BBC Politics News Headlines

This content is from the BBC News website

PM admits defence spending error

Gordon Brown admits giving incorrect evidence to the Iraq inquiry in what the Tories call a "humiliating climb-down".

UK unemployment in further fall

The UK unemployment and claimant count totals both fall, but the number of long-term unemployed rises.

Whelan anger over Tory 'insult'

Gordon Brown's former spokesman says it is "insulting" to compare Labour's union support with Lord Ashcroft's Tory funding.

The Full Story: PM's questions

Watch all the action with key points, analysis and reaction from Gordon Brown's weekly prime minister's questions grilling.

Brown and Cameron in strike clash

David Cameron says Gordon Brown's efforts to stop a planned strike by British Airways staff has been "feeble".

Over-70s could get jury call-up

The over-70s could become jurors in England and Wales, if a government proposal to save money and make juries more "inclusive" goes ahead.

Osborne calls for 'fire in belly'

George Osborne calls for Tories to show more "fire in their belly" as the start of the election campaign draws nearer.

Ads 'exaggerated climate change'

Two government press adverts aimed at raising awareness of climate change are banned for overstating the risks.

EU attacks 'optimistic' outlooks

The European Union criticises the UK and other European nations for having "optimistic" growth assumptions and bloated deficits.

Timetable to Election 2010

With the next general election expected to be on 6 May, what are the main events in the run-up to polling day?

UK ambassador protests after TV hoax uses footage of him

The UK's ambassador to Georgia complains about footage of him used in a TV hoax about a Russian invasion.

Poll tracker

Whizz your way through opinion poll trends and see how the main parties have fared over recent years

Nick Robinson

Is Charlie Whelan Labour's Lord Ashcroft?

Battle of Cornwall

Lib Dems face a fight to keep their full set of seats

Unite and Labour

How reliant is Gordon Brown on BA strike union?

dot.Rory

After the digital election, is a digital Parliament next?

Earth Watch

Complex climate message of UK ads and African divinity

Drug debate

Why politicians are still undecided on mephedrone

Commons Speaker clashes with MP

A Conservative MP clashes with Commons Speaker John Bercow after being rebuked for "untoward" behaviour.

Benefit repayments 'must improve'

Benefit claimants owe £1.85bn in overpaid money but the government is recovering less than £300m a year, MPs say.

NHS 'should axe many more beds'

Tens of thousands of hospital beds in England must be axed to save money and improve care, a think tank says.

All-dog insurance plan ruled out

The government rules out forcing all dog owners to insure against their pet attacking people - a week after suggesting the idea.

Five MPs' expenses appeals fail

Five MPs, including Liam Fox and Shahid Malik, have appeals against expenses repayment demands dismissed.

PM defends stance on Omagh bomb

Downing Street defends its refusal to share intelligence over the 1998 Omagh bombing in which 29 people died.

'Arrogance' undid climate talks

The "disappointing" outcome of December's UN climate summit was largely down to rich nations not listening, says Lord Stern.

Labour MP died of natural causes

Police say Labour MP Ashok Kumar, who was found dead at his home on Monday, died from natural causes.

Give us election vote, peers urge

Peers urge the government to change the law as soon as possible to allow members of the Lords to vote in general elections.

'Too many' council boss pay-offs

Too many English councils are agreeing large payoffs to get rid of their chief executives, a spending watchdog says

Tories step up Brown union attack

The Conservatives step up attacks on Gordon Brown over his links with the political director of the union behind the BA strike.

EU urges faster cut of UK deficit

Government plans to cut the UK's budget deficit are not ambitious enough, a European Commission report will warn this week.

Lords pass internet piracy bill

The Digital Economy Bill, which includes measures to ban persistent illegal file-sharers, has been passed by peers.

Clegg warning on 'cuts backlash'

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg warns of the risk of social unrest in the UK if public spending is cut without popular support.

Iran issue 'unites' UK and China

The UK foreign secretary says Britain and China have "a shared goal" in solving the issue of Iran's nuclear programme.

Cut ministers by a third, say MPs

The number of ministers should be cut by up to a third to reduce costs and make Parliament more independent, MPs say.

Campaign to get Muslims to vote

Leading Muslim scholars give their backing to a campaign to try to get more people from their community to vote in the general election.

Kraft says sorry about Keynsham

The vice-president of Kraft Foods says he is "terribly sorry" for the firm's pledge to keep open Cadbury's Keynsham plant.

Tories 'preparing to unveil cuts'

The Conservatives are preparing to outline spending cuts they would make this year if they are elected, the BBC understands.

Tributes paid to Labour MP Kumar

Tributes are paid to the Labour MP Ashok Kumar, who has been found dead in his home in Middlesbrough, aged 53.

Minister repays £2,500 expenses

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan pays back more than £2,500 he wrongly claimed in Commons expenses for greetings cards.

Brown leads Foot funeral tributes

Gordon Brown calls Michael Foot "one of the greatest parliamentarians ever" at the former Labour leader's funeral.

Defiant Brown will 'keep going'

Gordon Brown says he wants to "keep going", after being asked if he would resign if Labour failed to win the general election.

Phillips blamed for equality row

A parliamentary committee raise concerns over the leadership of UK equalities chief Trevor Phillips and questions his reappointment.

Unemployment total jumps 16,000

Unemployment in Scotland has risen by 16,000 in the three months to January, the latest figures show.

Brian Taylor's political blog

Guide to the Scottish Parliament

BBC Democracy Live takes you on a tour of the Scottish Parliament.

Obama in tribute to NI's leaders

Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers meet President Barack Obama at St Patrick's Day celebrations the US.

Mark Devenport's political blog

Dummy puff/betsan blog

Guide to N.Ireland Assembly

A tour of the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont.

Community scheme was 'mismanaged'

A report into the Plas Madoc Communities First Partnership finds evidence of alleged financial mismanagement.

Betsan Powys' political blog

Dummy puff/betsan blog

Guide to the Welsh Assembly

A guide to the National Assembly for Wales.

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.

A-Z of Parliament

Guide to the House of Commons

An introduction to the working of the House of Commons.

Guide to the House of Lords

What does the House of Lords do? Who sits there?

Laura Kuenssberg on Twitter

Inside Europe

Political websites

Links to parties and other useful websites covering UK politics.

In depth: 2009 party conferences

In depth: The Blair Years

Full coverage of The Blair Years