'True Brits' Must Speak English, Survey Finds

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

People in the UK have tougher attitudes towards immigration and welfare and have set a higher requirement for what it takes to make a person British, according to a new survey.

The British Social Attitudes survey found 95% of people thought to be "truly British" you must speak English - up from 86% in 2003.

It also found more than three quarters of people - 77% - say you must have lived in Britain for most of your life, while 51% said "true Brits" must have British ancestry.

Some 74% also said it is important to be born in Britain.

Under that definition Boris Johnson, a potential future Prime Minister, Prince Philip - the husband of the Queen - and iconic stars Joanna Lumley and Cliff Richard would all be counted as non-Brits.

74% of people say Brits should be born in the UK, ruling out Joanna Lumley

The study also reveals that 61% of people believe EU immigrants should have to wait three years for access to welfare benefits.

That flies in the face of David Cameron's attempt to be tough on immigration by setting the limit at three months.

And it will raise concerns about the possibility that UKIP could continue with the electoral success it experienced in May when it topped the polls in the European elections.

The 31st Natcen Social Research British Social Attitudes survey also found that almost a quarter of Britons think the main reason immigrants come to this country is to claim benefits.

And only 27% think legal immigrants who are not British citizens should have the same rights as the rest of the country - down from 40%.

Penny Young, chief executive of NatCen Social Research, said: "In an increasingly diverse, multi-cultural country, we might expect people to be more relaxed about what it means to be British, yet the trend is going in the opposite direction.

"It is now harder to be considered British than in the past and one message comes through loud and clear, if you want to be British, you must speak English.

"And as we debate whether UKIP's vote will hold up in the General Election, British Social Attitudes shows that the public is yet to be convinced that politicians have got a grip on immigration.

"They want tougher rules on benefits and many are unaware of the policies that are in place to control immigration."

The study suggests Mr Cameron's hope to teach British values in schools might not be successful, as many people believe Britishness is something people need to be born with - and cannot go on to acquire.

The Prime Minister wants to mark the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta next year with a new drive on British values in schools.

It follows a scandal in Birmingham with allegations of a co-ordinated plot to push Islamic teaching into British state schools.

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Flood Defence Funding Is At 'Bare Minimum'

Funding for clearing rivers, routine dredging and maintaining existing flood defences is at a "bare minimum", MPs have warned.

A report on the winter floods, which saw 7,000 homes hit after repeated storms and the wettest winter on record, has called for maintaining flood defences over cost-cutting.

The Parliamentary Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) committee said the funding for maintenance work needed to keep up with an increased risk caused by more frequent extreme weather events.

MPs urged the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to draw up fully-funded plans to address a backlog of maintenance work and maintain flood defences.

A submerged car after winter storms caused flooding on the Somerset Levels

Committee chairwoman Anne McIntosh said: "We have repeatedly called on the Government to increase revenue funding so that necessary dredging and watercourse maintenance can be carried out to minimise flood risk, yet funding for maintenance remains at a bare minimum.

"Ministers must take action now to avoid a repeat of the devastation caused by the winter floods.

"The Government needs to recognise the importance of regular maintenance work and put it on an equal footing with building new defences."

The Environment Agency was criticised for failing to carry out dredging on rivers when the Somerset Levels flooded during the winter.

Dredging operations began on the River Parrett in Somerset in March with extra funding from the Government.

The report added: "The avoidance of flood events that devastate communities should, as far as is possible, take priority over cost-cutting."

It welcomed £270m of additional funding for tackling flooding, but said £130m of that had been reallocated from elsewhere in the Defra budget.

Shadow environment secretary Maria Eagle said: "In February David Cameron said 'money was no object' when it came to flood defence funding, yet today the select committee says that the funding the Government describe as additional is actually only reallocated."

An Environment Agency spokesman added: "We review our maintenance programme to make sure we spend taxpayers' money where it is most effective and are working with Defra on several pilot projects aimed at making it easier for farmers and landowners to undertake watercourse maintenance."

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McCanns In 'Emotional Address' At Libel Trial

The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have been granted permission to appear at the trial of a former police chief whom they are suing for libel over claims he made in a book.

Kate and Gerry McCann will appear at Lisbon's Palace of Justice, where they are expected to deliver emotional statements in the trial of Goncalo Amaral.

They were originally told they could not make statements to the trial, but the decision was overturned at appeal.

Their appearance will mark the end of the trial against Mr Amaral, but a final ruling is not expected until later in the year.

The McCanns claim Mr Amaral's 2008 book The Truth Of The Lie included allegations they had hidden Madeleine's body after she died in an accident and faked an abduction which damaged the search for the missing girl and added to their anguish.

Scotland Yard officers carried out searches around Praia da Luz last week

Madeleine disappeared from her parent's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007, as Kate and Gerry dined at a nearby restaurant with friends.

In October, Mr McCann's sister Trish Cameron told the libel trial the couple's plain was "multiplied 100 times" by the book.

If the court rules against Mr Amaral, the McCanns could receive around £1m in damages.

Last week, they said the failure of police officers to find evidence relating to their missing daughter during recent searches in Praia da Luz "reinforced" their belief that she could still be alive.

They said: "As parents of a missing child, we have always wanted all reasonable lines of inquiry to be followed and it is gratifying to know that a substantial amount of work will take place over the coming months with the close co-operation of the British and Portuguese authorities.

"We would like to thank all those involved for their efforts and the members of the public who have come forward with information."

Scotland Yard officers, working alongside Portuguese police, carried out searches in areas around the Algarve resort town.

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Forced Marriage Becomes Criminal Act In UK

A new law criminalising forced marriages which comes into effect today could protect thousands of potential victims.

Forcing someone into marriage in England and Wales will carry a maximum seven-year jail sentence under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The change also criminalises forcing a British national into marriage outside the UK.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "Forced marriage is a tragedy for each and every victim, and its very nature means that many cases go unreported.

"I am proud to say that the UK is already a world-leader in the fight to stamp out this harmful practice with the Government's Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) working hard to tackle this terrible practice in the UK and overseas."

Mrs May has joined anti-child marriage charity Freedom, police, the Crown Prosecution Service and a victim of forced marriage in a Freedom2Choose campaign video.

A forced marriage is where one or both spouses do not consent and are coerced into it through physical, psychological, financial, sexual or emotional pressure.

The Home Office has said the FMU gave advice or support in a possible forced marriage to more than 1,300 people in 2013.

Freedom founder Aneeta Prem said: "In the most tragic cases, people forced into marriage become domestic slaves by day and sexual slaves by night.

"Today's announcement sends out a powerful message that this indefensible abuse of human rights will not be tolerated."

Last week, the NSPCC said children as young as 12 were calling ChildLine about forced marriage, with numbers up two-thirds in the last year.

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World Cup: England Defeated By Italy In Brazil

England has suffered a narrow defeat in its opening match of the 2014 World Cup, losing 2-1 to Italy in Manaus.

Italy opened the scoring with a Claudio Marchisio goal in the 35th minute, only for England to strike back when Daniel Sturridge scored from a Wayne Rooney cross.

The winning goal came for Italy in the 51st minute when Mario Balotelli scored with a header shortly after the half-time break.

Roy Hodgson's side had several unsuccessful attacking efforts as they tried to get back into the game, but Italy's Salvatore Sirigu put in a strong performance in goal.

Claudio Marchisio opens the scoring for Italy in the 35th minute

There was an unusual injury for the England squad when the team's physio, Gary Lewin, dislocated his ankle while celebrating Sturridge's goal.

Lewin was carried off the sidelines after suffering the injury in the 37th minute.

The win sees Italy join Costa Rica on three points at the top of Group D.

England physio Gary Lewin receives treatment on the sidelines

A disappointed Stephen Gerrard said after the match: "Italy are a good team and we knew how they were going to play it.

"It's disappointing because we put so much into it."

Hodgson selected an attacking line-up for his team's opening clash of the tournament.

The England team prepare to take on Italy at the Arena Amazonia

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling was named alongside Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney in the midfield.

Italy confirmed before the match that their captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon would miss the fixture because of an injury.

Hodgson had expressed his confidence in the team's pre-tournament preparations.

Some 5,000 England fans have travelled up the Amazon to back the team

"I think we are well prepared. I don't think we are concerned about the heat and humidity because we have been training in heat and humidity," he said.

The game at the Arena Amazonia was the first competitive encounter between the teams since Italy beat England in the 2012 European Championship quarter-finals.

Some 5,000 England fans travelled up the Amazon to support the side.

Raheem Sterling takes a shot at goal in the opening minutes

Supporters at home filled the pubs, which were allowed to stay open late for the match after the Home Office announced that licensing laws would be relaxed.

Extra buses were laid on in London to get fans home, however the Tube did not run later than normal.

Police had issued a warning urging people not to drink too much and "wake up in a police cell".

Daniel Sturridge celebrates his goal in the 37th minute

Chief Superintendent Andy Prophet from Essex Police said: "The tournament is a celebration of football and a chance to feel national pride.

"It is however just a game and can never be an excuse for violence or disorder.

"I hope everyone enjoys the World Cup, but experience tells us we need to plan for the minority who spoil things.

Roy Hodgson said his team prepared for the match as well as possible

"My message to anyone planning to go out tonight is have a great time, enjoy the game but please be sensible."

Prime Minister David Cameron sent a good luck message ahead of the match, saying the country is behind the England team "every step of the way".

"On behalf of the whole country I want to wish the England team the very best of luck for the World Cup," Mr Cameron said.

"There is nothing like a World Cup to bring our country together."

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England Stronger Despite World Cup Defeat

At least this time England joined the party.

Defeat against Italy in steamy Manaus leaves Roy Hodgson's team seriously up against it if they are to reach the knockout phase.

They were far too uncertain defensively in their opening match to allow much optimism about a prolonged stay at the World Cup.

Mario Balotelli celebrates his goal against England

But there was plenty to enjoy in their attacking performance, plenty to give opposition coaches pause for thought.

Think back four years to the last World Cup in South Africa.

A stumbling 1-1 draw against the USA, a goal-less yawn-fest against Algeria and an uninspiring 1-0 victory over Slovenia qualified Fabio Capello's tired men for a 4-1 thrashing by Germany in the last 16.

This time, England's skilful young forwards Raheem Sterling, Danny Welbeck and goalscorer Daniel Sturridge led the way as Italy's wily defenders were made to dig deep in their collective locker to preserve their lead.

Given their head by manager Roy Hodgson, those three were always a threat, playing fast, incisive, confident football.

Substitutes Ross Barkley and Adam Lallana were cut from the same cloth. The ball was rarely given away cheaply - another pleasant improvement on the 2010 World Cup.

Captain Steven Gerrard also made the comparison with England's last big tournament performance, at the 2012 European Championship, when they were embarrassingly outplayed by Italy, who knocked them out on penalties.

"We were criticised two years ago for being toothless," said the Liverpool player.

Roy Hodgson shakes hands with Phil Jagielka during the match

"Anyone watching that game tonight could see we were trying to create."

They did create, but failed to take their chances with the clinical efficiency shown by Mario Balotelli in scoring the winning goal for Italy.

"Our final ball was disappointing and we are better than that," Hodgson said,

"But this is a first World Cup for two thirds of the team and it is something we will improve upon."

England fans will hope and expect that Hodgson will stick by his young guns in the coming matches.

Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge prepare to take on Italy

"We are still not out of this competition," said Gerrard.

They will be unless they can find more of an end product against Uruguay on Thursday, but don't rule that out - especially if Wayne Rooney can finally score at the World Cup finals.

He's taking a lot of flak after an uncertain display on the left and missing England's best chance.

Hodgson has opened the case for the defence already: "I think it is harsh to say he didn't look comfortable on the left. I thought he did quite well and he set up our goal."

Stand by for five days of debate about whether Rooney should be in the starting eleven in Sao Paulo.

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Queen's Birthday Honours: Stephen Sutton's MBE

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky News Reporter

Stephen Sutton, the teenage cancer sufferer who raised more than £4m for charity, has been honoured with an MBE in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.

Stephen, who was 19 when he died last month, had been told about the honour before his death.

His fundraising efforts have inspired others to help him raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

His mother, Jane Sutton, said he saw it as an incredible honour to be nominated and gave it the thumbs up.

Jolie receives an honorary Damehood for her work to fight sexual violence

In a statement she added: "Although Stephen continually told all of us that he didn't do his charity work for recognition, even he acknowledged that to be appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire was 'awesome'."

He is joined on the list by the likes of actress Angelina Jolie, who is receiving an honorary Damehood for her work to fight sexual violence.

This week, Jolie has taken centre stage at a summit in London to End Sexual Violence in Conflict (ESVC).

Her honorary Damehood is part of the Diplomatic Service and Overseas Birthday 2014 Honours List for exceptional service to Britain overseas.

Jolie said: "Working on the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) and with survivors of rape is an honour in itself.

"I know that succeeding in our goals will take a lifetime, and I am dedicated to it for all of mine."

In the acting world, Dame Maggie Smith is made a Companion of Honour, while Daniel Day-Lewis receives a knighthood, and Homeland star Damian Lewis gets an OBE.

In sport, Britain's winter Olympic winners are honoured. Skeleton gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold receives an MBE, as do visually-impaired skier Kelly Gallagher and her guide Charlotte Evans.

An OBE also goes to Wales rugby head coach Warren Gatland, while England women's cricket captain Charlotte Edwards receives a CBE.

Homeland star Damian Lewis gets an OBE

Golfer Laura Davies becomes a Dame, as do author Hilary Mantel and fashion designer Zandra Rhodes.

And MBEs go to Torchwood star John Barrowman, singer songwriter Cerys Matthews, and Nicola Clarke, chair of the Military Wives Choirs Foundation.

The Cabinet Office said 1,149 people had received an award and alongside the famous faces, 73% have been given to people for the charity or voluntary work they do for their local community.

Ron and Avril Head, who have fostered 140 children over the past 30 years, were in shock at receiving their MBEs.

Mrs Head said: "We hope this will be a way of promoting fostering. There are hundreds of children waiting for people to look after them and hopefully we might inspire people."

IT entrepreneur Scott Fletcher, from Manchester, also gets an MBE for helping young people into work.

Women receive 49% of the honours, while 6.2% of all those honoured come from ethnic minority communities, a slight increase on recent lists.

The last New Year Honours List was the first in which the women outnumbered the men.

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Great North Swim Challenger Dies Taking Part

A 52-year-old man has died after taking part in the Great North Swim in Windermere.

He was taken to hospital by air ambulance because of a "medical emergency", Cumbria police said.

Officers attending the event were alerted to the incident on Friday afternoon.

The man, who has not been named, was from Wallington, south London, police said.

The event's organiser, Nova International, released a statement, expressing its condolences.

It said: "Nova International deeply regrets the tragic loss of life at the Great North Swim today and offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of the individual concerned.

"In the case of a fatality there is a strictly planned procedure that we adhere to with the professional organisations.

"We must ensure that the next of kin are informed before any further comment is made but we will provide an update as soon as we are in a position to do so."

The Great Swim Series is staged in lakes, lochs and docklands across the country, its website says.

The Great North Swim was being staged this weekend and consists of various courses of between a half-mile and 3.1 miles.

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Armed Robber On The Run Is 'Threat To Public'

Police have warned the public to stay away from a convict who is the latest to go on the run from an open prison.

Officers said that David Blood, who is serving a life sentence for robbery, may pose "a threat to the public".

The 48-year-old absconded from Ford Prison in West Sussex, some time between 8.30am and 1pm on Thursday.

It is thought to be the second time he has escaped from an open prison. It is understood he went missing from HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire in April 2012.

On that occasion, he was not found until almost three months later.

Blood was jailed for life at Stafford Crown Court in 2003 after he was convicted of robbing a post office in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands with a number of other men in December 2000.

PC Stephen Reed said: "Because of Blood's record, we have to consider that he could pose a threat to the public.

"I would urge anyone that sees him to contact us on 999 rather than approaching him."

Police have described Blood as 6ft 1in tall (1.85m), of small build with brown eyes and cropped black hair. He is known to have links in Staffordshire and Warwickshire.

Blood's escape is the latest in a spate of inmates absconding from open prisons.

The most high-profile offender to go missing was the violent armed robber Michael Wheatley- known as Skullcracker.

Wheatly carried out a raid on a building society while on the run after being let out of the Standford Hill prison in Kent last month.

He was later jailed for life.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The Justice Secretary has been clear that keeping the public safe is our priority and has already ordered major changes to tighten up temporary release processes and open prison eligibility.

"Absconds have reached record lows under this Government - down 80% over the last 10 years - but each and every incident is taken seriously, with the police contacted as a matter of urgency.

"Open prisons and temporary licence are an important tool in rehabilitating long term offenders but not at the expense of public safety."

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Interest Rates May Rise 'Sooner Than Expected'

George Osborne Acts To Curb Housing Bubble

Updated: 1:25am UK, Friday 13 June 2014

By Jon Craig, Chief Political Correspondent

Barely a few minutes into his Mansion House speech, George Osborne said: "So while I know this is my fifth speech to you as Chancellor, I hope it is not my last."

I'll bet he does!

But whether he's back this time next year addressing the bankers and City money men and women, or listening to Ed Balls make it, could depend on the success or not of the measures he announced in this year's speech.

He wouldn't admit it. But the Chancellor now appears to accept that the threat of a "housing bubble" in London and some other parts of the country is a potential problem.

He doesn't want interest rates to rise before next year's general election to curb house price inflation. We know that from no lesser source than Her Majesty the Queen last week.

"To strengthen the economy and provide stability and security, my ministers will continue to reduce the country's deficit, helping to ensure that mortgage and interest rates remain low," she said right at the outset of her speech at the State Opening of Parliament.

So instead, the Chancellor plans to give the Bank of England powers to curb big mortgages being offered to people who can't afford the repayments.

Excuse me, though. Aren't many of the big lenders doing that already? Some lenders are limiting loans to four times salary and scrapping loans of more than £500,000. There has been a clampdown on interest-only mortgages too.

But the price of an average house rose by £223 a day last month and by 16% over the past year. It's not as if Mr Osborne hasn't been warned.

For months, the Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable has been warning about a "housing bubble". But until now he has been slapped down by the Tory Chancellor.

Not any more. Mr Osborne told his City audience: "If London prices were to continue growing at these rates that would be too fast for comfort."

In other words, the Chancellor now recognises what critics of his Help to Buy scheme have been telling him: there is a problem in the capital, particularly, and elsewhere.

It doesn't take a genius to work out why: demand massively outstrips supply. So Mr Osborne is proposing to relax planning laws on so-called "brownfield sites", while protecting the green belt in those Tory constituencies in the shires.

Relaxing planning laws? How many times have we heard that before from senior Conservative politicians? The "Nimbys" in the leafier parts of Britain have other ideas.

To tackle the supply and demand problem in the capital, the Chancellor is promising "new housing zones across London backed by new infrastructure". Thousands of new homes for London families is the promise. We've heard a lot about that before, too.

No wonder Ed Balls MP, Labour's Shadow Chancellor, said: "George Osborne is still failing to tackle the root cause of the housing crisis which is that we are not building enough homes to match rising demand.

"And the danger of the Chancellor's failure to act on housing supply is that we see a premature rise in interest rates to rein in the housing market which ends up hitting millions of families and businesses."

A rise in interest rates before the election? No chance, Mr Balls.

But despite Mr Osborne's attempts to cool the housing market to avoid a rate rise before voters go to the polls in May 2015, I predict the so-called "housing bubble" will lead to interest rates going up after the election.

Whoever it is delivering the Mansion House speech this time next year.

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