selling of financial shares is to be lifted, the UK's financial regulator confirms.

Blair to get US Medal of Freedom
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair will be awarded the US's highest civilian award next week, the White House confirms.

Cameron makes savings tax pledge
David Cameron proposes to axe tax on basic rate taxpayers' savings and to increase pensioners' tax free allowances.

State widens homeowner help
The government extends state help for people struggling to make mortgage payments after losing their jobs.

Lobbying rules 'must be stricter'
Lax rules are allowing former ministers to exploit contacts built up in public office for private gain, a committee of MPs warns.

Thatcher pays tribute to Walters
Lady Thatcher leads tributes to her "fearless" economics adviser Sir Alan Walters, who has died aged 82.

PM defends handling of downturn
Gordon Brown says his priority for the year is working on getting the UK economy back into shape, not a general election.

SNP under fire on bridge funding
Scottish ministers are accused of burning bridges instead of building them, as the Forth crossing funding row continues.

Doherty stands down in reshuffle
The Sinn Féin MP and MLA Pat Doherty is to step down from his role as the party's vice president after 20 years.

Jones invokes 'Calzaghe spirit'
Carwyn Jones, a leading candidate to succeed Rhodri Morgan, outlines his vision for Welsh Labour.

The Cabinet: Who's Who
Here is a minister-by-minister guide to the members of Gordon Brown's Cabinet.

Shadow Cabinet: Who's Who
Here is a minister-by-minister guide to the members of Tory leader David Cameron's Cabinet.

In full: Lib Dem front bench
Here is a spokesman-by-spokesman guide to the members of Nick Clegg's front bench team.

Political websites
Links to parties and other useful websites covering UK politics.

Guide to Parliament
What is Parliament for and how does it work?