PoliticsUK-Today

MAKE UK BEST FOR SCIENCE: MINISTER

2012-01-04T08:38:00.000-08:00

A new type of university could be introduced to help make Britain "the best place in the world to do science", minister David Willetts said today.

The new institution would focus on science and technology, and postgraduates.

David Willetts proposes a new type of University today.

Giving a speech in London, Mr Willetts confirmed the Government was seeking proposals for the initiative.

But he made it clear there would be no extra public funding. Instead, the aim would be to attract private finance, business sponsorship and possibly help from international partners.

The "science university" is one of the key elements in a grand strategy to boost hi-tech economic growth in the UK and make the best of British science talent.

Outlining the plans at the Policy Exchange think-tank in London, Mr Willetts said: "The Government's aim is quite simple if very ambitious: it is that we should be the best place in the world to do science."

Britain is already a world-leading science base, ranked second only to the US in terms of cited research publications, a widely accepted measure of science achievement.

With 3% of the world's researchers, Britain generates 6% of the world's academic articles, 11% of citations and 14% of the most cited papers.

It was important to sustain the UK's research base through "tough times", said Mr Willetts, which would require more imaginative ways to promote and fund academic excellence.

"Globalisation is still at its early stages when it comes to higher education," the science minister added. "The next round of new institutions may well link existing British universities with international partners. The surge in international investment in science and technology would make this a key part of the mission of a new foundation.

"It might be that today's institutions propose a new campus or a new international partnership. Or it might be new providers wanting to enter with different models.

"Today I can announce therefore that the coalition is inviting proposals for a new type of university with a focus on science and technology and on postgraduates.

"Local economic partnerships, universities, businesses and international partners can come together to put forward proposals for new institutions."

Mr Willetts went on: "There will be no additional Government funding. This time we will be looking to private finance and perhaps sponsorship from some of the businesses that are keen to recruit more British graduates. For example, we will not be diverting funding from support for undergraduate students. It is an opportunity to seize the new freedoms which we proposed in our White Paper last year. We already have a lot of interest and we want to move this to the next level."

An example of what could be done has already been seen in New York, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg successfully ran a competition to build a prestigious new science graduate school in the city.

"We will be discussing with the interested organisations how best to carry this initiative forward," said Mr Willetts. "I am confident that with ingenuity we can grow our research base and our universities even when times are tough."

Other proposals and aims include the creation of a new "catapult centre" to stimulate innovation in satellite technology, setting up leadership councils in e-infrastructure and synthetic biology, a 10% growth in external funding for universities over the next three years, and getting more British universities in the world top 100.

Imran Khan, director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering

Imran Khan, director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering, said: "The Minister is right to underline the challenge facing the UK: we should aim to be the best place in the world for science, but we're currently way behind nations such as Germany, Japan, and the US in terms of business and industry investment in research.

"Today David Willetts reiterated a whole series of positive measures the coalition is taking to incentivise more private sector investment - but no political party has yet outlined a clear alternative vision for the UK economy. The Government should spell out what they think a 'rebalanced' economy looks like - what would really count as 'success' for their innovation policies?"

Professor Dave Delpy, from Research Councils UK, which represents the research council funding bodies, said: "The UK research base is one of the best in the world and we should be proud of the impact it has both here and abroad. In addition to the outstanding research we support, the research councils continue to invest in schemes and partnerships that increase the impact of this research. It is vitally important to demonstrate the value that the UK's excellent research contributes to the economic growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK, both now and in the future."

Dr Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group which represents 20 leading UK universities, said: "We welcome the Government's ambition of making the UK the best place in the world to do research. Our economic future depends on the country's research-intensive universities matching the best in the world, and the Government's growth strategy must recognise this. As David Willetts says, our universities and science facilities are 'great national assets'."

PA 2012

THOMAS COOK CEO GIVEN £1.17M PAYOUT

2012-01-04T06:29:00.000-08:00

The former chief executive of Thomas Cook received £1.17 million from the company after he resigned, despite the group's deteriorating performance under his watch.

The holiday giant's annual report revealed Manny Fontenla-Novoa received the payout on top of the £1.19 million earned in his last year of employment until he resigned in August following a string of profit warnings.

Manny Fontenla-Novoa received the payout of £1.7 million on top of the £1.19 million earned in his last year of employment

The £1.17 million payment consisted of salary, pension allowance and benefits, and was owed to Mr Fontenla-Novoa in accordance to his contract terms.

After Mr Fontenla-Novoa resigned, Thomas Cook fell on even harder times, culminating in a cry for help to its lenders and a decision to axe some 200 shops and cut hundreds of jobs as it moves to save the business.

Elsewhere, the report reveals that interim chief executive Sam Weihagen, who was set to retire, was awarded an annual salary of £750,000 with a potential annual bonus of £1.3 million or 175% of salary if he successfully gets the business back on track.

The annual report was published as the group announced a boardroom clearout with the departure of three of its longest-serving non-executive directors.

David Allvey, Bo Lerenius and Peter Middleton, three of its longest-serving board members, will retire after the annual meeting on February 8, as the firm looks to make a fresh start.

Thomas Cook, which has 1,300 shops, has set out a turnaround plan for the UK business, including focusing on fewer and better quality hotels and a drive for more online bookings.

PA 2012

CONSTRUCTION GROWTH CONTINUES

2012-01-04T04:11:00.000-08:00

Construction activity in the UK grew last month, according to a closely-watched survey, but experts warned the wider economy was still likely to have stagnated at the end of last year.

The Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index survey for construction, in which a reading above 50 represents expansion, rose to 53.2 in December from 52.3 in November, boosted by new business and a rise in employment.

Civil engineering projects, such as the Crossrail scheme in London, recorded the fastest growth in the month, while housebuilding increased for the second month running. Commercial construction grew but at its slowest pace in a year.

While the whole sector has grown for 12 months in a row, economists warned it only makes up 7.6% of the total economy, and the strong performance is unlikely to have had a significant impact on gross domestic product (GDP) in the final quarter of 2011.

Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at IHS Global Insight, said the economy's overall performance in the final quarter of last year will depend on how well the powerhouse services sector performed.

He said: "It is welcome news to see any evidence that part of the economy is growing at the moment. However, signs that construction output expanded in the fourth quarter of 2011 does not hugely dilute concern that GDP could have contracted."

New business received by UK construction companies increased for a third consecutive month in December, Markit said, reflecting a general rise in tender opportunities and successful bids. But the growth had eased slightly on the month.

The data also signalled a rise in employment in the construction sector as new orders increased, although the use of sub-contractors declined.

Construction firms also reported a continued rise in input prices, as raw material and energy costs increased, which may fuel fears that the rate of inflation will not cool as quickly as hoped by the Bank of England.

Construction companies were optimistic last month that activity would increase over the next year, but the degree of positive sentiment remained relatively subdued, Markit said.

The PMI data for the services sector will be published tomorrow.

PA 2012

SURPRISE RISE IN MORTGAGE APPROVALS

2012-01-04T04:04:00.000-08:00

The number of approvals for new house purchases has defied expectations by rising to its highest point in almost two years, but economists warned of deals becoming more restricted as banks tighten lending conditions.

Loan approvals for house purchase rose to 52,854 in November with a total value of £7.6 billion, the second monthly rise in a row and the highest figure since December 2009, the Bank of England figures showed.

But the number of loans for remortgaging declined for the second month in a row to reach 31,154, worth £4.1 billion overall, the lowest figure since June last year.

Samuel Tombs of Capital Economics said the increase in new mortgage approvals from 52,786 a month earlier defied the widely-held expectation for a fall.

But he added: "We fear that approvals for new house purchase might soon start to fall as banks further restrict the availability, and raise the price, of credit in response to the deterioration in wholesale funding markets."

Mr Tombs said the remortgaging figures were an indication that this could happen.

He continued: "Indeed, with the labour market on course to deteriorate rapidly in 2012 and the eurozone crisis showing no signs of abating, it seems likely that housing market activity will remain pretty weak."

Meanwhile, the amount borrowed on credit cards was broadly unchanged in November, while other loans and advances rose by £400 million, which economists suggested could be due to "stressed borrowing" in the run-up to Christmas.

David Braithwaite, director at Citrus Financial Management, suggested the fall in remortgage activity could be due to declining equity levels in homes.

He added: "Looking forward, 2012 will be about matching willing borrowers with reluctant lenders. At best we'll be moving sideways.

"The problem is that borrowers are hesitant to borrow and lenders aren't overly keen to lend - and the problem gets worse at higher loan-to-value rates, the very area where we need to see movement and improvement."

Howard Archer, chief European and UK economist at IHS Global Insight, said that, despite rising modestly in November, unsecured consumer credit remains "extremely low" compared with past levels.

He said: "The overriding impression remains that consumer appetite for new borrowing is very low while there is also a strong desire of many consumers to reduce their debt."

He added that the slight pick-up in unsecured consumer credit in November could have been influenced by increased "stressed borrowing", with more people having to borrow to help finance their spending over the Christmas period.

Meanwhile, the Building Societies Association (BSA) reported that mortgage lending by building societies and other mutuals increased to a new high, showing "resilience" in the face of tough economic conditions.

Gross mortgage lending by these lenders rose by nearly a quarter in November 2011 to £2.5 billion, when compared with the same time in 2010, the highest level since the BSA started reporting figures in this way in January 2010.

The November figure is up on a £2.3 billion gross lending figure in October 2011, which was a previous new high, the BSA figures showed.

But savings balances held by mutuals increased by £500 million in November, compared with a larger increase of £600 million in November 2010.

BSA director-general Adrian Coles said: "Mutuals have shown their resilience in the face of tough market conditions over the past year and have continued to see their new mortgage lending increase."

PA 2012

ZEROPOINT CLEAN TECH POWERS EUROPEAN GRID PRODUCES CARBON-NEGATIVE HEAT AND POWER

2012-01-03T12:06:00.000-08:00

ZeroPoint Clean Tech, Inc. (ZeroPoint) today announced that its biomass gasification solution produced carbon negative heat and power for the last half-month of its 2011 operations in Germany.

The carbon negative process utilizes biomass to create renewable gas and yields biochar as a co-product. Biochar is a highly stable form of sequestered carbon with multiple uses in agriculture and industry. Renewable gas from the ZeroPoint Solution is burned in a gas engine to produce power for the local utility grid. The German project delivered power to the local grid for the last two weeks of 2011 operations that was sold pursuant to the German "Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz," (Renewable Energy Act). The gas and engine also produce useable heat. The ZeroPoint Solution can be deployed to produce renewable synthesis gas used in reciprocating engines, steam boilers, thermal applications, or co-firing with coal, oil, biogas or biomass.

"The last half month of continuous operation and power sales are an important milestone in demonstrating reliability," said CEO, John Gaus. "We fully expect to show higher throughputs and reliabilities and prove attractive project economics in the coming year." The Company intends to deploy a small number of turnkey plants in 2012 with knowledgeable adopters and for the purposes of jointly optimizing its solution for economic and environmental benefit in strategic market sectors. Those targets include: 1) municipal water treatment plants that can effectively consume base load power and heat as well as blend sludge with biomass, 2) remote markets that generate high cost electricity with diesel fuel and 3) landfill gas power plants where power output can be supplemented with renewable gas.

"Biomass technologies are fundamentally differentiated from wind and solar technologies," said Company Chairman, John Blend. Traditional wind and solar voltaic power are intermittent with weather and nightfall whereas biomass projects are intended to deliver base load energy and integrate easier with utility grids. As the reliability of biomass technologies increases, their cost per available kWh installed will become much lower than that of discontinuous wind or solar power. In addition, the ZeroPoint Solution sequesters carbon with the production of biochar. Visit ZeroPoint Clean Tech at http://www.zeropointcleantech.com.

PA 2012

'HUGE RELIEF' FOR LAWRENCE CAMPAIGN

2012-01-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

Stephen Lawrence justice campaigners described "a sense of huge relief" today as they celebrated the end of the 18-year ordeal.

Paul Anderson-Walsh, chief of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, hailed the victim's mother Doreen for being "a metaphor for the very best of British values".

Welcoming today's guilty verdicts against Gary Dobson and David Norris, he said: "Throughout the 18-year ordeal, the Lawrence family's desire has been the pursuit of justice - today, justice was served.

"As one door closes, they are determined to make sure that other doors open."

Michael Mansfield QC, who represented Mr Lawrence's parents at his inquest, hailed the "huge dignity and persistence" they had shown in seeking justice.

He added: "It is a component in changing the public perception of these cases. This is just another milestone for the family in a very long journey.

"It is a real tribute to the family that they have fought so long to bring about change."

Mr Anderson-Walsh added: "Stephen Lawrence's murder leaves in its wake a changed criminal justice landscape, but it is a change in the social justice topography that the Lawrence family hopes will be Stephen Lawrence's lasting legacy.

"The greatest desire of the Lawrence family is to give to others what was so cruelly snatched from Stephen - a chance to fulfil their potential in life.

"Through the Trust that bears his name, Doreen Lawrence and those who work for and with the Trust are helping to grow a fairer society by watering the seeds of ambition, one 'Stephen' at a time.

"Whilst Stephen's death has become a metaphor for individual and institutional racism, Stephen's mother, the inspirational Doreen Lawrence OBE is a metaphor for the very best of British values: dignity, courage and sheer tenacity."

Labour leader Ed Miliband said he hoped the verdict would help bring closure for the Lawrence family.

He said: "The murder of Stephen Lawrence was not only a tragedy for a talented young man and his family, it was a wake up call to all of us who believe Britain is - and always must be - a country where everyone is shown respect irrespective of race, culture or faith.

"I am proud that 18 years on from Stephen's murder, Britain is a much more tolerant and open country. We have new laws to prevent the stirring of racial hatred, while following the Macpherson Report, reforms were made to ensure that our public institutions are better representative and responsive to all the people.

"But we must never allow ourselves to become complacent about the threat of racism. And we must continue to confront it, in all its forms."

Bevan Powell, chairman of the Metropolitan Black Police Association, said the verdicts "bring a sense of justice to a long overdue prosecution".

He added: "The Lawrences' persistence brought about a social consciousness which questioned and challenged the then existing inadequacies and failures inherent within the police and wider justice system to deliver fairness in cases which involved race and minority communities."

Charles Crichlow, president of the association, added: "These guilty verdicts represent a triumph for the Lawrence family's determination and despite the failings of the initial police investigation they represent also a triumph of justice."

Forensic scientists who unearthed new evidence leading to the conviction said they were "hugely" proud.

LGC forensic services, a private firm, said its work in securing fibres from clothing and blood fragments in the packaging had been "painstaking and meticulous".

Steve Allen, Managing Director of LGC Forensics said: "I'm extremely proud of the work that LGC's forensic scientists did on this case. Persistence, meticulous science and innovation can help convict criminals years after they committed the crime.

"This case shows that the key to successful forensics is to assume nothing - which is all the more important in historic cases like the murder of Stephen Lawrence."

Clive Efford, Labour MP for Eltham, where the attack took place, said he hoped the police investigation would continue if officers believe there were others involved.

Mr Efford told the BBC: "We have all seen the publicity and the suggestion of who those people might be.

"It has always been suggested it was five, possibly six, suspects and if they have any other evidence that will allow further prosecutions in the future I hope we will see those because justice must be done in this case.

"We are part of the way there today and there are others that were involved that must face justice as well."

He added: "The new technology and science that is available to us means that convictions like this are possible.

"That was the reason double jeopardy was introduced, because the technology was allowing us to go back and review some previous court decisions and in the case of murder it was decided that we should be allowed to use that new science."

Former Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said Mr and Mrs Lawrence had "altered the terms of how we think about racism".

"It is extremely moving that the Lawrence family has finally secured a measure of justice," he said.

"This has been a momentous and long-overdue verdict.

"In the course of their dignified campaign for justice, Doreen and Neville Lawrence have changed many lives, and altered the terms of how we think about racism in our country.

"Institutions and individuals, including of course the Metropolitan Police, had to re-examine how they work.

"At the heart of this is the case of a young man killed because he was black. Our thoughts today should be first and foremost with Stephen's family."

The Institute of Race Relations praised the "tenacious struggle waged by the Lawrence family to indict those responsible for the racist killing of Stephen".

But it said its own research had found that 96 people have lost their lives in the UK in apparent racial attacks since 1993.

IRR spokesperson Harmit Athwal said: "Racial violence is not in any way decreasing - just the circumstances surrounding attacks and the profile of its victims change with the times."

Former Home Secretary Jack Straw said police relations with black and Asian young men had improved dramatically as a result of the tireless work of Mr Lawrence's parents.

Mr Straw told the BBC: "I don't suggest for a moment that if you are a black or Asian young man you get the same deal in your treatment by the police as you do if you were an equivalent white young man so we still have a long way to go.

"Things have improved dramatically and that is down to the extraordinary courage and determination which Neville and Doreen Lawrence showed in keeping alive the case for justice for their murdered son Stephen and for getting on for 19 years they couldn't get anyone convicted for the murder.

"What they were able to do was make the case to me when I was the shadow Home Secretary in 1994 and 1995 about the case for the inquiry."

Mr Straw said Mr Lawrence had no way of knowing how wonderful his parents were.

"They kept his flame alive and I take my hat off particularly to Doreen who has been indefatigable in campaigning for justice for Stephen.

"She is a force of nature and it is not a good idea to get in her way."

Alison Saunders, chief Crown prosecutor for London, said the Lawrence case was one of the "most significant of its generation" and paid tribute to the Lawrence family for their "perseverance and determination".

Speaking outside the Old Bailey, she said: "The Crown Prosecution Service brought this prosecution after a lot of hard work and scientific developments. We have worked very closely with the police throughout their investigations and with the Lawrence family to bring these killers to justice.

"This is one of the most significant cases of this generation, changing attitudes, policing and the law. It has taken a long time and a lot of hard work to get here."

Ms Saunders explained how the prosecution had taken the "exceptional step" of applying to the High Court to quash Gary Dobson's acquittal and order a retrial.

She said: "We were convinced that the new and compelling evidence presented by the police was strong enough to successfully prosecute these individuals. The High Court agreed with the application for a retrial.

"It should be remembered that 18 years ago, a young man lost his life. We hope these convictions will offer some justice to the family and friends of Stephen Lawrence.

"The family of Stephen have long campaigned for justice to be done in this case and I would like to pay tribute to them for their perseverance and determination in this matter."

Liberal Democrat London mayoral candidate Brian Paddick said more must be done to restore trust in police.

The former Scotland Yard chief, who acted as an intermediary for the victim's best friend Duwayne Brooks during the trial, said: "It is a great relief that after so many years people have been brought to justice for the tragic death of Stephen Lawrence.

"Many lessons have been learnt and changes made as a result of this case, but there is much more to be done before all Londoners have trust and confidence in the police."

Kit Malthouse, the capital's deputy mayor for policing, added: "That his parents, Doreen and Neville, had to wage such a long and determined battle for justice is a matter of regret, but today's verdicts are a vindication for them, and a tribute to the diligence of the investigatory team at the Met and their CPS colleagues."

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "In the 19 years since his murder, Stephen Lawrence's family has fought tirelessly for justice.

"Today's verdict cannot ease the pain of losing a son.

"But, for Doreen and Neville Lawrence, I hope that it brings at least some comfort after their years of struggle."

Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre, who famously published a front page in 1997 which branded Dobson and Norris "murderers", welcomed the verdicts.

"This really is a glorious day for Neville and Doreen Lawrence, who after all the betrayals, injustice, and tears, finally after nearly two decades have secured justice for Stephen," he said in a video on his paper's website.

"It is a glorious day for the police, who after the utter disgrace of the original investigation have through sheer bloody perseverance and brilliant detective work wiped out this blot on the Yard's history and shown that British policing at its best is still something to be very proud of.

"It is a glorious day for British justice which shows that while mistakes can be made, our judicial system does provide redress for every member of British society, whatever their racial background."

Mr Dacre praised former Labour ministers Jack Straw and David Blunkett for setting up the Macpherson Inquiry into the police's handling of the case and for reforming the centuries-old "double jeopardy" law so Dobson and Norris could be put on trial again.

He added: "It is a glorious day for British newspapers, proving that the power of journalism, courageous headlines and relentless campaigning can act as a huge force for good in society and make a major difference to countless lives."

Clive Efford, the Labour MP for Eltham, said he hoped the case would prove a "watershed" and that no other family would be faced by the same "injustices" the Lawrence family had to overcome.

Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "Stephen Lawrence's murder was a turning point for Britain; it changed us all. Most people today see racial prejudice as a secular sin that is not to be tolerated.

"One legacy of his tragic death was a significant change to race discrimination law. This goes way beyond how the police handle hate crimes, it gets to the very roots of how any public body considers and deals with discrimination of all kinds."

PA 2012

TALIBAN STRIKE DEAL ON QATAR OFFICE

2012-01-03T05:46:00.000-08:00

The Afghan Taliban say they have reached a preliminary deal with the Gulf state of Qatar to open a liaison office there that could have a key role in peace talks to end more than a decade of war.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the liaison office will conduct negotiations with the international community. He did not say when it would open.

Mujahid's statement says the Taliban held negotiations with Qatar's government and other "relevant parties" about the office's opening.

For the US and its allies, the idea of a Taliban political office in Doha has become the central element in efforts to draw the insurgents into peace talks.

Page 2: 12:21

"Right now, having a strong presence in Afghanistan, we still want to have a political office for negotiations," said Mujahid. "In this regard, we have started preliminary talks and we have reached a preliminary understanding with relevant sides, including the government of Qatar, to have a political office for negotiations with the international community."

Mujahid's emailed statement also said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan - the name of Afghanistan under Taliban rule - has "requested for the exchange of prisoners from Guantanamo".

He was referring to a Taliban demand that the US military release about five Afghan prisoners believed to be affiliated with the Taliban from the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The Taliban are holding Bowe Bergdahl, a 25-year-old US Army sergeant, who is the only US soldier held by the insurgents. He was taken prisoner on June 30 2009, in Afghanistan.

A senior US official said last week that Washington plans to continue a series of secret meetings with Taliban representatives in Europe and the Persian Gulf region next year.

The US outreach this year has progressed to the point that there was active discussion on two steps that the Taliban seek as precursors to negotiations, said the official.

Trust-building measures under discussion involve setting up a Taliban headquarters office and the release of the Afghan prisoners from Guantanamo.

Last Tuesday, President Hamid Karzai said his government would accept the Taliban establishing a liaison office in Turkey, Qatar or Saudi Arabia for the purpose of holding peace talks.

AP 2012Publish Post

REVIEW URGED ON BATTERY EGG IMPORTS

2012-01-03T05:09:00.000-08:00

The egg industry has said it is launching judicial review proceedings against the Government over its refusal to ban imports of illegally produced battery cage eggs and egg products.

The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) warned that thousands of jobs are at stake and has written to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to challenge its position.

British egg producers have invested £400 million in phasing out barren battery cages to meet the requirements of European Union (EU) legislation that came into force on January 1, and all British Lion cage eggs now come from new colony cages, the council said.

But producers in 13 other EU countries, including Spain, Italy and Poland, have not fully complied with the ban, it claimed.

The BEIC estimates that around a quarter of EU cage egg production will be illegal, with more than 50 million hens still being kept in barren battery cages, producing more than 40 million eggs a day.

It is asking the Government to give "a fuller explanation for its decision and to review its current position that the Government cannot do anything to prevent the importation of illegally produced eggs and egg products".

BEIC chairman Andrew Parker said: "British egg producers have invested heavily to meet their legal obligations and improve animal welfare. We now need our Government to support them by preventing unfair competition from producers in other countries who have not complied with the ban.

"EU member states have had more than 12 years to get their houses in order and comply with the new legislation so there are no excuses.

"We're asking the Government to conduct proper checks of imported eggs, egg products and products containing eggs entering UK ports, egg packing stations, processing plants, importers and wholesalers.

"Otherwise UK consumers could be eating eggs from illegal battery hens and British egg producers will be seriously undermined, with the possible loss of thousands of jobs."

© PA 2012

KILLINGS REOPEN FIREARMS DEBATE

2012-01-03T03:30:00.000-08:00

The New Year's Day gun killings in Peterlee have reopened the debate about whether Britain's already very strict firearms laws should be tightened further.

Owners of shotguns and rifles must undergo background checks which are supposed to ensure they pose no threat to public safety.

People applying for permission to keep a gun must declare any criminal records and relevant medical conditions, including any previous treatment for depression or mental illness.

Police forces have powers to revoke firearms licences if officers receive information about new convictions or changes in the certificate-holder's mental health.

But a series of horrifying mass shootings over the years - in particular in Hungerford in August 1987, Dunblane in March 1996 and Cumbria in June 2010 - have raised questions about whether enough is done to stop guns legally ending up in the hands of dangerously unstable people.

Taxi driver Michael Atherton - who shot dead his partner and two other women before killing himself in Peterlee, County Durham, on Sunday - had licences for three shotguns and three "Section One" firearms such as rifles.

Both types of certification are reviewed every five years, although fewer than 1% of applications to renew a shotgun licence were rejected in 2009-10.

Home Office figures for England and Wales show there were 141,775 certificates on issue for Section One firearms and 580,653 for shotguns at the end of March 2010.

Police revoked 302 firearms licences and 1,076 shotgun licences in 2009-10.

In December 2010, the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee described legislation in England and Wales as a "complex and confused" mess and called for tighter restrictions on gun licences.

The MPs called for criminals who receive suspended jail terms - like taxi driver Derrick Bird, who killed 12 people in the 2010 Cumbria shooting spree - to be stripped of firearms licences.

Shooting organisations stress that the UK's gun laws are already extremely tough and have warned against a "knee-jerk" reaction to the latest tragedy.

© PA 2012

POOR QUARTER FOR MANUFACTURING

2012-01-03T03:23:00.000-08:00

The manufacturing sector suffered its worst quarter for nearly three years despite an "encouraging" performance in December, figures showed today.

The Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index (PMI) survey, where a reading below 50 indicates a contraction, rose to 49.6 in December, from 47.7 the previous month. The City had been expecting a fall to 47.3.

Manufacturers were boosted by stronger new export orders, which helped make up for the weakness of UK demand.

But the overall sector still declined in December, making its performance over the final three months of 2011 its worst since the second quarter of 2009.

The index has now shown a decline for five out of the past six months, fuelling fears the sector will lead the UK economy back into recession.

James Knightley, an economist at ING Bank, said: "While today's headline figure is encouraging, it still suggests that manufacturing will drag GDP growth lower and that recession will remain difficult to avoid."

However, there was some good news for cash-strapped consumers, as factory gate prices rose at the slowest rate for more than two years in December.

Companies reported that input costs fell for the second month in a row and the rate of decline was at its most noticeable since June 2009. This was driven by the falling cost of chemicals, paper, plastics and steel.

The survey showed that production levels showed signs of stabilisation in December after recent declines.

New export orders rose for the first time in five months and at its fastest since April, with increased demand from Germany, China and eastern Europe.

But there were fears that some of the improvement in output was driven by companies eating into their backlogs of work, with outstanding business falling for the eleventh month in a row.

Markit senior economist Rob Dobson said: "Looking ahead, manufacturers are currently relying heavily on backlogs of work to prop up production.

"This is only a temporary fix, and the trend in overall order books needs to improve if the sector is to avoid a protracted period of lacklustre performance."

He added that job losses were also less widespread than in November, suggesting that pessimism about the coming year may have lifted a little.

© PA 2012

PoliticsUK - Thread of the day 29-12-11

2011-12-29T16:09:00.000-08:00

S.S.

Still, let's not try to improve the NHS as the left have convinced us all that there's nothing to worry about.

Number of patients picking up life-threatening infections has doubled in just two years

www.dailymail.co.uk

Poor hygiene on the wards has resulted in those with hospital-acquired infections rising from 22,488 to 42,712 in just two years. Most of those affected are elderly.

W.M.

Oh dear (shakes head)

You know the source of the majority of infections in hospitals!?

The patients!

we carry so many bacteria on our bodies that the skin protects us from that once the skin is damaged and can’t protect us anymore and our immunity is compromised they run rife!

S.S.

Oh yes, bloody patients, if they weren't so bloody sick all the time.

W.M.

So unless you’re suggesting that everyone goes through a full body shower with disinfectant to get rid of as many bacteria as they can as they enter a hospital, this will continue to happen.

S.S.

Yeah, let's not try and improve cleaning standards or anything. That would just be ludicrous.

W.M.

Why do you think they take swabs of patients on entering hospitals for surgeries!?

They swab your nostrils and groin to check for the bacteria that cause problems!

W.M.

Cleaning a floor will do nothing if the patients have bacteria infected feet and keep traipsing all over them with the bacteria!?

It’s not rocket science S.S...

W.M.

Why do you think they have those bottles of alcohol cleanser all over the bloody place now!?

W.M.

Bacteria passes from person to person unless controlled

S.S.

Bloody inconsiderate sick patients. How dare they be so ill and expect to be made better by going into a hospital. The bastards.

W.M.

Well that’s essentially the source of your problem so that’s who your attacking the patients!

Nothing to do with cleanliness levels!

W.M.

But of course the truth and the Daily Mail have never been acquainted!

S.S.

So people are sicker and more contagious than they were two years ago?

Wait....

I know what's happened...

It's those bloody Tories, of course. Nothing to do with poor cleaning standards or the inadequacies of the NHS, it's those Tories.

W.M.

So what you’re claiming is that cleaning standards have dropped so badly in 2 years under the Tories!?

K.M.J.

This is a classical Dailey Mail spin on carefully chosen biased information. The rise in infection directly correlates to the fact that elderly and high risk patients are being given the opportunity to undergo surgery that at one time they would have been told was too risky. 20-30yrs ago people over seventy would not have been operated on, due to the fact that as you get older your immune system becomes weaker.

But let’s just have another day of putting down one of the best health services in the world, that the people in this country take for granted and constantly complain about.

W.M.

Couldn’t have said it better myself K.M.J..

All those on here who are alive thanks to the NHS who are so quick to disparage it should hang their heads in shame!

S.S.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1560849/UK-cancer-survival-rate-lowest-in-Europe.html

Because I pay tax for mediocre results. Envy of the world eh?

K.M.J.

Yes equipment shortages in the NHS is a major problem, and I do think this will improve dramatically with opening up to private patients and more provision of early detection services being run by private companies.

You also have to also look at the fact that survival of cancer after five years is down to early diagnosis and lifestyle, this will not improve until people start to take screening seriously and also be prepared to change the way they live. How many people bother to go and get themselves checked out every year, we have a cultural problem in the UK in getting people to go to the doctors unless they feel ill.

W.M.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10569097

W.M.

We invest less than the rest of Europe and America in our health service!

W.M.

and yes S.S. when you don’t have to pay at the door for the service, of course it’s going to be the envy of the world try asking an average American who have to pay for things like transport to hospital by ambulance!

W.M.

Oh and the last time the WHO rated health services we were ahead of

Switzerland

Belgium

Colombia

Sweden

Cyprus

Germany

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Israel

Morocco

Canada

Finland

Australia

Chile

Denmark

Dominica

Costa Rica

United States of America

M.R.

W.M.....whilst I agree with your general point.....surely it is the responsibility of the NHS to deal with the "conditions" it faces....you really cannot blame the patients for being ill!

C.S.

Not sure that is W.M.s point really Mark. He is saying it's about dealing with ill people inside the budgets and trying to be as effective as possible I think

W.M.

Not blaming the people for being ill and certainly not blaming them for carrying bacteria like we all do, but I think there needs to be some honesty.

By far and away the vast majority of infections are carried into hospitals on the skin of patients, there’s no getting round that unless as I suggested you disinfected everyone as they entered both patients visitors and staff, but that doesn’t happen so of course you’re going to have infections.

Trying to blame that simply on a lack of cleanliness is unfair and doesn’t give the whole picture is what I'm pointing out to S.S..

W.M.

Of course it’s what grabs headlines and makes people fearful though the unfortunate thing is that tends to impact on the elderly who will be more reluctant to come forward for treatment involving stays in hospital, which is something these papers and headline writers never consider, they probably cost the lives of some!

M.H.G.

Maybe private rooms with private bathrooms are the answer rather than wards and shared bathroom facilities.

M.R.

W.M.....then shouldn't the old be entitled to feel "safe" in hospital? The NHS is a fine, and much needed organisation......but it could learn a lot about "customer care"........it can learn an awful lot about effective procurement and it can learn a lot about spending public money properly.....then, and only then, can it go back to government and ask for more.......the vast majority of people who are treated by the NHS are far better for the experience......but it is possible to kill the NHS with kindness.......as you well know, I am not a Daily Mail reader....(lol).....but I do have extensive experience of work in the NHS......and it is not a perfect organisation......

W.M.

I think anyone would be mad to try and claim its perfect, I'm certainly not doing that, but you have to remember that this is an organisation that provides a service every hour of everyday of every week of the year, to a million people a week up and down the country.

W.M.

And yes Mark anyone who’s vulnerable should be safe in hospital.

M.H.G.

Mark, you will never find "perfection" in a massive organization like the NHS.

K.M.J.

Mark .. I agree with you completely about the organisation and waste at the upper levels of management in the NHS. That is in my opinion something that stems from having politicians running it who are more interested in hiding the failings that do exist, instead of dealing with them and improving the service.

I hate the idea of privatising our healthcare in the UK and would fight it all the way, that does not mean I disagree with the idea of running it for maximum income and efficiency the way any national company would be run.

M.R.

M.H.G.......you are right.....one of the big issues...both strength, and a weakness, in the NHS is its size.........but I would far rather see a properly integrated universal service than one that is split into little pieces.....

M.R.

K.M.J......you have a fair point about politicians.....I can always remember Alan Milburn, when he was Minister of Health, being absolutely paranoid about criticism......but if national politicians, who are, at least to a degree, accountable do not set the broad standards and direction who would you suggest did?

W.M.

K.M.J. when you say waste at upper levels of management what do you mean?

You do realise that management levels in the NHS are about 4% of the staff in comparison to the national average of 16% managers to staff ratio.

They are expected to function with 1/4 of the managers that all other businesses do!

K.M.J.

‎@ M.R... Targets and standards I think should come from our government, you will get no argument from me on that point. I had the misfortune of having to deal with our PCT heads, the PR department and legal department where constantly giving me the “you can’t do that its more than our jobs worth” they are the political side of the NHS that are constantly holding back progress on customer service and efficiency. Politicians exist on many levels of the civil service and they constantly work in the best interest of themselves and their political career, not the people or government that pay their very large salaries.

K.M.J.‎

@ W.M... I don’t think that the number of managers is the problem but that their expertise is an issue with managing resources and the way in which they deal with the contractors.

I was also thinking about their ignorance towards staff members at all levels who can offer a wealth of knowledge on what systems are working and what are not and yet are frequently ignored.

M.R.

K.M.J....too bloody true!......There is something fundamentally wrong with a system that is built on conformity and fear......yet, apart from Government "austerity" cuts they would have to have committed mass murder to get sacked!

W.M.

I do K.M.J. if you were asked to work with only a quarter of the staff necessary you don’t think it would have an impact on the service you provide?

M.R.

If I was asked to do that....and it was unsafe to do it....I would blow the whistle....wouldn't you?

W.M.

Well that’s what the management of the NHS is expected to do, and who would they complain to?

their employers are the ones that allow such staffing levels because their roles are a political football, to be kicked about at a whim, to be a banner headline when people want to attack 'waste' in the NHS.

M.R.

W.M.....IF anyone is working in an unsafe environment they have a duty to report it......IF managers are asking staff to work in an unsafe way they should be reported.....there are mechanisms in place......use them!

A.K.

Andrew Ansleys NHS reforms bill will not be passed until March 2012 so there is still time to campaign against this bill which will undoubtedly lead to privatisation/a two/three tier system...This is an undemocratic bill which was not mentioned in either the Tory/Lib-Dem manifesto...The NHS belongs to the people and I wonder what part of NO Mr Cameron and co., do not understand as no one only the... gov. and the private sector business men who just happen to be Tory donors...want these changes to the MHS...

GPs don’t want it...Hospital doctors and nurses don’t want it...The BMA. RCGP, RCN are ALL opposing the bill and most of the British public are in opposition to the bill...Yet the government despite having a" listening committee "are not listening...

Anueurin Beven said that the NHS "will last as long as there as folk with faith to fight for it"

The cuts in the NHS are starting to be felt but in 2012/13 these cuts will come home to roost as they result in shortage of doctors and nurses....We are already facing a chronic shortage of GPs many of whom are leaving the service because they do not agree with the Bill and because it was not what they signed up for...and to protect their pension rights.

We have seen what privatisation has done to our dental services. In many cases it is difficult to get a local dentist. If this threatened shortage of GPs is allowed to go unchecked we will be facing problems of accessing a local GP...This Tory Bill is destroying and dismantling OUR health service to line their pockets many MP and members of the House of Lords are involved financially in private health care companies... and lining the pockets of their big businessmen party donors....

The NHS is already struggling to deliver the 20billion pounds of cuts demanded by the government. These cuts are designed to make the NHS inefficient and not working so that they will have an excuse to sell it off at a knock - down price...Privatisation will mean that profits will come before care...

This government has told us that privatisation leads to competition better services and lower costs....We just have to look at the utilities Margaret Thatcher sold off to know the the opposite is the reality..

W.M.

I think you confused what I said.

Management levels are staggeringly poor, 1/4 of what the rest of the countries companies’ average.

M.R.

W.M....depends what you call a manager........

A.K.

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/Protect_our_NHS_Petition.....

M.R.

Sadly, there is a lot of front-line staff in the NHS who run a mile from taking any responsibility........

K.M.J.

W.M. I was speaking more of top management and not the ones who are on the front line trying to do a good job with under-funded and under-staffed hospitals. Most of them never step foot inside the hospital they supposedly manage and never take responsibility for something wrong, they always find some lower down to take the blame.

S.B.

What a great deal of people are forgetting that the CLEANING of the wards, corridors, theatres as well as everything else is definitely not cleaned like the old days. In the old days when you walked into the hospitals you were hit with the smell of cleanliness of bleach with is missing these days. If those in charge of cleaning were to go back to using bleach to clean the wards and everywhere else then maybe the hospitals will eradicate most of the infections that one might pickup. Another words the hospitals now a days are dirtier than the old days.

J.W.

I agree they say bleach is bad to be used in public domains yet our very drinking water has it in to destroy bacteria.

J.W.

Antibiotics needs to be ditched as it compromises the immune system. Instead of antibiotics people should be eating or drinking soups that have antibiotic type foods in that keep control of bad bacteria. Garlic, onions, lemon juice, herbs any foods that can destroy bad gut bacteria and build the immune system.

S.S. ‎

"Mark, you will never find "perfection" in a massive organization like the NHS."

Precisely why it needs breaking up and transforming altogether.