Demands by tax officials for client lists and other third-party data sets have increased by nearly a half since the coalition government came to power.

Figures released to Exaro under the Freedom of Information Act show that HM Revenue & Customs used its powers to obtain “bulk information” many more times in the tax year just ended, compared with 2010-11.

MPs are accusing the Ministry of Defence of forcing children of service personnel to stay at schools in the face of allegations of sexual abuse.

MoD officials revealed that, under the rules on education benefit for top forces personnel, children may have to remain at a private school even where they allege that they have been sexually abused.

Figures for corporate insolvencies are lower than we might expect at this stage in a recessionary cycle, writes the Insolvency Practitioners Association’s chief executive.

But this downturn and recovery has a markedly different shape and length compared with previous recessions. The inaugural Exaro Insolvency Index last week showed that the number of UK companies going into administration or receivership is falling this year.

Scotland’s most senior law officer has been challenged to withdraw dismissive comments about allegations over the investigation and trial of the Lockerbie bombing.

Campaigners for a public inquiry to re-open the case have issued a stinging rebuke to Frank Mulholland, Lord Advocate and head of the Crown Office, Scotland’s prosecuting authority, over his handling of their allegations of criminal conduct in the original case.