Tube strike disruption continues

30 April 2014 Last updated at 09:06

London Underground (LU) has managed to run services on all 11 lines of the Tube network on a second morning of disruption caused by a strike.

Chief operating officer Phil Hufton said it was a first for a strike day.

By 08:00 BST all lines had some service although frequency was disrupted and about 30 stations remained closed.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union began a strike on Monday night over plans to close all ticket offices at a cost of 960 jobs.

Two lines opened earlier than the advertised 07:00. By about 08:30 three lines were running their whole length, although not stopping at all stations.

LU said more staff members had arrived for work than during the last strike in February and that volunteer travel ambassadors were helping passengers.

On Tuesday, the RMT accused LU of "misleading" the public over the level of services and of leaving platforms and stations "dangerously overcrowded".

RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said: "It helps no-one for LU to deliberately mislead the public as to what services are available, as it simply piles dangerous levels of pressure on to the ghost trains and skeleton operations, leaving passengers and staff at risk."

LU said 50% of services were running on Tuesday.

Extra bus services have been in operation since the start of the strike, with some vintage models being brought back into use.

Customers are advised to check their journeys before travelling, but LU has advised the following services are in operation although with trains running less frequently and some stations closed:

• Bakerloo Line: Between Queen's Park and Elephant and Castle
• Central Line: Between Epping and Leytonstone, Hainault via Newbury Park and Leytonstone, Woodford to Hainault and between West Ruislip and North Acton and Ealing Broadway to White City
• Circle Line: Between Hammersmith and Aldgate
• District Line: Between Upminster and Wimbledon, Ealing Broadway and High Street Kensington, Edgware Road and Kensington (Olympia)
• Hammersmith and City Line: Between Edgware Road and Barking
• Jubilee Line: Whole line operating
• Metropolitan Line: Between Amersham and Baker Street, Uxbridge to Harrow-on-the-Hill and Harrow-on-the-Hill to Aldgate
• Northern Line: Between Edgware and Golders Green and between High Barnet and East Finchley/ Mill Hill East
• Piccadilly Line: Between Hammersmith and Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3
• Victoria Line: Whole line operating
• Waterloo and City Line: Operating

The DLR and London Overground lines are not affected by the strike action.

The strike is due to end after 48 hours, at 20:59 on Wednesday, but disruption may continue into Thursday morning.

The union and London Underground (LU) have met more than 40 times via the arbitration service Acas since the last 48-hour strike in February, but talks broke down on Monday.

TfL needs to save £4.2bn by 2020; it hopes to save £50m a year by closing ticket offices.

The union is set to strike for 72 hours from 21:00 on Monday 5 May, if the ticket office dispute is not resolved.

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Government PC made Muslim wiki edit

30 April 2014 Last updated at 00:08 By Dave Lee Technology reporter, BBC News

The charity that represents Wikipedia in the UK has condemned edits made from government computers after more incidents of vandalism emerged.

The BBC has discovered that the phrase "all Muslims are terrorists" was added to a page about veils.

Another edit deleted text in Cherie Blair's entry about the flat-buying scandal that made headlines in 2002.

The Liverpool Echo last week revealed that insults had been added to the entry for the Hillsborough Disaster.

Stevie Benton, from Wikimedia UK, told the BBC: "We find this kind of vandalism appalling."

Wikimedia UK is the local arm of the global Wikimedia Foundation, the charity set up by the online encyclopaedia's founder Jimmy Wales to support the thousands of volunteers who edit and maintain Wikipedia.

"Wikipedia is the encyclopaedia that anyone can edit," Mr Benton added.

Continue reading the main story

"Start Quote

It is shocking and cause for great concern"

End Quote Nasima Begum Muslim Council of Britain

"This openness has led to an enormous reference work of great value. While vandalism does occasionally happen we are grateful to the many thousands of volunteers who write, edit and organise the content."

In an email, the Cabinet Office reiterated its statement on the matter.

"The amendments made to Wikipedia are sickening. The behaviour is in complete contravention of the Civil Service Code. It is entirely unacceptable."

It added: "The Civil Service Code applies at all times, and we take breaches very seriously. We have already announced an investigation to examine offensive edits to Wikipedia, and will look at other concerns raised."

'Spells evil'

The BBC found more than a hundred instances of inappropriate editing, vandalism and deletion made by computers accessing Wikipedia through the two IP addresses known to be used by government machines.

A change made to the entry for "veil" in October 2006 added: "It should be noted that the word Veil, when the letters rearraged [sic], spells evil.

"Since the Veil is mostly worn by Muslims, and all Muslims are terrorists (with the argument for this being that all terrorists have been Muslim), this fact should be dually [sic] noted by all."

The comment was removed by a Wikipedia volunteer six minutes later.

Nasima Begum, a spokeswoman for the Muslim Council of Britain, told the BBC: "It is these types of attitudes that create an unnecessary climate of fear and hostility.

"It is shocking and cause for great concern that inflammatory comments like these should be sent from someone within the government."

Removed paragraphs

As well as vandalism, large passages of text were deleted.

In 2002, Cherie Blair made a public apology after it had emerged she had bought two flats, at a discounted price, with help from convicted fraudster Peter Foster.

Paragraphs about the incident in Mrs Blair's Wikipedia entry were removed by a government PC in October 2005.

Later, a different user would revert the changes, arguing that they were "relevant to the subject's reputation".

The BBC was unable to reach Mrs Blair to discuss the matter. There is no indication that she had any knowledge of the changes.

Other edits made by government machines included:

Continue reading the main story

How edits were uncovered

• Wikipedia allows any web user to make changes to its pages, but this leaves a trace through the user's internet protocol (IP) address
• Changes are monitored by Wikipedia, but internet trolls have been known to post insulting material, which is usually swiftly removed
• Liverpool Echo reporter Oliver Duggan discovered that insults posted on the website's Hillsborough Disaster page had been made using computers within the government's internal intranet
• He confirmed this after referring to a list of 34 IP addresses used by the government released by former minister Angela Eagle in 2008
• The BBC analysed two of the addresses - 195.92.40.49 and 62.25.106.209 - to find the edits contained in this article

• In the entry for the London bombings, links to websites detailing popular conspiracy theories were added.
• The article for former prime minister Tony Blair was deleted in its entirety and replaced with the words "he should be assassinated".
• Homophobic insults were added to the entry for newspaper columnist Richard Littlejohn.
• Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who has worked for the government on healthy eating initiatives, also had homophobic insults added to his page.

Mr Benton, from Wikimedia UK, praised the work of Wikipedia editors in correcting the changes.

"Edits of this nature are removed very quickly by the volunteers who write and edit Wikipedia," he said. "Often in a matter of minutes."

Edits made by government computers have come under close scrutiny following the Liverpool Echo's report showing how insulting remarks about Liverpool fans were added to the page detailing the Hillsborough Disaster.

The changes were identified by analysing edits made by two IP addresses - 195.92.40.49 and 62.25.106.209 - known to be connected to the Government Secure Intranet (GSI).

The GSI is used to allow government machines to connect to the internet securely.

Investigation

The Cabinet Office has admitted that, due to the nature of its computer network, it would be almost impossible to track down who is responsible for the offensive remarks.

A spokesman said: "We are exhausting every option. Anyone with information should contact the Cabinet Office."

Unlike most people's home internet connections, where an IP address can sometimes be used to pinpoint one particular computer, large organisations tend to mask individual machines for security reasons.

It is also possible to "spoof" IP addresses to make the source of a connection look like it is coming from somewhere else. However, several of the offensive messages were made prior to the government IP addresses being disclosed in 2008.

Government machines were also used to vandalise, or "troll", on several pages, including:

• In the entry about indie band The Libertines: "[T]he more astute critics correctly identify the band as scum", and added a remark about lead singer Pete Doherty's drug use.
• Comments about footballer Wayne Rooney that said he was "currently knocking off 'queen chav' Coleen McGlochlin".
• The deletion of the entire post for Irish politician Christopher Byrne, replacing it with simply "is a sexy beast".
• Changing the entry for BBC presenter Peter Levy to list "Adolf Hitler" as an ex-partner.
• Describing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as being "made of clay".

Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC

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Labour wants 'school standards tsars'

30 April 2014 Last updated at 00:10 By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent

Labour is calling for a more "coherent" way of running the different types of state-funded schools in England, including academies and free schools.

Former education secretary David Blunkett has published a report calling for all state schools to be co-ordinated under local control.

He proposes local "Directors of School Standards" to monitor schools.

Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt said they would provide "robust local oversight of all schools".

The government argues that free schools and academies are already held more rigorously to account than council-run schools - but is in the process of introducing its own regional school commissioners to monitor academies' performance.

This blueprint from Labour sets out a structure for how different categories of state schools, with separate forms of accountability, should be co-ordinated in local areas.

Academies and free schools, which currently operate outside council education services, would be monitored by these local directors, who could intervene if there were problems with underperformance.

Academies, which have autonomy over staffing and the curriculum, are now the majority of secondary schools.

Under Labour's plans they would become accountable to these new directors and would not return to local authority control.

Council schools would also be under the scrutiny of these local "standards tsars", with one in each local authority area.

Extra places

Planning for extra places and creating new schools would also be the responsibility of these directors of school standards, who would be appointed by councils from a list of candidates approved by the education secretary.

Labour says that this would provide a more consistent form of oversight - and would be more effective in identifying problems with academies and free schools.

It highlights concerns over the E-Act academy chain and the Al-Madinah free school.

Mr Blunkett's report said it was "unsustainable" and "undemocratic" to have thousands of individual schools "contractually bound to the secretary of state and free-floating from the communities they serve".

"All publicly funded schools should be held to the highest standard - without fear or favour," said Mr Blunkett, who was Tony Blair's first education secretary.

'Fragile' schools

"New local directors of school standards will monitor, support and challenge schools to improve, driving up standards in underperforming and 'fragile' schools - irrespective of the status of school. This has to be an agenda of high standards and fairness for all."

Labour's current education spokesman, Tristram Hunt, welcomed that this report drew on the lessons of the London Challenge programme, which aimed to support struggling schools and improve results in schools in the capital.

"Spreading this success means an end to Michael Gove's 'sink or swim' schools policy, with new and robust local oversight of all schools to root-out underperformance. That's what directors of school standards will bring," said Mr Hunt.

A Department for Education spokesman said: "We have consistently demonstrated quick and decisive action if children are being denied the education they deserve, no matter what type of school they attend.

"We moved to close Discovery New School just seven months after its inadequate Ofsted rating, while Al Madinah is already seeing real improvements thanks to our swift intervention.

"In contrast, local authorities have presided over schools which have been in special measures year on year and done nothing. There are currently 40 council-run schools that have been in special measures for 18 months or longer.

"Since its inception, the academies programme has freed schools from interference by politicians and bureaucrats and put teachers back in the driving seat.

"It is thanks to this government's reforms, including the expansion of the academies programme, that the number of pupils being taught in failing secondary schools has fallen by 250,000 since 2010."

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Sacking over poor elderly home care

30 April 2014 Last updated at 08:17 By Alison Holt Social Affairs Correspondent, BBC News

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Secret filming by BBC Panorama shows some residents being taunted, roughly handled and one being slapped

One staff member has been sacked and seven suspended from one of England's largest care homes after an undercover probe by BBC Panorama found poor care.

The filming at the Old Deanery in Essex showed some residents being taunted, roughly handled and one was slapped.

The home said it was "shocked and saddened by the allegations".

Care Quality Commission figures seen by the BBC show over a third of homes that received warning notices since 2011 still do not meet basic standards.

Continue reading the main story

"Start Quote

People shouldn't be getting into this business if they don't care"

End Quote Andrea Sutcliffe Care Quality Commission

Allegations of poor care and mistreatment at the 93-bed home in Braintree, where residents pay roughly £700 per week, were first raised by 11 whistleblowers in August 2012.

Essex County Council put it on special measures for three months until concerns were addressed.

But secret filming by Panorama's undercover reporter over 36 shifts found many of the same sorts of issues reported a year earlier, including:

• a woman slapped by a care worker who had previously been complained about for her poor attitude towards residents

• the same woman, who has dementia and is partially paralysed after a stroke, was also repeatedly mocked and taunted by other care workers

• cries for assistance from a resident suffering a terminal illness ignored as she sought help for the toilet, and her call bell for assistance left unplugged on one occasion

• a resident bed-ridden with a chronic illness left lying in his own excrement after two care workers turned off his call bell without assisting him

Alex Lee, the reporter who conducted the undercover filming, said she saw "many good care workers trying their best" - but also saw some staff "mock, goad, taunt, roughly handle and ignore" elderly residents.

"Some were even left in their own mess for hours," she said.

Last November, while Panorama was undercover, the home was inspected by the regulator and passed for the first time in 18 months.

When the CQC revisited this February after being told about Panorama's findings, they found too few staff and some residents waiting an "unacceptably long time" for call bells to be answered.

Continue reading the main story

Panorama: Find out more

• Behind Closed Doors: Elderly Care Exposed, BBC One, Wednesday 30 April at 21:00 BST

Anglia Retirement Homes Ltd, which runs the Old Deanery, said the incidents involved a "small number of staff" and were not reflective of the high standards of care it demanded.

A statement said: "As soon as the new management team was made aware of the allegations we took immediate action.

"We hired an independent law firm to carry out a full investigation as a matter of urgency.

"Eight staff were immediately suspended, and have not returned to work, pending a full inquiry.

"Our priority remains the health and wellbeing of our residents and we have more than 200 dedicated members of staff who remain committed to the highest standards of care."

It added: "The care worker responsible for slapping a resident has been summarily dismissed."

Whistle-blowers

The company was taken over by new owners in November 2013.

A former care assistant at another home, who became a whistleblower, said she had experienced problems not being solved. Eileen Chubb runs a charity called Compassion in Care which supports people reporting misconduct in the industry.

She has had nearly 2,000 calls to her helpline in 14 years and she often found repeated complaints about the same problems in the same homes.

"Every day cases are coming in where there has been up to 15 staff, 20 staff, raising concerns, then six years later, more staff raising the same concerns again," she said.

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Andrea Sutcliffe: "I'm shocked and really angry about what Panorama have found"

The CQC said it would work with the care sector to improve standards, but it was determined to ensure problems were addressed.

Its new chief inspector of social care, Andrea Sutcliffe, said she was "shocked and really angry" about the poor care Panorama had found.

She said her "heart goes out" to those affected, but also to the "hundreds of thousands" of good care workers who had been let down by the "small minority".

"People shouldn't be getting into this business if they don't care," she said.

Asked if the CQC's systems were working, she said most care was good and the organisation would act on any concerns raised.

Minister for Care and Support Norman Lamb said there was a "stubborn minority of care providers who do not meet acceptable standards".

"We have to send out the message that there should be no place in our care services for providers of that sort," he said.

Panorama: Behind Closed Doors: Elderly Care Exposed on BBC One on Wednesday 30 April at 21:00 BST and then available in the UK on the BBC iPlayer.

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Farage will not stand in by-election

30 April 2014 Last updated at 08:45

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Nigel Farage said that it was more important to focus on the European elections

UKIP leader Nigel Farage has said he will not stand in the forthcoming Newark by-election.

The contest has been brought about by the resignation from Parliament of former Tory MP Patrick Mercer over a cash-for-questions scandal on Tuesday.

Mr Farage said he did not want to look like an "opportunist" by entering the contest, as he did not "have any links with the East Midlands".

He added that the wanted to focus on UKIP's European elections campaign.

Although the Conservatives have a majority of 16,000 in Newark, the seat will be a prime target for UKIP at a time when it is soaring in the polls, BBC political correspondent Vicki Young said.

But John Curtice, professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde, said UKIP would be "trying to succeed on the back of no particular local support at all".

'Courage'

Mr Farage told BBC One's Breakfast: "I haven't had long to think about it but I have thought about it, and we're just over three weeks away from a European election at which I think UKIP could cause an earthquake in British politics, from which we can go on and win not just one parliamentary seat but quite a lot of parliamentary seats.

"For that reason I don't want to do anything that deflects from the European election campaign, so I'm not going to stand in this by-election.

"I want to focus the next three weeks on winning the European elections and also I don't have any links with the East Midlands. I would just look like an opportunist, and I don't think that would work."

Asked whether he had decided not to run for fear of losing, Mr Farage replied: "I have shown some courage over the years…

"It's about choosing the right battles. It's about prioritising and I know that if I were to have said yes to standing in Newark the next three weeks would be dominated by am I going to win, am I not going to win, and we wouldn't be talking about open-door immigration, EU membership and that most of our laws being made somewhere else."

'Not an idiot'

Mr Farage referred to the former leader of the Monster Raving Loony Party, once a fixture at such contests, saying: "I'm not Screaming Lord Sutch. I don't stand in every by-election."

Ken Clarke, seen as the most Europhile of the Conservative members of the cabinet, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Mr Farage had been right to decide not to run, saying: "I am not really surprised. Whatever else Nigel is, he is not an idiot, and I don't think he'd have the faintest chance of winning in Newark."

He accused UKIP, which advocates leaving the European Union, of "peddling a total nonsense that our economic problems have been caused by immigration".

Mr Clarke, who is a Nottinghamshire MP, said: "I don't think the residents of Newark, some of whom I know because I used to represent some of the villages there, they're not going to vote for a card, larking about, trying to get protest votes."

Mr Mercer, who has represented the Nottinghamshire constituency since 2001, is due to be suspended from the Commons for six months for allegedly asking questions in Parliament in return for money.

He was filmed by undercover reporters last year apparently agreeing to set up a parliamentary group to push for Fiji to return to the Commonwealth.

The MP had already said he would not contest the general election next year, having served as an independent since May 2013.

'Heaviness of heart'

In a short statement, the former soldier said he would not contest the findings of a report into his conduct, to be published on Thursday, which will call for him to be barred from Parliament for six months.

He said he was resigning with "a great heaviness of heart" for the sake of his family, adding: "I am an ex-soldier, I believe that when you have got something wrong, you have got to 'fess up and get on with it."

The MP, a prominent critic of David Cameron, who sacked him as a shadow minister in 2007, said he hoped his successor would be a Conservative.

The party has selected Robert Jenrick to contest Newark. Labour - which held the seat between 1997 and 2001 - has chosen Michael Payne as its candidate.

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Half with cancer 'live a decade'

29 April 2014 Last updated at 00:00 By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News

Half of people in England and Wales now being diagnosed with cancer will survive at least a decade - double the rate in the early 1970s, figures show.

New treatments have played a role as well as earlier diagnosis and screening.

But Cancer Research UK, which carried out the research, said the progress showed there needed to be new, more ambitious aims.

It said it wanted to see 10-year survival hit 75% in the next 20 years.

And it promised to increase investment in research by half within the next decade to help achieve that.

Researchers said cancer need no longer be viewed as the "death sentence" it once was with the new figures suggesting a "tipping point" had been reached.

'Significant progress'

The analysis showed that in 1971-2, 50% of people diagnosed with cancer died within a year. Now 50% survive for at least a decade - up from 24% in 1971-2.

But the findings, based on the outcomes for more than 7 million patients, also showed that for some cancers, survival rates were still very low.

For example, just 1% of pancreatic cancer patients and 5% of lung cancer patients can expect to survive for 10 years.

Nonetheless, the overall figures showed there had been significant progress in the way cancer was treated.

The findings have been adjusted to take into account the changing profile of new cancer being diagnosed - there has been a shift away from the more deadly disease such as lung cancer to ones where survival rates tend to be better - so provide a measure of how the care of cancer patients has improved.

Cancer Research UK chief executive Dr Harpal Kumar said: "I don't think we would ever have expected to achieve what we have. We're gradually reversing the tide on this devastating disease.

"But many people still do not survive - we must tackle that."

Researchers said there were a number of reasons for the success, which includes earlier diagnosis.

But if progress is going to continue - and the 75% target achieved - Cancer Research UK identified key areas to focus on. These included investment in personalised cancer treatment, reducing smoking rates and paying particular attention to the cancers with the lowest survival rates.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health, which has itself set targets to improve cancer survival rates in the coming years, said: "We share Cancer Research UK's aspirations for the UK to be the best place in the world to survive cancer.

"We have seen significant improvements in some cancer survival rates, with new and innovative research and earlier diagnosis at the heart of this upward trend."

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Calls to halt HS2 rejected by MPs

29 April 2014 Last updated at 01:48

MPs have rejected calls for the proposed HS2 rail link between London and the West Midlands to be scrapped, despite a Tory rebellion.

MPs threw out a proposal by ex-minister Cheryl Gillan for the plan to be halted by 451 votes to 50, a majority of 401.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said it was an "important step" in taking the controversial project forward.

A total of 34 Tories voted against the government, while a total of 46 Tories missed the vote or abstained.

Thirty-two Conservatives backed Mrs Gillan's amendment, while one - James Gray - acted as a teller for the rebels.

After rejecting Ms Gillan's amendment, MPs approved the general principles of the bill in a second vote by 452 to 41 votes, a majority of 411.

Twenty-four of the rebel Tories voted against the government again this time, as did two other Tories, John Redwood and Sir Richard Shepherd.

Last June, 21 Conservative backbenchers opposed the government in a Commons vote laying the groundwork for HS2 and the size of the rebellion was expected to be larger on Monday.

The High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill 2013-14, which would authorise the first phase of the multi-billion project, cleared its first parliamentary hurdle when it was given a second reading by MPs.

The proposed legislation would:

• Grant the powers required to construct and operate phase one of HS2, between London and the West Midlands
• Because of its complexity, and opposition to it, the bill is not expected to become law until after the 2015 general election
• The bill does not guarantee that HS2 will be built, but HS2 cannot be built without the bill becoming law
• The government proposes to start construction in 2017, with the line between London and Birmingham due to be operational by 2026
• A separate bill will be brought in later by the government to allow the the second phase - north of Birmingham - to go ahead, with the aim of that part opening in 2033

Speaking at the start of Monday's debate, Mr McLoughlin said the concerns of critics of the project must be addressed and that references to opponents as "either Luddites or nimbys" were unhelpful.

He said there would be "fair compensation" for those directly and indirectly affected by the scheme and the impact on the environment must be mitigated.

But he said there was an urgent need for new rail capacity and the plan would deliver better connectivity and wider economic benefits to the whole of the UK.

'Careful scrutiny'

"This is a decision which we cannot duck. We have waited long enough," he said.

"Built right, on time and on budget, HS2 can help our great cities thrive... This project deserves careful scrutiny but Britain deserves it to go ahead."

A number of ministers whose constituencies lie on the proposed route - including Europe Minister David Lidington and Attorney General Dominic Grieve - were given permission to miss Monday's vote.

And recently appointed Treasury minister Andrea Leadsom, who has spoken out against the project in the past, is in Brussels and was not present in the Commons.

But a number of MPs stated their opposition to HS2 during the debate, scheduled to last six hours.

'Broad consensus'

Conservative MP for North West Leicestershire Andrew Bridgen said 240,000 people living within a mile of the proposed route were not entitled to compensation and would be "trapped in houses they cannot sell".

Former cabinet minister Cheryl Gillan, who tabled the amendment designed to derail the proposed legislation, said the £42.6bn project would threaten much-needed investment on the rest of the railway.

Continue reading the main story

Is this really a top priority and the best way to spend almost £50bn worth of taxpayers' money?"

End Quote Cheryl Gillan Conservative MP

"I started as a nimby but I have looked at this project and I do not believe it is the best answer to the UK's transport problems," the Chesham and Amersham MP said.

"Is this really a top priority and the best way to spend almost £50bn worth of taxpayers' money?

"Many colleagues also abstained this evening, which shows that the scepticism of this project runs much more deeply than the voting figures suggest."

Labour's Barry Sheerman, MP for Huddersfield, said that, rather than spreading economic benefits more widely across the UK, it would "suck more powers to London and the South East".

'Another look'

Labour's support had been in doubt because of rising costs, but shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh said the party "had had another look" to check it still provided value for money and would support the plan.

Although the government had mismanaged the project since it inherited it from the previous Labour administration in 2010, Ms Creagh said it was reassured that it was still needed.

"We have a broad consensus across the parties that this is the right thing for the nation and I hope we can proceed on that basis," she said.

But in a new report, The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) said the government risked misleading the public with claims that HS2 would transform the north of England.

The report's author, Richard Wellings, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was sceptical about claims that HS2 would be "transformative, it is going to tackle the north-south divide".

Alternatives

Mr Wellings said that instead of building HS2 the government should improve local and regional links in the north of England, including a cross-Pennine project linking Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester.

The Department for Transport said the IEA report was "flawed" and "simply wrong to say High Speed 1 hasn't brought significant benefits" to places like Ashford.

Meanwhile, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has called on the government to speed up construction of the line.

The BCC urged all political parties to set aside their short-term differences and Parliament to approve progress on the scheme quickly.

Both phases of the HS2 link are expected to cost £42.6bn, including contingencies, with another £7.5bn for trains.

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Service held for stab death teacher

29 April 2014 Last updated at 09:31

The fatal stabbing of a teacher in front of pupils has prompted condolence messages from around the world.

Languages teacher Anne Maguire, 61, was killed at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds on Monday.

A 15-year-old pupil is being questioned about the attack, as West Yorkshire Police officers maintained a "reassuring presence" in the area.

Flowers have been placed at the school gates in tribute to Mrs Maguire and pupils are attending a Mass for her.

Speaking earlier, one former pupil said she would be "would be greatly missed".

Priest Paul Fisher said: "Messages from those who knew Anne have come from across the country, with at least one from Australia."

'Subdued atmosphere'

Mrs Maguire, 61, was taken to hospital after being fatally injured shortly before 12:00 BST on Monday.

As he arrived at school one pupil, Thomas Bainbridge, said he thought the atmosphere in the school would be subdued.

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Phil Bodmer reports from outside Corpus Christi Catholic College

Thomas, from Wakefield, said: "It will not be the same atmosphere, it will be a bit quiet.

"Mrs Maguire was a very supportive teacher, she helped pupils keep their head above water."

Former pupil Kathleen Walpole was also at the school gates.

She said: "I was devastated, absolutely devastated.

"Of all the teachers, it would be Anne who you would expect to be at the bottom of the list, she's going to be greatly missed.

Ch Supt Paul Money of West Yorkshire Police said the victim received a number of stab wounds and a knife was recovered from the scene.

Downing Street said the prime minister's thoughts were with the victim's family.

The Neville Road college has 950 pupils and according to its website retains "traditional values", describing these as "a strong Christian ethos, a broad and varied curriculum, good teaching and learning, excellent discipline and outstanding pastoral care".

School 'in shock'

Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council, said: "We are working with the school to support pupils and staff at this very upsetting time."

Mr Riordan said the authority was "working closely with the police and helping with their investigation".

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said the stabbing was "a truly awful thing to have happened to a teacher in the course of her work to educate the next generation".

Pupils have been paying tribute to the teacher on Twitter.

One said Mrs Maguire had "made our Year 11 best time of our life, what an amazing woman RIP".

Another said: "I actually feel sick... RIP to probably the best teacher ever."

Are you in the area? Do you have any information you would be willing to share with the BBC? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk

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UK economy grows by 0.8% in quarter

More scepticism about the GDP numbers on the Today programme. Kevin Daly, senior economist at Goldman Sachs, says: "It misses and is not designed to capture the value of things that give us happiness but are not sold. The value of nature, time we spend with our children. As Robert Kennedy said, 'GDP measures everything except that which makes life worthwhile'." Lyrical.

 

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Tube strike hits city commuters

29 April 2014 Last updated at 09:31

Commuters travelling in London are experiencing "severe disruption" as Tube workers strike.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union have walked out for 48 hours over plans to close all ticket offices at a cost of 960 jobs.

Transport for London said it hoped to run between 40% and 50% of services.

The strike started at 21:00 BST on Monday and ends at 20:59 on Wednesday, although disruption may continue into Thursday morning.

The union and London Underground (LU) have met more than 40 times, through the arbitration service Acas, since the last 48-hour strike in February, but talks broke down on Monday.

Transport for London has issued a document of travel advice to customers.

It has said it plans to run as many services as possible with extra bus and river services, but customers are advised to check their journey before they travel.

This is how services are running at the moment, all with a reduced frequency and with a number of stations closed:

Where services were being be operated, trains began to run at about 07:00 and will finish at about 23:00. The last services from central London may also depart much earlier, at about 21:30.

There were almost 8,000 buses on the roads - the most ever operated in London - after an extra 266 were put into service.

Continue reading the main story

Analysis

Weary resignation or outright anger is probably what most commuters feel.

The concern is there doesn't seem to be room for a compromise from either side.

Poor industrial relations haven't helped and the absence of the late Bob Crow has changed the landscape.

The RMT has changed tack and offered to suspend its action for a public consultation.

There could also be room for movement on the creation of visitor centres as an alternative to ticket offices.

There will probably be more talks on Friday but to avoid more strikes one of the sides will have to back down.

Many commuters now seem just as angry at both sides in this acrimonious dispute that could drag on and on.

The RMT said it would have suspended the strike if LU had agreed to a public consultation over the plans, which do not include any compulsory redundancies.

The acting general secretary of the RMT union, Mick Cash, described the strike as "solidly supported" and accused London Underground of backtracking on an earlier deal to review its plan to close ticket offices.

"They're looking to make £15m worth of cuts and to do that they want to get rid of every single booking office and a 1,000 jobs," he told Radio 4's Today programme.

"Now we took industrial action in February this year and we suspended it following a deal done with our former general secretary, Bob Crow, where they had promised to review every single station.

Continue reading the main story

"Start Quote

I'm afraid what you've heard from Mick Cash is nonsense"

End Quote Mike Brown London Underground

"And there are over 200 stations and do you know what we've done, is five."

But the managing director of London Underground, Mike Brown, told Today: "We agreed that we would start by looking at the different station types, which group into five different types, and we'd look at those first.

"And now we're in the midst of doing the full station by station review starting with the Piccadilly Line.

"So I'm afraid what you've heard from Mick Cash is nonsense."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has also criticised the strikes and suggested the plans will go ahead.

"We're going to close 260 ticket offices, we're going to change the way they operate, we're going to make them available for other functions, we're going to do fantastic things with our stations, but there's always room to discuss about the terms and conditions of our employees," he said.

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BBC London's Nick Beake meets frustrated commuters

The strike is likely to hit university students taking degree exams. On its website, King's College London says it is aware of students' concerns and will review the impact of strike action.

The RMT is also holding a 48-hour strike which began at 03:00 on Tuesday on the Heathrow Express in a separate row over jobs, pay and cuts.

And football fans travelling to Chelsea's Champions League match with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday will also be affected.

The union is set to strike for 72 hours from 21:00 on Monday 5 May, if the ticket office dispute is not resolved.

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Clash over costs of independence

27 April 2014 Last updated at 00:10

Danny Alexander has called on Scottish ministers to produce "realistic analysis" of the cost of independence.

It comes as the Treasury prepares to publish detailed findings on the financial impact of a "Yes" vote.

In a speech in Edinburgh on Wednesday, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury will attack "over-optimistic assumptions" about oil revenues.

The Scottish government said Scotland had the "financial resources to be a successful independent nation".

Mr Alexander's attack on the Scottish government's white paper on independence comes a few weeks before the Treasury's most detailed fiscal analysis is due to be published.

Chancellor George Osborne and Mr Alexander asked the department's economists to calculate "in detail the figures that illustrate the benefits of the UK and the cost of independence".

The UK government said economists had spent months analysing data and forecasts, and consulting with independent bodies.

It said the analysis would set out "in more detail than ever before the impact of having to absorb the higher spending and lower tax caused by declining oil revenues, an ageing population, the Scottish government's uncosted policy pledges and the set-up costs of independence in a much smaller budget".

Treasury officials have also analysed the Scottish government's white paper and said they had "attempted to produce many of the calculations that were missing".

Mr Alexander said: "The Scottish government's white paper contained lots of promises but nothing credible to back it up.

"People are beginning to realise that they can't answer even the most basic questions.

"It's damning that the only credible paper we've seen from the Scottish government is their finance minister's secret leaked paper warning about the cuts and tax rises needed to pay for declining oil revenues and an ageing population.

"If their promises seem too good to be true, it's because they are."

He added: "This week I will also be challenging some of the myths of independence - people need to know the facts.

"The problems of declining oil revenues and an ageing population cannot simply be wished away - but the broad shoulders of the UK can help absorb them."

'Substantial resources'

A spokesman for the Scottish government said: "The fact is Scotland is one of the wealthiest countries per head in the world and is more than capable of being an economically successful independent country - the fiction is coming from Mr Alexander and his colleagues in the Tory-led No campaign.

"Scotland has the financial resources to be a successful independent nation.

"In each of the last 32 years, tax receipts per person in Scotland have been higher than the UK as a whole, and in 2011-12 it was in a stronger fiscal position than the UK to the tune of £4.4bn, or £824 per person."

The spokesman added: "Scotland would have had the opportunity to spend more, tax less, invest in an oil fund, and still borrow proportionally less than the UK.

"Independence will provide Scotland with the opportunity to take spending decisions which better reflect the needs and desires of the Scottish people and the Scottish economy.

"For example, not replacing Trident would free up substantial resources that could put to use delivering better pensions for Scotland's elderly."

The Scottish government's estimates on oil revenues contrast with forecasts made by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the UK government's fiscal watchdog.

The OBR estimates oil revenues will be about £3.2bn in 2016, which would be the first year of independence, compared with Scottish government figures which put them as high as £7.9bn.

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UKIP man defends Lenny Henry tweet

27 April 2014 Last updated at 02:04

A UKIP candidate has defended tweets in which he said comedian Lenny Henry should emigrate to a "black country" and compared Islam to the Third Reich.

William Henwood, who is standing in a council election, said he did not think the messages were offensive.

He tweeted after Henry said there should be more black and ethnic minority people in creative industries.

UKIP said it was a "non-racist, non-sectarian party whose members are expected to uphold these values".

Mr Henwood told BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins: "I think if black people come to this country and don't like mixing with white people why are they here? If he (Henry) wants a lot of blacks around go and live in a black country."

On another occasion Mr Henwood tweeted: "Islam reminds me of the 3rd Reich Strength through violence against the citizens."

Continue reading the main story

One has to question why the other parties are spending hours behaving like secret police and trawling through the social media of UKIP candidates"

End Quote UKIP spokesman

Mr Henwood, who is standing in next month's local council elections in Enfield, north London, later declined to be interviewed on camera.

Roger Helmer, a UKIP MEP for the East Midlands who is standing for re-election, said Mr Henwood's comments did not represent his party and were only being reported because of a campaign against it.

Mr Helmer told the BBC: "We have an individual who has made totally unacceptable comments but you will find individuals like that in all parties, and behaviour like that in all parties.

"I understand why the media and the other parties want to focus on those particular claims about UKIP.

"We will deal with this appropriately when the party has had time to look at the facts and in the meantime we are quite clear that we are not a racist party and we do not accept comments of that kind."

'Duly investigated'

A UKIP spokesman said: "Any breach of our rules will be duly investigated and action will be taken.

"However one has to question why the other parties are spending hours behaving like secret police and trawling through the social media of UKIP candidates who are everyday men and women, rather than actually doing politics.

"Perhaps if they did they would be better able to tackle us on policy, rather than having to rely on smear campaigns to try to undermine UKIP's increasing popularity.

"Were we to return the favour we would find an even greater wealth of embarrassment and disgrace in the other three parties' ranks to also spread across the media."

In the past week UKIP has been attacked by its political opponents for featuring an Irish actor on an election poster about British workers losing out to foreign labour.

And the party has also suspended a council candidate in south London for sharing "repellent" opinions on Twitter.

Builder Andre Lampitt, who featured in a party election broadcast, reportedly tweeted criticism of Islam and Nigerians.

Despite the attacks, a poll for a Sunday paper suggested UKIP was in the lead in the European election contest despite a week of controversies, including criticism of its campaigning and comments by activists.

The party recorded 31% support in the YouGov survey for the Sunday Times, three points ahead of Labour with the Conservatives third on 19%.

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Afghan crash 'a tragic accident'

27 April 2014 Last updated at 08:37

A fatal helicopter crash in Afghanistan which killed all five UK personnel on board appears to have been a "tragic accident", the MoD has said.

The Lynx helicopter came down in south of the country on Saturday.

Commander Joint Helicopter Command, Maj Gen Richard Felton, said it was a reminder of the risks UK troops still face as they withdraw from Afghanistan.

Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to the men, whose families have been told.

Three of the soldiers and an airman were stationed in Hampshire. The fifth, an Army reservist, was based in London.

It was the first fatal accident of the Afghan conflict involving a UK military helicopter but the third biggest loss of life of British troops in a single incident in the country since the invasion in 2001.

'Poignant reminder'

Maj Gen Felton said: "At this early stage [it] would appear to have been a tragic accident.

"Events like this, whilst mercifully rare, remind us of the risks our personnel face in their work in Afghanistan as we approach the conclusion of the combat mission later this year.

Continue reading the main story

If the MoD is saying 'it's not been shot down, it's a technical problem', then I certainly believe that"

End Quote Col Richard Kemp Former commander, UK forces

"Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives."

Mr Cameron said the incident "brings home to us all once again how our armed forces continue to put their lives on the line to help the people of Afghanistan.

"I cannot pay high enough tribute to each and every one of them for the job that they do and the sacrifices that they make."

Labour leader Ed Miliband said it was a "tragic and poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our armed forces in serving our country with bravery and distinction".

Despite Taliban claims its fighters had shot the aircraft down, BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said sources had suggested the cause of the crash may have been "technical problems".

She said the crash site - close to the border with Pakistan - had also led to speculation that the helicopter could have been taking part in a special forces mission.

A former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, Col Richard Kemp, said: "The Taliban are masters of propaganda - they claim huge numbers of things that haven't actually happened.

"Of course it's a feather in their hat if they've managed to shoot down a British helicopter but if the MoD is saying, 'It's not been shot down, it's a technical problem,' then I certainly believe that."

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live earlier he said retrieving the wreckage and ensuring the men's bodies could be repatriated would be a hazardous operation.

"This is a territory the Taliban operate in fairly extensively so it will require a large number of troops and they themselves will be at considerable risk."

'Exceptional record'

The helicopter was a Westland Lynx Mk 9, used in Afghanistan for reconnaissance, evacuating casualties and moving UK troops.

The deaths bring the number of British forces killed in the conflict in Afghanistan to 453.

Defence analyst Paul Beaver said the Lynx helicopter had an "exceptional record".

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Preliminary results of the crash investigation will probably be announced very soon, according to defence analyst Paul Beaver

"If enemy action is not suspected, which is what the MoD is saying, then you have to look at whether this might well be weather-related," Mr Beaver told the BBC.

Earlier he told BBC Breakfast he did not envisage other Lynx helicopters being grounded "because that notice would have gone out already".

Three of the soldiers on board the helicopter were from the Army Air Corps, based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire.

A fourth member of the crew was serving with the Royal Air Force and was also based at Odiham, while the fifth man was an Army reservist from 3 Military Intelligence Battalion, in London.

Concerned family members can contact the MoD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre on 08457 800 900.

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Britain is now 'post-Christian'

27 April 2014 Last updated at 08:54

Britain is now a "post-Christian" country, the former Archbishop of Canterbury has said.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Rowan Williams said Britain was not a nation of believers and that the era of widespread worship was over.

It comes after Prime Minister David Cameron said people in Britain should be confident of its status as "a Christian country".

Deputy PM Nick Clegg said the Church and state should be separated.

Writing in the Church Times, Mr Cameron said Christians made a difference to people's lives and should be more evangelical about it.

This prompted a group of 50 public figures to write a letter insisting that the UK was "a non-religious" and "plural" society and that to claim otherwise fostered "alienation and division".

'Committed believers'

Lord Williams, who retired from being the leader of the Church of England in 2012, said: "If I say that this is a post-Christian nation, that doesn't mean necessarily post-Christian. It means the cultural memory is still quite strongly Christian."

He added: "But [Britain is] post-Christian in the sense that habitual practice for most of the population is not taken for granted."

"A Christian nation can sound like a nation of committed believers and we are not that. Equally, we are not a nation of dedicated secularists.

"It's a matter of defining terms. A Christian country as a nation of believers? No.

"A Christian country in the sense of still being very much saturated by this vision of the world and shaped by it? Yes."

The current Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, has supported Mr Cameron.

On his blog he wrote it was a "historical fact (perhaps unwelcome to some, but true)" that UK law, ethics and culture were based on its teachings and traditions.

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'Plebgate' officer in £200,000 claim

27 April 2014 Last updated at 09:33

The police officer at the centre of the "plebgate" row is seeking damages from former Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell of up to £200,000, court papers show.

PC Toby Rowland is suing Mr Mitchell for suggesting the officer was not telling the truth about the dispute at the gates of Downing Street in 2012.

Mr Mitchell was accused of swearing at police and calling them plebs - allegations he has denied.

The Conservative MP resigned as chief whip in the wake of the controversy.

In documents submitted to the High Court, lawyers for PC Rowland justify the claim on the grounds that his reputation has been damaged by Mr Mitchell's remarks and he suffered "great distress, humiliation and upset".

He is seeking damages including "aggravated damages for libel, and if appropriate, slander".

However, even if the officer were to win the case there is no guarantee he would receive the maximum amount.

Stating case

BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the latest twist in this "extraordinary saga" was the revelation of the level of damages that PC Rowland was seeking.

Legal sources have confirmed that the upper limit is £200,000.

In a libel action brought by Mr Mitchell against the Sun - the first newspaper to report the Downing Street incident - he is believed to be claiming damages of up to £150,000.

Stating his case in detail for the first time since the incident, PC Rowland insists Mr Mitchell erupted after being blocked from cycling out of the pedestrian gate outside Number 10.

PC Rowland claims that in their conversation when Mr Mitchell telephoned him to apologise there was the "clear implication he admitted using the said words".

PC Rowland is demanding up to £200,000 and has asked for an injunction to "restrain" Mr Mitchell and those acting on his behalf from repeating the claim that the officer's version of the exchange was fabricated.

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Titanic letter could fetch £100,000

26 April 2014 Last updated at 05:26

The last letter to be written on the ill-fated Titanic could fetch £100,000 when it comes up at auction later.

The letter was written by survivors Esther Hart and her seven-year-old daughter Eva eight hours before the ship hit an iceberg and sank in 1912.

The letter only survived because it was in the pocket of her husband's coat which he gave her to keep warm.

Meant for her mother in Chadwell Heath, east London, the letter will go under the hammer at a Wiltshire auctioneers.

Mrs Hart wrote that they were enjoying what she called the "wonderful' journey".

She said they were likely to arrive in New York early because of the speed the ship was doing.

Her husband Benjamin died along with more than 1,500 people in the disaster.

The letter will be auctioned at Henry Aldridge & Son of Devizes on Saturday.

Titanic memorabilia continues to be big business. A menu from the day of the disaster was sold for £76,000, while a violin played as the ship sank went for £900,000.

'Sunday afternoon'

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said the letter was unique.

"It's very rare because it's a letter that's written on board Titanic, which makes it exceptional," he said.

"But what rises it to the absolute top of the pile is it's the only letter known that was written on Sunday 14 April, so the day the ship hit the iceberg.

"So we can say with absolute certainty that about 12 hours after this letter was written the Titanic was at the bottom of the North Atlantic".

The letter, embossed with the White Star Line flag, is headed "On Board RMS Titanic" and dated "Sunday afternoon".

In it, Mrs Hart describes being sick the day before and unable to eat or drink.

She said she had since recovered and had been to a church service with Eva that morning.

She wrote that Eva had sung "so nicely" to the hymn Oh God Our Help In Ages Past and they were both due to sing in a concert on board "tomorrow night".

Remarking on the stability of the ship, which was not supposed to roll, Mrs Hart wrote: "Anyhow it rolls enough for me."

She added: "Well, the sailors say we have had a wonderful passage up to now."

The Titanic sank on the night of Sunday 14 April 1912, on the fifth day of its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, after striking an iceberg in the North Atlantic.

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Thatcher warned of WW2 codebreaker

26 April 2014 Last updated at 00:25

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was warned a World War Two codebreaker had become a security threat 40 years after his "influential" work.

Gordon Welchman's team at Bletchley Park improved the Enigma code-breaking machine, widely credited as shortening the war by two years.

Newly released papers show that in 1982 Mrs Thatcher was told of the threat when Mr Welchman wrote a book.

The Hut Six Story included details that were "still classified", she was told.

Cabinet secretary Sir Robert Armstrong's memo to the Tory leader is among documents that have been given to the Bletchley Park Trust after being held in Mr Welchman's son's attic for 26 years.

"The book goes into very considerable technical detail about the method developed for this work," Sir Robert said.

Mr Welchman, who died in 1985, devised a system to deal with thousands of messages a day sent by the German Enigma machine.

The Cambridge graduate saw that the Bombe code-breaking machine needed enhancing and drew up a production line system which became the centre's wartime working model.

His biographer, Dr Joel Greenberg, said this had been "revolutionary" and made him one of the centre's "most important figures".

In 1941, Mr Welchman and four other men known as The Wicked Uncles - including Alan Turing - personally delivered an influential letter to Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill asking for more resources for Bletchley Park.

Mr Welchman then became the head of Hut Six, which was responsible for breaking German Army and Air Force Enigma ciphers, and was the first to detail the work of the codebreakers in his 1982 book.

The book was not banned but Mr Welchman lost his US security clearance and was forbidden to discuss his book or his wartime work, with the media.

Three years after its publication, a letter was sent from GCHQ Director Sir Peter Marychurch accusing Mr Welchman of damaging security.

The trust said the documents and possessions would help tell the story of a man whose work was "crucial" to Bletchley Park's success but of which "most people have never heard".

Mr Welchman's daughter said: "I was unable to throw away almost anything relating to my father and I'm enormously grateful that someone else was interested in him."

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Hillsborough web probe 'challenging'

26 April 2014 Last updated at 03:04

Identifying who made offensive changes to a Wikipedia page about the Hillsborough disaster "may prove challenging", ministers have said.

The government said a full inquiry led by Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary Richard Heaton was under way.

It came after the Liverpool Echo said Whitehall computers on a secure government network were used.

The Cabinet Office said the "sickening" changes were "in complete contravention of the Civil Service Code".

'All relevant material'

A Cabinet Office statement said "important stakeholders" including the Hillsborough Family Support Group, the Hillsborough Justice Campaign and the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Hillsborough Disaster would be kept updated of developments.

Continue reading the main story

• Wikipedia allows any web user to make changes to its pages, but this leaves a trace through the user's internet protocol (IP) address
• Changes are monitored by Wikipedia, but internet trolls have been known to post insulting material, which is usually swiftly removed
• Liverpool Echo reporter Oliver Duggan discovered that insults posted on the website's Hillsborough Disaster page had been made using computers within the government's internal intranet
• He confirmed this after referring to a list of 34 IP addresses used by the government released by former minister Angela Eagle in 2008

A spokesman said Andy Burnham MP, who "has a deserved status as an expert on the disaster", would be given the chance to "view all relevant material from the very outset so that he can assure himself all steps have been taken".

The statement said: "The amendments made to Wikipedia are sickening. The behaviour is in complete contravention of the Civil Service Code. It is entirely unacceptable.

"At this time, we have no reason to suspect that the Hillsborough edits involve any particular department, nor more than one or two individuals in 2009 and 2012.

"As the first incident happened five years ago and there are hundreds of thousands of people on the government's network, it may prove challenging to identify who was involved, but we are exhausting every option."

Mr Burnham said it was "sickening and appalling to think that people in government are aiming this kind of abuse at the Liverpool supporters - particularly the victims and survivors of that tragedy".

He said that "a full and proper inquiry [to] find the name of the individual or individuals responsible" needed to happen, adding that they must then be "held accountable - nothing else will do".

Mr Burnham, during his time as Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, was instrumental in a campaign to have classified documents about the disaster released, which led to the formation of the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

Liverpool anthem

Oliver Duggan, the Liverpool Echo reporter who broke the story, said the paper used a list of 34 internet protocol (IP) addresses for Whitehall computers.

These were released in 2008 by Angela Eagle MP following a parliamentary question to "match up" the addresses with those used to edit the Wikipedia page about the disaster.

The newspaper said the alterations to the page included the Liverpool anthem You'll Never Walk Alone being altered to You'll Never Walk Again and the phrase "Blame Liverpool Fans" being added to a paragraph.

Steve Rotheram, the MP for Liverpool Walton, echoed Mr Burnham's remarks and said he and a group of Merseyside MPs would be writing to the government to ask that any inquiry "be swift".

Sheila Coleman, spokeswoman for the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, said the group would be talking to its legal team about "how to proceed".

Ms Eagle, the MP for Wallasey, said the claims were "pretty shocking" and were "another problem for [the families] having to deal with the grief".

Entries in Wikipedia, an online encyclopaedia, can be edited by anyone with access to the internet.

Jon Davies, chief executive of Wikimedia UK, said it was "appalled by such vandalism".

Ninety-six Liverpool football fans died after a crush at an FA Cup semi-final at the Sheffield ground on 15 April 1989.

New inquests, which are ongoing, were ordered after fresh evidence revealed by the Hillsborough Independent Panel led to the original inquest verdicts being quashed.

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Lib Dems 'face questions' over Smith

26 April 2014 Last updated at 04:28

Liberal Democrat president Tim Farron says his party needs to answer "serious questions" about who knew that its former MP, Sir Cyril Smith, faced allegations of sexual assault.

Police are investigating allegations that the former MP for Rochdale, who died in 2010 aged 82, sexually abused boys at homes and hostels in the town.

Mr Farron said the police inquiry was the best way to deal with the claims.

The Crown Prosecution Service has said Sir Cyril should have been prosecuted.

Legal action

It was alleged he raped boys at Knowl View residential school, which closed in 1992, and abused boys at the privately run Cambridge House children's care home, which closed in 1965.

He had a long association with Knowl View where he was on the management board when he was a councillor.

Sir Cyril was originally a Labour councillor in Rochdale, and later a Liberal then Liberal Democrat MP for the town from 1972 to 1992.

Mr Farron said: "The party absolutely, as the Labour Party must also... and indeed Rochdale civic society as a whole need to answer serious questions as to who knew what and when."

Last year, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg described the allegations against Sir Cyril as shocking and appalling, and said they must be investigated "to the bitter end".

Lawyers for those who have made allegations of abuse said they were considering taking legal action against the Lib Dems.

New book

Sir Cyril's family have said he always denied such accusations made against him when he was alive and they were saddened that allegations were now being made when he could no longer defend himself.

Allegations against Sir Cyril have been made in a new book by the current Labour MP for Rochdale, Simon Danczuk.

He claimed Sir Cyril used his position of power to sexually abuse young boys and then escape prosecution.

Mr Danczuk said previously he asked police to re-examine the case after "a number of victims came to see me and raise concerns".

Mr Danczuk claimed in 2012 there was "little doubt" that Sir Cyril raped some of his victims.

The Smith family said it would continue to co-operate with any further investigations.

Allegations about Sir Cyril's conduct were first published in 1979.

An independent review into the way Knowl View was run is due to report to Rochdale Council next month.

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Car insurance costs 'fall sharply'

26 April 2014 Last updated at 09:34

Car insurance premiums have decreased sharply with the average price falling by more than £100 for the first three months of the year, figures suggest.

The AA said the average comprehensive motor insurance figure was £531 at the start of 2014.

This was 5.6% down on the last three months of 2013 and 16.6% down on the figure for the same period last year.

The figure for third party, fire and theft was £725, down 8.4% on the past three months and 18.5% on last year.

The AA said this policy was higher than comprehensive insurance because it is typically taken out by people aged between 17-22 who have to pay the most for comprehensive insurance.

Young drivers did however experience the biggest fall in premiums in the first part of this year, coming down by a fifth; while the smallest movement was for those aged over 70 whose premium went down 7%.

The age bracket which pays the cheapest comprehensive insurance was those aged 60-69, with an average of £299.81.

The figures also show that north-west of England saw the biggest fall at 21% compared with East Anglia with the least at 13%.

'Premiums to rise'

However, the AA warned that the downward trend could be under threat.

AA insurance director Simon Douglas said: "Legal reforms introduced by the justice ministry to curb organised attempts at whiplash injury fraud coupled with better fraud detection by insurers have also certainly helped put downward pressure on premiums.

Continue reading the main story

• Anglia: £495.37
• Border & Tyne Tees: £529.49
• Central: £554.57
• Granada (North-west): £779.97
• London: £631.54
• Scotland: £382.55
• South: £457.82
• Wales: £483.82
• West & West Country: £424.36
• Yorkshire: £617.35

Source: The AA

"But despite this there is no evidence that this is delivering any significant reduction in the number and value of personal injury claims."

He added: "I do expect premiums to start rising again this year unless the fraud issue can be dealt with.

"If not, it's likely to be young drivers, those with a poor claims history or those in localities where there are frequent claims who will find it most difficult to obtain competitive cover."

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said: "We are turning the tide on the compensation culture and doing our bit to help drivers with the cost of running a car.

"We have made major law changes which have been a significant factor in these record falls in car insurance premiums.

"But we want to do more, and we are now going after the fraudsters who force up the costs for everyone else."

Have you recently taken out new car insurance? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'car insurance'.

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UK science to get £200m polar ship

25 April 2014 Last updated at 03:28 By Jonathan Amos Science correspondent, BBC News

UK science is to get one of the biggest, most capable polar research vessels in the world.

The £200m investment in an icebreaker is to be announced by Chancellor George Osborne in a speech on Friday.

The ship is likely to be 130m long and sport a helipad, cranes, onboard labs, and have the ability to deploy subs and other ocean survey and sampling gear.

It should be ready to enter service in 2019, and will support scientists in both the Antarctic and the Arctic.

The strength of its hull will allow it to push deeper into pack ice than any previous British research vessel.

Continue reading the main story

The new ship will be a clear statement of the UK's commitment to science in the Antarctic and South Atlantic, and increases our ice-breaking capability in the south and, just as important, in the Arctic"

End Quote Prof Duncan Wingham Nerc chief executive

Initial technical specifications require the ship to be able to maintain a speed of three knots while breaking through 2m-thick floes.

The money to build and equip the vessel is coming from the government's capital investment fund for science, for which Mr Osborne has committed £1.1bn per year in real terms up to 2020-21.

Talking ahead of his announcement, the chancellor said science was a springboard for economic prosperity.

"Backing British science, supporting businesses seeking to grow off the back of it and protecting investment in it is a central part of our long-term economic plan," he explained.

"Britain has a proud past leading the world in pushing the boundary of scientific discovery. I want it to be a mark of our future success."

The UK already operates two polar ships - the Royal Research Ship (RRS) James Clark Ross and the RRS Ernest Shackleton.

The former was built in 1990 and the latter in 1995.

A case was made to government, and accepted, that this fleet needed to be augmented with a more modern capability if the nation's science at high latitudes was to remain competitive.

An early design concept for the new ship has been drawn up by naval architects, but this will need to be finessed.

A clear imperative is that the final design features a helideck - something omitted on the Clark Ross and which experts have told the BBC is really essential for effective Antarctic operations.

Precisely where the ship will be built is an open question.

Given the scale of the investment, a home shipyard would obviously be preferred. But European Union rules will require that bids also be invited from beyond the UK.

There is sure to be some concern that the announcement of the new vessel will signal an imminent reduction in the fleet - one super ship to replace two ageing vessels.

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Global warming does not mean an end to polar ice nor to the need for icebreakers. Even if the Arctic becomes largely ice-free in summertime later this century, as the latest science suggests, the legacy of each winter's deep freeze will still litter the ocean - some of the jagged shards of ice will be visible but many will bob treacherously just below the surface.

While reporting on an expedition through Canada's fabled Northwest Passage in October 2007, I woke to the sound of an unnerving clanging along the hull. The vessel, the Amundsen, was pushing through pack ice and each jolt and reverberation made me wonder about the strength of the steel. But to understand how the polar regions are changing, and the implications for everything from wildlife to fishing to new oilfields to future shipping routes, the view from space offered by satellites is not enough.

For decades to come, the most detailed research will require tough vessels to venture into the midst of what has become a messy and hazardous scene.

But the Natural Environment Research Council (Nerc), which funds polar science in the UK, says this is not the current plan.

The desire is to operate both the Clark Ross and the Shackleton until at least the end of the decade, it states.

A decision will then be taken on what to do with the Shackleton, which, unlike the Clark Ross, is not British-owned but leased from a Norwegian company.

The first of five available one-year extensions to this bareboat charter arrangement comes into effect in August.

Nerc has made it clear also that the capital investment for the new ship will not impact the budget for its day-to-day science or ongoing infrastructure needs. The investment is on a separate government line.

The council has recently upgraded its "bluewater fleet" - the open-ocean vessels RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook are both less than 10 years old.

Prof Duncan Wingham, the chief executive of Nerc, told BBC News: "The new vessel will make Nerc's entire fleet, ton for ton, the most advanced scientific fleet in the world.

"The new ship will be a clear statement of the UK's commitment to science in the Antarctic and South Atlantic, and increases our ice-breaking capability in the south and, just as important, in the Arctic."

What the new polar ship promises to be like

• Likely to have a length of 130m and a breadth of 25m
• Its gross tonnage would be about 13,000 tonnes
• Its cargo volume would be around 4,200 cu metres
• It must be self-sufficient to operate for up to 80 days
• This means it could cover roughly 24,000 nautical miles
• Helicopter facilities are today considered a must-have
• It would launch aerial and ocean robotic systems
• Up to 60 scientists and support staff could live aboard

UK's existing polar research vessel capability

• James Clark Ross (above) was built on Tyneside and is UK-owned
• Ernest Shackleton's bareboat charter has just been extended
• Both are flagged in the Falklands but operate in the north too
• They resupply Antarctic bases, including remote Halley Station

Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos

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Miliband plans zero-hours crackdown

25 April 2014 Last updated at 07:17

Ed Miliband will detail plans to tackle the "epidemic" of zero-hours contracts in a speech in Scotland later.

The Labour leader will say workers with irregular shifts and pay should have rights, including a contract with fixed hours, if they work regularly for the same employer for a year.

Tackling the issue would be "harder" in an independent Scotland, he will say.

The Tories said the number of zero-hours contracts went up under Labour and they did nothing about it.

A government spokesman said it was analysing research on zero-hours contracts and would "respond in due course".

Zero-hours contracts allow employers to hire staff with no guarantee of work, only paying them for whatever hours they work.

'Evidence of abuse'

Speaking in Motherwell after a shadow cabinet meeting in Glasgow, Mr Miliband will say: "Zero-hour contracts have spread like an epidemic across our economy.

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If Scotland left the UK it would be harder to end the abuse of zero-hours contracts"

End Quote Ed Miliband Labour Party leader

"The government's own figures say they have increased three-fold since 2010 and some estimates suggest there are one million people on these contracts across the UK including at least 90,000 here in Scotland."

He will say the contracts can offer "short-term flexibility for employers and employees" but that most employers don't use them because they are "incompatible with building a loyal, skilled and productive workforce".

He will add that Labour is determined to ban the "worst abuses of the system".

"It has left too many people not knowing how they will make ends meet from one week to the next, and unable to plan for the future," he will say.

Under Labour's plans, workers on zero-hours contracts would:

• not be obliged to be available outside contracted hours
• be free to work for other employers
• have a right to compensation if shifts are cancelled at short notice
• have "clarity" from their employer about their employment status, terms and conditions
• have the right to request a contract with a "minimum amount of work" after six months with an employer - this could only be refused if employers could prove their business could not operate any other way
• have an automatic right to a fixed-hours contract after 12 months with an employer

Mr Miliband will say this can "only be done across the UK", adding: "If Scotland left the UK it would be harder to end the abuse of zero-hours contracts either here or in what is left of the UK."

Labour asked Norman Pickavance, former HR director at supermarket chain Morrisons, to carry out a review into zero-hours contracts, and these plans are based on his recommendations.

Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the party was targeting "exploitative" contracts.

"One man's flexibility is another's insecurity", he said, claiming some workers were "scared out of their wits".

But James Sproule, chief economist for the Institute of Directors, said "flexibility" in the labour market was helping the economy to recover.

"Zero-hours contracts are one small part of a much broader flexible labour market", he said.

Zero-hours review

A spokesman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said zero-hours contracts could offer "welcome flexibility" and the government would not "ban them outright", but there had been "evidence of abuse".

And Business Minister Matthew Hancock said: "We want to strike the right balance between flexibility for the businesses who create jobs and making sure there's adequate protection for employees. That's why we are carrying out a review into zero hours contracts."

A spokeswoman for Scotland's Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing said the Scottish government had already acted on zero-hours contracts within its "limited powers".

She said Scotland was currently "waiting for Westminster action", but independence would allow a Scottish government to consider "issues such as zero-hours contracts" and "improve employment opportunities".

Are you working on a zero-hours contract? Do you run a business which uses such contracts? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Zero-hours contracts'.

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