The head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales says taxpayers should help fund the Pope's visit because it is an official state event.

Education Secretary Michael Gove says 16 so-called "free schools" will be set up over the next year - "well in excess" of the numbers he hoped for.

A police officer who was caught on CCTV injuring a woman by throwing her into a cell faces being dismissed.

A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence says.

Former head of the Army Gen Sir Richard Dannatt accuses Tony Blair and Gordon Brown of letting down British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence says.

The family of a father and son killed in a motorbike crash say the tragedy will leave a huge hole in their lives.

Scotland faces nearly £4bn of cuts over the next four years, Finance Secretary John Swinney is warning.

A two-year-old girl is treated for facial injuries after being attacked by a dog in North Berwick.

The Scottish government is set to shelve plans for an independence referendum before next year's election.