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The News section lists important news items recently published, regarding government policy and issues affecting UK citizens.

 

Supreme court MoD ruling ‘will have huge impact on military operations’

Defence secretary Philip Hammond says human rights ruling could make it more difficult for troops to carry out operations.

 

Royal Mail staff vote against privatisation

More than 96% of 112,000 postal workers vote against sell-off despite each being promised £1,500 of shares.

 

Reckless misconduct proposals will be in banking reform bill, says PM

David Cameron says bill will be amended to introduce measures to allow bankers to be jailed if they behave irresponsibly.

 

Health watchdog investigates ‘sham’ psychometric tests for jobseekers

Department for Work and Pensions administered tests and threatened to withdraw benefits if they were not completed.

 

Nigel Farage targets Scotland with boast of success in European elections

Undaunted by the hostile welcome in Edinburgh last month and his thwarted campaigning in Aberdeen on Tuesday, the Ukip leader insists his party will take a Scottish seat in next May’s European elections.

 

Dolce and Gabbana convicted of tax evasion

Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana found guilty in Milan court of failing to declare €1bn in income.

 

FCA fines rogue property trader nearly £1m

City regulator hands out its largest-ever penalty to a sole trader for his misconduct in sale-and-rent-back scheme.

 

Police cells holding more than 9,000 mentally ill people a year

Prisons and health inspectors warn that those detained with mental disorders should be in hospital not police custody.

 

Francois Hollande pledge on political transparency watered down by MPs

French anti-corruption law weakened as false information is criminalised but public get only limited access to asset files.

 

Delays and high prices leave rail passengers dissatisfied

Customer satisfaction hits the buffers as railway users complain about delayed journeys and poor-value tickets.

 

NHS watchdog cover-up ‘deeply disturbing’, says Downing Street

No 10 condemns cover-up but says government has taken ‘very clear, strong action’ to reform Care Quality Commission.

 

NHS regulator exposed as ‘not fit for purpose’ by maternity deaths

Care Quality Commission head says previous management was ‘totally dysfunctional’ after report reveals ‘cover-up’ over deaths of mothers and babies at NHS foundation trust in Cumbria.

 

Nigel Evans arrested on suspicion of three further counts of indecent assault

Deputy speaker is informed he faces additional allegations as he answers bail after initial arrest last month.

 

NSA surveillance is an attack on American citizens, says Noam Chomsky

Governments will use whatever technology is available to combat their primary enemy – their own population, says critic.

 

Treasury told – send reckless bankers to jail

Commission led by Andrew Tyrie recommends jailing reckless bankers for and enforcing a wait for bonuses.

 

Housing deposits require more than a decade’s savings for first time buyers

Rising rents and low wage growth mean young people face challenging choices before buying homes, says charity Shelter.

 

A million more people join the ranks of the global super-rich

One third of the new wealthiest are from Asia, according to Royal Bank of Canada research.

 

Tax avoidance clampdown wins support of G8 leaders

G8 members persuaded to sign Lough Erne declaration, a commitment to end corporate tax evasion and clear up tax havens.

 

Undercover policing faces tighter regulation after Mark Kennedy scandal

New approval procedures for using spies will be required under legislation announced by minister for policing.

 

Vladimir Putin may allow Assad to go if power vacuum in Syria is avoided

British hopeful that peace talks to end civil war can go ahead, but divided Syrian opposition remains a big stumbling block.

 

Britain’s response to the NSA story? Back off and shut up | Simon Jenkins

Snowden’s revelations are causing outrage in the US. In the UK, Hague deploys a police-state defence and the media is silenced.

 

Pay cuts imposed on top civil servants could lead to exodus of talent – auditor

National Audit Office says reduced salaries and conditions have deterred applicants from private sector and led to gaps.

 

Food packaging ‘traffic lights’ to signal healthy choices on salt, fat and sugar

Supermarkets and some food producers agree to nutritional labels but critics call for refuseniks ‘to be named and shamed’

 

G8 countries agree to tackle tax evasion

Joint declaration by leaders at Northern Ireland summit falls short of demands by tax campaigners.

 

Nigel Farage forced to cancel Aberdeen lunch due to protest fears, Ukip claims

Party’s claim that itinerary was changed due to fears that demonstrations would turn ugly are denied by hotel and police.

 

Lloyds raised Co-op capital concerns last year

Chief executive António Horta-Osório tells MPs that Lloyds shared doubts over Co-op’s financial position with regulator.

 

G8 summit and tax evasion: what’s really been achieved?

Progress at the summit itself was virtually non-existent, with certain G8 countries – like the US – putting up strong resistance to change.

 

Banks move higher as FTSE gains ground ahead of US Federal Reserve meeting

Investors await news from Fed chairman Ben Bernanke on extent of its bond buying programme.

 

British financial authorities look to snatch back US lead over Libor

Tuesday’s decision to charge a London trader signals British intention to take charge of a crisis the UK was slow to recognise.

 

G8 summit: tax campaigners condemn David Cameron’s 10-point ‘wish list’

PM fails to get any other country at Lough Erne to back UK calls for public registries of beneficial ownership of companies.

 

Bank of England appoints woman as first chief operating officer

Charlotte Hogg will head all the day-to-day management functions of the Bank and become the most senior female employee in its 319-year history.

 

Web firms pledge £1m to help block child abuse images

Culture secretary says leading internet service providers have agreed to change approach and work more closely with police.

 

Enniskillen survivor asks Libyan prime minister to compensate IRA victims

Peter Robinson hands over letter to Libya’s premier Ali Zeidan on behalf of victim of Remembrance Sunday bomb attack.

 

Putin dashes G8 hopes for Syria breakthrough

Russian leader insists he cannot support peace talks convened on the assumption that Bashar al-Assad will step down.

 

Osborne hails G8 tax progress

Chancellor says more progress has been made in last 24 hours than in previous 24 years in tackling tax secrecy and evasion.

 

Army makes 4,480 soldiers redundant

Third, and largest, round of cuts is made to size of army in attempt to reduce personnel numbers to 82,000 by 2018.

 

UK inflation rises to 2.7%

High cost of air travel, fuel and clothing piles pressure on household finances and ‘puts brake on economic recovery’.

 

Do you need a TV licence?

Think you can save money by throwing away your TV and only watching shows online? It isn’t that simple. Here’s a guide to when you do and don’t need a TV licence.

 

FT editor – appoint Lord Grade as mediator in press regulation row

Lionel Barber tells MPs that a deal is achievable – but pressure group Hacked Off says there is no reason to reopen talks.

 

G8 summit: seize last chance for Syria peace talks, Cameron urges

Cameron calls for planning for new government without Assad, while key aspects of G8 deal on tax evasion hang in the balance.

G8 organisers spend £50m on security but protesters stay away

Two day summit policed by 8,000 officers, all with special training in handling disorder, but so far only two arrests made.

 

Heathrow may seek public funding for expansion plan

Airport argues that scheme would still be cheaper for taxpayer than alternatives at Stansted or Thames estuary.

 

Junk food still marketed to children as companies bypass rules

Clampdown on marketing to British children through TV advertising is not enough to protect them, says WHO report.

 

Maria Miller warns internet firms on child abuse images

Culture secretary to insist on action at summit of ISPs as companies are accused of ignoring child abuse image problem.

 

Lib Dems under pressure to support Robin Hood tax in break with coalition

Labour calls on party to work towards consensus on financial transaction tax after 11 EU members vote in favour.

 

G8 Summit – negotiations for historic EU-US trade deal announced

The Prime Minister, President Obama, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso set out their plans in a joint press conference in Lough Erne.

 

UK could be biggest winner from EU-US transatlantic trade deal

Europe and the US have a long history of trade spats – from GM seeds to chlorinated chickens – but both sides insist parochial concerns should not be allowed to derail an agreement.

 

Green deal makeover could boost property values by £16,000

Study finds improving the energy efficiency of your home through green deal scheme could substantially improve its value.

 

The Repo Man debt firm loses credit licence

Donegal Finance Limited, recently featured in Channel 4 series The Repo Man, has credit licence suspended ‘to urgently protect consumers’.

 

Schools that were promised new buildings are still crumbling, years later

The coalition’s Priority Schools Building programme is not delivering results and some pupils are still being taught in buildings that were declared inadequate 10 years ago.

 

Twigg – Labour would halt new free schools

Shadow minister says free schools and academies are no panacea, and calls for stronger local oversight of all schools.

 

Julian Assange’s asylum stalemate no nearer resolution one year on

The Ecuadorean embassy’s celebrity refugee is used to living in what Assange likens to a space station as he battles extradition.

 

David Cameron still awaits G8 tax breakthrough after summit’s first day

PM makes headway on action against overseas tax havens but more work needed before summit can be declared a success.

 

Arms for Syrian rebels won’t fall into extremist hands, says William Hague

Foreign secretary says no decision made to arm opposition to President Assad, but insists it can be done in containable way.

 

Co-op Bank bailout – what it means to customers

Why the Co-op needs bailing out, and what it might mean for your money and ethical position.

 

We’re destined to be Generation Rent, say younger people

Renting to become the norm for generation of would-be buyers priced out of housing market, according to a report by Halifax canvassing opinion of younger people.

 

Student loans ‘plot’ against graduates signals a time for major policy change

Plans to sell off student loans to private investors undermine trust in the whole university process, says Martin McQuillan.

 

G8 deal on tax havens a long way off

Western leaders are unlikely to deliver anything comprehensive now – but the fact they are discussing the issue is progress.

 

Average asking price for UK home exceeds £250,000 for the first time

Asking prices in England and Wales have risen 10% in six months, according to survey by Rightmove.

 

Co-operative Bank to list on stock market in rescue deal

Bank agrees ‘bail in’ with City regulator to raise £1.5bn, with bondholders taking a loss on their investments.

 

Syria – Putin backs Assad and berates west over proposal to arm rebels

Russian president says backing ‘those who kill their enemies and eat their organs’ flouts Europe’s humanitarian values.

 

Revealed: how the UK spied on its G20 allies at London summits

Revealed: how the UK spied on its G20 allies at London summits.

 

Household financial confidence increases due to rise in job security

But three said their household finances worsened in June for every one who experienced an improvement.

 

Prime minister should appoint top civil servants, report recommends

IPPR report commissioned by the Cabinet Office minister, Francis Maude, says reform would improve accountability.

 

David Cameron urged to extend tax reporting plan

Aid agencies and Labour members call on prime minister to make details of firms’ ownership available to the public.

 

Nick Clegg: arming Syrian rebels is not the right thing to do now

Deputy prime minister says it would be fanciful to think Britain can provide solution to conflict.

 

Lord Rennard questioned by police over harassment allegations

Senior Lib Dem peer is interviewed under caution over allegations he sexually harassed women party activists.

 

Maternity wards close 1,000 times a year to expectant mothers, figures show

Shortage of midwives and beds resulting in women being forced to travel up to 65 miles to other wards or to give birth at home.

 

We can’t take further spending cuts without losing vital services, councils warn George Osborne

More than 150 council leaders write to the Observer, warning the chancellor that they cannot absorb more cuts.

 

Tax havens agree to Cameron’s clampdown

Prime minister claims success from talks ahead of G8 summit, but campaigners give only qualified support to new measures.

 

Hospitals to undergo Ofsted-style inspections

Health watchdog sets out proposals to restore public confidence in the NHS.

 

Google gives £3m to aid crackdown on child abuse images

Net giant acts after coming under pressure ahead of Westminster summit to be chaired by culture secretary Maria Miller.

 

Left-wing ‘fails to recognise key role of fathers in family life’

Former minister brought up by single mother wants Ed Miliband to champion cultural change.

 

‘Plebgate’ investigators arrest police officer and woman

Two arrests bring total to six in Scotland Yard inquiry into claims MP Andrew Mitchell was victim of smear campaign.

 

MoD lobbying claims: peers cleared of code breach

Lords Dannatt and Stirrup were alleged to have boasted about lobbying MoD officials to secure contracts for private firms.

 

Fewer adults playing sport since London Olympics

Government defends grassroots participation claims as Sport England figures show 20 sports declined while only nine gained.

 

Lack of funds puts global transparency programme at risk

David Cameron urged to use his influence in G8 to save the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative from closure.

 

Big banks lose 2.4m customers in protest against scandals

Move your Money campaign says new figures show mass exodus from UK’s five biggest banks as clients vote with feet.

 

Children’s heart surgery review shatters confidence in NHS reconfiguration

Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, hears of a failure to recommend a safe, sustainable and accessible way forward.

 

Nick Clegg refuses to confirm he will take diversity training

Deputy prime minister accepts criticisms in review of party’s internal culture but declines to take up recommendation.

 

Global financial markets anxious to avoid many pitfalls of ‘political risk’

Investors wary of turmoil in Greece and Turkey, doubts about Abenomics, and uncertainty over the Fed’s QE programme.

 

MPs recommend comprehensive inquiry into Google’s ‘unconvincing’ tax affairs

Internet giant’s version of events ‘makes no sense’ says all-party committee, which also criticises tax authorities.

 

End automatic public sector pay increases, says CBI

Employers’ organisation calls on chancellor to put spending on infrastructure projects at centre of spending review.

 

Margaret Hodge backs ‘fair tax’ league for retailers

High-street baker Greggs and Majestic Wine come first and second in league created by Fair Tax Campaign.

 

Workplace greying as companies turn to older employees

For first time there are now more than 1 million workers in UK aged over 65.

 

Former Ford chief to head automotive industry investment drive

Joe Greenwell to lead Automotive Investment Organisation, which will receive up to £3m of funding over next two years.

 

Freed youth offenders to get year’s supervision

Move designed to give rehabilitation staff a much better chance of helping youngsters break cycle of reoffending.

 

Harriet Harman – time to consider media ownership cap as low as 15%

Shadow culture secretary to say that plurality ensures no private interest can set itself above public interest.

 

Surgeons can opt out of NHS tables rating their performance

NHS England concedes that consultants can legally refuse to hand over performance data.

 

Nick Clegg criticised in report into Lib Dems’ handling of Rennard allegations

Party leader and three ministers ‘could have done much more’ to investigate claims of sexual harassment against party chair.

 

FTSE falls for third day to seven week low on takeover tales and Greek woes

Leading shares hit by corporate and eurozone worries, as well as continuing central bank concerns.

 

RBS chief executive Stephen Hester quits with £1.6m-plus payoff

Hester, parachuted into the bailed bank during the 2008 crisis, will stand down at end of year as RBS prepares for privatisation.

 

Bermuda refuses to sign up to Cameron’s tax evasion deal

David Cameron’s G8 agenda to close down cross-border tax evasion dealt blow by Bermuda prime minister Craig Cannonier.

 

Foreign exchange rate benchmarks called into question by investigation

Financial Conduct Authority has launched investigation into potential manipulative trades in the currency markets.

 

Ofgem bids to break ‘stranglehold’ of big six energy suppliers

Industry watchdog demands big suppliers provide wholesale power to small rivals and detail prices two years in advance.

 

Greek coalition in disarray after state broadcaster’s closure

Greece takes draconian move to show government is serious about meeting bailout austerity measures.

 

 

Caroline Lucas rebuked for wearing T-shirt calling for end to page 3

Green MP responds to being told in parliament that attire ‘may cause offence’ by holding up picture of topless Sun model.

 

Help to Buy not available for second homes or foreign buyers, Cameron says

Prime minister ends uncertainty about flagship policy designed to help people get on to the property ladder.

 

Bond bubble threatens financial system, Bank of England director warns

Andy Haldane fears the bursting of ‘the biggest bond bubble in history’ after electronic money printing exercises by the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve in the US.

 

Lettings agent fees are out of control, says Shelter

Housing charity discovers almost a third of agencies were charging renters more than £400 to set up a tenancy, in addition to the deposit and rent upfront.

 

NS&I cuts interest rates on leading accounts

Rates on Direct Isa, Direct Saver and income bonds fall as NS&I blames rival savings institutions for cuts.

 

Drug laws amount to scientific censorship, says David Nutt

Former government adviser says illegal status of psychoactive drugs stymies research into their potential therapeutic uses.

 

Bercow questions MPs’ commercial interests

Commons Speaker questions whether select committee chairs should have outside interests after Tim Yeo steps aside.

 

GM crops – UK environment secretary to push for relaxation of EU rules

In a speech next week, Owen Paterson is expected to announce the government’s intentions to start a new debate within Europe.

 

Jeremy Hunt suspends children’s heart surgery unit closures

Decision means reprieve for units at Leeds General Infirmary, Glenfield hospital in Leicester and Royal Brompton in London.

 

Hospitals have spent £2m on gagging orders for staff, figures show

Tory MP criticises NHS chief after freedom of information request uncovers scale of use of confidentiality clauses.

 

Traffic fines – council has revenue-raising culture, emails appear to show

Documents from Hammersmith and Fulham council suggest culture of targets inside traffic enforcement department.

 

Wage cuts for British workers deepest since records began, IFS shows

Thinktank says employees have sacrificed pay to keep their jobs during the ‘longest and deepest’ slump in a century.

 

UK raises alarm on deadly rise of superbugs

Britain to call for G8 action against spread of drug-resistant bacteria by clamping down on overuse of antibiotics.

 

Hospitals should assess patients for risk of falling, experts say

Almost 209,000 falls in hospitals in England in space of a year.

 

European coal pollution causes 22,300 premature deaths a year, study shows

Burning coal also costs companies and governments billions of pounds in disease treatment and lost working days.

 

UK needs up to 32 factories to build windfarm components, says report

Facilities to build offshore windfarms needed under current plans could create tens of thousands of jobs, finds Renewable UK.

 

Why cash is making a comeback

The rise of contactless payments and chip-and-pin has gone into reverse. New figures reveal that more of us prefer to use hard currency – whether because our accounts are empty or because we prefer the security of coins and notes.

 

 

 

Tory Eurosceptics on edge as David Cameron plans EU opt-ins

Prime minister set to sign up to measures opposed by right as decision follows warning of threat to UK’s security.

 

Boris Johnson sets out ’2020 vision for London’

Mayor calls for greater financial autonomy, more investment in transport and the right for councils to borrow to build new homes.

 

Former HBOS chief James Crosby formally stripped of knighthood

The banker, slated by parliamentarians for a ‘colossal failure’ of management, had asked for the honour to be removed.

 

 

Background: G8 2013

On 20 November, David Cameron announced that as the Chair of the G8, the UK would host the G8 Summit in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland.

 

Foreign and Commonwealth Office – The Future of the European Union

FCO response to FAC report: The future of the European Union.

 

Jobseekers try to overturn law denying them benefit rebates

Lawyers say Iain Duncan Smith undermined jobseekers’ rights with legislation allowing DWP to ignore court judgments.

 

UK intelligence make thousands of requests for Microsoft data

UK makes most requests for Skype data, while it is in top three countries wanting data from email and storage services.

 

G8 summit – Irish trade unions call in human rights monitors

Union congress fears erosion of right to protest amid Northern Ireland’s largest-ever security operation to guard world leaders in County Fermanagh.

 

Intelligence-gathering by British state out of control

Key questions remain unanswered.

 

Supreme court urged to reject challenge to prisoner voting ban

Attorney general asks justices to rule against legal battles by two inmates seeking right to cast ballots in elections.

 

Scotland would keep UK welfare system for five years after split, say experts

Independent Scotland would be heavily dependent on UK system until at least 2019, advisory group concludes.

 

Ukip support falls back but main parties remain weak on economy

Guardian/ICM poll finds Ukip down six points but Labour and Tory leadership both polling badly on economic competence.

 

Lloyds PPI centre ‘encouraged to delay or reject’ claims

Investigation reveals that Lloyds discovered ‘operational issues’ at London handling centre run by Deloitte, which lost its contract with the bank last month.

 

UK manufacturing revival halts in April

Factory output tumbled 0.2% in April, says ONS, denting hopes that industry growth might boost wider economy.

 

Cash payments stage a comeback

Contactless cards were supposed to take over as the way to pay, but stretched shoppers are returning to cash to help control their spending.

 

GCSEs will allow pupils to compete with contemporaries in Asia, says Gove

Overhaul of qualification to include end to modular coursework, an emphasis on final exams and a new grading system.

 

BNP leader Nick Griffin arrives in Syria after invitation from Assad regime

MEP says he is on fact-finding mission and wants to highlight risk of supporting opposition fighters.

 

Ex-BBC chief recalled to face Commons questions over earlier DMI evidence

Mark Thompson told public accounts committee in 2011 that parts of content management system were ‘already working’.

 

French air traffic controller strike grounds hundreds of flights

Airport staff stage walkout amid concerns over EU plans to liberalise civil airspace.

 

David Blunkett calls for tighter scrutiny of British secret services

Former foreign secretary urges review of how the UK deals with intercepted intelligence offered by the US.

 

TUC: shrinking pay damaging living standards and holding back economy

Campaign seeks to reverse 7.5% fall in last six years as millions forced to cut hours or take lower wages.

 

Most deaths in under-75s are potentially avoidable, says health body

Better interventions and changes in lifestyle could cut toll by tens of thousands, says Public Health England.

 

Breast cancer screening not shown to reduce deaths, say researchers

Latest study of mortality figures in England over 39 years fails to show benefit of regular mammograms.

 

Bilderberg 2013: The sun sets on Watford

Cosy elite get-together may never be the same again after Hertfordshire became the focus of world attention.

 

Tim Yeo steps aside as committee chair

Tory MP announces move following pressure over allegations he offered to advise energy companies for cash.