Monday, November 29, 2010

The Independent - UK RSS Feed

The Independent - UK RSS Feed

Cable threatens banks with tax on bonuses

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 04:00 PM PST

Business Secretary Vince Cable warns today that the Government will tax bankers' bonuses as a "last resort" if voluntary restraint and other "sanctions" failed to end what he calls "a very damaging bonus culture": "We have got to get this right".

Action plan on binge-drinking, but drink-drive campaign scaled back

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 04:00 PM PST

Ministers were accused last night of putting lives at risk at Christmas by slashing spending on publicity campaigns about drink-driving.

Cold comfort for a Britain stuck in the deep freeze

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 04:00 PM PST

Cold weather records tumbled like snowflakes at the weekend as Arctic conditions gripped Britain – and it is only going to get worse. Forecasters warned that the icy conditions would continue through the week and perhaps into next weekend, with few areas escaping at least a sprinkling of snow.

One in five children has never paddled in the sea

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 04:00 PM PST

Splashing around in the waves on a summer holiday is one of the essential pleasures of childhood, the stuff of fond memories. Yet one in five children aged eight to 15 has never had the chance to dip their feet into the sea, either on the beaches around Britain's coastline or abroad, a survey has found.

Detained asylum-seeker freed after South Africa intervenes

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 04:00 PM PST

A Zimbabwean asylum-seeker, whose deportation from Britain was halted when his wrist was broken while he was being restrained by security guards, has been released from detention after intervention by the South African government.

'Star chamber' to foster UK growth

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 04:00 PM PST

Cabinet ministers will be "held to account" for the efforts their departments make to secure economic growth, the Business Secretary, Vince Cable has said.

Breastfeeding at work promoted

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 04:00 PM PST

Companies should help new mothers to return to work by providing them with breastfeeding facilities or by allowing them to bring their babies to work, the Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, said at the weekend. He is urging firms to set up areas where they can breastfeed and to supply fridges or cool-boxes to store expressed milk.

Picture of the Day: Amazon's Christmas grotto

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 04:00 PM PST

When shopping online today, spare a thought for the workers at Amazon's "fulfilment centre" in Swansea. The high point of Britain's internet Christmas spending spree – dubbed Manic Monday – will condemn staff at the website's warehouse to walk up to 10 miles per shift, helping to satisfy the booming taste for cyber retailing.

Call for longer sentences

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 04:00 PM PST

Magistrates will call on the Government today to double their sentencing powers, in a move that could lead to fewer jury trials.

Tory says people have 'responsibility to exercise'

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 09:33 AM PST

He is a health minister condemned as "out of condition, overweight and a chain-smoker" by a political opponent - and he freely admits that he could lose a few pounds here and there.

Tube workers set for another 24-hour strike

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 01:52 AM PST

Thousands of London Underground workers will start a 24-hour strike tonight, threatening travel disruption for commuters and other passengers.

Charity donations direct from salary 'fall sharply'

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 01:43 AM PST

Charities have suffered a steep fall in the amount of money people donate to them directly from their salaries during the past two years, research indicated today.

Record temperatures as big freeze tightens grip

Posted: 28 Nov 2010 01:41 AM PST

Britain shivered in some record low temperatures overnight - including a "ridiculously low" minus 17C in Wales - as the big freeze maintained its grip on the country, forecasters said today.

posted by Greg Shaw at Monday, November 29, 2010