UK News

Expanding Bioactive Habitat Possibilities With Isopods for Sale Options

Natural enclosure systems continue gaining attention among habitat keepers today. Many setups benefit from balanced biological activity supporting cleaner conditions naturally. Carefully selected isopods for sale contribute useful functions within enclosed environments. These...

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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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government

energy

reforms

switching

fuel bills

Ed Davey

Caroline Flint

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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royal mail

CWU

strike

"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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Baby Peter

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

Genetic mutations can cause obesity, say Cambridge University researchers

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a novel genetic cause of severe obesity which, although relatively rare, demonstrates for the first time that genes can reduce basal metabolic rate - how the body burns calories.

Previous studies (performed by David Powell and colleagues at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals in Texas) demonstrated that when the gene KSR2 (Kinase...

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University of Cambridge

David Powell

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals

M5 closed between Burnham and Bridgwater following collisions

Update 2.30pm: On the M5 southbound in Somerset there are currently long delays between junctions J21 and J23 due to an earlier incident. All lanes are now open.

Lane 3 remains closed northbound for emergency repairs after the incident.

Update 12.30pm: The M5 Southbound carriageway remains closed between J22 and J23 following earlier collisions, causing delays of approximately...

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Somerset and Avon Police

Government announces new 'cost of driving' measures

The Government has announced measures to help motorists to cut the cost of running a car. These include a crackdown on whiplash fraud, a freeze on MOT test prices and a scheme designed to reduce the cost of fuel at motorway service stations, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling announced today.

Quoting statistics from the AA, the Ministry of Justice said that the average cost of motor...

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Prince George christened in private family ceremony

HRH Prince George, the three-month-old son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and third in line to the throne - has been christened today (Wednesday 23 October) in a private ceremony.

The Archbishop of Canterbury carried out the ceremony at the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace. The Queen and Prince Philip attended the low key service with other friends and relatives, including...

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