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Missing Jayden: Teenager Arrested For 'Murder'

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 14 Desember 2013 | 10.18

Detectives looking for a teenager who went missing 10 days ago have released a CCTV image of the last known sighting of her.

Jayden Parkinson, from Oxford, was last seen leaving Didcot Parkway train station at 4.27pm on December 3 - and did not return home that evening as planned.

A 22-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.

Police said the 22-year-old, who is from  Reading, Berkshire, is in a relationship with Jayden.

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Murray, of Thames Valley Police, told a news conference the man was "part of our enquiries to prove or disprove whether Jayden has come to harm".

He revealed information had come to light to focus the search for the teenager in certain areas, including a wide, rural area between the village of Upton and Didcot.

Jayden Parkinson 17 year old girl missing Appeal: Superintendent Christian Bunt (L) and Det Ch Supt Andy Murray (R)

Mr Murray said teams had been deployed to search a path or track leading from Upton in the general direction of Didcot, partly following a disused railway line.

He said: "We do not know where Jayden is at the moment, but as time progresses it is obvious that we are becoming increasingly concerned about her welfare."

He added officers remained "focused on the hope that she is still out there".

Jayden is described as slim, with shoulder-length dark brown hair and brown eyes.

She was living with her mother in Didcot until November this year, when she found herself homeless.

The teenager relocated to an Oxford service called One Foot Forward, which offers assisted and supported accommodation for young people.

Inspector Chris Simpson, leading the search, said: "She has little access to money and she has not been in phone contact which is out of character for her.

"She could be in Oxford or Reading areas with friends and if this is the case we would urge her or them to get in contact.

"Jayden is not in any trouble but we need to get in touch with her to ensure she is safe and well."

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Thames Valley Police on 101 and quote URN 542 10/12, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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


10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Belfast Bomb Was 'Attempt To Injure Or Kill'

A bomb which exploded in the centre of Belfast where hundreds of people were packed into bars and restaurants had the potential to kill, police have said.

The blast in the city's bustling Cathedral Quarter has been blamed on dissident republicans opposed to the peace process.

Christmas partygoers were evacuated when the device detonated just before 7pm on Friday evening. There were no reports of any injuries.

Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum said the bombing had been a totally reckless attack that could have killed or maimed anyone nearby when the device went off.

"This was an attack on the people of Belfast going about their normal lives on a busy night for socialising in the city. This attack ruined the night out for these people., " he said.

"Those who carried out this attack have nothing to offer except disruption and destruction. Police would appeal for continued community support and vigilance on the run up to Christmas in seeking to disrupt or deter any further attack on the city."

Belfast bomb Hundreds of people were evaucated. Pic: Mark Ashbridge

A warning had been given about a device, however it was left at a different location to that named in a call to a newspaper.

It is understood the device was contained in a box that was left on a pavement in front of a busy restaurant.

Stormont's Justice Minister David Ford said the blast was an "attempt to kill or injure innocent people".

"The people carrying out these attacks have set out no reason and explained no cause for their acts of senseless violence. Their only aim seems to be to injure and disrupt. They ignore the strength of public support for normality and peace, especially at this Christmas season."

Security has been ramped up in the city since a man was forced by masked dissidents to drive a car bomb to a shopping centre that faces a police station last month. That 60kg (132lb) device only partially exploded and no-one was injured.

While the threat posed by the violent extremists has remained classed as severe, police have acknowledged a "surge" in activity has taken place in recent weeks.

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


10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Emma Bennett: Dog Attack Family's 'Devastation'

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 12 Desember 2013 | 10.18

The family of a mother-of-four mauled to death by two American pit bulls have spoken of their devastation.

Emma Bennett died on Tuesday evening after she was bitten by the dogs at a house in Dawlish Avenue in the Osmondthorpe district of Leeds.

It was reported that the attack, on Monday afternoon, happened while the 27-year-old was suffering an epileptic fit.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Ms Bennett's family said in a statement issued through West Yorkshire Police: "We are all very deeply upset at Emma's death, not just because she has been taken from us so suddenly but because of the horrific circumstances and the fact she was on her own at the time she was injured.

"Emma was a mother-of-four and although she had had some issues in her life she loved her children. She was a lively person who had a great sense of fun but she was also strong-headed and had her own opinions.

"She was the eldest of four children and had two brothers and a sister. They were at her bedside in hospital along with her mother and grandparents when she passed away.

"We are all devastated at Emma's death but the whole family has pulled together and are really supporting each other. We are grateful to everyone who has sent messages of sympathy and support."

Detective Superintendent Simon Beldon, leading the investigation, said: "Early indications are that the two dogs seized from the address are American pit bull terriers although tests are still ongoing to establish their exact make up.

"Dogs of this type are subject to restrictions under the Dangerous Dogs Act and our enquiries are focused on this aspect.

"We are continuing to appeal for anyone with information about the incident or the dogs involved in it to contact the investigation team."

Ms Bennett's neighbour, Chris Roebuck, said he was surprised the dogs were vicious enough to carry out the attack.

"I've seen one of them, which I have stroked and it seemed soft, really soft," he said. "It wanted to lick you at all times - that's the big dog - but I never saw the other dog."

Mr Roebuck said the dogs "seemed calm" and only ever barked occasionally.

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


10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

GP Failings Exposed As Maggots Found In Surgery

Sin Doctors: Bad Surgeries Summary

Updated: 2:47am UK, Thursday 12 December 2013

Here is a summary of what inspectors found in a number of surgeries that have been subject to enforcement action by the CQC:

Dr Harira Syed's practice in Rochdale, Lancashire:

:: No equipment available, such as oxygen, to use in the case of a patient emergency.

:: Most staff had not been trained in safeguarding, and some were unaware there was a safeguarding policy in place.

:: There were not enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to safeguard people's health, safety and welfare. T

Norris Road Surgery, Sale, Cheshire:

:: Staff had not undergone criminal record checks.

:: Confidential records left unattended or not securely stored in a number of areas of the practice.

:: A number of medicines used to treat patients in emergency situations were past their expiry date and also found some vaccines stored in the fridge that were six months out of date.

Wolds Practice, Horncastle, Lincolnshire:

:: Inspectors found "a number of recent errors relating to medicines being supplied incorrectly to patients due to errors when medicines are bagged up and handed to them".

:: There were also problems relating to the management of controlled drugs.

Kingshurst Medical Practice, Kingshurst, Birmingham:

:: Conditions were so bad that the surgery has now voluntarily opted out of registration with the CQC and services are being run by a new provider.

63 Lincoln Road Surgery, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire:

:: Practice was "visibly dusty, poorly maintained and there were inadequate systems in place to prevent and control the spread of infections.

:: There were no risk assessments and staff were not familiar with the fire alarm system.

:: In the main treatment room, where minor surgical procedures were performed, they found "dusty fixtures and fittings which included an examination light and a wall-mounted fan".

:: Reuseable instruments were not stored properly.

Northfield Surgery, Thorne, Doncaster, South Yorkshire:

:: Shortfalls in prescribing had resulted in one patient receiving medicine they were not supposed to have been prescribed.

:: Staff had access to training but there were some gaps in the training plan and appraisal system. There were also shortfalls in systems to monitor the quality

of the service provided to patients.

Dr Satish Patel's surgery, Newtown, Reading, Berkshire:

:: Was clean and tidy but did not follow guidance for infection control.

Long Street Surgery, Wigston, Leicestershire:

:: There were problems with staff training, including on protecting patients from abuse. Appointment processes had improved.

:: Personal information found on a desk and in folders on an open bookcase.


10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dementia: Call For Global Push For Cure

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 11 Desember 2013 | 10.19

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

The Prime Minister is to call for international collaboration to urgently find a cure for dementia.

David Cameron will tell health ministers from the world's leading industrialised nations that the disease is the key medical challenge of this generation.

Only a global response can stop cases trebling worldwide by 2050, he will say.

The UK is using its presidency of the G8 to hold an unprecedented dementia summit in London.

According to the Alzheimer's Society, eight times more money is spent researching cancer than dementia.

Hannah Clack, the society's spokeswoman, said the G8 summit must bring change.

"Dementia has spent a long time in the closet," she said. "It's where cancer was in the 1980s.

"This is becoming a big global problem and we need to take it to where cancer is today...and bring hope for both those conditions."

Pensioner More action is needed to prevent dementia, campaigners say

The Government will spend £66m on dementia research next year.

But Mr Cameron will signal an ambition to double research spending by the government, charities and drug companies by 2025.

Scientists still do not understand what causes dementia, making a cure elusive.

At St George's University of London scientists are examining slices of donated brain tissue, working on the hunch that poor blood flow causes cells to die, triggering symptoms.

Atticus Hainsworth, the neuroscientist leading the research, told Sky News there is a mountain to climb.

"We are in the foothills, barely out of the treeline," he said. "We are just discovering some of the molecules involved. But we need to know much more.

"If we know about the molecules and cells that take a brain to dementia then we can provide therapies that will improve the outcome and change the disease course."

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


10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dog Attack: Leeds Mother Dies From Injuries

A mother-of-four has died after she was attacked by dogs.

Emma Bennett died on Tuesday evening after suffering serious bite injuries in an incident at a house in Dawlish Avenue, Osmondthorpe, Leeds.

It was reported that the attack on Monday afternoon happened while the 27-year-old was suffering an epileptic fit.

She reportedly lived in the house with her boyfriend and an American pitbull and Staffordshire bull terrier.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Two dogs were seized following the incident and police inquiries remain ongoing this evening.

"Officers would like to speak to anybody who has information about the incident and the dogs involved in it.

"Anyone who has information should contact Protective Services at West Yorkshire Police on 101."

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post after the attack, one neighbour said: "It is usually quiet here.

"It is just not the kind of thing that happens around here."

Earlier, police said the injured woman had been taken to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment.

Officers responded to reports that a woman was "in distress" at the address in Dawlish Avenue.

The force added: "One dog which got loose from the property was contained by officers in Back Dawlish Road and recovered. Another was safely removed from the address a short time later."

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


10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Match-Fixing: Sports Chiefs Called To Summit

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 10 Desember 2013 | 10.19

Senior officials from five leading sports have been called to a summit meeting with the Government on match-fixing.

The talks have been called after it was confirmed six people had been arrested during an investigation into spot-fixing in football, including Blackburn striker DJ Campbell.

Executives from the governing bodies of football, tennis, cricket, rugby union and rugby league will meet Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in London.

Representatives from the Premier League, the Football League, the Gambling Commission and the British Horse-Racing Authority will also be present.

A Government source said the meeting aimed to share best practices between the sports, and ministers would receive feedback on any changes the sports believe would help tackle match-fixing.

Match-fixing claims Former Portsmouth player Sam Sodje was filmed in undercover footage

"We want to make sure no stone is left unturned in the fight against match-fixing in sport," the source said.

Some officials believe changing the law to make match-fixing itself a criminal offence, rather than police having to use fraud or other related charges, would provide a greater deterrent.

Ministers are understood to be open to any suggestions and will be pushing for sports to share any intelligence they have on fixing with the Gambling Commission.

Campbell, 32, was one of six people detained in an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) after it acted on information passed to it by the Sun on Sunday newspaper.

Five people, including Campbell, have been bailed until April, and a sixth is still being questioned, the NCA said.

Detectives are likely to review a yellow card Campbell received for a tackle committed in the first half of Blackburn's league game against Ipswich last Tuesday.

According to the Sun on Sunday, an undercover investigator met former Portsmouth player Sam Sodje, who allegedly said he could arrange for footballers in the Championship to get themselves a yellow card in return for tens of thousands of pounds.

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


10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Obesity Epidemic Is 'Mass Child Neglect'

By David Crabtree, Sky News Correspondent

The lack of a national policy to ensure children become more active is a form of mass child neglect, according to a new study.

It claims that despite a wealth of evidence showing the benefits of regular exercise, leadership and strategy on the issue are "totally absent."

The report is from the British Journal of Sports Medicine, an influential research organisation which has drawn its findings from a number of experts from the worlds of sport and medicine, including Sam Allardyce, Richard Weiler, Gregory Whyte and Emmanuel Stamatakis.

They say regular exercise in childhood can help boost academic performance, curb anti-social behaviour and determine patters of physical health and wealth in adulthood.

But only a third of boys and a quarter of girls in England meet the minimum recommended daily physical activity levels.

They warn that one in three youngsters leaving primary education is obese, most of whom will become obese adults.

The authors say: "Despite the well accepted benefits of physical activity and the recognised importance of schools in delivering the crucial physical literacy and activity opportunities, the erosion of physical education in schools combined with ever reducing play facilities has the opposite effect.

"Worse, the amount of school curriculum time children spend in physical education and activity is neither monitored nor known by any educational or regulatory authorities, they point out. And there is no statutory minimum requirement for schools to devote a specific amount of time to physical education.

"Despite the 2012 Olympic promises to protect school playing fields, these continue to be sold off, say the authors, and although £150m has been pledged for each of the next two years to improve the physical education of primary school children, this translates into just £9,500 per school.

"The government has allocated £28.4m for competitive school games, but this approach doesn't suit all children, and there is some evidence to suggest that it benefits those who least need it - the wealthiest and most privileged."

They highlight the fact that Team GB came third in the medals table at the 2012 Olympics, but the UK also took gold and silver in the European obesity league tables last year.

"The minimal funding, lack of interest and absence of a child physical activity strategy strongly support the notion that the state is failing to act to prevent harm against children and failing to meet children's basic physical needs likely to result in the serious impairment of their health and development.

"This is quite literally indistinguishable from the government's own definition of child neglect," they conclude.

They call for current and future governments and educational bodies to act to create a comprehensive child-centred national physical activity policy to give children from all backgrounds and sporting abilities every opportunity to be active on a daily basis.

In response to the BJSM report a government spokesman said: "This government is taking decisive action  the harness the Olympic spirit and make sure every child has the opportunity to be fit and healthy.

"We have extended our ring-fenced funding for primary schools to spend on sport to 2015/16 - with a total of £540m now going directly to head teachers to improve PE and sport in their schools."

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


10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Poverty Report: Hard Work Is Not Paying Off

Written By Unknown on Senin, 09 Desember 2013 | 10.18

For the first time, there are more people in working families living below the poverty line (6.7 million) than in workless and retired families combined (6.3 million), a report has found.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that almost 13 million Britons are now living in poverty, having suffered a "sustained" and "unprecedented" fall in their living standards.

The social policy research charity found people remaining in poverty despite moving in and out of work, with some facing "very severe hardship".

At the same time the study finds that the support on offer to people who fall on hard times is "increasingly threadbare".

The report found that job insecurity is common for millions of people, with one in six of the workforce claiming Jobseekers' Allowance at some point in the last two years.

There have also been big shifts in terms of which groups are experiencing poverty: the largest group in poverty are working age adults without dependent children - 4.7 million people are in this situation, the highest on record. Pensioner poverty is at its lowest level for 30 years.

Not all of the findings are negative. There has been an improvement in the labour market with falling unemployment and underemployment, and, over the longer term, improvements in health and education outcomes.

Young adult unemployment has peaked at 21%, and unemployment among the whole population has begun to fall.

The number of people underemployed - ether unemployed, economically inactive and wanting work or working part time but wanting a full time job - fell by 100,000 over the last year.

One of the author's of the report, Dr Peter Kenway, told Sky News: "People are hard hit everywhere. It remains the case that young adults are on low incomes, but more than half of people who are low paid are above the age of 30.

"This is not a phenomenon of people who are at the start of their working lives. We've got people who are really hard-pressed and unable to progress."

Julia Unwin, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's chief executive, added: "This research shows millions of people are moving in and out of work but rarely out of poverty.

"Hard work is not working. We have a labour market that lacks pay and protection, with jobs offering precious little security and paltry wages that are insufficient to make ends meet."

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


10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Universal Credit Delays: IDS Faces Grilling

Iain Duncan Smith will face fresh questions from MPs today over the scale of delays to the Government's flagship welfare reform.

The Work and Pensions Secretary, who is to appear before a Commons committee this afternoon, has admitted the 2017 target for the full introduction of Universal Credit is set to be missed - with around 700,000 claimants facing a longer wait.

Labour said official figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility showed that only a tiny fraction of the numbers due to be using the new system by the time of the next general election would be transferred on time.

It added that only a "handful" of the promised 1.7 million would be switched by 2014/15 and only 400,000 by the following year - less than 10% of the original target.

The flagship reform, which forces people to budget by paying their benefits in one monthly lump sum, has been dogged by difficulties amid accusations of weak management and a timetable that keeps on slipping.

Sky's political correspondent Anushka Asthana said: "Fears are rising about the human consequences of this massive reform."

Welfare reform The implementation of the scheme has been branded 'inadequate'

It comes as figures given exclusively to Sky News show how UK landlords are now less likely to take tenants on universal credit due to concerns of non-payment.

The data from the National Landlords' Association shows the number of landlords letting to people on housing benefits has halved to just one in five.

And 52% of landlords say they would not even consider letting to someone on benefits because of those who do, seven out of 10 have experienced rent arrears in past 12 months averaging £3,000 each.

Ministers claim the initial roll-out of Universal Credit - which combines six means-tested benefits into one monthly payment designed to ensure people are better off working than on benefits - has been a success.

They point to figures suggesting it is encouraging more people to look for jobs in what Mr Duncan Smith described as a "cultural shift".

Iain Duncan Smith Mr Duncan Smith will be grilled by the work and pensions select committee

But critics say the limited implementation of the scheme - which has been plagued by IT and other problems - only involve the least challenging cases.

And it was branded "inadequate" and open to fraud in a scathing report by a cross-party committee.

The Commons public accounts committee found that at least £140m had already been wasted on the project, which was blighted by "alarmingly weak" management.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves said "David Cameron and Iain Duncan Smith are presiding over a complete mess and it is taxpayers who are picking up the bill with at least one hundred million pounds of their money written off."

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


10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Glasgow Helicopter Crash Pilot's Funeral Held

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 08 Desember 2013 | 10.18

By David Blevins, Sky News Correspondent

The funeral has taken place of the pilot killed when his helicopter crashed onto a Glasgow bar last weekend.

Captain David Traill was one of nine people who died when the aircraft crashed on to the roof of the city's Clutha bar on Friday last week.

He was a decorated war veteran, having served in both Afghanistan and Iraq, but had flown for a private company since his retirement from the RAF.

Friends, family and colleagues attended a service at Glasgow University, led by chaplain Reverend Stuart MacQuarrie.

Before the memorial, a guard of honour was formed, with police officers on one side and air ambulance pilots and paramedics on the other.

The funeral cortege was led by police outriders and was joined by a friend of Capt Traill who rode his Harley Davidson motorcycle to the service.

The service had been put together by Capt. Traill's fiancee, Lucy, a graduate from the university, and his father, Iain, who sobbed as he read a poem, You Can Shed Tears, to mourners.

The minister read out a tribute from Lucy whom Capt Traill met just over four years ago.

She said: "Dave was the best thing that ever happened to me …He was the most amazing, caring, loving, strong, capable, funny, creative, delicious and sexy boy in the whole world and I cannot even begin to imagine life without him."

As daylight broke, the recovery process continued The helicopter crashed on the Clutha bar a week ago

She added that some of his passions included cycling, Scotland's west coast, fine dining, kayaking, Take That, and "best of all" karaoke.

"It all seemed too perfect but there was no catch. He just adored me and told me every single day," she said.

Mr Traill Snr read the same poem by David Harkins at his younger son Angus' funeral three years ago.

A close friend from Mr Traill's time in the RAF read a tribute to "the greatest friend a man could hope for".

Andy Rooney said: "David, Dave, Davey, Swampy - he was different things to different people and he touched many lives.

"But there was a consistency to him that few could match and many could envy. The calm he offered, the warmth with which he was received."

He went on: "He was the greatest friend a man could hope for. A steady, loyal brother in arms.

"He wasn't perfect, that would be tedious. He was a helicopter pilot who didn't like heights.

"You could get him in a helicopter, but you couldn't get him up a set of ladders. He was a pilot who got air sick, to be fair this was mostly on fixed-wing planes."

The 51-year-old had played an active role in the lives of his three young nephews since they lost their father - his younger brother Angus - to throat cancer three years ago.

Capt Traill did not make a mayday call before the aircraft crashed onto the Clutha bar, killing him and two police passengers: Kristy Nelis, 36, and Tony Collins, 43.

Six other people, attending a live music event inside the pub, also died: Robert Jenkins, 61, Mark O'Prey, 44, Colin Gibson, 33, John McGarrigle, 57, Gary Arthur, 48, and Samuel McGhee, 56.

Around 100 people were inside the building when the Eurocopter dropped out of the sky "like a stone" last Friday night and 10 of the 32 injured remain in hospital.

There was no black box data recorder on the helicopter but air accident investigators are examining the wreckage in Farnborough, Hampshire, and are expected to publish their initial findings next week.

Bond Air Services described their popular colleague as "the epitome of the consummate professional" and "a legend" whose passing would be mourned with "a sense of intense loss and sorrow".

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


10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

MPs' Pay: Watchdog To Give £7,600 Pay Rise

MPs are to get an inflation-busting 11% pay rise after a watchdog refused to scale back the increase at a time voters are feeling the squeeze.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) will unveil its final proposals next week - including boosting MPs' salaries by £7,600 to £74,000 from 2015.

It is expected to try to quell criticism by announcing a tougher-than-expected squeeze on MPs' pensions in a bid to cancel out the £4.6m cost to the taxpayer.

All three main party leaders have condemned the increase at a time of national austerity, with Labour's Ed Miliband and Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg pledging to shun the extra cash.

David Cameron has stopped short of matching that pledge - and is under pressure from some Tory MPs to back the increase.

Mathew Sinclair, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance campaign group, said: "Taxpayers will be furious that the pay rise comes at a time when MPs urge public pay restraint."

Following a consultation on the proposals - first set out in July - Ipsa is set to press ahead however.

Prime Minister's Question Time David Cameron is under pressure to back the pay rise

And MPs have no way to prevent the rise coming into force after the next general election - unless they change the law set up in the wake of the expenses scandal to stop them setting their own pay.

Research by Ipsa found two-thirds of MPs believe they are underpaid, and the watchdog's chairman Sir Ian Kennedy says politicians' pay must "catch up" after years of being suppressed.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "We believe that the cost of politics should be going down, not up."

Commons deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle - a Labour MP - cautioned against interfering in the system.

"I agree that MPs should not vote on their own pay," he told the Mail on Sunday. "It should be left to an independent body. It's not in the gift of the party leaders."

Prime Minister's Question Time Ed Miliband says he will refuse the extra cash

Ipsa's original report conceded there is no "compelling evidence" that MPs' current salary level is deterring candidates, making people leave Parliament, affecting the diversity of the House, or lowering the standard of ministers.

Among measures already on the table to offset the cost of the wage rise is an end to "resettlement grants" of up to £65,000 for departing MPs.

Under the plans, that would be reduced to two weeks' pay for every year of service if they are under 41, and three weeks if they are older by 2020.

A £15 dinner allowance would be scrapped, claims for tea and biscuits would not be allowed, and taxpayer-funded taxis home only allowed after 11pm.

There would also be a crackdown on claims for running second homes, with costs such as TV licences and contents insurance no longer being met.


10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More
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