Quakers have accused the government of military “conscription by the back door”, because soldiers are held to commitments made before turning eighteen.

David Cameron has been accused of blocking the way for legal recognition of same-sex marriage, despite support for the proposal from Labour, LibDem and Green leaders.

Pressure is growing for same-sex couples to be given full equality in marriage law after 98 per cent of LGBT people polled said civil partnerships don't go far enough.

British Quakers have announced that their most senior member of staff is standing down from her post. Gillian Ashmore has served for three years.