UK News

Devon father one step closer to completing world-first swim to raise awareness of son’s brain condition

A father from North Devon is set to complete the final six lakes in his bid to become the first person to swim Switzerland’s ten largest lakes after his young son was diagnosed with a rare brain-attacking condition PANDAS, that caused sudden onset aggression, OCD and tics overnight.

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CBI backs EU membership "worth £3,000 to every household"

The CBI is today publishing the business vision for a reformed EU, after an in-depth study of the UK’s global future. As emerging markets become increasingly dominant, the CBI argues the UK must maximise openness to global trade - and the best way of achieving this is as part of a reformed EU.

Working with global and domestic businesses of all sizes across the country, the CBI has...

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Business

RSPCA relief as Government acknowledges futility of badger cull

The RSPCA is relieved to hear the Government has put a stop to the badger cull in Gloucestershire three weeks early.

Sources say the cull will end at noon on Saturday rather than the 18 December date planned after those carrying out the cull did not meet even their reduced target.

The initial six-week pilot cull ended in October, but was then extended for another eight weeks...

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Public urged to delay bonfires and firework displays as firefighters set to strike

Fire chiefs have urged the public to postpone any plans for domestic firework displays or bonfires as firefighters prepare to walk out this evening in a strike over pension and retirement ages.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) are staging a four and a half hour strike on Friday 1 November between the hours of 6.30 and 11pm, and further two hour action on Monday (4 November)...

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Gary Barlow visits British military personnel in Camp Bastion

Take That star and X-Factor judge Gary Barlow has visited British military personnel on operations in Camp Bastion this week

The award-winning singer-songwriter spent a morale-boosting three days with sailors, soldiers and airmen, both regular and reservist, experiencing life on the base while filming a musical concert for broadcast later this year.

Gary tweeted :

"...

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Government announces energy reforms to help consumers switch to the best deal

Reforms to make the energy market competitive and work in the public interest unveiled as part of the Annual Energy Statement 2013

Consumers will find it easier to switch and get the best deal, forcing energy companies to compete much more actively for their custom, according to the Government.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey announced the reforms on...

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Royal Mail workers call off strike

A Royal Mail workers' strike by the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) due to take place in Plymouth and around the rest of the country on Monday (4 November), has been called off after significant progress in talks between the two sides over pay and pensions.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday (30 October), the Royal Mail and the CWU said they are committed to finalising an...

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"Cut the Big Six energy companies down to size, George" says consumer champion

As the bosses of the UK's six biggest energy companies are called in front of the Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECCC), to justify recent price rises; the consumer champion Which? has launched a campaign to persuade the Chancellor of the Exchequer to take action on rising energy bills in his Autumn Statement.

Which? said: "With almost eight in ten people worried about rising...

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government

Which? energy companies

Former Children's Services boss who oversaw Baby Peter case awarded six-figure payout

The former head of Haringey Council’s children’s services has agreed to a six-figure payout for her unfair dismissal in the 'Baby Peter' scandal.

Sharon Shoesmith won a court ruling in 2011 that her sacking was unfair after a damning report on the children’s services role in the death of Baby Peter.

The Court of Appeal also claimed that her treatment by the former Children’s...

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Sharon Shoesmith

Survival rates for cancer continue to improve

Figures released by The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed the trend for increasing survival rates among people diagnosed with cancer has continued.

Statistics for patients diagnosed with one of the 21 most common cancers (which comprise over 90% of all newly diagnosed cancers) during 2007–2011 has revealed that:

Survival is generally lower among older

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Firefighters' union calls two further strikes after talks break down

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has announced two further firefighters’ strikes to take place on Friday 1 November between 6.30pm and 11pm and Monday 4 November between 6am and 8am.

The union says it has called the four and a half hour and two hour walkouts after government and fire employers failed to offer any firm guarantees for firefighters facing "no job and no pension" as a...

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Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service