British And French Navies Team Up For Drill

By David Bowden, Sky News Senior Correspondent

Thousands of sailors and marines and a flotilla of warships from Britain and France are on manoeuvres in the Mediterranean in preparation for combined operations around the world.

Codenamed Corsican Lion, the operation - the biggest since the two countries signed a military cooperation treaty in 2010 - is designed to get both sets of troops used to each other's fighting methods.

The exercise, which involves 6,000 service personnel, is using a range of vessels from both navies, although the centrepiece is the French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle and her fast jets.

Her presence has re-ignited the controversy over the scrapping of the UK's own carriers almost a decade before their replacements will be in service.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond watched the exercise

The Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond, who flew in to observe the exercise and hold bi-lateral talks with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, faced a barrage of tricky questions from reporters about the potential embarrassment of the UK having to go cap in hand to her allies to provide carrier cover in the meantime.

Mr Hammond insisted that tough decisions had had to be made and that the new Queen Elizabeth class British carriers would provide an enhanced capability when they came on stream at the end of the decade.

"As I stand on the deck of the Charles De Gaulle, I shall be remembering that we are building two brand new modern carriers," he said.

The commander of the UK Response Force Task Group, Commodore Paddy McAlpine, said the combination of land, sea and air abilities means that in any future deployment, anywhere in the world, "we are the crystal everything else forms around".

The week-long exercise involves not only five British naval ships but Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade and their French counterparts.

Air support comes from French Rafaele and Super Étendard jets and dozens of helicopters ranging from Apaches to Sea Kings and Chinooks.

On the water, small boats and landing craft allow the Marines from both sides of the Channel to practice their drills.

It is not without its problems though.

French Lieutenant Benoit Bouquin said: "It's very interesting for us because we can use all the British boats, but quite difficult with the language. Not many of our soldiers speak English."

Few Royal Marines speak French either, although Corporal Ben Cussons says they manage to communicate.

"On the shop floor, you just make do," he said. "It's all smiles and nods and 'hellos'. At our level, that's enough."

Once Corsican Lion is complete the fighting flotilla will move on to the Adriatic and further exercises, this time with the Albanians.

That exercise is imaginatively tagged "Albanian Lion".

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Smokers Who Quit 'Live Up To A Decade Longer'

By Nick Martin, Sky News Correspondent

The largest ever study of the hazards of smoking amongst women has revealed that those who give up by middle age can extend their lives by more than a decade.

The research, published in the medical journal The Lancet today, shows that women who stop smoking before the age of 30 slash their chances of a smoke-related death by 97%.

In one of the biggest studies of its kind more than 1.3m women were recruited between 1996 and 2001.

Those who were still smokers after three years were nearly three times as likely as non-smokers to die over the next nine years, the study revealed.

Professor Sir Richard Peto from the University of Oxford, who co-wrote the report, said: "If women smoke like men, they die like men.

"But whether they are men or women, smokers who stop before reaching middle age will, on average, gain about an extra 10 years of life."

Leanne Dixon, 21, a customer service assistant from Manchester, started smoking when she was 13.

"These statistics really make me think," she told Sky News.

"I've thought about giving up for ages but never have. But it makes you think that you have to stop while you're young."

Alyson Aston and her friend Lyn Faulkner started smoking at the age of 15. Now in their 40s, they say giving up is not an option.

"It's not these statistics that make me want to give up, it's the cost," said Ms Aston.

Ms Faulkner added: "I think a lot about giving up but I don't have the willpower.

"But when you think about living an extra 10 years, it really is a long time."

Those who have had a brush with cancer have a cautionary tale to tell.

June Atherton, 66, used to smoke 60 cigarettes a day. She gave up at the age of 50 but was diagnosed with lung cancer 10 years later.

She said: "I stop young women in the street and tell them that they're killing themselves by smoking. They think I'm mad but it's an important message."

Paula Chadwick, chief executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, told Sky News: "This is important research and tells us that stopping as early as you can will prolong your life.

"More women are being diagnosed with lung cancer and we need to bring those figures down by supporting those who want to give up and making sure the young don't start."

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CCTV Clue In Hunt For Fugitive 'Sex Attacker'

Police hunting for a fugitive who is believed to have sexually attacked two schoolgirls while on the run have released CCTV pictures.

Ivan Leach, also known as Lee Cyrus, did not return from day release from North Sea Camp open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire, earlier this month.

People are being warned not to approach him under any circumstances and described him as "dangerous and predatory".

Officers fear he carried out a very serious sexual assault in Tayside, Scotland, since he absconded on October 9.

Despite a large police search and numerous reported sightings 47-year-old Cyrus remains at large.

New CCTV footage, believed to be of Cyrus in Preston city centre on October 17, has now been released in the hope that someone might come forward with information. It shows him walking down Friargate at 6.50pm in the direction of the railway station.

He has links to Preston, and has known to be in the city on a number of occasions since he absconded, but it is believed he could be anywhere in the country.

Police enquiries are also ongoing in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Tayside.

Cyrus was jailed in 2005 for robbing a 90-year-old woman in Ribbleton, Lancashire. He was given a life sentence with a minimum tariff of five years. He also has convictions for burglary and robbery and assault.

Detective chief inspector Ian Dawson of Preston Police said Cyrus "is an extremely dangerous and predatory individual who poses a serious threat to members of the public".

He added: "He has previous convictions for burglary, sex offences against a young girl, assault and robberies in which he has targeted elderly people in their own homes.

"We believe he could be sleeping rough and travelling extensively throughout the country."

Cyrus is described as white, around five feet 11 inches tall, of stocky build with cropped hair and hazel eyes.

Anyone with any information about his possible whereabouts is being urged to contact local police either in person or on 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Victory For Man Who Took Cold Caller To Court

A businessman plagued by nuisance phone calls offering compensation for Payment Protection Insurance has secured £220 in an out-of-court settlement.

Richard Herman, 53, was so fed up with the unwanted calls arriving from India, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

He warned the company that, in future, he would invoice them £10 for every minute of his time they used.

When the calls continued he began recording them before finally invoicing the company £195 for their use of his "time, telephone and electricity".

Upon receipt of the invoice the marketing firm acting on behalf of UK-based PPI Claimline Ltd, denied making the calls. When Mr Herman revealed he had recorded evidence, they still refused to pay.

But when Mr Herman filed a claim in the small claims court for the unpaid invoice - plus £25 in costs - the company offered to settle the debt out of court and transferred £220 into his bank account.

Mr Herman filed in the small claims court when his invoice was not paid

Mr Herman said: "I kept being called, as we all do, and I thought the only way for them to stop would be for me to speak to them and say, 'For goodness sake, take me off your list!'

"Then it occurred to me to tell them that if they call again I'll charge for my time. When they continued calling I sent them an invoice for 19.5 minutes."

To encourage others to do the same Mr Herman has set up a website with examples of covering letters and invoices to send to nuisance callers.

Even though the validity of Mr Herman's original invoice was not tested in court, he believes anyone who warns cold-calling companies they will be charged if they call, have a right to invoice them.

"I did business studies at 17 and studied 'offer-and-acceptance' so I knew a verbal contract is just as valid as a written one but harder to prove.

"The recorded calls proved I did tell them I would charge for my time if they called again".

Mr Herman, who works in the telephone industry selling call-recording equipment, said his action was a last resort after asking the Information Commissioner and the Telephone Preference Service for help.

In a statment, PPI Claimline said: "We would like to stress that all our supplier relationships are subject to strict contractual provisions requiring full compliance with all relevant regulations, including those which relate to data protection and the telephone preference service.

"We would like to draw a clear line between the two calls to Mr Herman made on behalf of PPI Claimline and any other calls he received, which were nothing to do with PPI Claimline or its suppliers."

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Trains Cancelled Due To Driver Shortage

By Adele Robinson, Midlands Correspondent

A train company has cancelled more than 100 services due to a shortage of train drivers, causing anger among commuters.

London Midland cancelled 60 services and partially cancelled 40 others on Saturday, after hundreds of trains have been disrupted in recent weeks due to the problem.

The company has apologised to customers, saying the shortfall in qualified train drivers should be addressed by mid-December.

The services affected run mainly through the West Midlands to London and the north-west.

In the past three weeks 1.6 % of their services have been disrupted. The company usually provide 1,300 services a day.

A spokesperson from the train firm told Sky News: "We are being open and transparent so people can plan their journeys. Not all the disruption caused today (Saturday) is as the result of train driver shortages."

In the meantime, London Midland said they were working hard to ensure the impact on customers was kept to a minimum.

"We have a dedicated team focusing on delivering the train service on a day-by-day basis and as a result we have been able to run a near-normal timetable on all but a few days, compensating for the shortage with drivers who have volunteered for overtime."

However, some train passengers at Birmingham New Street say they are annoyed by the disruption.

One woman travelling into the city centre said: "I think it's a scandal really when lots of people are looking for work and there are enough people to do the work here. It's silly I can't understand it...I don't understand why they suddenly don't have enough."

Another family travelling from Northampton said: "We live in Northampton and we often like to come to Birmingham to see some shows but we have had to pay £10 parking at Northampton only to be told there were no trains available.

"How it's come to this I don't know. We have managed to get in this morning but getting home I don't know if we have a train or not."

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Jimmy Savile: Seven Claims Made Before Death

At least seven alleged victims of Jimmy Savile made complaints of sexual abuse against him while he was still alive, it emerges.

Scotland Yard has admitted four police forces were aware in the 1980s of claims against the former TV presenter and DJ.

The first of the seven claims was made in the 1980s by a young girl, who said she had been subjected to an indecent assault at BBC TV Centre.

Subsequent claims were made between 2003 and 2008, all relating to alleged instances of sexual abuse during the 1970s.

Commander Peter Spindler said the Metropolitan Police were now dealing with around 300 potential victims, of whom all except two are women.

They have been separated into three categories: those allegedly abused by Savile, those allegedly abused by Savile and others and those allegedly abused by others on their own.

BBC boss George Entwistle has faced questions over the scandal

Mr Spindler claimed Savile was one of the most prolific sex offenders in recent history and that the inquiry into his alleged abuse would be a "watershed" investigation into sex crime.

He said an "arrest strategy" was being devised, but that police had yet to detain anyone under caution.

Child safety expert and former Met detective Jonathan Taylor told Sky News why Savile may have escaped police action during his lifetime.

"It's very different to have evidence to arrest somebody than the amount of evidence required for a prosecution and subsequent conviction," he said.

"If a victim isn't willing to go to court and actually stand up and say, 'This is what happened to me,' then really it's not going to go to court and the chances are that the individual then may not be arrested."

Savile, who died last year aged 84, had a bedroom at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, an office and living quarters at Broadmoor and widespread access to Leeds General Infirmary.

The NSPCC said it had received 439 calls about sexual abuse in the past three weeks, a 60% rise on what they would normally receive.

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Admiralty Arch To Become Luxury Hotel

Admiralty Arch has been sold on a 99-year lease for £60m and is to be turned into a luxury hotel, it has been confirmed.

The ceremonial gateway between The Mall and Trafalgar Square has been leased to Prime Investors Capital, the company behind the Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge.

Residential apartments are also planned for the first and second floors, with up to 100,000 visitors a year expected to pass through the hotel.

Sky News first reported the deal on October 24, which is dependent on Westminster City Council granting planning permission for the multi-million pound conversion of the Grade I listed building.

The Arch was commissioned by King Edward VII and completed in 1912

Cabinet minister Francis Maude said the Government had secured a "good price" for the building and dismissed claims it would become the preserve of the super rich.

"It is not the preserve of anyone at the moment and it won't be," he said. "The bars and restaurants will be open to the public. We think the price is a good price, a fair price.

"Obviously our main concern was to make sure the building is properly looked after, properly renovated and treated with the respect and affection it deserves."

The arch, which has been the focus of many national ceremonies over the last century, was commissioned by King Edward VII as a tribute to his mother Queen Victoria and was completed in 1912. The restoration will use original drawings by architect Sir Aston Webb dating back to 1910.

Aerial view of the arch, which was once used by the intelligence services

Mr Maude said it was a great example of how Government property could spur growth and would bring new jobs to London.

"Its astonishing appearance gives no clue to the somewhat less astonishing history when it has been serving for most of that time as slightly random office space for the Government," he said.

"It's a really great shame that in the 100 years since it was opened there has been virtually no public access to the arch outside of Government officials."

He added: "Impressive monument that it is on the outside, for decades the arch has languished as a glorified, actually not that glorified, office space. A taxpayer-owned building that offered little value to the taxpayer.

"This arrangement will not only save money, it will bring this London landmark back to life, opening it up to the public and ensuring they have a say in its future."

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Winterbourne View Abuse: Ex-Carers Jailed

Care Home Abusers Sentenced

Updated: 12:14pm UK, Friday 26 October 2012

The former staff admitted 38 charges of either neglect or ill-treatment of people with severe learning difficulties. They are:

:: Wayne Rogers, 32, of Purton Close, Bristol, pleaded guilty to nine charges of ill-treating Ms Deville, Mr Tovey and Miss Blake. He denied a charge of ill-treating Miss Bisset, which was accepted by the prosecution and he did not face trial. He was jailed for two years.

:: Alison Dove, 25, of Chipperfield Drive, Bristol, pleaded guilty to seven charges of ill-treating Miss Guilford, Miss Bisset and Miss Blake. She pleaded not guilty to ill-treating Mr Tovey, which was accepted by the prosecution and she did not face trial. She was jailed for 20 months.

:: Graham Doyle, 26, of Brackendene, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, pleaded guilty to seven charges of ill-treating Miss Blake. He denied charges of wilfully neglecting Miss Guilford and ill-treating Mr Tovey. The prosecution accepted the pleas and he did not face trial. He was also jailed for 20 months.

:: Jason Gardiner, 43, of Mellent Avenue, Bristol, admitted two charges of ill-treating Ms Deville and Mr Tovey. His four-month jail term was suspended for two years. Gardiner was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

:: Michael Ezenagu, 29, of Malabar Court, India Way, Shepherds Bush, west London, pleaded guilty to two counts of ill-treating Miss Blake. He denied two further of ill-treating the same patient and a third similar charge against Mr Tovey. The prosecution accepted the pleas and he did not face trial. His six-month jail term was suspended for two years. Ezenagu was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

:: Danny Brake, 27, of Beechen Drive, Fishponds, Bristol, also pleaded guilty to two charges of ill-treating Miss Blake and Mr Tovey. His four-month jail term was suspended for two years. Brake was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

:: Charlotte Cotterell, 22, of Melrose Avenue, Yate, Bristol, pleaded guilty to one charge of ill-treating Miss Blake. She denied a second charge against the same victim, which was accepted by the prosecution and she did not face trial. Her four-month jail term was suspended for two years. Cotterell was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and complete 12 months supervision.

:: Holly Draper, 24, of The Old Orchard, Mangotsfield, Bristol, pleaded guilty to two charges of ill-treating Miss Blake. She was jailed for 12 months.

:: Neil Ferguson, 28, of Emersons Green, Bristol, pleaded guilty to one count of ill-treating Miss Blake. He denied a second charge of ill-treating the same patient, which the prosecution accepted and he did not face trial. His six-month jail term was suspended for two years. Ferguson was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

:: Sookalingum Appoo, 59, of Dial Lane, Bristol, admitted three charges of wilfully neglecting Miss Blake. He was jailed for six months.

:: Kelvin Fore, 33, of Ellesmere Walk, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to one charge of wilfully neglecting Miss Blake but denied a second allegation against the same person, which was accepted by the prosecution and he did not face trial. He was also jailed for six months.

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EDF To Raise Gas And Electricity Prices

Energy giant EDF is to increase prices for householders by an average of 10.8%.

The rise, gas and electricity, around four times the rate of inflation, is set to be implemented on December 7.

EDF, which has 3.1 million customers and 5.5 million accounts overall, said its annual dual fuel bill was the lowest of the suppliers to have announced price rises so far.

Companies have blamed the changes on rising wholesale prices and increased running costs - especially for transporting gas and electricity to customers' homes - and the cost of energy efficiency programmes.

Martin Lawrence, EDF managing director of energy sourcing and customer supply, said: "We know that customers will not welcome this news and do not want to see prices going up.

"Our new prices will, however, be cheaper on average than those of all the other major suppliers which have announced standard price rises so far this autumn.

"We've taken extra measures to make sure the most vulnerable benefit from the best deals and we continue to help customers reduce their bills with energy efficiency measures."

Earlier this month Npower became the third of the so-called Big Six energy firms to confirm steep rises in its gas and electricity bills ahead of winter.

It said bills would increase by an average 8.8% for gas and 9.1% for electricity from November 26.

Just hours beforehand British Gas confirmed that its average dual fuel tariff would rise by 6% - or £80 annually - from November 16.

The Big Six - British Gas, EDF, E.On, NPower, Scottish Power and SSE - control 99% of the UK's domestic energy supplies.

E.ON is the only big supplier yet to announce price rises after it made a promise not to raise tariffs this year.

Last week the energy regulator Ofgem said it would make the market "simpler, clearer and fairer" for consumers.

The promise follows a call by the Prime Minister to energy giants to overhaul confusing tariff systems.

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Malala Dad: My Daughter Will Rise Again

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

The schoolgirl shot in the head by the Taliban in Pakistan will "rise again", her father has said.

Fifteen-year-old Malala Yusufzai was reunited with her father Ziauddin, mother Toorpekai and two brothers at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she is being treated.

The family flew in from Islamabad on Thursday night.

Malala was shot because she had campaigned for girls' education in Pakistan.

At a news conference, Mr Yusufzai described the shooting as a pivotal moment for the country. "When she fell, Pakistan stood. This is a turning point," he said.

Pakistani police are hunting prime suspect Atta ur Rehman

"I'm thankful to all the people all over the world. They condemned the attack and prayed for my daughter. 

"She will rise again, she will stand again."

Mr Yusufzai said she Malala was walking, talking, eating and smiling - and that all signs of infection were gone. He added that she would be having hearing and sight tests later.

He said: "I am thankful that you are very much concerned about my daughter's health. You have supported the cause for which she stands, the cause of peace and education."

He said Malala had just done a second mid-term exam and was on her way home in a school van in the Swat Valley on October 9 when two men stopped the vehicle at pistol point and asked which child was Malala, before one opened fire.

Mr Yusufzai, who was speaking with his 12-year-old son Kushal Khan sitting beside him, said Malala had received good wishes from all over the world.

"She is a daughter of everybody, a sister of everybody," he said.

Malala hugs a toy as she recovers in hospital

When asked how he felt when he and his family saw Malala on Thursday night, he said: "I love her and last night when we met her there were tears in our eyes out of happiness."

Mr Yusufzai told reporters that he was thankful to doctors for the "excellent" and "world class" care Malala - who is now expected to make a full recovery - had received in Birmingham.

He was visibly moved as he described how he was told to prepare for Malala's funeral.

"I'm thankful to God," he said.

"I found angels on my side all around me ... she got the right treatment, at the right place, at the right time.

"In Pakistan for the first time we saw that all political parties, the government, children, women, elders, they were crying and praying to God. Christians, Sikhs, Hindus, indifferent of caste, colour or creed, they prayed for my daughter."

It comes after police in Pakistan named the prime suspect in connection with the shooting as 23-year-old Atta Ullah Khan, a chemistry student from the Swat district.

The hospital's Medical Director Dave Rosser said both Malala's long and short-term memory appeared to be intact - and that specialists do not believe there is any significant brain damage.

Describing the mood on Malala's ward, he said: "I think everyone is very pleased. Her father is a remarkable man, she is a remarkable young lady and I think everybody involved is pleased to help."

He said her skull would need to be reconstructed over the coming weeks but that her long-term prognosis was "excellent".

"There's no reason to think she won't make near to a full recovery," he said.

Dr Rosser said she would remain in hospital following the surgery for "a couple of months at most".

He added that Malala had been eating hospital food -and had also enjoyed a halal takeaway.

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New Mortgage Rules Focus On Ability to Repay

Tough new mortgage lending rules to make sure borrowers are only given deals they can afford to repay and prevent a return to irresponsible lending have been outlined.

Lenders will need to consider a borrower's income and outgoings and interest-only mortgages will only be offered to people with a firm repayment plan, rather than relying on hopes that house prices will rise, when the new measures come into force in April 2014.

They will also have to factor in the impact that future interest rate increases could have on repayment costs.

Martin Wheatley, managing director of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) said: "We recognise that many lenders are now using a far more sensible set of lending criteria than before, but it is important that these common sense principles are hard-wired into the system to protect borrowers.

"We want borrowers to feel confident that poor practises of the past, which led to hardship and anxiety, are not repeated."

The clampdown follows a period during the property boom when would-be buyers increasingly stretched their finances to get on the ladder.

Last year, a house was worth around five times the buyer's income on average, compared with 3.7 times a decade ago.

The regulator estimated, as a result of lenders already tightening their borrowing criteria, up to 45% of borrowers who had taken out a deal since 2005 could be mortgage prisoners.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) previously raised concerns that many more existing borrowers could find themselves trapped under the new rules.

But the FSA has now altered its plans so that lenders would be able to "switch off" the requirements for existing borrowers who wanted to get a new mortgage for the same amount or less, provided they had a good repayment history.

It also announced a new rule stating lenders must not take advantage of a borrower who cannot get a mortgage elsewhere by treating them less favourably than other similar customers, for example by offering them a worse interest rate or terms.

The FSA has previously warned that a "ticking time bomb" has been created over the last 20 years, with an estimated 1.5 million interest-only loans worth around £120bn due for repayment in the next decade.

Paul Broadhead, head of mortgage policy at the Building Societies Association (BSA), said: "No-one can argue with the objective that lenders lend what consumers can afford to repay.

"It is common sense that a mortgage should be repayable from income, rather than rely on increasing property prices, and this is the approach that building societies and other mutual lenders already take."

However, he added it was also good to have had confirmation that interest-only mortgages could still be the right product for some people.

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Olympic Medals Stolen: Pair Plead For Return

Two of Team GB's Olympic heroes have had their medals stolen just hours after attending a Buckingham Palace celebration of their success.

Rower Alex Partridge and hockey team member Hannah Macleod took to social networking site Twitter to appeal for information in an attempt to find their Olympic bronze medals.

Partridge won bronze as part of the men's eight rowing team. He tweeted that his Olympic blazer had also been stolen from a club in Mayfair, central London.

Macleod wrote on the site: "My medal was also stolen at the same time. Totally devastated."

Both athletes later published a photograph of a man captured on CCTV who they wished to talk to about the alleged thefts.

Partridge said: "To the chap who took my @London2012 Olympic Blazer & Medal last night The police have u on CCTV Please return it."

Macleod said she was not looking for punishment, she just wanted the medal back.

"If you picked up a Bronze Olympic medal that isn't yours pls just send anonymously back to GB hockey-Bisham Abbey," she tweeted.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed it was investigating reports of a stolen Olympic medal and blazer, but said it had not yet been contacted about a second stolen medal.

A spokesman said: "An Olympic medal and blazer were reported stolen from a venue in Mayfair in central London.

"It was believed the items were taken between midnight and 5am on Wednesday, October 24."

A host of Olympic and Paralympic stars had earlier been invited to the palace to mark their achievements along with the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Duchess of Cambridge, Prime Minister David Cameron and London 2012 chief Lord Coe.

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Ash Tree Disease Threatens UK Countryside

A deadly disease which has devastated ash trees in Europe has been discovered in the English countryside, raising fears it could wreak the same kind of damage as Dutch elm disease in the 1970s.

The Woodland Trust has confirmed that the first British cases of ash dieback, which is caused by a fungus, have been identified on its estate at Pound Farm in Suffolk and at Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Lower Wood reserve at Ashwellthorpe.

The Chalara fraxinea fungus causes leaf loss and crown dieback and can lead to tree death. It has already wiped out 90% of ash trees in Denmark in seven years and is becoming widespread throughout central Europe.

The Trust is supporting a ban on importing and moving ash trees to stop the disease from spreading in the UK, which the Government is poised to bring in as early as next week.

Andrew Sharkey, head of woodland management for the Trust, said losing ash trees would have serious implications for wildlife and the countryside.

Forestry Commission staff have been redeployed from their usual duties to survey woods and forests in East Anglia and across Britain, and forest managers and tree professionals are being urged to inspect trees and report any suspected to be infected.

Dr John Morgan, head of the body's plant health service, said efforts to tackle the disease were a priority.

"It is still early days and investigations are continuing," he said. "But there is a possibility that the East Anglia outbreak is an isolated one which has been present for some time. This emphasises the importance of preventing spread further afield."

The Horticultural Trades Association has also urged members to abide by a voluntary moratorium on importing ash trees for planting in the country.

Ash trees make up around 30% of the UK's wooded landscape.

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Ford Confirms 1,400 Job Losses In The UK

Ford confirms it will make 1,400 employees redundant in the UK following the closure of two British factories.

The US company's Southampton plant in Swaythling, which has made Transit vans since 1972, will close next summer with a loss of more than 500 jobs.

And its stamping plant in Dagenham, which presses sheets of metal used to make the vans in Southampton, will be shut down at the same time.

It marks the end of more than a century of vehicle production in the UK by Ford, which will make only engines and other car parts in Britain from mid-2013.

The president and chief executive of Ford, Alan Mulally, is due to hold a conference call this afternoon.

"Using the same One Ford plan that led to strong profitability in North America, we will address the crisis in Europe with a laser focus on new products, a stronger brand and increased cost efficiency," he said in a statement.

"We recognise the impact our actions will have on many employees and their families in Europe, and we will work together with all stakeholders during this necessary transformation of our business." 

The move, revealed by Sky News on Wednesday, has been met with anger by unions representing the workers affected.

Unite's general secretary Len McCluskey accused Ford of betraying its workforce. 

"Only a few months ago Ford was promising staff a new Transit model for Southampton in 2014," he said.

"The planned closures will really hurt the local economies and the supply chain will be badly hit - up to 10,000 jobs could be at risk."

And the national officer of the GMB union, Justin Bowden, added: "This is devastating news for the workers in Southampton and Dagenham and is very bad news for UK manufacturing.

"Ford's track record in Britain is one of broken promises and factory closures. There will be a feeling of shock and anger, and Ford's commitment on investment will cut little ice."

Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton, Caroline Nokes, described the news as a "bitter blow".

"It is critically important that we do everything we can to help those affected," she said.

"The closure will have a significant impact on employment.

"These 500 employees have broadly similar skills and it is very important that they are given the maximum support possible."

But Ford, which employs 11,400 people at sites across the UK, had some good news for its British workforce.

It confirmed the next generation of diesel engines would be built in the UK, safeguarding thousands of jobs.

The carmaker is in the process of restructuring its European operations following a slump in demand, and on Wednesday announced that it would shut down its "under-utilised" factory in Genk, Belgium resulting in 4,300 job losses.

It hopes the three plant closures - which represent 18% of Ford's production capacity in Europe - will save between $450m (£279m) and $500m (£309m ) in annual costs.

The company warned its European operations would lose in excess of $1.5bn (£0.9bn) this year.

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April Jones: Police Teams Continue Search

April: Dyfed-Powys Police Statement

Updated: 1:38pm UK, Thursday 25 October 2012

Dyfed Powys' police search adviser, Inspector Gareth Thomas said: "The current search activity is as intense as when it first started and we will continue to do all that we can with the resources we have available to us from Dyfed Powys and other police forces, as well as the Coastguard and the Fire and Rescue Service.

"We are undertaking a systematic and methodical forensic search of the whole area.

"We have 17 search teams, comprising of a Sergeant and six PCs, currently deployed including eight police search advisers, ten CSI dogs and a range of specialist equipment and teams.

"This includes our own force air support, the marine dive team from South Wales Police and the urban search and rescue team from the Fire and Rescue Service.

"With the assistance of search experts from forces all over the UK, and a range of specialist equipment, we have a detailed search plan that encompasses the whole of Machylleth and the surrounding area.

"This is a massive search operation. We are searching an area of 60km square and have over 300 specific search areas. Each area can be broken down into a number of smaller searches. Some of these areas can take many days to search as the terrain is extremely challenging.

"As the search progresses the activity will vary depending on the site the officers are searching. Some of the areas include woodland, quarries and steep mountains with streams and other limitations like pot holes and mineshafts.

"The terrain is extremely challenging. The mountains, gorges, streams and waterfalls in the area mean extra care has to be taken and specialist safety equipment must be worn.

"As the weather changes the searches will continue. We review the conditions and decide what is possible to search. We carry out risk assessments of all search activity and do what is possible depending on the conditions.

"I have been humbled by the commitment of the officers taking part in the searches. We all have a shared goal, and that is to find April. No one wants to stop searching or doing what they can to help.

"We are committed to continue the search while we still have viable lines of enquiry. We will not leave until we are satisfied that we have done all that we can."

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Birmingham 'Hit-And-Run': Police Speak To Man

A driver has come forward to police after a suspected hit-and-run in Birmingham left a five-year-old girl fighting for her life.

The youngster was hit by a car in College Road in the Kingstanding area of the city at around 6.30pm on Tuesday.

She is said to have wandered into the road after becoming separated from her mother.

The girl was struck by the vehicle, which was heading towards Chester Hill and failed to stop.

She suffered multiple injuries in the crash and is said to be in a critical condition in hospital.

West Midlands Police said a 36-year-old man handed himself in at a police station in Birmingham overnight. He was interviewed voluntarily and his car was seized.

Inspector Mark Watkins said: "We're keen to hear from anyone who saw the collision itself or a blue Citroen Picasso being driven before or after the incident.

"The girl remains seriously ill in hospital, so it's vital we fully understand what happened last night."

Officers are continuing their investigations.

:: Witnesses to the crash are asked to call police on 101.

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Equal Pay: Women Win Landmark Ruling

Women who earned less than men on the same pay grade when they worked for a local authority have won a battle for equal pay compensation at the UK's highest court.

The Supreme Court said more than 170 former Birmingham City Council employees could launch compensation claims in the High Court.

Lawyers say the judgment could have "huge implications".

The Supreme Court's decision follows a Court of Appeal ruling in the women's favour.

The "historic" ruling was made at Britain's highest court

Judges heard that 170 women were among female workers denied bonuses similar to those handed out to employees in traditionally male-dominated jobs such as refuse collectors, street cleaners, road workers and grave-diggers.

The court was told that, in 2007 and 2008, tens of thousands of pounds were paid to female council employees to compensate them.

More payments have also been made to women who took cases to an employment tribunal.

But only workers still employed or who had recently left were eligible to make claims in a tribunal.

Those who had left earlier were caught by the six-month deadline for launching claims.

To get around the deadline, the women started actions for damages in the High Court, which has a six-year deadline for launching claims.

The city council attempted to have those claims struck out, arguing that under equal pay legislation such claims could only be entertained by an employment tribunal.

Former care assistant Pam Saunders said she was "over the moon" with the decision, adding: "It's thousands of pounds that we've lost. Whatever we get is a bonus."

Law firm Leigh Day & Co described the ruling as "historic".

In a statement it said the judgment "effectively extends the time limit for equal pay claims from six months to six years, the biggest change to equal pay legislation since it was introduced in 1970, with huge implications for thousands of workers".

It said it is bringing claims against Birmingham City Council on behalf of 174 claimants, with another 1,000 claims pending in Birmingham alone.

The firm said that "there are also thousands more claims in other areas around the UK being handled by Leigh Day & Co awaiting this decision".

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Hillsborough Police Chief Bettison Quits

Police's Bettison Statement In Full

Updated: 1:27pm UK, Wednesday 24 October 2012

West Yorkshire Police Authority released a statement announcing Sir Norman Bettison's resignation as Chief Constable:

"West Yorkshire Police Authority has announced today that it has accepted Sir Norman Bettison's resignation with immediate effect.

The Chief Constable's resignation was tendered this morning, before a meeting of the Authority's Special Committee to consider matters arising out of the Hillsborough Independent Panel Report.

Vice chairman of the Police Authority, Councillor Les Carter said: "I can confirm that the Police Authority has accepted Sir Norman's resignation with immediate effect.

"The media attention and Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation is proving to be a huge distraction for the force, at a time when it is trying to maintain performance and make savings of £100million.

"We therefore believe that his decision is in the best interest of the communities of West Yorkshire.

"Sir Norman has been West Yorkshire's Chief Constable since 2006. It should be recognised that Sir Norman has served West Yorkshire well. He has reduced crime, increased confidence in policing and made a huge contribution to neighbourhood policing. On behalf of the Police Authority, I would like to thank him for what he has achieved here and wish him the best for the future.

"The continued leadership of the force is of paramount importance and I have asked the Deputy Chief Constable, John Parkinson, to take up the role of acting Chief Constable, subject to the formal approval of the full authority."

Sir Norman said: "I wish to make four points, and hope that each will be fairly reported.

"First, and foremost, the Hillsborough tragedy, 23 years ago, left 96 families bereaved and countless others injured and affected by it.

"I have always felt the deepest compassion and sympathy for the families, and I recognise their longing to understand exactly what happened on that April afternoon.  I have never blamed the fans for causing the tragedy.

"Secondly, I refute the report of a conversation 23 years ago.  The suggestion that I would say to a passing acquaintance that I was deployed as part of a team tasked to 'concoct a false story of what happened', is both incredible and wrong.

"That isn't what I was tasked to do, and I did not say that.

"Thirdly, there is a due process to deal with any allegation through the IPCC and the criminal law. I remain consistent in my desire to assist those enquiries to the full, both now and in the future. These processes should help to separate facts from speculation.

"Fourthly, I sought to remain in post to address those allegations.  It now appears that that will take some time. The Police Authority, and some of the candidates in the forthcoming PCC elections, have made it clear that they wish me to go sooner.

"I do so, not because of any allegations about the past, but because I share the view that this has become a distraction to policing in West Yorkshire now and in the future.

"I have therefore agreed to retire within the statutory notice period.  It has been a privilege to serve the public as a police officer for more than 40 years and I wish the force and the police service every success for the future.""

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Savile: Police Files From 2009 To Be Reviewed

Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer is to review legal papers relating to abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile, David Cameron has said.

The Prime Minister said it was essential that lessons were learned from the scandal of Savile's decades of sexual abuse.

He told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions: "The Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed that his principal legal adviser will again review the papers from the time when a case was put to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) for prosecution.

"The Director of Public Prosecutions specifically is going to consider what more can be done to alert relevant authorities where there are concerns that a prosecution is not taken forward.

"The Government will do everything it can do, other institutions must do what they can do, to make sure that we learn the lesson of this and it can never happen again."

Mr Starmer said the papers in four cases referred to the CPS in 2009 would be reviewed "out of an abundance of caution".

Abuse claims by BBC star Savile date back decades

He insisted that the decisions not to prosecute "were the right decisions based on the information and evidence then available".

He also said he planned to discuss with the attorney general a new policy, where cases would be referred to social services where an allegation is made but not taken to court due to a lack of evidence.

It comes after charities helping victims of sexual abuse said they had been swamped with inquiries – prompted by the widening Savile controversy.

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) has seen nearly a trebling of calls to its hotline.

Napac chief executive Pete Saunders told Sky News: "As we speak it is well over 2,500 calls we have received and is rapidly heading towards 3,000.

"It has been relentless. Normally we deal with up to 300 inquiries weekly but since Savile it is up to 800 a week."

Children's charity the NSPCC said it has received 161 calls relating to Savile, which have been passed to police, and another 105 not related to the performer.

BBC Newsnight editor Peter Rippon has "stepped down" amid an inquiry

These came from adults who wanted to discuss being abused as children following media coverage of the case, and 24 of those allegations have also been referred to the police, the charity said.

Pressure continues to mount on BBC bosses, past and present, over the halting of an investigation into sexual abuse by Savile.

Sources at current affairs programme Newsnight told The Times that director of news Helen Boaden allegedly intervened last year, insisting staff gather evidence as if the late star were still alive and able to sue.

It said Ms Boaden's approach subsequently influenced the show's editor Peter Rippon to halt the investigation - he has since "stepped aside" while the corporation undertakes a review into Savile's predatory behaviour over several decades on BBC premises.

The spreading concerns of BBC managerial responsibility have also drawn in the previous BBC boss, Mark Thompson, about how much he knew.

Mr Thompson, who recently resigned as director general, said: "I did not impede or stop the Newsnight investigation, nor have I done anything else that could be construed as untoward or unreasonable."

On Tuesday, current director general George Entwistle was urged to "get a grip" on his organisation during a hostile grilling by MPs about the broadcaster's handling of the claims.

Mr Entwistle told the committee he had ordered an internal audit of the operation of the BBC's child protection policies and would report its results to the BBC Trust in December.

He said the corporation was now investigating up to 10 "serious allegations" involving past and present employees over the "Savile period".

Lord Patten has been urged to resign by a former parliamentary colleague

Scotland Yard said 60 of the 200 people who have come forward since ITV first aired a documentary on the former DJ's sexual abuse have made claims against people other than Savile.

It is understood that the Metropolitan Police have made preparations for the first arrests in its own investigation.

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Sky Sources: Ford To Close Southampton Plant

Ford is planning to close its Southampton factory as part of its restructuring in Europe, according to Sky sources.

The announcement is expected on Thursday, when Ford's chief executive Alan Mulally is due to hold a business briefing call, and company management meet with union representatives in Essex. 

The company said this was speculation.

Ford's Swaythling factory, which has built its iconic Transit vans since 1972, employs around 500 people.

But the future of the site has been uncertain since workers began working single shifts in 2009.

It is a relatively small part of the company's UK operation, which employs 11,400 people at factories in Dagenham, Halewood, Bridgend and Southampton.

The news comes after the company confirmed it would close its "under-utilised" factory in Genk, Belgium, resulting in 4,300 job losses.

Workers gathered outside the Belgium plant following news of its closure

"Ford announced its plans to end production at a major production plant in Genk, Belgium, by the end of 2014," the company said in a statement, adding that the closure would entail a "reduction of approximately 4,300 positions".

Ford of Europe's chief executive Stephen Odell added: "The proposed restructuring of our European manufacturing operations is a fundamental part of our plan to strengthen Ford's business in Europe."

In another development for Europe's carmaking industry, the French government offered Peugeot Citroen a 7bn euro (£5.6bn) lifeline following another drop in sales.

The Paris-based company said it was also close to agreeing a 11.5bn euro (£9.3bn) refinancing deal with creditor banks, in addition to the state guarantees, for its lending arm Banque PSA Finance.

Following the announcement, Peugeot shares fell 6.5% - hitting their lowest levels since 1986.

Car sales in Europe have slumped as consumers in the region find their budgets hit by unemployment and government austerity.

Earlier this month, industry figures revealed that the market shrank at its fastest pace for 12 months in September. 

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Michael Gove Says Sorry To His Teacher

They say it is never too late to say sorry - and Michael Gove has tested that theory by apologising to his teacher for being a "clever dick" 30 years ago.

The Education Secretary wrote an open letter to Danny Montgomery, who taught him languages when he was a pupil at Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen.

Mr Gove, now at the very top of the Tory party, said sorry for lurking at the back of the room, asking "clever-dick questions" and indulging in "pathetic showing off".

The letter, published in the Radio Times, says: "It may be too late to say I'm sorry. Thirty years too late. But since apologies from politicians are considered as rare as away wins for Queen's Park Rangers, I hope you will accept mine.

"Because when I look back at the 15-year-old I was, lurking at the back of your French class at Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen, I cringe.

"You were trying, patiently, doggedly, good-humouredly, to broaden our horizons. You were, without any pretension or pomposity, attempting to coax a group of hormonal lads to look beyond familiar horizons and venture further.

"You weren't just dinning irregular verbs into our heads, you were opening up a different way of seeing. And all we could do was compete to think of clever-dick questions to embarrass you and indulge in pathetic showing-off at your expense."

Mr Gove, 45, wrote that Mr Montgomery had been passionate about French and German but had to deal with a "cocksure crew of precociously assertive boys".

Realising their teacher was only a few years older and a "rookie in the classroom", they decided he was "ripe for ragging", the minister said.

"As I've grown up - and become a father myself - my gratitude only grows. To you, and to everyone else in your profession," he added.

The message to the teacher appeared to be an attempt to show that the minister appreciates the work of all teachers and offset criticism of his education policies.

Mr Montgomery said the letter had "intrigued" him and recalled that even as a child, Mr Gove had stood out from peers and been marked for a career in politics

"I remember the words of one of my colleagues at the time: 'That boy is a future leader of the Conservative Party'," he said.

"This raised a few eyebrows in the staff room but also more than a few nods of agreement from one or two of my more experienced colleagues.

"He was already known for his sharp wit, strongly held beliefs backed by apparently limitless general knowledge and keen debating skills, which resulted in the downfall of many opponents."

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Charles And Camilla's Tour Details Revealed

By Jonathan Samuels, Australia Correspondent

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will be treated to a barbecue in the outback, an afternoon on Bondi beach and a tour of a special effects workshop used in the making of The Hobbit movie when they visit Australia and New Zealand.

Details of their packed tour, which also takes in Papua New Guinea as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, have been announced.

Camilla will be making her first trip to the three countries, in a private or public capacity, while Charles, a seasoned traveller, has visited the southern hemisphere nations many times.

Among the highlights will be a visit by Prince Charles behind the scenes of the new blockbuster movie from Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson.

The Prince of Wales will see the studio where Gollum was brought to life

He will visit a leading workshop in New Zealand that created special effects for the much anticipated fantasy film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

The heir to the throne will meet the filmmaker on the day of his 64th birthday, November 14, and be shown make-up props worn by actors including The Office star Martin Freeman, who plays the lead character Bilbo Baggins.

A royal aide said that in the workshop, based in Wellington, Charles would "come face-to-face with rather extraordinary, rather terrifyingly in some cases, life-like prosthetics including the feet and hands of the Baggins family".

The themes of the visit include service to the community, encouragement of economic growth and innovation, promotion of youth enterprise, celebration of sport in the community and support for the Armed Forces.

A traditionally colourful welcome is expected in Papua New Guinea

Speaking about the first leg of the tour to Papua New Guinea, which begins on November 3, the aide added: "The visit is centred on the capital Port Moresby but also includes a visit to a nearby fishing village called Boera where a traditional and probably rather dramatic welcome is planned by the local inhabitants."

In Australia, the royal couple have set themselves the task of visiting four major cities - Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and the capital Canberra - as well as the outback town of Longreach in Queensland and the island state of Tasmania in just six days from November 5-10.

The royal couple have willingly accepted an invitation from race organisers to play an important part in Australia's most famous racing event, the Melbourne Cup, at which Camilla will present the top prize.

The Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse is another highlight of the trip

"We were asked if they would like to do it, and of course they are both great racing fans ... and very touched that they've asked the Duchess to present the Melbourne Cup," Clive Alderton, private secretary to Charles and Camilla, said.

It is a starring role for Camilla, 65, who will overcome a dislike of air travel to make the long trek south.

Other events will see them highlight healthy eating in schools, meet Australian cricketers playing with disadvantaged youngsters and promote the wool trade.

The final leg to New Zealand, from November 10-16, will see the royal couple meet popular children's author Lynley Dodd, writer of the Hairy Maclary stories about the adventures of a hairy dog.

Charles and Camilla will meet survivors of the Christchurch earthquake

The final day takes the royal travellers to Christchurch to see how residents have rebuilt their lives after last year's devastating earthquake.

Details of the tour come as a new survey commissioned by the Australian Republican Movement shows 48% of Australians want a republic.

However, perhaps riding on the popularity of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, only 45% of under-30s questioned want a republic - fewer than any other age group apart from those 70 or over.

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April Jones: Clock Tower Lit Three Weeks On

The clock tower in missing April Jones' home town has been lit up pink, exactly three weeks since the youngster disappeared.

The 24m-tall landmark in Machynlleth, mid-Wales, was illuminated last night at 7pm, the time five-year-old April went missing on October 1.

She was last seen playing near her home on the Bryn-y-Gog estate.

Machynlleth's clock tower was lit for 12 hours - the colour pink chosen because it is April's favourite.

In the countryside around the town, the search for the schoolgirl continues.

Dyfed Powys Police say 150 specialists are scouring mountainous terrain and checking caves, potholes and mines, often in challenging conditions, in the hope of finding the youngster.

The hunt could last until Christmas or beyond.

April's disappearance has shocked the people of Machynlleth, many of whom joined the search for the youngster in the days after she was reported missing.

Pink ribbons have become a common sight around Machynlleth

Earlier this month, more than 700 people joined a procession through the town to St Peter's Church, where an emotional service was held.

Many of those in the congregation wore pink ribbons, which have also been tied to gates and lampposts in the area.

Chinese lanterns have also been released in the weeks since her disappearance.

Mark Bridger, 46, from Machynlleth, has been charged with April's murder and abduction.

He was remanded in custody until January 11 after appearing via video link at Caernarfon Crown Court on October 10.

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Malala: Al Qaeda Slates Support For Shot Girl

Al Qaeda has reportedly hit out at the widespread support for a schoolgirl shot in the head by the Taliban - and asked why she has been hailed a heroine.

Malala Yousafzai, 15, is being treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham after being attacked by a gunman in Pakistan, and has since received thousands of goodwill messages.

The hospital said she continues to make steady progress and is in a stable condition after she was admitted a week ago following initial treatment in Pakistan.

The teenager was shot with two classmates as they made their way home from school in Swat, in the north west of the country.

She was attacked by the Taliban for promoting the education of girls and criticising the militant group.

A protest in Pakistan against the attack on Malala Yousafzai

The hospital said a bullet that struck her just above her left eye had grazed the edge of her brain. Foreign Secretary William Hague described the atrocity as "barbaric".

In a letter translated by the Site Intelligence Group, al Qaeda's Pakistani spokesman Ustad Ahmad Farooq asked why Malala's blood was "more important" than those of women killed in military operations.

He also asked why the media and the public were silent about women who die due to poverty.

In the letter, called Why Mourn Malala So Much? and addressed to "(my) beloved Pakistani brothers and sisters", Farooq said: "Nobody spoke up for thousands of such Malalas who became victims of military operations, and nobody protested for them on the roads.

"But these circles made so much noise when we targeted this girl who made fun of jihad, the veil and other Islamic values on behest of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

"This attack created shockwaves in the ruling circles around the world. They issued a number of statements condemning the attack on Malala. I may ask why? Why is Malala's blood more important than those killed by the army?"

Thousands of people have rallied across Pakistan in support of Malala, and people have called for the government to act. Pakistani authorities claim to have made a number of arrests.

Malala has been able to stand with help for the first time in hospital and is "communicating very freely", according to an official.

The girl still cannot talk because she has a tracheotomy tube inserted to protect her airway, which was swollen after the shooting, but she is writing notes, according to Dr Dave Rosser, medical director of the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

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Badger Cull Pilot Delayed Until Next Summer

Badger Cull: Cases For And Against

Updated: 1:40pm UK, Tuesday 23 October 2012

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

The badger cull has been delayed by a simple counting exercise that went badly wrong.

Just days before the cull was due to start in Gloucestershire and Somerset, fresh research showed there were twice as many badgers living in the areas than previously thought.

That left farmers with an impossible task. They had to cull 70% of badgers within six weeks, or risk badgers spreading bovine tuberculosis to other areas.

But badgers tend to stay underground over winter, further reducing the time they had to complete the cull.

So it will now be the spring, at the earliest, before a cull will start.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says it is still committed to a cull.

Last year 34,000 cattle had to be slaughtered after developing TB. Compensation for farmers and other costs totalled £150m.

Ministers - and most farmers - say measures to control cattle-to-cattle transmission cannot stop the spread of the disease on their own. Controlling TB in the badger population needs to be done at the same time.

Independent research shows that by trapping, and then shooting, badgers in a defined area the number of cattle herds affected by TB could be reduced by 16% over nine years.

Defra now wants to pilot the cull in two areas before rolling it out nationwide. But to save money it will allow licensed farmers to shoot badgers out in the open, without trapping them in cages first.

However scientists have warned that shooting free-running badgers could undermine the benefits of a cull.

It could lead to more animals fleeing - and if they are carrying TB there is a risk more cattle outside the culling zone will be infected.

So it could make the tuberculosis problem worse, not better.

The economics of the cull have also been questioned. One scientist calculated that a cull over a 50sq km area would cost £1.5m - much of it allocated to policing protesters.

But the cull would only save £972,000 in compensation to farmers for infected cattle.

So while Defra has insisted the cull is a "science-led" policy, the majority of scientists believe it has been a political decision.

In Wales, the government studied the same scientific evidence before deciding to vaccinate badgers, rather than kill them.

In England, Defra says vaccination is expensive and may not control the disease because the vaccine is ineffective if the animal is already infected.

But the growing public opposition to the cull, led by Queen guitarist Brian May, left the Government position looking precarious.

More than 150,000 people signed a petition against the policy, forcing a debate in the House of Commons later this week. And the Badger Trust is mounting a legal challenge.

This could all lead to the Government abandoning the cull next year. That would be an embarrassing U-turn for the Government, which had to back down over plans to sell-off off woodlands following a similar public uprising.

Taking on one of Britain's best loved mammals was never going to be easy.

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Workers 'Need Benefits' To Avoid Eviction

Working families are becoming increasingly dependent on state benefits to avoid eviction due to a soaring housing market, a report has said.

A failure to build enough new homes in recent years has pushed rents and house prices up, and led to an 86% increase in housing benefit claims since 2009 by those in employment, according to the National Housing Federation (NHF) report.

The study revealed 10,000 more working families now need housing benefit every month to help pay their rent, with 417,830 more workers claiming it over the past three years.

David Orr, chief executive of the NHF, called for a solution for "millions of families" who are struggling to keep on top of their rents and being priced out of the housing market.

"These people are the 'strivers' the Government wants to help, yet their future is looking bleak," he said.

"This cannot continue - we need action now to address the causes of rising housing costs, not just the symptoms."

The cost of privately renting a home has gone up by 37% and is set to continue its upward spiral by a further 35% in the coming years, the research found.

With the economy in dire straits, house prices will continue to fall going into 2013, but the NHF expects price growth of 6% a year across England from 2015 to 2017.

The umbrella organisation, which represents 1,200 housing associations in England, said 390,000 new families were formed in 2011 but only 111,250 new homes were built.

It called on the Government to take a "long-term joined up approach", with measures such as releasing publicly-owned brownfield land to housing associations so they can build more new properties.

Responding to the demands, housing minister Mark Prisk said: "With over three million people relying on the private rented sector for their housing needs, we are determined to attract new players to the market and pull out all the stops to get Britain building.

"That's why we're offering £10bn in loan guarantees to provide up to 15,000 new homes for rent, putting £19.5bn public and private funding into an affordable homes programme, and why we've identified enough formerly used surplus public sector land to sell for 100,000 new homes.

"But it's right that we also take action to get the Housing Benefit bill under control and under our reforms, those on housing benefit can still afford up to a third of homes on the local rental market."

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Oliver Dowden: PM's Aide Is Crisis Managing

By Nicola Boden, Sky News Online

One of David Cameron's closest advisers has admitted he spends most of his time on "day-to-day crisis management".

Oliver Dowden, the deputy chief of staff who is in charge of domestic affairs, told a US broadcaster he is often "surprised" by events.

And he raised eyebrows by saying he only found out the daily political agenda by listening to the news on the radio first thing every morning.

The comments, made as part of a series called World Denver Talks, will deepen concerns about the political operation in Downing Street.

Fears of a lack of control have increased after the Andrew Mitchell row was allowed to rumble on for a month before the Chief Whip finally quit on Friday.

There are also concerns about a lack of attention to detail after Mr Cameron's comments about energy policy in PMQs, which later had to be clarified.

Senior Cabinet ministers are now warning that the "incompetence" within Number 10 could cost the Tories the next election.

Andrew Mitchell finally resigned on Friday after a month of turmoil

Mr Dowden, who is nicknamed "Olive" by the Tory inner circle, gave an interview last month about the coalition and his role within the Government.

He said: "Most of my time is spent with day-to-day crisis management. That's the term we use."

Laughing, he added: "We're not permanently in crisis - but dealing with all the issues that arise on a day-to-day basis.

"The first thing I do in the morning, if I'm not woken up by my very young children, I turn on the Today programme, hear what is going on.

"Hopefully we will have some sense of what is coming up anyway but often you will get surprised by what is going on."

In a possible reference to the "Plebgate" saga, he added: "I'm surprised on a day-to-day basis. There is no accounting for the conduct of individuals."

Mr Dowden described his own job as finding out "what is going on politically for the Prime Minister and working out with him how to respond to it".

Of coalition government, he said: "For people like myself who are very strong Conservatives, it's been a real learning experience."

The insight into Number 10 comes after a week which should have seen the Government able to trumpet falls in unemployment, crime and NHS waiting times.

But instead it was still battling the fallout from "Plebgate" and then created fresh problems by sowing confusion about action on energy prices.

Former News Of The World editor Andy Coulson was communications chief when Mr Cameron entered Number 10 but was forced to quit because of the phone hacking scandal.

His position was taken by Craig Oliver, who moved from BBC Global News.

The PM's key strategist Steve Hilton also left earlier this year after deciding to take a year out to be with his family in California.

One Cabinet minister told The Telegraph: "We will be judged on this incompetence. Margaret Thatcher was not liked but she was backed by the public because she was seen as effective."

Tory grandee Lord Tebbit said on Sunday: "This dog of a coalition Government has let itself be given a bad name and now anybody can beat it."

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Goalkeeper Assault: Man Jailed For 16 Weeks

A football fan has been jailed for four months after he admitted assaulting Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

Aaron Cawley, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, also pleaded guilty to invading the pitch during the Championship match against Leeds United on Friday night.

The court heard the unemployed 21-year-old was so drunk he could not remember the attack.

He later emailed Sky Sports, which had been broadcasting the game live, and the police, saying: "It was a disgrace and I'm embarrassed by my actions."

Cawley, who has supported Leeds United all his life and went to every home and away game, told police he had drank a number of cans of Stella Artois lager and three-quarters of a litre of vodka before arriving in Sheffield for the match. Once in the city, he drank up to 10 pints of cider.

Chris Kirkland said he was "shocked" by the attack

Kirkland was struck in the face during the 1-1 draw at Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium.

The home goalkeeper, who has played for England, fell to ground and required treatment but was able to finish the game.

"I was sore and ... really shocked at what had happened and it was a strange feeling because of all the adrenalin you feel in such a big match anyway," he told the club's official website.

"It was scary. I thought of my family watching something like that and it was not a nice feeling.

"I would like to thank everyone from the football world for their messages of support."

Cawley appeared in the dock wearing a blue T-shirt which left an "LUFC" tattoo clearly visible on his neck and a Leeds United club crest on his right arm.

The court was told he had been the subject of two football banning orders in the past and had breached these four times.

In a statement issued after the game, Leeds United said: "We would like to publicly apologise for and condemn the actions of the fan who came onto the pitch at Hillsborough.

"There is no place for that type of behaviour and the majority of Leeds United fans will be ashamed of his actions."

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London Black Cab Firm Calls In Administrators

The maker of the world famous London black cab has called in administrators - putting the jobs of its 288 employees at risk.

Manganese Bronze announced the move in a statement, saying crisis talks to save the business had collapsed.

"The Board has therefore concluded that the Group is no longer a going concern and has filed notice of intention to appoint administrators," it said.

The embattled black cab-manufacturer, which has been reporting losses since 2008, had hoped that a deal could be reached with Chinese carmaker Geely - its second largest shareholder.

However, the firm said it remained "hopeful that the fundamental strengths of the company, the TX4 model and its global reputation" would provide the platform for a successful business in the future.

Problems have developed with a safety defect in the new models of the TX4 - as well as accounting issues following the introduction of a new IT system.

The company - based in Coventry in the West Midlands - launched an emergency recall of 400 TX4 Hackney carriages earlier this month after discovering a steering box fault.

The product recall on October 12 prompted a halt in sales, while shares were also suspended in the company.

Since then, the financial position of the firm has remained unclear.

"A speedy resolution of the product recall ... remains the top priority for the Group and will continue to do so throughout the administration process," the company added.

Grant Thornton UK LLP will be handling the administration process.

The recall is the latest in a spate of issues that have plagued the taxi maker at a time when rival Eco City Vehicles, which sells the Mercedes Vito taxi, has been gaining market share.

Manganese Bronze's shares had lost more than two-thirds of their value since the beginning of the year to October 11 - the last trading day before the stock was suspended.

More follows...

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Terror Suspects 'Planned Eight Suicide Bombs'

Three terrorist plotters led a plan to set off eight suicide bombs which could have been bigger than the July 7 London attacks, a court has heard.

Irfan Naseer, 31, and Irfan Khalid and Ashik Ali, both 27, are accused of being "central figures" in the extremist plot, jurors at Woolwich Crown Court were told.

Prosecutor Brian Altman QC said: "The police successfully disrupted a plan to commit an act or acts of terrorism on a scale potentially greater than the London bombings in July 2005 had it been allowed to run its course.

"The defendants were proposing to detonate up to eight rucksack bombs in a suicide attack and/or to detonate bombs on timers in crowded areas in order to cause mass deaths and casualties."

All the men are accused of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts, which they deny.

Naseer is accused of five counts of the offence, Khalid four and Ali three, all between Christmas Day, 2010, and September 19, 2011.

The charges are alleged to have included planning a bombing campaign, collecting money for terrorism and recruiting others for terrorism.

Nasser and Khalid are also accused of travelling to Pakistan for training in terrorism, and it is alleged that Naseer also helped others to travel to the country for the same purpose.

In total, 11 men of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin and one woman were arrested over the alleged plot.

Mr Altman told the jury that the three defendants were "central figures" in the plot, and said they are "jihadists" and "senior members of a home-grown terror cell".

The group are also accused of making bogus charity collections in Birmingham for Muslim Aid.

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Arrest Over Goalkeeper Assault During Match

A 21-year-old man has been arrested in Cheltenham over an incident during the Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds match on Friday.

A statement from Gloucestershire Police said the man was arrested shortly before 1pm on Sunday on suspicion of assault during the Yorkshire derby.

Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was struck in the face by a man who got on to the pitch shortly after Leeds had scored an equaliser.

He fell to the ground and required treatment, but was able to finish the game.

South Yorkshire Police are leading the investigation. The man remains in police custody.

A statement from South Yorkshire Police's senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Mark Monteiro said the offender was identified with public help.

He said: "With the public's assistance we have clearly identified the offender who ran on to the pitch during Friday night's game between Sheffield Wednesday FC and Leeds United FC and who is suspected of assaulting the Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper.

"We are also using CCTV footage from around the ground to identify suspects who may have been responsible for other offences before, during or after the match.

"I'd like to thank the supporters and general public who have provided information and assisted with our inquiries."

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Concern Over Elected Police Commissioners

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

A former senior police officer has told Sky News that rank-and-file officers have serious concerns about the role and powers of Police and Crime Commissioners.

David Anthony, who was a Chief Superintendent with Greater Manchester Police, told Sky News that ex-colleagues were "really worried" ahead of next month's elections.

This week the full list of candidates - who do not need to have policing experience - in the running to be PCCs in England and Wales will be published.

Every force area outside of London will hold elections on November 15.

Mr Anthony said his former colleagues had "just seen their pay and conditions changed, their pension arrangements change; some of them are now going to have to work for an additional five years".

"They're seeing police numbers cut, they're seeing their back office changing out of all recognition, they're seeing their police staff colleagues made redundant and now they're reading and seeing that Police Commissioners are coming in on six-figure salaries, some with no policing experience whatsoever, to actually be in charge of them," he said.

"And they're asking the question 'what value can they add when they've never been involved in policing?'

"The elected commissioner by very nature will be a political appointment. Policing in this country has valued itself on being by consent and free from political bias. This is a major step towards actual political interference."

The idea of having directly elected individuals to oversee policing was a key part of the Conservative manifesto at the last general election.

Policing Minister Damian Green says PCCs are 'a democratic voice'

Currently Chief Constables have to answer to their local Police Authority. The new PCCs will replace those authorities.

Every PCC will be required to swear an oath of impartiality before taking office.

The role of the PCCs will be to decide priorities and budgets for police forces.

They will have the power to sack Chief Constables and appoint new ones.

Salaries will be based on the size of the force area but some are expected to be paid more than £100,000.

Policing Minister Damian Green told Sky News that PCCs would not be in charge of police operations.

He said: "What they are is a democratic voice so for the first time people will be able to vote for someone to represent their views on how their street should be policed, what sort of attitude they should take to antisocial behaviour, drug dealing, all those sorts of things that really worry people in their local area."

The Electoral Reform Society is predicting this election will see the lowest voter turnout of modern times. In a report entitled How Low Can You Go the society projects just 18.5% of people will register a vote.

It blames the Home Office for not giving people enough information on the elections.

It also says that winter elections have significantly lower turnout than those held in the summer.

The report also highlights "unrealistic eligibility rules", which it says could block some strong independent candidates.

Independent candidates are also hampered by a lack of funding and other party resources.

The report said an extremely low turnout "could unfairly advantage extremist candidates who would never succeed in winning over a bigger proportion of the electorate".

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Cardiff Hit-And Run: Dad Saw Van Target Child

A father has described the terrifying moment his young family were struck by a van in Cardiff.

Adam Lewis' two-year-old daughter Amelia-May was catapulted from her pram during a 30-minute hit-and-run rampage across the Welsh capital.

Luckily, she escaped with only cuts and bruises, while Mr Lewis' partner Annie Jones, 23, was left with a broken leg, fractured ankle and a puncture wound to her hip.

CCTV footage captured the moment the van targeted the young family

He told Sky News: "I caught the van in my peripheral vision but it was too late, he just sped up and smashed straight into us.

"I got pushed to the side with the wing-mirror and unfortunately my partner and the baby took the brunt of it.

"(Amelia-May) ended up face down on the pavement, and my partner was there holding onto her leg, and it was broken."

Amelia-May was left with cuts, bruises and a grazed face.

Ms Jones is undergoing surgery to have metal pins and rods inserted into her leg to help with the healing process.

CCTV footage taken by a shopkeeper showed the Iveco transit-style van veering across the road and targeting the couple and their child just minutes before the driver goes on to kill mother-of-three Karina Menzies, 32.

Ten others were injured in the crashes on the streets of the Welsh capital.

Ms Menzies, 32, was killed on Friday after being knocked down

"We're just so relieved that we're still all OK," Mr Lewis said. "It's just so overwhelming, such as surreal situation to be put in.

"You don't expect a big white van to come and smack you off the pavement.

"Why somebody would want to do that, I'll never know.

The van went on a hit-and-run rampage across Cardiff

"I'm just hoping there's not going to be any psychological effects with Amelia-May."

Detectives were last night granted a further 36 hours to question a 31-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

Officers are also appealing for information about a mystery car seen driving on the wrong side of the road shortly before the crashes.

Reverend Jan Gould will lead a special church service later

Detective Superintendent Paul Hurley said that the suspect left his vehicle and physically assaulted people between the crashes and also carried a steering wheel lock as a weapon.

According to unconfirmed reports, police are also investigating whether the driver was involved in a domestic incident before the collisions.

A special church service will be held later for the victims at the Church of the Resurrection on Grand Avenue.

Reverend Jan Gould said that while community was in shock local people would stand "shoulder to shoulder" together.

Ms Menzies' family have released a statement calling her a "good friend" who would be "sorely missed".

"Karina was a lovely girl. She lived for her kids and her brothers and sisters and everything she did was for her family.

"She was a good friend to everyone and was well thought of in the community. She will be sorely missed by everyone."

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Man Charged Over Woman's Bridge Plunge Death

A man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a mother-of-one was killed when a car containing five people plummeted into a river.

Police said a 33-year-old from Bristol had been charged in relation to the incident and is also accused of drink-driving and driving without insurance or a licence.

The accident saw a silver BMW crash through railings at Bristol's St Philip's Bridge and into the river Avon, leaving a woman believed to be the front seat passenger dead.

The victim was named locally as mother-of-one Namara Whisker, 21, who is said to have given birth to a boy two months ago.

She is believed to have been at a nightclub in the city before getting into the car.

Friends have described the former business studies student, from the Easton area of the city, as "the kindest person you could ever meet".

School friend Shawnika Sergeant, 22, said: "She was so pretty, bubbly and a special girl. I could not believe it when people started texting me this morning. I have known her for so long, it is hard to take."

Another friend said Ms Whisker was a guest at her five-year-old son's Christening.

She added: "Namara has a two-month-old son, I can't believe he is going to grow up without his mummy."

A 21-year-old woman from Bristol who was also being held has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Six police officers who dived into the water after the car were taken to hospital as a precaution, but later released.

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House Fire Victims' Relatives Visit Scene

By Nick Martin, Sky News Correspondent

Relatives of three family members killed in a house fire have visited the scene as police continue questioning two neighbours on suspicion of murder.

Lee-Anna Shiers, 20, was killed with niece Skye Allen, two, and nephew Bailey Allen, four, when their first floor flat in Prestatyn, North Wales, was engulfed in flames.

Miss Shiers' partner Liam Timbrell, aged 23, and their son Charlie Timbrell, aged 15 months, are being treated in hospital.

Family members brought flowers and teddy bears to the scene and gathered there for around 45 minutes looking at floral tributes and reading messages of condolences. 

They said they were too upset to comment on the tragedy.

Forensics experts have attended the scene

At the local Christ Church, special prayers were said for Ms Shiers, Bailey and Skye as part of the Sunday service.

Police forensic officers are at the flat in Maes y Groes carrying out investigations.

A 45-year-old man and a 42 year-old woman, tenants in the downstairs flat, continue to be questioned on suspicion of murder.

Firefighters dragged the five victims from the flat at 10pm on Friday.

A Welsh Ambulance Services spokeswoman said the survivors were taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital.

Mr Timbrell, who remains in a critical but stable condition, was later transferred to Whiston Hospital, Merseyside.

Charlie was moved to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

Detective Superintendent John Chapman said: "My heart goes out to the family and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time."

:: Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.

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