Ed Miliband has told Russell Brand that it is a “combination of politics and people” that bring about change.

The UK's Chancellor George Osborne defended his Budget today, saying the British Government had to tackle the nation’s economic problems, which “could be a lot worse”.

The British Chancellor’s attempts to “re-set” Britain’s banking system still do not go far enough, a panel set up following the industry’s Libor-fixing scandal said today.

Britain’s banks could face the threat of being broken up after a report warned the ring-fence to separate risky operations from savers’ deposits needed “electrification”.

Doubts over the strength of the UK’s recovery persisted today despite figures showing an end to the longest double-dip recession since 1950.

Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King launched a stinging attack on British banks today and called for a “real change in culture” as lenders became further embroiled in controversy.

The UK’s top banks were today accused of failing to do enough to back small businesses after figures revealed lending targets agreed with the Government are set to be missed.

Britain risks suffering another financial crisis unless fundamental reforms of the banking sector are pushed through, the Governor of the Bank of England warned tonight.

Chancellor George Osborne insisted that today’s VAT rise from 17.5% to 20% was a “tough but necessary step” towards Britain’s economic recovery.

Shadow chancellor Alan Johnson accused the British government of taking a “reckless gamble with people’s livelihoods” which could wreck the economic recovery.

Gordon Brown will attempt to lift himself for the third and final prime ministerial debate today after offering a grovelling apology for branding a pensioner “bigoted”.

GORDON Brown’s campaign suffered a self-inflicted blow yesterday when he was forced to apologise publicly and in person after branding a pensioner “bigoted”.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has apologised "profusely" after being caught on microphone branding a woman who spoke to him on the campaign trail "bigoted".

British Chancellor Alistair Darling warned today that an age of "low growth and austerity" lies ahead if the Conservative Party win power at the election.

The UK economy recorded its sharpest decline in more than 50 years during the first quarter of 2009, figures showed today.

The popularity of the British Labour Party has slumped to its lowest level since polling began amid a series of scandals and renewed speculation over Gordon Brown's leadership, it was claimed tonight.

There were diplomatic smiles all round from Gordon Brown today, as he greeted world leaders who arrived one by one to thrash out a plan to inject confidence into the ailing global economy.

Staff at a bank bailed-out by the taxpayer are likely to receive some bonuses, British Chancellor Alistair Darling indicated today as pressure increased for any payments to be halted.

CONSERVATIVE leader David Cameron hailed the return of former chancellor Kenneth Clarke to his front bench team yesterday as senior figures dismissed suggestions that the move would be divisive.

Britain’s economic downturn will be “more profound and long-lasting” than expected amid the worst global economic conditions for 60 years, Alistair Darling warned.

Emergency legislation to nationalise Northern Rock is expected to become law today amid warnings that the taxpayer was being saddled with the bank’s bad debts.

The nationalisation of Northern Rock will begin in earnest today as MPs debate giving ministers emergency powers.

UK opposition parties will up the pressure on chancellor Alistair Darling over the Northern Rock crisis today as the company continues its search for a potential buyer.

Union leaders in the UK tonight called for a cut in British interest rates and help for manufacturers after unemployment jumped by over 100,000 to reach the highest level in three years.

The number of civil servants in the UK has increased by almost 9,000, and more women are in top management posts, new British government figures showed today.

Britain's Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin today announced plans to “set Britain on the path to a lower tax economy” - but refused to give specific pledges on tax cuts.

IAIN DUNCAN SMITH’S immediate fate was being determined this weekend with Tory MPs seeking the verdict of the party’s grassroots supporters on his leadership.

The Tories turned their fire on Labour over tax and Europe again today - with two former Conservative premiers due to speak out.

The Sun newspaper has urged its British readers to vote Labour at the coming election after a Budget it hailed as an "astounding achievement".