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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Labour to pledge 25 hours of free childcare for working parents

The Labour Party will expand free childcare for three and four year olds from 15 to 25 hours per week for working parents, if it is elected, Ed Balls will announce at the Labour Party Annual Conference on Monday (23 September).

Labour says this the policy will help families struggling with the cost of living crisis and mean parents who want to work part time will be able to do so...

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Ed Balls

"We can cause an earthquake": Farage sets out UKIP's electoral ambitions

Speaking to the UKIP annual conference in Westminster, leader Nigel Farage spoke of his ambitions for the party he says is "changing politics".

Mr Farage declared: "In eight months’ time there are the European elections and the Council elections.

"UKIP will be standing in both sets, fielding thousands of candidates. I’m taking nothing for granted but I think we’re going to do...

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Nigel Farage

Retail sales fall by 0.9% in August

Retail sales fell by 0.9% in August compared with July, figures provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed.

The fall is unexpected with market commentators predicting expecting a modest rise. Figures for July showed a 1.1% growth.

However the figures represent a 2.1% rise from August 2012, when the London Olympics and Paralympics had an impact on...

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Office for National Statistics

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Pensioner charged with GBH over North Devon stabbing

A 72-year-old North Devon woman has been charged with violently attacking a 79-year-old man in Northam in North Devon.

Anne Tucker, from the Bideford area, has been charged with grievous bodily harm, after the man was found with a number of stab wounds to his neck, hands and leg.

Ms Tucker been released on police bail to return to Barnstaple Magistrates’ Court on 11 October...

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Last call for 2014 nominations for prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Nominations for the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service close on 30 September 2013.

People are being urged to nominate community groups and volunteers who have made a genuine difference to their local area, the Cabinet Office announced today, in the last call for 2014 nominations for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service .

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service...

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Queens Award for Voluntary Service

Police campaign highlights impact of alcohol-related disorder

Police chiefs have launched a week-long campaign highlighting the realities faced by those dealing with drunkenness and alcohol-related incidents.

The national initiative follows the vow from Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner, Tony Hogg to do more to tackle the problems of alcohol-related disorder, which is costing the region more than £300m.

The UK police...

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Plymouth

Tony Hogg

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Clegg announces free school meals for all infants

Every child in infant school will receive a free school lunch, Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced at the Liberal Democrat's annual conference in Glasgow.

All infant school pupils will receive a hot, healthy school lunch, in what will be seen as a radical measure. The policy will save families about £400 a year per child while its proponents claim...

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Firefighters confirm four-hour strike action

Firefighters will strike over pensions on Wednesday (25 September), the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has announced. The strike will take place for four hours, between noon and 4pm.

Almost 80% of members voted in favour of industrial action in a ballot that ended earlier this month, although union officials say that they have left the strike to the last possible moment to allow for the...

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72-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after North Devon stabbing

Police have arrested a 72-year-old woman at a property in North Devon on suspicion of attempted murder.

Devon and Cornwall Police were called to a property in Northam at around 2.40am on Monday (16 September 2013) after receiving reports that a man had been stabbed.

On arrival officers found a man, aged 79, with a number of stab wounds to his neck, hands and leg.

The...

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Devon and Cornwall Police

RICS launch guide to help small businesses manage their property assets

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has today launched a guide to help small businesses take better control of their finances through managing their property assets differently.

Property costs – such as business rates and rent – are one of the most significant expenses incurred by SMEs and failure to take professional advice as to how to manage them could costs businesses...

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Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

Federation of Small Businesses