Donations could become part of NHS budget

A change in accounting rules would effectively 'nationalise' public donations and fundraising, says the Charity Commission

From rattling tins to a fundraising behemoth

The explosion in NHS giving can be traced to Great Ormond Street’s Wishing Well Appeal in 1988, which raised £56 million

Brown’s untimely sale cost UK billions

Prime Minister sold the UK's gold when its price had reached rock-bottom - that sale today would have raised an extra $10bn

The Noughties: Ten years of farewells

We recall those who left the world stage, from the Godfather of Soul to the mother of human rights, from the first man to conquer Everest to the last...

The unstoppable rise of the public trophy wife

The new generation of sassy first ladies like Carla Sarkozy and Michelle Obama are eclipsing their men and winning votes in style

Study shows hung parliament most likely result

In a boost to Gordon Brown a new survey shows Labour's vote is hardening, increasing the prospect of a hung parliament

Cabinet split over Brown’s ‘class war’

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Jack Straw became the latest senior minister to question the PM’s election strategy

Straw demands reform to end libel tourism

Foreigners could be barred from bringing libel actions with tenuous links to the UK under reforms being considered by ministers

Nine peers and MPs in Yard probe

Police are investigating five peers and four MPs, including a close ally of Gordon Brown, over their parliamentary expenses

Labour does a U-turn on love and marriage

Gordon Brown prepares to pitch Labour as party of marriage and family in a shift in strategy ahead of the general election

Hunt supporters rally against ban

Frozen conditions cancel many Christmas hunts, but foxhunting supporters turn out in their thousands in show of defiance

250mph rail link to rip up finest scenery

New £60bn line from London to Scotland will cut through protected countryside under plans backed by the transport secretary

2009 Quiz of the year

Jack Straw: boot boy says you can have a go

Justice secretary, who's made three citizen's arrests, says law is on side of those who tackle criminals to defend their homes

Minister's campaign to keep foxhunting ban

Hilary Benn urges people to sign online petition to back the ban on hunting foxes with dogs after Tory pledge to review it

Britons shun Brown’s Britishness roadshow

Public, councillors and ministers snub PM's national campaign to promote concept of Britishness

Miliband ready to run as Labour leader

The Foreign Secretary and his brother Ed, the Climate Change Secretary, must make a pact for either to make a challenge

£6,000 a digit for NHS 60th anniversary logo

Ministers across Whitehall routinely pay top commercial design firms to "conceptualise" and "update" simple logos

My Christmas Week: Gordon Brown

“You’ve lost something, Gordon,” says the Tony ghost. “And I’m going to help you get it back.”

SNP offered to prop up failing Heath government after February 1974 election

As Edward Heath fought to stay in power he learned of a private approach by the Nationalists to Tory MP Teddy Taylor