Closing the gap between the richest and poorest people in developed countries could prevent a million and a half deaths researchers say. Some previous studies of the relationship between wealth and health have reached different conclusions but two British academics say that controversy may be due to the political implications involved.

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The Environment Agency has signed a new deal designed to cut its electricity use and reduce its carbon emissions by about 12 per cent a year. From April 2010 large businesses and public sector organisations will have to sign up to cutting their emissions and the Agency says they should see this as a chance to make savings.

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This new report gives an overview of changes resulting from the New Deal for Communities Programme which is designed to narrow gaps between the 39 most deprived localities and the rest of the country.

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