News | Page 57

Labour shadow Welsh Secretary Peter Hain called the defence strategic review decision to cut the much-delayed St Athan defence academy "a disgrace". There still remains a possibility that a training operation could still be built at St Athan in the future, creating thousands of jobs.

The Taxpayers Alliance has criticised an overspend on a midlands arts facility. Taxpayers in Sandwell have already paid £20.5m towards the cost of the project, called The Public. Fiona McEvoy, of the Taxpayers Alliance, said: “It’s astounding the council are continuing with this funding despite local feeling.” The news comes a day after it was revealed the The Public could partially close if the Arts Council fails to provide more money.

The Government pledged to support British manufacturing when a minister visited to witness one of the UK’s success stories. John Hayes, the minister for further education, skills and lifelong learning, was at a Nissan car factory to see some of the very first Juke models being assembled by workers.

The official list of axed quangos published today was remarkably similar to various tip-offs and leaks issued during the past month. A quarter of the 700-plus unelected public bodies have been axed while others face mergers or substantial reform as part of a shake-up that is likely to cost tens of thousands of public sector workers their jobs.

What started a fire in a top English seaside resort is a mystery which is being investigated. The blaze began in a flower shop overnight in a premier attraction at the Blackpool resort. Luckily the sprinkler system dealt with the threat. A fire service spokesman said it "prevented the development of a potentially devastating fire".

The national minimum wage has gone up to £5.93 an hour, benefiting an estimated one million workers, mainly women. A new hourly rate of £2.50 will also be introduced for apprentices, who previously did not qualify for a statutory wage.

A possible threat to the Prime Minister’s speech being broadcast has been averted after BBC unions have studied a new employee pensions offer. This has led to unions calling off this week’s planned strike and the new offer will now be put to a ballot of members – although future action has not yet been ruled out.

Significant numbers of workers’ rights to paid smoking breaks are under threat by Conservative-run Breckland council, which stated: "We are not trying to stop smoking… what we are saying is when people go for a cigarette they should do it in their own time." In neighbouring North Norfolk, staff are not allowed to smoke on site during office hours.

Almost 300,000 school days were sacrificed to term-time holidays in midlands schools in a year, new figures reveal for Staffordshire and the Black Country. Holiday firms were criticised for charging higher prices during the school holidays, meaning parents resort to taking breaks during term time. Deals advertised on a price comparison website list the cost of a one-week trip to Tenerife from Monday, October 18, as £263 per person.

As part of a savings initiative Essex Police could merge another seven of its stations with other local services, such as fire stations or libraries. An Essex Police Authority report has revealed potential sites short-listed for the scheme include Ongar, West Mersea, Wivenhoe, Brightlingsea, Waltham Abbey, Saffron Walden and Stansted Mountfitchet.

Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) leader Gerry Doherty has said that London Mayor Boris Johnson seems determined to "grandstand" at the Conservative Party conference next week rather than sitting down with the unions to try to resolve the dispute at London Underground. The TSSA are due to walk out for 24 hours next week in a row over plans to cull jobs.

A Member of Parliament has demanded an urgent debate on the issue of public spending in the Commons. Jack Dromey warned there would be fewer officers on the streets in his Birmingham, Erdington constituency because of cuts to the West Midlands Police Authority finances. He said as a result 1,300 police were facing the axe, plus 1,200 staff.