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Protests erupt at London Mayor's Question Time
The London Mayor's Question Time was temporarily suspended today after protesters disrupted the conference. Firefighters chanted "No ifs, no buts, no fire service cuts", causing the Assembly members to leave the Chamber as order was restored.
Police appeal for temple arson suspect
Police are appealing for anyone who can identify a man suspected of an arson attack on a Hindu temple. Officers were called to the Adhya Shakti Mataji Temple in Hillingdon, London, shortly after midnight on May 28.
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Turner said:
Our initial inquires into this incident are still ongoing and we urgently require the public's help to assist us with this investigation.
The person or people who started the fire gave no thought to the fact that the Portakabin may have been occupied at the time. It is of paramount importance that we trace the individual who can be clearly been seen in the CCTV and I urge anyone who recognises him to come forward and tell us what they know.
We are also appealing for anyone who was in the Cowley High Street area and may have seen anyone acting suspiciously to also contact us.
This incident has come at a time where there are heightened sensitivities following the murder of Lee Rigby and whilst investigations are still ongoing to establish the exact circumstances of this incident we believe that the attack on the temple is not linked but we continue to retain an open mind.
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Murray faces extra-tough path to Wimbledon final
Andy Murray was confirmed as the second seed for the Wimbledon men's singles today and French Open champion Rafael Nadal is a potential quarter-final opponent.
Nadal is still climbing back up the world rankings after a long spell out with a knee injury and fellow Spaniard David Ferrer gets the fourth seed spot.
It means that the French Open champion could play Murray, Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer as early as the quarter-finals.
And Andy Murray could face an unusually tough route of a Nadal quarter-final, Federer (world number 3) in the semi-final and Djokovic (world number 1) in the final.
Tennis fans will not know for sure until the official Wimbledon draw is made on Friday.
Mayor's Question Time suspended after protests
The London Mayor's Question Time was temporarily suspended after anti-cuts protesters disrupt the conference. The London Fire Brigade Union claimed the protesters were firefighters:
Amazing scenes: Mayor's Question Time suspended as gallery breaks out into chant of "No ifs, not buts, no fire service cuts."
From @LondonFBU on Twitter:Assembly members leave the chamber as Mayor's Question Time suspended. Massive anger directed towards mayor.
From @LondonFBU on Twitter:Incredible scenes at City Hall. Mayor's Question Time suspended as angry firefighters stand up and break into prolonged chant against cuts.
From @LondonFBU on Twitter:Father's grief over teen train deaths
The father of teenager Mert Karaoglan, believed to be the teenager who died after being hit by a First Capital Connect (FCC) service in Hertfordshire on Monday night, has spoken of his grief.
Mert's father, named by the Sun as Sakru, 48, told the newspaper:
We told him not to be out late. We were waiting and waiting. Then the police came round to see us at nine this morning. I can't stop crying. He was a happy person - everything seemed okay.
Street artist unveils David Bowie mural in Brixton
A large scale portrait of David Bowie will be unveiled in Brixton today by artist Jimmy C.
The Opera Gallery London is set to unveil a collection of David Bowie inspired art for their summer exhibition on June 21.
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London breakdown of house deposit saving period
A London breakdown of how long it would take average first-time buyers to save for a deposit in their local area:
- Average first-time buyer house price: £278,417
- Average first-time buyer deposit: £55,683
- Years for a couple to save average deposit: 10.8
- Years for a couple with a child to save average deposit: 20.5
- Years for a single person to save a deposit: 29.5
Housing 'at its most affordable' since 2003
Affordability of housing has improved under the current government, housing minister Mark Prisk said today, after a new report found that young people face having to save up to 30 years before they can afford a deposit. Mr Prisk said:
The evidence shows that affordability has improved under this Government, with housing at its most affordable since 2003 and the highest number of first-time buyers since 2007.
We are building 170,000 new affordable homes across England, and have introduced a package of measures to help people move on to and up the housing ladder.
Affordable homes 'decrease by a third' in 2012
New research commissioned by housing charity Shelter shows that young people are being locked out from home ownership, shadow housing minister Jack Dromey said today.
Mr Dromey said: "This research shows the scale of the housing crisis and the impact it is having on young people and families, who are locked out from home ownership.
"David Cameron simply has no answer to Britain's housing crisis. Despite relaunching his Get Britain Building programme four times and making hundreds of announcements, the number of affordable homes being built actually went down by a third in the last year".
'Generation rent' locked out of London housing market
Young people are facing life-changing choices between starting a family or buying a home of their own, the chief executive of Shelter said today.
Independent research commissioned by housing charity Shelter shows that people in their 20s have become locked out of home ownership. Campbell Robb said:
This is the first time research like this has been conducted at a local level to reveal the harsh realities that 'generation rent' is having to confront because of our shortage of affordable homes.
Despite working hard and saving what they can each month, today's young people face life-changing choices between starting a family or buying a home of their own.
Meanwhile, single people face an added pressure to either find a partner or to live with their parents well into their 30s if they're ever to have a hope of saving enough for a deposit.
