The scandal of PFI: invest just £100 ... and make £89m profit from the taxpayer

Local authorities, health trusts and other public agencies will end up paying up to twice as much as is necessary for the 700 developments planned or built under the UK government's Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

Wendy Alexander's troubled leadership of the Labour party in Scotland has suffered another blow after her most senior adviser walked out after a row over her referendum U-turn. Mike Elrick, 41, has taken "annual leave" to think about whether he wants to continue working with Labour's Holyrood leader.

Lobbyists face being stripped of their prized Holyrood passes as part of a clampdown on privileged access to Holyrood.

Gambers Anonymous will hold the first UK meeting targeting women addicts this week in an attempt to encourage them to confront society's "secret shame".