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Billions wasted on 'damaging and distracting' NHS reforms

'Damaging and distracting': Former health secretary Andrew Lansley's radical reforms came under attack in a highly critical assessment of the Government's record on the health service

Billions of pounds of funds have been wasted on "damaging and distracting" NHS reforms at the cost of patient care, according to a leading think tank.

Britain a 'key player' in Ukraine crisis, insists Philip Hammond as world leaders redouble diplomatic efforts

'Key player': Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond (Picture: Stefan Wermuth/PA Wire)

The UK will continue its efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine as Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond insisted Britain remains a "key player" in the diplomatic mission.

Supermarkets warned to protect shoppers from 'daffodil poisoning' this spring

Warning: some shoppers have eaten the plants by mistake (Picture: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

British supermarkets have been warned to ensure daffodils are kept separate from fruit and vegetables to prevent shoppers from mistakenly eating the toxic plants.

Appeal as man is stabbed in broad daylight after fight in Croydon

Appeal: a 17-year-old has been arrested in connection with the incident

Police are appealing for help after a man was stabbed in broad daylight in south London.

Ukip will fight a positive campaign, promises Nigel Farage as he labels Labour MP a 'disgraceful woman'

Spat: Nigel Farage and Rotherham's Labour MP Sarah Champion

Ukip leader Nigel Farage has promised his party will conduct a positive election campaign before calling a Labour MP a “disgraceful woman” in a row over child abuse.

Nick Clegg is in on course to lose his constituency according to latest poll

Dark days: the Lib Dem leader is in danger of losing his seat (Picture: REUTERS/Peter Nicholls)

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's relection hopes were dealt a fresh blow as it emerged that he was trailing Labour in his own constituency.

Paul Gauguin painting sold for a record-breaking $300m

Record-breaker: two women look at the painting Nafea faa ipoipon on display in the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen, Switzerland (Picture: EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALA)

A painting of two Tahitian girls by French artist Paul Gauguin has been sold for $300 million (£197 million), making it the most expensive art work ever.

Competition watchdog raises concerns over East Coast rail privatisation

Government plans to re-privatise a key London to Scotland rail route have hit a stumbling block after the competition watchdog raised concerns

Large 'unsafe' lorries banned from London's roads to protect cyclists

Safety fears: cyclists are at risk of being hit by HGVs in London (Picture: Glenn Copus)

Large lorries travelling without safety equipment are set to be banned from London's roads as part of efforts to protect cyclists.

US hostage 'killed during Jordanian air strikes targeting IS'

Air strikes: Jordan's military has targeted Raqqa after the killing of one of the country's pilots (Picture: Reuters)

A female American hostage has been killed in Jordanian air strikes in Syria, the Islamic State group is reported to have claimed.

Boris Johnson flies to US to urge support for fighting terror

Mission to America: Mayor Boris Johnson denies his US trip is to bolster his political ambitions

Boris Johnson will boost his status as a potential world leader next week by flying to the US to urge senior politicians to bolster the fight against Islamic State.

Cyclist attacked from behind and stabbed repeatedly in north London by man who fled in car

The rider was attacked in Brookscroft Road, police said (Picture: Google Streetview)

A teenage cyclist was attacked from behind and stabbed repeatedly by a man who fled in a car, police said.

Mandelson and Campbell approached Alan Johnson during Labour plot to oust Miliband

Alan Johnson said he will never be Labour leader (Picture: Jeremy Selwyn)

Alan Johnson was contacted by senior Labour figures at the height of speculation he was being lined up to replace Ed Miliband in an internal coup.

Hunt for female mugger who attacked pregnant woman

Mugging: police want to question this woman (Picture: Metropolitan Police)

Police are hunting for a female mugger who attacked a pregnant woman in west London.

London's best whisky cocktails

Food & Drink: As the legendary Greek Street stop-off Milroy’s of Soho prepares to reopen this month, here are five of the best places to get a knockout whisky cocktail.

Susan Calman Lady Like, Soho Theatre - comedy review

Fix up look sharp: smartly-suited stand-up Susan Calman (Picture: Steve Ullathorne)

Comedy review: A monologue that certainly packs a punch, even if it is not quite a knockout.

'Clos Maggiore? Close My Knees, more like. Clamped firmly shut'

Restaurant review: Will London’s most romantic restaurant live up to Grace Dent's expectations?

Latest house price figures reveal cost of buying a home in every London borough

The latest Land Registry data reveals the average cost of buying a London home has risen by 16.3 per cent in the past year to £464,936.

Ride-to-work homes along London's new cycle superhighways

Homes with secure cycle parking, "bike clinics" and weekend cycling clubs for London's soaring number of bike commuters are springing up along the two new major cycling routes given the go ahead this week.

Ten of the best: London's luxury penthouses

There are penthouses, and then there are London's top floor-homes that take living the high life to a whole new level...

The ultimate £5,000 Valentine's Day dinner date

Here's our pick of London's latest design hotspots and hidden gems, from champagne menus at London's grandest hotels, to the ultimate £5,000 Valentine’s day private dining experience.