Fire Minister Brandon Lewis probably had a fair idea what Sir Ken Knight would deliver when he asked him to conduct an "independent" report into fire and rescue services in England.
The shipyard painter, political activist and razor-sharp cartoonist Bob Starrett has just written a new book The Way I See It on his eventful life and times. Below we reprint one of his stories and review an essential read
An international line-up heads a weekend conference in London
Although significant progress has been recorded in the government's sexual orientation and gender reassignment policies much still remains to be done
When the Cabinet contains 11 times more millionaires than mothers it's no surprise if it attacks women
Why the single-tier pension isn't as simple as it seems - and how women stand to lose the most
South-west China's Yunnan province is dropping the "laojiao" - re-education through labour - aspect of China's penal system.
Shadow spokeswoman for equality explains why the coalition's policies are so harmful for Britain's women
Why should women take the blame for failed austerity policies
While Europe may condemn Israel's occupation, its financial support allows the settlements to flourish
The Forbes rich list shows that we're far from being all in it together