House sparrow numbers 'falling'

8:03am Thursday 20th November 2008

Paving over front gardens and planting exotic ornamental plants could be contributing to the decline of one of Britain's best known birds, conservationists have warned.

Retailers in pre-Christmas sales

8:03am Thursday 20th November 2008

Major retailers are slashing prices in a pre-Christmas bid to breathe life into the ailing high street.

Rolls-Royce to axe up to 2,000 jobs

8:03am Thursday 20th November 2008

Rolls-Royce plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs worldwide, including 140 in the UK, after reviewing the impact of the current economic "uncertainties", the aerospace giant has announced.

Activists call for end of occupation

8:03am Thursday 20th November 2008

Anti-war activists are set to urge the Government to bring the "occupation" of Afghanistan to an end and bring UK troops home.

RBS shareholders vote on bail-out

8:03am Thursday 20th November 2008

Shareholders in Royal Bank of Scotland are to vote on a £20 billion bail-out plan which could put nearly 60% of the company in public hands.

Speeding drivers face new penalties

8:03am Thursday 20th November 2008

Tougher penalties for speeding and other "excessive behaviour" by motorists are to be proposed by ministers as part of a bid to cut road deaths.

Health reform pace 'painfully slow'

8:03am Thursday 20th November 2008

An "expensive" Government health reform has so far failed to deliver real benefits for patients, experts have said.

BNP spokesman defends City Hall job

8:03am Thursday 20th November 2008

The deputy leader of the British National Party has denied using his taxpayer-funded position at the Greater London Authority to perform work for the far-right party.

'No end to recession' under Tories

8:03am Thursday 20th November 2008

The recession would last until "doomsday if David Cameron was Prime Minister", the joint leader of the country's biggest trade union will say.

Crime victims 'unaware of payouts'

8:03am Thursday 20th November 2008

Government claims to prioritise victims of crime were questioned as a committee of MPs delivered a damning report into compensation for people injured in violent attacks.