Chancellor: reform of financial system will “rebuild for the future”

The Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling told MPs today that he intends to reform and strengthen the UK’s financial system and “rebuild it for the future.”

Labour rebel MPs fail to secure amendment to Finance Bill on 10p tax

A group of Labour MPs failed to pass an amendment to the Finance Bill yesterday that would have forced the goverment to ensure nobody is financially worse off as a result of the abolition of the 10p rate of income tax.

Speaker lifts ban on cub scouts in Westminster Hall

The Speaker of the House of Commons has given permission for a group of cub scouts to lobby MPs in Westminster Hall.

Portugal’s decriminalisation of drugs ‘not a model for the UK’

A Home Office minister has told MPs that 329,000 people in England were problematic drug users in 2006-07.

Post Office network will flourish with “sufficient political will”

A committee of MPs has produced a report on the future of the UK’s post office network. At present there are more than 12,000 Post Office branches

Harriet Harman fills in for Gordon Brown at PMQs

ePolitix.com reports on the exchanges during this week’s session of questions to the prime minister.

Bill to allow MPs to call inquiries into ministers proposed by Lib Dem

David Heath has presented a private member’s bill to the Commons that would allow Parliament to establish commissions of inquiry into the conduct of a Minister of the Crown.

David Davis accuses UK government of “outsourcing” torture of terror suspects

A senior Tory MP has launched a stinging attack on the government’s alleged involvement in the torture of suspected terrorists.

Former Conservative minister Lord Blaker dies aged 86

Lord Blaker has died, the House of Lords was told yesterday. He was MP for Blackpool South from 1964 to 1992.