Thousands of passengers on both sides of the Channel were scrambling to get home in time for Christmas last night after Eurostar blamed the closure of their train network on the wrong type of snow.

Rogue parking firms that clamp cars for minor offences and charge motorists extortionate rates to have their vehicles released are to be forced to comply with strict rules as part of a Government assault

The UK's first tax on parking spaces is expected to be endorsed by the Government today.

The roof of Parliament's newest building sprang a leak on Tuesday, forcing MPs to dodge drips of rainwater as heavy storms lashed Westminster.

Education Secretary Ed Balls today said it would be a "good thing" to hold some of the Iraq War inquiry in public as Gordon Brown faced fury from Labour backbenchers over his initial decision to hold the hearings in private.

Gordon Brown lost yet another member of his Government yesterday when the Farming minister, Jane Kennedy, quit rather than pledge loyalty to him. She called on the Prime Minister to "make way for an alternative leader".

This is a list of the MPs and peers appointed as ministers of state by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the second wave of his Government reshuffle today:

Tooting MP Sadiq Khan has been promoted to Minister of State for Transport in the Government reshuffle, it emerged today.

The Government today announced an extra £19m for fire services in England to improve the rescue of people from collapsed buildings as well as decontamination of the public.

Labour should consider changing its candidate selection procedures to make it easier for would-be MPs from the ethnic minorities to be chosen for Westminster seats, a senior Cabinet minister said today.