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24/11/2010
Other UK News In Brief
Flood Management Proposals Announced
In the wake of the Cornwall floods new proposals, to give local communities a greater say in what is done to protect them from the risks of flooding and coastal erosion, have been announced today. Defra and the Environment Agency have published a consultation on a new national flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy for England which aims to allow greater local involvement in planning and prioritising flood defences. Outlining the new approach at the Environment Agency Annual Conference and Association of British Insurers Flooding Conference, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: “Last week in Cornwall I saw for myself the devastating impact of flooding on families and businesses alike. With more extreme weather patterns predicted in the future, this new strategy will give communities and businesses more power to influence how they are protected, because local involvement means plans and funding can be specifically prioritised and tailored.” At the same time proposals to change the system for allocating money for flood defences are also being published, so that more schemes can get the go ahead. The proposed new funding criteria would mean that more flood defence schemes benefit from some level of Government funding. Those who will directly benefit from the schemes, such as local businesses and community groups, will have the opportunity for further voluntary investment.
Violent Patients Need To Be Identified
Responding to Minister McGimpsey’s statement on the increase of attacks on health and social care staff, British Medical Association (BMA NI) Chairman Dr Paul Darragh has commented: “We echo Minister McGimpsey’s alarm and disgust at the increase of attacks on staff by patients. BMA NI has repeatedly highlighted the unacceptable rise in physical and verbal abuse that doctors and other health care colleagues face in the course of treating patients. There is a personal and financial cost to such attacks. If doctors are injured, then they will be unable to treat the patient and will need to take time off to recover – this impacts directly on patient care and also costs the health service money, money that would be better spent on delivering care.” Dr Darragh continued: “BMA NI is calling for patients with a history of violence to be identified by placing a warning marker on their health record. This information should be shared between all healthcare organisations including primary, secondary and community care organisations, enabling healthcare staff to take appropriate precautions to ensure their own safety”.
Excise Tracking Goes Online
Traders of duty suspended excise goods are reminded this week that they need to switch from paper to the new online Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS) on 1 January 2011. The new system is designed to reduce excise fraud. The current paper system for recording the movement of excise goods will end on 31 December 2010 for most movements of duty suspended excise goods from UK excise warehouses and production premises, after which traders must use EMCS. Kerrie Spendiff, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Deputy Director Excise and Customs, Policy and Processes, said: “The new system will improve the efficiency of document processing and control of the movement of excise duty suspension goods throughout the European Union and in the UK. EMCS will reduce the scope for excise fraud as it will allow Member States, traders and HMRC to monitor movements online in real time. The important thing is that excise traders enrol early to avoid delays and so that everything is in place as soon as possible. I urge businesses that have not yet registered and enrolled for EMCS to do so now.” To use the new system, traders must register online at HMRC. Using EMCS will be compulsory for all movements of duty suspended excise goods in the European Union and in the UK - except for intra-UK movements of energy products and certain intra-UK movements of alcohol and tobacco.
(BMcN/Gk)
In the wake of the Cornwall floods new proposals, to give local communities a greater say in what is done to protect them from the risks of flooding and coastal erosion, have been announced today. Defra and the Environment Agency have published a consultation on a new national flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy for England which aims to allow greater local involvement in planning and prioritising flood defences. Outlining the new approach at the Environment Agency Annual Conference and Association of British Insurers Flooding Conference, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: “Last week in Cornwall I saw for myself the devastating impact of flooding on families and businesses alike. With more extreme weather patterns predicted in the future, this new strategy will give communities and businesses more power to influence how they are protected, because local involvement means plans and funding can be specifically prioritised and tailored.” At the same time proposals to change the system for allocating money for flood defences are also being published, so that more schemes can get the go ahead. The proposed new funding criteria would mean that more flood defence schemes benefit from some level of Government funding. Those who will directly benefit from the schemes, such as local businesses and community groups, will have the opportunity for further voluntary investment.
Violent Patients Need To Be Identified
Responding to Minister McGimpsey’s statement on the increase of attacks on health and social care staff, British Medical Association (BMA NI) Chairman Dr Paul Darragh has commented: “We echo Minister McGimpsey’s alarm and disgust at the increase of attacks on staff by patients. BMA NI has repeatedly highlighted the unacceptable rise in physical and verbal abuse that doctors and other health care colleagues face in the course of treating patients. There is a personal and financial cost to such attacks. If doctors are injured, then they will be unable to treat the patient and will need to take time off to recover – this impacts directly on patient care and also costs the health service money, money that would be better spent on delivering care.” Dr Darragh continued: “BMA NI is calling for patients with a history of violence to be identified by placing a warning marker on their health record. This information should be shared between all healthcare organisations including primary, secondary and community care organisations, enabling healthcare staff to take appropriate precautions to ensure their own safety”.
Excise Tracking Goes Online
Traders of duty suspended excise goods are reminded this week that they need to switch from paper to the new online Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS) on 1 January 2011. The new system is designed to reduce excise fraud. The current paper system for recording the movement of excise goods will end on 31 December 2010 for most movements of duty suspended excise goods from UK excise warehouses and production premises, after which traders must use EMCS. Kerrie Spendiff, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Deputy Director Excise and Customs, Policy and Processes, said: “The new system will improve the efficiency of document processing and control of the movement of excise duty suspension goods throughout the European Union and in the UK. EMCS will reduce the scope for excise fraud as it will allow Member States, traders and HMRC to monitor movements online in real time. The important thing is that excise traders enrol early to avoid delays and so that everything is in place as soon as possible. I urge businesses that have not yet registered and enrolled for EMCS to do so now.” To use the new system, traders must register online at HMRC. Using EMCS will be compulsory for all movements of duty suspended excise goods in the European Union and in the UK - except for intra-UK movements of energy products and certain intra-UK movements of alcohol and tobacco.
(BMcN/Gk)
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24 November 2011
'Questions Remain' Despite Murdoch Jnr Resignation
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23 November 2006
Court rules against online booze and cigarettes purchase
The European Court of Justice has ruled against allowing consumers to purchase alcohol and cigarettes online from other countries to avoid paying UK tax. European judges ruled that customers wishing to take advantage of cheaper goods from other countries would need to bring the goods back themselves.
Court rules against online booze and cigarettes purchase
The European Court of Justice has ruled against allowing consumers to purchase alcohol and cigarettes online from other countries to avoid paying UK tax. European judges ruled that customers wishing to take advantage of cheaper goods from other countries would need to bring the goods back themselves.
24 October 2011
Spanish Flood Tragedy 'Avoidable'
Last night it was claimed that a Spanish flood tragedy could have been avoided if the town council's had not allowed the flood-hit market place, which is situated on a ravine bed, to be covered with asphalt illegally.
Spanish Flood Tragedy 'Avoidable'
Last night it was claimed that a Spanish flood tragedy could have been avoided if the town council's had not allowed the flood-hit market place, which is situated on a ravine bed, to be covered with asphalt illegally.
05 September 2003
Police seize $6bn in suspect bonds and drugs
It has emerged that police have seized suspect US bonds worth £4.4 billion ($6 billion) as part of a major investigation into a Colombian drug trafficking cartel. The bonds, intercepted during raids organised by the national Crime Squad in London and southern England, are currently being examined to see if they are authentic.
Police seize $6bn in suspect bonds and drugs
It has emerged that police have seized suspect US bonds worth £4.4 billion ($6 billion) as part of a major investigation into a Colombian drug trafficking cartel. The bonds, intercepted during raids organised by the national Crime Squad in London and southern England, are currently being examined to see if they are authentic.
14 December 2005
Dedicated ITV News Channel axed
ITV has announced that following a "strategic review" it is to invest £2 million in its news programming but the axe has fallen on its 24-hour rolling ITV News Channel. The company said that the decision came after a review of the network’s news services as part of an evaluation of the future requirements for ITV news up to 2010 and beyond.
Dedicated ITV News Channel axed
ITV has announced that following a "strategic review" it is to invest £2 million in its news programming but the axe has fallen on its 24-hour rolling ITV News Channel. The company said that the decision came after a review of the network’s news services as part of an evaluation of the future requirements for ITV news up to 2010 and beyond.
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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.
