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Fingerprint readers might actually not be the ultra-safe, secure access control solutions everyone believed them to be, since a major fraud involving this type of devices has been discovered at a hospital in Brazil. An investigation has revealed that hospital doctors had been covering for absent colleagues by using fake silicone fingers with their prints to fool biometric scanners. Moreover, they would also take delivery of slips of paper indicating they had in fact clocked in to work.

Given the fact that the economy is not going particularly strong right now, CBI, Britain’s largest business lobby group has urged Chancellor George Osborne to apply a sort of “electric shock” to it by spending £1.25bn on building 50,000 new homes.

A joint statement by three councils welcomed news that Jaguar Land Rover is investing a further £150 million in one of its plants.

The largest civil service union in the UK has voted to strike over matters such as pay and pensions. Those working in job centres and tax offices will among those walking out later this month as part of the PCS union.

The TUC general secretary gave his reaction after it was revealed one in 10 UK workers is now officially underemployed.

A recent report from manufacturers’ organisation EEF called "Invest for Growth" reveals the fact that UK-based manufacturers are seriously considering investing in new technologies for improving their productivity, although fewer actually manage to carry out their plans.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed the overtime payments at a police force. It uncovered that the largest monthly overtime payment in North Wales was £5,314 in 2011 and £3,591 in 2010.

A new report by employment group Reed indicates a sharp increase in the number of available vacancies advertised via its website across the UK, painting a fairly positive picture regarding the economy’s growth prospects. The company revealed that there was a 12% rise last month in posts, which includes jobs from other recruiters as well.

Public sector union Unison said it was working to minimise compulsory redundancies as another local authority reels under austerity measures.

Car firm Honda confirmed its 250 agency staff who were employed in spring 2012 to help produce the new CR-V model will also leave in March. These employees are not part of the wider 800 jobs to be cut announced earlier as the company scales back overall UK production, it said.

Data research firm Experian are behind a scheme for a community art café created from an unwanted public convenience.

The GMB union said it is seeking legal advice over the issue of its members objecting to surveillance equipment put in their cabs without consent.