Mackay: 'No Excuse' For Offensive Texts

Former Cardiff manager Malky Mackay has apologised for sending a string of racist, sexist and homophobic text messages.

Mackay said there was "no excuse" for the texts, sent while he was boss of the Welsh club.

He said: "Out of 10,000 text messages in and out of someone's phone, I sent three, and that being the case, looking at them, they are completely unacceptable, inappropriate, and for that and any offence I've caused, I sincerely apologise.

"That's something that I did, and for that, there is no excuse."

Mackay was accused of sharing the texts with Iain Moody (L)

Mackay and Cardiff's ex-head of recruitment Iain Moody had been accused of sharing the offensive texts, which were included as part of a dossier of allegations sent to the Football Association by the club.

Both men were sacked by Cardiff last season, long before details of the messages emerged.

Cardiff said LMA chief Richard Bevan should stand down over its statement

The emergence of the dossier appeared put an end to Mackay's hopes of landing the Crystal Palace manager's job, while Moody has resigned as the London club's sporting director over the affair.

The former Celtic and Watford player said he would co-operate with an FA inquiry into the allegations and insisted the texts did not represent his true views.

He said: "I've been in a multicultural football environment for 20 years and I love British football.

"I am no racist and I am no sexist, I'm no homophobe and I'm no anti-Semitic."

Earlier, the League Managers Association (LMA) was forced to backtrack after it was widely criticised for dismissing the messages as "friendly banter".

The initial LMA statement said Mackay had been under pressure when the messages were sent and that he was "letting off steam to a friend during some friendly text message banter".

Cardiff chairman Vincent Tan sacked Mackay and Moody last season

In a new statement on Friday, the association said: it said: "The LMA apologises for some of its wording, in its release yesterday, which was inappropriate and has been perceived to trivialise matters of a racist, sexist or homophobic nature.

"That was certainly not our intention. It is beyond argument that any comments that are discriminatory, even used in private, are totally unacceptable.

"The LMA remains absolutely aware of our responsibility to the game and to promote and uphold the highest standards of behaviour."

Despite the apology, Cardiff have demanded LMA boss Richard Bevan stand down, describing his position as "untenable".

Young footballers told Sky News of their shock at Mackay's behaviour.

Temisan Pop said: "I aspire to be a footballer... It hurts that someone in that position is saying these things. It kind of means, what hope do I have?"

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hospitals Told To End 'Unfair' Parking Charges

Hospitals have been told to give free or cheap parking to the relatives of chronically ill patients.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said new guidelines for English hospitals have been created in order to end the stress of "unfair" charges.

Patients with disabilities, those who have frequent appointments and members of staff working shifts will also benefit from the changes, Mr Hunt said.

The guidelines state hospital trusts should waive fines when an overstay is beyond the control of the driver, for instance if treatment takes longer than planned.

Jeremy Hunt has come under pressure from Tory backbenchers on the issue

Mr Hunt last month admitted he was concerned about parking fees being charged at some hospitals after being pressed by backbenchers to end "rip-off" costs.

The guidance sets out for the first time that hospital trusts are responsible for the actions of any private firms they use to run parking facilities.

It also calls on hospitals to look at introducing pay on exit systems so those visiting only pay for the time they have used.

Mr Hunt said: "Patients and families shouldn't have to deal with the added stress of unfair parking charges.

"These clear ground rules set out our expectations, and will help the public hold the NHS to account for unfair charges or practices."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

First-Time Buyers 'Getting A Shot At Long Last'

By Poppy Trowbridge, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

The number of first time buyer sales has hit a seven year high, according to new figures from LSL Property Services.

There were 30,000 first-time buyer sales in July, up by 25% on a year before and the highest number of monthly first-time buyers since August 2007.

At the same time, the data reveal average first-time buyer deposits are 10% lower than this time last year.

Downpayments averaged £26,642 in June, a decrease from £29,609 12 months ago.

David Newnes, from LSL Property Services, said: "A whole generation of young buyers were trapped on the side-lines of the property market as the economy recovered from the recession, struggling to save for a deposit whilst inflation remained stubbornly high, savings rates were stuck at a historic low, and real wages fell.

"But the recent increase in high LTV (loan to value) lending options - enabled by Help to Buy - has allowed them a shot at getting on the ladder at long last."

Yet purchase prices are on the rise, and mortgage rates are climbing, meaning buyers could still struggle with debt and repayments.

First time buyers paid 8% more over the last year, with the average price paid for a new home now £155,844, according to LSL Property Services.

Simultaneously, average mortgage rates climbed for the fourth consecutive month in July to 4.19%.

So more of us may now have a shot at getting on the property ladder - but with mortgage rates slowing rising, buying a home remains a very big step.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Middle Lane Hogging Rife Despite Fine Threat

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky News Correspondent

A year since laws were brought in to stop motorists hogging the middle lane, more than half of drivers admit they still do it.

New research has found 52% of motorists know that middle lane hogging is illegal.

Yet despite this, 59% owned up to staying in the central lane, rather than just using it for overtaking, with those aged 65 and over being the worst offenders.

The South East of England was also found to be the country's middle lane hot spot, with the M4 near Slough having the highest incidence of hogging.

The analysis came from traffic flow data from nearly 6,500 sites on the Highways Agency motorway network and the insurance firm Direct Line.

The most common reason for why people drove in the middle lane was because it is an easier way to drive on motorways because it saves changing lanes.

Rob Miles, director of car insurance at Direct Line said: "Lane hogging causes congestion, reduces the capacity of the roads, and most crucially, can be dangerous. 

"It is also illegal which means drivers could face a £100 on-the-spot fine and three points on their licence if caught.

"Motorists are risking their own safety and the safety of other road users through their actions so we'd urge them to be aware of the other lanes and drivers around them when on the road.

"If the inside lane has space, you should move into it."

Benjamin Heydecker, Professor of Transport Studies at University College London, fears that as well as adding to congestion and accidents, middle lane hogging is also a sign that people are driving around in a dream.

Prof Heydecker said: "Annoying other drivers is a bad idea, it doesn't add to road safety, but also I'm concerned that the drivers that are holding the middle lane aren't engaged in the driving task and that's bad for safety."

In August 2013 the Government introduced new careless driving laws to curb lane hogging and tailgating; those caught by police now face a £100 fine and points on their licence.

There are currently no nationwide figures for the number of people pulled over for lane hogging, but the Department for Transport told Sky News they intend to undertake research to examine how effective the introduction of careless driving as a fixed penalty offence has been.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gove Effect 'To Hit Schools' GCSE Results'

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs and Education Editor

Early reports have suggested a dramatic decline in some schools' GCSE results, as a raft of measures designed to toughen up the qualification take effect.

Changes to the compulsory English language exam and a move away from modular assessments - placing more pressure on end of summer exams - are among the measures believed to have affected some pupils.

The changes come amid a growing emphasis on outcomes at GCSE level, with changes further down the education system at A-level causing universities to rely more heavily on Year 11 results.

"There is so much pressure on all the exams being all at once that it feels like it is so important," said Will, 16, a pupil at King Edward VI School in Bury St Edmonds.

"If we don't do well this year because of the Gove effect, and then next year ... we are at such a disadvantage compared to the year above us and the year below because their results are going to be so much better than ours", said Siobhan, 16, also a pupil at King Edward VI.

Teachers say they are concerned that the drop in performance by schools, even if caused by systemic change, could lead to heads being forced out of their jobs.

"I think the pressure on head teachers because of results and then because of Ofsted is quite extraordinary," said Geoff Barton, head teacher at King Edward VI.

Michael Gove made a number of reforms during his time as education chief

"I think we will look back and think it's a national scandal that every year some head teachers simply disappear either because they've been quietly sacked or because they've been publicly sacked because of one year's results.

"And I think that would be a disgrace if that were to happen this year when we know about the turbulence in the system."

There are also reports that schools are resorting to increasingly desperate measures to protect their league table rankings in the face of a drop in results.

Experts are predicting a rise in the number of appeals against individual grades and say there has been a significant increase in the number of pupils requesting assistance.

Sky News has learned of concern that some schools pressured pupils to drop a subject shortly before their exams, to avoid poor grades affecting the school's academic record.

One official, who did not want to be named, said there was also concern that schools were wrongly entering their pupils as external candidates, removing their performance from the schools' rolls.

But others said the changes would make it harder for schools to cheat the system.

"(Schools) are held to account through their pupils' exam results. and so they tended to find every way that's open to them to actually push up their students results," said Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research.

"Those methods of accountability have changed this year ... the Government has been trying to make exams sounder and also make the accountability system smarter, so that exams work to the best advantage of pupils, universities and employers."

10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sexual Crimes On Britain's Trains Increase

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky News Correspondent

The number of sexual crimes committed on trains in England, Wales and Scotland has gone up in the past year.

The latest figures released by British Transport Police (BTP) show a 20% increase, with 1,117 sexual offences in 2013/14 compared to 925 in 2012/13.

Most were against women but men were also victims.

BTP said the increase was slightly higher than that experienced by police forces nationally but believed it was partly down to high-profile prosecutions of celebrities for historical sexual offences.

Overall, for the 10th year in a row, there has been a drop in the number of the most serious crimes committed on Britain's railways, falling from 53,885 to 50,840 in 2012/13 - more than 3,000 fewer offences.

It includes a reduction of 18% in recorded robberies, a 17% drop in theft of passenger property and a 37% fall in theft of cable from the railway.

Speaking about the rise in sexual offences, BTP Chief Constable Paul Crowther said the force's Project Guardian had had a significant impact.

He said the scheme "focuses on increasing awareness and confidence among the public to report unwanted sexual behaviour to the police or members of staff".

"We are particularly interested in those offences which are often unreported, such as sexual assault, exposure, outraging public decency, lewd comments and harassment," he said.

"For the coming months and years we will have one simple goal - to make sure everyone who travels or works on the railway can get home everyday, safe, secure and on time."

Figures show that 15% of women who have used the underground or trains in London have experienced unwanted sexual behaviour on the network, but 90% did not report it because they did not think it was serious enough.

Jodie Mcleay told Sky News that she did not tell police what happened to her on a train at midday from the capital to Luton.

She said: "It was a reasonably packed train and I heard a man behind me and realised he was acting quite inappropriately for that time of day.

"I think I was shocked more than anything, a bit disgusted and then didn't know how to react, whether to make a scene."

10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gender Pay Gap Continues To Widen For Women

Women in management position still earn significantly less than their male counterparts, according to a new report.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) said the pay gap is widening and for women in their 40s earnings are more than a third less than men.

The CMI survey of 68,000 managers across the UK showed there was a £9,000 pay differential, equivalent to 23%, which increased as women got older.

It added that annual bonuses for female directors were also lower, by £11,000, at slightly below £42,000.

As a result of the disparity, a woman must work 14 years longer over a lifetime to earn the same amount of money, the report said.

CMI chief executive Ann Francke said: "Lower levels of pay for women managers cannot be justified, yet our extensive data shows the pay gap persists, with many women hit by a mid-life pay crisis.

"Women and men should be paid on the basis of their performance in their particular roles, but this is clearly not yet the case for far too many.

"It's not right that women would have to work until almost 80 for the same pay rewards as men.

The CMI said it is not acceptable to use raising children or "time served" as excuses for the gap.

XpertHR head of salary surveys Mark Crail, who helped with the study, said: "The data shows that women begin to fall behind at the age when they are most likely to be starting a family, and it just gets worse from then on.

"It appears that employers often give up on women in mid-career and are missing out on a huge pool of untapped knowledge, experience and talent."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Government 'Bailed Out' Over School Dinners

Cash-strapped schools and councils are having to "bail out the Government because of its own incompetence", the shadow education secretary has claimed.

A survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) found many authorities do not have enough cash to provide Nick Clegg's pledge to give free school meals to all infants.

Government funding worth £150m was handed to councils as part of the scheme announced by the Deputy Prime Minister - this was to cover improvements to kitchens and dining facilities.

But the LGA survey of 75 councils found nearly half (47%) said they had not received enough cash to cover the full cost of the work.

Tristram Hunt said: "Nick Clegg announced the policy without doing the maths first. It's more evidence that voters cannot trust a word the Liberal Democrats say."

Of those that said they did not have enough money, 49% said the council would make up the difference, with 37% saying some of the cash would come from school coffers.

The LGA found that money earmarked for school maintenance and repairs could also be used to make up the difference.

The total shortfall in funding has been estimated at £25.9m.

Councillor David Simmonds, chairman of the LGA's children and young people board, said: "There's no doubt that dishing up a nutritious lunch for every young pupil will improve the experience of school and help them concentrate in lessons.

"Councils and schools have been working really hard to make this happen within this ambitious timescale.

"But it cannot be right that for some councils, money set aside for maintenance has instead had to be spent plugging the shortfall in money which government should have provided for meals."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Deaths From 'Big Four' Cancers Fall By 30%

Death rates for breast, bowel, lung and prostate cancer - which account for half of all cancer deaths in the UK - have fallen by almost a third in the last 20 years, figures show.

Cancer Research UK, which has released the data, said the findings show that ground-breaking research has had a "powerful impact" in beating the disease.

Between 1991 and 1993, 146 people out of every 100,000 could have expected to die from one of the so-called "big four" cancers, but by 2010 to 2012 these figures dipped to 102 out of every 100,000.

For breast cancer the death rate fell by 38% during this time frame while bowel cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer dipped by 34%, 27% and 21% respectively.

Improvements in treatments and care, routine screening and earlier diagnosis are thought to have contributed to the reduction in breast , bowel and prostate cancer deaths.

While death rates in lung cancer have fallen, the charity warned that there has little improvement in the outlook for those who are diagnosed with the disease.

It has pledged to improve lung cancer mortality through earlier diagnosis and trials for improved treatments.

Routine screening has improved detection of breast cancer

Mortality rates in other cancers, including liver, pancreatic, melanoma, oral and some digestive cancers, have increased, the charity said.

"Research continues to help save lives from cancer, and these figures offer renewed encouragement that progress continues," said Cancer Research UK's chief executive Harpal Kumar.

"The UK remains a world leader in cancer research, responsible for many of the breakthroughs that have reduced the impact of cancer. But while the death rate for the four biggest cancer killers falls, it's vital to remember that more needs to be done to help bring even better results over the coming years.

"There are over 200 different forms of the disease. For some of these, the advances are less impressive, such as pancreatic, oesophageal and liver cancer.

"Far too many lives continue to be affected by the disease.

"We're determined that the research we fund will help save more lives, developing better, kinder treatments which will beat cancer sooner."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Footage Of Stowaways Freed From Ship Container

Belgian police have said they are almost certain they have CCTV images of the lorry and driver that dropped a container carrying 35 immigrants at a UK-bound ferry.

Crews discovered the group of Afghan Sikhs - thought to be victims of human trafficking - when "banging and screaming" was heard at Tilbury Docks in Essex.

The moment the terrified immigrants were released was filmed by a witness on his mobile phone.

Women can be heard crying and screaming while young children look frightened and confused.

Police at Tilbury Docks after the discovery of the container

One man, believed to be in his 40s, was found dead and others were taken to hospital suffering from severe dehydration and hypothermia.

Thirty of them have been discharged and the other four will remain in Southend Hospital overnight.

Of the 30, there are nine men and eight women aged between 18 and 72, and 13 children aged between one and 12.

Interpol and other international forces are helping Essex Police trace the lorry's route across Europe and find the suspected traffickers.

Peter De Waele, a spokesman for Belgium's federal police, told Sky News that detectives were checking "every image" of CCTV from Zeebrugge port.

"We have a lot of cameras and we are very hopeful for having information about identification of the driver.

"When you know that in this area there are a lot of cameras, you know also that we have plenty of information about the truck and the driver, and the firm who put the container in Zeebrugge."

Mr De Waele said the container was only at the busy port for about an hour and police believe the victims were probably already inside when it arrived.

Basildon Hospital says 18 of the group can be discharged. Pic: File

Essex Police have launched a "homicide" investigation after the death of the male immigrant and detectives said charges could include murder or manslaughter.

They will speak to the survivors over the coming days.

Superintendent Trevor Roe, of Essex Police, said: "The welfare and health of the people is our priority at this stage.

The container was loaded onto a ship in Zeebrugge

"Now they are well enough, our officers and colleagues from the Border Force will be speaking to them via interpreters so we can piece together what happened and how they came to be in the container.

"We have had a good deal of help from partners within the local Sikh community in the Tilbury area to ensure that these poor people, who would have been through a horrific ordeal, are supported in terms of their religious and clothing needs."

Information on the ages of the immigrants or the relationship between them has not yet been released.

The group were found at 7.35am on Saturday when the Norsteam, a commercial ship run by P&O Ferries, was being unloaded in Tilbury.

Natalie Hardy, a company spokeswoman, said the ship had travelled overnight from Belgium and was carrying 64 containers, 72 trailers and five lorries and drivers.

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