Measles: Warning As South Wales Cases Spread

Measles cases in Wales are spreading with "alarming" speed despite urgent calls to ensure children have vital MMR protection.

Health chiefs have again warned that the epidemic could leave unprotected children brain-damaged or dead.

Public Health Wales (PHW) says 432 cases have been reported so far, mainly in the Swansea area, with 51 people - many of them babies - in hospital.

In the last week alone, 116 people have been diagnosed and the numbers infected have doubled in less than four weeks.

The disease has now spread to children in 111 secondary and primary schools, nurseries and play groups.

Experts fear the epidemic could rival an outbreak which ravaged Dublin more than a decade ago, when three people died.

PHW is urging parents of all children aged between one and 18 in Wales who have not been fully vaccinated to contact their GP for advice and to arrange vaccination as soon as possible.

Dr Marion Lyons, PHW director of health protection, warned: "Measles is now spreading at an alarming rate across areas of Wales.

"Worryingly, there are still tens of thousands of susceptible children across Wales, yet our weekly monitoring of vaccination rates shows only a slight increase in numbers receiving MMR jabs."

Charlotte Jones, a family doctor in Sketty, near Swansea, told Sky News: "We're extremely concerned because we're seeing more and more cases increasing week by week."

"One would think that as schools break up for the Easter holidays maybe that would slow the spread.

"But people travel during the holidays, and during the incubation period when they may not be showing any symptoms they could be starting an outbreak in new areas.

"Historically, in Swansea and some of the neighbouring areas there has been a very low uptake of the MMR vaccine.

"By having your child vaccinated, not only are you protecting them but everyone else in the family and anyone who is vulnerable or pregnant they come into contact with, so please get you child vaccinated."

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JT McNamara Paralysed After Cheltenham Fall

Irish jockey JT McNamara has been paralysed after suffering a neck injury in a fall at the Cheltenham Festival, doctors have confirmed.

The 37-year-old rider is said to be in a "very positive frame of mind" after having surgery at a Bristol hospital where he has been treated since the fall on March 15.

According to a McNamara family statement, he was also "greatly appreciative" of the "many messages" of support.

He fractured two vertebrae when his mount Galaxy Rock fell at the first fence in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup. The horse was unhurt.

McNamara, one of the leading amateurs on the circuit for a number of years, was airlifted to hospital after being treated by the on-course medics.

McNamara was airlifted to hospital after the fall

Apparently conscious after the fall, he was put in an induced coma before being transferred to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.

A statement issued jointly by Adrian McGoldrick, the Irish Turf Club's senior medical officer, and Lisa Hancock, head of the Injured Jockeys Fund, on behalf of the McNamara family read: "JT McNamara remains in the Frenchay Hospital, Bristol.

"Whilst he suffered a serious neck injury resulting in paralysis, he has made progress in the last week and is in a very positive frame of mind."

The statement continued: "He is greatly appreciative of the many messages, cards and letters received and also wishes to thank the Frenchay Hospital who are looking after him so well."

He is expected to be transferred to the National Spinal Unit at Dublin's Mater Hospital to continue his rehabilitation.

McNamara has over 600 wins to his name including four victories at Cheltenham.

Galaxy Rock's owner JP McManus, with whom McNamara has a long association, was said to be in tears when he heard about the neck injury.

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House Explosion Puts Pensioners In Hospital

A pensioner remains in hospital after a suspected gas blast flattened his home and prompted the evacuation of neighbouring houses.

Families have been evacuated after the blast in Callander

Police said the house had been "totally demolished" by the blast and that 77-year-old Robin Cunningham and his wife Marianne, 74, were taken to hospital.

He is said to be in a stable condition, while Mrs Cunningham suffered minor injuries and has been released.

Neighbours said they could hear her calling for help from under the rubble, while her husband had become trapped under debris in the kitchen.

Nine houses around the scene of the explosion in Murdiston Avenue, Callander, in central Scotland, were evacuated and Stirling Council has set up a rest centre in the town for those who have been asked to leave their homes.

Neighbour Alistair Allan, who lives across the road, said his 16-year-old daughter Nicola alerted him to the explosion.

The home was "totally demolished" in the explosion

He said: "My daughter shouts to be, 'Dad, the house across the road is on fire'.

"I looked out and it was gone. The house was demolished. The male occupant, he was shouting from below the rubble, 'Get me out, get me out, I can't take this any longer, help me, help me'.

"I couldn't see the guy, he was below the rubble in what I take was the kitchen.

"There was nothing we could do - we had to leave it to the fire service."

Sky's James Matthews said the likely focus of the investigation would be on a new boiler, which is understood to have been fitted three weeks ago.

A policeman at the scene of the blast

The couple had called engineers back to check it three times and engineers were due to return for a fourth time on the day of the explosion, Matthews said.

Eric Brown, proprietor of the nearby Roman Camp Hotel, said: "I heard a loud bang at around 5.45am this morning.

"The hotel is set quite far back from the road so it wasn't particularly loud from where we are, but it was enough to wake me up."

Chief Inspector Russell Penman, of Central Scotland Police, said: "The house has been totally demolished as a result of the explosion.

"We are treating this as a suspected gas leak and inquiries are at a very early stage to establish the cause. Scotland Gas Networks are in attendance and working with us."

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Savile Police Arrest 82-Year-Old Man

An 82-year-old man from Berkshire has been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences by officers from Operation Yewtree, the Metropolitan Police have said.

The pensioner is one of 11 people arrested so far as part of investigations into alleged offending by former disc jockey Jimmy Savile and "others".

A Scotland Yard spokesman said last night that the man, who has not been named, was interviewed under caution on November 29 last year, five days after a search warrant was executed at an address in Berkshire.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said he was bailed to a date in May, pending further inquiries.

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Parents Of Suicide Teen Call For Law Reform

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

The parents of a 17-year-old who were unaware he had been arrested for drink driving before he killed himself are calling for a change in the law.

Nick and Jane Lawton were not told their son, Joseph, had been held by police or that he had spent a night in a cell.

They say it is an anomaly in the law that 17-year-olds are treated as adults when arrested but as children if they are charged.

Joseph shot himself after he was arrested for drink driving

Being treated as adults means police do not have to tell parents of 17-year-olds they have been arrested or offer them the opportunity to have an adult present during interviews.

Joseph Lawton had just passed his driving test when he went to a party near his home in Disley, near Stockport.

He had taken the train but decided to drive back from the station. His parents thought he was staying the night with friends.

His father, Nick, told Sky News: "He made a bad decision and he chose to drive and he was stopped and breathalysed. He failed the breathalyser and he was arrested."

His parents said when he returned home he did not mention what had happened and he had told his friends he had got away with it.

Three nights later, when he was alone at home, he shot himself with a gun from the family farm. His father found him in the lounge. He was the couple's only child.

His mother, Jane, said: "The charge sheet was in front of him telling us that was why he'd done what he did; and that was the first thing that we knew."

Joseph had left notes for his parents, best friend and girlfriend. His father said: "When we read his letters eventually they confirmed it. He just thought that he'd closed the door to his future.

His parents believe he could be alive today if the law had been different

"But when you think that if we'd had a phone call from the police while he was in the police station - one phone call - I'd have been straight down there.

"I would have spoken to him - I would have told him, supported him, told him that it's not the end of everything - 'you're still going to university, you'll still get a job. 'Things might be a little bit more difficult but at the end of the day we'll be able to get through it'.

"But we weren't given that opportunity."

Joseph's mother added: "We firmly believe that if Joe had contacted us, if we'd have been able to speak to him, he'd still be alive today."

The Lawtons are being supported by the parents of Edward Thornber who killed himself aged 17 after he was summoned to court for possessing cannabis worth 50p.

Today the families will hand a 52,000-signature petition in to Downing Street. A judicial review into the issue is ongoing.

Lawyer Shauneene Lambe, who works for the charity Just For Kids Law, told Sky News: "As it stands, at the moment, 17-year-olds are treated as if they are adults when they go to the police station.

"If they are sent to court, if they were charged for example, they would go back to being treated like children in the court system.

"So there's an anomaly within the police station, that we believe should be changed."

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Snow: Fed Up Brits Head For Sunnier Climes

Some 1.7 million British holidaymakers are expected to head overseas for the Easter weekend, with Spain, Egypt and Tunisia being the most popular destinations.

As the UK suffers one of the coldest Easters on record, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) says there have been substantial year-on-year increases in last minute bookings to warm destinations.

Meanwhile, as many in the UK are looking to escape the snow, skiers are delighting in one of the best European snowfalls in years.

Many ski resorts have extended their seasons and tens of thousands are expected to head for the slopes, with resorts in France and Austria being the most popular.

Some 600,000 passengers are expected to fly out of Heathrow this Easter

Foreign city breaks are also traditionally popular at Easter with Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam, Rome and New York the top five choices. 

Bookings for UK breaks are reportedly healthy as many customers booked months in advance and city breaks are not so dependent on the weather.

But last minute bookings for camping holidays will have been adversely affected by the snow.

Neil Evans, who runs a kiosk in Weston-super-Mare, said: "Unfortunately, without the sun we would expect our sales to be right down on last year when it was that much hotter.

Regional airports and ferry terminals are expected to be busier than usual

"It's the start of our season so this is the time when we really need it basically. This is when we get our surge and need to bring our stocks in - and without the customers down here unfortunately that's going to be delayed a little bit longer."

Airports are expecting significant passenger numbers to pass through their terminals with some 600,000 anticipated to leave from Heathrow, 214,000 from Gatwick, 110,000 from Stansted and 55,000 from Luton. 

Other regional airports, ferry terminals and the channel tunnel will also be extremely busy over the weekend. Eurostar expects tens of thousands of travellers to leave the UK on its trains.

Heavy snow in parts of the UK has encouraged many to book holidays abroad

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "After two wet summers and no end in sight to the winter many Brits are desperate for some sunshine.

"We've seen a surge in last minute bookings to warm destinations and ski lovers are also in for a treat with some of the best snow conditions seen for years.

"Bookings for city breaks have been strong for domestic holidaymakers. We expect it to be a particularly busy Easter for travel and advice travellers to allow plenty of time for their journeys."

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British Soldier Dies After Afghanistan Attack

A British soldier has died after being injured during a "complex" insurgent attack in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

The soldier, from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, was injured in the Nad-e-Ali district of Helmand Province yesterday.

He was flown to hospital for treatment but died of his injuries, a spokesman for the MoD said.

His next of kin have been informed.

Task Force Helmand spokesman Major Matt Allen said: "It is with deep regret that I must report the death of a soldier from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) who has died as a result of wounds sustained during an insurgent attack in Nad 'Ali in Helmand province.

"His death comes as a great loss to all serving in Task Force Helmand.

"Our thoughts and prayers are extended to his family and friends at this difficult time."

The insurgent attack occurred in Nad-e-Ali district

According to Sky sources, the initial attack was an improvised explosive device (IED) fired from a vehicle.

A fire fight  then ensued in the attack, which was described as "complex".

The soldier is believed to have died in hospital at Camp Bastion before being medically evacuated back to the UK.

A number of British soldiers were also injured in the attack, with varying degrees of seriousness.

Sky sources indicate that at least 10 British soldiers were injured in the action.

All the next of kin of the injured have also been informed.

The soldier's death takes to 441 the number of UK service members who have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001 and the third to die so far in 2013.

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Drugs Boss Baron Smuggled 52 Tonnes Into UK

The Gang's Key Players

Updated: 7:38pm UK, Tuesday 26 March 2013

:: Philip Baron

Originally from Salford, he had worked as an HGV driver and ran a company called Trafford Park Tankers about 16 years ago. He had a daughter with his first wife in Greater Manchester, before moving to Ireland with his second partner to live in luxury.

His two children in Ireland, who are both models, enjoyed a high-class lifestyle, going to boarding school and owning their own horses.

But Baron's first daughter, Rachael, 30, who lived in Bolton, was left in poverty. Police believe Baron, 57, manipulated her into getting involved in his drugs network, managing his credit cards and phone bills.

She moved about £1 million in drugs money in the UK, and bought a Bentley Continental GT sports car on his behalf. She was eventually jailed for three years for money laundering.

Baron smuggled cannabis into the UK as his "bread and butter", police said, but occasionally he and his accomplice, Paul Hewett, would import cocaine as a cash boost to pay for luxury items.

:: Walter Callinan

Also known as James Jones or JJ, racehorse owner Callinan had £5 million of assets in the UK and Spain when he was arrested, including six luxury villas, one of which cost #1 million to build.

Callinan owned six fake passports and had previously absconded from prison in the 1990s while serving five years under the false name Michael Wentwood for smuggling heroin.

He was obsessed with his horse and said in emails that it did not matter if everything in his life went wrong, as long as he could still have the enjoyment of racing the animal.

Callinan spent up to £40,000 per year stabling the horse, and had pictures of the animal throughout his villa in Spain.

He kept a 200-page ledger of the drug gang's books, including purchase and sale prices and codes for customers.

In the 17 months covered by the records, the gang had imported 6% of the cannabis coming into the UK and made a £3.2 million profit.

A police officer involved in the case, who can only be named as Mark, said: "It's fair to say Walter is up there with the big hitters in terms of importation of cannabis. We believe that this is only a snapshot in the period of time that he's been unlawfully at large."

Callinan indulged his son, Ben, who never worked but frittered away £1 million on a gambling habit, taking part in the World Poker series, going on poker cruises and travelling to Las Vegas.

The pair are both now serving jail terms on the same wing of Winchester prison - Walter received 11 years and Ben two-and-a-half.

:: Malcolm Carle

Carle was nicknamed Sir Humphrey after the character in Yes Minister, left his job as a project manager in the IT department at Barclays bank to work for the gang.

Carle, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, was given six years for money laundering, although he is appealing against the conviction.

Police believe he helped Baron and Callinan hide assets in Uzbekistan and Switzerland.

He also bought the Hadley Bowling Green Inn in Worcestershire for £1.2 million to launder drugs money. The current owners of the hotel have no involvement in criminality.

Carle complained in an email to Callinan that he had given up his £50,000 annual salary to risk prison. He said: "This put me in a very awkward position because I was now responsible for washing nearly £1.5 (million) in total."

The 59-year-old went on: "Due to being heavily involved with the washing of your paperwork, I left a good job and a guaranteed £50k annual income plus extras... to help you as you are a trusted friend but you now for some reason think I am the enemy."

Callinan replied to say he risked being sent to prison or "the shovel" - being murdered and buried - every day. "That is how I managed to earn the money to put into these projects, working hard non-stop and risking porridge every day.

"A grand total of what I have invested of nearly #5 million. I risk the shovel every day and other people thinking they are clever trying to f*** me." Football-mad Carle spent thousands following Chelsea and England, including going all over the world.

A police officer involved in the case, who can only be named as Mark, said: "Malcolm Carle is a staunch Chelsea supporter and he has spent £60,000 in a number of years to watch every single home and away Chelsea match and every single home and away England match throughout the world for a number of years." He had a previous conviction for football violence.

:: Paul Hewett

Hewett, 55, from Farnborough in Hampshire, lived in the UK and Spain, and owned a Porsche and a 64ft yacht but had no obvious legitimate source of income. He was sentenced to 20 years in jail in 2010 for importing drugs, having been involved in 97 consignments.

A judge estimated the value of the drugs to be £117 million, but police said this was "very conservative".

:: Paul Yearsley

Yearsley, 46, from Eccles, Manchester, also had a yacht and a villa in Spain. One of his houses in the UK was featured in a magazine spread in Lancashire Life in 2009. Shots of the property, valued at £2.7 million, were shown under the title "Living The Dream". It was in the grounds of an even larger property that was valued at #5.5 million, and also belonged to Yearsley, who said he was a car dealer. He was jailed for five years and four months for drug trafficking.

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Hands-On Care To Be Taught To Student Nurses

Student nurses will have to give "hands-on" patient care as healthcare assistants for up to a year before they can become a nurse, the Health Secretary will announce today.

It is hoped the move will "give the public confidence" that people in the profession can be compassionate.

Jeremy Hunt will publish the Government's response to the Francis report into serious failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust which highlighted "appalling and unnecessary suffering of hundreds of people" at Stafford Hospital between 2005 and 2009.

As many as 1,200 patients may have died needlessly after they were "routinely neglected" at the hospital. Many were left lying in their own urine and excrement for days, forced to drink water from vases or given the wrong medication.

Robert Francis QC, chairman of the public inquiry into the "disaster" at the hospital, made 290 sweeping recommendations for healthcare regulators, providers and the Government.

Mr Francis concluded there was a "completely inadequate standard of nursing" offered on some wards at Stafford Hospital.

His report says: "The complaints heard at both the first inquiry and this one testified not only to inadequate staffing levels, but poor leadership, recruitment and training.

Hundreds of people may have died needlessly at Stafford Hospital

"This led in turn to a declining professionalism and a tolerance of poor standards."

Mr Francis called for an increased culture of compassion and caring in the nursing profession.

Mr Hunt hopes to change the culture by transforming the way nurses are recruited.

Subject to pilot schemes, students seeking NHS funding for nursing degrees will become healthcare assistants or support workers either as part of their degree or as a prerequisite for receiving funding for their degree.

The move will see aspiring nurses giving "hands-on" patient care, Mr Hunt will say.

If it is successful, ministers will see whether the measure should be "extended beyond nursing".

Another aspect of the Government response will see the introduction of minimum training standards and a code of conduct for health and care support workers.

"Frontline, hands-on caring experience and values need to be equal with academic training," Mr Hunt said.

"These measures are about recruiting all staff with the right values and giving them the training they need to do their job properly, so that patients are treated with compassion."

Labour has urged the Government to take on all 290 of the recommendations made by Mr Francis.

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Mobile Phone 'Steaming' Thieves Are Jailed

A gang of youths who stole mobile phones and tablets worth £150,000 by "steaming" high street stores in broad daylight have been jailed.

The group of males, aged 15 to 22-years-old, raided 42 Carphone Warehouse stores in London and surrounding areas over a six-month period.

Jahreau Shepherd, Perry Hedges (top) and Emmanuel Kakala and Ugo Wilson

CCTV footage showed shoppers and members of staff being caught in the violence as gang members wrenched stock from display stands.

In one clip a frightened mother is shown rushing to pick up her son before he is caught up in the gang's dash for the exit.

The youths caused over £50,000 worth of damage between July and December last year.

They typically operated in a large group, travelling together to the shop they planned to steal from.

They were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court after admitting conspiracy to commit burglary.

Detective Inspector Mark Loving, from the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit (NMPCU), said: "This case should act as a warning to anyone involved in this type of activity that the Met and NMPCU will robustly and swiftly deal with those who use intimidation to fulfil their greed."

The gang smashing up one shop

Jahreau Shepherd, 22, of Orsett Street, Lambeth and 21-year-old Ugo Wilson, of Aviation Drive, Barnet, were jailed for four years and 27 months respectively.

Perry Hedges, 18, of Howard Road, Kingston, was sentenced to 26 months' detention in a young offenders' institution.

Emmanuel Kakala, 18, of Cargreen Road, Croydon was given a suspended 18-month prison sentence and ordered to do 80 hours of community service, while 20-year-old Samuel Warnes, of Egleston Road, Merton, received a suspended 12-month prison sentence and one year's supervision.

Three boys, aged 15, 16 and 17, were all sentenced to detention and training for 10, 18 and 12 months respectively.

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Snow: Man Who Died Walking Home Is Named

The man who died trying to walk home in the snow has been named as 25-year-old Gary Windle.

Mr Windle's body was discovered in deep snow by a farmer in a village near Burnley, Lancs.

Police said he was trying to walk home to the village of Brierfield after a taxi was forced to abandon an attempt to drive him there because of the severe weather. He had been on a night out with friends.

RAF Valley's mountain rescue team prepare to fly to Northern Ireland

Chief Inspector Derry Crorken, of Lancashire Police, described conditions as "absolutely treacherous".

He said that it was impossible to get to some of the villages near to where Mr Windle's body was discovered and that some were "running out of food" after being cut off.

Mr Windle's death was the second of three tragedies in the recent cold snap.

On Friday, police in Looe, Cornwall, found a body in a block of flats that had been flattened by a landslide thought to have been triggered by torrential rain.

Cutting through snow at Saddleworth Moor (Pic: Oldham Mountain Rescue Team)

A 57-year-old hill walker, named by police as James Jack, died in the Scottish Highlands, although police said it was not clear whether his death was linked to the poor weather.

Nearly 20,000 people are still without power after heavy snow, with the RAF called out to help in some of the worst affected areas.

Engineers are working to restore supplies to around 7,000 homes in Northern Ireland and 10,000 in Scotland, as well as 500 properties on the Isle of Man.

A search and rescue team from RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales, was drafted in to help police in Northern Ireland.

Work to restore power supplies in Northern Ireland

They also landed on the Isle of Arran to fly an elderly woman suffering from hypothermia to hospital.

Squadron Leader Dave Webster, of RAF Search and Rescue, said its fleet of helicopters remained on stand-by but added: "There have been remarkably few call outs considering the disruption that's been caused."

The freezing weather is thought to have led to the death of a 27-year-old man who was trying to get home after a night out with friends in Lancashire.

Northern Ireland Electricity said conditions were improving but warned some customers may be without power for several days.

Spokesman Julia Carson said: "Some roads are still impassable - access has been restricted because of drifting snow and abandoned vehicles."

Snow and ice are causing treacherous driving conditions in many places

In Cumbria, police said around 40 people who left their cars on the roadside were given shelter in hotels in Millom, Waberthwaite and Bootle, while in Staffordshire, snow ploughs have been battling through drifts of up to 12ft on some exposed routes.

In Kent, a section of the White Cliffs of Dover, as well as a cliff-top bench and fencing, collapsed into the English Channel. The collapse is thought to have been triggered by high winds and freezing rain water, which causes cracks in the cliffs to expand.

Meanwhile, the Met Office warned of a risk of ice, despite lifting its yellow "be aware" weather alert.

"Lying snow in many areas will melt on roads and pavements by day, refreezing by night to give icy patches," a spokesman said.

"Snow blowing off fields in strong to gale force winds will also affect some roads, especially over high ground."

The weather has wreaked havoc across the transport network over the last two days, with delays on roads, railways and at airports including Leeds Bradford and Doncaster's Robin Hood.

Sky News weather forecaster Isobel Lang said the snow would become "less of a concern after today" but added: "The risk of more unsettled conditions with rain and further snow increases towards the Easter weekend."

Bookmaker Ladbrokes has cut the odds of snow at Easter to 4/5 after taking a flurry of bets in the past 48 hours. If it does snow, it would be the first white Easter in five years.

Forecasters have predicted it could be the coldest March in 50 years. In 1962, average temperatures for the month were 2.8C (37F).

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'No Job? No Benefits' Cameron To Tell Immigrants

David Cameron is set to announce tough new measures to curb immigrants' access to housing and benefits, in an attempt to tackle the "something for nothing" welfare culture.

The Prime Minister will use a keynote speech to warn those coming to the country that Britain will no longer be taking a "soft touch" approach to immigration.

From next year, arrivals from the European Union will be stripped of jobseekers benefits after six months unless they can prove they have been actively looking for a job and stand a "genuine chance" of finding one.

Immigrant families will also be kept off council house waiting lists for up to five years.

Local authorities will have to introduce minimum residency times of between two and five years for joining waiting lists - or justify why they are not.

Mr Cameron is likely to cite figures in his speech showing that nearly one in 10 new social lettings go to foreign nationals. The proportion has risen from 6.5% in 2007-08 to 9% in 2011-12.

Immigrants will be kept off council housing waiting lists for five years

The Government is also pledging to beef up the "range and depth" of questions in the habitual residence test, which checks that people meet residence requirements for housing and income-related benefits.

Mr Cameron will also target illegal immigration - doubling the maximum fine for companies that employ illegal workers to £20,000.

He will also signal action against so-called "health tourism" that could mean non-EU nationals have to prove they hold insurance before getting care.

Mr Cameron is expected to say in his speech on Monday: "While I have always believed in the benefits of immigration I have also always believed that immigration has to be properly controlled.

"As I have long argued, under the last government this simply wasn't the case. Immigration was far too high and badly out of control. Net migration needs to come down radically from hundreds of thousands a year to just tens of thousands.

Immigrants must prove they have a 'genuine chance' of getting a job

"And as we bring net migration down so we must also make sure that Britain continues to benefit from it.

"That means ensuring that those who do come here are the brightest and the best the people we really need with the skills and entrepreneurial talent to create the British jobs and growth that will help us to win in the global race."

In his spring conference address over the weekend, Ukip leader Nigel Farage claimed his willingness to talk about immigration was one of the main reasons for the party's surge in popularity.

Concerns have also been rising over an influx from Bulgaria and Romania when movement restrictions are loosened at the end of this year.

The increasing political focus on the issue was emphasised last week when Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg ditched the Liberal Democrats' policy of offering an amnesty to illegal immigrants who have been in the country for more than 10 years.

Immigrants to the UK take part in a Citizenship Ceremony.

He admitted the move would risk "undermining public confidence".

In his speech, Mr Cameron is also due to say: "Ending the something for nothing culture needs to apply to immigration as well as welfare.

"We're going to give migrants from the European Economic Area a very clear message. Just like British citizens, there is no absolute right to unemployment benefit."

Insisting the NHS must be able to reclaim money from people who are not eligible for treatment, Mr Cameron is to say: "We should be clear that what we have is a free National Health Service, not a free International Health Service."

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Weather: Man Dies In Snow Trying To Get Home

A young man died in a "very tragic incident" after trying to get home in the snow in Burnley after a night out with friends.

The man's body was discovered in deep snow by a farmer at 1.30pm but emergency services struggled to get to the area because of the weather conditions.

Chief Inspector Derry Crorken, of Burnley Police, said: "Early indications suggest that it appears to be a very tragic incident where a young man has been out with friends and has become caught up in the weather last night on his journey home.

"The snow and ice has been severe in the area with many roads not passable. I would urge people to take precautions and only go out if it is necessary and if you do go out then make sure friends and family know where you are and that you have suitable clothing on and your phone with you."

His death is the second tragedy in the recent spell of bad weather. On Friday police in Looe, Cornwall, found a body in a block of flats that had been flattened by a landslide thought to have been triggered by torrential rain.

There is apparently 18 inches of snow near Wrexham (Pic: Alison Brooks)

Heavy snowfall has brought disruption to many parts of the UK, with roads closed, flights delayed, rail services cancelled and sports events called off.

Power lines were brought down, leaving tens of thousands of homes in Northern Ireland without electricity, while 18,000 properties in Scotland and hundreds more in areas of northern England also had no power.

In some areas police reported snow drifts up to 20ft (6m) while the British Red Cross were called on to ferry medical staff, paramedics and even patients to hospital using 4x4s.

The snowy conditions extended south, hitting areas around London and Kent, where forecasters said there could be 2cm-5cm (1-2ins) of the white stuff on higher ground.

The Met Office issued a yellow warning for the public to be aware of adverse weather conditions as a slow-moving band of rain, sleet and snow made its way across many central and northern parts, and the south and east.

There may be 5-10cm (2-4ins) of snow at lower levels and further significant snow accumulations were likely on hills, with continued drifting and blizzard conditions in strong southeasterly winds. 

In North Wales the British Red Cross ferried hospital staff, paramedics and renal patients to hospitals using 4x4 vehicles.

Bay Search and Rescue in Cumbria were deployed to help people in the snow

David Hallows, service manager for emergency response for the Red Cross in North Wales, said: "I've never seen snow like it. It's a metre thick in places and it's not drifting.

"I just can't believe it. It's great to know that our 4x4 capability can be of such vital use to medical staff in getting them through these tough weather conditions to patients, many of whom are seriously ill."

Airports were forced to shut their runways, and road closures hit motorists. The AA has warned drivers that even short journeys may be difficult.

More snow is expected tonight but it set to slowly die out on Sunday and forecasters say most places will have a cold, dry day with cold easterly winds.

About 70 people stranded in their cars in Cumbria overnight were put up in a local high school. Police said that snow was drifting up to 20ft (6m) and they had had 1,500 calls asking for help.

A motorist drives past another car stuck in a snow drift near Belfast

In Northern Ireland, 6ft (1.8m) snow drifts left emergency crews struggling to get through but electricity was restored to 17,000 homes on Saturday.

However, about 18,000 customers were still cut off and teams were out again from first light to continue with network repairs, Northern Ireland Electricity said. They were using helicopters to try to identify the power lines affected.

In Scotland, ScottishPower said it was working hard to restore powers to all its affected homes.

Electricity North West was trying to restore power to parts of Cumbria, with 284 customers still without electricity, as engineers were unable to reach them due to road closures.

Leeds Bradford Airport said flights were not currently operating due to the adverse weather conditions. There was also disruption at East Midlands Airport.

Cutting through the snow in Denbighshire (Pic: David Cartwright)

Among the problems reported on the railways was disruption on First Transpennine Express services between Huddersfield and Manchester, and no Northern Rail services between Skipton and Carlisle.

The bad weather also hit the sporting programme, with racing at Doncaster and Newbury called off and some football league games in England and Scotland postponed.

Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Russia fell foul of the weather for the second time in 24 hours, with hostile conditions rendering Windsor Park unplayable.

The Group F clash was initially due to take place on Friday night but heavy snow and plummeting temperatures in Belfast saw the fixture postponed after three inspections by Norwegian referee Tom Hagen and the FIFA delegation.

The South West, which was hit by heavy rain and floods on Friday, had a dry day. Bylate evening the Environment Agency had only 63 flood alerts in place, those mainly for the South East.

A snow plough ended up on its side in the bad weather (Pic: Shaun Cullis)

Sky weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "Southeast England, East Anglia, the Midlands, north Wales, northern England, Northern Ireland and much of Scotland can expect snow today.

"High ground will be worst affected with some heavy snow at times with drifting in the strong winds and also blizzards.

"Low levels could see 5-10cm (2-4ins) of snowfall today although amounts will probably be lower across London."

She added: "Southwest England, south Wales and southern Ireland looks largely dry and relatively mild with some brighter spells.

"A few showers may nudge into the extreme southwest later. Tonight will stay dry with a frost forming in places."

It is expected to be the coldest March since 1962 when the average temperature was 2.8C (37F).

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Berezovsky Death: Chemical Experts Called In

Chemical and radiation experts are assisting police in their investigation after exiled Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky was found dead in a bath at his home in the UK.

It is believed the former billionaire, who had fallen out with the Kremlin, took his own life but no reports have been confirmed.

Lord Bell, the advertising and PR executive, confirmed his death, adding: "His body was found by his bodyguard."

Thames Valley Police confirmed they had launched an investigation into the death of a 67-year-old man at a property in Ascot, Berkshire.

His death was "currently unexplained" and a "full inquiry under way", police said.

A police statement said: "Specially trained officers are currently at the scene, including Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) trained officers, who are carrying out a number of searches as a precaution.

Berezovsky arrives for his court room clash with Roman Abramovich

"The body of the man is still in the property at this time."

Mr Berezovsky's lawyer Alexander Dobrovinsky told Russian state television that he had been informed by contacts in London that Mr Berezovsky had killed himself.

He said: "Berezovsky has been in a terrible state as of late. He was in debt. He felt destroyed. He was forced to sell his paintings and other things."

Mr Berezovsky made his fortune in Russia in the 1990s when he bought up state assets which were being sold off cheaply.

Mr Berezovsky had lived in Great Britain from 2000 having fled from Russia after falling out with Russia's leader.

r Berezovsky in 1998 with Andrei Lugovoi, suspected of killing Litvinenko

He was also a friend of the murdered dissident Alexander Litvinenko, who died in London after consuming radioactive Polonium in 2006.

In 1997 Forbes magazine estimated Mr Berezovsky's wealth at US$3bn but in recent years his wealth had been considerably reduced.

It is thought he had done badly in the financial crisis. In 2009 his wealth was estimated at £450m but he is thought to have spent £100m on the £3.7bn lawsuit against Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich last year, which he lost.

James Nixey, head of Chatham House's Russia programme, said: "He is the most virulently anti-Kremlin, anti-Putin of the oligarchs.

"He was certainly willing to spend his money, what little he had left, in an attempt to use it to end the current regime in Russia."

Officers have cordoned off Mr Berezovsky's house in Ascot, Berkshire

He added: "He had bodyguards, there were attempts on his life that even the security service in the UK had warned him about.

"It's certainly not the first case of Russians and people from the former Soviet Union, more broadly, who have been involved in difficult, embarrassing disputes with the Kremlin, to have died in relatively mysterious circumstances, perhaps before you might expect their natural life to end."

However, speaking to Sky News, a friend of Mr Berezovsky said that she did not think his death to be suspicious.

Sasha Nerozina said: "There is nothing to be suspicious about, as far as I understand."

She said: "It is shocking, terrible news. It is not something you expect. He was full of life and love."

She said that Mr Berezovsky had been left "demoralised" by losing the high-profile legal battle with Mr Abramovich last year.

But she said: "Boris cannot be dead - it is almost incredible to put those words together. We expected him to outlive us all."

Mr Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state TV that Mr Berezovsky had recently written to the President to ask for a pardon and to say that he wanted to return to Russia.

He said: "He asked Putin for forgiveness for his mistakes and asked him to obtain the opportunity to return to the motherland."

Lord Truscott, who has written a biography of Mr Putin, said: "Was it suicide or was it murder? He had a lot of contact with people in Russia. There could be a whole host of people who could want to see him dead.

"Last year he lost a case against Mr Abramovich and was getting very short of money. He could have been in a depressed state. Perhaps it was a final desperation."

A cordon remains around the property while police continue with their investigations.

Superintendent Stuart Greenfield said: "We are aware the cordon is causing disruption to local residents and we apologise for any inconvenience, but it is important we take all necessary measures to ensure a full and thorough investigation can be carried out.

"I would like to reassure residents that we are confident there is no risk to the wider community. The property is part of a large estate so a number of roads are closed off at the moment and will remain so for the time being."

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