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29/09/2010
Other UK News In Brief
Four Jailed Attempting To Defraud Vulnerable
Four men have been jailed at Maidstone Crown Court after attempting to defraud vulnerable elderly people of thousands of pounds. The scam was identified following an operation by the Met's London Crime Squad in conjunction with Trading Standards Regional Fraud Unit (Scambusters). The defendants all pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation when they appeared at the court during an earlier hearing. Peter Gilheney, 27, from Romford, was sentenced to a total of seven years imprisonment while James Casey, 30, from Potters Bar, was sentenced to two years. Both Patrick O'Driscoll, 36, from Potters Bar and Francis Dunne, 24, from London, were sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment. They were arrested by the Met's London Crime Squad who had carried out an undercover investigation after receiving intelligence that the gang were targeting the homes of elderly vulnerable people, falsely claiming that they required urgent and expensive repair work to their properties.
Hazard Healthcheck To Benefit West Yorkshire Workers
More than 500 businesses in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield will be the focus of an intensive two-week safety push when the Health and Safety Executive joins forces with local councils to carry out a hazard healthcheck. Twenty-four workers were fatally injured at work and 2,840 received major injuries in the Yorkshire & Humber region during 2008/09. From Monday 4 October HSE and local authority inspectors will be visiting businesses to see first-hand what health and safety practices are in place to protect employees and to ensure that relevant legislation is being followed. John Rowe, a Principal Inspector for the Health and Safety Executive, said: “This targeted inspection campaign involves HSE and local councils working together to really make a difference. Companies will be given the support and advice they need to turn their workplaces into safer, healthier working environments for the benefit of their employees and members if the public. However, we won’t hesitate to take enforcement action should we come across any significant safety breaches putting people at real risk.”
Swine Flu Patients Benefited From Tamiflu, Says Study
A study in China has concluded that healthy people who caught swine flu during the 2009 pandemic may have been protected against developing pneumonia by taking the antiviral drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir). The researchers show that oseltamivir treatment was associated with shorter duration of fever and viral RNA shedding (the period when a virus is contagious), although they stress that their findings should be interpreted with caution. In 2009, pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus spread rapidly, resulting in millions of cases and over 18,000 deaths in over 200 countries. Trials carried out on seasonal flu viruses have shown that taking antiviral drugs within 48 hours of symptom onset can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms, and possibly the risk of complications. However, the extent to which antivirals may benefit otherwise healthy individuals with mild 2009 H1N1 infection, remains unknown. Researchers encourage the continuing investigation into the effectiveness of antiviral treatment “to allow for improvement both in clinical treatment and public health guidance.”
(BMcN)
Four men have been jailed at Maidstone Crown Court after attempting to defraud vulnerable elderly people of thousands of pounds. The scam was identified following an operation by the Met's London Crime Squad in conjunction with Trading Standards Regional Fraud Unit (Scambusters). The defendants all pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation when they appeared at the court during an earlier hearing. Peter Gilheney, 27, from Romford, was sentenced to a total of seven years imprisonment while James Casey, 30, from Potters Bar, was sentenced to two years. Both Patrick O'Driscoll, 36, from Potters Bar and Francis Dunne, 24, from London, were sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment. They were arrested by the Met's London Crime Squad who had carried out an undercover investigation after receiving intelligence that the gang were targeting the homes of elderly vulnerable people, falsely claiming that they required urgent and expensive repair work to their properties.
Hazard Healthcheck To Benefit West Yorkshire Workers
More than 500 businesses in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield will be the focus of an intensive two-week safety push when the Health and Safety Executive joins forces with local councils to carry out a hazard healthcheck. Twenty-four workers were fatally injured at work and 2,840 received major injuries in the Yorkshire & Humber region during 2008/09. From Monday 4 October HSE and local authority inspectors will be visiting businesses to see first-hand what health and safety practices are in place to protect employees and to ensure that relevant legislation is being followed. John Rowe, a Principal Inspector for the Health and Safety Executive, said: “This targeted inspection campaign involves HSE and local councils working together to really make a difference. Companies will be given the support and advice they need to turn their workplaces into safer, healthier working environments for the benefit of their employees and members if the public. However, we won’t hesitate to take enforcement action should we come across any significant safety breaches putting people at real risk.”
Swine Flu Patients Benefited From Tamiflu, Says Study
A study in China has concluded that healthy people who caught swine flu during the 2009 pandemic may have been protected against developing pneumonia by taking the antiviral drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir). The researchers show that oseltamivir treatment was associated with shorter duration of fever and viral RNA shedding (the period when a virus is contagious), although they stress that their findings should be interpreted with caution. In 2009, pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus spread rapidly, resulting in millions of cases and over 18,000 deaths in over 200 countries. Trials carried out on seasonal flu viruses have shown that taking antiviral drugs within 48 hours of symptom onset can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms, and possibly the risk of complications. However, the extent to which antivirals may benefit otherwise healthy individuals with mild 2009 H1N1 infection, remains unknown. Researchers encourage the continuing investigation into the effectiveness of antiviral treatment “to allow for improvement both in clinical treatment and public health guidance.”
(BMcN)
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17 February 2015
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
09 September 2008
Justice Secretary Suggests Offenders Get Building Work
Scottish Labour's Community Safety Spokesman has accused the Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill of a "headline grabbing stunt" after he suggested offenders may get building work.
Justice Secretary Suggests Offenders Get Building Work
Scottish Labour's Community Safety Spokesman has accused the Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill of a "headline grabbing stunt" after he suggested offenders may get building work.
28 May 2004
RNLI urges care on bank holiday after busy weekend
Last weekend was the busiest of 2004 with RNLI lifeboats launching 80 times to help adults and children in distress throughout the UK and Ireland. RNLI lifeguards and volunteer lifeboat crews do not want to see a repeat of 2003, when they responded to a record number of incidents.
RNLI urges care on bank holiday after busy weekend
Last weekend was the busiest of 2004 with RNLI lifeboats launching 80 times to help adults and children in distress throughout the UK and Ireland. RNLI lifeguards and volunteer lifeboat crews do not want to see a repeat of 2003, when they responded to a record number of incidents.
17 August 2005
Government recommends care home changes
A Government's action plan to improve the quality of care home services has been welcomed as a "positive response" by the OFT. However, consumer group 'Which?' prompted the original OFT inquiry, has criticised the proposed reforms as "vague" and called for more detail to be included.
Government recommends care home changes
A Government's action plan to improve the quality of care home services has been welcomed as a "positive response" by the OFT. However, consumer group 'Which?' prompted the original OFT inquiry, has criticised the proposed reforms as "vague" and called for more detail to be included.
09 October 2015
UK Construction Output Falls In August
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed a fall in construction output for the month of August. In August 2015, output in the UK's construction industry dropped by 4.3% compared with July 2015. Compared with August 2014, it fell by 1.3%, its first year-on-year fall since May 2013. All new work declined by 3.
UK Construction Output Falls In August
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed a fall in construction output for the month of August. In August 2015, output in the UK's construction industry dropped by 4.3% compared with July 2015. Compared with August 2014, it fell by 1.3%, its first year-on-year fall since May 2013. All new work declined by 3.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
