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Man admits Thorntons worker murder

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Man admits Thorntons worker murder A 21-year-old man has admitted murdering an economics graduate who was battered to death in woodland near her workplace. David Simmonds, of Derby Road, Heanor, Derbyshire, pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court to the murder of 25-year-old Jia Ashton. The body of Chinese-born Mrs Ashton was discovered in Sleetmoor Woods, near Somercotes in Derbyshire, on March 13, three days after she was last seen leaving her job at chocolate-maker Thorntons. Detectives launched a high priority inquiry after Mrs Ashton's music teacher husband Matthew reported her missing on the evening of March 11. She was eventually found by a mountain search and rescue dog in Sleetmoor Woods. Detectives think she would have been walking her usual route home down a road known locally as the Yellow Brick Road when she was attacked. Speaking at a media briefing earlier this week, Detective Superintendent Terry Branson said she was subjected to a sustained and brutal attack, in which there was no evidence of any weapons being used. Simmonds, at 6ft 2in and 19 stone, was more than three times the weight of Mrs Ashton, who stood at a petite 4ft 11in, weighed six-and-a-half stone and wore a size two shoe. Mr Branson said: "Whilst I believe this may well have been a chance meeting in the woods on March 10, thereafter what took place was not chance, not coincidental. "It was a sustained violent and brutal attack on a young woman, a result of which was that she did receive horrendous injuries to her head and significant compression to her chest, resulting in trauma to her heart, which was the cause of her death."

Ferdinand loses privacy action

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Ferdinand loses privacy action Rio Ferdinand has lost his privacy action over a "kiss and tell" story. The England and Manchester United centre back was not at London's High Court to hear Mr Justice Nicol dismiss his claim against MGN Ltd. Ferdinand, 32, brought his case for misuse of private information over an April 2010 Sunday Mirror article in which interior designer Carly Storey gave her account of their 13-year relationship in return for £16,000. The judge said: "Overall, in my judgment, the balancing exercise favours the defendant's right of freedom of expression over the claimant's right of privacy."

BAE plea ends Labour conference

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BAE plea ends Labour conference Labour's annual conference ended with calls for the Government to protect jobs at BAE Systems, as some of the 3,000 workers being laid off by the defence giant visited the gathering in Liverpool. Party leader Ed Miliband called on ministers to "get stuck in" on the workers' behalf, while Unite union leader Len McCluskey said the Government could prevent job losses by investing in an upgrade to the Typhoon fighter jet. Deputy leader Harriet Harman said the conference had been "overshadowed" by bad economic news, including the job losses at plants in Lancashire and East Yorkshire. In her traditional end-of-conference address, she told delegates: "People are worried - here and throughout the country. Worried about their job, the prospects for their kids, about what's going to happen in their local area. And there is only one party leader who understands that. It isn't Nick Clegg. And it certainly isn't David Cameron. It's our Labour leader - Ed Miliband. "He spoke up for the squeezed middle and he's right. He's understood people's fears for their children - and their ambition for them too. He shares the anger that the bankers are getting off scot-free and he's said that as prime minister he would end reckless irresponsibility from the bottom right to the top." After a week punctuated by admissions of mistakes by the former Labour administration, Ms Harman indicated that the leadership believes it is now time to draw a line under the apologies. "The two Eds both acknowledged what we all know, that not everything we did in government turned out right," she said. "And people need to know that over the past year we've taken a hard look at what we did and we've learnt lessons. But it's time now to move on. Because we've got important work to do." Ms Harman accused Conservatives and Liberal Democrats of a "shameful assault on people's democratic rights" with changes to electoral registration which the Electoral Commission has warned could deprive up to 10 million people of their votes. And, as the conference closed to the strains of The Red Flag and Jerusalem, she told delegates that the gathering had been "a turning point" for Labour with a "bold and optimistic vision" from its leader. Seven workers from BAE's Brough and Samlesbury plants were given a standing ovation as they took seats in the front row to hear Mr McCluskey make an emergency statement on the job losses. The Unite general secretary said the solution to BAE's problems was "in ministers' hands". "The Government must abandon its blinkered procurement policy," he said. "If they don't, UK taxpayers' money will be spent on American equipment instead of supporting UK jobs. They need to press ahead with radar developments which would make the Typhoon more exportable."

Jacko bodyguard 'told to hide drug'

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Jacko bodyguard 'told to hide drug' The first bodyguard to reach Michael Jackson's bedroom after the singer's doctor called for help said he was told by the doctor to hide medicine vials before calling 911. Alberto Alvarez was giving evidence in the trial of Dr Conrad Murray in Los Angeles. He told the jury that Murray grabbed the vials from a nightstand next to Jackson, who was still in his bed. He said that Murray only told him Jackson had a bad reaction. When he entered the bedroom, Mr Alvarez said he saw Jackson's eyes were open and was surprised to see that the singer was wearing a condom catheter. Mr Alvarez testified he stowed the vials before calling 911. Earlier he said Jackson was in good spirits at a rehearsal on the night before he died. "He was very happy," Mr Alvarez said. "I do recall he was in very good spirits." He is the sixth witness to testify in Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial, which is in its third day. Murray denies the charge.

Travellers 'in breach' of the law

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Travellers 'in breach' of the law If the High Court allowed residents of the UK's largest illegal travellers' site to escape eviction it would "send out the wrong signal" to the nation, a judge has been told. A victory for the travellers of Dale Farm, near Basildon, Essex, "would strike to the very principles of the rule of law", said a barrister representing Basildon Council. The council has been battling for a decade to remove the travellers, who now number some 400 individuals on more than 50 pitches, from the green belt site. The costly tangle of litigation already generated has been condemned by critics as a "farce". The residents have launched a fresh, three-pronged attack on moves to evict them. They came to the High Court in London with a battery of legal arguments contained in three separate applications for judicial review to stop the clearance of Dale Farm. But Reuben Taylor, appearing for the council, said the authority had done all it could to comply with planning and human rights laws and its decision to take direct action was not unlawful, unreasonable or disproportionate. He told Mr Justice Ouseley: "At its heart these proceedings seek an order from the court that would enable the residents to stay at Dale Farm in breach of the criminal law." The court was in effect being asked to sanction criminal conduct by granting planning permission for the residents. He said: "It is not the court's role to sanction criminal conduct - rather it is the court's role to uphold the law. "If the court were to grant the relief sought it would send a signal to all in this country that they can move on to the green fields of this land and build their home in the knowledge that whatever steps the local planning authority may take, the courts will prevent enforcement. "The court should be slow indeed to take a decision with such consequences, and slow indeed before it allows a claim that strikes to the very principles of the rule of law."

Husband hits out at woods murderer

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Husband hits out at woods murderer The husband of an economics graduate who was battered to death in woodland has branded her murderer a "despicable being" whom he hopes will never be freed from prison. Matthew Ashton, 27, whose wife Jia was found dead in woods in Somercotes, Derbyshire, in March, was at Nottingham Crown Court to see David Simmonds plead guilty to her murder. The body of Chinese-born Mrs Ashton, 25, was discovered by a mountain search and rescue dog in Sleetmoor Woods on March 13, three days after she was last seen leaving her job at chocolate-maker Thorntons. She had been subjected to a violent and brutal beating in which she suffered significant compression to her chest which resulted in fatal trauma to her heart, detectives said. Simmonds, 21, of Derby Road, Heanor, Derbyshire, originally pleaded not guilty to Mrs Ashton's murder but in a dramatic turnaround changed his plea to guilty. He will be sentenced for the murder on October 7. Speaking on the court steps after the hearing, Matthew Ashton said no sentence could ever be enough to make amends for what Simmonds had done. Standing next to Detective Superintendent Terry Branson and his mother, Sue, Mr Ashton remained calm as the statement he had prepared was read out. "It has been six long and painful months since Jia was taken from us," the statement said. "At one time we thought that answers would help us come to terms with what he did to Jia. I now know that these answers may never come. "I hope that justice will be done and that this despicable being will never be free to kill again."

Stay united, Clegg urges Europe

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Stay united, Clegg urges Europe Nick Clegg has urged Europe to remain united after one of his most senior Tory colleagues condemned the eurozone as a "burning building with no exits". The Deputy Prime Minister warned of the dangers of "fragmentation" amid frantic efforts to control the sovereign debt crisis. It would be a "disaster" if EU members "turned away from each other" rather than working together to overcome problems, the Liberal Democrat leader told an audience in Poland. His tone contrasted sharply with that of Foreign Secretary William Hague, who reiterated his desire for Britain to take back powers from Europe - a demand set to be echoed by right-wingers at the Conservative Party conference next week. Mr Hague described the single currency as a "historical monument to collective folly", and said he believed Germans would have to subsidise weaker members such as Greece for "the rest of their lifetimes". Mr Clegg's speech to the EU Eastern Partnership summit meeting in Warsaw came as talks resumed between Greek officials, European Commission negotiators, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund over whether Greece can receive another chunk of bailout loans. He said the eurozone members will have to integrate further to overcome the current crisis. He stressed that it must not lead to the creation of a "weaker and divisive" EU which sets "euro ins" against "euro outs". Mr Clegg said: "Our history has been marked by moments of great destruction and turmoil. At each we have had to make a choice: do we allow circumstances to pull us apart or do we overcome our challenges by working together? "And, when it has counted most, Europeans have stood together. Recognising that we are stronger shoulder-to-shoulder than we are apart. Now, we must do the same again."

Record smashed as heatwave hits

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Record smashed as heatwave hits Britain has sizzled again as the record-breaking mini heatwave baked the country. Temperatures well above average for this time of year were recorded up and down the UK, with Finningley in South Yorkshire topping the chart. With the mercury peaking at 29.0C (84F), the hotspot smashed the previous warmest September 29, which was recorded in York in 1895 when the thermometer reached 27.8C (82F). London enjoyed a sweltering 28.1C (83F) at Kew Gardens in the west of the capital, while the seaside village of Weybourne in Norfolk basked in 27.1C (81F) heat. The balmy conditions are set to continue into the weekend, and sun-seekers are taking the opportunity to head to the coast, as well as parks and rivers to soak up the rays. The unseasonably warm weather is more than 10C (18F) higher than the average temperature for the end of September. Tom Tobler, forecaster for MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "It's dry and sunny almost across the whole of Europe. "A southerly wind across the UK is bringing warm air across England, but Scotland and Ireland are fairly cloudy." He said there had been some rain in east Scotland, but in Wales and England there is "hardly a cloud in the sky". The meteorologist said the weather will remain largely the same across the UK until the start of next week, before it cools off on Tuesday with a chance of showers.

Church abuse inquiry to be launched

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Church abuse inquiry to be launched A major inquiry into the abuse of children in institutions run by the Catholic Church and the state is to be launched in Northern Ireland, it has been announced. The Stormont Executive confirmed the probe will be phased-in over the next two years and will be armed with the power to compel the release of records plus the co-operation of witnesses. First Minister Peter Robinson and acting deputy First Minister John O'Dowd announced the details of the plan, which follows a study of the issue by a task force set-up last December. Victims of sexual and physical abuse have recounted harrowing tales of their treatment. The Northern Ireland government's plan of action follows inquiries in the Irish Republic which have uncovered shocking evidence of widespread abuse by Catholic clergy. The Northern Ireland probe will require special legislation to provide the statutory powers needed to investigate historic cases of abuse. And while it is estimated it could take two years to pass the necessary legal framework, the Stormont leaders have also announced immediate steps. Mr Robinson said: "This inquiry will be given the necessary statutory powers to compel people and documents. We will be taking forward legislation in the Assembly to confer statutory powers on the Inquiry and Investigation into Historical Institutional Child Abuse. "It could take up to two years before the legislation is complete; however, this will not delay the Investigation and Inquiry's work." Margaret McGuckin and John McCourt, who have been leading voices among the victims and survivors, welcomed the announcement. Ms McGuckin said: "They have listened to us. They have listened to how important it is that records do be found and (that) it is a proper investigation that will help all victims."

Seventh bomb plot suspect charged

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Seventh bomb plot suspect charged A seventh terror suspect is being charged over the alleged UK suicide bombing plot, prosecutors have said. Mujahid Hussain will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court accused of helping fund the plan and providing information of "material assistance". Six men have already been remanded in custody after the "significant" counter-terror operation by police in Birmingham. Deborah Walsh, deputy head of the Crown Prosecution Service special crime and counter-terror division, said she authorised West Midlands Police to make the twin charges. The 20-year-old suspect is accused of "entering into a funding arrangement for the purposes of terrorism" and "failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism", she added. The other six defendants appeared at West London Magistrates' Court on Monday. Some of them are accused of wanting to be suicide bombers, having trained for terror in Pakistan and having raised money for terrorism. The men, all from Birmingham and said to be part of a terror network, were remanded by deputy senior district judge Daphne Wickham. Ashik Ali, 26, of White Street, Irfan Nasser, 30, of Doris Road, Irfan Khalid, 26, of Timbers Way, and Rahim Ahmed, 25, of Moorcroft Road, will appear at the Old Bailey next month. They are accused of one count of "engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts". Mohammed Rizwan, 32, of Asquith Road, was charged with failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism. He will next appear before Westminster magistrates on October 24 alongside Ali's brother, Bahader Ali, 28, of Turner Road. Both are from the Sparkbrook area of the city.

Jacko bodyguard 'told to move vial'

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Jacko bodyguard 'told to move vial' The first bodyguard to reach Michael Jackson's bedroom after the singer's doctor called for help said he was told by the doctor to hide medicine vials before calling 911. Alberto Alvarez was giving evidence in the trial of Dr Conrad Murray in Los Angeles. He told the jury that Murray grabbed the vials from a nightstand next to Jackson, who was still in his bed. He said that Murray only told him Jackson had a bad reaction. When he entered the bedroom, Mr Alvarez said he saw Jackson's eyes were open and was surprised to see that the singer was wearing a condom catheter. Mr Alvarez testified he stowed the vials before calling 911. Earlier he said Jackson was in good spirits at a rehearsal on the night before he died. "He was very happy," Mr Alvarez said. "I do recall he was in very good spirits." He is the sixth witness to testify in Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial, which is in its third day. Murray denies the charge.

Council chief 'baffled' by Miliband

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Council chief 'baffled' by Miliband Basildon Council leader Tony Ball has said he is "baffled" after the local authority was accused of "grandstanding" by Labour leader Ed Miliband. Mr Miliband told BBC Look East that the council had not handled the Dale Farm issue "sensitively". But Conservative Mr Ball said Mr Miliband had backed the council's stance earlier this month. Mr Miliband made his criticisms as travellers asked a High Court judge at a hearing in London to rule that the council had treated them unfairly. "I'm baffled. It is only a couple of weeks ago he said he supported what the council were doing," said Mr Ball. "I'm struggling to see where he is coming from." Asked by BBC East political correspondent Andrew Sinclair who was to blame for the stand-off at Dale Farm, Mr Miliband said: "The council has to be held responsible because they haven't provided alternative sites and I don't think they have handled the situation very sensitively. "As I understand it, there aren't alternative sites and there haven't been alternative sites provided and I think instead of, if you like, grandstanding, the council should provide those alternative sites." Mr Ball said: "We are... very satisfied with the way our legal team has set out the council's case, and we remain confident that we will get the result we require to let us get back to clearing the illegal traveller settlement at Dale Farm. "Some may have thought dealing with these challenges would be a sprint - it has however turned out to be more of a middle-distance race. "As I have said before, it has taken 10 years so far, and we now know the vast majority of British people support us, and we can wait a few more days for justice to be done."

£107m overpaid on student loans

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£107m overpaid on student loans Graduates have been refunded more than £107 million in the last 13 years by the Student Loans Company (SLC) after overpaying their student loans, figures released by the firm have revealed. The situation arises when payments are mistakenly taken from those who have already fully repaid their loans. The amount university leavers in England have been overpaying has steadily increased from £14,619 in 2000/1 to £22.3 million in 2009/10, the SLC said. Only 117 graduates overpaid in 2000/1, whereas 40,050 overpaid in 2009/10. The figures were released by the SLC following a Freedom of Information request by BBC Radio 4's You And Yours programme. Kevin O'Connor, head of repayment at the SLC, said: "Student loans are collected through the tax system, so by the time employers tell HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs), and HMRC tells the Student Loans Company how much of your loan you have paid through PAYE, you could have already paid more than you are due to. "The most efficient way to repay your loan as you approach full repayment is through the direct debit scheme for the last two years of your loan. "If you don't wish to pay by direct debit you can continue to pay through the tax system and be reimbursed when we receive the information from HMRC." The figures also showed that there were almost 15,000 more graduates overpaying in 2009/10 than two years previously, with overpayment amounts steadily increasing from £15.9 million in 2007/8, to £18.9 million the following year and £22.3 million last year. Richard Lloyd, executive director of consumer organisation Which?, said: "It's outrageous that the Student Loans Company has again overcharged ex-students by millions of pounds. "The Student Loans Company has to stop this incompetence, fix their system and make sure everyone affected is fully compensated, fast."

Teenage girls gunned down in street

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Teenage girls gunned down in street Three young women are in hospital after being gunned down in the street. The victims, aged 17, 18 and 19, were in a serious condition but expected to survive. Detectives hunting for a gunman were understood to be investigating if the attack was a botched drive-by hit. It was initially believed that only one shot was fired. Scotland Yard said the teenagers were taken to hospital after the incident outside a property in John Fearon Walk, North Kensington, west London. One was initially critical, but her condition improved. London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the 18-year old was treated for gunshot wounds at the scene. "She was taken to hospital as a priority, escorted by the air ambulance doctor," she said. "Two further patients reported to be female teenagers with gunshot wounds made their own way to hospital." An investigation is being led by Trident detectives, who deal with gang crime in the black community. A police spokesman said officers were alerted by the ambulance service at 7.17pm on Thursday by members of the public. The victims - who had been out on the street after scorching temperatures throughout the day - were receiving treatment at a central London hospital. As a hunt for their attackers was launched, police urged witnesses to come forward. Any witnesses or anyone with information was asked to call police on 101, or, if wishing to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. A police spokesman said the young women's injuries were "not life-threatening". "We have got officers down there trying to piece together what is going on," he said. "At this stage we are doing all we can."

Cash to restore weekly bin rounds

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Cash to restore weekly bin rounds Councils are to be offered financial support to restore weekly rubbish collections, the Government has announced. A new quarter of a billion pound fund is being set up to help local authorities in England switch from fortnightly to weekly bin rounds. The policy is being seen by Conservatives as delivering on a pledge the party made in Opposition. The Government came under fire in June following its Waste Review when it was revealed that councils would not have to bring back weekly bin collections and householders would not be penalised for "minor mistakes" when putting out their bins. Labour then accused the Government of breaking its pre-election promise to abandon fortnightly bin collections, branding it a "huge missed opportunity". Unveiling the move ahead of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said he believed every household in England had "a basic right" to have their rubbish collected every week. "Weekly rubbish collections are the most visible of all frontline services and I believe every household in England has a basic right to have their rubbish collected every week," he said. "Our fund will help councils deliver weekly collections and in the process make it easier for families to go green and improve the local environment." The £250 million Weekly Collections Support Scheme is expected to begin from next April. Funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government will be given to English local authorities which guarantee to retain or reinstate weekly waste collections for at least five years, and which demonstrate the potential to increase recycling rates or provide other environmental benefits, such as reducing fly-tipping and litter, alongside weekly collections. Councils will be able to bid for funding individually or in groups and can include the private sector "where this increases value for money".

Glaswegian grit a gift for success

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Glaswegian grit a gift for success The fabled Glaswegian grit has been credited for making children born in Scotland's biggest city more likely to succeed. Those growing up in Glasgow are more likely to have determination, perseverance and passion as well as the skills needed to succeed in life, according to a new study. Researchers developed a so-called "grit scale" to measure qualities like working towards challenges, finishing what they have begun, and maintaining effort and interest despite failure. The study of 2,000 11 to 18-year-olds found Glaswegians had more grit than those living in any other UK city. Glasgow was given a "grit score" of 3.16. Aberdeen came second, with a score of 3.15, and Edinburgh joint 15th, with a score of 3.05. The scale was developed by Professor Angela Duckworth at the University of Pennsylvania in the US. Gloucester came bottom, with a score of 2.87, with children growing up there rated as the least likely to see their ambitions through. Respondents in the city said they changed their goals, lacked focus and were discouraged by setbacks. Prof Duckworth said: "Grit may be as essential as talent to high accomplishment. If it's important for you to become one of the best people in your field, you are going to have to stick with it when it's hard." The study was commissioned to support AXA's initiative the Ambition AXA Awards. The £200,000 awards scheme for 11 to 18-year-olds was launched in March to reward young UK talent and achievement in enterprise, science, community, sport and the arts.

Shake-up of Ofsted inspection rules

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Shake-up of Ofsted inspection rules New inspection rules could make it tougher for schools to be rated 'outstanding', it has been revealed. Under a shake-up of Ofsted inspections, there is expected to be a closer link between the quality of a school's teaching and the overall grade they receive in the future. The move is part of changes due to be brought in from January, which will see school inspections streamlined to focus on four key areas - the achievement of pupils, quality of teaching and learning, behaviour and leadership and management. Acting Ofsted chief inspector Miriam Rosen said: "Schools rated as outstanding overall have very good or outstanding teaching. The final overall judgment is the professional judgment made by inspectors, who take a lot of notice of the quality of teaching. "We have said we are looking to raise expectations with these new arrangements and we do expect it to become more difficult for schools to achieve that accolade of outstanding." She added that Ofsted expects there will be "an even closer correlation between teaching and the overall judgment". The announcement comes after Education Secretary Michael Gove raised concerns that some schools were being judged as outstanding, despite not being given that rating for their teaching. The inspection changes will also see schools required to identify different groups of pupils such as bright students; lesbian, gay, bisexual or transsexual youngsters; disadvantaged children or those from minority ethnic backgrounds and show evidence of how these groups are progressing. Schools minister Nick Gibb said: "Inspection plays a vital role in raising academic standards in schools. This new way of inspecting schools will allow Ofsted to spend more time in the classroom and to concentrate on things that really matter to parents, such as pupil behaviour and the quality of teaching."

350 of Navy redundancies compulsory

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350 of Navy redundancies compulsory About 350 sailors are being forced out of the Royal Navy against their will as part of defence cuts. A total of around 1,020 Navy personnel will be told they are being made redundant in the first round of military job losses, a third of them compulsorily. Some 810 sailors applied for redundancy but only 670 of them are being allowed to leave. Navy personnel who risked their lives during the Libyan campaign - including crew members of HMS Cumberland, which helped rescue British citizens from the North African country in February - are among those being axed, The Daily Telegraph reported this week. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) stressed that nobody deployed on operations, preparing for operations or on post-tour leave on the day redundancy notices are issued would be forced out of their job. Royal Marines, who form part of the Navy, are exempt from the current tranche of redundancies. The plans to cut posts were announced earlier this year as part of a programme which could see 11,000 redundancies across the Royal Navy, Army and RAF by April 2015 in an effort to tackle the deficit and bring the defence budget under control. Earlier this month about 920 soldiers and 930 RAF personnel were told they were being made redundant, 750 of them against their will. Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the past actions of military chiefs had helped lead to the cuts. He told the Guardian that the MoD had to accept a share of the blame for the depth of cuts to the military budget that had led to thousands of redundancies. He said: "I think the MoD consistently dug a hole for itself that it eventually found that it could not climb out of. It is irritating to hear some of those who helped create the problem criticising us when we try to bring in a solution."

Having a haircut is not jobseeking

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Having a haircut is not jobseeking Slack rules that allow the unemployed to count haircuts as job hunting must be toughened, a leading think tank has said. Instead people should build up "points" for activities that genuinely help them get work in order to receive benefits, according to a Policy Exchange paper. The call comes with the coalition and Labour both insisting that those who contribute to society should be prioritised in the welfare system. Housing minister Grant Shapps has signalled that workers could go to the top of queues for council housing, while Ed Miliband used his speech at the Labour party conference this week to hit out at individuals who want "something for nothing". Under the current arrangements, Jobseeker's Allowance claimants usually have to undertake two "job-seeking activities" per week - but the Policy Exchange report said these can mean only inquiring about a job or checking the newspaper, rather than applying. One acceptable activity is "seeking specialist advice on improving your job prospects with regard to any physical or mental limitations" - which could include having a haircut, according to the study. As a result, research has found UK jobseekers only spend an average of eight minutes a day looking for work, even though the public want them to be hunting for up to five hours. The paper proposes introducing a points-based system based on tougher job hunting requirements. Activities such as attending a job interview would earn claimants more points than putting together a CV, or "seeking information" about jobs. The report's author, Matthew Oakley, said: "Most employees are obliged to work full time at the tasks set by their employers to support themselves financially. "If they don't they are liable to be sacked and lose their income. Jobseekers should be similarly obliged to work full time at fulfilling the obligations attached to their benefit receipt. If they don't then those benefits should be withdrawn."

Jailed mothers' children 'damaged'

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Jailed mothers' children 'damaged' More than 17,000 children were separated from their mothers after the women were sent to jail last year, new figures show. No women should be sent to prison, but those convicted of violent offences should be held in local secure units instead, the Howard League for Penal Reform said. Its estimates showed more than 17,240 children under 18 were forcibly separated from their mother in England and Wales in 2010. The separations, caused when mothers were jailed, can cause long-term emotional, social, material and psychological damage, often with little to no dedicated support, the Howard League said. Its Voice of a Child report found that more than 11,000 children could be spared the problems if non-violent women were not sent to jail. Frances Crook, the campaign group's chief executive, said the "real answer is to take women out of the very establishments that will hinder their and their children's life chances". "Women should not be in prison in the first instance," she said. "The best way to reduce women's offending is in the community, by improving mental health services and tackling drug abuse." Half of all women prisoners have children under the age of 18, figures from the Chief Inspector of Prisons showed. More than 4,000 women were behind bars in England and Wales last week, Ministry of Justice figures showed. But more than half the women entering prison did so on remand and, of those, three in five did not receive a custodial sentence, the campaigners said. A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "Prison sentences can be distressing for the children and families of female offenders. That is why we want to increase confidence in community sentences - to demonstrate they are a viable option for non-violent offenders with caring responsibilities."
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