tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83814301772734252862024-03-13T09:59:33.434-07:00Newsnet Midlands @NewsnetMidlands
A unique, local and national news source for the Midlands region.Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.comBlogger325125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-19745347629921581002015-07-08T14:52:00.000-07:002016-01-31T09:28:02.729-08:00Budget 2015 - The Chancellor takes with one hand and gives back with another<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY5u4eUGNXNQ6YstAHhXglH1s4CiftDogkuicEhrbdiqLOi_kfyU02yUxi8U_TBDEAfDU0t47xekkuqQhur-5yZqpFVxBc-iV5egI9zAOSZlo6-2T1EZeX-B-m0DOZZGpEneSIFQrj_o/s1600/chancellor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY5u4eUGNXNQ6YstAHhXglH1s4CiftDogkuicEhrbdiqLOi_kfyU02yUxi8U_TBDEAfDU0t47xekkuqQhur-5yZqpFVxBc-iV5egI9zAOSZlo6-2T1EZeX-B-m0DOZZGpEneSIFQrj_o/s320/chancellor.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western">
<br /></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px;">by Sunil Patel</span></span></div>
<div class="western">
<br /></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The Chancellor George Osborne has pledged a 'national living wage' of up to £9 per hour by 2020, in the Conservative's first full budget in 18 years.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">This means the rebranded minimum wage would rise to £7.20 for over 25-year-olds by next year.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Businesses will pay for the wage increase through a cut in corporation tax to 19 percent by 2017 and then to 18 percent over the five years.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) claims this measure will result in 60,000 job losses, but a bullish George Osborne reveals this will be a pay rise of £5,000 for 2.5 million people over the next five years.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">In Mr Osborne's seventh budget speech, he declared Britain was open for business after revealing business investment was up by 31.9 percent since 2010.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">He also promised to raise the tax-free threshold for low wage earners from £10,800 to £11,000 from 2015/16.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">And for the top earners, their 40 percent taxable income threshold would rise from £42,385 to £43,000 over the same time period.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Maintenance grants for poorer students would be scrapped and replaced by loans but chancellor predicted this would not lead to a drop in numbers attending university.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">He argued the rise in tuition fees from £3,000 a year to a maximum of £9,000 a year in 2012 had not deterred students from poorer families.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Many Twitter followers tweeted their discontent on social media at latest proposals to hit students in the pocket.</span></span></div>
</div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/students?src=hash">#students</a> getting hit again -maintaining a UK reliant on sourcing skilled staff overseas rather than creating home grown talent <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/budget2015?src=hash">#budget2015</a></div>
— Ben Kenwright (@Kenwright_Ben) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kenwright_Ben/status/618787483833225216">July 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/budget2015?src=hash">#budget2015</a> by scrapping maintence grants, you are damaging students dreams of education. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Students?src=hash">#Students</a> will never forget this NEVER.</div>
— Tehmoor Khalid (@TehmoorKhalid) <a href="https://twitter.com/TehmoorKhalid/status/618766886638120960">July 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Almost feels like we're being punished for trying to better ourselves! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/students?src=hash">#students</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/budget2015?src=hash">#budget2015</a></div>
— Daniel Whitehouse (@DanWhitehouse94) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanWhitehouse94/status/618762549576749056">July 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<div align="left" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Some critics have suggested the Conservatives have also continually hacked away at the welfare bill in efforts to raise up to £35 billion over the next five years.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Low-paid worker benefits were targeted despite describing the chancellor describing it as a budget for designed for working people.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The £26,000 benefits cap which is the maximum which can be claimed by one household would be slashed by 12 per cent to £23,000 in London and by 23 per cent to £20,000 in the rest of the country.</span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-14323541821487645732015-06-03T11:28:00.001-07:002016-02-01T04:59:28.547-08:00The HS2 rail project won't bring additional investment into Midlands, say pressure group<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333339691162px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUApRe1PpfsOXRtDSRJ_XUx3xidb5s8u8ot6R7Q6zSxVeE-rYhA1p_mRbQG5AKIkuC1PrtLcHUgOGRvukRrmg9DDKnloNIyd7N42lbovb3aC-JMFYPQQMNF4ObwMvoUC9T8tMldg-jQQ/s1600/train+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUApRe1PpfsOXRtDSRJ_XUx3xidb5s8u8ot6R7Q6zSxVeE-rYhA1p_mRbQG5AKIkuC1PrtLcHUgOGRvukRrmg9DDKnloNIyd7N42lbovb3aC-JMFYPQQMNF4ObwMvoUC9T8tMldg-jQQ/s320/train+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333339691162px;">by Sunil Patel</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="left" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">An anti-HS2 campaign group have dismissed the prediction that High-Speed Rail 2 could create more business opportunities for the Midlands and have suggested the project could drag further economic activity towards London.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">With conservative estimates of the cost of HS2 project to be at £50 billion based on 2011 figures, it comes as no surprise to the Campaign Manager of Stop HS2 that business leaders have been queuing up for a 'slice of a taxpayer funded pie'.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssjLCFpdmiBKZhXKj8piDHXwBM4eI9CdsY1xOdnjJCx7TRHw4RLONifC9bDM2j9GIJZ4NRSPrYdWUMpeS2t4ygkcamqBn8ZGyWHetT43CdIB5mJT2um3CyrpPZ8Rzz0qu9SlTONd9Wzk/s1600/STOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssjLCFpdmiBKZhXKj8piDHXwBM4eI9CdsY1xOdnjJCx7TRHw4RLONifC9bDM2j9GIJZ4NRSPrYdWUMpeS2t4ygkcamqBn8ZGyWHetT43CdIB5mJT2um3CyrpPZ8Rzz0qu9SlTONd9Wzk/s320/STOP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">Joe Rukin said, “This is a government vanity project with rocketing costs that they (business leaders) will not have to pay for.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">It is likely any new development of East Midlands HS2 stations at either Toton or Breaston will be built on greenfield sites.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">And this will result in a negative impact on Nottingham and Derby city centres, according to the campaign group.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">As a result of this, Leicester could also miss out any potential economic benefit as the city is bypassed in the plans.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">Mr Rukin added,”If there is such a great business case for HS2, then why are these business leaders not all lining up to fund it themselves?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">Today, business leaders organised by the British Chamber of Commerce from the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the North sent a letter to Chancellor George Osborne urging him to bring forward the confirmation and then construction of the Eastern leg of HS2.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">The proposed leg linking Birmingham with Leeds via the East Midlands and Sheffield and further north through the East Coast Mainline could bring up to £4.1 billion of additional revenue to areas covered by the route, according to KPMG report in 2013.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">The business group have argued, the new HS2 eastern route will provide better connectivity and potentially lead to increased productivity.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fcd1HC_CIMo81nEbt6d0nDlMPzZrt_h-dUzZFWgRwLIDsvkKBWWhwvlp_BfWy-mnRbB2XIzMS8K9U-FqRt9YAd8I-VJwd22sfJ_V3NkrAz_n3w2SGOOuOIXCRkZsYC_FCRXZhqpQiug/s1600/east+midlands+hub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fcd1HC_CIMo81nEbt6d0nDlMPzZrt_h-dUzZFWgRwLIDsvkKBWWhwvlp_BfWy-mnRbB2XIzMS8K9U-FqRt9YAd8I-VJwd22sfJ_V3NkrAz_n3w2SGOOuOIXCRkZsYC_FCRXZhqpQiug/s320/east+midlands+hub.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 17.3333px;">It will also support the growth of businesses locally and internationally, according to the Head of Information and Representation at East Midlands Chamber.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 17.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 17.3333px;">Chris Hobson said: “HS2 is s a huge opportunity for businesses in the East Midlands. It will bring the capacity that will help underpin the region’s future success, so it must deliver for the whole region.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 17.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 17.3333px;">“However, uncertainty kills confidence. It is imperative that Government confirms the route as soon as possible and that delivery plans are accelerated to maximise the business benefits which come with creating a national rail network that can compete with the best in the world and create the opportunities needed for long-term economic growth.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 17.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 17.3333px;">On Monday, the Chancellor visited the engineering firm Garrandale, Derby and he described the Midlands as the 'engine for Britain's growth'.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 17.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 17.3333px;">Mr Osborne confirmed he would back the productivity of the region by committing to improving transport projects including the funding for HS2.</span></span><span style="line-height: 140%;"> </span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 140%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 140%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-1949421545262419402015-06-03T10:23:00.002-07:002016-02-01T05:08:41.315-08:00Co-location support should be provided to A&E Service, according to new report <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOGwyN0j_q3VRNAAfl8x0gROoNzhaTekfdNVk1D-y6oa6eP3zE3JcA8T5mJIs4iEabHxDlGvzOtXg8E-P1kkdOvG2l2tMXQkiX-dFBtn749WcIRY7c0umxJ7kj6g7Uh4J8tbUbcq4RWg/s1600/doc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOGwyN0j_q3VRNAAfl8x0gROoNzhaTekfdNVk1D-y6oa6eP3zE3JcA8T5mJIs4iEabHxDlGvzOtXg8E-P1kkdOvG2l2tMXQkiX-dFBtn749WcIRY7c0umxJ7kj6g7Uh4J8tbUbcq4RWg/s320/doc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333339691162px;">by Sunil Patel</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333339691162px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><a href="https://www.rsm.ac.uk/" target="_blank">TheRoyal College of Emergency Medicine</a> (RCEM) and the<a href="http://www.patients-association.org.uk/" target="_blank"> PatientsAssociation</a> (PA) are calling on the NHS to do more to provide more co-location services paired with Accident and Emergency departments, according to a new report. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">The key findings suggest, patients are aware of the other options to A&E but are forced towards these over-stretched departments because they unable to access the level of care required.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">And significant numbers of patients attend A&E because they are advised to do so by some health care providers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">More needs to be done to better inform patients of out-of-hours GPs, walk-in centres and the NHS 111 service.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">And these services should have the capacity required to provide the support to the additional numbers, according to the authors of the 'Time to Act' report.</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMED7cQTYb6ZFRyu53fwvbWvudz0lMvWikJocMQsuzeeuDtTJQ8pohd8R4ItXmSVLj1BUylqawfXC8bH2RQ1L6mqHqbp-9sO_v26xEQoteUbeYbkunqUV25Z9rVfJxasHFbbwnaybESk/s1600/A+n+E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMED7cQTYb6ZFRyu53fwvbWvudz0lMvWikJocMQsuzeeuDtTJQ8pohd8R4ItXmSVLj1BUylqawfXC8bH2RQ1L6mqHqbp-9sO_v26xEQoteUbeYbkunqUV25Z9rVfJxasHFbbwnaybESk/s320/A+n+E.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">The jointly authored report warns, if they the situation is not addressed it will place further strain on an A&E service which many argue is already at breaking point.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">A&E patients were asked to give answers to their choices, decisions and experiences in accessing urgent healthcare, in a survey which was carried out between September 2014 and February 2015</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">Many patients experience an A&E service as a central point for emergency care. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">Both the RCEM and PA groups have acknowledged the power of the A&E brand.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">They have recommended the co-location of out-of -hours services with A&E so patients are channelled towards the most appropriate care provider.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">Currently, only 40 per cent of A&E departments provide co-location of services, according to RCEM.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">Dr Cliff Mann, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “Co-location of primary care services has previously been supported by many national organisations and the Keogh Review of Urgent and Emergency Care, Colocation now needs to be implemented.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">The Chief Executive of the Patients Association has backed the move towards the co-location of services describing the case as 'compelling'</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">Katherine Murphy, said: “Now is the time to act to decongest A&E departments and, in so doing, benefit all patients.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">Almost 7,000 patients attended Accident and Emergency in the East Midlands for week ending May 24, according to NHS England figures.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; line-height: 20px;">Out of the total admissions for the region, 96 percent of patients were assessed in four hours or less. </span></span></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-86567483179235760642015-06-02T11:57:00.005-07:002016-02-01T05:15:54.423-08:00Twitter reacts to #CharlesKennedy death<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLDn-BtZuqMYn1Npm1bcP2cu7FgE7Hn351MUWdKaPzorMZhupZcq3dm034Oyt2qzZzRtZF8c9jpc-M3rgTvVnPJCUk8Fhk15XdwNzpyoNdcEqZW2vJJiZiWxycTLOywSbRgtQ_0d6V7I/s1600/Charles+K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLDn-BtZuqMYn1Npm1bcP2cu7FgE7Hn351MUWdKaPzorMZhupZcq3dm034Oyt2qzZzRtZF8c9jpc-M3rgTvVnPJCUk8Fhk15XdwNzpyoNdcEqZW2vJJiZiWxycTLOywSbRgtQ_0d6V7I/s320/Charles+K.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture from Charles Kennedy's website</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Twitter users pay tribute to the former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy who died suddenly this morning aged 55.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">There was a mood of shock at the death of the former MP for Ross Skye and Inverness West, and this was reflected through tweets on social media as the news first broke.</span></span><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 100%;">.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> </span>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_guwZoTdpkw_yLt-zY8BWeXHdHB6EhcoJYQpIptlq43HOVR-ZQDYXkvriexgNkxY_j1CFxsJ-cFSeDS-Nh3bOr_9PgSGHylUC1ibEvfs8zKcckLbZ4FHU4zX05gyysJl4TeeuU7I1nA/s1600/charles+K+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_guwZoTdpkw_yLt-zY8BWeXHdHB6EhcoJYQpIptlq43HOVR-ZQDYXkvriexgNkxY_j1CFxsJ-cFSeDS-Nh3bOr_9PgSGHylUC1ibEvfs8zKcckLbZ4FHU4zX05gyysJl4TeeuU7I1nA/s400/charles+K+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The former MP had served his Highland constituency for 32 years until last month, when he lost his seat in the general election, amid an SNP landslide in Scotland.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">In the ruff and tumble world of political points scoring, Mr Kennedy had been described as a man who stood apart from many of his former Westminster colleagues as funny, genuine and a man with a great personality.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIkGMopdOfNRNg3Qwo88Qwla3xKbD4Z6PyyR4IurON4y0P91kmalGt_PMRfRXMqOlyf4a2WxOzbIV6G7Ovlrg1Oz7NV7hzjmFSoiDGfA1u1qFM6wT5CER1eYCa60iaSts5RThdWsKmtQ/s1600/charles+K+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIkGMopdOfNRNg3Qwo88Qwla3xKbD4Z6PyyR4IurON4y0P91kmalGt_PMRfRXMqOlyf4a2WxOzbIV6G7Ovlrg1Oz7NV7hzjmFSoiDGfA1u1qFM6wT5CER1eYCa60iaSts5RThdWsKmtQ/s400/charles+K+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">As Liberal Democrat leader, Mr Kennedy was an outspoken critic of the controversial invasion of Iraq in 2003, despite both Labour and Conservatives backing the campaign.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">He had once described the country 'being bulldozed into war' and his defiant opposition will ultimately be his political legacy, according to many supporters on twitter.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSk3zVDtPeduQRO5DhwYGjEY6suVYs_ydPqEbjwFGx4ni1Du2GNdC0IrhwLAlCl39ekcVZ7zqyex1eR7kJGTsjOgqYVuhNwPy3J6UXhNlzI0FXhuKqd9z7kh0dhy5Iq5vGynVQjBgspQ/s1600/charles+K+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSk3zVDtPeduQRO5DhwYGjEY6suVYs_ydPqEbjwFGx4ni1Du2GNdC0IrhwLAlCl39ekcVZ7zqyex1eR7kJGTsjOgqYVuhNwPy3J6UXhNlzI0FXhuKqd9z7kh0dhy5Iq5vGynVQjBgspQ/s400/charles+K+3.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-77751234423755629732015-06-01T07:25:00.000-07:002016-02-01T05:23:05.502-08:00Police access private emails, phone calls and text messages<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJkofXi0vw1EiFts7IotH06yPhiXQibjA3J6PlVA7rpf0zILkP0GG4uhkgKaI3Vh1sVWdPTTcXnG6rROjwxG28KlFkYrCb86pC92ZtDuoFApbO5_WoBGkmUOFtcBf0l1jJK1cEZhon5E/s1600/nottingham_police_309678t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJkofXi0vw1EiFts7IotH06yPhiXQibjA3J6PlVA7rpf0zILkP0GG4uhkgKaI3Vh1sVWdPTTcXnG6rROjwxG28KlFkYrCb86pC92ZtDuoFApbO5_WoBGkmUOFtcBf0l1jJK1cEZhon5E/s1600/nottingham_police_309678t.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">by Sunil Patel</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">UK police forces have made over 700,000 applications for access to private communications, with 96 percent of all requests being approved, according to new data from a civil liberties and privacy pressure group.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">On average, there was one request every two minutes over a three-year period and total of 244,412 requests every year.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Despite claims police's access to communications data is decreasing, 26 Police forces have increased the number of requests with only 11 showing a reduction in the number enquiries.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The Metropolitan Police service topped the table with 177,287 requests with the Thames Valley Police making the least with 17,562 inquiries, according to figures published by Big Brother Watch (BBW).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The Essex Police force had the highest number of refusals at 28 percent and the Northamptonshire force the fewest rejections at 4 percent from the period between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2014.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The communications data includes details of who, where and when of any text, email, phone call or web search.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The surveillance watchdog has called for greater transparency, better safeguards and a clearer application process in the access of communications data.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Some of BBW's recommendations are listed below</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Police forces should be required to publish transparency reports detailing how requests are approved, the number of individuals affected and the type of crime</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Proof that data of more than 6 months old is regularly used in order to establish a proportionate approach to data retention</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A clear, standardised procedure for the access of Communications Data, which all police forces, telecommunications and internet service providers must adhere to.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In the Queen's speech last week, the Conservatives announced the Investigatory Powers Bill, which would give the police greater power to monitor internet and phone use.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">This would replace the communications data bill which has been infamously dubbed the so-called 'snoopers charter'.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Renate Samson, Chief Executive of Big Brother Watch, said: “We have yet to see real evidence that there is a gap in the capability of law enforcement or the agencies’ ability to gain access to our communications data.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">“We are also yet to see any concrete evidence that access to communications data has and indeed will, make the country safer. The only evidence we have is of numerous failures to make effective use of the data already available.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">“Any new draft legislation must acknowledge that the bigger the haystacks the harder it will be to find the needles.“</span></span></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-11915234108677589842015-03-18T13:23:00.001-07:002016-02-01T05:36:04.039-08:00George Osborne says he has delivered a national recovery #Budget2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 100%;">by Sunil Patel</span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">The UK economy grew by 2.6 percent last year, which was the largest growth figure of any advanced economy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">And George Osborne boasted the UK would overtake the German economy to be the biggest in Europe in the next 15 years.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">The 'significant' sale of UK assets have enabled the total proportion of debt to Gross domestic product (GDP) to be at 80.4 percent and has been predicted to fall to 80.2 per cent, according to the OBR.</span></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvVZQHdbSR8fcTuURLo_tWF3hN1cChTHE-o0YkMzk6gpKxSdtgrh8kbh3ONvRLYhW4W3TYb7DoAI3pQ-fTL_FLdv2JyjDxHI2FQljGILtpEsEWJ-yELHNawAlsKXIiL-UMDogneHmHv4/s1600/budget+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvVZQHdbSR8fcTuURLo_tWF3hN1cChTHE-o0YkMzk6gpKxSdtgrh8kbh3ONvRLYhW4W3TYb7DoAI3pQ-fTL_FLdv2JyjDxHI2FQljGILtpEsEWJ-yELHNawAlsKXIiL-UMDogneHmHv4/s1600/budget+11.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 100%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Danny Alexander, George Osborne and Priti Patel posing ahead of Budget</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="line-height: 100%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">In his Budget speech, the Chancellor announced a rise in the personal tax threshold for workers to £10,800 by 2016 and then £11,000 for the year after.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">The government provided a much-needed tax cut boost for the ailing North Sea oil industry, which has been badly damaged by the falling global price of oil.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">The Petroleum Revenue tax would be reduced by 15 per cent from 50 per cent to 35 per cent.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Mr Osborne claimed this was a speech aimed at the 'earners' and 'savers'.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 100%; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FkrzQIqoWlAJbASFgbTxxg-RjG2VSPKJQ6djoCGCqvWvYJfbQiT6VbvdFtDLNU41mwZBzQwWQzjmnp9gC2Gd0DrqW-GMJ7Uyb2MNoUR0NA2u_7BZLE9e3fpCFKBVk2JD0zENWJthE1s/s1600/Budget+forecast+2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FkrzQIqoWlAJbASFgbTxxg-RjG2VSPKJQ6djoCGCqvWvYJfbQiT6VbvdFtDLNU41mwZBzQwWQzjmnp9gC2Gd0DrqW-GMJ7Uyb2MNoUR0NA2u_7BZLE9e3fpCFKBVk2JD0zENWJthE1s/s1600/Budget+forecast+2015.png" width="226" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Beer drinkers were rewarded by a penny cut in duty for the third year in a row.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">There was also, a 2p cut for both cider and scotch duty, with the tax on wine frozen at current levels.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">In the last budget before the general election, the Chancellor argued his tax proposals will 'save more pubs and create more jobs.'</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<div style="line-height: 100%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span> <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdYuiNJsewYEZV0LCtozhGwxmX__Lwks7w4T6beBtQSjhdGXJnUodAgfW41RpxDacwkpA0aM-4Y_KaZq3vRiH-CS7a_4CRJ_7Et_om2ujFT4V14TXiZitf0_S8tHvHFoByK_945Q4MJA/s1600/QT+FM+T.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdYuiNJsewYEZV0LCtozhGwxmX__Lwks7w4T6beBtQSjhdGXJnUodAgfW41RpxDacwkpA0aM-4Y_KaZq3vRiH-CS7a_4CRJ_7Et_om2ujFT4V14TXiZitf0_S8tHvHFoByK_945Q4MJA/s1600/QT+FM+T.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">However, Ed Miliband delivered a damning assessment on Mr Osborne's sixth budget.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">He argued people would be £1600 worse off under Tory proposals and predicted massive cuts in the next parliament if the Conservatives were re-elected.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Mr Miliband pledged to raise the minimum wage £8 per hour if elected, in a direct response to the 20p rise to the £6.70, announced by the government yesterday.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Labour MP, David Blunkett, speaking ahead of the Budget to BBC News said:“You only have live and work and represent northern cities to see what will happen if the deficit reduction programme laid out by the conservatives comes into fruition and cuts are imposed in the way described.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">"It's eye-watering what's about to hit those cities and towns and I don't think you can experience it without being there," the former home secretary added.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-47425915186838781602013-07-29T11:53:00.000-07:002016-02-01T05:43:37.398-08:00MP's face public backlash over pay proposals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYcGTLAXnPsHHDC1tZv72b8BNIudxs24cj4JC9JO0Dj8BU76j-DqUrcfycKg3TmvDQxKd-x2EqIE0nmx0M51LyjZNK3sf_Jb6qNY5xI61req7ksLK4MMJCnRAr-fSGC_Z14mgryAIB_8/s1600/house-of-commons-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYcGTLAXnPsHHDC1tZv72b8BNIudxs24cj4JC9JO0Dj8BU76j-DqUrcfycKg3TmvDQxKd-x2EqIE0nmx0M51LyjZNK3sf_Jb6qNY5xI61req7ksLK4MMJCnRAr-fSGC_Z14mgryAIB_8/s320/house-of-commons-.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Picture from <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10164621/MPs-prepare-to-lose-gold-plated-pension-plans.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/</a> </div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Sunil Patel</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;">Leicester residents have slammed a Westminster watchdog's MP’s pay proposals as ‘insulting’ to hard workers across the country. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;">The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has recommended a wage increase from £66,396 to £74,000 for MP’s by 2015.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;">The independent body say that the package should cost an additional £500,000 which can be found from the existing £170 million annual budget.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;">Darra Nagra, Mayflower Road, Leicester thinks it is an outrage MP’s could be getting a nine per cent hike in wages when real time wages for everyone else have decreased.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;">Mr Nagra said, “MP’s basic pay is plenty compared to the minimum wage. They get paid enough without needing to make extravagant claims for expenses.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;">Joyce Remington, Evington Flats, Leicester said, “I don’t think they should be getting it”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;">HS Bharaj, Turner road, thinks MP’s should not get paid more than 50K, he said, “All they do sit in the commons and talk all day.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;">A couple from Evington, Main Street, Leicester who did not want to be named, thought the pay increase should be moderated considerably. The woman said, “I’m a nurse and I don’t agree with it especially with everybody else in the country struggling.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;">IPSA is also recommending a new cost-effective pension scheme, a scrapping of the so-called ‘golden goodbye’ and tighter regime on expenses. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 15.3333px;">IPSA is expected to announce its preliminary proposals later this month.</span></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-81703566492598976132013-04-10T00:29:00.001-07:002013-04-10T00:34:11.898-07:00Thatcher "Embraced the Killing of Citizens"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYZQ5ozPUQ7ZqgyTdXNDCUbowqU1dcMWyucfmK8hPQMnZwPRLPlnTDYki0nmyumiBzmUYldbASIFJIiPbeH92htqJ85yvbMKrmN4q5k0TznFqQI0jDrcpnrKAwX0sbosVvdwfM3R5ysY/s1600/Gerry_Adams_Easter_Lily_Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYZQ5ozPUQ7ZqgyTdXNDCUbowqU1dcMWyucfmK8hPQMnZwPRLPlnTDYki0nmyumiBzmUYldbASIFJIiPbeH92htqJ85yvbMKrmN4q5k0TznFqQI0jDrcpnrKAwX0sbosVvdwfM3R5ysY/s320/Gerry_Adams_Easter_Lily_Badge.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Ben Aulakh<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Working class communities were devastated in Britain and
across Ireland because of her policies,” the verdict of Sinn Fein politician
Gerry Adams on the record of the late Margaret Thatcher.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The former Conservative prime minister, died aged 87 during
a stay at the Ritz Hotel in central London on Monday night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Adams said the former Conservative Prime Minister “did
great hurt to the Irish and British people during her time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Here in Ireland her espousal of old draconian militaristic
policies prolonged the war and caused great suffering. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She embraced censorship, collusion and the killing of
citizens by covert operations, including the targeting of solicitors like Pat
Finucane.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The prominent human rights lawyer was murdered by a member
of the loyalist paramilitary organisation, the Ulster Defence Army.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The gunman who carried out the shooting, as well as the
individual who supplied the gun were both members of Special Branch. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Alongside more open military operations she refused to
recognise the rights of citizens to vote for parties of their choice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Adams was also heavily critical of the former prime
minister for supporting the former Chilean dictator general Pinochet, and the
Khmer Rouge, as well as her opposition to sanctions against apartheid South
Africa.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During her time as prime minister the former prime minister
famously labelled former South African prime minister Nelson Mandela as a
”terrorist.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Adams also criticised Mrs Thatcher for the way in which
she behaved during hunger strikes by members of the IRA in 1980 and 1981.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Writing in The Guardian Mr Adams said, “The Thatcher
government believed that the criminalisation of the republican prisoners would
break the republican struggle, it was not interested in a resolution.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mrs Thatcher barred Mr Adams and other Sin Fein politicians
from entry to Britain after they were elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly
in 1982.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was also under Mrs Thatcher’s leadership that the
infamous Force Research Unit was established, as part of the British Army
Intelligence Corps, which carried out assassinations of Irish Republicans.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-20528736363239451492013-04-10T00:15:00.001-07:002013-04-10T00:15:59.139-07:00Poor Provision for UK Kids<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVBP3Qf_i2ILodMmMRWvHJWPuadzcRDVZvekbKRpQ2noCezvAMo4UvK7Znij0u62nvXzzf1hu5rUZOVPwZ8_EUlB8otfMn6qE4c-3pcIYMfCDvHOWL6rPI1zbWS_5i4fbd7RsNt0A-2E/s1600/child-wellbeing-report.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVBP3Qf_i2ILodMmMRWvHJWPuadzcRDVZvekbKRpQ2noCezvAMo4UvK7Znij0u62nvXzzf1hu5rUZOVPwZ8_EUlB8otfMn6qE4c-3pcIYMfCDvHOWL6rPI1zbWS_5i4fbd7RsNt0A-2E/s1600/child-wellbeing-report.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Ben Aulakh</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The United Kingdom has been ranked below Slovenia and the
Czech Republic in a United Nations league table of child welfare in the world
richest countries.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The UNICEF report, “Report Card 11”, put the UK in 16th
position overall out of 29 countries, in the middle third of all countries
ranked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However the UK ranked 24th for education, although it was
ranked 10th for housing, and 14th and 16th for material health and well-being,
and health and safety<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However the report said that teenage pregnancy rates in the
UK remained high, as did the numbers of young people under 19 not in education,
employment or training. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The UK also had one of the highest alcohol abuse rates in 11
to 15 year olds. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The UK’s poor showing on provisions for young people has
been blamed partly on more than £300 million cut from services for young people
in the Coalition governments recent budget.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The report projects that an extra 400,000 more children will
be living be in poverty by 2016 because of the recent cuts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anita Tiessen of UNICEF UK said, “With the UK ranking near
the bottom of the league table on teenage pregnancy and young people not in
education, employment or training, we know that many are facing a bleaker
future. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The government needs to acknowledge this and act now, while
children and young people will be the first to bear the brunt if we fail to
safeguard their well-being, over time society as a whole will pay the price.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the Coalitions governments most recent budget benefits
for families were capped at an increase of 1 per cent per year, well below the
current 2.7 percent rate of inflation<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barnardo’s chief executive Anne Marie Carrie said, “It is
shameful that the Government is risking the well-being of vulnerable children
growing up in poverty by breaking the link between benefits and inflation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This adds to the hardship they faced last year when energy
bills soared by up to 10 per cent, leaving the poorest families reporting that
they are unable to afford adequate heating.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This move adds insult to injury as many low income
households are already teetering on the brink of financial crisis, squeezed by
the rising cost of essentials and high childcare bills that price them out of
working more hours.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Photograph from www.unicef.org.uk<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-65707975776681887792013-04-10T00:10:00.003-07:002013-04-10T00:10:52.240-07:00Mp's Should be Free to Slate Thatcher<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Ben Aulakh<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A veteran West Midlands Labour MP says fellow members of his
party should be free to slate the late Margaret Thatcher as a woman who showed “brutal
contempt” to millions of working people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The former prime minister died in her sleep aged 87 while
staying at London’s Ritz hotel on Monday night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walsall North MP David Winnick has said Labour MP’s should
be free to criticise the former Conservative prime minister in a planned debate
in parliament on her death.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parliament is being called back from its Easter recess early
for the debate, for only the 15th time in the last 32 years, the last time was
in the wake of the riots which swept the country in 2011.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Winnick’s calls for Labour MP’s to be allowed to
criticise Mrs Thatcher is in defiance of the party’s leader Ed Miliband’s urge
for his MP’s to respond to Mrs Thatcher’s death in a “respectful manner.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Winnick told The Guardian, “It would be absolutely hypocritical,
if those of us who were opposed at the time to what occurred, the mass
unemployment, the poverty, were to remain silent when the house is debating her
life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Obviously when a person dies one regrets it, but what I do
regret first and foremost is the immense harm, certainly in the West Midlands,
where deindustrialisation occurred.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Even if it could be argued that some of it was inevitable,
the manner in which it was done, the brutal contempt towards those who were
innocent victims, it was absolutely disgraceful.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The parliamentary debate will begin at 2.30pm this
afternoon, with a speech by prime minister David Cameron, followed by David
Miliband and deputy prime minister nick Clegg, before MP’s pay their respects.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Winnick has also criticised the late Mrs Thatcher as
someone who would have implacably opposed the welfare state, built by his party
during the 1940’s and 1950’s.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thatcher would have opposed at the time everything the
labour government of 1945 started to do, bringing about the welfare state, the
NHS, national insurance, she would have looked upon it with absolute distaste.” <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-71248641337026175592013-04-10T00:03:00.006-07:002013-04-10T00:05:04.362-07:00Work Continues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Opening Soon</b>: Work is continuing on Birmingham’s refurbished
£7.1 million Repertory Theatre and the brand new £188 million Birmingham Library. Both venues are
expected to open their doors to the public late this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2IFFDD9C-hk9GXRHwKXFYwi2-Zl_syadAdF9cxLDKxl535du4lANx3Bs5QxZ-3a11B1TyGUBqaa8m8FRCsjko8XKyFYvQZA-mX5D_cqi6e63IwLEIhFTSnVmI-3kG-RfFO7fWsmvWGM/s1600/Rep+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2IFFDD9C-hk9GXRHwKXFYwi2-Zl_syadAdF9cxLDKxl535du4lANx3Bs5QxZ-3a11B1TyGUBqaa8m8FRCsjko8XKyFYvQZA-mX5D_cqi6e63IwLEIhFTSnVmI-3kG-RfFO7fWsmvWGM/s320/Rep+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTumVXtV3hBQ63J1oKqs-kwFIVHK25VjILdLxTswJ839PXahndGGpqxeYuAmbzHz589AKRpAlm_a2vpfUlTH8BdqULHKV2ROMP2O6UE5GQZynWRbkbbewid0as0cB7KqTvnRVl_WW3jw/s1600/Rep2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTumVXtV3hBQ63J1oKqs-kwFIVHK25VjILdLxTswJ839PXahndGGpqxeYuAmbzHz589AKRpAlm_a2vpfUlTH8BdqULHKV2ROMP2O6UE5GQZynWRbkbbewid0as0cB7KqTvnRVl_WW3jw/s320/Rep2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
Photographs courtesy of the Made in Birmingham blog<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-19789993220888736462013-04-09T23:55:00.000-07:002013-04-09T23:57:18.385-07:00A Taste of Computing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Ben Aulakh<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Technophobes in Telford are being encouraged to tackle their
fears and take part in a week of computer taster sessions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Telford and Wrekin Council is running six sessions in its
library, targeting those who have never used a computer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s hoped people who are new to the world of computing will
have a go without any pressure or expectation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sessions taking place in Telford and Wrekin will be
staffed by library staff and IT volunteers who will be there to help people on
a one to one basis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Councillor Arnold Englan cabinet member for leisure and
well-being said, “These sessions give people who have no real computer
experience the opportunity to "have a play" and just get used to how
a computer works.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They take place in a stress-free, no pressure environment
and there is plenty of expertise on hand to help people take their first steps
in learning how to use a computer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The council says that the session are free to take part in
but spaces are limited, it’s advising anyone wanting to take part to contact
the relevant library.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sessions will be taking place at Wellington library on
Tuesday April 23, Newport library on Thursday April 25, and Madeley Library on
Friday April 26.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The classes will run from 11am until noon, and from 2pm to 3pm at each of the libraries.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The council says sessions can be tailored to suit every
individuals need, people who have never touched a mouse before or who do not
understand how to use email just need to say so.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spaces can be reserved by calling Wellington Library on
01952 382990, Madeley Library on 01952 382950, Newport Library on 01952 382965.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-37164474934212035262013-04-02T23:25:00.002-07:002013-04-02T23:25:48.422-07:00Vulnerable Hit the Hardest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOFSXZXvqB6eipES3UDuv-sJWxbnJEmIZiPCwW8gVkYFQx0cHyfd1yJFk5YifvADZhY-uR82xYbmKm2oBopUqgVsTkRGq3dI-MZbxBvGdyfFj2Fxj3vaL9_vCKFXWhBt2U-gv8VeB_MI/s1600/400px-George_Osborne_0437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOFSXZXvqB6eipES3UDuv-sJWxbnJEmIZiPCwW8gVkYFQx0cHyfd1yJFk5YifvADZhY-uR82xYbmKm2oBopUqgVsTkRGq3dI-MZbxBvGdyfFj2Fxj3vaL9_vCKFXWhBt2U-gv8VeB_MI/s320/400px-George_Osborne_0437.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chancellor's spending cuts could hit the most vulnerable the hardest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Ben Aulakh</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spending on care services for vulnerable adults and children
could be cut by more than half of all local authorities as part of the latest
raft of government austerity measures.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A survey carried out by The Guardian newspaper showed that
more than half of local authorities say they will have to cut social care
spending.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The move is expected to hit those with learning difficulties
and disabilities the hardest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of 81 local authorities surveyed by the newspaper more than
50 per cent said they would be cutting the money spent on children’s services,
while a fifth said they would be transferring responsibility for youth centres
in their areas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
West Berkshire council said it will have to cut spending on
adult social care by nearly 10 percent between now and middle of 2014.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The deep spending cuts being forced on local authorities are
part of Chancellor George Osborne’s plan to cut welfare spending by £10 billion
a year by 2016/17.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The latest round of welfare cuts announced by the Chancellor
George Osborne in the recent budget come on top of £5 billion local authorities
across England and Wales have slashed from their budgets since the current
coalition government came to power in 2010.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Councils have also had axe to 230,000 public sector jobs,
and are warning that the any further cuts to their budgets could force them to
decommission entire council services such as youth clubs, libraries, and
leisure facilities.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many councils have also begun to tighten the eligibility
criteria for some services such as meals and wheels services for the elderly,
though so far spending on older people and child protection has escaped the
axe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nick Forbes the Leader of Newcastle City Council said the
slashing of welfare spending was putting the people of the city “through hell.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He told The Guardian, “The future cuts fill me with horror,
we’ve been through hell already in Newcastle, the impact of another three years
of cuts will bring local government to its knees.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Leader of Birmingham City Council Sir Albert Bore said
the local authority is being forced to cut spending by more than £600 million
by 2016/17.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He told The Guardian that the slashing of welfare spending
signalled “the end of local government as we know it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p>Photo Courtesy of Mholland via Wikimedia Commons</div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-20533027286329166352013-04-02T23:16:00.001-07:002013-04-02T23:16:27.310-07:00Police Stations to Close<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUA2i_Bd9RiKUOB9wjVnrXDovvdo5yMZM8U9aH1edh4r87KrxURms1i6ol35tNN2_BNkyGyHsnNWVHnt_XwImYa2b8A8be-aSdud1g5PFA9uDUX0SWuv5W3nhWy4QPU1dXTlE9zoy6ViM/s1600/steelhouse-lane-592643927-6817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUA2i_Bd9RiKUOB9wjVnrXDovvdo5yMZM8U9aH1edh4r87KrxURms1i6ol35tNN2_BNkyGyHsnNWVHnt_XwImYa2b8A8be-aSdud1g5PFA9uDUX0SWuv5W3nhWy4QPU1dXTlE9zoy6ViM/s400/steelhouse-lane-592643927-6817.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steelhouse Lane Police Station, which is set to close.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Ben Aulakh.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three police stations in Birmingham are to close as the
coalition governments spending cuts to police budgets across the country
continue to bite.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
West Midlands Police (WMP has saved £126 million over the
last four years, however it’s now been tasked with the job of cutting its
budget by £20 million more over the next 12 months. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the stations to close is WMP’s main city centre
station on Steelhouse Lane, which has been in operation for more than a
century. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The building will eventually be put up for sale, city police
stations at Aston and Edgbaston will also be closed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Staff currently based at the Steelhouse lane site will move
to the force’s Lloyds Lane headquarters, while some officers from Edgbaston and
Aston may be relocated to supermarkets, schools or churches.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The total cost of the closures is expected to be around £24
million, however the force says the changes will save around £17 million over
the next five years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
WMP Chief Constable Chris Sims told BBC Midlands Today,” I
think that everyone expects us to be putting all our efforts into protecting
frontline policing services.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And if we can do with fewer buildings and spend less of our
money on estate, which is what we are going to be doing, then that’s a good
thing for communities here who expect to see police officers on the street.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He said the stations in Edgbaston and Aston would not close
for another years, and would not happen until the force had “thoroughly
consulted” with local communities about the service WMP provided.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The force currently operates out of 140 sites across the
force’s area, as part of the plans two new “Super Custody” Blocks will be built
in Sandwell and Perry Barr, to replace those being lost at the stations which
are closing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The stations closures are the latest in a raft of savings
which have been foisted on the force by the current coalition government.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In March last year WMP announced it would have to make more
than a hundred million pounds in savings as part of the government’s
Comprehensive Spending Review.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That included £25 million in the year 2012/2013, as well as
£16 million in cost-cutting measure in 2013/2014.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The force has also been forced cut its staffing by 81 since
the current government came to power, leaving 151 roles empty and giving 234
officers new roles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Photo from the Birmingham Mail<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-67771076625844624132013-04-02T23:08:00.003-07:002013-04-02T23:08:37.735-07:00Council Forced to Slash Budget<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECYZ-COFmJ6K3ActUY-tE4jsC9OTvyexe5-FOa1WK-ZMsZHvwyIhrVuwj2aZOi3SYY0sKMJONCf0eAK8Hdf9A9eHABxhtdGa37_smu0qtPBySyzzLt2cmMkzb80dmQo4I9aYWWAibsnY/s1600/800px-City_Center,_Nottingham.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECYZ-COFmJ6K3ActUY-tE4jsC9OTvyexe5-FOa1WK-ZMsZHvwyIhrVuwj2aZOi3SYY0sKMJONCf0eAK8Hdf9A9eHABxhtdGa37_smu0qtPBySyzzLt2cmMkzb80dmQo4I9aYWWAibsnY/s400/800px-City_Center,_Nottingham.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Ben Aulakh<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nottingham City Council has had to plug a gap of £25 million
left by the coalition governments latest round of spending cuts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The city council has been forced to cut spending by more
than £16 million in its budget for the coming year, with cash for children and
adult social services, libraries, and roads all set for drastic reductions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The council said it hopes to save money on social services
by taking fewer children and adults into care, through early intervention and
preventative measures.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However the local authority will be forced to completely
decommission its mobile library service.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The city council said it has also frozen staff pay rises for
another year, in a move that’s expected to save around £2.9 million.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The latest round of savings come on top of almost £120
million the local authority has already had to make in the last four years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Earlier this year the Deputy Leader of the city council
Graham Chapman said the governments drastic spending cuts were unfair on city’s
like Nottingham.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He told the BBC “We have done what we can to protect the
most vulnerable, and those front-line services which people rely on the most.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But it’s incredibly difficult when these cuts come on top
of years of our own prudent efficiencies, and last year’s £60 million of
government cuts.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The council has been tasked with find an extra £3 million
for some of the city’s most vulnerable children after the government cut its
Early Intervention Grant by £2.8 million. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However despite the financial pressures the council said it
remains committed to cutting unemployment, reducing crime and anti-social
behaviour and helping school leavers find employment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The council also said it hopes to avoid the closure of the
city’s children’s centres, citizens advice services and subsidised public
transport for pensioners. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Photo courtesy of Crashlanded via Wikimedia Commons<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-61718213497433822902013-04-02T23:00:00.003-07:002013-04-02T23:00:57.768-07:00Jobs For Leamington<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
By Ben Aulakh<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Work has begun on a $5 million trade park in Leamington which it’s
hoped will create around 30 jobs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
The Travis Perkins trade park at Queensway, Leamington Spa is expected
to open later this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
The park’s developers, the Deeley Group are building a new home for the
Brunswick Job Club, which provides help and advice for local people looking for
work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
The job clubs new home will provide space for a full time job advisor
as well as other roles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
A Warwickm District Council spokesperson said, “It is always good news
when employment is created, but this support will also indirectly help people
find jobs in the local area.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Deeley Group is also building a major scheme for Orbit Homes at
Queensway, while an Aldi supermarket is being created on the next door site.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Pat Moroney of Deeley Grou, said, “The schemes at Queensway will create
jobs both in their construction and long-term operation which is very positive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
“We have always been a company that has worked very closely with
communities in which we operate and glad that the district council will use
this support to help local people.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
As part of the project, a pedestrian and cycle path will be constructed
linking Tachbrook Park Drive and Queensway.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-72038004324141448032013-04-02T22:54:00.003-07:002013-04-02T22:54:59.730-07:00Target Achieved<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Ben Aulakh<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Northamptonshire County Council’s fire and rescue service
has completed its 30,000th home fire safety check.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 2010, as part of their ongoing work to reduce the number
of people killed or injured in fire, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service
set a challenging target of carrying out 30,000 home fire safety checks over a
three-year period.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Home fire safety checks are offered to people who may have
an increased risk of having a fire in their home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As well as giving out advice to help reduce the risk of
fire, firefighters offered advice on what people should do if a fire occurred,
and where necessary, have also installed smoke alarms. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Around 45,000 smoke alarms have been installed over the
three years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 30,000th safety check was carried out in a family home
in Daventry on Wednesday March 20 Staff from Daventry fire station were
accompanied by Chief Fire Officer Martyn Emberson and <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
County Council Cabinet Member for Fire Councillor Andre
Gonzalez de Savage said, “This effort has been tremendous and since we began
the campaign to carry out 30,000 safety checks we have seen a continued decline
in the number of house fires. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The main causes of house fires are either electrical or
cooking related so I would also like to remind everyone to check for the safety
of their electrical appliances.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Information about how to make sure your electrical equipment
is safe and how to maintain equipment can be found from the Electrical Safety
Council.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prevention team manager Warren Ellison said, “The importance
of a smoke alarm cannot not be under-estimated.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We also encourage all householders to have an escape plan,
so if the alarm does sound, they can safely escape from their home
unaided. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If a fire does occur in the home, we hope all householders are able to have got
themselves safely out of the house prior to the arrival of the emergency
services.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has worked in
partnership with voluntary groups and charities to deliver the safety checks,
it said it’s looking to continue to work with local volunteer groups as
partners into the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-18401706771357056062013-03-20T15:06:00.000-07:002016-02-01T06:26:37.774-08:00Budget 2013 Osborne: We’re on the right course<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_ZMYHJ9SSnPruqdUzM_ifkcx0aEdJ7Iedku4gY6tnQWP8V1MlTjp2bDiy8pL6OXBH-eeFv1NPIsdjQ9HEsxLvnLSpcEHMdbubFRCi3Lhx3bORibv8IxakX3ARYQlKg9EAYExP5h7DpA/s1600/GO_BUDGET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_ZMYHJ9SSnPruqdUzM_ifkcx0aEdJ7Iedku4gY6tnQWP8V1MlTjp2bDiy8pL6OXBH-eeFv1NPIsdjQ9HEsxLvnLSpcEHMdbubFRCi3Lhx3bORibv8IxakX3ARYQlKg9EAYExP5h7DpA/s320/GO_BUDGET.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Sunil Patel</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">The Chancellor slashed in half his own economic growth forecast but still insisted the government are right to stick with their Plan A.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">In December, George Osborne predicted the UK economy to grow by 1.2 percent in 2013 but almost four months later he has been forced revise down his own meagre target to 0.6 per cent.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">In the budget speech, Osborne delivered a raft of measures designed for what he labelled the ‘aspiration nation’.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Some of the key pledges include a penny taken off the price of a pint of beer, the scrapping of 3p fuel escalator scheduled for September and a corporation tax cut from 21 per cent to 20 per cent.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Mr Osborne said, “Mr Speaker this is a budget for people who work hard and get on. It’s a budget for people who realise there are no easy answers to problems built up for many years.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">The Chancellor reveals the private sector is creating six jobs for every one lost job in the public sector.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">He also announced that there will be interest-free loans for home buyers worth up to 20 percent on new-build properties.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">The £10,000 income tax allowance will start in 2014 which is one year earlier than planned.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">“Today I’m going to level with people about the difficult economic circumstances we still face and the hard decisions required to deal with them. It is taking longer than anyone hoped but we must hold to the right track,” he added.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">The Labour leader Ed Miliband delivered a scathing assessment of the chancellor's budget speech "Every budget he comes to the house things are worse and not better for this country, he said.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">“Compared to last year’s budget, growth last year down, growth this year down, growth next year down, growth in 2015 down and all he offers is more of the same,” Mr Miliband added.</span></span></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-63143489679058064362013-02-20T17:52:00.001-08:002013-02-20T17:52:32.680-08:00Relaunch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here at Newsnet Midlands, for sometime now we have been a little on the quiet side. This has primarily been down to one of the blogs producers, Ben Aulakh, re-locating to New Zealand. However, from Sunday 23, the site will once again be alive with the best stories from around the Midlands region, and the wider UK.<br />
We look forward to you visiting the site.<br />
<br /></div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-67508576908876190762012-09-13T06:50:00.001-07:002013-03-23T14:03:27.605-07:00'Vague Promises' of Firstgroup<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYuEEHjcLGC3nfS2WF3KG8RK33XtJyWcwt-J9Mr6xPxoSNvVW1I-qc2f4FnfsLGtVt11WU1eEHchhSIFp9mHcuFyoWF6V9MRUJKzVuZOyPG6NOJjfY5nurzUAisq3qQ9zgaqiJBvQMdU/s1600/Virgin_Pendolino_at_Euston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYuEEHjcLGC3nfS2WF3KG8RK33XtJyWcwt-J9Mr6xPxoSNvVW1I-qc2f4FnfsLGtVt11WU1eEHchhSIFp9mHcuFyoWF6V9MRUJKzVuZOyPG6NOJjfY5nurzUAisq3qQ9zgaqiJBvQMdU/s400/Virgin_Pendolino_at_Euston.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
By Ben Aulakh</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Virgin Trains have derided the plans of rail rivals Firstgroup to spend
£350 million improving the West Coast Mainline as nothing more than ‘vague
promises.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The attack by the Richard’s Branson’s Virgin on one of the his firms
biggest rail competitors, comes after the government derailed Virgin’s plans
for the future of the line by awarding the new 14 year franchise to Firstgroup.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Virgin had been running the main line between London and Glasgow since
the rail network was privatised in 1996.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
However thanks to a legal challenge mounted by Virgin on the grounds that
First’s bid was unsustainable, the Transport Select Committee is holding a
hearing into the franchise award.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Virgin Trains Chief Executive Tony Collins said, “We welcome the
Transport Select Committee's decision to call Virgin Rail Group and FirstGroup
to a hearing on West Coast Main line. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Virgin Trains has submitted a strong and deliverable bid on how we'll spend
£800m with more commitments on new trains, new routes and new on-board
services.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We have given a detailed account of how this would build on the huge
improvements we've made over the last 15 years, while all First have done is
make vague promises about spending £350m.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Among the improvements being offered by Virgin are more seats on the
Birmingham to Glasgow route, as well as faster journey times between London and
Scotland.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
They are also promising to replace their current Voyager train fleet with
21 6-car ‘Baby Pendolinos,’ as well as refurbishing their existing full-size
Pendolino fleet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Firstgroup are thought to have been awarded the new franchise after
having tendered a higher bid, which included a higher net return in payments to
the government, rumoured to be around £5.5 billion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A spokesperson from Firstgroup said, “Our plans for the new InterCity
West Coast franchise include faster journeys, new trains, more seats and more
direct services from London than currently on offer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“There will be also improved WiFi, better catering, refurbished stations
and Standard Anytime Fares will be reduced by 15% on average within the first
two years.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
First have also promised ‘substantial improvements in the quality and
frequency of services,’ 11 new high-speed 125mph six car electric trains along
the Birmingham to Glasgow route.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A decision is expected by the government before the day-to-day running of
the franchise moves over on December 9.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Photograph by Andrew Butcher at www.wikimediacommons.org</div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-12656379842055507242012-09-13T06:42:00.003-07:002012-09-13T06:42:26.074-07:00Vicious Assault In Leicester<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/OpSMdtUrhbc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
By Ben Aulakh</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A gang of men who viciously attacked a Traffic Warden in Leicester are
being sought by police.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The serious assault happened in the Braunstone Gate area of the city at
around 12.10pm on Saturday September 1.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Three men, of Eastern European appearance and aged in their late twenties
to early thirties first spat at the victim, before karate kicking him in the
head, causing him to fall to the ground.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The gang then calmly walked off in the direction of a nearby Tesco.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The victim received injuries to his face and head and was taken to the
Leicester Royal for Infirmary for treatment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
PC Leigh Spencer, one of the officers investigating the incident said,
“We were called to the scene by the ambulance service after the man was found
with nasty injuries to his face and head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Through CCTV enquiries in the area we have managed to capture the
assault and images of the people responsible.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Police are keen for anyone who might have been in the area at the time
and witnessed the incident, or seen the events that led up to it to come
forward. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Andrew Thomas, Leicester City Council's Head of Traffic Management said,
“Attacks like <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
this against staff who are simply carrying out their work is totally
unacceptable. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We will be working with the police to identify the people responsible
and we would urge anyone with information about this incident to report it to officers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC 959 Leigh Spencer on
101 and then following the instructions to leave a message for a police officer,
keying in the officer’s identification number, 0959. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800
555 111 .<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-63084998041879902012012-09-13T06:37:00.001-07:002012-09-13T06:37:32.332-07:00Four-Legged Cameraman To Improve Police Searches<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/o_2UcUCurMM/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/o_2UcUCurMM&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/o_2UcUCurMM&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
By Ben Aulakh</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Man’s best friend and the latest in digital camera technology are being
combined by police in Staffordshire to help improve police searches.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The forces Dog Support Unit have acquired a new digital FidoCam - a
camera unit which can be used by police dogs during routine searches of
premises.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The unit attaches to the dog’s head and transmits footage back to a live
colour monitor; the digital gadget supersedes an analogue version which had a
limited signal range.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Staffordshire Police are the first force to use the FidoCam and it’s
hoped it will further enhance the invaluable contribution police dogs make to
tactical policing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Inspector Chris Dawson of the Dog Support Unit said, “This bit of kit is
fantastic – it attaches to the dog’s head and we can get a live view of what
they are seeing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“There are many situations when this technology will be beneficial to our
officers.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“For example, when searching for a dangerous person we can send the dog
into a building with the camera to search for them, when they indicate a find
by barking we will be able to see exactly what or who they have found.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It is hoped that the new dog-mounted camera will ultimately provide
officers with more information, enabling them to deal with any situation safely
and appropriately.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Insp Dawson added, “It will also be extremely useful when searching
difficult or inaccessible areas for missing people – a dog can make its way
through dense woodland and undergrowth very quickly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“While the handler will maintain verbal contact with the dog, the camera
will allow them to search vast areas a lot faster.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I am really pleased we have access to the FidoCam, it’s a really
positive tool which I’m sure our officers will make good use of.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The advancements in technology mean that the signal is much stronger and
the picture is clear and crisp; the footage can also be recorded and used as
evidence.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-31080709277727540942012-09-13T06:31:00.002-07:002012-09-13T06:31:50.642-07:00Police Crush Uninsured Drivers Hopes of Romance, And His Car.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/VNLQ86Cg1FE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
By Ben Aulakh</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A man from Birmingham, whose car became the millionth uninsured vehicle
to be crushed by West Midlands police, also saw his chances of romance suffer
the same sad fate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The 45 year old from the Bordesley Green area of the city had his Ford
Fiesta seized by officers, as part of an on-going operation to rid the county’s
roads of uninsured vehicles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
However, when stopped by police the man had begged officers not to
impound his car as he needed it for a date he was going on later in the day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Despite his desperate, the car was towed away and held in a secure
compound for two weeks ready to be returned as soon as he presented the
relevant documents; when this failed to happen, the decision was taken to crush
the car.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Chief Inspector Chris Edwards, head of the force’s Traffic Unit saw the
car being crushed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He said, “In the West Midlands we continue to adopt a multi-agency
approach in partnership with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, to reduce the number
of uninsured vehicles on our roads.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“West Midlands Police relentlessly enforces the law in respect of
uninsured driving, which has led to a seizure of 5,881 vehicles between January
and July 2012.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“In simple terms we seize on average 27 vehicles every day of the week or
the equivalent of 1 an hour, a 5% increase on seizures for the same period in
2011 and 10% on the same period in 2010.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Around 30 per cent of seized vehicles are never reclaimed and the
remainder are only allowed back on the road once they are legal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Recent figures from the Motor Insurers Bureau demonstrate that the West
Midlands has 12 of the UK’s top 20 postcodes for uninsured drivers – 11 of
these are in Birmingham and one is in Wolverhampton.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Some of the reasons cited by motorists living in these hotspot areas,
include: the cost of motor insurance, not understanding the law and penalties,
and a belief that they’ll get away with it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Neil Drane, Head of Database Services at Motor Insurers’ Bureau said,
“Since the millionth uninsured vehicle was seized two weeks ago, the driver
could have received six penalty points to their licence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“They also might have had to pay a £200 fixed penalty, £150 of removal
charges and a £20 daily storage fee.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At the time their vehicle is seized drivers are also summonsed to court
for the offence of driving uninsured, where they are likely to receive
significant fines and penalty points on their driving licence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Uninsured drivers cost law abiding motorists approximately £30 extra on
their premiums each year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In addition to any injuries, those hit by uninsured drivers in collision
not only face the inconvenience of having to organise insurance claims, but
also lost no claims bonuses and higher premiums. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Chf Insp Edwards added, “The crushing of the millionth uninsured vehicle
is a motoring milestone in the fight against uninsured driving and is proof
that the law is catching up with uninsured motorists who are estimated to kill
130 people and injure 26,500 every year.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It is not known whether the man whose car was crushed today made his
romantic rendezvous.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All drivers can check their vehicle is recorded on the Motor Insurance
Database for free by visiting: www.askMID.com<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-4069377167820656012012-09-13T06:25:00.002-07:002012-09-13T06:25:33.433-07:00Council Bid To Revamp Waste Collections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrWW6Ba4E0EREG1WKas9lW1pY-3Nsmb8J7TjC1hmmYEssMOatj-vKvX686t7nBx8oBUj7Bi5uMAZwBeGcEI1cEaobq9L0c_9UWwFZD_-3GkPKdXHbFHKMifBxak-A7bsKRUwGiVoGcvY/s1600/wheelie-bins-could-replace-black-sacks-on-the-streets-of-birmingham-443226705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrWW6Ba4E0EREG1WKas9lW1pY-3Nsmb8J7TjC1hmmYEssMOatj-vKvX686t7nBx8oBUj7Bi5uMAZwBeGcEI1cEaobq9L0c_9UWwFZD_-3GkPKdXHbFHKMifBxak-A7bsKRUwGiVoGcvY/s320/wheelie-bins-could-replace-black-sacks-on-the-streets-of-birmingham-443226705.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
By Ben Aulakh</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Waste collections in Birmingham could be revamped with a new fleet of
vehicles, more wheeled bins and modernised depots, if government funding is
awarded to the city.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A multi-million pound bid is being prepared by the city council who are
hoping to take advantage of the £250 million national Weekly Collection Support
Scheme <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Set up by the Department for Communities and Local Government, the
ambitious project will form part of a five year council commitment to deliver
weekly collections, value for money, and environmental benefits through
increased recycling rates.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The proposal, due before the council’s Cabinet on July 30is also part of
a wider plan to meet the challenges of an estimated extra 10,000 homes per year
being built in the city.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cabinet Member for a Green, Safe and Smart City Councillor James McKay
said, “We know the issue of weekly collection is hugely important to citizens,
and for many it is seen as the one of the main key services the council
provides. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Therefore, we want to enhance what we currently provide, to bring the
way we do things into the modern age.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We already do all we can to keep the streets clean, however the current
system of bags makes this an almost impossible job and introducing wheeled bins
will improve our living environment.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Evidence from other authority’s shows that recycling performance improves
when wheeled bins are introduced, and the council’s bid aims to build on this
by rolling out an incentive-based recycling project for the whole of
Birmingham.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Recycling rates for Birmingham are currently at 31.5 per cent, which
compares poorly with other local authorities; the plans currently being put
together will help drive the city towards its target of 50 per cent target by 2020, and a 60 per cent
target by 2026.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cllr McKay added, “We are always looking at how to improve recycling in
the city and we believe Birmingham will become a cleaner and greener place if
we are successful in our bid. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“The argument in support of our plan is compelling and I hope it will be
looked upon favourably by the Government.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A recent recycling pilot scheme saw households in Bournville and
Erdington given the chance to claim loyalty card points when they recycled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Collection rates in both areas improved by nine per cent during the
period, leading to the proposal to roll the project out to all 40 wards as part
of the proposal to government.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Full details of Birmingham’s bid need to be submitted to the DCLG by
August 17 and successful proposals for a slice of the fund will be announced by
the Secretary of State in October.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
If Birmingham’s bid is approved, an pilot scheme and resident
consultation exercise will be held before the plan is fully implemented.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Photograph from www.birminghammail.net</div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381430177273425286.post-19303814867203227582012-09-13T06:14:00.000-07:002012-09-13T06:14:09.678-07:00Don't Let Your House Become A Gadget Graveyard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
By Ben Aulakh</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Householders in Nottingham are being encouraged to get rid of their old
and unwanted electrical appliances, to prevent their homes turning into ‘gadget
graveyards’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
According to new research by energy company E.ON, 56 per cent of
Nottingham residents are hoarding outdated electrical items, including mobile
phones, video recorders and cameras.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Despite no longer using the gadgets, one quarter of adults in Nottingham
still keep them plugged in and 31 per cent say they hold on to these often
outdated and unusable gizmos, simply because they do not like to throw things
away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A further 14 per cent told researchers they had no idea what to do with
them and 41 per cent kept hold of certain electricals as they might come in
useful in the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Energy Fitness Expert at E.ON Emma Bradshaw said, “With gadgets playing a
key role in our daily lives, it’s clear that people are confused about what to
do with their unwanted technology and so end up hoarding it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“In the first instance, we’d urge everyone to unplug any appliances that
are no longer in use so at least they don’t continue to waste electricity and
needlessly add to their energy bill.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The video player was the most commonly hoarded unused gadget, with one
quarter of Nottingham adults admitting to having at least one extra one lurking
around the house, followed by the DVD player and the mobile phone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And despite peaking in popularity in the 1980s, 8 per cent of those
surveyed still have a Walkman stashed away somewhere at home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Five out of ten adults in Nottingham also said they bought new electrical
gadgets to replace older ones because they are necessary to help manage their
life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Around 6 per cent cited liking having a choice of gadgets to use as a
reason for keeping them; the same number also admitted they were they were
self-confessed gadget addicts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
However the increasing number of unwanted gadgets and electrical
appliances is creating storage issues in homes in Nottingham. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Currently one third of local householders use their cupboards to store
their cast-offs and 12 per cent are filling their lofts with discarded items.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
E.ON’s Emma Bradshaw added, “We recommend that people have a good look
through their unwanted gadgets and decide if they really want and need them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“If people don’t want to keep their discarded technology, they can donate
the items to a number of charities.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
E.ON also offer a service where they will dispose of any unwanted clutter
when people have their loft insulated, with all gadgets being donated to the
Cancer Research UK2 charity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
For a free loft assessment or to find out more, call 0800 508 8418 or
visit eonenergy.com/eonloft. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Newsnet Midlandshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16954246294594967144noreply@blogger.com0