Parents see 'childcare costs rise'

30 January 2014 Last updated at 18:20

Parents see 'significant' rise in childcare costs

By Patrick Howse BBC News, Education reporter

Four out of five families used some form of childcare last year

There has been a "significant increase" in the average amount spent by families on childcare in England each week, according to an official survey.

However parents also reported a fall in hourly costs for day nurseries and childminders in 2013, the study found.

While almost half of those surveyed said they found it easy or very easy to meet their childcare costs, 27% said it was "difficult" or "very difficult".

A majority of parents said the quality of available childcare was good.

The report says families in England paid an average of £54 a week for childcare in 2013, compared with £47 the year before, but it suggests that could be because they are using it more.

The study found that on average parents were paying 30p an hour less for day nursery care, and 60p an hour less for childminders in the year to June 2013.

The most expensive type of childcare was a nanny or au pair costing on average £202 a week, and the cheapest was breakfast clubs, costing £14 a week.

While 42% of parents felt there were enough childcare places in their local area, 30% thought there were not.

The wide-ranging study measured the perceptions and opinions of parents in England, and projected that more than four million families used childcare, involving more than six million children.

Lower hourly costs

The government highlighted the fall in hourly rates for nurseries and childminders.

Education Minister Liz Truss said it was "great to see that parents are reporting lower costs for the most popular forms of childcare."

"It is also good to see that more parents on low incomes have access to after-school clubs and other childcare," she said.

The Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (Pacey) had a more cautious interpretation of the figures.

"This report provides yet more evidence that childcare cost and accessibility remain a significant challenge for many families," said Pacey's chief executive Liz Bayram.

"Whilst the data on hourly rates indicates a reduction in cost, we know from other research that the overall, real costs of childcare are increasing," she said.

"Our members are also telling us that many families are choosing to reduce their total childcare hours in response to increased costs."

'Deprived areas'

The survey found that the numbers of children in formal childcare rose from 38% to 44% for the most deprived areas in the year to 2013, and from 48% to 54% in areas "in the middle of the deprivation distribution".

The proportion of mothers in employment increased from 60% in 2011-12 to 64% the following year.

The Department for Education paid for the survey, which was conducted by Ipsos Mori.

More than six thousand parents in England with children under 15 were interviewed between November 2012 and June 2013.

Interviews were conducted face-to-face in parents' homes and lasted around three-quarters of an hour.

The survey has been conducted annually for more than 10 years.

This latest study found that 62% of children aged four and under received childcare while their parents worked, looked for work, or studied.

"We want to see greater choice and flexibility for parents," said Ms Truss, "which is why it is encouraging that more parents are finding childcare to suit their work commitments."

"We are encouraging school nurseries to open from 08:00 to 18:00 and offer more flexible hours for part-time workers," Ms Truss said.

"It is also why we are establishing Childminder Agencies to increase the number of childminders and cutting red tape for nurseries to enable good ones to expand."

The Department for Education also points out that it has increased free education for all three and four-year-olds from 12.5 to 15 hours a week, and extended support to two-year-olds from low-income families.

Labour says the government should go further.

Lucy Powell, the shadow minister for childcare and children, said the figures "underline the strain that David Cameron's childcare crunch is having on family life".

She said Labour wanted an extension of free early education for three and four-year-olds with parents in work from 15 to 25 hours, which she said would be worth £1,500 per child.

Police control room cuts go ahead

30 January 2014 Last updated at 18:03

Police Scotland control room cuts go ahead

The restructurings are intended to save money and improve efficiency

Proposals to cut the number of police control rooms in Scotland have been approved by the Scottish Police Authority.

The plan will see two control rooms in Aberdeen close, along with those in Stirling, Dumfries, Glenrothes and Pitt Street in Glasgow.

A total of almost 1,500 police officers and civilian staff are currently employed in the control rooms.

Police Scotland has said there will be no compulsory redundancies.

The decision follows the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board agreeing to close five of its control rooms.

Under the plan put forward by Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House, five of the force's 11 sites will be retained.

Motherwell and Govan will now form a West Area Control centre, with Bilston Glen near Edinburgh given responsibility for the East Command Area and Dundee the North Area Command.

Inverness will lose its police control room but will instead become the new hub for the command and control of major incidents and national events anywhere in the country, equipped with new communications systems.

A National Virtual Service Centre will be split between Govan, Motherwell and Bilston Glen.

But Dumfries will close in April 2014, Stirling in December 2014, Glenrothes in March 2015, Pitt Street in March 2015 and Aberdeen in December 2015.

Affected civilian staff will be offered redeployment, voluntary redundancy or early retirement, with a "phased consultation" with unions and staff to be carried out.

The control rooms deal with emergency 999 calls and calls to the non-emergency 101 number.

Police Scotland has argued the changes will reduce costs and improve efficiency, but the proposals have been politically controversial with campaigns being mounted in several areas - including Dumfries and Aberdeen - to save the local facilities.

'Considering the impact'

Staff at the Dumfries police control room have said they were left "in a state of bewilderment and shock" by the proposals, and warned the removal of call handlers in the area with local knowledge could cost lives.

The 34 staff had written a joint letter to the board members and chairman of the SPA calling for a full public consultation to take place before any decision was made.

Before the decision was made, SPA chairman Vic Emery said: "We recognise that this is a complex and sensitive proposal which has long-term implications for the organisation of policing, and the service's engagement with local communities. We have received a number of representations from staff and other interested parties since the proposals were published last week and these will inform the board's consideration of the issue.

"Before taking a decision on whether this strategic proposal is progressed, SPA members will ensure that the rationale behind this proposal is well evidenced, that the delivery plan is sound, and that the outcomes will deliver service benefits for all parts of Scotland.

"That will clearly include considering the impact of the proposals on our people, both officers and staff, and how that will be managed."

A spokesman for Police Scotland said staff would have opportunities to raise any issues in the consultation.

The fire service board earlier approved plans to reduce the number of control rooms, which handle emergency calls, from eight to three.

Those being lost are in Aberdeen, Inverness, Dumfries, Fife and Falkirk, while Johnstone in Renfrewshire, Edinburgh and Dundee will remain open.

DUP anger over 'gay suicides' claim

30 January 2014 Last updated at 17:58

DUP confronts QUB academic over 'gay suicides' claim

Jim Wells said he had seen an email written by Dr Graham Ellison

The DUP says it has made a formal complaint against an academic who wrote an email claiming the party may have been responsible for gay and lesbian young people killing themselves.

A DUP MLA confronted Dr Graham Ellison of Queen's University at a meeting of the Stormont justice committee.

The meeting concerned a Bill on human trafficking, sponsored by a DUP MLA.

Jim Wells said he had seen an email written by Dr Ellison to a woman who had given evidence for the Bill.

If the Bill, sponsored by Lord Morrow, is passed, it would make it illegal to pay for sex in Northern Ireland.

In the email, Dr Ellison said: "Why have you hooked yourself up to that lot in the DUP? Have you any idea what they stand for in terms of social issues around women's rights; women's reproductive rights issues and so forth?

"In terms of gay and lesbian politics that I have an interest in, they are one of the most repressive and socially backward parties you could imagine."

Mr Wells said in the email Dr Ellison, who admits writing it, used a swear word that he would not repeat in public.

But the email said: "Who knows how many gays and lesbian young people in Northern Ireland have committed suicide because of this bloody party.

"I could also remember not long ago, five or six years, that the party, i.e. the DUP, was claiming that rape within marriage was impossible. They are simply latching onto this idea about sex that it is grounded in biblical teaching and not in feminist theory."

He put it to the academic, who is a member of the QUB's School of Law, that his opposition to the clause in the Bill banning prostitution was because of his prejudice again the DUP.

Dr Ellison replied: "Actually, it is nothing of the sort."

He said he was trying to reason with the woman believing he could "talk her round".

He denied the content of the email was abusive and claimed there was an "element of moral crusade" behind the Bill.

Dr Ellison said he was not convinced that the Trafficking Bill was "in the best interests of the country".

Veil row woman in court plea u-turn

30 January 2014 Last updated at 17:40

Veiled woman admits charge after jury is dismissed

Rebekah Dawson admitted intimidating a witness

A Muslim woman on trial for witness intimidation has admitted the charge, after a jury failed to reach a verdict.

Rebekah Dawson, 22, had declined to give evidence after being told she had to remove her face veil.

The jury at Blackfriars Crown Court was discharged when they failed to reach a verdict following 12 hours of deliberations.

After a short delay Dawson returned to court and admitted the charge, which she had previously denied.

Religious beliefs

Dawson, of Hackney, east London, admitted intimidating a security guard at the Finsbury Park mosque in north London in June.

Judge Peter Murphy ruled in September that Dawson could wear her niqab in court but said she would have to let the jury of five women and seven men see her face if she gave evidence.

She had said it was against her religious beliefs to show her face to men.

Earlier in the trial, the judge warned jurors to put aside any feelings they might have about her appearance because it would have nothing to do with the case.

The jury also failed to reach a verdict in the case of her brother Matthias Dawson, 32, who faced the same charge of witness intimidation.

Prosecutor Kate Wilkinson said the crown would offer no evidence against him following his sister's guilty plea and he walked free from court.

VIDEO: Reading the web in augmented reality

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Prototype lets users read the web in augmented reality

30 January 2014 Last updated at 00:09 GMT

A researcher at University College London has developed a prototype augmented reality system which enables users to interact with virtual objects, avatars and websites.

The system, developed by William Steptoe, uses a head-mounted display and panels fitted to the hands to insert virtual objects into the room in which you sit or stand.

In this demonstration he uses the technology to interact with objects around him and brings up tablet-like displays to get online.

The system has been developed as part of a joint research initiative established by UCL and BBC Research & Development.

Video journalist: Neil Bowdler

Verdicts due in Knox murder trial

30 January 2014 Last updated at 17:37

Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito: Verdicts due at retrial

Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito are seen here in 2011 when they were acquitted

A court in Italy is due to announce new appeal verdicts for two people accused of the murder of UK student Meredith Kercher in 2007.

US citizen Amanda Knox and her former Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were acquitted of the crime on appeal in 2011, after four years in custody.

But that ruling was dismissed as flawed last year by the supreme court, and a new appeal ordered.

A verdict is now expected some time after 19:00 GMT.

Ms Knox has not returned to Italy for the case. She and Mr Sollecito say they are innocent.

The court in Florence heard from Ms Knox's defence team in the morning before the two judges and eight jurors retired to deliberate on a verdict.

Summing up, Ms Knox's lawyer, Carlo Dalla Vedova, told the court her innocence was "rock-solid and it allows us to await the verdict with serenity".

If Ms Knox and Mr Sollecito are convicted again, they can lodge appeals with the supreme court, which will have the final say. But it could take a year to make a ruling, experts say.

The supreme court overturned their acquittals last March after an appeal by prosecutors, who argued that important DNA evidence had been disregarded.

Prosecutors are asking for 26-year prison terms for the pair on the murder charge.

But if Ms Knox is convicted, Italy may face a legal battle to extradite her from the US.

'DNA doubts'

Ms Kercher, from Coulsdon in south London and 21 at the time, was found with her throat cut in a flat she shared with Ms Knox in the college city of Perugia, in the central region of Umbria.

The Meredith Kercher murder retrial explained - in 60 seconds

Rudy Guede from the Ivory Coast was convicted of her murder at a separate trial and sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Prosecutors sought to prove Ms Kercher had died in a sex game involving Ms Knox and Mr Sollecito that had gone wrong.

Prosecutors have since alleged that the murder resulted from a heated argument over cleanliness in the Perugia apartment.

Arrested days after the murder, Ms Knox and Mr Sollecito were tried and convicted in November 2009.

In 2011, an eight-member jury cleared both defendants of Ms Kercher's murder after doubts were raised over procedures used to gather DNA evidence.

Raffaele Sollecito, who denies the charges, is in court for the hearing

Ordering a retrial last year, the supreme court moved proceedings from Umbria to Florence, in the northern region of Tuscany.

Mr Sollecito, 29, is present at the Florence court for the verdict. If he is reconvicted, the court could ask for him to be arrested or placed under a travel ban pending the supreme court's decision.

He told the court in November that it made "no real sense" for him to have committed "such an atrocious act".

Ms Kercher's brother Lyle and sister Stephanie were also expected to be present when the verdict is read out.

Cameron plans fresh push on web data

30 January 2014 Last updated at 17:27

David Cameron wants fresh push on communications data

By Alex Hunt Politics editor, BBC News website

David Cameron wants a fresh push after the next election to "modernise" laws to allow monitoring of people's online activity, after admitting there was little chance of progress before then.

The prime minister told a parliamentary committee that gathering communications data was "politically contentious" but was vital to keep citizens safe.

He said TV crime dramas illustrated the value of monitoring mobile data.

A communications data bill was dropped last year after Lib Dem objections.

The idea of the bill was to update the law to allow government access to details of who called who, when and where - although ministers said it would not cover the content of calls.

It would also have extended laws to cover new online forms of communication, such as internet-based phone services like Skype, and there were some suggestions it could also give intelligence services real time access to the data.

'Raised questions'

Critics called it a "snooper's charter", as they had when the previous Labour government floated a similar plan. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who had initially backed the idea of a bill, said the finalised proposals "went too far".

The subsequent Edward Snowden revelations about the data being gathered secretly by US and UK intelligence services led to the proposed bill dropping down the agenda.

Mr Cameron told the cross-party Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy that he did not think the public reaction to Snowden's revelations about secret US data surveillance programmes had been the same as the media reaction.

He said it had "raised questions about who has access to my data and why".

But, added the prime minister, the "sense" he had was that British public's attitude to the revelations was that they showed the intelligence services were doing their job of keeping people safe.

He said: "Over time we are going to have modernise the legislative framework and practice when it comes to dealing with communications data.

"It's obviously politically quite a contentious topic. I'm not sure we'll make progress on it in the coming months in terms of legislation - there may be some things short of legislation which we can do."

He said politicians, police chiefs, the intelligence services all had to explain why changes were needed.

Edward Snowden currently lives in Russia

"In the most serious crimes [such as] child abduction communications data... is absolutely vital. I love watching, as I probably should stop telling people, crime dramas on the television. There's hardly a crime drama where a crime is solved without using the data of a mobile communications device."

"What we have to explain to people is that... if we don't modernise the practice and the law, over time we will have the communications data to solve these horrible crimes on a shrinking proportion of the total use of devices and that is a real problem for keeping people safe.

"W have got to make this explanation very clearly, really get it out to people and then build, perhaps at the start of the next Parliament, a cross party case for sensible legislation to deal with this issue.

"I think it is possible, but I think it is going to take a lot of work by politicians across parties to try to take the civil liberties concerns seriously, but get them in proportion so we can make some progress."

Woman dies as escalator tugs scarf

30 January 2014 Last updated at 17:02

Woman dies as escalator catches her scarf on Montreal Metro

Montreal Metro has 68 stations on four lines

A commuter has died after her scarf was caught in an escalator at a Montreal Metro station.

The woman, said to be in her 30s, was found dead at the bottom of the moving staircase at Fabre station in the north of the Canadian city.

Her hair was also apparently caught in the escalator in Thursday morning's incident.

Montreal police said they would work with the coroner's office to determine the circumstances of the fatality.

Police spokesman Jean-Pierre Brabant told reporters: "What we know now is that the woman's scarf was caught in the escalator.

"When she bent over to try to get the scarf out, her hair was also caught."

VIDEO: Cameron: Communications data vital

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Cameron: Communications data absolutely vital

30 January 2014 Last updated at 17:05 GMT

David Cameron says it is crucial to modernise legislation regarding communications data, or face "a real problem... keeping people safe."

He told the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy that in most serious crimes "who called who and when... the communications data is absolutely vital."

But he said that as more people used internet phone services as well as, or instead of, landlines and mobile phones there was a risk of that data being unavailable.

Read more

NSA-GCHQ Snowden leaks: A glossary of the key terms

Q&A: Communications Data Bill

VIDEO: On front line with Kiev protesters

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Ukraine unrest: On front line with Kiev protesters

30 January 2014 Last updated at 12:08 GMT

Protesters in Ukraine have rejected the terms of a new amnesty law aimed at ending the country's unrest.

Parliament backed an amnesty for detainees if protesters vacated the government buildings they had occupied and unblocked streets and squares.

The opposition has rejected this and protesters remain camped out in central Kiev.

The BBC's Matthew Price reports from the front line, where people show no sign of moving on.

Read more

Q&A: Stand-off in Ukraine over EU agreement

Ukraine: 'This situation has touched each of us'

VIDEO: Good Samaritan dies in M1 tragedy

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Good Samaritan dies along with another man on M1 motorway

30 January 2014 Last updated at 16:41 GMT

Two people have died in what police have described as a "serious incident" on the M1 in Hertfordshire.

One man fell from the Bucknalls Lane bridge over the M1 on Thursday morning.

A Good Samaritan driver who came to his aid was then killed by a passing vehicle.

The motorway was shut for several hours but has now reopened.

Andy Moore reports.

Read more

Watford M1 reopens after two people die in bridge incident

VIDEO: Justin Bieber charged with limo assault

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Justin Bieber charged with Toronto limo driver assault

30 January 2014 Last updated at 09:47 GMT

Canadian pop star Justin Bieber has been charged with assaulting a limousine driver in Toronto last month.

The 19-year-old handed himself in at a Toronto police station where he was mobbed by TV crews, news photographers and screaming teenage fans.

The charge comes a week after the star was arrested for a separate incident in Florida and charged with drink-driving.

A lawyer for the singer said his client was innocent.

Beth McLeod reports.

Read more

Justin Bieber charged with Toronto limo driver assault

Thursday's gossip column

30 January 2014 Last updated at 16:30

Transfer window gossip: Second edition

Follow the latest transfers news all week with Sportsday.

For a list of confirmed transfers, check out the transfers page.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal are in talks with Schalke over Julian Draxler with Dick Law, the club's chief transfer negotiator, having been in Germany to try to seal a January deal for the 20-year-old attacking midfielder.

Full story: Guardian  

Ipswich Town have not made an approach to sign Sunderland striker Connor Wickham, 20, on loan.

Full story: East Anglian Daily Times 

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott, 31, has turned down a chance to move to West Ham or Fulham, and will see out the remaining six months of contract at the Etihad Stadium.

Full story: Daily Mirror 

Swansea City have pulled out of the race to sign Blackpool midfielder Tom Ince, 21. The Welsh side had agreed a deal with the Championship club on Monday to sign the former Liverpool youngster on loan.

Full story: South Wales Evening Post 

England Under-21 international Ince is likely to join Crystal Palace on loan until the end of the season.

Full story: Croydon Advertiser

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, 27, is ready to accept a pay cut to join Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga side want the Bosnian as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, 25, who has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Bayern Munich in June.

Full story: Daily Express 

Norwich City are in talks with Turkish side Fenerbahce over a loan deal for former Everton defender Joseph Yobo, 33.

Full story: Guardian 

Manchester United have been thwarted in their attempt to sign Fabio Coentrao, 25, from Real Madrid in January. Real manager Carlo Ancelotti does not want the Portugal defender to leave.

Full story: Daily Express 

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is still "hopeful" of signing Lyon's Clement Grenier, 23, but admits time is running out to complete the deal. Lyon want £12m for the midfielder, but Newcastle have offered only £8m.

Full story: Northern Echo 

Everton manager Roberto Martinez says Dutch defender John Heitinga, 30, is in talks over a move to Turkish side Galatasaray.

Full story: Daily Mirror 

Serie A champions Juventus are interested in signing Southampton striker Daniel Osvaldo. The Italy international, 28, is serving a two-week suspension as punishment for a training-ground fight.

Full story: London Evening Standard 

Meanwhile, Southampton have warned Swansea City off making a £3m move for midfielder Jack Cork, 24.

Full story: South Wales Evening Post 

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola has opened the door for Toni Kroos to join Manchester United. Asked about the 24-year-old Germany midfielder's potential move to Old Trafford, Guardiola said: "He is an important player but things can move fast in football. Here today, gone tomorrow."

Full story: Daily Express 

Arsenal have reached an agreement with Juventus to sign striker Mirko Vucinic on loan for the rest of the season. The 30-year-old Montenegro international will have a medical at the London club on Thursday.

Full story: Inside Futbol 

St Etienne are holding out for £18m from Chelsea for their 19-year-old French centre-back Kurt Zouma.

Full story: Daily Mirror 

Netherlands international defender Daryl Janmaat, 24, is hesitating over signing a new contract at Feyenoord as he awaits a bid from Arsenal in the summer.

Full story: Daily Express 

Lewis Holtby's agent has confirmed the 23-year-old midfielder wants to leave Tottenham before Friday's transfer deadline.

Full story: Metro 

Liverpool and Arsenal have revived their interest in 22-year-old Barcelona forward Isaac Cuenca.

Full story: Talksport 

Liverpool face competition from two unnamed Premier League clubs for the signature of Ukraine forward Yevhen Konoplyanka, 24, despite opening negotiations with his club Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk on Wednesday.

Full story: Independent 

Cardiff are set to sell Andreas Cornelius back to Copenhagen for £5m less than they paid for the striker, having bought the 20-year-old for £8.5m in the summer.

Full story: Daily Star 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United defender Phil Jones has said the United squad wants to impress club record signing Juan Mata, adding that the Spain forward, 25, has "lifted spirits" in the dressing room.

Full story: Manchester Evening News 

Manchester City's accounts revealed the club spent £639,000 per day on employee wages during 2012-13.

Full story: Daily Mirror 

Newcastle's new signing Luuk de Jong says it would be a "dream come true" to score the winning goal in Saturday's Tyne-Wear derby. The 23-year-old striker joined from Borussia Monchengladbach.

Full story: the Sun (subscription only) 

GLOBAL GOSSIP

Southampton are interested in recruiting Cagliari's 27-year-old Italian defender Davide Astori.

Full story: Le Figaro (in French) 

Sochaux's French striker Cedric Bakambu, 22, could join Watford before the end of the transfer window.

Full story: Le Figaro (in French) 

Argentine footballer Ignacio Scocco, 28, is leaving Internacional Porto Alegre to join fellow countryman Santiago Vergini at Sunderland in a 5m euro (£3m) transfer deal.

Full story: L'Equipe (in French)  )

AS Monaco have initiated talks with Inter Milan for loaning their Argentine striker Mauro Icard, 20, as cover for the injured Radamel Falcao.

Full story: Tuttosport (in Italian) 

Galatasaray are lining up a bid for Manchester United's 32-year-old defender Nemanja Vidic.

Full story: Bild (in German) 

Lyon defender Henri Bedimo, 29, has expressed a desire to play in the Premier League, saying it "fascinates" him.

Full story: Le Figaro (in French) 

AND FINALLY

A match in Argentina between Estudiantes and Gimnasia got so out of control the referee decided to 'retire' his yellow card and only show reds.

Full story: Metro 

You can comment on the latest gossip on the BBC Sport Facebook page.  

Also related to this story

• Wednesday's gossip column 29 Jan 2014 Football
• Tuesday's gossip column 28 Jan 2014 Football
• Monday's gossip column 27 Jan 2014 Football
• Monday's Scottish Gossip 27 Jan 2014 Scottish Football
• Sunday's gossip column 26 Jan 2014 Football
• Saturday's gossip column 25 Jan 2014 Football
• Friday's gossip column 24 Jan 2014 Football
• Thursday's gossip column 23 Jan 2014 Football
• Wednesday's gossip column 22 Jan 2014 Football
• Tuesday's Scottish Gossip 18 Jun 2013 Scottish Football

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Tory immigration rebels defeated

30 January 2014 Last updated at 16:36

MPs reject Tory rebel bid to deport more foreign criminals

 

Live video from the House of Commons.

MPs have voted to reject a bid by rebel Tory MPs to stop foreign criminals using European human rights law to avoid deportation, by 241 to 97.

But MPs did vote in favour of Home Secretary Theresa May's plan to strip foreign-born terror suspects of UK citizenship by 297 to 34.

David Cameron said he was in favour of making it easier to deport criminals.

But he ordered Tory ministers to abstain rather than back the rebels over concerns their plan was illegal.

VIDEO: Johansson quits Oxfam over ad row

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Scarlett Johansson quits Oxfam after SodaStream row

30 January 2014 Last updated at 16:25 GMT

Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson has stepped down as an Oxfam ambassador after criticism of her support for Israeli company SodaStream.

The charity said the actress's role was incompatible with being an Oxfam global ambassador.

Catharina Moh reports.

VIDEO: Scarlett quits Oxfam over advert row

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Scarlett Johansson quits Oxfam after SodaStream row

30 January 2014 Last updated at 16:25 GMT

Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson has stepped down as an Oxfam ambassador after criticism of her support for Israeli company SodaStream.

The charity said the actress's role was incompatible with being an Oxfam global ambassador.

Catharina Moh reports.

MPs back terror citizenship move

30 January 2014 Last updated at 16:16

MPs back plan to strip terror suspects of UK citizenship

 

Live video from the House of Commons.

MPs have voted in favour of Home Secretary Theresa May's plan to strip some terror suspects of UK citizenship by 297 to 34.

The proposal was a last minute addition to the government's Immigration Bill.

They are now voting on proposals to ban foreign criminals from using European human rights law to avoid deportation.

That amendment - proposed by backbench Tory rebel Dominic Raab - is likely to be defeated despite David Cameron saying he agreed with it in principle.

Men 'enjoyed helping triple killer'

30 January 2014 Last updated at 16:10

Peterborough murders: Men 'enjoyed helping Joanna Dennehy'

Joanna Dennehy has admitted three murders and two attempted murders. She took this "selfie" image while on the run from police

Two men accused of helping multiple murderer Joanna Dennehy were "enjoying the moment", a jury has heard.

Dennehy, 31, admits stabbing three men and dumping their bodies in ditches in Cambridgeshire.

At Cambridge Crown Court Gary Stretch, 47, denies two counts of attempted murder. Leslie Layton, 36, has denied perverting the course of justice.

Stephen Wright QC, prosecuting, said there had been a "deafening silence in this court from each of them".

Gary Stretch, whose real name is Gary Richards, and Mr Layton are both also accused of preventing lawful burial.

Neither man has given evidence in their trial.

The bodies of Lukasz Slaboszewski, 31, John Chapman, 56, and Kevin Lee, 48, were found dumped in ditches near Peterborough in March and April.

The bodies of (l to r) Lukasz Slaboszewski, John Chapman and Kevin Lee were found in Cambridgeshire

Mr Wright, in his closing speech, told the jury neither of the accused had "chosen to give an account, to look you in the eye and tell you why, to have their account tested by cross examination, scrutinised by you".

He added: "There is clear evidence they never acted under duress, they were enjoying the moment."

Mr Wright said Stretch "revelled" in Dennehy's company, adding: "He luxuriated in the notoriety of it, he was proud of what he had done. He was contented when Joanna Dennehy kissed him as a mark of approval.

"He told police Joanna Dennehy was not a threat to him, he was not in fear of her."

Dennehy, who is in custody awaiting sentence, has pleaded guilty to murdering the men and attempting to murder two other men in Hereford.

The hearing continues.

Man United star handed driving ban

30 January 2014 Last updated at 16:06

Ashley Young given six-month driving ban

Ashley Young leaves Warwickshire Justice Centre

Manchester United and England footballer Ashley Young has been banned from driving for six months.

The 28-year-old was handed four penalty points after he admitted speeding at 71mph on a 50mph section of the M6 Toll in Warwickshire in March last year.

Warwick Magistrates Court heard he already had nine points on his licence for an earlier speeding conviction.

Young's solicitor argued the road had been "quiet" at the time of his latest offence.

VIDEO: Al-Shabab recruit: I was in it for money

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Money 'draws young recruits to al-Shabab'

30 January 2014 Last updated at 00:16 GMT

A man claiming to be an al-Shabab fighter has told the BBC that he joined for the money.

He said money was the reason many young Kenyan recruits signed up to al-Shabab.

Mark Lowen reports from Nairobi.

VIDEO: William Roache 'a perfect gentleman'

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Coronation Street's William Roache 'a perfect gentleman'

29 January 2014 Last updated at 19:47 GMT

Some of Coronation Street actor William Roache's co-stars appeared as defence witnesses at his trial in Preston Crown Court on Wednesday.

Anne Kirkbride, who plays his on-screen wife Deirdre, described him as being "always a perfect gentleman".

Mr Roache, who is accused of rape and indecent assault, denies all the charges.

Judith Moritz reports.

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William Roache trial: Coronation Street actor 'never met' accusers

VIDEO: Army may help flood-hit Somerset

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Army may help flood-hit Somerset

29 January 2014 Last updated at 22:32 GMT

Army help for flood-hit Somerset is being discussed, the Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has said.

A significant number of properties are at risk of flooding this weekend because of more bad weather and high tides.

Villages such as Muchelney have been cut off for almost a month and about 11,500 hectares (28,420 acres) of the Somerset Levels are flooded by about 65 million cubic metres of water.

The prime minister also announced that rivers in Somerset would be dredged as soon as water levels dropped.

James Landale reports.

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Army may be drafted in to help flood-hit Somerset

Congressman apologises for threat

29 January 2014 Last updated at 18:06

NY congressman Michael Grimm apologises to reporter

Michael Grimm threatens reporter Michael Scotto

A congressman who threatened to throw a reporter off a balcony after President Barack Obama's State of the Union address has apologised for his actions.

New York Representative Michael Grimm said he would "break" a cable news journalist who brought up an investigation into his campaign funds.

Mr Grimm said his behaviour toward NY1's Michael Scotto was "wrong".

"I shouldn't have allowed my emotions to get the better of me and lose my cool," he said.

'Not man enough'

After cutting Tuesday night's interview short, the congressman told Scotto: "You ever do that to me again I'll throw you off this [expletive] balcony."

When Scotto said he had a valid question, Mr Grimm replied: "No, no, you're not man enough, you're not man enough. I'll break you in half. Like a boy."

NY1 political reporter Michael Scotto works in his office in Washington DC

NY1 political director Bob Hardt had demanded an apology from the politician.

The Staten Island Republican initially said he was "extremely annoyed" with Scotto and doubted he was the "first member of Congress to tell off a reporter".

Later on Wednesday, Mr Grimm said in a statement that his apology to Scotto had been "graciously accepted".

The FBI earlier this month charged an associate of the congressman with bypassing federal campaign laws to funnel contributions to his political committee.

Obama tours for minimum wage rise

29 January 2014 Last updated at 20:47

President Obama tours to call for minimum wage rise

Obama called on Congress to raise the federal minimum wage - but said he would use his own authority to increase pay for federal contract workers

US President Barack Obama is taking his campaign for a minimum wage rise to the streets, visiting local businesses after his State of the Union address.

Mr Obama travelled to a Maryland Costco store and a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, steel plant.

The visits promote a proposed national minimum wage increase to $10.10 per hour (£6.09) over the current $7.25.

He said on Tuesday he would issue an executive order raising the minimum wage for federal employees.

"If you work hard, you should be able to pay your rent, buy your groceries, look after your kids," Mr Obama told Costco employees on Wednesday.

Costco workers are said to earn at least $11.50 an hour, far above the current national minimum wage Mr Obama has asked a gridlocked Congress to increase.

'Expand opportunity'

On Thursday, Mr Obama plans to visit a General Electric facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and speak at a high school in Nashville, Tennessee, to promote measures outlined in his national address.

"It's time to give America a raise," Mr Obama told members of Congress on Tuesday night, pledging to circumvent their partisan politics through the use of executive orders.

"Wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, that's what I'm going to do," he said, noting that inequality has deepened and upward mobility stalled.

Among his planned proposals is a new savings programme aimed at employees without retirement plans.

The pilot programme - involving "starter" accounts which let employees save and withdraw funds without paying additional taxes - will reportedly be available by the end of the year.

Mr Obama was scheduled to visit a US Steel Corporation plant on Wednesday along with Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew to tout the action.

With just three years left in office, Mr Obama faces falling approval ratings and determined opposition from the Republican Party, which controls the House of Representatives and has the numbers in the Senate to block his agenda.

House Speaker John Boehner has warned that increasing the federal minimum wage would cost jobs.

Following Mr Obama's nationwide speech, Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers called on him to take action "by empowering people, not making their lives harder with unprecedented spending, higher taxes and fewer jobs".

The US has one of the highest income gaps in the developed world