BBC News - UK

The latest stories from the UK section of the BBC News web site.

UK governments 'hold back Scotland'

The policies of past and present Westminster governments have held back Scotland, Holyrood's SNP administration claims in an economic document on independence.

Bed-sharing 'raises cot death risk'

Sharing a bed with your newborn baby increases the risk of sudden death syndrome - commonly known as cot death - fivefold, research suggests.

NHS urged to improve use of drips

The lives of hospital patients who are put on a drip are being placed at risk by poor attention by staff to intravenous fluid care, experts warn.

Back-to-work scheme failing, say MPs

A scheme to help the unemployed find work appears to be failing the most disadvantaged jobseekers, MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee say.

Gay marriage plans set to proceed

The government reaches agreement with Labour which will allow its bill to legalise gay marriage in England and Wales to proceed in Parliament.

Ferguson is named Manager of Year

Sir Alex Ferguson is named LMA Manager of the Year after guiding Manchester United to a 20th Premier League title.

Multi-buy ban 'cuts alcohol sales'

The amount of alcohol sold in Scottish shops has fallen by 2.6% in the year since multi-buy promotions were banned, research suggests.

School cuts 'no harm to standards'

A think tank report argues that 18% of public spending on schools could be cut without damaging standards.

Chief inspector of GPs post created

A chief inspector of GPs is to be appointed as part of a push to improve services outside of hospitals, ministers are set to announce.

FE college teaching 'must improve'

An advisory group for Labour calls for a tougher line on teaching standards in further education colleges.

Vaccine developed for farm disease

A vaccine to protect sheep and cattle from a livestock virus spread by midges has been approved by government vets.

PM praises 'decent' Tory activists

David Cameron praises Conservative activists for their "duty and decency" and says he would never employ anyone who "sneered" at them.

Cruise ship runs aground in Oban Bay

A small cruise liner with 112 people on board runs aground in the waters of Oban Bay on the west coast of Scotland.

London shares reach 12-year high

The FTSE 100 reaches its highest closing level since September 2000, with analysts saying that the index may climb further.

Philpott friend in jail term appeal

Paul Mosley, jailed for the manslaughter of six children in a house fire, is to appeal against the length of his jail term, his legal team confirms.

Kirk votes to allow gay ministers

The Church of Scotland's ruling General Assembly has voted to allow actively gay men and women to become ministers.

UK astro Peake given station date

UK astronaut Tim Peake is to fly to the International Space Station, launching on a Soyuz rocket in November or December 2015.

First crane egg in 400 years laid

A nesting crane lays the first egg laid by that breed of bird in southern Britain in more than 400 years.

Police talks should make NI 'safer'

A senior PSNI officer says talks in Cardiff over the weekend between police, politicians and community representatives should help make Northern Ireland safer this summer.

SDLP in attempt to block SPAD bill

The SDLP is to try to block a bill that prevents former prisoners guilty of serious offences from holding posts as Stormont special advisers (SPADs), after the party's proposed amendments failed to win support.

April 'never been to suspect's home'

A man accused of murdering April Jones told police he did not believe the five-year-old had ever been in his house, a jury hears.

Parents of truants to face fines

Parents of children who are regular school truants are to be fined up to £120 from September, says the Welsh government.

No punishment for Hearts, says SPL

Hearts avoid immediate relegation as the SPL decides it could not say their parent company had breached its rules.

Oldest theatre seeks cash commitment

Councillors are asked to commit £455,000 towards the cost of redeveloping Scotland's oldest working theatre.

Murder prompts police inquiry call

The family of a woman murdered by her ex-partner call for a public inquiry into how complaints of domestic violence are handled by police.

DIY 'possible cause' of house blast

A family member carrying out a home DIY job may have caused an explosion which killed two people and left a third in hospital, say police.

Wilkinson ready for Lions call-up

Jonny Wilkinson says he will do everything possible to be fit enough to answer a Lions injury call if he is needed.

Rodwell called up to England squad

England call up Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell for the friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

Pietersen still doubtful for Ashes

England batsman Kevin Pietersen is still not sure he will be ready to face Australia in the Ashes this summer.

How do you scrap an aircraft carrier?

HMS Ark Royal is to be towed to a breakers' yard in Turkey. But how exactly do you scrap an aircraft carrier?

Do white South Africans have a future?

World Affairs Editor John Simpson examines the growing crisis faced by South Africa's white communities.

Tom Ripley and a talent for evil

The view of evil in Patricia Highsmith's Tom Ripley novels - as expressed through her amoral title character - fascinates John Gray.

Police search MP Nigel Evans' office

Police search the Commons office of Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans in relation to a "serious arrestable offence".

Cleric Abu Qatada refused bail

Radical cleric Abu Qatada is refused bail by an immigration tribunal in his latest bid for freedom.

PM warns overseas territories on tax

David Cameron has called on British overseas territories to "get their house in order" and sign up to international treaties on tax.

VIDEO: House of Commons

MPs reject further legal protection for teachers and registrars opposed to same-sex marriage.

VIDEO: Father faces child death charges

A British man who is reported to have confessed to killing his two young children is expected to appear before a French prosecutor on Monday to be formally charged with their murders.

VIDEO: Ark Royal makes final journey

The Royal Navy's former flagship, the Ark Royal, leaves its home port of Portsmouth for the final time, bound for a scrap yard in Turkey.

VIDEO: Church of Scotland backs gay clergy

The Church of Scotland's General Assembly has voted to allow gay people in civil partnerships to become ministers.

VIDEO: Princes open Help for Heroes centre

The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry have opened a new recovery centre for Help for Heroes in Wiltshire.

VIDEO: Celebrity gardeners at Chelsea Flower Show

The Chelsea Flower Show celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

VIDEO: Morecambe & Wise get memorial plaque

A memorial plaque dedicated to Morecambe & Wise is unveiled at Teddington Studios

VIDEO: Propaganda: Art or political rhetoric?

Governments have long used newspapers, posters and leaflets to try and influence what people think, but a new exhibition is showing that there could be much more to it.

VIDEO: David Beckham's emotional farewell

Emotional David Beckham plays last home match at Paris Saint-Germain.

Calculate your inflation rate

The BBC's new inflation calculator works out your own household's rate

Compare your club in fans' league table

How does your football club's attendances match up?

Foreign comedians stand up for the UK

Why foreign comedians love the British comedy business

Shifting arguments for the New Bus

Shifting arguments for London's new bus

Puppetry Festival's 50th anniversary

International Puppetry Festival at Colwyn Bay - 50 years ago

Our love-hate relationship with gnomes

Our love-hate relationship with gnomes

The secret colonies of graffiti artists and skateboarders

The hidden places where graffiti artists and skaters gather

Could RBS stay in an independent Scotland?

Could RBS and Bank of Scotland keep their homes there?

Tory discontent continues to enthral

Tory discontent continues to enthral

Dernière mise à jour : 18/05/2013 @ 08:31