Explosions Carried Out On Suspicious Car

A bomb disposal team has carried out a number of controlled explosions on a suspicious car in a Bristol street.

Police were called to Cassell Road, in the Fishponds area of the city, around 4am.

Officers found the car smelt strongly of fuel.

A 200-metre cordon has been set up and around 460 homes evacuated, with many residents moved to a rest centre set up at a nearby school.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called to the scene and carried out several controlled explosions on the vehicle.

Bomb disposal experts

"This is a normal operational response to incidents of this nature."

Chief Superintendent Geoff Spicer said: "I'm very grateful to residents for their continued co-operation and patience.

"Public safety is a priority for us and the exclusion area was set up as a necessary precaution.

Cassell Road was sealed off by police

"We'll be carrying out a full and thorough investigation into this incident now the controlled explosions have taken place.

"At this stage we believe this is an isolated incident and could be linked to an ongoing dispute and we're progressing with lines of enquiry.

"The exclusion zone is likely to remain in place until at least 2pm today, so I'd advise people to avoid the area, as there are road closures in place."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Retailers' Credit Union To Defy Payday Lenders

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Some of Britain's biggest high street names, including New Look and Next, are forming a credit union that will offer staff an alternative to the sky-high interest rates charged by payday lenders.

Sky News has learnt that RetailCure, which has also received backing from entrepreneurs such as Rymans owner Theo Paphitis, is drawing up plans to launch later this year.

The new venture has received start-up funding of £1m and will eventually be accessible to the 4.8 million people who work directly in retail or in related sectors of the economy, half of whom earn less than £8 an hour.

It will be chaired by John Lovering, a veteran retailer who has led buyouts of companies including Debenhams, Homebase and Somerfield.

Mr Lovering is also chairman of the Retail Trust, an industry charity which has been working on plans for the new credit union for some time.

Speaking to Sky News, he said: "The industry feels that we have to find a way of providing a source of cheap, reliable credit for our people.

"The three million in retail and the nearly five million in the wider industry do have a need for low-cost, value-for-money, short-term borrowing facilities, and that's what we as an industry are trying to provide."

Booker and Matalan have also agreed to support RetailCure, while John Lewis Partnership and Wm Morrison have been approached and are expected to provide financial assistance.

The launch of RetailCure comes amid a still-intense political debate about the business model employed by payday lenders, which charge interest rates that work out at more than 5,000% on an annual basis.

The high street chains' credit union will charge interest on a sliding scale from roughly 7% to nearly 28% depending upon the borrower's credit history.

Mr Lovering expects the average loan request to be lower than £5,000, and believes that RetailCure could ultimately become Britain's biggest credit union.

"We think we can build a loan-book of £50m and attract 50,000 members relatively quickly," he said.

Assuming it receives regulatory approval, savers who deposit funds with RetailCure will be protected by the same Government guarantee as that which covers high street banks.

Earlier this week, the Church of England unveiled a pilot scheme through which a new credit union network will be piloted in three of its dioceses.

That project is being led by Sir Hector Sants, the former boss of the City watchdog, which since April has had oversight of consumer credit providers such as payday lenders.

Last year, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Justin Welby, said he had told the then boss of Wonga that he wanted to "compete (the company) out of existence".

The remarks sparked acute embarrassment for the Archbishop, however, when it emerged that the Church of England's pension fund was among the investors in one of Wonga's financial backers.

In its annual report this week, the Church Commissioners said they had yet to dispose of the holding because doing so would crystallise a significant loss for its pension fund.

Some industry stakeholders were sceptical about the prospects for RetailCure.

Russell Hamblin-Boone, chief executive of the Consumer Finance Association, which represents short-term lenders, said greater choice was welcome but warned that it faced significant uncertainties.

"What this body will have to do is make sure it complies with very stringent regulations that are applied to financial services.

"I would ask questions around what is going to be the collection policy, what happens if somebody leaves the retailers business still owing a debt, how are you going to collect that?"

RetailCure hopes to launch formally in November.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Body Found In Search For Missing Dorset Nurse

Police investigating the disappearance of a nurse who went missing from the hospital where she works have found a body in a car.

Detectives believe the body is that of 44-year-old Rui Li, who was last seen leaving Poole Hospital in Dorset at around 6pm on May 23.

Two men, aged 60 and 26, are being questioned on suspicion of murdering Ms Li, from Boscombe in Bournemouth.

The body was found "concealed within a silver Fiat Punto" along Verwood Crescent in north Bournemouth, a spokesman for Dorset Police said.

Rui Li's car was seen on CCTV leaving Poole Hospital on May 23

Detective Inspector Marcus Hester added: "This remains a very proactive investigation and we're still appealing for the public's assistance."

Specialist officers are forensically examining the vehicle and the surrounding area, which is some four miles from Ms Li's home in Burnham Drive.

Experts have already examined Ms Li's house.

Her distinctive Porsche Boxter, with the personalised number plate L1 RUI, was found outside a property in Wolverton Road.

A Ford Connect van which police wish to trace as part of their inquiries

Several vehicles have been seized.

In a statement released by police earlier this week, her 18-year-old daughter Lu Yao appealed for information about her mother's whereabouts and urged her to get in touch, even if she "just wanted to get away".

"My mum is a very conscientious and caring nurse and never lets anyone down, Miss Yao said.

"She is a very loving mum, supporting me with my studies from when I came to the UK from China.

Ms Li worked as a nurse at Poole Hospital

"She prides herself on her timekeeping and my mum has never gone missing before.

"This is completely out of character and I'm very worried. I really miss her and I just want her home."

Ms Li moved to the UK from China a decade ago and started working at the hospital in 2009.

Her next of kin has been informed.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Edinburgh's Long-Awaited Trams Hit The Tracks

The Scottish capital's newly-finished trams have taken their first paying passengers, marking an end to a long-running saga over ballooning costs and massive construction delays.

Trams trundled through the streets of Edinburgh for the first time in 58 years on Saturday as the new service was opened to the public.

The line, which runs from Edinburgh Airport to York Place, left Gyle shopping centre at 5am bound for the city centre.

One enthusiast holds a sign from the old tram system that ran until 1956

The sight of the trams on the city's streets will come as relief to many who have witnessed six years of disruption and delays, in part due to a bitter dispute between the council and the contractor.

The controversial project was due to have been in operation by 2010 and was initially planned to be considerably larger.

However, spiralling costs meant it was slimmed back to just one line. 

The controversial project saw costs double

The project ultimately cost £776m, double the figure originally anticipated, leading to calls for a public inquiry.

Those involved in the scheme now hope the controversy is behind them.

Edinburgh City Council transport convener Lesley Hinds said: "The tram project has been hugely challenging for the people of Edinburgh but now there seems to be a growing positivity in the city about the start of a brand new transport service.

Not everyone in Edinburgh has been disheartened by the delays

"I know from first hand experience how trams can transform and enhance a city and I'm determined Edinburgh should make the very most of the opportunities ahead."

The service costs £5 for a single trip from the airport and £8 for a return.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Real Action' Needed In Hunt For Missing Briton

The brother of a British man who disappeared while trekking on a paradise island off Malaysia has urged the Government to appeal to local authorities to step up search efforts.

Gareth David Huntley disappeared four days ago after attempting to find a waterfall in the jungles of Tioman Island, off the peninsula's east coast.

He told friends at a charity project he had been working with he would return by 2pm that day but he has not been seen since.

A group of volunteers and local people have been into the jungle to search for the 34-year-old but have not found him.

Mr Huntley had been volunteering at a Turtle sanctuary

Mark Huntley said "real action" is needed to find his brother.

He said: "We need real boots on the ground in Malaysia. We need real pressure from William Hague at the Foreign Office. So far we haven't heard a word from him or David Cameron.

"Gareth's been missing now for five days and he's alone in the jungle. This was a man working out there as a wildlife volunteer - he deserves our assistance.

"This situation of delayed searches is all too familiar. We call on David Cameron to make just one phone call to the Malaysian authorities and kindly request they step up the search."

Mr Huntley's mother earlier demanded authorities step up the search for her son, who was on an extended holiday.

Janet Southwell said: "I'm extremely concerned and anxious about my son.

"He's been missing for four days now and as yet I've had no contact from any official agency advising me as to the progress of the search.

"At this stage I feel it's essential that the search be intensified as time is running out for Gareth, so I'd really appreciate the support of the Malaysian authorities and the UK Government with this."

A file picture of a beach on Tioman Island

Twenty Malaysian police officers and a search dog are now involved in the search.

Mr Huntley's family and girlfriend are also due to fly out to the region this weekend.

One of his friends who is in the area and doing what he can to help is Kyle Neo Kai Fu, who told Sky News he is certain his friend is alive.

"He knows a lot of things about self-sustainability," he said. "I think he's a survivor."

Kyle Neo Kai Fu and Gareth Huntley

Survival expert Ken Hames told Sky News there are "lots of hazards" in the jungle apart from heavy rain.

"You've got deadfall from trees that have rotted, you've got hornets … quite a lot of things to contend with."

According to one of the accountant's close friends, Malaysian authorities have so far failed to conduct a thorough search.

Sophie Wilson told Sky News: "Nothing has come from the authorities. As far as we're aware, the police were informed and haven't been doing anything. They've been incredibly lethargic.

"They've said they're performing a search but all evidence on the ground suggests they're just not taking this seriously."

Mr Huntley, from east London, had been working as a volunteer at the Juara Turtle Project, a conservation charity on Tioman Island.

One of the other volunteers, Charles Fisher, said police were informed the day after he went missing but did not actively begin searching.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said the local embassy was aware Mr Huntley was missing and was offering support.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rise In Emotional Abuse Cases Among Children

By Joe Tidy, Sky News Reporter

The number of emotional neglect and abuse cases referred to authorities has risen by nearly 50% over the past 12 months, according to a leading charity.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) says its helpline dealt with more than 8,000 people suffering emotional neglect and abuse this year.

The charity says some 5,354 of these cases were so serious they were referred to police or children's services, compared to 3,629 cases in the previous year.

Peter Wanless, the CEO of the NSPCC, says the statistics show emotional cruelty is not being recognised in the same way as physical abuse.

"It's very easy for us to see physical abuse if a bone gets broken, but the emotional abuse of a child has just that sort of effect on their mind," he said.

NSPCC helplines receive 60,000 calls each year

NSPCC helplines receive 60,000 calls each year from people who fear children are being mistreated.

They deal with sexual abuse allegations, physical abuse and claims of emotional cruelty.

One solution to the growing issue of emotional cruelty is a change to the law.

Sky News has learned a so-called "Cinderella Law" could see parents who deny their children affection face prosecution.

Robert Buckland MP is hopeful the change will be introduced soon.

He said plans for the new law may be announced in the Queen's Speech.

"I'm very optimistic that in this year's Queen's Speech we will hear this measure being announced," he said.

"It might come in the form of a separate bill; it might come in the form of an amendment to an existing bill going through parliament.

CEO Peter Wanless: Emotional abuse can be as damaging as physical abuse

"But I firmly believe and hope and expect to see this welcome reform being announced this week."

However, some are concerned that this law could unfairly prosecute parents.

Parenting author Frank Furedi said: "Throughout history, the best antidote to cruelty was the cultural and educational development of society.

"We need fewer laws and more opportunities for children, and indeed for their parents, to realise their potential."

One man who knows how this abuse can affect children is Morris Robinson, who was emotionally abused by his father.

He says his childhood was devoid of love, affection and support.

"It's hard to describe when you're left to your own devices, but then you get cruel treatment, verbal cruel treatment," he said.

"You wouldn't get any praise for anything and I don't remember him ever going to school to do anything.

"He would swear abuse at me and when you're a child it's always threatening.

"You would ask him to maybe fix your bike and he'd say: 'I've f*****g told you it won't fix'."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Insurers Expose £1.3bn In Fraudulent Claims

A record £1.3bn worth of fraudulent insurance claims were uncovered last year as the industry continues to crack down on cheats.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said some £3.5m worth of dishonest claims are uncovered every day.

The figures show an 18% increase in the value of fraudulent claims detected in 2012.

In 2013, some 118,599 fraudulent or exaggerated claims were detected, the equivalent of more than 2,000 each week.

Motor insurance claims were the most expensive and common dishonest claims to be uncovered.

The average value of fraud detected across all kinds of insurance products was £10,813.

Aidan Kerr, the ABI's assistant director, said: "The message is clear: never has it been harder to get away with committing insurance fraud.

"Never have the penalties - ranging from a custodial sentence and a criminal record, to difficulties in obtaining financial products in the future - been so severe."

The ABI says the figures also reveal a "significant" rise in the number of people reporting suspected fraudsters.

Calls from members of the public reporting frauds to the Insurance Fraud Bureau's "cheatline" rose by one third (32%) in 2013 compared with the previous year.

Malcolm Tarling, a spokesman for the ABI, said the industry has also seen an increase in the number of "staged accidents".

This dangerous practice sees fraudsters cause deliberate accidents, often with innocent motorists, in order to cause injuries and claim insurance.

"Staged accidents, which are extremely serious, involve criminal gangs deliberately staging an accident, normally involving an innocent motorist," Mr Tarling said.

"These are increasingly becoming more commonplace and the industry is actively working very hard to crack down on them."

One insurer, AA Insurance, said it identifies more than 100 fraud attempts each week.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said: "These figures are encouraging because they reflect the growing success of the insurance industry in the war against fraud, rather than more fraud taking place.

"This should send a strong signal to anyone thinking of trying it on."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lord Rennard Is Told To 'Leave Public Life'

Pressure is piling on Nick Clegg to expel Lord Rennard from the Liberal Democrat party after he finally apologised to four women who accused him of sexual harassment.

The ex-chief executive of the party had previously refused to say sorry having maintained his innocence over allegations that he had behaved "inappropriately".

Now it has emerged he has issued an apology in a letter sent to Liberal Democrat HQ.

Bridget Harris, a former adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister, is one of the women who made the allegations.

She resigned from the Lib Dems over the party's failure to act.

Referring to the resignation of Lord Oakeshott from the Liberal Democrats earlier this week, she told Sky News: "If one errant Lib Dem peer has actually himself walked away from the House of Lords as a result of running a few opinion polls, I think that Chris Rennard should be expected to also leave the House of Lords - basically leave public life.

Bridget Harris, left, and Alison Smith, who also received an apology

"I would like to know who does he speak for now in the House of Lords?

"Who does he speak for as a Lib Dem?"

The peer's letter of apology said: "Lord Rennard wishes to achieve closure of the contentious issues that have been in the public domain for the last fourteen months by expressing his apologies to Susan Gaszczak, Alison Goldsworthy, Bridget Harris and Alison Smith.

"Lord Rennard personally accepts the full report of Alistair Webster QC as given to him on March 7th in its entirety.

"He would therefore like to apologise sincerely for any such intrusion and assure them that this would have been inadvertent.

"He hereby expresses his regret for any harm or embarrassment caused to them or anything which made them feel uncomfortable.

"Lord Rennard wishes to make it absolutely clear that it was never his intention to cause distress or concern to them by anything that he ever said or did."

Police investigated claims that Lord Rennard sexually harassed female party activists last year, but decided not to press charges.

But an internal inquiry carried out by Alistair Webster QC found there was broadly credible evidence of "behaviour which violated the personal space and autonomy of the complainants".

Lord Rennard was suspended from the party as a result of the allegations against him, but he remains a Lord.

He is now expected to make a bid to have the Lib Dem whip restored after complying with the recommendations of the inquiry.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thousands In 'Thumbs Up' Tribute To Stephen

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

Thousands of people have posted "thumbs up" photos on social media in memory of fundraiser Stephen Sutton.

Using #thumbsupforstephen, the idea was launched by hundreds who gathered at Lichfield Cathedral for his public farewell ceremony.

It was followed by spontaneous applause for the teenager, who lost his fight with cancer on May 14.

Among those in the crowd was Shelley Checkley, who told Sky News that Stephen had once given an "inspiring and awesome" talk to her children.

Crowds of people give a thumbs up outside Lichfield Cathedral

She said: "It was amazing to know him and always see him smile, always be positive, never, never sad.

"I've known him give help to adults with cancer and made them feel more positive, he was an amazing person.

"He's made me feel more determined that every day you do everything right and don't moan about things that are insignificant or petty and live every day to the full."

When he was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer, Stephen set about raising thousands of pounds for charity.

After he posted a photograph online, showing him giving the thumbs up while he was in hospital, the appeal went viral. By the time he died the total raised for the Teenage Cancer Trust was well above £3m, and the figure has now topped £4m.

A representative from the charity was going to be among those paying tribute at the ceremony, which is the culmination of a two-day vigil attended by thousands of people.

It is understood comedian Jason Manford will be at the service. He helped the teenager spread the message online and described him as a "credit to humanity".

Three well-wishers wear yellow at a two-day vigil to Stephen

Stephen's coffin will leave the cathedral accompanied by drummers from Pandemonium, who performed at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, to reflect his love of music.

He had said he wanted "fun" put into his funeral, and chose the colour yellow as his emblem to signify happiness and sunshine.

Yellow balloons will be released in his memory and people have been leaving yellow bouquets outside the cathedral.

Stephen died from bowel cancer two weeks ago

Ben Wigley, a friend of Stephen's, told Sky News that musicians had made a record called Hope Ain't a Bad Thing to raise further money for charity.

He said Stephen had heard the song and "loved it".

RNLI members from Gravesend, St Abbs, Poole and North Berwick. Pic: RNLI

He said: "He was a pleasure to be around, it was hard not to smile, he lifted the spirits of everyone.

"He wanted for the funeral as little black as possible, to celebrate his life not mourn his death."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Asda's England Flag 'Looks Like KKK Costume'

Supermarket chain Asda has defended the sale of a wearable England flag which has been likened to a Ku Klux Klan outfit.

The St George's Flag, emblazoned with the word "England" and featuring a peaked white hood, sparked a social media storm when it went on sale in ahead of the World Cup in Brazil.

But a spokeswoman for Asda, which has priced the novelty garment at £3, said: "We opted for a hood... as you never know what the British weather will bring.

"We want customers to get behind the team without getting wet."

England fan Ade Brandwood was among those who questioned the supermarket's decision to sell the flags.

His picture of the red and white cape, which has now been retweeted thousands of times, was accompanied with the message: "I'm not sure they set the right tone."

One user called Simon wrote: "'ENGLAND RULES OKKK'. Honestly, do Asda simply not bother to see how these things look when worn?"

Another, called Kieran, added: "They do look dodgy to say the least."

The flag was still available on Asda's website at lunchtime Friday, accompanied with the description: "Support England in the World Cup with this unique wearing flag!"

The supermarket's spokeswoman added: "We know there's chatter on Twitter... but it's simply a flag with a hood - nothing more, nothing less."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Canoe Man' Ordered To Pay Back Pension Cash

A man convicted of conning insurance companies out of hundreds of thousands of pounds by faking his own death has been ordered to hand over £40,000 from two pensions that have now matured.

John Darwin, who was reported missing in a canoe in the North Sea in March 2002, was given the order during a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Teesside Crown Court, the same court where the 63-year-old was jailed for fraud in 2008.

The pensions were earned from his time as a teacher and a prison officer.

A judge previously ordered a repayment of £679,073 but Darwin, who is now unemployed, living in Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, and claiming benefits, has so far only repaid £122.

Darwin's ex-wife Anne has repaid more than £500,000

After the hearing, prosecutor Jolyon Perks said Darwin might face further applications should he come into more money in the future.

"We believe it sends a strong signal to those who seek to benefit from their criminal conduct that these orders have teeth," he said.

"They will be pursued and they will be rigorously enforced.

"The Proceeds of Crime Act is intended to be draconian."

Darwin's wife, Anne, from whom he is now divorced, has repaid more than £500,000 under a separate Proceeds of Crime order.

The couple's sons Mark and Anthony thought their father was dead

She had collected a similar amount in life insurance cash paid out over her husband's alleged death while he hid in their home.

The couple's two sons were left believing their father had died.

He was reunited with them after walking into a police station in London in December 2007 and claiming he had no recollection of what had happened.

His wife, who had run away with him to Panama, pretended she, too, was amazed at his reappearance until a photograph turned up of them posing together after his supposed death.

She was later jailed for more than six years for fraud and money laundering.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Skullcracker' Admits Robbing Building Society

Michael Wheatley - nicknamed "Skullcracker" - has admitted robbing a Surrey building society while on the run from an open prison.

Wheatley, 55, was arrested in Tower Hamlets after raiding a branch of the Chelsea Building Society in Sunbury-on-Thames in May.

He had been serving a life sentence at Standford Hill prison on the Isle of Sheppy, Kent, when he was granted day release and failed to return on May 3.

Appearing via a video link from Belmarsh Prison, Wheatley pleaded guilty to guilty to robbery, possession of a firearm, or imitation firearm, while committing an offence and being unlawfully at large.

His solicitor urged Judge Christopher Critchlow at Guildford Crown Court to pass sentence on Wheatley once CCTV footage of the robbery had been viewed.

Wheatley was detained on a street corner in Tower Hamlets in east London hours after the robbery took place.

A second man, Kevin Perry, 53, from east London, was charged with assisting an offender, perverting the course of justice and handling stolen goods.

Perry did not enter any please and was remanded in custory until July 18.

More follows...

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hillsborough Jury Shown 1981 Crush Footage

By Becky Johnson, Sky News Correspondent

Footage of a near-fatal crush at the Hillsborough stadium years before the 1989 disaster has been shown at the inquests into the deaths of 96 football fans.

The jury was told 38 fans were injured during a similar crush at the 1981 FA Cup semi-final between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

On that occasion, the Tottenham fans were allocated the Leppings Lane terrace at the stadium, the same stand allocated to Liverpool fans in 1989.

The jury was told that in 1981, there was congestion at the Leppings Lane turnstiles, resulting in a gate being opened to allow fans into the ground.

The FA stopped staging semi-finals at Hillsborough for six years

The inquest heard the crush occurred as the crowd on the terraces surged forward when Spurs scored four minutes into the match.

The game was televised and the footage shown to the court included clips where stands can be seen behind the action on the pitch.

Six minutes into the game, fans are filmed climbing over the fence between the crowded stands and the pitch and sitting down behind the goal.

By the 11th minute, dozens of fans were sitting on the pitch with more still climbing the fence.

Fans are seen sitting on the edge of the pitch following the crush

Two minutes later, St John Ambulance workers are seen carrying a stretcher along the sideline to help a spectator.

Half an hour into the game, so many fans had managed to escape the crush on the terraces they were lining the pitch behind the western goal and in front of the south stand.

At half-time, spectators ran across the pitch.

The jury was told perimeter fences were opened, allowing between 100 and 250 fans to leave the crowded terrace.

The inquest heard that following the near-tragedy, Hillsborough was not used for FA Cup semi-finals until 1987.

The jury was told that after 1981, consideration was given to whether the capacity for the stand, stated on the ground's safety certificate as 10,100, was too high.

Eight years later in a crush on the same terrace, after the same gate was opened to relieve congestion at the Leppings Lane turnstiles, 96 Liverpool fans died.

The inquests continue.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Help To Buy: Most Loans Go To First Time Buyers

Some 80% of the Help To Buy loans granted in the mortgage scheme's first six months were given to first time buyers, the Treasury has said.

A total of 7,313 loans were issued between October last year and March this year, with a total value of £1bn.

The average value of each loan taken out under the controversial scheme was £136,742.

Only about 1% of all mortgages taken out in the period were helped by the scheme, undermining critics of the programme who have said it is prompting a house price bubble.

Most mortgage completions through the scheme were on properties outside London and in regions where prices are lower.

A high proportion of homes supported by the scheme were in the North West and the East of England.

Blackstock property expert Andrew Teacher said: "Today's figures reinforce the fact that Help to Buy has not helped to blow up the London market as numerous commentators have suggested.

"The figures show the scheme has been most effective in areas of reduced growth where prices have remained relatively flat."

The mean value of a property purchased or remortgaged through the scheme is £151,597, compared to a national average house price of £252,000.

A total of 38% of loans were for terraced houses.

The scheme's rollout in October saw only four completions, followed by 164 in November and 818 in December.

However, the monthly figure jumped significantly in the first three months of this year.

In January, completions reached 1,580, while the number rose further in February and March, to 2,090 and 2,657 respectively.

Only 5% - a total of 385 completions - were made on properties in the capital.

The Help To Buy mortgage guarantee scheme was boosted by a second phase equity loan scheme in the spring.

Data for both phases shows a total of 27,861 homes were bought under the scheme, with 85% of sales to first-time buyers.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "Help to Buy has helped thousands of hardworking people to buy a new home and crucially it is helping to increase the number of new homes being built around the country.

"It is an important part of our long term plan to back those who want to get on and to secure a better future for Britain."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

World Cup: Seven Ways To Predict The Winners

What do Stephen Hawking, Homer Simpson and weather forecasters have in common? They have all tried to use their specialist skills to predict the outcome of a World Cup.

Stephen Hawking says England should play 4-3-3 to stand any chance

Sky News looks at seven ways you might second guess the outcome of Brazil 2014. (Anyone with Three Lions in their heart should probably look away now.)

:: The Simpsons

The Simpsons have it that Germany will win the World Cup

In 2005 the hit cartoon correctly predicted the outcome of the Super Bowl - and now they have tried their luck at the World Cup. A one-off special produced by Fox earlier this year featured Homer refereeing a final between Brazil and Germany, with the hosts apparently triumphing 2-0.

:: The mathematical formula

Mathematical formulae have often been proved wrong at World Cups

Professor Hawking studied England's performances to come up with a equation that shows the Three Lions are more likely to flourish after short-haul flights when the temperatures are low and the games kick off at a familiar 3pm.

The good news is that… No, there is no good news. England face a 5,000-mile flight to a country expecting 30C weather, to play games at 6pm, 4pm and 1pm. There is one straw for Roy Hodgson to clutch: in 2010 German physics lecturer Metin Tolan devised a formula that predicted glory for his countrymen. Happily he was proved 'falsch'.

:: The animal oracle

Paul the Octopus sadly died in 2010

Perhaps Mr Tolan should have visited the Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen. It was here Paul the Octopus was presented with two boxes, each emblazoned with a nation's flag, during the 2010 World Cup.

Paul chose the winner in all seven of Germany's matches and also called a Spain win over Holland in the final. A parakeet and a fish named Koi Hodgson are among those who have tried to mimic Paul, but neither have come close to matching his psychic success.

:: The financial institution

Goldman Sachs does not have a great record predicting the outcome

Goldman Sachs has been issuing World Cup predictions since 1998 and say the winners can be pinpointed by examining how countries are performing in the global markets.

This year they reckon Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Spain will make the semi-finals - and have given England a 1.4% chance of lifting the trophy. Thankfully for Rooney and co, their past predictions have been way off target - guessing none of the semi-finalists in 2002 and just 50% in the last two tournaments.

:: The weather forecasters

Roy Hodgson has already expressed concerns about the heat

Meteorologists predicted World Cup 'El' for England long before Hawking and Goldman Sachs piped up. Climate scientists at the University of Reading have said there is a 60% chance of El Nino conditions in Brazil this summer. This would "increase the risk of uncomfortably hot and dry conditions" during the tournament - a blow to European teams used to playing in cooler conditions.

:: The form book

The 1962 World Cup, won in South America by Brazil

Spain are the reigning champions but, remarkably, no European team has ever won football's greatest prize on South American soil. In fact, on the seven occasions the World Cup has been played in the Americas, either Brazil, Argentina or Uruguay have triumphed. England have never passed the quarter-final stage in those years.

:: The bookies

You probably won't see a bookie on a Brazilian bike this summer

The photo above shows Brazil's version of the 'Boris Bike' - and our guess is you won't see a bookie on one. So your best bet might be checking the latest odds. Unsurprisingly, Brazil are the favourites at 3/1, followed by Argentina at 9/2 and Spain at 11/2. England sit alongside Portugal, Holland, Colombia and Italy on 25/1.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

GSK Probed By SFO In UK Over Bribe Claims

Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is investigating drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) over alleged bribery, it has been confirmed.

The west London-based pharmaceutical firm, the world's sixth largest, said the SFO has opened a "formal criminal investigation".

It comes after Chinese authorities claimed GSK staff had bribed government and health officials in the country.

A company spokesperson said: "GSK is committed to operating its business to the highest ethical standards and will continue to co-operate fully with the SFO."

Shares in GSK were down more than 1.5% in mid-morning London trades.

The firm has been bruised by successive allegations about its business practices in a number of territories.

Although the most damaging investigation into its behaviour has been in China, its conduct in Iraq and Poland has also been probed by local law enforcement officials.

Chinese investigators claimed the former head of GSK's China unit, Mark Reilly, ordered his salespeople to bribe doctors and hospital officials to use the drug company's products.

Officials said it netted the firm more than £100m in "illegal revenue".

Less than two weeks ago Chinese officials said they had charged the former British boss of GSK's China business and other colleagues with corruption.

If allegations are proven, the company risks being fined under the UK Bribery Act or the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

From 2008 onwards, fines under the FCPA have been ratcheted up in value, some to nine digits.

The FCPA is designed to prevent corrupt payments to government officials, while UK anti-bribery legislation can be used in cases involving both government and non-government recipients.

The SFO investigation was launched after an inside informant made allegations against GSK.

The unit has also encouraged more people to come forward with claims of bribery against GSK, or any other firm.

A spokeswoman said: "Whistleblowers are valuable sources of information to the SFO in its cases.

"We welcome approaches from anyone with inside information on all our cases including this one - we can be contacted through our secure and confidential reporting channel, which can be accessed via the SFO website."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Political Battle Over Who Can Make Scots Richer

Scots Independence: Rest Of UK Firms Want Union

Updated: 4:40am UK, Wednesday 07 May 2014

By Niall Paterson, Sky News Correspondent

An overwhelming majority of businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland say that Scotland should remain part of the UK, according to a survey for the British Chambers of Commerce.

The BCC, which itself remains impartial in the debate, surveyed close to 2,500 of its members, and whilst 11% said Scotland should vote yes, some 85% preferred the union to remain.

Two thirds said no new opportunities would arise in the event of a 'Yes' vote, and just over a third, 35%, said a formal currency union, a key ambition of the SNP-led campaign, would be in the best interests of the UK as a whole.

The BCC's director general John Longworth said: "Business opinion across the United Kingdom on the Scottish independence debate is far from unanimous. That's only logical, as businesses have different interests, and different views on our complex history of economic and political union.

"In the event of a 'Yes' vote, cross-border trading and currency arrangements loom large in businesses' thinking. If Scotland votes 'no', constitutional questions remain around the devolution of power and the distribution of public funding between nations."

The poll has been seized upon by those campaigning for a 'No' vote, as with a recent report from credit ratings agency Moody's which said an independent Scotland would find itself downgraded.

Edinburgh South Labour MP and Shadow Business Minister Ian Murray said: "This survey confirms what some of Scotland's largest employers like Standard Life, RBS and Shell have made clear. Breaking up the UK would create huge risks and cost jobs in Scotland.

"The majority of businesses in the rest of the UK do not support a currency union. It would be bad for Scotland and bad for the rest of the UK. That's why it is off the table.

"What people in Scotland need from the nationalists is some honesty about what would replace the pound if we leave the UK. Would we rush to adopt the euro or would we set up a separate Scottish currency? The idea that Scots can go to the polls blind on this fundamental issue isn't credible."

Yet there is hardly unanimity north of the border either - nor an overwhelming sense of fear that cross-border trade would come to a juddering halt.

Many here expect business to continue if not entirely as normal then with significant benefits in the longer term.

Tony Banks, chairman of Business for Scotland, a pro-independence campaign group with close to two thousand members said: "This is a survey that of course doesn't include Scottish businesses who have a rather different perception.

"Scottish independence offers real advantages to everyone, not only in Scotland but across our shared markets in Europe - that independence doesn't equal isolation and businesses here are well aware of the opportunities they can gain.

"Even the Scottish Chambers of Commerce survey issued last week conceded that 53% of its members see the opportunities that independence could bring."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lib Dem Peer Oakeshott Resigns Over Poll Leak

Lord Oakeshott's Statement

Updated: 12:43pm UK, Wednesday 28 May 2014

In his resignation statement, Lord Oakeshott said Nick Clegg has led the Liberal Democrats to a position where the party has "no roots, no principles and no values". Here is the statement in full:

I am today taking leave of absence from the House of Lords and resigning as a member of the Liberal Democrats.

I am sure the Party is heading for disaster if it keeps Nick Clegg; and I must not get in the way of the many brave Liberal Democrats fighting for change.

I leave, with a heavy heart, the party I helped to found with such high hopes with Roy Jenkins, Bill Rodgers, Shirley Williams and David Owen at Limehouse in 1981.

We then, like most Liberal Democrats now, wanted a radical progressive party, not a "split the difference" Centre Party, with, in Shirley's memorable words, no roots, no principles and no values.

But that is where Nick Clegg has led us.

I am sorry I have so upset and embarrassed my old friend Vince Cable and that we were not able to talk before he issued yesterday's statement from China. This is the background:

Several months ago a close colleague, concerned about voting intentions in Twickenham, asked me if I would arrange and pay for a poll to show us Vince's current position and how best to get him re-elected.

I was happy to help, and Vince amended and approved the questionnaire, but at his request I excluded a question on voting intentions with a change of leader.

Although Vince had excellent ratings, both as a Minister and a local MP, he was slightly behind the Conservatives in this poll, as the full details on the ICM website show.

That poll worried me so much that I commissioned four more in different types of constituency all over the country and added back the change of leadership question.

The results were in the Guardian yesterday and on the ICM website. Several weeks ago, I told Vince the results of those four polls too.

The combined message of these five professional and reputable ICM constituency polls, Nick Clegg's dire approval ratings year after year in all national polls, and Thursday's appalling council and European election results is crystal clear: we must change the leader to give Liberal Democrat MPs their best chance to win in 2015.

On Thursday I also commissioned one more ICM poll, in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey; the results should also be on the ICM website tonight.

A few stout-hearted M.P.s and peers and hundreds, maybe soon thousands, of candidates, councillors and Lib Dem members all over Britain are now fighting constituency by constituency for a leadership election.

I have tried to give them the evidence they need to make the change.

I pray that they win, and that the right man, or preferably, woman is now elected to save the Party.

When Charles Kennedy rang to make me a peer, from a panel elected by the party, fourteen years ago he said he wanted me to shake up the Lords.

I've tried - my bills to ban non-dom peers are now law - but my efforts to expose and end cash for peerages in all parties, including our own, and help get the Lords elected have failed.

I am very sorry to leave my many old, close comrades-in-arms on the Liberal Democrat benches all over Britain, and good friends and fellow campaigners across the House.

But the unreformed Lords is now a bloated balloon and at 67 it's time to concentrate on running my business and my charity.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rolf Harris 'Disguised Abuse As Bear Hugs'

By Nick Pisa at Southwark Crown Court

TV entertainer Rolf Harris used "bear hugs" to disguise his serial sexual abuse, a court has been told.

Harris, who denies 12 charges of indecent assault, is facing questions from prosecutor Sasha Wass QC.

She told the jury all the alleged victims describe a similar scenario: bear hugs then sexual molestation.

The prosecutor claimed Harris committed child abuse in conducting an affair with his daughter's best friend. She added that he "psychologically dominated that girl" so she kept it secret.

But the 84-year-old said the relationship was based on a "mutual feeling of warmth and affection" - and claimed the alleged victim initiated the affair.

Harris added that he "laughed in disbelief" when he discovered the alleged victim had been "terrified" of him.

He recalled her coming to his house in Bray to have sex, telling the jury that he took her a cup of tea and she started flirting with him, kicking off her duvet to reveal her bare legs.

Rolf Harris arrives at Southwark Crown Court with his family

But Ms Wass said: "None of this actually happened. It's completely ridiculous."

Harris replied: "No, it happened."

He said they would "whisper sweet nothings" to each other but under continued cross examination he admitted he could not remember what was said.

The former TV presenter told Southwark Crown Court he had worked with the NSPCC on child abuse issues, making a campaign video for them.

But Ms Wass described him as a "brilliant and polished performer".

The prosecutor said the trial was "not a talent show" as she recalled how he had entertained the court by singing during his earlier evidence.

Jurors were told: "Underneath the friendly and loveable exterior there is a darker side."

Accused of being "pretty good" at hiding this dark side, Harris replied: "I suppose so."

Harris denies 12 counts of indecent assault on four women

Ms Wass said the court had to discover "how dark that dark side is".

The jury has been told how his daughter's friend alleges she was molested by Harris twice during a family holiday in Hawaii in 1978.

The defendant said it was "possible" he had admired her body sexually during the holiday but, speaking in a soft voice, insisted "nothing happened" during that period and he had "no recollection" of the other allegations.

Ms Wass said Harris had "betrayed" his wife Alwen's trust by having an affair with the 'victim' and then later with the family's housekeeper.

Harris, of Bray, Berkshire, denies 12 counts of indecent assault on four females aged between seven or eight and 19 between 1968 and 1986.

The trial continues.

More follows...

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

One Direction Call In Lawyers Over 'Joint' Video

One Direction's lawyers are examining a newly emerged video which appears to show two of the band members joking about smoking an "illegal substance" during their South America tour.

A spokesman for the group told Sky News: "The matter is now in the hands of our lawyers."

No other comment was offered and there has been no official confirmation that the boys who appear in the video are indeed members of the British band.

One Direction is one of the biggest boy bands on the planet

The video obtained by MailOnline appears to show band members Zayn Malik, 21, and Louis Tomlinson, 22, sharing a rolled up cigarette in the back of a car as they are driven through Peru.

Tomlinson, who appears to be filming but never appears on camera, can be heard saying: "So here we are, leaving Peru. Joint lit. Happy days!"

Smoke then clouds the shot as the voice says: "I'm trying to blow it to the camera."

The video shows the cigarette being passed to Malik who begins smoking.

Malik meeting fans in Leicester Square last year

At one point Tomlinson, who narrates the five-minute video, asks him: "What do you think about that kind of content?"

Malik replies: "Very controversial".

It is not clear from the video what is inside the cigarette, although the pair can be heard joking about smoking "illegal substances" as a policeman drives past on a motorbike.

As the camera pans to the policeman, the voice behind the camera laughs: "One nil b***h! Look at this b***h! He's having a look. He's thinking, 'I'm sure I can smell an illegal substance in there'. And he's hit the nail on the head."

The video also appears to show Malik and Tomlinson criticising the band's latest book, describing it as "so girly and not cool".

According to the MailOnline, the film was shot on April 27 while the band were en route to perform a concert in Peru's capital Lima.

It appeared that Tomlinson filmed the video

Fellow band members Harry Styles, Liam Payne, and Niall Horan are not seen in the film and are thought to have been travelling in another car.

The film has emerged as the group gear up for the first UK date of their Where We Are Tour.

They are due to play at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland later on Wednesday evening.

Since their debut on ITV's X Factor talent show One Direction has become one of the biggest boy bands on the planet.

Earlier this month they were named the fourth wealthiest musicians in the Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated fortune of £14m each and a combined wealth of £70m.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Flooding Threatened As Heavy Rain Forecast

Parts of Britain have been warned to brace for flash flooding over the next 48 hours.

The Met Office has issued a yellow "be aware" warning across the East of England, with persistent rain - heavy at times - threatening localised flooding and travel disruption.

The areas worst-affected by the wet weather are expected to be Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and the Humber where up to 70mm of rain could fall.

A yellow weather warning of rain has been issued for the east of England

The Environment Agency (EA) also warned of a flood risk in the east, mainly from surface water and low-lying rivers.

Sky Weather Presenter Jo Wheeler said: "Eastern parts of the country will see some significant rainfall over the next 24 hours or so, with Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and the Humber potentially seeing  70mm of rain.

"This would be enough to cause some unpleasant driving conditions and some flash flooding.

"The rain will not be exclusive to the east, but heaviest there whilst much of the country will see some wet weather at times."

The EA has issued 10 low-level flood alerts in the South East and the Midlands, mainly warning of groundwater flooding close to rivers.

The agency said: "There may be some flooding of low-lying land and roads, some disruption to travel and possibly flooding to individual properties."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tattoo Parlours Buzz With High Street Growth

Tattoo parlours have become the big growth sector in Britain's town centres, according to research data.

The Local Data Company (LDC) said that as of last week, the number of shops ringing to the buzz of the tattoo gun has reached a total of 1,014 in the top 650 British towns.

That figure was up more than 4.5% from its 2013 research, which showed there were 970 parlours in the town centres.

LDC said that between 2009 and 2013, the growth rate of tattoo parlours in the town centres topped 141%.

In comparison, it said in the same period charity shops expanded by a rate of 36%, to 5,010 outlets.

Betting shops increased by 32% to 2,943 and chain coffee stores by 29% to 1,981.

The number of people going under the needle in the name of art has increased significantly in the last two decades.

Fulham Tattoo Centre artist Steli Pop, who works at a parlour established more than 30 years ago, told Sky News: "Celebrities and footballers have helped attract people.

"It doesn't matter so much about your social place now, whereas years ago it was only the bad and sailors who got them."

Skin art has also become a favourite pursuit for some urban-dwelling, counter-culture 'hipsters'.

But the growth in parlours may be halted with a return to health of the high street.

Footballers, and celebrities like Cheryl Cole, have helped boost popularity

LDC director Matthew Hopkinson told Sky News: "My views are that the rise in these business types reflects the significant changes taking place where large retailers such as Woolworths with over 800 shops have left the high street and others such as Arcadia and many others are reducing the number of shops they have.

"This results in a large oversupply of empty shops as reflected by the rise in vacancy rates, which results in greater opportunity at much lower costs for these alternative high street uses to occupy town centres and at a significantly cheaper cost than pre-2008.

Mr Hopkinson added: "An unknown question going forward is that if and when there is a business rates revaluation and stock levels reduce as shops are made into alternative uses then the profitability and therefore occupancy levels of these business types might change rapidly."

Mr Pop added: "Eventually the lower end of the market could struggle.

"Some of them don't make a lot of money, they aren't good artists or businesspeople and are notorious for copying designs straight off the internet."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Blair Brands UKIP 'Nasty And Unpleasant'

Former prime minister Tony Blair has taken a swipe at UKIP, saying beneath the facade lurks something "pretty nasty and unpleasant".

Mr Blair said it was time to "confront and expose" reactionary forces like Nigel Farage's party and the National Front in France.

He said they did not have any "actual solution to the problem of the 21st century".

And he cautioned Labour leader Ed Miliband not to try to pursue an anti-immigration agenda to stave off the threat from UKIP, saying it would only confuse voters.

Mr Blair said Britain could only yield power and influence in the world through alliances and the collective bargaining power of Europe.

In an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the former Labour leader praised the beleaguered Nick Clegg for his  "courage" and "leadership".

Ed Miliband has also been criticised over Labour's election performance

Mr Blair said: "We are confronted by what I think are these very reactionary forces. We have to confront them, expose them and take them on ... you have got to take on and expose the fact these parties have no actual solutions to the problem of the 21st century."

He said the rationale for being a part of Europe was power and added: "For a country like Britain, if you want to exercise weight and power and influence, you have got to do it through alliances and the obvious alliance for us is the one literally on our doorstep."

He advised Mr Miliband, who has himself faced criticism from his own party for a poor showing in the local and European elections, to "stay firm", saying the Conservatives had yielded to pressure from UKIP and it had not helped them.

He said: "For the Labour Party, if it decides to follow UKIP either on its anti-Europe platform or even worse, frankly, on its anti-immigration platform, then all that will happen is that it will confuse its own supporters and it won't actually draw any greater support."

Mr Blair has backed Mr Clegg for showing 'courage'

Mr Blair added he did not think supporting the EU was the deciding factor in the Liberal Democrats' poor performance.

"The problem they have is nothing to do with Europe. The problem they have is very simple. They fought the 2010 election on a platform significantly to the left of Labour and then ended up in a Conservative Government with a platform significantly to the right of Labour ... there's not really a cure for that," he said.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Harris 'Had Sexual Affair' With Complainant

By Nick Pisa, Sky News Reporter

Entertainer Rolf Harris has admitted in court that he is a "touchy feely sort of person" but denied ever indecently assaulting women.

Harris, 84, was giving evidence at his trial where he is accused of targeting four victims including a friend of his daughter Bindi.

Dressed in a dark pin-striped suit and tie he was specifically asked about the allegation involving his daughter's friend during a family holiday in 1978.

Southwark Crown Court heard the woman was 13 when Harris allegedly assaulted her in a Hawaii hotel room after she took a shower, and on a beach.

She has told the court she was assaulted by Harris in Australia later on the same holiday, claiming he touched her as she lay in bed next to a sleeping Bindi.

Harris said: "I have no recollection of that," adding it "never happened".

The entertainer denies 12 counts of indecent assault

His defence barrister Sonia Woodley asked him if he had ever hugged the woman to which he replied: "Yes, I have hugged her. I'm a touchy feely sort of person. I normally hug anyone that I get on on with."

When asked by Ms Woodley if he had ever done it in a sexual way he replied: "No," before going on to deny assaulting the woman after she stepped out of the shower.

Harris said his relationship with the alleged victim "changed slowly" and "became physical" when she turned 18 years old.

Harris admitted he felt "highly embarrassed" by it as well as having a "guilty feeling".

He recalled going into the spare room of his house in Bray to take the alleged victim a cup of tea when she "kicked off the duvet to reveal her bare legs".

The court heard about his professional career and portrait of the Queen

He added: "She grabbed my elbow and seemed to indicate she wanted me to sit on the bed, which I did. It seemed to me she was being very flirtatious. 

"It was very flattering, this young lady showing an interest in me."

Harris, who was 53 at the time, said he "touched the outside of her leg" before leaving the room.

He added: "This is all highly embarrassing. I was a married man, she was much younger. I shouldn't have been doing it."

When asked by Ms Woodley if he thought the victim was a "willing participant" he replied "Yes."

He went on to say that a "sexual chemistry" developed between the pair.

Harris insisted she was "willing" and added: "It was illicit, I had a guilty feeling. I was a married man, it was...she was Bindi's friend."

Harris also said the couple had oral sex in a secluded wood near his home and again said the woman had "started it" adding "she instigated the whole thing". 

Harris denies 12 counts of assaulting four women aged between seven or eight and 19 years old between 1968 and 1986.

Earlier he told the court about his showbusiness and singing career, at one point briefly singing his hit song Jake The Peg.

There was laughter in court as he imitated the noise of his trademark "wobble board" and moved his arms to show the technique.

Ms Woodley told the jury Harris had two paintings exhibited at the Royal Academy and had painted a portrait of the Queen.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lloyds Banking Group Confirms Float Of TSB

Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed a decision to sell around 25% of retail lender TSB, enticing investors with the offer of free shares.

The flotation is expected next month on the London Stock Exchange, following publication of a prospectus mid-month.

On Monday, Sky News City Editor Mark Kleinman revealed details of a plan to lure investors with an offer of free shares as part of the £1.5bn initial public offering (IPO).

Shareholdings of up to £2,000 must be held for 12 months after the float to be eligible for the 5% additional free shares.

The long-awaited sale is part of a mandated divestment programme following its taxpayer-backed bailout of more than £20bn following the global financial crisis.

TSB, which was relaunched as a standalone brand last autumn and operates 631 branches, has a growth strategy focusing on consumers and small business customers.

It currently employs 8,000 and is responsible for £22bn invested on behalf of 4.5 million customers.

It is marketing itself on a history dating back more than 200 years and intends to lure customers away from bigger rivals that operate risky - but profitable - investment banking arms.

TSB will be taken fully public by the end of 2015 as part of the European Commission mandate on state-aid to companies.

Lloyds still owns the Halifax and Bank of Scotland and the banking group remains 25% owned by the British taxpayer.

Lloyds chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio said: "The decision to proceed with an initial public offering of TSB is an important further step for the group as we act to meet our commitments to the European Commission.

"TSB has a national network of branches, a strong balance sheet and significant economic protection against legacy issues.

"It is already operating on the UK high street and is proving to be a strong and effective challenger, further enhancing competition in the UK banking sector."

It was originally planned to sell more than 630 TSB branches to the Co-operative Bank, until a £1.5bn capital black hole was discovered in the mutual's books.

TSB chief executive Paul Pester said: "Today is a significant milestone on our journey to create a major new competitive force in UK banking."

TSB - originally standing for Trustees Savings Bank - dates back to 1810 when Reverend Henry Duncan created a community-based local bank.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Second Prisoner Goes On Run From Same Jail

A prisoner has gone on the run from a Suffolk jail - less than 48 hours since another man absconded from the same facility.

Police issued an appeal after they were contacted by officials at Hollesley Bay prison, who informed them Lewis Powter was no longer at the premises.

The 30-year-old - who has a Dennis the Menace tattoo on his right arm -  was last seen at 6.50pm on Sunday and was not present for the 8pm roll check.

Paul Oddysses absconded from Hollesley Bay prison on Saturday

He was serving an indeterminate sentence for grievous bodily harm with intent, and is described as white, around 5ft 10ins, of medium build, clean-shaven with brown hair and blue eyes.

The last time Powter was seen he was wearing a blue jumper with a white T-shirt underneath, blue jeans and white Ralph Lauren trainers.

Police say he has connections in the Cambridgeshire area.

It comes after Hollesley Bay contacted Suffolk Police just after 1pm on Saturday reporting that 49-year-old Paul Oddysses had left the premises.

Oddysses, who was serving a life sentence for attempted robbery and robbery with a firearm, is described as white, around 5ft 6ins, of thin build, with brown hair, brown eyes and clean-shaven.

After Oddysses' disappearance, a Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "The Justice Secretary has been clear that keeping the public safe is our priority and has ordered immediate and major changes to tighten up temporary release processes and open prison eligibility.

"Absconds have reached record lows under this Government - down 80% over the last 10 years - but each and every incident is taken seriously, with the police contacted as a matter of urgency.

"Open prisons and temporary licence are an important tool in rehabilitating long term offenders but not at the expense of public safety."

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

European Elections: The Winner And Losers

By Michael Thrasher, Sky's Election Analyst

UKIP stormed to first place in the European elections, becoming the party of choice for nearly a third of voters.

This is the first time since 1906 that a party other than the big two - Conservative and Labour - has topped the poll in a nationwide vote.

The first result, once again delivered by the North East region, gave a taste of things to come. 

Last time the region's three Euro seats were spread among the three established parties.

This time both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats lost their seats leaving Labour leading with two MEPs but UKIP picking its first seat of the night.

Across the region UKIP even finished ahead of Labour in four local authorities that are used to tally the European votes.

As more regions declared their results it became clear that UKIP was on course to finish on top in the popular vote.

It out-polled the Conservatives in the South East and South West, in the Eastern region where it has gained a real foothold at local council elections and also the East Midlands. 

In the West Midlands, in parliamentary terms a real battleground between the Conservatives and Labour it was UKIP that once again eclipsed the traditional parties.

Further evidence that UKIP has been instrumental in stalling Labour's progress came in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Here, UKIP finished first with 31% of the vote, a two-point lead over Labour in what is generally regarded as one of the party's strongest areas.

Compared with the last time voters selected MEPs in 2009 UKIP registered double-digit increases in vote share across every region to declare overnight. 

The pressure on Nick Clegg may grow further

The biggest losers were the Liberal Democrats who endured an appalling time, following so closely upon extremely disappointing local election results.

The pro-European party lost all but one of its MEPs from the first nine of Great Britain's 11 regional constituencies to declare and were relegated to fifth place behind the Greens.

The pressure that had grown on Nick Clegg as the party watched its councillors defeated may grow yet further as his critics point to his decision to debate with Nigel Farage as a catalyst for the party's collapse.  

Although Labour gained seats it will again be subjected to the accusation that it is punching below its weight. Opinion polling suggested that it was vying with UKIP for first place but the results show a clear gap between the two parties.

Indeed, while Labour is likely to overtake the Conservatives in the national vote once the counting is completed in Scotland the gap between the two main parties will not be great.

The national projection of the local election voting placed Labour just one percentage point ahead of the Conservatives and the closeness of the Euro voting will add to the pressure on the Labour leadership.

Of course, the pattern of voting will be different at next year's general election. Many voters that backed UKIP this time will return to one or other of the major parties.

But Mr Farage has undoubtedly produced chaos and confusion among the established parties and no one can be sure at this point about the impact his party will have in less than a year's time.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Emma Watson Graduates From Brown University

Emma Watson has graduated from the prestigious Brown University in Rhode Island.

Watson tweeted this pic on her graduation day

The British actress, best known as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies, was among 2,000 graduates receiving degrees on Sunday.

She tweeted a photograph of herself in cap and gown, along with a single exclamation mark.

Watson graduated with a bachelor's degree in English literature from the Ivy League university.

Despite finding fame as a youngster in the Potter films, Watson was a model student at school in the UK - she scored a clean sweep of As in her GCSE and A-level exams.

The 24-year-old started at Brown in 2009, the same year she was named the highest-grossing actress of the decade by the Guinness Book of World Records.

She revealed earlier this year that there were moments when her fellow Brown students were star-struck.

"On the first day, I walked into the canteen and everyone went completely silent and turned around to look at me," she told The Sunday Times.

Watson with her Harry Potter co-stars in 2000

"I had to say to myself 'It's OK, you can do this. You just have to take a deep breath and gather your courage'."

In March 2011 she announced she was taking a break from student life to focus on her film career.

But later that year she went to Oxford University as a visiting student to read English at Worcester College.

Watson still managed to rack up film credits while hitting the books - she released both parts of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower and This Is The End.

She has also starred in the recently released biblical epic Noah by Darren Aronofsky.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pressure Grows On Clegg After Polls Disaster

Pressure is growing on Nick Clegg after his party was all but wiped out in the European elections.

The Liberal Democrats were left with just one of its 11 MEPs, two days after damaging local elections which saw them lose 296 councillors.

By lunchtime on Monday, Mr Clegg was the only leader not to appear after a weekend in which hundreds of party members signed a petition calling for him to go. It prompted widespread use of the Twitter hashtag #wheresclegg.

Senior Liberal Democrats insisted Mr Clegg was going nowhere.

Former leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "There's no doubt in my mind that Nick Clegg is the person with the courage and the resilience to take the party through to and during, and indeed after, the next general election."

David Cameron said Mr Clegg's leadership was a matter for the Liberal Democrats, but said there was a "strong coalition Government".

Mr Clegg insisted on Saturday he would 'absolutely not' resign

A petition calling for Nick Clegg's resignation as the leader of the Liberal Democrats has gathered steam, with hundreds of party members calling for him to step down.

After the disastrous local election results on Friday, the Deputy Prime Minister insisted he would not quit.

On Monday former Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik said: "Nick took quite a simplistic view on the European Union. He told the country that Europe was good for us. It just didn't really work - 7% is a terrible result.

"Is it a risk? It's a bigger risk to continue with a leader who called two debates with Nigel Farage and lost both of them and I imagine that Nigel Farage is going to be in the televised debates next year, well is Nick going to lose again and what will that do to our parliamentary base?"

On Sunday Lib Dem Party President Tim Farron told Sky's Dermot Murnaghan: "Nick Clegg should undoubtedly stay and the Liberal Democrats should stay the course in government.

"It's important we stand together as a party, behind Nick Clegg's leadership, and go forward for 2015."

The former Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown also spoke out in support of Mr Clegg, labelling calls for him to step down "silly".

While Mr Clegg is licking his wounds, Nigel Farage is celebrating

MP John Pugh, who described the local election defeats as "abysmal", said the party's "high command" was in danger of seeming like "Generals at the Somme".

Jackie Porter, who is set to fight the Tory-held target seat of Winchester in next May's general election, said the party was "not going forward with a clear strategy".

More than 200 grassroots members have signed up to the online LibDems4Change campaign which has published an open letter to Mr Clegg.

Under existing rules, if Mr Clegg refuses to quit, a leadership contest would be triggered if 75 local party associations formally demand one or a majority of the parliamentary party approves a no confidence motion.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

European Elections: UKIP Tops British Polls

European Elections: The Winner And Losers

Updated: 4:01am UK, Monday 26 May 2014

By Michael Thrasher, Sky's Election Analyst

UKIP stormed to first place in the European elections, becoming the party of choice for nearly a third of voters.

This is the first time since 1906 that a party other than the big two - Conservative and Labour - has topped the poll in a nationwide vote.

The first result, once again delivered by the North East region, gave a taste of things to come. 

Last time the region's three Euro seats were spread among the three established parties.

This time both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats lost their seats leaving Labour leading with two MEPs but UKIP picking its first seat of the night.

Across the region UKIP even finished ahead of Labour in four local authorities that are used to tally the European votes.

As more regions declared their results it became clear that UKIP was on course to finish on top in the popular vote.

It out-polled the Conservatives in the South East and South West, in the Eastern region where it has gained a real foothold at local council elections and also the East Midlands. 

In the West Midlands, in parliamentary terms a real battleground between the Conservatives and Labour it was UKIP that once again eclipsed the traditional parties.

Further evidence that UKIP has been instrumental in stalling Labour's progress came in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Here, UKIP finished first with 31% of the vote, a two-point lead over Labour in what is generally regarded as one of the party's strongest areas.

Compared with the last time voters selected MEPs in 2009 UKIP registered double-digit increases in vote share across every region to declare overnight. 

The biggest losers were the Liberal Democrats who endured an appalling time, following so closely upon extremely disappointing local election results.

The pro-European party lost all but one of its MEPs from the first nine of Great Britain's 11 regional constituencies to declare and were relegated to fifth place behind the Greens.

The pressure that had grown on Nick Clegg as the party watched its councillors defeated may grow yet further as his critics point to his decision to debate with Nigel Farage as a catalyst for the party's collapse.  

Although Labour gained seats it will again be subjected to the accusation that it is punching below its weight. Opinion polling suggested that it was vying with UKIP for first place but the results show a clear gap between the two parties.

Indeed, while Labour is likely to overtake the Conservatives in the national vote once the counting is completed in Scotland the gap between the two main parties will not be great.

The national projection of the local election voting placed Labour just one percentage point ahead of the Conservatives and the closeness of the Euro voting will add to the pressure on the Labour leadership.

Of course, the pattern of voting will be different at next year's general election. Many voters that backed UKIP this time will return to one or other of the major parties.

But Mr Farage has undoubtedly produced chaos and confusion among the established parties and no one can be sure at this point about the impact his party will have in less than a year's time.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sex Offenders Face Lie Detector Tests

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs and Education Editor

A thousand of the UK's most high-risk sex offenders are to undergo mandatory lie detector tests, under new measures announced by the ministry for justice today.

Probation officers are being trained in how to use polygraph examiners as part of new measures to toughen up the monitoring of convicted paedophiles and reduce the danger they pose to the public.

Don Grubin, Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at Newcastle University, whose company Behavioural Measures is leading the training, said: "The aim of the testing is to assist offender managers in supervising the offenders.

Dr Grubin says the tests will help the monitoring of offenders

"There is not a specific crime you are investigating, not a specific security breach, it's much more of a general tool to look at how they are behaving under supervision and to see whether there is a need to intervene."

"It's important to emphasise that nobody will be recalled because they failed a test ... polygraph testing both facilitates the disclosure of information and alerts offender managers to possible deception, allowing them to work with offenders in a more focused way."

A group of seven officers will administer the tests to sex offenders deemed at high risk of reoffending or convicted of the most serious offences, in a 12-week training programme administered by polygraph experts from the US, where use of the devices is much more common.

As well as undergoing lie detector tests every six months, the Government has also announced plans to use satellite tags and controversial libido suppressant drugs, also known as "chemical castration".

Sex offenders already have to abide by licence conditions, including signing onto the sex offenders register, adhering to exclusion zones, curfews, internet restrictions and non-contact orders.

Polygraph tests will be used regularly on high-risk sex offenders

But there are hopes that the addition of lie detector tests will help probation services better monitor the risk of reoffending.

Justice minister Jeremy Wright said: "We are determined that Britain has one of hte toughest regimes in the world for managing sex offenders, to stop reoffending and to protect victims."

According to the most recent figures there are 43,664 registered sex offenders in the UK. Reoffending rates have been a persistent cause for concern, with 13% of adults convicted of a sex offence committing further offences.

This is the first time that mandatory lie detector testing will be used by probation services across the UK, but the Government says that a pilot conducted between 2009 and 2011 in the East and West Midlands found that those who took the tests were twice as likely to admit having breached the terms of their licence or having thoughts that suggested they continued to pose a risk.

Two police forces are already are also using lie detectors for people arrested on suspicion of indecent images of children.  

But the use of polygraphs remains controversial, with some concerned about the reliability of the devices.

20.14 | 0 komentar | Read More