Harvey Thompson and Linda Slattery consider the government’s recent decision to terminate the contract of the company responsible for marking SATs school test papers, placing it in the context of New Labour’s pro-business education policies.

The Scottish Government has raised the prospect of extending the Freedom of Information Act to cover more organisations carrying out public functions reports _Publictechnology.net_.

Media Lens looks at the narrow coverage of the Somalia crisis, and the media's failure to draw attention to the West's role.

Workplace safety is worse than ever, and the recently passed Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act will do little to resolve the problem. Schnews reports on the work of a campaigning organisation called FACK - Families Against Corporate Killers.

The SNP government has shown some signs of social democratic reform, but for the most part it has been business as usual, says David Miller.

The Government is making further cuts in state funding for higher education - and encouraging business to fill the gap. Robert Stevens reports.

This is the first of a two-part series by Julie Hylandanalysing the political issues in London’s May 1 elections for Mayor and the London Assembly. The second part will appear on March 15.

Mike Jempson, Director of the MediaWise Trust, looks at some of the results of a recent research project into the quality and independence of British journalism.

Trade union political contributions are an example of democratic action, says Jim Mortimer. They should not be confused with big donations from business.

In his new book, Flat Earth News, award-winning journalist Nick Davies argues that the main threat to truth-telling journalism has moved from propagandist proprietors such as Lord Beaverbrook to the corporations and their commercial interests exemplified by business magnate Rupert Murdoch.

Simon Basketter looks at the links between political lobbying, the 'free' market and corruption.

Ben Rymer looks at some of the consequences of New Labour's belief that a market-based approach is the best way to run a country.

Mark Serwotka is hopeful that the big-business policies of the government can still be successfully challenged by ordinary workers.

The British lobbying industry is on the defensive as a government committee prepares to investigate its activities. The Public Administration Select Committee's inquiry is the first to probe lobbying in Westminster since 1991 and may result in recommendations for regulation of the industry. Chris Grimshaw reports.

If you want to support democracy in Burma, phone Gary Player and the other western businessmen propping up the generals, suggests George Monbiot

Jim Mortimer looks at Britain's growing inequalities and the refusal of the New Labour government to condemn it and address it seriously.