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Floods: UK Insurers Avoid Covering Risky Homes

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 13 April 2013 | 23.17

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

People whose homes have been devasted by flooding fear they will be unable to get insurance in future as talks between the Government and insurers have so far failed to reach an agreement.

At present insurers are required to provide cover at reasonable rates provided the Government continues to strengthen flood defences, but this agreement - known as the Statement of Principles - is due to expire in June this year.

In St Asaph in North Wales more than 400 homes were deluged when the River Elwy burst its banks last November. So far, the majority of people have still been unable to return to their houses.

James Alcock stands in his kitchen after flood waters receded in St Asaph, north Wales James Alcock stands in his kitchen after flood water recedes

John Wynn Jones who is a local councillor and whose own home was flooded told Sky News: "What we are finding is that because people are so concerned about getting insurance, as well as clearing up after the floods themselves, people are actually considering not moving back into their homes.

"They don't want to get back into their properties and then find out they can't get insurance or the premiums are now so high they can't afford it.

"There's one lady who was insured and ... they've told her they won't be able to renew her policy. When she's questioned it, they've told her 'you no longer fulfil our criteria'. It hasn't been explained to her why but she says the only thing that's changed is she has now been flooded.

"Another resident has had to shop around. Her existing premium had been £200 a year and the best deal she can get now is £1,200 a year. Someone else was told they'd only get a policy with a £10,000 excess.

"People are desperate to have the cover but a lot of people are saying they don't have the money to pay so they'll end up living in uninsured properties."

A fireman helps a member of the public through Aberfoyle A fireman helps a member of the public in Aberfoyle

Aidan Kerr, head of property at the Association of British Insurers (ABI), said: "We continue discussions with Government on the model we have developed to safeguard the availability and affordability of flood insurance for those at high risk.

"With flooding the biggest natural risk the UK faces, it is important we have consensus on managing the risk going forward, which includes sustained and targeted flood defence investment and sensible planning decisions."

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs told Sky News: "We want to get an agreement on insurance that provides a lasting solution and secures affordability and availability of flood insurance for policy holders.

"Constructive negotiations are ongoing and Government is meeting with the ABI regularly."


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Thatcher: No Silence At Football Matches

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky News Reporter

Baroness Thatcher will not be formally remembered at football matches this weekend despite calls from some club chairmen and former footballers.

Following her death on Monday, Reading chairman John Madejski and Wigan Athletic boss Dave Whelan suggested that a minute's silence should be held at games as a mark of respect.

Sir Bobby Charlton also joined calls for a formal remembrance in her honour.

But the Premier League, Football League and Football Association have decided not to, with the FA stating they are an "apolitical organisation" and it is not their policy to honour political figures.

Sir Bobby Charlton Sir Bobby Charlton wants Lady Thatcher to be honoured at weekend fixtures

It comes as many continue to debate the legacy Margaret Thatcher left on the national game.

Her time in power is well known as a dark decade for football, with hooligans intent on causing trouble at home and abroad.

In May 1985 riots at the Heysel stadium in Belgium left 39 supporters dead as Liverpool took on Italian side Juventus.

As a result England fans were banned from European competitions.

In the same month 56 fans were killed when a fire broke out in the wooden stands at Bradford City.

While rundown football grounds and poor security were seen as contributing factors, the then-prime minister saw law and order as the big issue.

Riots at the Heysel football stadium Riots at the Heysel stadium in Belgium in 1985 (file image)

Rogan Taylor told Sky News he was not a football fan.

"Mrs Thatcher saw football as a kind of working class industrial wasteland - one of those rust bucket industries that she wanted to kick into touch like the miners and the trade unions and shipbuilders," he said.

"Like everything else she saw as something she ought to suffocate, rather than give life too."

In 1989 the Football Spectators Act was introduced with controversial plans to make every football supporter carry a compulsory ID card.

It was viewed by many as punishing the majority for the crimes of a minority of hooligans.

It was however eventually dropped after the deaths of 96 fans during the Hillsborough disaster later in the same year.

The families of those who died felt let down by their prime minister and her apparent lack of support following the tragedy.

However others say Lady Thatcher may have been hardline but changed football for the better.

Hillsborough Injured Fans Treated On Pitch Families of Hillsborough victims felt let down by Lady Thatcher

Radio commentator Tom Ross remembers some of the worst trouble of the 1980s.

"It was the worst time for football hooligansim. It was a terrible time for football, worldwide we were the pariahs of football with the hooliganism," he told Sky News.

"I think Mrs Thatcher did more to try and eradicate it - she wanted stiffer sentences for hooligans who were caught.

"Up until then, if you did something in the street, you had a stiff sentence, but if you were caught at a football match, it was a slap on the wrist.

"She did more to deal with football hooliganism and take them out of football than anybody else in the game."

The debate will continue as to whether Lady Thatcher really was a game-changer for football - for better or worse.

It is widely acknowledged that she had little time for sport, but like other prime ministers past and present she could not ignore the significance of Britain's national game.


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Thatcher's Ironclad Funeral Plans Revealed

Baroness Thatcher left instructions that the current prime minister should give a reading at her funeral, it has been reported.

Britain's first and only female PM will be given a ceremonial funeral with full military honours at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday, which will be attended by the Queen.

It is the same status as that accorded to the Queen Mother and Diana, Princess of Wales, although some Tories want a full state ceremony.

Her friends and family indicated that Lady Thatcher said she did not want such treatment; she did not want to lie in state and thought a fly-past would be a waste of money.

But there were far more details left by Lady Thatcher on how she thought her memorial service should be carried out, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Mark Thatcher greets his sister Carol Thatcher as she arrives at the home of Lady Thatcher in Belgravia Mark Thatcher greets his sister Carol as she arrives at their mother's home

They were said to include the choice of hymns - among them the patriotic I Vow to Thee, My Country - and readings from the Bible.

She specified that the prime minister at the time of her death should read a lesson from the Gospels.

Her choice of reading was John 14.1, which says: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.

"I go to prepare a place for you."

Another lesson will be read by Lady Thatcher's 19-year-old granddaughter Amanda, the Telegraph said.

The service will also include readings from the Book of Common Prayer, including the burial prayer that begins: "Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live and is full of misery. He cometh up and is cut down like a flower."

St Paul's Cathedral, London The service will be held at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday

There will be the traditional reading for meeting the body arriving at a church, which begins: "I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith the Lord. He that believeth in me, yea, though he were dead, yet shall he live."

Among the other hymns selected by Lady Thatcher are John Bunyan's To Be A Pilgrim and Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.

It has also been announced that MPs and peers will be able to pay their respects to Lady Thatcher in Parliament's Chapel of St Mary Undercroft on the eve of her funeral.

The chapel will be open on Tuesday evening so members and staff from both Houses can visit the former prime minister's coffin.

Around 100 people, mainly family members and MPs, will also be invited to a short service led by the Dean of Westminster welcoming Lady Thatcher's body.

Downing Street images A painting of Lady Thatcher in the Downing Street study

Downing Street said she requested her body rested overnight in the historic chapel, and the Queen had given her consent.

Meanwhile, on Friday evening, Lady Thatcher's daughter Carol arrived at her mother's home ahead of the funeral.

Miss Thatcher flew in from overseas and was driven to the Belgravia townhouse in central London, where she was greeted outside by her brother Sir Mark.

Earlier Sir Mark said his family has been overwhelmed by the messages of support, as well-wishers continued to leave floral tributes throughout the day outside the Chester Square property.

He said his mother would have been very proud to know the Queen would attend her funeral.

She will be accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, and other heads of state and foreign dignitaries from around the world are attending.

Margaret Thatcher and the Queen The Queen will attend Lady Thatcher's funeral

The Queen also went to Sir Winston Churchill's state ceremony in 1965.

The funeral plans were revealed as Downing Street released two collections of photographs on the Flickr website documenting Lady Thatcher's time in office and her lasting influence inside Number 10.

The photos show renovations she ordered during her time in power, while her third general election victory is featured with her giving a three-fingered salute outside Number 10.

Lady Thatcher died at The Ritz in central London on Monday morning after suffering a stroke. She had battled ill health for a number of years.


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Weather Turns As Spring Finally Starts

Spring is at last set to begin in earnest this weekend, with forecasters predicting temperatures of up to 20C (68F).

Sunday is expected to be the warmest day of the year so far after what has been a dismal and extended winter dogged by snow and freezing conditions.

Sunshine in the South East and East Anglia will deliver the highest temperatures, with weather in the North and West due to remain wet and cloudy.

But even there, temperatures will still be in double figures after months struggling to rise above freezing - with highs of 14C (57F).

Temperatures in most of England and Wales are not forecast to drop below 10C (50F) on Saturday night.

Supermarkets are bracing themselves for an increased demand for ice cream and barbecue meats, with Asda predicting a 50% surge in sales of sunglasses.

Snow Hits The UK March was one of the coldest on record

Sky weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said SAturday would see some unsettled conditions that it would still feel warmer.

"Despite the rain and the strong winds, temperatures should be in double figures for most places today so feeling milder than recently," she said.

Looking ahead to Sunday, she added: "It is likely to stay dry and warm across parts of south-east England and East Anglia, ahead of the rain.

"Temperatures will be in double figures for most and across East Anglia and the London area we could see highs of 18-20C."

However, next week is set to bring an unsettled spell of spring weather, with bands of rain and showers moving across the UK.

The change in the weather is due to the jet stream, the narrow band of strong wind that moves weather systems around the globe, finally moving north.

It had been diverted south in recent weeks, making March one of the coldest on record and extending the winter for Britain.

Temperatures for last month were an average of 2.5C (36.5F), according to the Met Office, which makes it the coldest March since 1962.

It would also make it the fourth coldest March since records began in 1910.

Hundreds of farmers lost livestock in the snow, which hit just as spring lambs were being born across the country.


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Thatcher: Daughter Carol's Personal Tribute

Baroness Thatcher's daughter Carol has spoken of the "tough and tearful week" ahead as she prepares for the former prime minister's funeral.

Ms Thatcher spoke publicly about her mother's death for the first time as she appeared outside the ex-leader's home in London.

With her brother Mark standing behind her, she thanked those who had sent messages which she said had given her strength.

But she admitted that the days ahead and the funeral on Wednesday would be difficult "even for the daughter of the Iron Lady".

Ms Thatcher wore a black shawl and black trousers and clutched a pair of sunglasses as she delivered the statement.

Mark Thatcher (right) and his wife Sarah, and Carol Thatcher (2nd left) with Marco Grass, outside the home of Baroness Margaret Thatcher in Belgravia, London. Mark Thatcher, wife Sarah, Carol Thatcher and her boyfriend Marco Grass

She said: "I would just like to say that I feel like anyone else who has just lost a second parent. It's a deeply sad and rather thought-provoking moment in life.

"My mother once said to me: 'Carol, I think my place in history is assured'.

"The magnificent tributes this week, the wonderful words of President Obama, and others of colleagues who once worked alongside her, have proved her right."

She thanked those who had sent messages of "sympathy and support", adding: "These have given me strength.

However, she admitted: "But I know this is going to be a tough and tearful week, even for the daughter of the Iron Lady."

Margaret Thatcher and daughter Carol at the Wimbledon ladies' singles finals, July 2006 Carol Thatcher with her mother at Wimbledon ladies' singles finals in 2006

Lady Thatcher died at The Ritz last Monday after suffering a stroke. She had been staying at the hotel since January.

Ms Thatcher flew in from Switzerland with her boyfriend ski instructor Marco Grass on Friday night after spending some days grieving privately.

Her brother Mark arrived earlier in the week and spoke of how his mother would have been "humbled" that the Queen would be at her funeral.

Police, ministers and family representatives have been meeting regularly to finalise arrangements for the ceremony.

Operation True Blue, as it has been dubbed, will see a huge security presence amid fears of anti-Thatcher protests.

Margaret Thatcher, her husband Dennis and their children Mark and Carol in December 1976 Lady Thatcher with her husband Denis and their children in 1976

It has emerged that the former politician left very specific instructions for the service, to which more than 2,000 people have been invited.

She chose the hymns - including I Vow To Thee My Country - and selected the Bible readings, according to the Daily Telegraph.

She reportedly also made clear that she wanted the current prime minister to read a lesson from the Gospels. Another lesson will be read by her granddaughter Amanda.

It is officially a ceremonial funeral but the Queen's presence effectively elevates it to a state ceremony.

She has broken with protocol by deciding to attend.

The last former prime minister's funeral the monarch went to was Sir Winston Churchill's in 1965 which was a state event.

Other guests will include Lady Thatcher's old Cabinet foes, former prime ministers, TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson and singer Dame Shirley Bassey.

Some key players - including former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan's wife Nancy - cannot attend.


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Newborn Baby Found On Park Bench By Passer-By

A baby girl - believed to be days old - found abandoned on a park bench has been named after the police officer who took her to hospital.

Newborn Charlotte is said to be doing well after a passer-by spotted her in Hailesland Park in Edinburgh at about 12.55pm on Thursday.

Lawrence Liddell told Edinburgh Evening News: "We really couldn't believe it when we found the baby.

"It was a really tiny newborn wrapped up in a blanket; she wasn't wearing anything underneath.

"She wasn't crying and she didn't appear to be in any kind of distress.

"We think the mother must have wanted the child to be found judging by where she had left it."

Police are checking CCTV in a bid to trace the baby's mother who medics said will require urgent medical attention.

Charlotte is being cared for at Simpson's Centre for Reproductive Health in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

She weighs 5.7lb (2.6kg) and police believe she is only days old.

Maria Wilson, chief midwife, said: "Baby Charlotte has had a good night and is doing well. Our staff are continuing to care for her and we hope the mum and baby can be reunited.

"I don't want the mum to feel afraid of contacting us because we treat everything confidentially.

"I think the things we would want to check are that she is not bleeding or she's not got any infection or any problems post the birth of her baby that she needs assistance with."

Chief Inspector Richard Thomas said he is "greatly concerned" for the baby's mother.

"We would ask anyone who might know who the mother is to encourage her to see a doctor urgently," he said.


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Measles: Row Erupts As Cases Increase

The Government has hit back at claims it is to blame for the latest measles outbreak - now the largest the UK has seen for more than a decade.

Andrew Wakefield, the former doctor who caused the MMR scare 15 years ago by linking the vaccine with autism, said ministers were putting the importance of their  vaccination programme above the welfare of children.

He told The Independent that the "British Government is entirely culpable" for the outbreak and accused ministers of "putting price before children's health".

But a Department for Health spokesman refuted his claims, insisting that "Dr Andrew Wakefield's claims are completely incorrect".

"Immunisation advice from the Department has always kept the interests of patients paramount. Measles is a highly infectious and harmful disease," he added.

"If your child has not had two doses of MMR, whatever their age, we urge you to contact your GP surgery and make an appointment."

It comes as more emergency measles clinics are being opened this weekend after the number of cases across the UK has risen to more than 970.

The outbreak is the biggest the UK has seen for more than 10 years, exceeding the 622 cases recorded in Merseyside in 2012.

Health officials have confirmed 693 cases in South Wales, 210 in the North East and 75 in Gloucestershire.

Dr Andrew Wakefield Disgraced doctor Andrew Wakefield blames the Government for the outbreak

They have warned the outbreak is unlikely to peak for "two to three" weeks because of the incubation period for the disease, and fear it could spread further as children go back to school following the Easter break.

The escalation in cases has prompted health bosses to renew their plea for unvaccinated people to get their MMR jabs immediately.

Marion Lyons, director health protection at Public Health Wales, said at least 6,000 children remain unvaccinated in the south west Wales county.

"With measles cases at almost 700, with 73 of those reported in the last two days alone, we remain extremely concerned that this outbreak is showing no signs of going away," she said.

"We are delighted to see parents starting to arrange vaccination for their children but the numbers simply aren't high enough to bring the outbreak under control when 6,000 children remain at risk from measles in the Swansea area alone."

Before the introduction of the MMR jab in 1988, about half a million children caught measles each year in the UK. Approximately 100 of those died.

Typical symptoms of measles include fever, cough, conjunctivitis and a rash.

Complications are quite common even in healthy people, and about 20% of reported measles cases experience one or more complications. These can include ear infections, vomiting and diarrhoea, pneumonia, meningitis and serious eye disorders.

The latest round of emergency vaccination sessions will be held between 10am and 4pm at Swansea's Morriston and Singleton hospitals, as well as The Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend and the Neath Port Talbot Hospital.

More information about the sessions can be found at Public Health Wales.


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Anti-Nuclear Demo Sees 2,000 March In Scotland

By Nick Martin, Sky News Correspondent

Some 2,000 people marched through the centre of Glasgow against nuclear weapons - marking the start of a week of direction action.

Organisers, the Scrap Trident coalition, want to see the UK Government dispose of its nuclear weapons programme and instead use its budget to fund health, education and welfare.

On Monday, there will be a blockade of the Faslane Naval Base on the Clyde where Trident missiles are stored.

It comes just a fortnight after Prime Minister David Cameron visited the base where he argued Scottish jobs would be at risk if the Trident programme was scrapped.

Protest Protesters gathered in George Square

He also added that recent posturing from North Korea was a reminder of international threats.

Duncan Macintosh, of the Renfrewshire CND, told Sky News: "It makes Scotland a target and is nothing more than a vestige of the Cold War. I never believed it was an effective deterrent."

Leonna O'Neill of the Faslane Peace Camp, said 80% of Scots were against Trident and that the Government should honour the salaries of workers at the base until they find ethical employment in the area.

Keith Pender, 29, one of those demonstrating, said: "I think it's nonsense that North Korea is a threat to Britain.

"It's an abomination to spend £3bn a year when we have rising poverty today. It's obscene. It shows we need to break up the British state to get rid of it."

Brian Larkin, co-ordinator for Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre, said there was a strong anti-austerity feeling running through the protests.

"People want to put an end to Thatcher's legacy of Trident which has been with us for 30 years.

"With the North Korea situation, it shows us the urgent need now to disarm for the UK.

"Some of his (Mr Cameron's) comments were slightly ridiculous. The idea that North Korea's nuclear weapons could reach the UK is absurd."

The Scrap Trident coalition includes the Scottish CND, the Green Party, the SNP and the Scottish branch of Stop the War.


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Woman And Two Children Found Dead In Ruislip

Police are investigating after a woman and two children were found dead at a house in west London.

The bodies of a 34-year-old woman and two girls, aged nine and four, were discovered at a property in Midcroft, Ruislip, at 6.40pm on Friday.

Detectives from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command at Scotland Yard are investigating.

The deaths are currently being treated as unexplained.

Next of kin have been informed but the three have not yet been formally named.

Map showing Ruislip The three were found dead in a house in Ruislip

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Family Killed In Car-Lorry Collision Named

Police have named four of the five members of the same family who were killed when their car collided with a lorry.

They were 48-year-old David Cockburn, his daughters Carley Ann, 21, and Bethany, 18, and Bethany's 11-month-old daughter Lacie Jade Stephenson.

The fifth family member is yet to be formerly identified so further details cannot be released at this time, police said.

They lost their lives after their NIssan Primera was in a collision on the A18 near Grimsby on Friday lunchtime.

Three of the victims died at the scene, while two were taken to the Diana Princess of Wales Hospital but died later.

Three ambulances and an air ambulance had rushed to the spot in Laceby, which was then closed until late on Friday night.

The family, from Durham, had been on their way to Butlins in Skegness with friends to take part in a dance competition.

The driver of the lorry is thought to have sustained minor injuries.

A police statement said officers were called at 12:30pm on Friday "following reports of the serious collision which involved the Nissan Primera which the family were travelling in at the time and a lorry just passed the Oaklands Hotel on the A18 Grimsby Road, Laceby".

It added: "Two members of the family were initially taken to hospital but sadly pronounced dead a short time later, the other three members were sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

"The driver of the lorry is thought to have sustained minor injuries."

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision. Anyone with information should call Humberside Police on 101.

Relatives are being supported by family liaison officers at this time and have asked to be left alone to come to terms with their sad loss.

More follows...


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