'Purple pound should attract firms'

1 August 2014 Last updated at 22:03 By Kevin Peachey Personal finance reporter, BBC News

Smarter businesses and savvy shopping could reduce the extra living costs faced by disabled people, the head of a new commission has said.

A year-long study into the premium paid by disabled people has been unveiled.

Now the commission's chairman has said he wants to expose unscrupulous firms overcharging disabled people, while highlighting the opportunities for reputable firms to serve the sector.

Robin Hindle Fisher also said disabled people should shop around for deals.

He is chair of the Extra Costs Commission, launched by the charity Scope.

Costs to contribute

The commission will look at the costs faced by disabled people ranging from a higher transport bill to the price of specialist equipment.

Scope claims that this living costs premium facing disabled people amounts to £550 a month. This, it claims, is not covered by the typical total of £360 a month available to people through the main benefits to which they are entitled.

That is a position familiar to Jean Eveleigh. She has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which leaves her prone to dislocation of her joints and also affects her digestive system.

She said she has had to buy specialist equipment including wrist splints and a foldable walking frame. Even an umbrella that clipped to her wheelchair was much more expensive then a regular brolly, she said.

"We are living for longer, the disabled community is only growing but we see the prices for disability equipment is also growing," she said.

"Why is everything so expensive? These are not insignificant things that people buy on a whim. They are things that people need to live, to contribute to society, and to have a quality of life that is on a par."

She has managed to cut costs at home by shopping around for energy, but said there were still items that would help her that she could not afford.

Damon Rose, editor of BBC Ouch!, writes:

There is funding, called Disability Living Allowance (and the Personal Independence Payment is its ultimate replacement). But Scope says it falls short of covering all of the extra costs.

It was brought in in 1991 under John Major's government. It was groundbreaking at the time as it acknowledged the extra costs disabled people faced, building on the earlier 1975 Mobility Allowance.

Such benefits come from government but other important care and support payments from local authorities are now often subject to critical needs tests, owing to austerity measures.

Insurance premiums

Mr Hindle Fisher, who has worked for 30 years in the financial services industry, said that encouraging competition among businesses to serve the sector would be one way of reducing these costs.

He said that the highlighting the size and attractiveness to business of the so-called Purple Pound - the spending power of disabled people - would encourage competition.

For example, a specialist broker in the insurance industry, Fish Insurance, finds insurance policies for disabled people.

Managing director John Garrard said that many disabled drivers had lower mileage, were more conservative drivers, and their adapted cars were less attractive for thieves.

Yet, many insurers, or price comparison websites, quoted higher premiums because the cars were considered to be "modified".

In fact, he said, policies could be found that meant premiums were lower than the average.

Malcolm Tarling at the Association of British Insurers said the mainstream insurance industry wanted to include as many people as possible.

However, pricing was based on risk. So any specialist and expensive equipment kept at home - whether it was for disabilities or not - meant the cost of replacement would be higher so premiums would be higher.

He encouraged people to shop around, talk to insurers, and contact a broker to secure lower-cost insurance.

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BMJ 'right' in statins claims row

2 August 2014 Last updated at 00:25 By James Gallagher Health editor, BBC News website

An investigation has backed the British Medical Journal's handling of two controversial and inaccurate articles it published on the harms of cholesterol-reducing statins.

Both claimed that 20% of users would suffer harmful side effects.

The journal withdrew the claim, but refused calls for a full retraction.

Yet prominent academics have criticised the investigation, saying the articles still damage confidence in statins and are continuing to demand a retraction.

Statins lower levels of cholesterol in the blood to reduce the odds of a heart attack or stroke.

The harms and benefits of the drugs became a hugely controversial area of medicine in the run-up to a massive expansion in prescribing in July.

Four in 10 adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are now eligible for statins, even though many are at low risk of a heart attack or stroke.

How risky?

An article by Dr John Abramson, from Harvard Medical School and a separate piece by cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra claimed that side effects of statins occurred in 18-20% of people.

The research they were quoting did not adjust its findings for the level of those side effects - such as muscle problems, increased risk of diabetes and liver inflammation - which would have occurred even if people were not taking the drugs.

Leading academic Prof Rory Collins, from Oxford University, said the articles were likely to have encouraged people to stop taking statins with potentially life threatening consequences.

The 20% figure was eventually withdrawn, but the reports were not retracted.

Investigation

An investigation, lead by a former chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Dr Iona Heath, was launched in May.

It has concluded: "The panel were unanimous in their decision that the two papers do not meet any of the criteria for retraction.

"The error did not compromise the principal arguments being made in either of the papers.

"These arguments involve interpretations of available evidence and were deemed to be within the range of reasonable opinion among those who are debating the appropriate use of statins."

The editor of the British Medical Journal, Dr Fiona Godlee, told the BBC there was "obviously a risk our reputation has been damaged".

"It is wrong to pretend errors don't happen, as soon as it was clear errors had been made, we moved to correct that and made it as public as possible."

She added there was "no evidence" that people's confidence in statins had been dented.

However, the panel did say the journal needed to pay "extra attention" to controversial or one-sided articles and called for a review to see how corrections to the opinion pieces could have been "made in a more timely fashion".

Dubious report

However, Prof Collins argues the investigation was not independent and came to the wrong conclusion.

He told the BBC: "It is not surprising the BMJ investigates itself and exonerates itself.

"The BMJ published misinformation and they've withdrawn one major error, but have not corrected several other major errors.

"My concern is that as before, patients and their doctors are misinformed by those papers and the BMJ's failure to correct them."

Prof Sir John Tooke, the president of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: "There is a very real possibility that misinformation about statins could put the health of those who need them at risk.

"We are disappointed that the papers have not been retracted, but hope that a renewed focus on the evidence base can bring much-needed clarity to the debate."

However John Deanfield, a professor cardiology at University College London said: "I don't feel strongly that a full retraction is required, merely an acknowledgement that the views expressed were based on incorrect data."

Do you use, or have you used, statins? Has the controversy affected your confidence in their use? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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Foreigners 'owe millions in fines'

2 August 2014 Last updated at 01:43

Councils are missing out on millions of pounds every year because foreign drivers are not paying parking fines, the Local Government Association says.

European vehicles can be driven on UK roads for six months before being registered, with any parking offences committed in this period not recorded.

UK councils say tens of thousands of pounds in unpaid fines are lost each month as car owners cannot be traced.

The Department for Transport said it was trying to tackle the issue.

Continue reading the main story

Reckless and inconsiderate parking by non-UK registered vehicles puts other drivers and pedestrians at risk"

End Quote Peter Box Local Government Association

'Not above the law'

One authority, Brighton & Hove Council, says it was owed more than £750,000.

An estimated three million cars enter the UK each year.

But currently the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) only records information about non-UK registered vehicles when they are notified by offence reports from the police or tip-offs from the public.

Peter Box, chairman of the LGA's economy and transport board, said: "Drivers of foreign-registered vehicles need to realise they are not above the law in this country.

"Reckless and inconsiderate parking by non-UK registered vehicles puts other drivers and pedestrians at risk.

"The millions of pounds worth of fines written off could also be spent filling potholes, providing bus services and tackling the £12bn repair backlog to bring our roads up to scratch."

A central database would allow the government to "get tougher" on those who do not register their vehicle, he added.

According to the LGA:

• Oxfordshire, Southampton and Portsmouth councils have written off more than 10,000 tickets issued to foreign-registered vehicles in the past five years, amounting to more than £500,000 in unpaid fines
• Vehicles registered outside the UK account for 2% of all parking tickets issued in Brighton & Hove, at a cost of about £2,000 a month
• Bournemouth Council has written off £57,000 in parking tickets to overseas-registered vehicles in the past 12 months
• Maidstone Council in Kent has been forced to write off £28,455 in the same period
• Leicester City Council has accumulated unpaid fines worth £20,000 in the past year

'Tip of the iceberg'

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "We are aware of the issue of foreign vehicles failing to register if they have been in the UK for longer than six months.

"Discussions are currently ongoing across government to identify ways of improving the flow of information between agencies in order to tackle this problem and we hope to announce firm plans shortly.

"Drivers from EU member states are allowed to drive here for up to six months in a 12-month period before registering with the DVLA, just as British drivers can abroad."

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: "This is the latest blow for motorists in the saga of the unknown number of foreign vehicles which enter the country and are then unaccounted for, whether or not they leave or remain in the UK.

"The millions of pounds being lost through unpaid parking fines is unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg when compared to the car tax that should be paid once a vehicle has been in the UK for more than six months."

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UK suspends Tripoli embassy services

2 August 2014 Last updated at 03:03

Britain is to temporarily close its embassy in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, because of worsening violence.

The Foreign Office, which has urged Britons to leave the country immediately, said consular assistance would not be available from Monday.

Ambassador Michael Aron described the situation as "very sad" and said staff would return to the embassy "as soon as security allows".

Arrangements are being made to help British nationals leave Libya.

The country has been gripped by instability since the uprising in 2011.

More than 200 people have been killed in Tripoli and Benghazi in the past two weeks.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the two cities on Friday to denounce militias who have been fighting Libyan armed forces.

'Risk too great'

Commercial flights are still leaving Libya but the Foreign Office (FCO) warned flight schedules could change without notice.

On Wednesday, British Airways suspended flights to and from Tripoli up to and including 5 August due to the security situation at the country's main international airport.

The FCO is advising against all travel to Libya.

Mr Aron tweeted: "Reluctantly we've decided we have to leave & temporarily suspend Embassy operations in #Libya. We will be back as soon as security allows."

He added: "Fighting has spread to where we live in Suraj and the risk of getting caught in the crossfire is too great. Very sad."

Mr Aron said on Twitter that a temporary office would be set up in Tunisia.

A FCO spokesman said: "Due to the more intense and more widespread fighting in Tripoli, and greater instability throughout Libya, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all travel to Libya.

"British nationals in Libya are strongly urged to leave immediately by commercial means."

He would not comment on Mr Aron's statement about the move to Tunisia.

Most western countries have now withdrawn diplomats from Libya.

Are you in Libya? Have you been affected by the recent violence? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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Cameron urges Russia-Nato rethink

2 August 2014 Last updated at 05:39

Nato needs to rethink its long-term relationship with Russia, which views the alliance as "an adversary", Prime Minister David Cameron has warned.

He said there has to be a "robust presence" in eastern Europe because of Russia's "illegal" actions in Ukraine.

In a letter to other Nato leaders ahead of a UK summit, he said Russia had to be sent a message that "neither Nato nor its members will be intimidated".

Plans suggested by Mr Cameron include a new schedule of military exercises.

Continue reading the main story

While Nato has only ever sought to be a partner to Russia... it is clear that Russia views Nato as an adversary"

End Quote Prime Minister David Cameron

'Pivotal moment'

Mr Cameron also said equipment and supplies should be pre-positioned in key locations and called for an enhanced Nato Response Force.

He has written to his counterparts, and alliance secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen, six weeks before they are due to meet near Newport, south Wales.

The letter comes days after the Commons Defence Committee warned that Nato is currently poorly prepared for a Russian attack on a member state.

While the risk of a conventional assault remains low, MPs issued a warning over methods such as cyber-attacks and the use of irregular militias.

The Nato summit is the first to be held in the UK since 1990, when Margaret Thatcher hosted the alliance in London as the Cold War was ending.

The prime minister noted that: "In 2014, the world is more unpredictable than ever and we meet at another pivotal moment in the history of the alliance."

'Robust presence'

He said this included Russia having "ripped up the rulebook with its illegal annexation of Crimea and aggressive destabilisation of Ukraine" as well as the crisis in the Middle East.

Mr Cameron wrote: "We must... review our long-term relationship with Russia.

"While Nato has only ever sought to be a partner to Russia, not a threat, it is clear that Russia views Nato as an adversary.

"We must accept that the co-operation of recent years is not currently possible because of Russia's own illegal actions in Nato's neighbourhood and revisit the principles that guide our relationship with Russia."

He called for an action plan to allow Nato to respond to threats to any member of the alliance "including when we have little warning".

He added: "All Nato allies have already contributed to the alliance's response to this crisis and we should agree how we can sustain a robust presence in eastern Europe, consistent with the Nato Russia Founding Act, to make clear to Russia that neither Nato nor its members will be intimidated."

Mr Rasmussen and Mr Cameron are due to visit Nato's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe on Monday.

They will meet Supreme Allied Commander Europe, US General Philip Breedlove, to discuss plans to strengthen Nato's ability to respond swiftly to threat.

'Rock-solid alliance'

In the letter, Mr Cameron also urged Nato members to "make the strongest possible commitment to increase their defence spending", stressing that such investment signals "that Nato means business".

He wants the other member states to match the UK in meeting the target of spending 2% of its GDP on defence.

Mr Cameron also proposed a new North Atlantic Armed Forces Charter to demonstrate commitment to the welfare and support of troops, describing this as a "personal priority".

And he wants the summit, to which 33 partner countries are invited, to discuss how they can support the Afghan government following the withdrawal of international troops.

He concluded the letter saying that: "The Wales summit should prove that Nato is a rock-solid alliance with strong partnerships around the world that fosters global peace and stability, creating a secure environment for economies to grow."

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Appeal over CBBC actor's killing

1 August 2014 Last updated at 00:21

Police hunting a man over the stabbing of a children's TV actor have offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and prosecution.

Carl Beatson Asiedu, 19, who had appeared in CBBC's MI High, was stabbed in the heart near Club Life nightclub in Vauxhall, south London, in 2009.

Officers want to trace Jeffrey Okafor who fled to Nigeria days after the murder.

The Met Police believe Mr Okafor "delivered the fatal stab wound".

'Tragic death'

Mr Asiedu, the son of a pastor and a midwife, had been performing at the nightclub as part of a rap group on the night of his death.

Both Mr Asiedu and his friend Peter Lama were stabbed in an attack by a group of men. Mr Lama survived the knifing.

Officers think Mr Okafor left the UK on 17 August 2009, when he was seen on CCTV boarding an Air France flight at Heathrow Airport using his brother's passport.

Mr Okafor's brother, Junior, was sentenced to four years for assisting an offender after evidence in court showed he gave his passport to his brother.

Mr Asiedu, who had appeared in a small role in episodes of MI High, was about to start the second year of his degree at De Montfort University in Leicester in media production when he was killed.

His father John Asiedu said: "I would urge Jeffrey Okafor to do the right thing and give himself up.

"I believe there are people in Nigeria who know him but don't know who he really is."

Det Insp Alison Hepworth, of the Met Police, said Mr Okafor was probably being supported by people in the UK.

"I would appeal to those people - his friends or family - if you have in some way helped to aid his escape, now is your opportunity to do the right thing and tell us where he is," she said.

In 2011, Junior Ademujimi-Falade, of Camberwell, was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to eight years in prison, while Bolaji Kako-Are and Abu Mansaray were convicted of violent disorder and jailed for three years each.

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Edinburgh Festival Fringe begins

1 August 2014 Last updated at 00:31

Thousands of performers from across the world are in Edinburgh for the start of the world's biggest arts festival.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will see more than 3,000 shows staged across almost 300 venues.

The event is facing competition for audiences over the weekend from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

But fringe organisers said the international sporting event seemed to be having little impact on the box office.

Several new venues will feature in the August extravaganza, to accommodate the biggest line-up the festival has seen.

A new responsive ticketing method has also been introduced to let visitors create their own calendar of events.

Famous names taking part in the event include Dame Diana Rigg, Jeremy Paxman, Glen Matlock and Clive Anderson.

Space is tight and every performer is treated equally.

There will also be hundreds of unknown performers, many of them amateurs, who will take to temporary stages across Edinburgh over the next three-and-a-half weeks.

There are shows about Scottish independence, the 100th anniversary of the World War One and even the Commonwealth Games.

This year, for the first time, audiences will be able post reviews directly onto the fringe website.

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DNA project 'to make UK world leader'

1 August 2014 Last updated at 07:04 By James Gallagher Health editor, BBC News website

A project aiming to revolutionise medicine by unlocking the secrets of DNA is under way in centres across England.

Prime Minister David Cameron has said it "will see the UK lead the world in genetic research within years".

The first genetic codes of people with cancer or rare diseases, out of a target of 100,000, have been sequenced.

Experts believe it will lead to targeted therapies and could make chemotherapy "a thing of the past".

Just one human genome contains more than three billion base pairs - the building blocks of DNA.

Unchecked growth

This four-year project which will look at 100,000 genomes is being run by Genomics England,.

Pilots have been set up at centres across England - including sites in Newcastle, Cambridge and London - and the first genome was sequenced on 30 May.

The project has now passed the 100 genome mark, with the aim of reaching 1,000 by the end of the year and 10,000 by the end of 2015.

The genome of a patient's tumour will be scoured for differences with the genetic code of their healthy tissue.

People with rare diseases, usually children, will have their DNA compared with that of close relatives.

University scientists and a drug companies will be allowed to access the data for their research.

They argue that understanding DNA will soon play a role in every aspect of medicine from cancer to cardiology.

Cancer is one of the main areas the project will focus on.

Tumours are caused by mutations in DNA which lead to abnormal cells growing unchecked.

Previous genetics research has shown how different cancers can be - for example that breast cancer is not one disease but at least 10 - each with a different cause, life expectancy and needing a different treatment.

And the development of targeted drugs such as Herceptin, only given if a patient's breast tumour has a certain mutation - has been possible because of genetics research.

Case study

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Edward Sherley-Price's daughter has a rare genetic disease

Fifteen thousand families with rare diseases will take part in the project.

Edward Sherley-Price has first-hand experience of just how little is known about some conditions.

His 11-year-old daughter Alysia has regular seizures.

She was diagnosed with a developmental delay before her second birthday, but the cause was unknown.

It took until 2013 for genetic testing to discover what was wrong - a rare genetic mutation known as STXBP1.

The family say getting a diagnosis has given them a renewed sense of optimism.

The 100,000 Genomes Project could help people like Alysia by identifying a specific mutation, which lead to taking part in future drug trials.

Sir John Chisholm, executive chair of Genomics England, said: "In Britain we were the discoverers of the structure of DNA, we were huge players in the human genome project and now the time has come for the next major step forward.

"One hundred thousand sequences is a very large step; it's a huge commitment."

Genomics England will be based at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge, which is already a world-recognised centre of genetics research.

'Every bit of medicine'

Prof Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, said: "I can see a future where genetics is going to come into every bit of medicine from cardiology to oncology to infectious diseases."

He said there were already targeted therapies for some breast, lung, bowel and blood cancers.

"Twenty years from now there's going to be a plethora of those, we will have a series of mutations which academics and industry will have developed therapies for, which will be targeted at you and specific for that cancer."

He said chemotherapy, which attacks all dividing cells in the body, would be replaced with such therapies.

"We will look back in 20 years' time and think of blockbuster chemotherapy [as] a thing of the past and we'll think 'Gosh, what an era that was'."

David Cameron has announced a series of investments across government, industry and charities totalling £300m.

He said: "I am determined to do all I can to support the health and scientific sector to unlock the power of DNA, turning an important scientific breakthrough into something that will help deliver better tests, better drugs and above all better care for patients.

"I believe we will be able to transform how devastating diseases are diagnosed and treated in the NHS and across the world."

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: "The NHS is now set to become one of the world's 'go-to' health services for the development of innovative genomic tests and patient treatments, building on our long track record as the nation that brought humanity antibiotics, vaccines, modern nursing, hip replacements, IVF, CT scanners, and breakthrough discoveries from the circulation of blood to the existence of DNA."

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PM in '£2m' pledge after pier fire

1 August 2014 Last updated at 07:44

Eastbourne is set to get a £2m boost following a fire that left the former arcade on the town's pier a charred shell, Downing Street has said.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne are due to announce the funds later.

On Wednesday, up to 80 firefighters, along with RNLI crews, tackled the blaze on the Grade-II listed pier.

No-one was injured and Sussex Police have said the fire is not believed to be suspicious.

Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne are also announcing an extra £3m for the government's Coastal Communities Fund to encourage growth and create jobs in coastal towns.

The prime minister said "the loss of one of Eastbourne's most prominent and well-loved landmarks will have hit the town hard" and he was determined to "help local businesses recover".

On Thursday, uninsured kiosk holders whose businesses may have been wrecked by the fire were promised help.

The Eastbourne Pier Benevolent Fund has been set-up offering free market stall pitches, and it is hoped empty stores can also be used as "pop-up" shops.

The fire has come at the height of the town's summer tourist season.

The resort is due to host its biggest summer tourist event, the annual Airbourne air show, which draws tens of thousands of people.

Chancellor George Osborne said the fire had been "devastating news" but a package of financial support would aim to "minimise the effect on business and tourism".

"We will work with Eastbourne as a matter of urgency to ensure that the funding is provided without delay so people can start enjoying the pier again," he said.

Eastbourne's Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Lloyd said he hoped the pier could reopen again next year as two-thirds of it had been saved by firefighters.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue said the cause was officially "unexplained" and the investigation would take "a number of days".

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Exam body to check 'extra help' data

1 August 2014 Last updated at 08:50 By Tom Bateman BBC Radio 4 Today

The exams regulator Ofqual is to collect information on how many private school students receive extra time in exams, compared with state pupils.

English and Welsh exam boards will find out how many pupils get help because of special needs such as dyslexia.

There have been concerns that private schools may be better at identifying children who might benefit.

An independent sector spokesman said children may be "more likely to be noticed" at such schools.

'Well resourced'

Ofqual said the new information gathering was not in response to any specific concern about the assistance - known as "access arrangements" - that pupils were receiving.

Continue reading the main story

There isn't an even playing field there at all"

End Quote State school source

It says the move is part of a wider attempt to help exam boards better understand how access arrangements are implemented and to improve "risk analysis".

Last year more than 107,000 students received up to 25% extra time in their GCSE and A-level exams.

The figure is thought to represent around 7% of all examination candidates for the last academic year.

In 2012 Ofqual raised concerns about the growing number of candidates receiving the help and more stringent tests were introduced to assess students' need for it, leading to an overall reduction in the figure.

A state school source with close working knowledge of the exams system said in his experience a "large number" of local independent school students had received extra help compared with their state school counterparts.

"The proportion of students with access arrangements will be less in a state institution," he said.

"Kids [in the private sector are] coming from homes where parents are well resourced... pushing the institution to get access arrangements - there isn't an even playing field there at all."

'Perverse incentives'

A comprehensive school head teacher who did not want to be identified said: "[Access] arrangements were always intended for a small number of young people with special needs.

"But the accountability system - examinations, performances tables, bums on seats - as ever can create perverse incentives."

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), the body that represents examination boards in England and Wales, will supply the new information to the regulator next summer.

What extra help means

• Up to 25% extra time: This was the most frequently granted access arrangement during the 2012-13 academic year. A total of 107,400 requests were approved - constituting 51% of all approved access arrangements
• Use of a reader: Readers are for candidates with particular visual impairments or a learning difficulty. A reader is either a person who reads the questions to the candidate or computer software that reads out a scanned paper
• Use of a scribe: A scribe is used for candidates with learning difficulties, a medical condition, a physical disability, a severe visual impairment, or a temporary injury that affects a candidate's ability to write independently
• Modified question papers: This can be modified font size or modified language

The organisation declined to release a breakdown of data from previous years saying it would take too long to process but said there was a "level playing field for access arrangements across all schools and colleges".

A spokesman said: "All schools and colleges, irrespective of funding status, must adhere to the JCQ published regulations for access arrangements.

"They must provide evidence for each student who requires special arrangements in line with the published criteria."

Skewed figures

The BBC has seen analysis from a large sixth form college in England which suggests significantly more of its intake from private schools had received extra time at GCSE compared with those who had come from state schools.

However the figures may be skewed by the difference in staying-on rates between private and state school education.

And there may be a number of reasons why students with extra time decided to stay on at sixth form.

Stuart Nicholson, principal of the fee-paying Cambridge Centre for Sixth-form Studies, said teachers at fee-paying schools may be "more likely to notice" students who require access arrangements.

Just 7% of pupils in England are in the private sector, which tends to perform better on average in GCSEs and A-levels.

Examination boards will supply information on the numbers of state school and private school students whose requests are approved for extra time during the next academic year.

The Examination Officers' Association, which represents staff who administer exams, said: "Our community welcomes transparency in the interests of all students taking exams."

'Scandal'

Dr John Rack, director of policy at charity Dyslexia Action, said schools needed "better training" to get pupils assessed.

He said: "It's not the case that you need a formal and costly diagnostic assessment to qualify for exam access and arrangements. There is some misunderstanding about the lengths schools must go to.

"I think it's fair enough to say that parents who send their children to private schools may have more resources and may put more pressure on schools to make sure they are seeking arrangements.

"In state schools children are not getting the help for a number of reasons, and that I think is the scandal."

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