Consumer confidence hits record low

6:36am Wednesday 3rd December 2008

Rising unemployment and talk of a recession hit consumer confidence during November despite the dramatic cut in interest rates, research has showed.

Decision awaited on Olympic funds

6:36am Wednesday 3rd December 2008

Sports chiefs are due to announce which Olympic sports may face funding cuts in the run-up to the London 2012 Games.

Britons may face more Thai chaos

6:36am Wednesday 3rd December 2008

Thousands of British tourists stranded in Thailand may face further delays getting home after the Foreign Office said it was unclear if they could fly by Friday.

Young Muslims not a threat - study

6:36am Wednesday 3rd December 2008

Fears that British universities are hotbeds of Islamic radicalism have been exaggerated, academics have said.

Finance plan to lead Queen's Speech

6:36am Wednesday 3rd December 2008

Measures to combat the economic crisis are expected to be at the heart of the Queen's Speech.

Health workers stage work to rule

6:36am Wednesday 3rd December 2008

Health workers are to hold a day of action across the UK in protest at a "derisory" three-year pay deal worth around 8%.

Bank considers interest rates cut

6:36am Wednesday 3rd December 2008

Bank of England policymakers are gathering amid pressure from retailers and union leaders to cut another 1% from UK interest rates.

Medic tackles operation by text

6:36am Wednesday 3rd December 2008

A doctor volunteering in war-torn Congo has performed a life-saving amputation on a teenage boy using text message instructions from a colleague in London.

Whitehall staff reminded of 'code'

6:36am Wednesday 3rd December 2008

Britain's top civil servant has delivered a thinly veiled warning to Whitehall officials over their duty to serve the Government.

Speaker faces MPs after search row

6:36am Wednesday 3rd December 2008

Commons Speaker Michael Martin is preparing for a showdown with MPs furious over the Scotland Yard raid on Damian Green's parliamentary office.