Benefit Cheat ‘Hit Squads’ Planned

The Chancellor George Osborne has announced the formation of ‘hit squads’ aimed at catching benefit fraudsters. As part of the wide ranging spending review which is due to be published in the next week, these squads will operate in areas where benefit fraud is most prevalent, with caught repeat offenders having their benefits cut off for up to four years. Osborne compared benefit thieves to muggers in interview with the News of the World, stating “a welfare cheat is no different from someone who comes up and robs you in the street.” It is estimated that benefit and tax fraud costs the government £1.5bn per year; these new proactive tactics will aim to reduce this figure considerably.

Murray to face Federer in Shanghai final

In front of a packed 15,000 crowd, Andy Murray convincingly swept aside Juan Monaco 6-4, 6-1 yesterday to book his place in the Shanghai Masters final opposite Roger Federer. Federer seems to be back on form as he displaced Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-4. But Murray is relishing another opportunity to face Federer in a final, saying “I really enjoy playing Roger. It’s a great experience every time you get to play against him.” While Murray has lost to Federer when it really counts in two Grand Slam finals he has proven himself more than capable of matching him beating the Swiss in Toronto this summer with a more aggressive attitude.

20%
off

Daily deal: Full Day Golf Masterclass with a PGA Pro

Red Letter Days offer great experiences for attractive prices. They now offer a golf lesson
with a Marriott PGA golf pro, covering set up and basic swing techniques at intermediate level. Performance analysis by video or Explanar, a unique swing training system. After lunch (included), practice chipping, bunker play and putting. Free email golf help service after your experience. Lessons are offered throughout the UK and take around 6,5 hours. // Buy now
normal price £125today £100

West Brom 2nd half comeback gains them a point against Man U

Manchester United has recorded another draw in the Premiership with a 2-2 result against West Bromwich Albion. Ferguson’s team headed in at half time with a two goal advantage; however, an Evra own goal five minutes into the second half followed by a blunder by keeper Van Der Sar from a pedestrian cross allowed Tchoyi to level the teams. This brings Man U’s number of draws in the league to 5 out of 8 games. While they are yet to suffer a loss the Reds are having trouble doing what they normally do best, clinically finishing off games.

Three peers face suspension over expenses abuse

Three House of Lords peers have been investigated by the subcommittee for Lord’s interests over expenses claims. The three face suspension and the repayment of tens of thousands of pounds. Those facing charges include Baroness Uddin, a Labour peer, who is set to be suspended from 12-18 months and required to payback £125,000 in wrongly claimed expenses; Lord Paul, another Labour peer, faces a suspicion of 4-6 months and the repayment of £40,000; and Lord Bhatia, a cross-bencher, has been recommended for a ban of between 6-12 months and the return of £27,000. A statement is to be released tomorrow by the House of Lords officially censuring the three.

Channel 4 claim train fares could rise by 40% over the next four years

Channel 4 claims that the annual rise of train fares, now currently at one percent above inflation, could soon be increased by the Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond to three or even five percent, leading to train fares being hiked up by 40% over the next four years. Hammond has informed rail operating companies that the formula by which fares are regulated might have to be altered. Any increase in fares would not go to the rail companies however, but the government. Hammond has of yet to make an official statement on the subject but all will be released later this week in George Osborne’s highly anticipated spending review.

Susan Boyle releases autobiography ‘The Woman I Was Born To Be’

The Scottish singer Susan Boyle has launched her autobiography ‘The Woman I Was Born To Be’ in London accompanied by a crowd of adoring fans. The publishers of her autobiography describe it as the “story of her life and the challenges she has struggled to overcome with faith, fortitude, and an unfailing sense of humour.” Boyle shot to overnight fame after appearing on Britain’s Got Talent, wowing viewers around the world. Her first album I Dreamed A Dream was received worldwide success. Her new album The Gift is due out next month and is a sure big seller.

Goodone’s recycled fashion range to hit Topshop

The recycled fashion brand Goodone is to release it latest range of dresses and aran bomber jackets in Topshop stores on Friday. The new range is made from an eclectic mix of old jumpers and T-shirts, cashmere scraps, and bits of leather collected from factory floors. But many customers will be unaware of the content that has gone into creating the new range. The fashion company claims they don’t need to compromise on the design by using recycled material, “It’s just knowing when and how to use the new material.” They have also included some new knitted fabrics, zips, and ribbing to make a more viably standardized product. The range will also go on sale at Yoox.com, an ethical clothing retailer.

Christmas shortage fears begin as Microsoft Kinect supplied already running low

Short supplies of Microsoft’s new Kinect controller-free games system, previously known as Project Natal, has begun to spark fears of running out of stock for the Christmas shopping rush. Some stores such as Game and Play.com have already run out of their pre-ordered allocation. The new gaming system utilizes a camera connected to the Xbox 360 gaming console which captures a players movement. It is expected to be one of the festive season’s top sellers. While the gaming system is considerably more expensive than the corresponding Nintendo Wii, costing around £130 alone, Microsoft claims that demand has been “exceptionally high” and that they are working hard to ensure enough units of the new system are available for those who want one.

M&S offering men’s pants with ‘frontal enhancement’

Marks and Spencer have already released, with much success, padded ‘2 sizes bigger’ bras. Now they are taking their range of enhancing underwear into the men’s department with two new developments in the pants world. What they are calling “frontal enhancement” pants are soon to hit the shelves which will give men an illusionary boost in the groin. The company has promoted these pants as offering men a greater “side profile” which will “shape and enhance your silhouette.” If that was not enough, a range of “bum lift” pants to perk up saggy behinds, creating a “visually sculptured look”, is also to be released. Soon the age old technique of sock stuffing will be redundant.

Ministry of Justice to lose considerable funding in the finance budget

A document leaked to the Observer has revealed that the Ministry of Justice could be facing a reduction of 30% as part of the comprehensive budgetary cuts to be officially released on Wednesday. The massive cuts in the justice system will affect the number of people in prison, cut legal aid in divorce and family law cases, and see the closure of up to 150 courts in England. The document lists asset sales of £845m which has raised suspicion that this figure will be achieved by selling off prisons once the volume of prisoners in the system has been reduced, a figure currently believed to be around 6,000. The coalition government has denied this speculation.

Liverpool finally close deal

The sale of Liverpool Football Club to Boston Red Sox owner John Henry has finally been completed for £300m amid months of uncertainty. Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton commented on the last minute deal, saying “As every Liverpool fan knows, the most nerve-racking way to win a match is by a penalty shoot-out.” The old owners Hicks and Gillett went out stubbornly claiming they were the victims of an “epic swindle”. But today Liverpool fans will be glad that the issue has finally been resolved and the club can look forward to the more important task of picking up points in the league.

Cameron cuts the defence budget further

The finalized budget for the Ministry of Defence has been completed and will be published in the next week. The BBC reports that the budget was reduced further by Prime Minister David Cameron’s intervention, from the initial proposed 7% to 10%. In defense of worries expressed over the cuts, including comments made by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the MoD suggest that this will not affect the volume of British troops; rather the savings will me made in other areas such as the Trident program. Cameron commented on the budget cuts claiming that the Ministry of Defence should have “enough money to do their job”.

previous day