The conventional Tory response is that the system is plagued by scroungers and fraudsters. If the DSS targets benefits more accurately at those who really need them, its budget will finally be brought under control – hence the huge swing towards means- tested benefits, over which Mr Lilley has presided.Of course, the more Mr Lilley [...]

At 21, an age when many an uncapped (and sometimes untalented) youngster is arguing over the colour of his second sponsored car, he was still playing as a professional in the Bolton Cricket Association.Lancashire were aware of him, a 6ft 1in seam bowler who could also strike the ball cleanly and vast distances. But they [...]

It is much more interested in seeing that irrigation projects are efficiently managed and that cheap water does not just become another subsidy to relatively rich farmers.Ultimately, you achieve efficient use of water by pricing it properly. If farmers have to pay the economic price, they will grow crops which require relatively light irrigation and [...]

The magistrate, William Cutler, found Simbarashe Makunike, deputy editor of theFinancial Gazette and the author of the stories, guilty of defamation with actual intent.
“The accused knew very well that he had no evidence … that it was untrue,” Mr Cutler said.Mr Mugabe has two children with Ms Marafu. But he has denied that he formalised [...]

MATHEW HORSMAN
Beleaguered computer company Tadpole Technology confirmed the extent of its troubles at an extraordinary general meeting yesterday, telling shareholders it expected a pounds 9.3m loss in the year ending 30 September 1995.
By the end of the third quarter this year losses had already reached pounds 7.7m, on revenues of pounds 18.6m, the [...]

Maybe management claims that they are up to 90 per cent of the pre-strike combined circulation of 900,000 copies are exaggerated; maybe home delivery, the backbone of US newspaper sales, is only two- thirds of pre-strike levels. But advertising is returning and subscription cancellations have dropped. And with each edition that appears, the knife of [...]