Breaking Britain returns, this time it’s the schools
Why is so much of Britain’s infrastructure literally falling apart?
Why is so much of Britain’s infrastructure literally falling apart?
Lib Dems condemn “chaotic and incompetent” budget
The sheer quantity of raw sewage being dumped into Britain’s rivers and coastal areas is a scandal and a disgrace.
Having too little vitamin D has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, a US study has found. The Harvard Medical School team said the risk was particularly high for those who also had high blood pressure.
Up to three million people with disabilities in the UK could be trapped in poverty, a report has suggested. The study by campaigning group Leonard Cheshire Disability says disabled people are more likely to live in hardship now than a decade ago.
The library of a classical scholar is being auctioned in Dorset to raise money for disabled children. Duke's auctioneers in Dorchester said funds from Dr David Vessey's 8,000-book collection will help to start the charity Advocates for Children.
Gordon Brown today attacked critics of the government's handling of the Northern Rock crisis, but was unable to guarantee that the £26bn of taxpayers' money loaned to the bank will definitely be recovered. The prime minister insisted that the decision to support Northern Rock was correct, as it had prevented wider panic in the financial markets. The Treasury is currently negotiating with two potential purchasers, Virgin Group and Olivant. Both their proposals involve the government continuing to offer billions of pounds in support for several years.
Local Liberal Democrats have praised new party leader Nick Clegg's decision to set up an independent Commission on Social Mobility.
The chancellor is planning to give the Financial Services Authority more power to deal with failing banks to avoid another Northern Rock-style crisis. The proposals, planned for legislation in May, include giving the FSA the power to seize and protect customers' cash if their bank was to get into difficulties. The Chancellor has ruled out having a special institution designed to take over banks that get into trouble, as happens in the US, but wants to introduce a new Cobra-style response unit to deal with any future financial crises.