Ebola test after passenger death

4 August 2014 Last updated at 01:16

A test for Ebola has been carried out on a female passenger who died after arriving in the UK from The Gambia.

The Department for Health said the test on the elderly woman, who landed at Gatwick Airport, came back negative on Sunday afternoon.

Some 728 people have died of Ebola in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone this year, in the worst-ever outbreak of the disease.

Public Health England says the risk to the UK remains very low.

The Ebola virus spreads through human contact with a sufferer's bodily fluids.

Initial flu-like symptoms can lead to external haemorrhaging from areas like eyes and gums, and internal bleeding which can lead to organ failure. The current mortality rate is about 55%.

'No public health risk'

The woman, believed to be in her early 70s, had been a passenger on a Gambia Bird flight that arrived at Gatwick on Saturday morning.

She collapsed at the airport and was later pronounced dead in hospital.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said the passenger's symptoms had not suggested she was an Ebola victim but the test was carried out because she had travelled from West Africa.

Dr Brian McCloskey, director of global public health at Public Health England (PHE), said: "There was no health risk to other passengers or crew, as the passenger did not have symptoms during the flight.

"It was considered very unlikely to be a case of Ebola but testing was done as a precaution, and was negative.

"The correct procedures were followed to confirm there was no reason to quarantine the airplane, the passengers or staff. PHE can confirm there was no public health risk around the sad death of this individual."

Ebola virus disease (EVD)

• Symptoms include high fever, bleeding and central nervous system damage
• Fatality rate can reach 90%
• Incubation period is two to 21 days
• There is no vaccine or cure
• Supportive care such as rehydrating patients who have diarrhoea and vomiting can help recovery
• Fruit bats are considered to be virus' natural host

A Gatwick spokeswoman said the aircraft, as well as some airline and airport staff, were isolated "as a precaution" but that the plane was later cleared for its return journey.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said the government is taking the outbreak, and the threat to the UK, "very seriously".

Ministers have discussed what precautionary measures could be taken if any UK nationals in West Africa become infected with Ebola.

Public Health England has advised UK medical staff to watch out for unexplained illnesses in patients who have visited West Africa.

It said no cases of imported Ebola have ever been reported in the UK.

The US is to send at least 50 public health experts to the region to help fight the disease. They are expected to arrive in the next month.

Meanwhile, American Ebola patient Dr Kent Brantly is improving in hospital after returning to the US from Liberia. Another infected US citizen, aid worker Nancy Writebol, is expected to arrive in the US soon.

15.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Phone calls 'do not cut GP pressure'

4 August 2014 Last updated at 00:53 By James Gallagher Health editor, BBC News website

Introducing GP consultations over the phone, rather than face-to-face appointments, does not reduce pressure in busy surgeries, a study shows.

The analysis of 42 practices, in the Lancet, found telephoned patients needed more contact with their GP.

The report's authors said phone consultations had a role, but were "no silver bullet".

The British Medical Association (BMA) said GPs were "under real pressure" from soaring patient demand.

It was hoped that using telephone consultations would relieve some of the burden.

Greater workload

An average surgery deals with 20 patients who need an appointment on the day.

Researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School investigated the impact of having a GP or nurse call those patients back instead of them coming into the surgery.

Rather than easing workloads, the number of patients being dealt with by practices increased by 33% when a doctor called back, and by 48% when a nurse was on the other end of the phone.

The study showed that telephone conversations led to more people needing a second consultation.

If the first meeting was in person, 50% of patients needed a second visit, but 75% of GP and 88% of nurse calls required a later visit to the doctor.

Lead researcher Prof John Campbell told the BBC: "This is not the silver bullet to dealing with workload.

"Introducing it in some settings will be very useful, but it needs to be introduced with caution."

He said phone calls were still a valuable and good service, especially for people who could not get away from work.

But equally they could harm the relationship with patients who like to come into the surgery.

'Direct examination'

Dr Richard Vautrey, the deputy chair of the BMA's GP committee, said: "A key problem is that general practice as a whole is under real pressure from soaring patient demand and falling funding, which often means that practices don't have enough GPs or nurses to operate these services in addition to managing their current workload."

He added that phone services increased demand from people who would not have come to an appointment, or would have managed their condition at home.

He said it was important to get the balance right and ensure face-to-face consultations were not completely replaced, as "there are many conditions that can only be safely treated by direct examination in the GP practice".

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: "Most patients can get appointments and we're offering 7.5 million more people email, Skype and evening and weekend slots.

"GPs know what works best for their patients so can tailor their services as they see fit and based on what patients need."

Have you had a consultation with your GP over the phone? Are you a GP who conducts consultations by phone? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'GP phone calls' in the subject heading and including your contact details.

15.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Curtain draws on Glasgow 2014 Games

4 August 2014 Last updated at 06:21

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Glasgow 2014: Best moments from closing ceremony

The 2014 Commonwealth Games has formally closed with a spectacular ceremony at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Kylie Minogue, Lulu, Deacon Blue and more than 2,000 performers brought the curtain down on what has been praised as the "best Games ever".

Team England topped the medals table with 174, while Scotland ended up with a record 53.

Comedian Des Clarke opened the show promising to say "cheerio with the biggest party in Scotland's history".

Lulu, wearing a tartan scarf, then performed a rousing rendition of her first hit Shout on a huge shooting star-shaped stage in the centre of the pitch.

The athletes who took part in the Games emerged from almost 700 tents dotted throughout the stadium to a thunderous Glasgow welcome from the 40,000-strong crowd.

The behind-the-scenes workers who kept Glasgow going for the duration of the Games were then celebrated.

Deacon Blue, who formed in the city in 1985 and went on to become one of its most famous and successful bands, paid tribute to them with a rendition of their anthem, Dignity.

All in all, some 220 members of the emergency services and various council services took centre stage during the ceremony.

The workers - some on foot and some in the vehicles they use day-to-day - were led into the arena by police outriders who had taken part in the baton relay and held aloft a "Let Glasgow Flourish" banner.

Local synthpop band Prides introduced the Games volunteers - known as Clydesiders - and performed their song Messiah.

Next up were representatives of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

The 240 massed pipes and drums from 12 international territories played ear-piercing renditions of Wi' a Hundred Pipers and The Bloody Fields of Flanders to herald the arrival of various Commonwealth dignitaries.

Glasgow 2014 chairman Lord Smith of Kelvin paid tribute to the athletes who "gave it their all" and the Clyde-siders, whom he described as the "lifeblood" of the Games.

He said: "We've welcomed the world to our dear green place and it has been an experience we will never forget. Thank you Glasgow and thank you Scotland. You've done us proud."

Prince Imran, of Malaysia, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), presented an award which recognises an outstanding athlete of the Commonwealth Games.

The 2014 David Dixon Award was handed to Welsh rhythmic gymnast Frankie Jones.

Prince Imran went on to describe Glasgow 2014 as "the best Games ever", adding: "Glasgow - you were Pure, Dead Brilliant."

He told the crowd: "The Commonwealth Games are known as the Friendly Games. Glasgow has succeeded in making them even more than that. These have truly been the People's Games."

The CGF flag was lowered by two military representatives to the backdrop of Robert Burns' Ae Fond Kiss, sung by Scottish folk singer Karen Matheson, lead singer with Capercaillie.

Michael Cavanagh, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: "As a Games family, I believe we have entertained and inspired the watching world in the last 11 days."

Receiving the flag, Tom Tate, mayor of city of Gold Coast, said: "I am honoured to receive this flag on behalf of the people of City of Gold Coast, Australia.

"We accept this responsibility with great pride and in the spirit of the Commonwealth Games."

Vice patron of the CGF, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex formally declared the Games closed.

Pop icon Kylie, then took to the stage to begin a seven-song set, starting with Spinning Around.

The ceremony rounded off with Scots singer songwriter Dougie MacLean performing his classic ballad "Caledonia" as ceremony host Des Clarke urged everyone "haste ye back" to Glasgow.

A mass performance of Auld Lang Syne featuring all of the ceremony's performers and the thousands in the audience followed.

A Lone Piper on the stadium's roof introduced the song, before Maclean, Lulu and Kylie joined in as the crowds crossed arms in traditional style.

The celebrations were then completed with the finale fireworks.

Closing ceremony parties were also held at the Glasgow Green and Kelvingrove Bandstand live sites - with music and entertainment and the ceremony being shown on the big screens.

The closing ceremony marks the end of an almost seven-year journey for Glasgow that began on 9 November 2007 when the city was awarded the Games.

When the dust settles on Monday, the focus will begin to turn to what legacy the sporting extravaganza has left behind and whether it was worth the time, effort and huge amount of public money spent.

15.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gaza deaths appalling, says Cameron

4 August 2014 Last updated at 09:09

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

"Death and destruction": The BBC's Ian Pannell reports from inside Rafah

The United Nations was right to speak out against an Israeli attack near a UN-run school in Gaza, UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said.

Palestinian officials said at least 10 people died in the attack on Sunday.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon called the attack "a moral outrage and a criminal act".

Mr Cameron would not say if he agreed with those words. He thought it was "an appalling loss of life", adding that civilians must not be targeted.

He told BBC Breakfast there had to to be an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire", adding that the "fastest way to stop this conflict" would be if Hamas rocket attacks on Israel stopped.

His comments follow a row between Ed Miliband and Downing Street after the Labour leader said Mr Cameron was "wrong" not to oppose Israel's attacks.

No 10 said it was shocked Mr Miliband would "play politics with such a serious issue".

Health officials in Gaza say 1,800 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed and more than 9,000 injured since the conflict began nearly four weeks ago.

Sixty-six Israelis have died, all but two of them soldiers. A Thai national working in Israel was also killed.

15.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Events to commemorate start of WW1

4 August 2014 Last updated at 09:18

World leaders are gathering in Belgium for one of a number of ceremonies marking 100 years since Britain joined World War One.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be at the Liege event, as the Prince of Wales and PM attend a Glasgow service.

UK buildings from Downing Street to the Blackpool Tower will turn lights off from 22:00 BST to mark the centenary.

The public can join the switch-off ending at 23:00 - the time Britain declared war on Germany in 1914.

Prime Minister David Cameron told BBC Breakfast the outbreak of war was "an extraordinary day in Britain's history".

"When you think that almost every family, almost every community was affected, almost a million British people were lost in this war, it is right that even 100 years on, we commemorate it, we think about it and we mark it properly," he said.

Throughout the war almost 900,000 people lost their lives fighting for the British army.

Analysis

Peter Hunt, BBC News

It was the most destructive war that had ever been fought.

One hundred years on, a consensus among historians and politicians as to why it broke out remains elusive.

But there is consensus about the human cost and human sacrifice which will be commemorated across the UK and in Belgium.

The royals, more used to marking the end of a conflict, will attend many of the events.

At Glasgow Cathedral, the sometimes overlooked contribution of former British colonies - now Commonwealth nations - will be remembered.

In Belgium, where the invasion by Germany is etched in the collective memory, the emphasis will be on reconciliation.

And at Westminster Abbey, in the evening, the last moments of peace before the British Empire entered the war will be reflected upon during a candlelit vigil.

There'll be many more such events between now and 2018.

All are designed, according to the government, to improve our understanding of the causes, conduct and consequences of WW1.

The day's events begin in Liege, Belgium, where 50 heads of state are gathering for a service to mark the invasion of Belgium.

French President Francois Hollande and Prince William will be among those giving speeches.

Other events being held throughout the day include:

Between 22:00 and 23:00 BST, the Royal British Legion's "Lights Out" event will see households, businesses and public buildings across the UK turn out their lights to leave a single candle or light burning.

The event was inspired by the words of wartime Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, who said on the eve of WW1: "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our life-time."

Tower Bridge, the Eden Project in Cornwall, the headquarters of the Football Association and the Imperial War Museums in London and Salford are among the other buildings taking part in the event.

The St Symphorien cemetery is of particular significance as an equal number of both German and British soldiers are buried there. Among them lies Private John Parr, who was the first British soldier killed on the Western Front, and Maurice James Dease who was the first recipient of the Victoria Cross in WW1.

Elsewhere, 888,246 ceramic poppies are being placed in the dry moat at the Tower of London, one for each soldier who died fighting for Britain and its colonies in WW1.

The installation by artist Paul Cummins is entitled Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red and will be unveiled on Tuesday.

On Sunday, the French and German presidents commemorated the 100th anniversary of Germany's declaration of war on France on 3 August 1914.

How will you be commemorating the centenary? What are your recollections of family members who took part in the war? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

If you have personal images from World War One you would like to share with the BBC, you can email them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.

Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.

Read the terms and conditions

15.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gaza crisis 'intolerable' - Hammond

3 August 2014 Last updated at 07:59

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

"Death and destruction": The BBC's Ian Pannell reports from inside Rafah

The situation in Gaza is "simply intolerable and must be addressed", Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond says.

His comments follow a row between Ed Miliband and No 10 after the Labour leader said PM David Cameron was "wrong" not to oppose Israel's attacks.

No 10 said it was shocked he would "misrepresent that position and play politics with such a serious issue".

Meanwhile the Israeli military says a soldier reported missing in Gaza on Friday is dead.

Hadar Goldin was believed to have been captured by militants during fighting, leading to the collapse of a ceasefire shortly after it had been declared.

'Humanitarian ceasefire'

Mr Hammond told the Sunday Telegraph the crisis in Gaza could become "an endless loop of violence".

"It's a broad swathe of British public opinion that feels deeply, deeply disturbed by what it is seeing on its television screens coming out of Gaza," he said.

"The British public has a strong sense that the situation of the civilian population in Gaza is simply intolerable and must be addressed - and we agree with them."

He said there "must be a humanitarian ceasefire that is without conditions", adding: "We have got to get the killing to stop."

In a strongly-worded statement released on Saturday, Mr Miliband said Mr Cameron had previously been "right to say that Hamas is an appalling terrorist organisation".

"Its wholly unjustified rocket attacks on Israeli citizens, as well as building of tunnels for terrorist purposes, show the organisation's murderous intent and practice towards Israel and its citizens," he said.

"But the prime minister is wrong not to have opposed Israel's incursion into Gaza and his silence on the killing of hundreds of innocents Palestinians civilians caused by Israel's military action will be inexplicable to people across Britain and internationally."

'Misrepresent position'

A Downing Street spokesman responded: "The PM has been clear that both sides in the Gaza conflict need to observe a ceasefire.

Continue reading the main story

If Israel wants to secure lasting safety for its people, it must use political will, not military might, to break the cycle of violence"

End Quote Deputy PM Nick Clegg

"We are shocked that Ed Miliband would seek to misrepresent that position and play politics with such a serious issue."

Mr Miliband's comments follow those of former Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown and current party leader Nick Clegg, who have both called for peace talks and an end to the violence.

Speaking to the BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Lord Ashdown said neither Israel nor Palestine could "blast their way to victory" and that the only way forward was for them to "sit down and talk to each other".

Deputy PM Mr Clegg, writing in the Guardian on Friday, said: "If Israel wants to secure lasting safety for its people, it must use political will, not military might, to break the cycle of violence."

He also criticised Hamas, saying it used its tunnels to "terrorise Israeli civilians".

Fresh attacks

On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had determined that Lt Goldin - thought to be have been captured by militants - had died.

Hamas had denied it was holding Lt Goldin, 23, captive, saying it did not know the soldier's whereabouts.

Confirmation of Lt Goldin's death means 66 Israelis have now died in the fighting, all but two of them soldiers. A Thai worker in Israel also died.

Some 1,700 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since the conflict began more than three weeks ago.

IDF's announcement came as BBC correspondents in Gaza City reported the sound of ongoing Israeli strikes on Sunday morning.

Agence France-Presse news agency quoted Palestinian emergency services as saying 12 Palestinians had been killed early on Sunday but this has not been independently confirmed.

Israeli media also reported fresh militant rocket attacks.

A UN-brokered humanitarian ceasefire, intended to last 72 hours, ended on Friday after less than five hours, with each side blaming the other.

Israel says it is defending itself from attacks by Palestinian militants and blames Hamas for civilian deaths in Gaza, saying fighters deliberately operate from civilian areas.

Critics of Israel's actions say Gaza is so densely populated any conflict there will inevitably affect civilian areas and cause civilian casualties.

15.36 | 0 komentar | Read More

Navy to help Britons leave Libya

2 August 2014 Last updated at 22:15

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

HMS Enterprise is on route to Tripoli to evacuate any British people who want to leave Libya, as Chris Mason reports

A Royal Navy survey ship is preparing to evacuate Britons from Libya amid worsening violence in the country, the BBC understands.

HMS Enterprise is on its way to Tripoli, a government source said.

The Foreign Office previously urged British people to leave the country immediately and is to temporarily close its embassy in the Libyan capital.

The MOD said the government was helping to "provide assisted departure for a number of UK nationals".

'Hundreds of Britons'

Libya has been gripped by instability and a power struggle among rival groups since the overthrow of former leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Fighting between rival militias - one established by the outgoing parliament and one controlled by the defence ministry - has spread northwards in the capital in recent days.

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

BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said: "I'm told the number of British nationals in the country is not huge - it is in the hundreds, rather than the thousands. Commercial routes to leave the country are still open.

"The Foreign Office has already announced that it will suspend the operations of its embassy in Tripoli after fighting in the capital intensified, including near the embassy building itself.

"But I'm told staff at the embassy are yet to leave - as they have been supervising the evacuation of those Britons who want to leave."

'Assisted departure'

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

It is thought there are between 100 and 300 Britons still in Libya.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said: "As the FCO has made clear, the UK Government will provide assisted departure for a number of UK nationals before suspending consular operations on Monday.

"For operational reasons we will not discuss further details including whether, and in what ways, the MOD could support these efforts."

The Foreign Office has said a limited number of commercial flights are still leaving Libya but warned flight schedules could change without notice.

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

Land routes also remain open but the Foreign Office said "the security situation can change very quickly".

Timeline: Libya after Gaddafi

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

There was chaos on Friday as thousands of people including foreign nationals tried to flee across the border into Tunisia, as Rana Jawad reports

February 2011: Arrest of human rights campaigner sparks protests

March-August 2011: Rebels backed by Nato air attacks capture large parts of Libya

October 2011: Col Gaddafi is captured and killed. The main opposition group, the National Transitional Council (NTC), declares Libya officially liberated

January 2012: Clashes erupt between former rebel forces in Benghazi. Following months see continuing instability as rival militias battle for power and resources in both east and west Libya

September 2012: US ambassador is killed when armed men storm US consulate in Benghazi

November 2012: New government led by liberal figure Ali Zeidan sworn in

May 2013: Government offices besieged by militiamen

August 2013: Rebels begin months-long blockade of oil terminals

October 2013: PM Ali Zeidan briefly abducted by militiamen

November 2013: Libyan army clashes with Islamist fighters

February 2014: Protests break out after Libyan parliament refuses to disband itself after its mandate expires

March 2014: PM Ali Zeidan is sacked by parliament

June 2014: New parliament elected. Due to hold first meeting this month

Full timeline

Six days ago, the Foreign Office said Britons should leave Libya immediately because of growing instability and advised against all travel there.

On Friday, the Foreign Office repeated its advice for Britons to leave "due to the more intense and more widespread fighting in Tripoli, and greater instability throughout Libya".

Most western countries have now withdrawn diplomats from Libya.

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

Are you a British citizen living in Libya? Are you planning to leave? You can share your views and experiences with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk

15.36 | 0 komentar | Read More

Glasgow prepares to close 2014 Games

3 August 2014 Last updated at 01:07

Kylie Minogue, Lulu, Deacon Blue and more than 2,000 performers will bring the curtain down on the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later.

A crowd of 40,000 people will watch the 90-minute closing ceremony begin at 21:00 BST inside Hampden Stadium, with millions more watching on TV.

Organisers have promised "a night out not to be missed".

It will come at the end of a successful Games for Team Scotland. By Saturday evening it had won 52 medals.

During the ceremony, Glasgow will officially pass on the host city mantle to Australia's Gold Coast for 2018.

Hampden, which hosted the athletics during the Games, will be transformed with more than 160 tonnes of staging, 3,000 props and 454 flags.

Glasgow singer Lulu will be one of the main performers.

During a 50-year career, the Scot has racked up hits with "To Sir with Love", from the film of the same name, the title song to the James Bond film, "The Man with the Golden Gun", the Eurovision Song Contest winning "Boom Bang-a-Bang" and her most famous song, "Shout".

Scottish band Deacon Blue, formed in Glasgow in the 1980s, will also take to the stage.

The closing ceremony will see one of Scotland's most successful bands, with 12 UK top 40 singles and two number one albums, perform to their biggest ever global audience.

Others to feature include Dougie MacLean, who wrote Caledonia, and Glasgow synthpop band Prides.

Perhaps the biggest name to perform on the night will be Australian singer and actress Kylie Minogue.

The 46-year-old released her 12th studio album this year and will soon embark on a 33-date UK tour.

Her performance will represent the Games' transfer to her native Australia.

Thousands of ordinary people are also expected to take part, fitting in with a major theme of the opening ceremony on 23 July of giving ordinary people a role in the Games.

Many of those taking part will be Clydesiders, some of the 15,000 volunteers who were drafted in to help athletes and spectators throughout the Games.

The closing ceremony will mark the end of an almost seven-year journey for Glasgow that began on 9 November 2007 when the city was awarded the Games.

When the dust settles on Monday, the focus will begin to turn to what legacy the sporting extravaganza has left behind and whether it was worth the time, effort and huge amount of public money spent.

15.36 | 0 komentar | Read More

Whiplash assessment charges slashed

3 August 2014 Last updated at 06:59

Fees charged for medical assessments of people who claim they have suffered whiplash are to be cut.

The move is the latest government bid to crack down on fraudulent claims and the so-called "compensation culture".

Charges of up to £700 for an initial medical report will be reduced to £180, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said.

The government hopes a fixed rate would stop experts who produce the reports from having an incentive to encourage claimants to get unnecessary treatment.

About 500,000 whiplash insurance claims are made each year, many of which are thought to be bogus.

Insurers say they push up drivers' premiums by as much as £90 a year.

The new measures are the latest announced by the government to tackle bogus claims, with the new focus on compensation companies and a minority of medical staff who ministers claim are overcharging people.

'Drive out fraud'

"We're saying that doctors should be paid a fixed price for that work," Mr Grayling said.

"And we're saying that across the claims process we should have a structure that makes sure that people are paid for what they really do, that claims that go through are genuine and that we drive out some of the practices that are inflating insurance premiums unnecessarily."

He said the new rules - to be introduced in October - would reflect the amount of time it takes to carry out the assessments and write them up.

"Honest drivers have been bearing the cost of a system that has been open to abuse and it is time for a change," he said.

"We are determined to have an improved, robust system for medical evidence - so genuine claims can still be settled but fraud is driven out of the market."

Whiplash is caused by sudden movement of the head which damages the ligaments and tendons in the neck, with symptoms including neck pain and stiffness.

Recent reforms in England and Wales have recently targeted "no win, no fee" deals, with lawyers now unable to double their fees if they are successful.

A number of changes are progressing through Parliament in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, including plans to stop law firms offering incentives to potential clients.

'Stubbornly high'

Other new rules include allowing courts to throw out any compensation case where part of the claim has proved to be fundamentally dishonest.

Some questionable claims are not challenged as, in the past, insurers have settled claims without evidence, the government added.

The AA said while premiums have dipped recently, the number of claims remains "stubbornly high" and that means they could go back up.

15.36 | 0 komentar | Read More

Compensation 'for garden city homes'

3 August 2014 Last updated at 08:52

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has suggested homeowners could be compensated if the value of their house falls when new garden cities are built.

Mr Clegg said the government could buy homes blighted by developments or offer owners council tax cuts while building takes place.

He told the BBC's Countryfile programme that he did not want anyone to "lose out" as a result of garden cities.

Plans to curb the housing shortage with three new developments are in place.

The government wants to build the communities with around 15,000 homes each. It is thought two of them are to be built in south-east England.

Mr Clegg said it was important to safeguard house prices in areas pegged for the projects.

"We could maybe give deductions on their council tax for the period of time during which the garden city's being built," he said.

"We could possibly also say to those homes where they think the price of their home will be affected, we will guarantee the price of their home by buying it, if you like, upfront."

He said the cost to the public purse of compensating homeowners would not be as great as people would think.

"We are actively looking at things like that to show that we will go the extra mile to allay those concerns of people who feel that their property or the price of their home might be affected," he said.

"We don't want people to lose out."

Big infrastructure

He suggested the government could offer full market price for a home that could lose value due to disruption caused by construction.

This was the sort of thing the country did anyway with big infrastructure projects, he said.

The Lib Dems leader also told the Sunday Telegraph that he wanted a shortlist for the locations of the three new communities published by the end of the year.

He said the point of them was they would be "well-designed, support jobs, contain top-quality green space and services - the best of town and country in one place".

Mr Clegg announced the three projects in April. He said they would tackle the UK's "chronic" housing shortage.

Funding from an existing £2.4bn pot is to be made available for the developments being built up to 2020.

In 2013, the construction of 109,370 new homes was completed in England - the lowest figure for four years.

Yet the number of households is expected to grow by 221,000 every year this decade.

Twenty-seven new towns were built across the UK after World War Two, including Stevenage, Harlow, Milton Keynes, Corby, Cwmbran, Newton Aycliffe, Peterlee and Cumbernauld.

They were called garden cities because their layouts included large amounts of green space and were designed to deal with an accommodation shortage caused by bomb damage, stagnation in the construction industry, returning service personnel and a baby boom.

In April, Mr Clegg published a prospectus inviting bids from councils.

15.36 | 0 komentar | Read More