Radical reforms proposed for business rates, which could see councils keep money paid by local businesses and allow them to offer local discounts, would revolutionise the regeneration of central London.

Westminster City Council, which collects more business rates on half of the Government than any other part of the UK, and more than the City of London and Birmingham combined, said the proposals in a White Paper published today would enable it to invest in major projects to ensure central London's economy continues to grow.

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Westminster City Council is threatening legal action against Cricket Australia after a holographic image of two of its players was beamed onto Big Ben without permission.

The projection of Australia's captain and vice-captain carried the message "Don't forget to pack the urn", a reference to the belief that their team will regain the Ashes by the time the five-Test series ends in Sydney during January.

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Tackling the £20bn housing benefit bill is without doubt a huge challenge. The system is broken.

Families could come into Westminster, when they had no local connection, find themselves a private sector property with a rent value of up to £2000 a week, and if eligible we would be forced to pay for it. 

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A ground breaking programme to tackle social breakdown has seen a major fall in antisocial behaviour, domestic violence, poor parenting and truancy, according to the latest figures.

Findings from a survey of the first of 50 families who have been through the 'Family Recovery programme' show the scheme is delivering tangible results.

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Investing in unruly families is vital to save the public purse money, a leading council has said.

Westminster Council's own "tough love" Family Recovery Programme had saved local taxpayers £2million over the last year following falls in anti-social behaviour, domestic violence, poor parenting and truancy.

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