Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 14 Februari 2015 | 12.26
By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs Editor
The number of teetotal young adults has almost doubled, according to new statistics that show a significant drop in alcohol consumption amongst 16 to 24-year-olds.
The rise is so steep that it has caused an overall increase in the number of adults who do not drink at all, which is now over one fifth.
Young adults are also responsible for a decrease in binge drinking, the figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.
The proportion who drank more than eight units of alcohol in one day, in the week before the interview, was down from 18% in 2005 to 15% in 2013.
London had the highest rates of teetotalism, with one third of adults in the capital saying they did not drink at all.
Video:Dec: 'Zero Tolerance' To Drink Call
One expert told Sky News that the rise in numbers of teetotal young people was related to the UK's changing demographics.
"It's probably mainly driven by the changing ethnic mix in this country. There are increasing numbers of people who don't drink at all because of religious reasons," said Professor Ian Gilmore, chair of Alcohol Health Alliance.
"But there is also under-reporting. We know that people report in surveys roughly half of what they drink.
"If you look at the Customs and Excise data who know how much we drink, the average drinking adult is drinking roughly 25 units per week. So there's no room for complacency."
Video:Dec: Binge Drinkers May Face Arrest
There remain concerns about regional variations in drinking patterns.
The figures in London contrast to the north of England and Scotland, where more adults drank and where more were likely to binge drink.
The ONS said alcohol misuse is a leading cause of ill-health in Great Britain, which is estimated to cost the NHS in England approximately £3.5bn every year.
Obese people could lose benefits if they refuse to diet, under a £500m crackdown on disability handouts ordered by David Cameron.
Drug addicts and alcoholics could also lose benefits if they refuse treatment that would help them get a job, in a move aimed at stopping people claiming as a "lifestyle" choice.
"Too many people are stuck on sickness benefits because of issues that could be addressed but instead are not," said the Prime Minister.
"Some have drug or alcohol problems, but refuse treatment.
"In other cases people have problems with their weight that could be addressed, but instead a life on benefits rather than work becomes the choice.
Video:Slimming Clubs For Obese On NHS
"It is not fair to ask hardworking taxpayers to fund the benefits of people who refuse to accept the support and treatment that could help them get back to a life of work.
"The next Conservative government is determined to make sure that the hardest to help get the support they need to get them back to a fulfilling life."
Ministers estimate there are almost 100,000 people claiming sickness benefits on the grounds of treatable conditions such as drug or alcohol addiction, or obesity.
At present, there is no requirement for such people to undertake treatment, meaning it is possible to claim without making efforts at recovery.
Of the 2.5 million claiming sickness benefits, about 1.5 million have been claiming for more than five years.
Mr Cameron says he has asked Professor Dame Carol Black to undertake a rapid review in to how best to help those suffering from long-term yet treatable conditions back in to work.
Video:'One Third' Of Children Obese
"In particular, I have asked her to consider whether people should face the threat of a reduction in benefits if they refuse to engage with a recommended treatment plan," he said.
"It is vital that people who would benefit from treatment get the medical help they need."
Professor Black, a leading Government adviser on health, work and welfare, said: "I am deeply interested in trying to overcome the challenges these types of benefit claimants pose.
"These people, in addition to their long-term conditions and lifestyle issues, suffer the great disadvantage of not being engaged in the world of work, such an important feature of society."
Explaining the reasons for the threat to axe benefits from the obese, drug addicts and alcoholics, a Government source said: "As well as the unwarranted expense, this represents an unproductive waste of human potential."
Written By Unknown on Jumat, 13 Februari 2015 | 12.25
By Ian Woods, Senior Correspondent
The British family of a prisoner in Guantanamo Bay have pleaded with the US government to send him home to them in London.
In their first ever interview, the teenage sons of Shaker Aamer told Sky News of how their hopes of a reunion have been raised and then dashed.
Mr Aamer has been detained without trial inside the maximum security prison for 13 years - even though he was cleared for release in 2008.
The British government has lobbied on his behalf, and his case has attracted cross-party support, but there has been no explanation as to why he has not yet been freed.
Although he was born in Saudi, his wife and four children are British citizens. They barely remember their father; indeed his youngest son, Faris, was born on the same day as Mr Aamer arrived at Guantanamo on Valentine's Day 2002.
Video:Pressure Grows For Detainee Release
Faris celebrates his 13th birthday on Saturday and told Sky News "It's upsetting and quite shocking that I've never met him in my entire life."
His 15-year-old brother Micheal spoke of how their hopes have been dashed.
"We felt very happy," he said.
"We thought there might be a chance for him to come home, but it just kept getting delayed.
"We just felt more sad because nothing happened. We've seen other people with their parents ... seen how they enjoy themselves, how they're so close to them.
"It's like there is a part of our heart that is missing because we've been yearning for him to come home for many years and nothing's happened yet."
Mr Aamer took his young family and pregnant wife to Afghanistan in 2001. He says he was working for a humanitarian charity.
But a few weeks later the 9/11 attacks put the country at the centre of the US' so-called 'War on Terror'.
His family escaped to Pakistan but Mr Aamer says he gave himself up to the Northern Alliance and was then handed over to US forces.
After detention at Bagram Airbase he was moved to Guantanamo.
The Pentagon compiled a lengthy list of allegations claiming he had ties to Al Qaeda.
His lawyer insists the allegations are false and are the result of torture or false confessions to earn rewards.
His supporters also stress that if the Americans actually believed them, they would not have cleared him for release.
Guantanamo spokesman Lt Col Myles Caggins told Sky News: "In 2009 Shaker Aamer's detention status was reviewed. As a result he was placed in a category we call 'eligible for transfer'.
"At some point in the future we will find a new home for him to be repatriated or resettled to."
But Micheal was unimpressed when he saw the video.
Video:2012 - Boyle Calls For Release
"I feel very sad because the man said they were going to try to find him a home," he said.
"But his home is here in London with his family."
There have been various theories about the delay.
Some say the US may prefer to see him sent to Saudi Arabia, where he is less likely to speak publicly about allegations of torture. There is also the issue of compensation.
According to Lt Col Caggins: "We make these moves after a rigorous inter-agency process between our security officials, law enforcement and intelligence officials to ensure that transfer will be to a place that can maintain security assurances and human rights protections for those former Guantanamo detainees."
Mr Aamer's lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith, scoffs at that.
"The most obvious person in the entire world to release is Shaker Aamer because he would be coming to the country with the best record of released prisoners, Britain," he said.
"And he would be coming to a place where we know his human rights are going to be respected, and he's been cleared for eight years, and he's got a wife and four children. What on earth is the argument against it?"
At least in recent years the family have been able to speak to their father. The International Red Cross has organised Skype video calls. Micheal remembers the first.
"We were all very excited," he said.
"We were very energetic. We couldn't wait to see him. And then when the call finally happened, we couldn't believe it was actually him.
"His voice. We hadn't heard it for such a long time.
"It was very surprising to hear his voice again. It was a shock. Skype has been very good at lifting our hopes up again because we've been able to speak to him, see how he's doing, and he's a very funny person.
"He always makes jokes. He lightens the mood a lot of the time. We talk about what's going on in our lives, how our education is."
Mr Aamer's wife and daughter preferred to stay in the background and not be interviewed. Because both boys are under sixteen, we agreed not to show their faces.
A woman has been charged with the murder of an 81-year-old resident at a care home.
Heather Davidson is accused of killing the man at the privately run Sowerby House in North Yorkshire.
The 53-year-old is due to appear at Northallerton Magistrates' Court.
Detectives previously said Ms Davidson, from Thirsk, has no known connection to the home.
Police were called on Wednesday afternoon after the pensioner was found dead in his room.
Senior investigating officer DS Dai Malyn said: "We ask that consideration is given to the residents and the families connected to the care home at this time.
"The home has not been closed; however, there are areas within the home which are still being examined.
"Specially trained police family liaison officers have been deployed to support the deceased's family.
"At this moment we are not in a position to release the identity of the deceased."
Local councillor Mark Robson, who lives 50 yards from the care home, said: "We have not experienced this sort of thing before and hopefully we won't again.
"Our concerns have to be with his family but also our thoughts are with the staff and residents who must be going through an awful time."
Written By Unknown on Kamis, 12 Februari 2015 | 12.25
A man and two women have been arrested on suspicion of terror-related offences.
The man, aged 31, is being held on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism and his arrest comes as police search five addresses on Merseyside..
Officers from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit and Merseyside Police raided the houses after "intelligence received" from law-enforcement agencies.
Police said the searches were expected to take many hours or even days.
Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Mole from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said: "It is our intention to carry out a thorough, professional investigation to determine the circumstances and details of the activity reported.
"We are taking all measures necessary to ensure public safety, which is our primary concern.
"Members of the public will see a lot of police activity at a number of addresses in the coming hours and possibly days.
"However, it is absolutely vital to stress - and, I hope, at the same time, reassure the public - that there is no current threat or evidence of an imminent attack."
Anyone with concerns about suspicious activity should contact local police or the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321.
Meanwhile, officers from the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit have arrested two women from Walsall in connection with Syria-related offences.
One, aged 23, was held on suspicion of preparing for acts of terrorism and the other, aged 33, is accused of failing to disclose information.
The arrests are the latest of dozens since the UK raised its international terrorism threat level to "severe" in August.
A paramedic who stood over a heart attack victim for a couple of minutes as he lay dying outside hospital has been sentenced.
Matthew Geary, who had his hands in his pockets, wrongly assumed Carl Cope, 47, was drunk and CCTV footage showed he left him collapsed in the road, a court heard.
Geary, 36, failed to provide any help to the patient despite seeing him stumble and fall to the ground outside Walsall Manor Hospital, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The paramedic, who had taken no equipment from his ambulance, was filmed apparently talking to Mr Cope, and was seen lifting and dropping his limp arm.
After two minutes he was seen walking away and then went to summon security staff who tried to rouse Mr Cope but the judge said "it was all too late".
Matthew Geary has resigned from West Midlands Ambulance Service.
The defendant, of Great Wyrley, Staffordshire, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to breaching health and safety laws by failing to conduct a proper examination of Mr Cope or to attempt prompt resuscitation.
Sentencing, Judge John Warner condemned the paramedic's actions as "callous and uncaring" and wholly at odds with his job, and gave him a suspended eight-month prison term.
He ordered Geary to complete 240 hours of community service and suspended his custodial sentence for two years.
Judge Warner described Mr Cope's treatment as a "truly lamentable" sequence of events.
Prosecutor Gordon Aspden told the judge that Mr Cope, from Bloxwich, near Walsall, was taken to hospital by Geary in June 2012, after he called an ambulance for treatment following chest pains.
Although Mr Cope was not in good health and had a heart condition, ECG tests conducted by ambulance staff suggested his symptoms were not cardiac-related.
Carl Cope lay dying outside Walsall Manor Hospital
He was then taken to Walsall Manor but decided to leave its accident and emergency department to buy a drink from a nearby shop.
But as he returned to the department, Mr Cope collapsed yards away from its main entrance in an area in full view of Geary and other ambulance staff.
Security camera video handed to a police inquiry into the incident showed four staff members walking past Mr Cope, and Geary standing over him for around two minutes before walking into the hospital.
The court heard Geary had handed Mr Cope over to nurses at the hospital and was later seen chatting about football as the patient was slumped beside a bin outside its Accident and Emergency department.
The judge criticised medical staff for discussing the "ownership" of Mr Cope as he lay dying, telling Geary: "It was almost as if he was some kind of chattel.
"Eventually you went over to him, not providing medical help and asked security to deal with it. Security eventually came out and tried to rouse Mr Cope but it was all too late.
"There was no excuse in my judgement for the way you failed to act. Without any justification you had obviously come to a view about him."
Geary has since resigned from West Midlands Ambulance Service.
Written By Unknown on Rabu, 11 Februari 2015 | 12.25
Labour's deputy leader has denied the party is "patronising" women by using a bright pink bus to encourage them to vote.
Harriet Harman will head up the "woman-to-woman" campaign, which aims to visit more than 70 constituencies before the General Election.
But she was forced to defend the push at a briefing for journalists after questions were asked about the colour of the 16-seater vehicle.
Ms Harman denied suggestions the campaign was "patronising" to women, and said the colour showed it was "different".
"Is it not magenta or something?" she joked.
"We wanted to mark that this was something different.
"We wanted it to look conspicuous and therefore a white van was not going to do the job."
She added: "It is a very nice looking bus.... It is the correct colour. This is a One Nation Labour colour."
Conservative MP Caroline Dineage said: "The wheels have come off the Labour bus.
"Getting Harriet Harman to drive around the country in a pink van to try and attract the female vote is as patronising as it gets.
"This is clearly just another divisive gimmick that the electorate will see through."
Ms Harman said at the briefing the party doesn't want women to "give up on politics".
"If you look at the figures, the disaffection that there is with politics is even more pronounced among women," Ms Harman said, pointing to the 9.1 million women who didn't vote at the last election.
"We want women to feel that this is their democracy and politics is for them as well as for men.
"Politics is too important to be left to be a men-only activity. We are saying this is a woman-to-woman activity."
Ms Harman said the Conservatives and David Cameron had nothing to offer female voters, while her party would be highlighting policies on issues like childcare and domestic violence.
She also criticised the Conservatives for auctioning a shoe-shopping trip with Home Secretary Theresa May at the party's fundraising Black and White Ball.
A project to test driverless vehicles is being launched by the Government in the hope the UK will become a leading global supplier.
The trials will see a shuttle trialled in the London borough of Greenwich and an electric pod will be used on closed roads and pedestrian areas in Milton Keynes and Coventry.
Vehicles trialled in Bristol will also help gauge public reaction to the cars and assess legal and insurance issues.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "The UK is at the cutting edge of automotive technology - from the all-electric cars built in Sunderland to the Formula One expertise in the Midlands.
"It's important for jobs, growth and society that we keep at the forefront of innovation, that's why I launched a competition to research and develop driverless cars.
Video:How The Finished Pods Will Look
"The projects we are now funding will help to ensure we are world leaders in this field and able to benefit from what is expected to be a £900bn industry by 2025."
The Government says there are no legal barriers to the testing of automated vehicles on public roads.
Dr Nick Reed from the Transport Research Lab, which is running the Greenwich trials, said the shuttles use sensors to avoid hazards.
"Safety is paramount in our research and the vehicle is detecting moving objects around it, and if pedestrians are moving into its path it will slow down, and if they continue into its path it will come to a safe stop ahead of the pedestrian," he said.
Video:How Does The Driverless Car Work?
It is hoped £19m of Government funding will help British designers get ahead of competitors.
In the US, Google has been testing its version for several years and car companies have been showing off their designs.
For the UK trials, a qualified driver will be ready to take control if necessary.
Insurer David Williams said: "Currently whoever is driving the car, or cars, are responsible for the accident, but going forward what's it going to be?
1/5
Gallery: Mercedes Unveils Driverless Car At CES
The Mercedes-Benz F015 Luxury in Motion autonomous concept car is shown on stage during the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas
The interior features a wooden floor and four futuristic armchairs covered in white Nappa leather, which rotate to face each other
Written By Unknown on Selasa, 10 Februari 2015 | 12.25
A man will appear in court later charged with assaulting disabled pensioner Alan Barnes outside his home.
Richard Gatiss, 25, from Gateshead, will appear at Gateshead Magistrates' Court after being charged with assault with intent to rob.
Mr Barnes, 67, suffered a broken collarbone when he was shoved to the ground during the attack in Gateshead on 25 January.
After reading about the mugging, beautician Katie Cutler, 21, set up an online fundraising page hoping to raise £500 to help Mr Barnes move into a new home.
The campaign went viral until it was finally halted with donations standing at more than £330,000.
Mr Barnes met the campaigner last weekend and described her gesture as "magic".
Chief Superintendent Andy McDyer, of Northumbria Police, said: "I'd like to reassure people that since this happened we've been relentless in our investigation and in following up lines of inquiry.
"In the early hours of Monday, officers made an arrest in connection with the investigation and this man has now been charged and is progressing through the court process."
The pensioner, who is 4ft 6in tall and visually impaired, has disabilities from birth after his mother contracted German measles when she was pregnant.
He is a well-known figure in Low Fell and is renowned for being able to quickly calculate how many days old someone is from their date of birth.
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Video:Four Dead As Lorry Loses Control
Police are continuing to investigate the cause of a collision involving a tipper truck that left four people dead, including a young girl.
The 32-tonne truck, which was carrying aggregate, crashed into cars and pedestrians as it travelled down a steep hill in Upper Weston in Bath, Somerset, just after 4pm on Monday.
The girl, who was a pedestrian, and three adults in a car died at the scene.
Eyewitness accounts given to police suggest the driver of the truck had been trying to avoid an accident.
The area was busy with parents collecting children from school, and police have asked Weston All Saints Primary School to remain closed today due to the incident.
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Gallery: Runaway Truck Hits Cars And Pedestrians
The tipper truck - carrying gravel - turned over in the accident
Lansdown Lane in Upper Weston was closed over the accident
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The deaths happened outside a school. Pic: Peter Fletcher
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Witnesses said the driver of the truck was trying to prevent an accident
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The air ambulance was called to take the injured to hospital. Pic: Chris Lucas
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A number of people were also injured.
One of them, who is believed to be female, was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol in a critical condition from a primary school playing field.
Another three patients, two men and one woman, suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath.
A hospital spokesman said: "As a precaution, one adult male and one adult female are being kept in overnight."
"The third person, an adult male, is being discharged."
A makeshift facility at the school was set up to treat several "walking wounded" with less serious injuries.
A detailed examination of the scene has begun, and motorists have been told to avoid the Lansdown Lane area between the High Street and Deanhill Lane, which will remain closed.
Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster said the council had imposed a 20mph speed limit on parts of the road to improve safety.
"It is a road where we have put speed limits in and flashing lights because it is quite a steep hill coming down," he said.
"There have been attempts by the council over the years to improve safety on the road."
Anyone with information who has not already spoken to police is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police's collision investigation unit on 101.
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Video:Four Dead As Lorry Loses Control
Police are continuing to investigate the cause of a collision involving a tipper truck that left four people dead, including a young girl.
The 32-tonne truck, which was carrying aggregate, crashed into cars and pedestrians as it travelled down a steep hill in Upper Weston in Bath, Somerset, just after 4pm on Monday.
The girl, who was a pedestrian, and three adults in a car died at the scene.
Eyewitness accounts given to police suggest the driver of the truck had been trying to avoid an accident.
The area was busy with parents collecting children from school, and police have asked Weston All Saints Primary School to remain closed today due to the incident.
1/9
Gallery: Runaway Truck Hits Cars And Pedestrians
The tipper truck - carrying gravel - turned over in the accident
Lansdown Lane in Upper Weston was closed over the accident
]]>
The deaths happened outside a school. Pic: Peter Fletcher
]]>
Witnesses said the driver of the truck was trying to prevent an accident
]]>
The air ambulance was called to take the injured to hospital. Pic: Chris Lucas
]]>
A number of people were also injured.
One of them, who is believed to be female, was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol in a critical condition from a primary school playing field.
Another three patients, two men and one woman, suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath.
A hospital spokesman said: "As a precaution, one adult male and one adult female are being kept in overnight."
"The third person, an adult male, is being discharged."
A makeshift facility at the school was set up to treat several "walking wounded" with less serious injuries.
A detailed examination of the scene has begun, and motorists have been told to avoid the Lansdown Lane area between the High Street and Deanhill Lane, which will remain closed.
Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster said the council had imposed a 20mph speed limit on parts of the road to improve safety.
"It is a road where we have put speed limits in and flashing lights because it is quite a steep hill coming down," he said.
"There have been attempts by the council over the years to improve safety on the road."
Anyone with information who has not already spoken to police is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police's collision investigation unit on 101.
