What you need to know about Your First Home scheme for first-time buyers
Government announcement sparks a rally in FTSE-listed housebuilders, but there are still a lot of unknownsLabour’s modest reheat of help to buy is worth a tryThe government will unveil a fresh scheme to help people on to the housing ladder next month but…
‘Contract between humans and river’: Bristol Avon’s rights enshrined in charter
River charters part of wider movement establishing ‘moral’ framework to protect nature and hold institutions to accountOne Monday morning in spring last year, 12 people gathered in the morning drizzle at Joyce’s Pool, one of the sources of the Bristol…
Country diary: A young shieldbug has found a safe place to hide – or so it hopes | Nic Wilson
Bedmond, Hertfordshire: The entire Serge Hill project is a haven for humans and wildlife, and there’s much to find in its collection of drought-tolerant plantsLooking across a swathe of golden oat grass to the Apple House, it seems almost inconceivable…
Ed Miliband to acknowledge Labour’s former stance on Palestine fell short
Foreign secretary will tell party’s conference ‘we are not here to accept the status quo but to change it’Ed Miliband will tell campaigners and party members who raised the plight of Palestinians they were right that Labour’s approach had not been…
‘You can taste the land’: the Somerset farmer bringing wildflowers back to cheddar
Tom Calver has sacrificed milk yields to give his cows a more varied diet of plants and believes the result is better cheese and richer farmlandIn the rolling hills of Somerset, hundreds of thousands of cows placidly munch lush green grass to produce…
Protesters disperse after blocking route for loyalist march in Portadown
Talks expected on Monday after Sinn Féin leaders join those on streets opposing decision to allow Orange Order parade for first time since 1998Hundreds of protesters spent the day blocking the route of a hugely contentious parade in Northern Ireland…
Failure to protect free speech could cost Labour votes at next election, says Liberty
Polling for rights group shows issue is concern for voters and many feel recent policies have had negative effect Free speech will be a big concern for voters at the next general election, with the government’s current approach on the issue perceived by…
Andy Burnham to fight next election with plan for NHS-style care service
PM says he is willing to expend political capital to bring in universal service for England funded by ‘everybody’Analysis: can Labour hang on to Burnham bounce?Andy Burnham will fight the next election with a pledge to finally fix the broken social care…
Five arrested on terrorism charges after explosives found near RAF base used by US
Counter-terrorism police investigate whether Iran is behind suspected bomb plot after member of public calls 999 over suspicious vehiclesCounter-terrorism police are investigating whether Iran is behind a suspected bomb plot after armed officers found…
‘Don’t squander it’: Can Labour hang on to the Burnham bounce?
Conference delegates grateful ousting Starmer has paid off, but relief tempered by fiscal headwinds aheadUK politics live – latest updatesEven Andy Burnham’s closest allies accept that deposing Keir Starmer to install their man as leader was a huge…