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Same-sex couples in the UK can tie the knot

Same-sex weddings in England and Wales will take place from March 2014, equalities minister Maria Miller has announced yesterday.

The date for the change in legislation to come into effect, which is March 29, is a few months earlier than expected at the time of the passage of the Marriage Act in July.

In fact, it was thought that same-sex couples would have to wait until next summer to tie the knot .

“This is just another step in the evolution of marriage and I know many couples up and down the country will be hugely excited they can now plan their big day,” Ms Miller said.

Both deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband hailed the announcement by equalities minister.

Ms Miller said she is currently working hard to ensure couples wishing to convert civil partnerships into marriages and married people wanting to change their legal gender while married, can do so before the end of 2014.

Westminster Council alone has already received two same-sex wedding bookings and 15 enquiries after the announcement.

Those couples who want to be among the first married will need to give formal notice of their will by March 13.

China's plan to help Britain build HS2

China will help Britain build the controversial high-speed rail link between Surrey and Hertfordshire via central London.
 

Chinese premier Li Keqiang made the announcement after talks with David Cameron, who is back from a three-day trip to promote UK business in China.

The project, also known as High Speed 2 (HS2), is meant to provide extra capacity on the rail network as well as bringing cities closer together with high-speed trains.

The British Prime Minister has declared to welcome any potential Chinese involvement in HS2.

“An open Britain is the ideal partner for an opening China. No country in the world is more open to Chinese investment than the UK,” he said.

Over the past five years China has built the largest high-speed rail network in the world covering nearly 6,000 miles of track and is now attempting to sell its technologies to several foreign countries. 

British transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin had already visited Beijing to hold talks with the Chinese government in October.

Numerous Members of Parliament from both political wings have signalled their opposition to High Speed 2 project on economic, environmental and transport grounds.

They said that the current £ 50 billion plus price tag on HS2 would fund a large number of worthwhile projects if it was scrapped.

The opposition also raised safety concerns following a Chinese railway crash which killed at least 40 people in 2011.

The accident does not appear to be deterrent for the British Government.

Mr Cameron, in fact, is “proud of Chinese investment”.

Moreover, the economic giant, wants to push for progress in the co-operation on nuclear power, willing to purchase equities and stocks in the UK power projects.

British PM added he will be pushing for a comprehensive EU/China trade deal.

UK's strict mode

Prime Minister David Cameron urges Tory MPs and European leaders to back his campaign to tackle a wave of Romanian and Bulgarian immigration. 

The PM has announced his intention to limit migrants’ rights to benefits, as he struggles to meet overwhelming demand for action on immigration from the European Union.

The moves come amid concerns raised by an expected influx of Bulgarians and Romanians, who will gain the right to live and work in the UK once restrictions on their movements in the EU are lifted on January 1.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics have recently revealed that the number of immigrants from poorer EU states to the UK rose to nearly 60,000 in the first-half of 2013, compared to around 41,000 a year earlier.

Government cannot guarantee everyone a job.

Mr Cameron’s new welfare rules include barring newcomers from claiming benefits for three months and stopping payments if they do not get a job within six months.

Also, people found begging or sleeping rough could be deported of barred from re-entry for 12 months.

European employment commissioner Laszlo Andor warned that Mr Cameron’s measures risk presenting the UK as the nasty country in the European Union, and should therefore be revised. He defined the Prime Minister's proposal "an unfortunate over-reaction”.

Conservative MP John Baron said:” The problem with tinkering with benefits is that it will get bogged down in the EU bureaucracy and will require lots of implementation”.

David Cameron also faces a coalition split after Liberal Democrats said blocking benefits could put the UK on the wrong side of the EU.

Interns join forces with the HMRC

Interns all over the UK have been rebelling against unpaid or expenses-only internships for more than four years.

The website of Interns Anonymous, a group which has joined forces with Intern Aware and Internocracy, says that “It’s naked exploitation to be asked to work for nothing. It’s modern-day slavery”.

Last week HMRevenue and Customs (HMRC) has finally pledged to check that companies advertising internships are paying the minimum wage to young people, after having targeted 200 employers who recently advertised for free labour.

The Government believes that anyone considered a worker under the law should be paid at least the minimum wage, which is currently set at £5.03 an hours for 18-to-20-year-olds, rising to £6.31 for those aged 21 and over.

Talking about both interns and people on work experience, employment minister Jo Swinson said: ”Not paying the national minimum wage is illegal and if an employer breaks the law, the government will take tough action”.

A new Government's project is currently helping young people understanding what rights they have over pay, as well as where to go if they feel they are being exploited by the companies they are working for.

 

Troubled 111 helpline caused a rise in ambulance calls

The NHS 111 helpline has not delivered the expected system benefits so far.

The 24 hour freephone service, which was launched in some parts of England in April 2013 to reduce 999 calls, A&E admissions or use of urgent care centres, has failed to cope with demand.

The 111 helpline is run by non-medical staff with support from nurse advisers and was designed to replace NHS Direct and deal with urgent but ‘not life threatening’ health issues.

However, technical failures and inadequate staffing levels led to a long waiting time which has caused a 2.9 per cent rise in ambulance calls.

Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS medical director, called for an enhanced 111 service, as up to 1 million emergency admissions were avoidable last year.

He pointed out that staff should have access to medical records to give tailored advice, while a wide range of health professionals, such as paramedics and doctors, were needed.

Staff would also be able to book appointments at A&E, whenever appropriate.

“The A&E is creaking at the seams. It is not broken but it is struggling,” Sir Keogh said.

In fact, A&E is currently struggling to meet government targets all over the UK.

According to a recent London Assembly’s report, this year more than half of London’s major A&E departments have failed to meet the ‘within four hours’ waiting time targets at least 50 per cent of the time.

Figures also reveal that more than 10,000 patients spent 12 hours or more in casualty units last year.

Pudsey stops at St Pancras International



Pudsey Bear at Teddy bear Picnic - St. Pancras.
Picture: Federica Tedeschi


Usually crowded St Pancras International was today characterised by a relaxing atmosphere to host the first Pudsey’s FamilyFun Day.

This fun-fuelled activity day, offering a giant Pudsey bear picnic, treasure hunt, drawing sessions and face-painting activities,  just to mentioned a few, is part of great fundraising events that communities, schools, workplaces and individuals are organising in their local areas to support Children in Need.

Hundreds of families today gathered in St Pancras International to take part to this brand new event tailored just for little ones.

Lorraine Siery, a mother-of-three from London, said: ”The event looks fantastic and my daughters are really enjoying it”.

Evangeline, 6, Imogene, 5 and youngest sibling Eleonore, 3 got Pudsey stickers, their faces painted and Ms Siery bought them Pudsey headbands and a Bear toy, as well.

Children in Need, that started in 1980, is a very popular fundraising event across the UK, with people dressing up in Pudsey Bear fancy dress outfits, baking Pudsey Bear cookies for sale and buying the official charity merchandise in support of the causes they help.

“I think that Pudsey’s Family Fun Day is a good way for the kids to realise that many other children are not so lucky.

“Next week the BBC TVshow is on and my daughters will be happy to watch it, as they already know Pudsey Bear. I believe they will be more involved because of today’s event”, Ms Siery added.

 

St Pancras’ passers-by can visit the VIP collection of Pudsey Bears, that will be on display at until November 17.