7 January Former Labour MP David Chaytor, who pleaded guilty to three charges of expenses fraud, is sentenced at Southwark Crown Court.

10 January House of Commons returns from the Christmas recess.

10 January Independent Labour MP Eric Illsley goes on trial at Southwark Crown Court, accused of three offences of false accounting over his parliamentary expenses.

13 January Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election.

14 January Ministry of Justice releases prison population figures.

16 January Twentieth anniversary of first Gulf War.

18 January Iraq inquiry public hearings resume.

20 January Quarterly crime statistics are published by the Home Office.

21 January Tony Blair to appear before the Iraq Inquiry.

25 January GDP figures for the final quarter of 2010 released.

31 January Child Trust Fund abolished.

2 February Former Labour MP Jim Devine goes on trial at Southwark Crown Court accused of expenses fraud.

18-20 February Welsh Labour Conference

20 February Gordon Brown's 60th birthday.

25-28 February Green Party spring conference, Angel Hotel, Cardiff.

3 March Referendum held on new law-making powers for the Welsh Assembly.

4-5 March Scottish Liberal Democrat spring conference, Perth Concert Hall, Perth.

11-13 March Liberal Democrat spring conference, City Hall, Sheffield.

23 March The Budget.

25-26 March Plaid Cymru Spring Conference, Millenium Centre, Cardiff

26 March TUC national demonstration against spending cuts

6 April New tax year begins. Income tax threshold is raised to £7475; National Insurance contributions rise 1p for all employees earning over £20,000.

27 April GDP figures for the first quarter of 2011 released.

5 May Scottish Parliament election, Wesh Assembly election and UK local elections.

5 May Referendum held on the Alternative Vote (TBC).

1 July School children receive final Education Maintenance Allowance payment.

12-14 September TUC conference

17-21 September Liberal Democrat annual conference, ICC, Birmingham.

25-29 September Labour Party annual conference, ACC, Liverpool.

October Extension of the Freedom of Information Act to include the Association of Chief Police Officers, UCAS, Academy Trusts and the Financial Ombudsman Service.

2-5 October Conservative Party annual conference, Manchester.