Couple Jailed For Lee Rigby YouTube Videos

A man has been sentenced to five years and four months for posting YouTube videos glorifying the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby.

Royal Barnes, 23, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, with his wife, Rebekah Dawson, getting a 20-month sentence.

The videos posted by the British Muslim couple were "offensive in the extreme", the court heard.

They published the clips shortly after the brutal murder of Fusilier Rigby in Woolwich last May.

Barnes filmed himself laughing as he passed flowers left for the soldier

The couple, from Hackney in London, made three videos - the first uploaded on the day after the attack, with Barnes calling it a "brilliant day".

It was edited together with pictures of a man holding a decapitated head, a scene from Woolwich, and images of the World Trade Center.

The second clip showed Dawson ranting about how British troops would be killed on London's streets.

Fusilier Rigby, 25, was hacked to death in broad daylight on May 22, 2013

A third video showed Barnes mocking the public's grief at Fusilier Rigby's murder and laughing uncontrollably as he and his wife drove past flowers at the murder scene.

Barnes pleaded guilty last month to inciting murder and three counts of disseminating a terrorist publication.

Dawson, 22, who insisted on wearing a full veil in court, also admitted charges of disseminating a terrorist publication.

Rebekah Dawson's video was posted shortly after the murder

Judge Brian Barker QC said the pair showed "a total and continuing disregard" for the effect it would have on the soldier's family and the wider public.

Fusilier Rigby's killers were jailed last month for the attack, which saw them hack the solider to death on the streets of southeast London.

Michael Adebolajo, 29, was given a whole-life term, and Michael Adebowale, 22, was jailed for at least 45 years.

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Gove Says Number Of PM's Etonians 'Ridiculous'

Education Secretary Michael Gove has criticised the "ridiculous" numbers of Old Etonians in David Cameron's inner circle.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Mr Gove said such a "preposterous" concentration of individuals from the same privileged background at the top of government was unique among developed countries.

Labour said his comments showed the Conservatives were "out of touch" with the concerns of ordinary people in Britain.

Old Etonians around the Prime Minister - himself a former Eton boy - include his chief of staff, Ed Llewellyn; the head of his policy unit, Jo Johnson; the minister for government policy, Oliver Letwin; and Chancellor George Osborne's chief economic adviser, Rupert Harrison.

The Prime Minister at a Cabinet meeting last year

Mr Gove compared them to the cabinet of Eton-educated Tory prime minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, the Marquess of Salisbury, who was accused of nepotism and cronyism.

"At the beginning of the 20th century, the Conservative cabinet was called Hotel Cecil," he said.

"The phrase 'Bob's your uncle' came about and all the rest of it. It is preposterous.

"It doesn't make me feel personally uncomfortable because I like each of the individuals concerned, but it's ridiculous. I don't know where you can find some such similar situation in a developed economy."

Mr Cameron's inner circle was compared to that of Robert Gascoyne-Cecil (R)

Mr Gove, who went to a fee-paying school in Scotland, said the concentration of Old Etonians at the top of the Conservative Party was a due to the fact that "more boys from Eton go to Oxford and Cambridge than boys eligible for free school meals".

But shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Ashworth said it was a "reflection of the Conservative Party" under Mr Cameron.

"It's up to David Cameron who he puts into top jobs, and the fact is that the Prime Minister has chosen to surround himself with people just like himself," he said.

"He's leading a Government that's completely out of touch.

"That's why his decisions have helped a privileged few rather than hard-working families, with tax cuts for people earning over £150,000 while wages are down an average £1,600 a year."

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Hatfield Father Charged With Daughter's Murder

A father has been charged with the murder of his four-year-old daughter in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

Alexa-Marie died at Lister hospital in Stevenage after police had been called to a house in Queen Bee Court at 9.36am on Thursday.

It is not known how  Alexa-Marie died.

A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of her death will take place on Monday.

Carl Wheatley will appear before Hatfield Remand Court on Friday.

The family of Alexa-Marie's mother said in a statement: "We are completed stunned and devastated that our beautiful little girl has been taken from us so suddenly.

"She was truly the most gentle, loving, happy and amazing little soul we had the pleasure of knowing. We would be asked to be left alone to grieve at this traumatic time."

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Which?: Energy Bills To Rise £640 By 2020

By Poppy Trowbridge, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

Annual household energy bills could rise by more than £600 within seven years so power companies can keep the lights on, consumer champion Which? has warned.

Sky News has learned the watchdog has written to the Treasury ahead of next week's budget to warn of rising costs.

In a new forecast, Which? has predicted energy companies will need to spend £118bn on new infrastructure between now and 2020.

This would include building new power stations, replacing grids and building wind farms as part of a drive to sustain Britain's power supply and cut down on carbon emissions.

Which? believes this cost will inevitably be passed on to consumers, and that households and businesses will foot the bill.

This would mean that the average bill would exceed £2,000 a year even if wholesale costs of gas and electricity remain stable - an annual rise of £640 per household.

Richard Lloyd, executive director of Which?, said: "I don't think consumers know that this is heading their way and that decision has already been made by the Government.

"This is a massive chunk potentially on everyone's bills. This means one thing: that household bills are set to rise, and to rise for many people very steeply for the foreseeable future."

Which? is campaigning for a full market investigation to find out if consumers are paying a fair price for energy.

Sky News also learned that at least one of the 'big six' energy firms is not guaranteeing to make the necessary investment should it not prove profitable for the company.

Energy companies rely on investors - who require a return on their investment - to finance certain projects.

Angela Knight, of Energy UK, the body representing the industry, said: "A lot of this is all about the policy that the Government and previous Government signed up to.

"Right now there is significant concern about the price of a bill and that is before much of this investment comes through.

"At the same time, a lot of our stuff is old and you do have to refresh and replenish."

One move Chancellor George Osborne may deploy to tackle the costs being passed through to consumer energy bills could be freezing the Carbon Floor Price in next week's budget.

The tax policy means polluting industries must pay a minimum amount of money for the right to pollute.

If Mr Osborne were freeze or abolish the Carbon Floor Price, the knock-on effect would prevent around £8 being added to bills each year, according to one energy company source.

In December 2013, HM Treasury released estimates of planned national infrastructure investments relating to 2013-2020 and beyond.

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Ed Miliband To Make EU Referendum Pledge

By Joey Jones, Deputy Political Editor, and Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

Ed Miliband has effectively ruled out an EU in-out referendum, saying there would only be a vote in the event of a significant Brussels power grab.

The key initiative from the Labour leader is what he calls a "new lock" which means no in-out referendum unless there is a transfer of powers from the UK to the EU.

However, he pointed out there were no current proposals for such a transfer of powers so it is unlikely any Labour government would introduce an EU membership vote.

In a speech in central London on Wednesday morning he said: "Now, there are no current proposals from other countries for such a transfer of powers. And I do not believe this is the direction in which Europe should head. Indeed, I think some powers should come back the other way.

"But we cannot be certain about the emerging shape of Europe. So today I am announcing that the next Labour government will legislate for a new lock.

"Not simply a referendum on any treaty change proposing a transfer of power, because there have been too many referenda like that in other countries which have been ignored, but a lock that guarantees that there will be no transfer of powers without an in/out referendum without a clear choice about whether Britain stays in the EU."

Labour has been under pressure to address the referendum question from the moment David Cameron promised that a Conservative government would offer the British people a vote in 2017.

Mr Miliband's position brings him in line with Nick Clegg

The opposition will hope their new position is robust enough to withstand an onslaught from the Tories, who have pledge an in-out referendum in 2017, this side of the election and beyond.

Mr Miliband accused the Prime Minister of acting "from a position of weakness not strength, party interest not national interest" that was "dangerous to the prosperity of our country" by announcing the referendum.

He said: "Our priority would be different. Instead of this approach, we need one driven by the national interest, which keeps the country's focus on the biggest issue facing us: the future of our economy and the cost-of-living crisis, which understands that Britain's future lies in the EU."

Speaking during a trip to Israel David Cameron said that Labour's position on an EU referendum left the British people with a "very clear choice".

He said: "At the next election they can elect a Conservative government that will renegotiate Britain's position in Europe and give people a guaranteed in-out referendum by the end of 2017.

"If they get a Labour Government they will get no referendum, no choice, no reform, nothing. It couldn't be clearer."

Labour's policy brings it in line with the Lib Dems, only promising a referendum if the UK is asked to hand more power over to Brussels.

The Conservatives hope that the move will help them to win more Eurosceptic votes.

It will also use the positioning to try to prevent swing voters switching to Nigel Farage's UKIP. Tory strategists want to send out the message that a vote for the right-wing party is a vote for Labour and no referendum.

However, there has been some backlash from Labour's own Eurosceptics. Backbencher Graham Stringer said: "I think it's a shoddy compromise really, between those people in the Parliamentary Labour Party who want a referendum because the vast majority of the electorate want it, and those people desperate not to have a referendum."

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Leeds Hospital Children's Heart Unit 'Safe'

A children's heart surgery centre temporarily shut last year over mortality rate fears is safe, a comprehensive review has found.

But NHS England and Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) apologised after the report outlined complaints from 16 families who said they had experienced poor care at the paediatric cardiology unit.

The report was in two parts - a statistical analysis of mortality rates, centred on the 35 children who died following surgery between 2009 to last March, and a report on 16 families who said they felt let down by the unit.

Some parents said there had been a lack of compassion after they lost a child, while a Muslim woman told how she felt pressured to have an abortion, which went against her religious beliefs.

NHS England said in its overview of the report: "We conclude that these families did not get the level of care or service that they deserved and for this we are truly sorry."

Operations at the unit were suspended for more than a week last year after NHS England raised concerns about data on death rates at the centre.

The decision sparked controversy, with some parents and doctors suggesting it was linked to plans for some children's heart surgery units to be closed as part of a nationwide restructuring.

After a fierce campaign by some parents whose children were treated at the LGI and two legal challenges, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt halted the plan and ordered NHS England to re-evaluate the whole process.

Surgery resumed at the LGI unit on April 10 last year. 

Dr Yvette Oade, the chief medical officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: "We are pleased for our patients, families and staff that the Mortality Case Review has confirmed the medical and surgical care provided by the children's heart surgery unit in Leeds is safe.

"We are very sorry however that the 16 families who shared their stories with the Family Experience Review felt we did not provide the care they had a right to expect.

"We sincerely apologise to those families and will, of course, ensure we learn from what they had to say and improve our services as a result of this."

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Bob Crow: A Man Devoted To The Railways

Bob Crow left school at 16 and took a job as an apprentice track worker. He worked on the railways for the rest of his life.

The RMT leader was clear about the importance of taking action

The 52-year-old was born in east London on June 13, 1961, and moved with his family to Essex as a toddler.

He became one of the most high-profile, left-wing union leaders of his generation, sparking as much anger among passengers hit by rail and Tube strikes as praise from his members for winning pay rises.

Mr Crow started working for London Underground at 16

His first job was on London Underground as an apprentice track worker and he soon became involved in union activity, becoming a local representative at the age of 20 for what was then the National Union of Railwaymen.

He won the union's youth award - handed to him by veteran general secretary Jimmy Knapp, whom he later succeeded - and rose quickly through the ranks, via the executive, to the top job.

His formative years were at a time when unions enjoyed huge power and influence over the country, thanks to leaders such as Jack Jones, Hugh Scanlon and Joe Gormley.

Under his leadership, the RMT was one of Britain's fastest-growing unions

He took part in a TUC-organised nationwide day of action in 1980, and the next strike he joined was on the Tube - a day after returning from his honeymoon in 1982.

After that he took part in, or helped organise, official and unofficial strikes against London Underground and was clear about the need to take action to improve pay and conditions.

"I don't shirk from taking industrial action," he said. "Our job is to negotiate the best pay and conditions. Industrial action is the last resort and you don't take it lightly - but when you start you don't finish until you have won. That's what I have been brought up on."

Crow and colleagues adding their protest at the Leveson Inquiry

Mr Crow maintained he wanted to do the "very best" for his members, wherever they worked and whichever political party they belonged to.

"I will be the captain, steering the ship, but the members will make all the decisions," he said.

He was constantly involved in industrial disputes and campaigns and led a walkout by London Underground workers last month in a dispute over ticket office closures.

Mr Crow said he wanted to do the "very best" for his members

Apart from his devotion to Millwall football club - he had been supporting the team since first going to the ground as a young boy - Mr Crow had an unusual interest outside his job.

"I'm really interested in the weather," he admitted. "I spend ages looking at weather maps and graphs. I have a barometer in the house and if I could have been anything else other than a union official I would have been a footballer - or a weatherman."

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Bob Crow: Sudden Death Of Union Leader

Tributes Pour In For 'Tireless' Bob Crow

Updated: 3:05pm UK, Tuesday 11 March 2014

Union leaders and politicians have praised the tough-talking "giant of the labour movement" Bob Crow after learning of his death.

Labour leader Ed Miliband: "I didn't always agree with him politically but I always respected his tireless commitment to fighting for the men and women in his union. He did what he was elected to do, was not afraid of controversy and was always out supporting his members across the country."

Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union: "Bob's strength, personal integrity and straightforward speaking won many battles for his members. He took his job very seriously and never stopped working. A giant of the labour movement. He is irreplaceable."

London Mayor Boris Johnson: "I'm shocked. Bob Crow was a fighter and a man of character. Whatever our political differences, and there were many, this is tragic news. Bob fought tirelessly for his beliefs and for his members."

Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers' union Aslef: "It's a tragedy that he was taken from us at such a young age. Bob always did his best for his members, and the industry in which he worked. Our thoughts, at this sad time, are with his family and all his colleagues in the trade union movement."

UKIP leader Nigel Farage: "Sad at the death of Bob Crow. I liked him and he also realised working-class people were having their chances damaged by the EU."

Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union: "Bob Crow was admired by his members and feared by employers, which is exactly how he liked it. It was a privilege to campaign and fight alongside him because he never gave an inch."

Sir Peter Hendy, London's Transport Commissioner: "We are shocked by this terribly sad and unexpected news. Our thoughts are with Bob Crow's family, friends and all those he represented."

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady: "This is shocking news. Bob was an outstanding trade unionist, who tirelessly fought for his members, his industry and the wider trade union movement."

Fire Brigades Union leader Matt Wrack: "Bob was a good friend to me personally and to the Fire Brigades Union as a whole. He was a strong leader for the labour movement and he'll be sorely missed by those who knew him."

Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne: "Bob possessed a deep understanding of the rail industry and his contribution to its success was significant, in particular the focus he gave to working with Network Rail on improving passenger and workforce safety."

Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone: "He fought really hard for his members. The only working-class people who still have well-paid jobs in London are his members."

Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives: "He was a staunch supporter and advocate of rights for workers and a fairer and more just world for working people. He invested his work with passion, commitment and dedication. He will be missed by his colleagues across the union world."

Millwall Football Club: "Millwall Football Club would like to extend our condolences to the family of Bob Crow who passed away on Monday night at the age of 52."

Prime Minister's Official Spokesman: "The Prime Minister expresses his sincere condolences to Mr Crow's family and friends."

Sir Brendan Barber, chairman of the conciliation service Acas, and former TUC general secretary: "His bluff exterior masked a shrewd and intelligent negotiator who actually won high respect from employers as well as deep loyalty and support from his members."

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin: "While we may not always have agreed on how to run our railways, he was a powerful advocate who led his organisation from the front and made an important contribution to the debate around the future of rail services in this country."

Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite: "Bob was a life-long, and highly successful fighter for the interests of his members and for working people as a whole. I am sure that is the only epitaph he would have wanted."

Unison general secretary, Dave Prentis: "Bob was a tough, no-nonsense union leader who always did his best for his members, and it was very much down to his tough stance that their pay and conditions improved."

Communication Workers Union general secretary Billy Hayes: "Bob Crow was a great leader and he was a great inspiration to rail workers and trade unionists around the world."

Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Mark Serwotka: "Bob was a tireless fighter for RMT members and working class people and a towering force in the trade union movement."

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Nigel Evans Sex Trial: 'MP Abused Power'

Former deputy speaker Nigel Evans used his "power and influence" to sexually assault men despite being warned about his behaviour, a court has heard.

Evans, who was very "well-known and powerful" within his own party was able to "make, or to break" the careers of young people aspiring to a political career, a jury was told.

The prosecutor said Evans used his position to abuse seven young men, even raping one of them last year, in the belief that his standing meant no one would complain about him.

Evans denies the charges

Mark Heywood QC said: "Within the Palace of Westminster, in his constituency and in his own political party, Mr Evans was, during the decade with which you are concerned, a very well-known and powerful individual.

"Part of his influence included the ability to make, or to break, the careers of those young people who themselves would be politicians or work for those who govern.

"The prosecution case against Mr Evans is that he, often when in drink, pressed his sexual attentions on those younger men, using or trading on his position of influence."

The jury was told that the first offence happened at a bar in Soho in 2002 when Evans put his hand down his 27-year-old victim's trousers without "warning or invitation".

The second man was allegedly assaulted at a bar in Blackpool during the 2003 Conservative Party conference by a "plastered" Evans who tried to put his hand down the victim's trousers, the prosecution claimed.

Mr Evans, who was then shadow secretary of state for Wales, was moved away by a Conservative Party Board member but returned 10 minutes later and "did exactly the same thing again".

Another of the men, a 21-year-old, alleges that Mr Evans assaulted him in the Stranger's Bar at the House of Commons in 2009, attempting to kiss him behind a curtain, the court heard.

A fourth alleged sexual assault, in July 2009, is said to have taken place in Evans' house in Pendleton, Lancashire.

Speaker John Bercow will be called as a witness

A man claimed he woke to find Evans sitting near him as he slept on a sofa in the sitting room of the home following a night out drinking in a local pub. He alleged Evans than reached inside his boxer shorts.

A fifth offence also allegedly took place in the Stranger's Bar in the House of Commons shortly after the 2010 General Election.

Evans is alleged to have touched a man's genitals through his clothing.

The sixth alleged sexual assault involved a young gay man who came forward to police after hearing of Evans' arrest.

He was drinking at bars in the Palace of Westminster in February 2011 when he and others were invited to go to Evans' office in the House of Commons.

Nine MPs and two former MPs have been named as prosecution witnesses in the trial of the former deputy speaker. Among them are House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and the former Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik.

Also named were MPs Sarah Wollaston, Michael Fabricant, Alexander John Randall, Conor Burns and Tom Blenkinsopp, and the former MP Adam Pryce.

On the first day of the trial of the Conservative MP for Ribble Valley, the jury at Preston Crown Court was told by the judge to put political views out of their minds when considering the case.

The jurors were asked if they knew any of the MPs who were to be called as witnesses.

Evans, 56, faces nine charges dating between 2002 and 2013 against seven different men. There are two counts of indecent assault, six sexual assaults and one rape. He denies all the charges.

Judge Mr Justice King told the jury: "No doubt you will have worked out, I am sure, that this case involves a public figure. It involves a politician. It involves Members of Parliament.

"Don't be overawed by that. Be dispassionate throughout the case.

"Try Mr Evans only on the evidence. Put out of your mind any political views or prejudice you may have. Try this case only on the evidence."

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Barracks Murder Probe: Dead Soldier Named

A soldier who police suspect was murdered at a barracks in Shropshire has been named as Corporal Geoffrey McNeill.

The 32-year-old, from the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, was discovered at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill at 9am on Saturday.

A 23-year-old serving at the barracks has been arrested on suspicion of Corporal McNeill's murder.

Jason McNeill has paid tribute to his brother, who was born in Ballymoney, County Antrim.

"He served his country with the highest degree of honour and dedication," he said.

"He was a much loved son, brother, uncle and friend and touched the lives of all who had the pleasure of meeting him.

Corporal McNeill's body was found at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill

"The family would like to give thanks for the continued support of the Army, police and all who knew and loved Geoff."

Detective Inspector Steve Tonks, of West Mercia Police, said: "The investigation is in its early stages and extensive inquiries are continuing."

A post-mortem examination was carried out on Sunday, but police said further tests were needed to establish how he died.

An MoD spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends affected at this difficult time.

"We are assisting West Mercia Police with their investigation and it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further at this time."

Corporal McNeill was from the battalion deployed to help flood-stricken communities in Worcestershire last month.

Members of the unit met the Prime Minister when he toured flood defences at Upton-upon-Severn.

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Dog Attack: Armed Police Search For Animal

A 22-year-old woman is in hospital with "serious injuries" after being attacked by a dog on the outskirts of Lincoln.

The attack happened near the city's Outer Circle Road in the area of a quarry at around 10.30pm on Sunday.

The animal has yet to be found despite armed police and a helicopter scouring the area.

The public are been warned to stay away for their own safety.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: "It is believed the dog may still be in the area of the quarry and, as it may pose a danger to the public, specially trained firearms officers are in attendance to search for the animal.

"We would ask that members of the public stay away from the area for their own safety at this time."

Officers have asked anyone with information to call 101, quoting the incident number.

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Energy Bills To Show Codes To Help Consumers

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky Correspondent

Homeowners are being offered a new way to potentially save money on their energy bills - QR (or Quick response) codes.

The Department for Energy and Climate change want all energy companies to add the codes to their bills, to give customers an easier way of finding out how much they have spent on gas and electricity.

Ed Davey says the move will make a 'real difference'

The codes are small box shapes with unique combinations of black and white dots, and are similar to barcodes, providing easy access to information through your smartphone.

In order to read them, customers will need to download a QR reader app on their phones.

This is the latest announcement from the Government to help consumers get a better deal, with collective switching and simpler tariffs already introduced.

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Edward Davey said: "We're determined to make energy markets work better for consumers - and despite all the evidence showing that QR codes on bills would make a real difference to people, energy companies still haven't done anything about it.

"That's why we're acting to make sure people have a quick, straightforward way to compare the best deal for them with a simple swipe of their phone.

"With so many of us using smart phones and tablets nowadays it would be strange if we weren't using the latest technology to help us save money at home."

The big six energy companies have all raised prices in recent months

The Government says studies have shown that the technology would be helpful for customers, but there has been no voluntary move by the energy sector to introduce QR codes, therefore they are taking action under the Energy Act to modify the energy company licences to have QR codes included as part of energy bills.

Energy UK, which represents the industry, told Sky News: "Energy companies are working hard to streamline tariffs, improve customer information and encourage choice so people have all they need to compare and switch.

"And it's working - around quarter of a million customers switch every month and nearly a million did last November and December alone."

Despite concerns from some campaign groups, ministers insist the QR codes will also benefit vulnerable consumers or those who do not use smart phones, because people with smartphones will be able to help friends and family less comfortable with technology.

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£140m Pothole Repair Fund After Winter Storms

By Tadhg Enright, Sky Correspondent

An extra £140m is being made available by Westminster to help local councils repair roads which have been battered by this winter's severe weather.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "Having the right infrastructure in place to support businesses and hardworking people is a crucial part of our long-term economic plan.

"This extra money will help make a real difference to the millions of road users and local residents who rely on local roads, giving them safer and smoother journeys."

Some £36.5m of the cash will be ring-fenced for councils which experienced the worst of the flooding and it brings the total amount of emergency government funding for these authorities to £80m.

All councils in England can apply for a share of the other £103.5m in additional funding to cover the cost of repairs after the wettest winter on record.

This winter has been England's wettest on record

Some of the most serious flooding was experienced in the Surrey County Council area where at least £15m - half its annual budget - has already been spent on repairing battered roads since Christmas.

Repair teams have been working at weekends to patch roads where a combination of rainwater and groundwater has caused more erosion than an average winter.

John Furey, Cabinet Member for Transport, Highways and Environment with Surrey County Council, told Sky News: "It's double the problem for this year. The reason is that it's been a continuous flooding situation, not something that happened and then we could deal with it. 

"The biggest problem has been the inspection times. We haven't been able to get in and look and see how much has needed to be done. 

"Now we're doing it. We've started the recovery stage. Now we're looking at what needs to be done and looking at what government is going to put into this."

Repair teams have been working at weekends to patch up roads

Surrey Council will have to apply for extra financial help from the Government and its allocation will depend on the length of affected roads in its jurisdiction. 

It does not expect its allocation to cover all the money spent on repairs and other budgets will have to be trimmed.

The Government intends to release the money by the end of this coming week and it hopes that councils will have completed repairs in time for the summer holidays.

Delays will cost motorists money too as experienced by the increase in those seeking repairs to their cars at Reigate Motor Company.

The fund will be used for for fixing potholes and other dangers

The garage's director Simon Youthed told Sky News that business was particularly brisk and that potholes were to blame: "We always see damaged cars at this time of year, but certainly the floods have had their effect on the roads, certainly in this area.

"It's predominantly cars going through potholes - usually at speed - that often the drivers don't see. 

"One of the road wheels tends to go down into the pothole with force ... That can either damage the wheel itself, it can damage the tyre, it can damage the suspension springs."

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Man Arrested After 'Explosives' Found

A 55-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing explosives after "potentially hazardous material" was discovered at a property in South Yorkshire.

Around 50 homes in Chestnut Grove in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, were evacuated and a cordon put in place around the area.

The material is being assessed by police and army bomb disposal experts, who were seen coming and going at a bungalow in the cul-de-sac.

Speaking at the scene, Superintendent Liz Watson said officers acted on information that a local man had been buying items which could be explosive if put together.

She said: "The police had received some information regarding a gentleman that lives in the local area that's been purchasing hazardous material."

Police vehicles parked at a pub near the scene

Police said the 55-year-old who was arrested remains in custody in Doncaster.

Evacuated locals either spent the day with relatives or at a centre in Mexborough set up by Doncaster Council.

Supt Watson said: "I'd like to personally thank residents for the patience, co-operation and community spirit that has been shown today.

"Some of the people evacuated from their homes this morning were elderly and vulnerable, but our partner agencies and members of the community really rallied round to ensure that all those who had to leave their homes for several hours were well cared for."

Supt Watson said the incident had caused concern among the community, but that the multi-agency response was necessary to ensure the suspicious items could be removed safely from the property.

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