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Motorist With 45 Points Still On The Road

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 07 Januari 2014 | 23.17

A motorist who chalked up a record 45 penalty points on his driving licence in a nine-month offending spree is still on the road.

The driver, from Liverpool, was given the points between October 1, 2012, and June 20, 2013, for eight offences of either failing to disclose the identity of the driver or for speeding.

His total exceeds the previous still-driving record of 42 points, revealed the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) which obtained the figures from the DVLA under the Freedom of Information Act.

Drivers who tot up 12 points within three years can be disqualified.

Failing to give the identity of the owner, speeding, and driving uninsured were the most common reasons for points, the IAM said.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: "Last September, we highlighted a driver with 42 points on their licence and we were told that more would be done to address the issue.

"Incredibly, we now have someone driving with 45 points.

"DVLA must rapidly overall their systems and working relationships with the courts to ensure that the whole principle of 12 points and you are off the road is not undermined."

He went on: "Any suggestion that some drivers may be able to speed with impunity and then talk themselves out of a ban puts our whole approach to enforcement into question.

"The police and the motoring public need to have confidence that those caught speeding or breaking other motoring laws will be dealt with equally."

Laura Woods, spokesperson for road safety charity Brake told Sky News: "It is appalling that people who commit offence after offence, racking up so many points, are allowed to keep driving.

"Drivers who repeatedly flout traffic laws have shown complete disregard for the lives of other road users.

"They have also had ample opportunity to desist breaking the law before reaching 12 points and facing disqualification.

"Brake is calling for all drivers who clock up 12 points to be automatically disqualified.

"Allowing these dangerous and irresponsible drivers to stay on the road puts innocent members of the public in danger and makes a mockery of the system."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Car Sales Increased By Almost 11% In 2013

New car sales in the UK last year soared to their highest level since before the recession, according to industry figures.

A total of 2,264,737 cars were registered in 2013, up by 10.8% on 2012, and the highest number since pre-financial crisis 2007.

On average an extra 600 cars were sold each day in 2013 than the previous year.

The motor industry said improving consumer and business confidence, after an extended period of people putting off buying a vehicle and a competitive market place, had helped fuel sales growth.

But a car company boss has also admitted that cheap credit and people using compensation payouts from the mis-selling of payment protection insurance (PPI) as deposits, had played a significant role in the increased sales.

Duncan Aldred, managing director and chairman of Vauxhall Motors, told Sky News: "There's no doubt those two factors have been fundamental in the growth.

"The PPI mis-selling. It's estimated to have given around £3,000 per household in compensation, and in many cases that would have helped fund the deposit towards a new vehicle.

"There's also been some very strong finance offers. Vauxhall do a five-year 0% finance offer at the present time and that's helped stimulate the industry.

But he added: "The third factor is that we have come on the back of some low-levels of industry demand.

"So now there's a replacement cycle happening where new car-buyers are just saying 'I have to get my car replaced now, it's five years old, it's six years old, it's time to get a new one', and that is sustainable and that is something we will see grow into next year as well."

Ford took the top two slots for the best sellers, according to figures published by Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), with Fiesta topping the chart followed by the Focus.

Vauxhall took third and fourth place with the Corsa, and then the Astra.

Private sales made up 1.07 million of the registrations last year - a rise of 15.6% on the 2012 share.

Both petrol and diesel-engined vehicle sales rose in 2013, but petrol's share of the market grew slightly - from 47.8% in 2012 to 48.8% in 2013 - while diesel's share dipped from 50.8% in 2012 to 49.8% in 2013.

While the number of hybrid and electric plug-in cars rose by 20.5% last year to 32,715 vehicles, their share of the market flat-lined at 1.4%.

The supermini sector was the largest last year, accounting for almost 36% of all sales.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "With its best year since a pre-recession 2007, the UK new car market has helped stimulate the country's economic recovery.

"The 10.8% increase in 2013 reflects the attractive financial offers available, as well as increased demand for more technologically advanced new cars.

"We expect new car registrations to remain stable in 2014 as customers return to a more regular replacement cycle."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

PM's Hairdresser Says MBE Was For Charity Work

The Prime Minister's hairdresser has insisted he was awarded an MBE for his charity work, after claims he had benefitted from cronyism.

Lino Carbosiero, who is based at the Daniel Galvin salon in central London, was give the gong for services to hairdressing in the New Year's honour's list.

When asked why he thought he had been recognised, he told Sky News: "I'd like to think it's down to a lot of the charity work that I do and also I'm striving to push state registration in hairdressing throughout the country.

"I want to get to the young kid who's in a small salon. It's not the salon owners fault because they might be a one-man band where they don't have the time to educate their assistants, but I want to make sure all youngsters get the fair training that they deserve."

Mr Carbosiero, whose clients include Kylie Minogue, Sir Paul McCartney and Dustin Hoffman, also admitted to Sky News that changing the PM's parting from right to left was a "complete mistake".

He said he found the amount of attention given to Mr Cameron's hair "quite funny".

Kylie Mingoue Kylie Minogue and Sir Paul McCartney are both clients of Mr Carbosiero Paul McCartney

When the parting was changed in 2007, it led to claims he was trying to look tougher or cover up a receding hairline.

Mr Carbosiero, who has cut Mr Cameron's hair since he was Leader of the Opposition, said: "Any of my clients will back me up on this, I never remember where the parting is and I probably, when I cut his hair at the time, just cut it to the way I thought it went.

"We didn't notice and it went from there. It was a complete mistake, I never remember people's partings. I guess and I always get it wrong."

When asked about Mr Cameron's bald spot, which was spotted by parliamentary sketchwriters in the House of Commons, he replied: "What bald spot?"

Last week it was revealed that former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had 118 hair appointments in one year when she was in Downing Street, and Mr Carbosiero said image was important for politicians.

He said: "Someone told me today about Margaret Thatcher's hair and I'd want whoever represents our country to look smart and presentable and not to look like they don't care. I think it's a massive reflection on people…they represent our country at the highest level."


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Benefits Street: Police To Probe 'Criminality'

Police are considering launching an investigation following claims a documentary about benefits claimants showed elements of criminal activity.

The first episode of Benefits Street was shown on Channel 4 on Monday night and prompted hundreds of comments by viewers concerned about its content.

The five-part series focuses on residents in the James Turner Street area of Winson Green in Birmingham and "reveals the reality of life on benefits".

However, as the show hit screens there was an immediate reaction on Twitter with many claiming the footage showed residents breaking the law.

Some of the tweets also contained abuse, including death threats, aimed at the programme's participants.

West Midlands Police have said they will investigate these threats and are also looking at whether the show's content can help them with ongoing investigations or will prompt any new inquiries.

Superintendent Danny Long said: "Throughout the programme and in the hours that have followed, we have been inundated with comments from members of the public, many of whom are concerned about elements of show which showed criminal activity."

The programme showed that some of the residents had already had involvement with local police.

"The Winson Green area of Birmingham is a diverse and vibrant community and the Soho neighbourhood policing team - which covers James Turner Street - enjoys a very positive relationship with local residents and community groups.

"Neighbourhood officers work alongside the area housing associations, partner organisations and the council on a daily basis to address the concerns of residents around issues of crime and anti-social behaviour - with local people very supportive of police action to tackle community safety issues."

James Turner Street residents told the Birmingham Mail newspaper on Monday that they had been tricked into appearing on the show, which they were told would highlight community spirit in the neighbourhood.

Instead they say they have been depicted as lazy scroungers, drug takers and irresponsible parents.

"They said they wanted to film for a TV show about how great community spirit is in the street and how we all help each other out on a daily basis," Dee Roberts told the Birmingham Mail.

"I participated in the show on that belief, but this programme has nothing to do with community, which you can tell from the title. It makes people out as complete scum.

Channel 4 told Sky News: "The production crew were filming in a purely observational capacity - at no stage was criminal behaviour encouraged or condoned.

"All contributors were briefed that if they carried out criminal activity on camera this could result in criminal investigations after broadcast."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hundreds Of NHS Direct Staff Face Job Losses

Hundreds of people working for NHS Direct, a failed provider to the NHS helpline, have been told they face losing their jobs.

NHS Direct announced in July that it was planning to pull out of its contracts due to severe financial problems.

In October it said it would close after projecting a £26m deficit for this financial year.

Some 200 of its 700 staff have already been told their jobs are safe, as they move to other providers.

Of the remaining 500, many may also escape redundancy, with back office staff most likely to lose their jobs.

A spokeswoman said: "NHS Direct has today written to around 500 employees, including around 140 nurses, giving them formal notice that they are at risk of redundancy at the end of March.

"The final number of redundancies is likely to be less than this, since we are seeking to mitigate as many redundancies as possible by supporting these staff to find alternative employment within the wider NHS.

"At this stage we do not know what the final number of redundancies will be as it is dependent on several factors including the number of 'at risk' staff who obtain suitable alternative employment elsewhere."

The 111 line, which replaced NHS Direct as the number to call for urgent, but non-emergency care, has been riddled with controversy since its inception on April 1 last year.

Health Week promo image

Patients complained of calls going unanswered, poor advice being given and calls being diverted to the wrong part of the country.

A month after its launch, leading medics warned the "problematic" roll-out of the system had left many patients not knowing where to turn.

An investigation was launched by NHS England after a number of incidents, including three deaths, were linked to the service.

NHS Direct originally won 11 of the 46 contracts across England to provide the 111 service.

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, claimed 158 nursing staff at NHS Direct would lose their jobs.

He said: "This is sad news indeed for the individuals affected, and could to lead to patients seeing their NHS 111 service stretched even further.

"After the dismantling of NHS Direct, we've been left with a fragmented, localised NHS 111 service that offers uncertainty and inconsistency across many parts of the country."

:: All this week Sky News will have live coverage examining the crisis in the NHS. Watch 'A Matter Of Life And Death' on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

We also want to hear your experiences of the NHS - the good and the bad - tweet us using the hashtag #NHSlifeanddeath


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Obese Pregnant Women 'Putting Strain On NHS'

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

NHS chiefs have ordered the first official survey of older and fatter women giving birth following new evidence that maternity units are under increasing pressure from complex pregnancies.

Figures obtained by Sky News show there has been a boom in pregnant women who are obese or over the age of 40.

Some units reported that the number of obese mums had more than doubled in just two years.

And NHS England revealed it will for the first time monitor the data to ensure women are receiving appropriate care.

Dr Catherine Calderwood, NHS clinical director for maternity, said: "Knowing this data is one of the most important things to improve the outcomes for these women and their babies.

"So we are investing in that with a new audit for the first time."

Sky News sent a Freedom of Information request to all maternity units in England.

Dr Catherine Calderwood, NHS Clinical Director for Maternity Dr Catherine Calderwood, NHS clinical director for maternity

Of the 104 that replied, 67 were able to supply data on obesity between 2010/11 and 2012/13.

On average there was a 12.5% rise in women with a body mass index (BMI) over 30.

But Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust reported a rise of 192% and Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said obesity had risen 177%.

Our survey also shows an upward trend in the number of older mums, with an average 7.5% rise in the number of women aged over 40 over the two years.

Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Trust has been at the forefront of one of the biggest baby booms in the country.

Our statistics show that the number of obese mums rose by 59% in two years. Women aged over 40 rose by 33%.

Nicky Griffin, maternity ward manager at the hospital, said obese women need additional care.

"It is a consideration you need to make for their safety when they are in labour," she said.

Health Week promo image

"There is a risk of deep vein thrombosis, clotting in the leg.

"We have to give medication to prevent that because bigger ladies can be less mobile."

Obese women are also more at risk of diabetes, dangerously high blood pressure and having a premature delivery. Older mums face similar risks.

:: All this week Sky News will have live coverage examining the crisis in the NHS. Watch 'A Matter Of Life And Death' on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

We also want to hear your experiences of the NHS - the good and the bad - tweet us using the hashtag #NHSlifeanddeath


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

HMP Oakwood: Cover-Up Claims After Stand-Off

The full extent of violent disturbances at Britain's biggest prison is being "covered up" by ministers and G4S, the private firm that runs it, it has been claimed.

The allegations follow a nine-hour stand-off between staff and inmates at so-called "super prison" HMP Oakwood that ended in the early hours of Monday morning.

It has emerged the violent outbreak was not an isolated incident but one of a string of disturbances at the prison, which houses 1,600 criminals.

Labour's shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan said the prison, which only opened in April 2012, had been "plagued" by protests and disturbances.

And he said the Ministry of Justice and G4S, the firm which runs the jail and was recently exposed for overcharging the Government by millions for criminal tagging services, needed to come clean over the problems there.

Sadiq Khan Shadow justice minister Sadiq Khan says HMP Oakwood is plagued by protests

The category C prison was sharply criticised by prisons inspectors late last year over high levels of violence and the ease with which inmates were able to obtain drugs.

Mr Khan said: "More and more information is coming to light that suggests the Ministry of Justice and G4S are trying to cover up the true scale of the disturbances in the Justice Secretary's flagship Oakwood prison on Sunday night.

"The Tory-led Government needs to come clean and admit what really happened, and acknowledge that there are some very serious underlying problems at Oakwood.

"The prison is not punishing and reforming offenders anywhere near as well as it should, and the taxpayer deserves better.

"This isn't an isolated incident. Since opening the prison has been plagued by rooftop protests, disturbances and a damning Chief Inspectors' Report that revealed inmates found it easier to get drugs than soap. Yet instead of getting a grip, Chris Grayling praises Oakwood as his model for the rest of the prisons system."

A justice minister's spokeswoman responded: "This is complete scaremongering. It was the previous Labour government who in fact kicked off the process to allow private operators to run Oakwood - and for them to turn around now and cry foul is outright hypocrisy.

"Any suggestion that there's been a 'cover-up' as to what is going on at Oakwood is ridiculous. Opening a new prison is a difficult and complex operation and we've made no bones about that. But there have been steady improvements over the months and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.

"Privately run prisons have been a key feature of the estate for over 20 years, and will continue to play a crucial role in rehabilitating offenders."

In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Justice and G4S dismissed reports that prison staff were taken hostage during the incident, which they said involved only around 20 inmates in one wing of the jail.

HMP Oakwood, which has been dubbed "Jokewood" by prisoners, was originally intended to be a "titan prison" holding 2,500 inmates, but this was downgraded when the titan programme was dropped.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602 and Freeview channel 82.


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing Nida: Teenager 'Upset At Studies Ban'

A teenager who has been missing for more than a week was upset because she had been told she could not go to university as her family were asylum seekers.

Nida Ul-Naseer, 18, of Newport, South Wales, vanished while taking out the rubbish on December 28.

The family, originally from Pakistan, had their request for asylum in Britain turned down a year ago which meant Nida chose to retake a business studies course that she had already passed.

"I think that not being able to go to university is the reason for her leaving," sister Shamyla, 23, speaking alongside other family members at Newport Central police station.

Nida Ul-Naseer Nida vanished outsider her home in Linton Street on December 28

"Nida, please come back home", her sister said.

"Nida, please come back home. We are desperately worried about you. Nida, we need you. Nida, please come back home, we cannot live without you."

Her sister had been upset and angry about the situation before she vanished, Shamyla said.

It emerged that the teenager might also have been barefoot when she disappeared three days after Christmas.

Nida reportedly suffers from a medical condition and needs iron pills in order to prevent anaemia.

Her father, Naseer Tahir, who was also at the news conference, said in broken English that he was happy for his daughter to attend university.

He added that he was sad he was not able to provide her with what she wanted.

Nida did not have a boyfriend and was described by her family as "very religious".

The family's plea to Nida came as the police also made a direct appeal to the teenager during the press conference.

Superintendent Mark Warrender said: "Nida, if you are watching or listening to this please, please get in touch.

"Your family is desperately worried about you and all they want to know, and we want to know, is that you are safe and well."

He also gave an update on the progress of the investigation, but acknowledged there had been no sightings of Nida since she left home.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Twitter Abuse: Pair Admit 'Menacing' Messages

A man and a woman have admitted sending "menacing" tweets to a feminist campaigner who wanted a female face on the new £10 banknote.

Isabella Sorley, 23, and John Nimmo, 25, both pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court to posting the messages to Caroline Criado-Perez last July.

Ms Criado-Perez was subjected to abuse from 86 accounts on the microblogging site Twitter, the court heard.

It came after she successfully called for the 19th century novelist Jane Austen to be put on the note.

Sorley told Ms Criado-Perez to kill herself and "I would do a lot worse things then rape you", it was alleged.

Sorley said she was drunk and bored when she sent the tweets, described the threats as "empty" and that she was just winding Ms Criado-Perez up.

The court also heard Nimmo told Ms Criado-Perez: "Come to Geordie land b****. What do you think the police will do?"

Nimmo was described in court as a social recluse who claims benefits and only goes out to empty the bins.

Criado Perez Twitter abuses court case Caroline Criado-Perez suffered abuse online

Ms Criado-Perez found the tweets horrifying and frightening and has suffered life-changing psychological effects since the incident, it was claimed.

Labour MP Stella Creasy was said to have also been targeted when she came to the defence of the freelance journalist.

Ms Creasy has feared for the safety of herself and family, the court heard.

Ms Criado-Perez helped persuade the Bank of England to replace Charles Darwin with Austen on the new £10 from 2017 following a petition signed by more than 35,000 people.

The announcement by the Bank was hailed as a "brilliant day for women" by Ms Criado-Perez.

And it followed news last April that social reformer Elizabeth Fry was to be dropped from the £5 note in favour of Winston Churchill.

The Crown Prosecution Service had announced last month that Sorley, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Nimmo, of South Shields, were both charged.

However the CPS said it would not be in the public interest to prosecute over messages allegedly sent to Ms Creasy.

Sorley was remanded in custody and Nimmo was bailed. The case was adjourned under January 24.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Edinburgh Airport Closed Over Suspect Package

Edinburgh Airport has been closed after a suspect package was spotted going through a security X-ray machine.

Police are questioning a passenger and a bomb disposal team is in place with a 100-metre cordon placed around the package.

The incident took place just before 2pm.

Around 100 travellers have been evacuated from the airport terminal to a nearby multi-storey car park.

Others who have already passed through security remain in the departures area.

More follows...

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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