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'Bedroom Tax' Suicide: Grandmother Was Exempt

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 11 Januari 2014 | 23.17

A woman who killed herself and left a note blaming the Government's so-called "bedroom tax" would in fact have been exempt and eligible for a refund, it has emerged.

Stephanie Bottrill would not have had to pay the tax due to a loophole in the legislation, drafted by the Department of Work and Pensions, according to Sky sources. 

The loophole means working age tenants in social housing, who have occupied the same home continuously since 1996, are exempt from the tax.

Ms Bottrill had lived in her £320-a-month home for 18 years.

But she believed she was eligible for the tax and would have to find an extra £80 every month.

Ms Bottrill, 53, wrote in her final letter, in May 2013: "I don't [blame] anyone for me death expect [sic] the Government."

At the time, her son Steven, 27, said she was struggling to cope after being told to pay £20-a-week extra for two under-occupied bedrooms at her home in Solihull.

Campaigners Protest Against The Government's Impending 'Bedroom' Tax The bedroom tax sparked protests before it was introduced

He told the Sunday People: "I couldn't believe it. She said not to blame ourselves, it was the Government and what they were doing that caused her to do it.

"She was fine before this bedroom tax. It was dreamt up in London, by people living in offices and big houses. They have no idea the effect it has on people like my mum."

Chris Bryant, Labour shadow minister for welfare reform, said: "It's a terribly sad story. I feel for her, for her family, her friends and the many neighbours who I know were very fond of her."

The loophole exists because housing benefit regulations dating from 1996 were not updated when the coalition drafted the law on spare room subsidies.

A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions, said: "We won't comment on one specific case.

"The reasons behind suicide are complex and it would be insensitive to put it down to this.

"The Government has given £190m to councils to help vulnerable people and we will continue to work with them."

The Samaritans said that "although a catalyst may appear to be obvious, suicide is seldom the result of a single factor or event and is likely to have several inter-related causes".

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or CALM on 0800 58 58 58.

:: Watch Sky News live on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Flood Warnings As River Levels Set To Rise

Homeowners in southern England have been warned to prepare for further flooding today after heavy rainfall caused the River Thames to burst its banks.

The Environment Agency (EA) has warned people living along the lower reaches of the Thames to be aware of the risk of rising water levels.

Further flooding is expected over the weekend in Oxfordshire, West Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey as recent rainfall flows downstream.

There are also risks of flooding along the River Parret in Somerset and the River Severn in the Midlands.

Rainfall in England and Wales over the last five weeks Rainfall in England and Wales over recent weeks. Pic: Environment Agency

Residents in Dorset, south Wiltshire, Hampshire and West Sussex have also been warned of likely flooding caused by high groundwater levels.

The EA has issued 94 flood warnings - meaning immediate action is required due to expected flooding - and 151 flood alerts across England.

The agency estimates that some 570 properties have been flooded since the New Year, while a further 239,000 properties have been protected by flood defences.

"Communities along the River Thames, particularly below Oxford, into Berkshire and through Surrey need to remain vigilant for further flooding," said the agency's head of incident management, John Curtin.

Flooding in Muchelney, Somerset, cuts village off Flooding seen in the village of Muchelney, in Somerset

"River levels on the Thames are high and will continue to rise for the next few days and we urge people keep up to date with the latest flood warnings and take action.

"With so much standing water around, we would also remind people to stay out of flood water and not attempt to walk or drive through it."

The Thames burst its banks on Friday, forcing homeowners to carry out clean-up operations and protect their homes from damage.

Parts of the river, stretching from Buscot in Oxfordshire to Bourne End in Buckinghamshire, were under flood warnings as heavy rain over recent days caused river levels to rise.

Flood warnings along the River Thames (Pic: Environment Agency)

Residents were warned on Thursday to expect flooding, with many moving belongings to prevent damage.

Many homes close to the banks are underwater, with flood waters causing damage to ground floors and gardens.

Affected areas included Marlow and Cookham in Buckinghamshire, as well as Shiplake and Wargrave in Berkshire and parts of south Oxford.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Brain Tumour Missed By Doctors Kills Boy

A two-year-old boy who died of a brain tumour may have survived if doctors had spotted it, a coroner has ruled.

Max Earley died after a series of blunders meant his brain tumour went undiagnosed for several weeks and ultimately killed him.

An inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court heard that his mother "watched him die" as doctors struggled to diagnose his condition, despite it showing up on a CT scan.

The inquest heard that one doctor incorrectly read the scan, missing the tumour.

Other doctors thought the scan had been reviewed by experts at Great Ormond Street Hospital when in fact they never looked at it.

Max, who was 27 months old when he died, first fell ill in August 2012 when he began vomiting constantly.

He was admitted to Hillingdon Hospital in Uxbridge, west London, where a CT scan was carried out amid fears he might have a brain tumour.

But the tumour was missed by a consultant radiologist.

Another test showed up a potential hernia and Max was transferred to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

An MRI scan, which would have shown the tumour, was "put on hold" while doctors looked at possible gastric problems.

After being allowed home, Max was readmitted to Chelsea and Westminster in September and his condition steadily deteriorated.

Max Earley inquest Max Earley with his mother Caroline Earley

On the night of September 23 his condition became acute and he was rushed to Great Ormond Street, where the tumour was finally diagnosed.

But despite emergency surgery to remove some of it, Max never recovered and died on September 28, 2012, aged 27 months.

After the two-day inquest, coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe gave a narrative verdict finding that there were several errors.

These included the misreading of the CT scan at Hillingdon, and a later review of the scan.

This only looked at an unenhanced scan, which looked normal, but staff had not been told there were other enhanced scans.

The coroner said the evidence at the inquest was that the tumour was removable up until Max deteriorated on September 23, adding: "A complete resection would have, on the balance of probabilities, resulted in a good chance of cure."

But she said both Hillingdon and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals had made changes to their radiology processes to make sure similar circumstances did not happen again.

Giving evidence at the inquest, Max's mother Caroline Earley, from Harefield, near Hillingdon, described how she told doctors she was watching her son die.

She and Max's father Vladimir Earley said: "We are at a loss to understand how in a modern healthcare system Max's brain tumour was not properly identified for a month since it was first suspected.

"In that time Max had got weaker and weaker, he lost weight and must have been in terrible pain at times.

"He was too young to tell us how he was feeling and we are saddened beyond words that we could not help him despite having placed him in the hands of the doctors.

"He had to endure many painful medical procedures that would have been avoided with proper care.

"The coroner found that there was a serious failure at Hillingdon Hospital to read Max's CT scan and that the failure of communication between the doctors at Chelsea and Westminster meant that the same CT scan was not acted on again.

"We did our best for our child but there were times when we weren't listened to and Max's changing behaviour was not appreciated.

"Towards the end, Max's father had to hold his son while he had a prolonged seizure which was not recognised as such, despite his attempts to get help for his son. If his tumour had been diagnosed, Max's life would have been saved."

Mrs Earley urged all parents and medical professionals to visit the website of HeadSmart.

The project aims to enhance the awareness of symptoms of brain tumours in children and young people, with credit card-sized guides to help people spot the signs.

A spokeswoman for the Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like to offer its condolences to Max Earley's parents.

"It notes the findings of the coroner's investigation and hopes that Max's family is reassured by the actions put in place since his death."

: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Armed Forces Launch New Recruitment Drive

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

The British Armed Forces have launched a new recruitment campaign in an attempt to reverse the dwindling number of new entrants, particularly to the Army Reserve.

Television, radio, cinema and print adverts will be broadcast and published nationally.

Titled 'More Than Meets The Eye', the ads aim to demonstrate the wide range of roles available in the military after a survey carried out by the Ministry of Defence revealed that nearly one in four Britons were unhappy with their current career.

The research, carried out by OnePoll on behalf of the army, also found that many people were unaware of the diversity of jobs on offer.

Of the 2,000 people polled, 28% thought Army Reserves would not get paid, while 40% did not think a commitment to the reserves was flexible, and 40% also thought signing up to the army was a lifetime commitment.

The campaign hopes to capitalise on New Year's resolutions which see people wanting to transform their lives and careers.

Commenting on it, Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Peter Wall, said: "The Army offers people unique opportunities for challenge and adventure, both at home and overseas, during peacetime and on operations.

"It develops personal qualities that are key to success in any walk of life: leadership, judgement, determination, and physical stamina."

A new simplified online application form, a more streamlined medical clearance process, and an Army fitness app, will all also be launched this month.

The campaign is just the latest attempt by the military to boost recruitment numbers and there is much riding on it.

The Ministry of Defence's last Quarterly Personnel Report showed that the number of Reservists decreased between July and September 2013.

By the end of that period there were 1,630 fewer Reservists than at the beginning.

The total strength of the Reserve Force, which includes the Maritime Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force is 21,870, of which the Army Reserve makes up 19,090.

The MoD has committed to increasing the size of the Army Reserve to 35,000 by 2015 - despite recent poor figures, senior officials are adamant they will achieve that target.

A total of £1.8bn has been committed over 10 years to supplement training and equipment for reserve soldiers in order that they receive the same level of kit as their regular counterparts.

A fourth tranche of redundancies will be announced later this month.

Around 5,000 people will be affected, almost exclusively in the Army.

Although running a recruitment campaign alongside a redundancy scheme might seem illogical, the MoD explains that it must always maintain a constant flow of younger, junior recruits to train for the future.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Slavery 'Should Be Made Essential Reading'

By Nick Martin, News Correspondent

The teaching of Britain's involvement in the slave trade is "patchy" and not enough time is devoted to it despite the subject being on the national curriculum, it has been claimed.

The Department for Education has admitted to Sky News that it has no idea how many schools are actually teaching the subject because it is not compulsory.

Britain played a central role in the trade of slaves until its abolition more than 180 years ago, with cities like Liverpool, Bristol and London key trading ports.

Under the last Labour government the then prime minister Tony Blair controversially expressed "sorrow" for the country's involvement in the slave trade but stopped short of apologising for it.

The release of several high-profile films has brought the issue to the forefront once again.

The British director of Bafta-nominated 12 Years A Slave, Steve McQueen, believes the subject should be compulsory in schools.

The film tells the story of Solomon Northup, a New Yorker kidnapped and forced into slavery.

Steve McQueen was born in 1969 and raised in west London. He studied at the Chelsea College of Art and Goldsmiths College McQueen's new film has reignited the debate on what is taught in schools

"The movie is really a way into this subject. It gets people talking about it and sparks debate. The Northup memoirs, upon which this film is based, should be essential reading for all schoolchildren, in my view," he told Sky News.

For well over 300 years, Britain played a leading role in forcing Africans onto slave ships for transportation across the Atlantic Ocean.

It is thought that British ships may have carried as many as 3.5 million Africans to the Americas.

But it is unclear now many children learn about the slave trade and how influential Britain was in it.

Dr Richard Benjamin, from the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, says teachers can use their resources to teach the subject.

"We work with teachers to help teach this part of the curriculum. But the teaching of the subject is a bit patchy and I don't think that three hours at the museum is enough.

"Some children have no idea that Britain was such a big player in the slave trade until they're in their mid-20s. We should not be getting to our mid-20s to find that out."

School children Some children are unaware of UK being such a big player in the trade

A Department for Education spokesperson said: "Unfortunately we do not hold information about how many schools are actively teaching the slave trade.

"The slave trade is covered in the new national curriculum, which will be taught in schools from this September.

"Pupils will learn about the British Empire from 1745-1901 in much greater depth as part of the new more rigorous history curriculum.

"Schools are also free to use other opportunities within the curriculum to teach about the slave trade and as part of Black History Month."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602 and Freeview channel 82.


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PCSO In Custody On Rape And Blackmail Charges

A police community support officer has been charged with rape, blackmail and misconduct in a public office.

Kabeer Yousaf, 30, a PCSO based in the London Borough of Newham, was charged on Saturday, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Heart Stutter Condition Affects One Million

By Hind Hassan, Sky News Reporter

A condition that causes the heart to stutter, leading to strokes and heart attacks, now afflicts more than a million people in the UK, campaigners say.

Those with atrial fibrillation often experience irregular and often abnormally fast heart rates, dizziness, breathlessness, palpitations and tiredness.

However, some people who have it display none of these symptoms and are completely unaware of it.

Without treatment, the disease can significantly increase the risk of a blood clot forming inside the heart, which increases the risk of stroke five-fold.

Rates of the illness have soared 20% in the past five years, according to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), which says it is responsible for 22,500 strokes a year in the UK.

High blood pressure, heart valve disease and binge drinking are all blamed for the increase, as well as the fact people are living longer.

Richard Elgar, 43, from Dorset, was diagnosed with the condition last September.

The father-of-two, who is a builder, said: "I'd already had a heart attack when I was 36, so finding out I had atrial fibrillation was another blow.

"I didn't tell my wife about the risk of stroke until I was on medication to help prevent it. I didn't want to worry her and the children.

Richard Elgar, 43, and his son Alfie, 8 Richard Elgar, 43, and his eight-year-old son Alfie

"But every tiny ache or twinge still makes me panic that something could be starting that could devastate my family. It's incredibly stressful."

Mr Elgar's eldest son Alfie, eight, completed a 40-mile bike ride last summer to raise funds for the BHF.

He continued despite falling off his bike twice because of the heat and exhaustion.

The schoolboy has said he wants to be a heart surgeon when he grows up so he can "fix Daddy".

BHF chief executive Simon Gillespie said more research into the illness was urgently needed.

"The real danger with atrial fibrillation is that some people don't realise they have it," he said.

"You can be going about your daily routine oblivious to the fact you're five times more likely to have a devastating stroke."

Professor Nicholas Peters, consultant cardiologist at Imperial College Healthcare, said: "The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases dramatically with age so an ageing population, along with better awareness and diagnosis, are the main reasons for the rise in the number of people known to have it.

"In addition, improvements in the treatment of other causes of heart disease means that more of these patients survive to get atrial fibrillation.

"We have a research programme, funded principally by British Heart Foundation, focussed on helping large numbers of patients by combating this important medical challenge."

:: The BHF is leading a fundraising event on February 7 to raise money for research into AF and other heart conditions. Visit www.rampupthered.org.uk to sign up.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Teachers 'Should Face Regular Classroom MOTs'

Teachers should be made to have licences and will face the sack if they fail to pass checks on their abilities, the Labour party has said.

Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt said he wants teachers to be reviewed every few years to improve standards in England's state schools.

A similar proposal was floated by the previous Labour government - and dubbed "classroom MOTs" by former schools secretary Ed Balls - but was opposed by some unions and dropped before the 2010 general election.

Mr Hunt told the BBC: "Just like lawyers and doctors they should have the same professional standing which means re-licensing themselves, which means continued professional development, which means being the best possible they can be.

"If you're not a motivated teacher - passionate about your subject, passionate about being in the classroom - then you shouldn't really be in this profession."

Labour previously said it would insist on all teachers having Qualified Teacher Status, with staff already working in academies given a deadline to acquire a formal qualification.

The plan has not proved popular with teachers. Deputy Secretary General of the National Union of Teacher Kevin Courtney said there had been much reaction on social media.

He told Sky News: "If this turns out to be the same as (previous proposals), that hostility will be there from teachers and won't be supported by the National Union of Teachers.

"We've seen reaction overnight from teachers. There is a large degree of scepticism that Tristram Hunt is going to have to overcome."

A Conservative spokesman said the Government was willing to look any proposals which will "genuinely improve the quality of teaching".

He said: "We have already taken action by allowing heads to remove teachers from the classroom in a term, as opposed to a year previously, and scrapping the three-hour limit on classroom observations.

"We are improving teacher training, expanding Teach First and allowing heads to pay good teachers more.

"Thanks to our reforms, a record proportion of top graduates are entering the profession.

"Fixing the schools system so young people have the skills they need is a key part of our long-term economic plan."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Duggan Vigil: Police Fear Disorder In Tottenham

Protesters plan to "provoke disorder" at a vigil for Mark Duggan in London, police have warned.

Scotland Yard said it had extra officers on standby and would be ready to "intervene immediately" if trouble broke out.

Hundreds of relatives and supporters of the 29-year-old are gathering outside Tottenham police station and have appealed for those taking part to remain peaceful.

Carole Duggan (centre) Carole Duggan calls for "calm" at the vigil

His aunt Carole Duggan told the crowds: "Let's show the country that we are not this gangster family that the media has been systematically portraying us as. Mark was not a gangster ... we are just an ordinary family.

"Please remember we are here to respect Mark. He didn't get justice, but the fight goes on. So please let's do it respectfully and calmly."

The event was arranged in protest against what his family have branded a "perverse" inquest finding that Mr Duggan was lawfully killed by police, despite jurors also finding that he was unarmed when he was fatally shot.

His killing by armed police sparked riots across the country in August 2011.

His aunt added: "What we really want the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) to do now is to do what they should have done in the beginning and that is a thorough investigation ... over 65% of the IPCC members are ex-police, so therefore they are investigating their own people, and I believe that's why Mark did not get the justice that he should have got."

The statement issued by the Metropolitan Police said: "Today is a busy day in the capital and we have a policing operation in place across London.

"This includes having additional officers on standby that could respond to any incident that occurs.

London riots Mark Duggan's killing sparked riots across Britain

"Part of this operation includes assessing all available information and intelligence, and we are aware of a limited amount of information that indicates a small number of people are expressing their desire to use this vigil as an opportunity.

"This information includes the intention of protest groups to attend and of people looking to provoke disorder. We will be ready to intervene immediately if required.

"The family has expressed that they wish this vigil to be held in a dignified and peaceful manner.

"The MPS has met with the organiser to ensure that we can appropriately facilitate their plans."

Tottenham MP David Lammy told Sky News police believed some elements of the "criminal fraternity" wanted to cause trouble at the vigil.

"I am absolutely clear and so are (the police), the people of Tottenham do not want trouble, the family do not want trouble, there's no room for it, no excuses for it and of course the police will have to police this event carefully and safely and ensure we do not see silly scenes on our streets again," he said.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Missing Student Harry Martin: Body Found

Emergency services searching for a student who disappeared after going out to take pictures of stormy seas have found a body.

Harry Martin left his home on January 2 and was last seen walking towards a coastal path near his home in Devon.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed a body had been found in the sea by coastguards.

"We were informed by coastguards at about 10.40 this morning," the force spokesman said.

"I must stress that the body has not been identified at this stage."

The discovery came after the 18-year-old's family and friends began a new search for him, leaving Noss Mayo village hall at 8am this morning.

Police and around 100 members of the public had previously joined searches for the photography student, described as 5ft 11ins, of slim build with short dark hair and blue eyes.

A 20-mile stretch of coastline, 10 miles either side of Harry's home, was also scoured by police and emergency services.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the Urban Search and Rescue Group, Dartmoor Rescue Group, HMCG, the inshore and offshore lifeboats and the rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor were involved.

On Friday, police said the search was moving from "an active stage to a responsive one" after exhaustive searches involving many officers and specialist resources.

Mr Martin had recently started a course in film and TV production at Greenwich University in London but was back home visiting his family for Christmas.


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