The Department for International Development has said that it will double central funding for faith-based groups.

Church leaders have given their backing to a report by MPs which challenges the government's proposals to replace the Trident nuclear missile system.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has said that the publication of the UK government's White Paper (formal legislative proposal) on replacement of the controversial Trident nuclear weapons programme should not be used to close down the debate - but to open it up around recognised issues of major concern.