Westminster news review

International news review

Public services news review

Devolved and local news review

Cameron's foreign policy
Robin Oakley assesses the direction of Conservative foreign policy under David Cameron.
Robin Oakley

Voters on the fence
The public still appears uncertain about what to make of David Cameron, writes Sir Robert Worcester.
Sir Robert Worcester

Month in review

Edward Davie

Identity crisis
The benefits claimed for identity cards change as regularly as the cost estimates, reports Nigel Morris
Nigel Morris

For the record
ID cards could be hugely beneficial to British citizens, argues Andrew Miller.
Andrew Miller

Appliance of science
Dr Alasdair Rose outlines the high technology and engineering research that increasingly underlies the fight against crime
Alasdair Rose

False defences
Neil Gerrard details his opposition to a national identity cards scheme.
Neil Gerrard

Going straight, staying straight
Government plans to reform the penal system will reduce Britain’s high re-offending rates, insists Charles Clarke MP
Charles Clarke

Making the time fit the crime
We should not aim to reduce prisoner numbers to an arbitrary figure, argues Edward Garnier MP – for some offenders, a custodial sentence is the only answer
Edward Garnier

Prison isn't working
Ministers must examine alternatives to custodial sentences in a bid to reduce reoffending rates, argues Lynne Featherstone MP
Lynne Featherstone

Weaving thin blue twine
The right conditions must be in place if the government’s plans for police mergers are to go smoothly, argues Sir Chris Fox
Sir Chris Fox

On the beat
John Greenway MP gives a personal view on a policeman’s lot in 2006
John Greenway

Rock and a hard place
Tobias Ellwood MP explains the impact new licensing laws have had on his constituency
Tobias Ellwood

Capital crew
London has a fire service it can be proud of, says Val Shawcross
Val Shawcross

The Burning issue
Waste incineration does a double dose of good in providing energy and reducing landfill, yet faces twin-pronged opposition from residents and environmentalists, argues Fiona Harvey
Fiona Harvey

Landfill as last resort
Ministers are placing greater emphasis on re-using and recycling measures to manage waste in a more environmentally friendly way, reports Daniel Instone
Daniel Instone

Taking out the trash
Councils will need better support if they are to meet their recycling targets, writes Greg Barker.
Greg Barker

Return to fridge mountain
While the government’s new strategy on recycling is to be welcomed, ministers should focus on existing directives that have yet to be implemented, writes Dan Rogerson MP
Dan Rogerson

Reducing reliance on landfill
Jane Bickerstaffe explains how the UK can catch up with the EU in recycling its waste
Jane Bickerstaffe

A recycled policy
The government’s waste strategy offers nothing new, laments Dr Michael Warhurst
Dr Michael Warhurst

Trimming the waste
Jessica Morden MP explains how local authorities could learn from a recycling organisation in her constituency
Jessica Morden

Natural advantage
New powers must be devolved to Scotland so that it can secure its own energy supply responsibly, argues Alex Salmond MP
Alex Salmond

Hire values
Welfare-to-work programmes won’t help the hardcore unemployed unless they have suitable opportunities at the end, says Dr Stephen Driver
Dr Stephen Driver

Ready, willing and enabled
Welfare reform is about giving people the opportunity to fulfil their potential, says Margaret Hodge.
Margaret Hodge

Fair access
Barriers to employment should be broken down, but not at the expense of stigmatising the genuinely disabled, says Danny Alexander MP
Danny Alexander

Affirmative action
The government is tackling the problems surrounding incapacity benefit, writes Philip Hammond MP – but it’s too little, too late
Philip Hammond

Skills for going straight
Craig Harris gives a cautious welcome to government plans for reducing re-offending through education
Craig Harris

Clearing the fog
The tax credits system is proving difficult for even advisers to understand, warns Katie Lane
Katie Lane

Equality control
This government is committed to helping women achieve their full potential, says Meg Munn MP
Meg Munn

The handover hangover
The real challenge facing Gordon Brown may only come once he reaches Number 10, writes Craig Hoy
Craig Hoy

Smells like toun spirit
Until the election of Lib Dem MP Willie Rennie at last month’s by-election, Dunfermline had a reputation of being ‘defiantly’ Labour. So what happened? Ben Borland reports
Ben Borland

From prudence to penury
If they are serious about helping the poor, the Conservatives must cut the size of government, argues Professor Philip Booth
Professor Philip Booth

To Campbell the crown
The new Lib Dem leader has been given a powerful mandate – now he must use it, says Greg Hurst
Greg Hurst

Community in disunity
Welfare harmonisation across Europe is proving an elusive goal, writes Benedicta Marzinotto.
Benedicta Marzinotto

Sums that don't add up
An increasing number of recent school-leavers are relying on government-funded programmes to improve their literacy and numeracy, warns Edward Leigh MP
Edward Leigh

The Preston project
Sonia Scowcroft explains how a concerted effort in Preston has helped reduce chewing gum litter
Sonia Scowcroft

Behind the lines: Cocaine
Sally Dawson and Sarah Southerton take a look at the world trade in cocaine
Sally Dawson and Sarah Southerton