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Govt: Labour has 'no economic plan'
Labour have "no economic plan" and would put the economy at risk with their jobs guarantee, a treasury minister has said.
Financial Secretary to the Treasury Sajid Javid explained:
– Treasury minister Sajid JavidLabour's sums don't add up. They are proposing yet more unfunded spending, meaning more borrowing and more taxes to pay for it.
And Labour's bank tax is a short-term political gimmick that they want to spend ten times over.
It's the same old Labour. Ed Miliband has no economic plan. Labour would put the recovery at risk, put jobs at risk and hardworking people would pay the price with a less secure future.
Gotham village sign stolen
A thief who stole a road sign at the entrance to the Nottinghamshire village of Gotham may have done so because it shares a name with Batman's home city.
The theft of the sign, which has a white reflective background and bold black writing saying Gotham, is being investigated by police, the Nottingham Post said.
Police community support officer Anthony Davies said: "It is of little scrap metal value, so it may be more to do with a prank, particularly given the name on it."
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How Labour's flagship jobs pledge would work
- Under-25s living off Jobseeker's Allowance for over a year, would have to chose between a taxpayer-subsidised job for six months or lose their benefits.
- Employment will be provided by firms and voluntary sector groups for 25 hours' every week, for six months and the national minimum wage.
- The Government will pay the wages and employers' National Insurance.
- Another £500 per employee would be supplied towards training - which would be compulsory for participants - and administration costs.
- Labour said only firms that could show they were not using the scheme to replace existing workers or reduce their hours would qualify for funding.
Nigel Evans MP faces sex offences trial
Nigel Evans, the former deputy speaker of the House of Commons, will go on trial today accused of sexual offences against seven men.
Evans, the MP for Ribble Valley in Lancashire, will stand in the dock to face a jury at Preston Crown Court for a trial scheduled to last around four weeks.
The 56-year-old faces nine charges in all, dating from 2002 to April 1, last year.
He denies two counts of indecent assault, six of sexual assault and one of rape.
More: Former deputy speaker Nigel Evans contests all charges
Labour extend jobs guarantee to five years
Labour's promise to introduce measures to get the long-term unemployed and under-25s into work would last throughout the next Parliament, the party said.
Read: Unemployment falls by 125,000 to 2.34 million but rate rises
Ed Miliband's party will promise to fund the package via a tax on bankers' bonuses and high-earners' pensions in its 2015 manifesto.
Last month the party confirmed reports that funding - also including the proceeds of restricting pension tax relief for high earners - was only in place for 2015/16.
Now it says the scheme - estimated on present claimant levels to cost £1.9 billion in its first year and £900 million a year thereafter - is affordable right through to 2020.
Under the scheme, under-25s on Jobseeker's Allowance for more than a year - two years for others - would have to take a taxpayer-subsidised job for six months or risk losing benefits.
Nazario Moreno: Mexican drugs baron who 'died' twice
A drugs baron nicknamed "The Craziest One" killed in a shoot-out by Mexican marines had been reported dead four years ago.
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Doctors call for increase in 'acceptance of donor lungs'
More cystic fibrosis patients would live for longer if the NHS accepted more donor lungs and directed them to "those most in need", according to a specialist doctor.
Professor Andrew Fisher from the Institute of Transplantation, Freeman Hospital and Newcastle University, explained:
– Professor Andrew FisherSuccessful lung transplantation can transform the life of someone with very severe lung disease due to cystic fibrosis.
By increasing the acceptance of donor lungs that are currently available and directing them to those most in need, we will have the chance to make sure all those with cystic fibrosis who need a lung transplant get the opportunity to benefit from it.
Read: Experts call on NHS to develop 'lung allocation system'
Experts call on NHS to develop 'lung allocation system'
Changes should be made to the way lung transplants are allocated on the NHS, so more cystic fibrosis sufferers are prioritised, a charity has said.
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust called on NHS Blood and Transplant to develop a new "lung allocation system" that balances the needs to medical urgency and long-term outcomes.
– The Cystic Fibrosis TrustThere is concern across the cystic fibrosis community about equity in lung allocation.
There is a perception that the likelihood of getting a lung transplant, and the time frames for this vary according to where an individual is listed.
A donated organ will not currently necessarily reach the most in-need candidate anywhere in the country.
Read: Death rate on lung transplant waiting list 'a scandal'
Aircraft inspect oil slick in search for missing flight
Aerial view of oil slick at sea on March 9 from Vietnamese military helicopter in search of missing Flight MH370 http://t.co/hxVQZYz8jB
A crew member searches sea surface on March 9 for missing Flight MH370 from a Vietnamese military helicopter http://t.co/ScjGDNbkTx
Death rate on lung transplant waiting list 'a scandal'
The mortality rate of cystic fibrosis sufferers who die waiting for a lung transplant is a "scandal", a health charity has warned.
Read: From the Heart: Life on the transplant waiting list
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust criticised the "transplant lottery" as it emerged one in three with the lung disease die while waiting for a transplant.
Sufferers on the transplant list wait on average, for more than a year - 412 days, the charity said.
More than 10,000 people from across the UK suffer from the life-shortening condition which is caused by a faulty gene.
It leads to a sticky mucus clogging the lungs and digestive systems which makes it hard for sufferers to breathe and eat.
Watch: Patients says lung transplant is 'best Christmas present'
