Home Secretary Pledges New Deportation Law

Home Secretary Theresa May has claimed Britain's streets are being made more dangerous because immigration judges are failing to deport foreign criminals.

She criticised them for not following guidelines introduced last year which make clear that the "right to family life" - enshrined in law - is not an absolute right.

The Government's own figures show 177 foreign criminals avoided deportation in the year 2011/12, having convinced judges of their right to a family life in Britain.

Mrs May told the Sunday Telegraph that the actions of some immigration judges were "not acceptable" and that they were "subverting" British democracy.

A new immigration bill will reportedly be published later this year to give full legal weight to ministers' demands that foreign criminals should not routinely be able to dodge deportation by citing Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights.

Article 8 permits the right to a family life which can be a barrier to removal, but ministers and MPs say it should be balanced with the need to protect the public.

The new law is expected to state that Article 8 allows deportations to prevent "disorder or crime", meaning judges will be forced to take that into account when considering appeals by criminals.

The Sunday Telegraph also reported that new restrictions could also be included in the new law on migrants coming to Britain from countries including Romania and Bulgaria.

Last summer the Home Secretary changed immigration rules to make clear that foreign criminals should be deported if they were serious or persistent offenders.

But while the rules were backed by the House of Commons, they do not carry the full weight of law and are often ignored by judges on the Immigration Tribunal.

Ms May told the Sunday Telegraph: "The European Convention on Human Rights is clear - there is a right to a family life, but that right should be balanced with the wider public interest in controlling immigration and protecting the public.

"That's why we introduced new immigration rules last year.

"Those rules were debated in full and passed unanimously by the House of Commons. So it is not acceptable that some immigration judges are denying the democratic and legal validity of them.

"I said at the time that if the courts did not heed the changes to the rules, I would introduce primary legislation to force them to do so. That is exactly what I now intend to do.

"I am determined that Article 8 must not stop us deporting dangerous foreign criminals."

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Ms May said: "The law in this country is made by the elected representatives of the people in Parliament. And our democracy is subverted when judges decide to take on that role for themselves."

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Man Held After Pensioner Dies In Hit-And-Run

A 26-year-old man has been arrested after a pensioner was killed crossing the road in a hit-and-run.

The 80-year-old was mowed down in the street when she was walking in Yardley, Birmingham, on Saturday morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said the woman suffered "multiple serious injuries and was in cardiac arrest" when medics arrived.

She was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman's family has been informed but police have yet to publicly name her.

A large-scale police operation to trace the car and driver started immediately after the crash, after the vehicle sped from the scene.

Hours later, officers found a damaged blue Vauxhall Astra dumped at the roadside about six miles away in Solihull.

Police believe it to be the car involved in the crash.

A police spokesman said: "A 26-year-old visited Stechford police station and has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said medics attempted to resuscitate the woman as soon as they arrived but "despite their best efforts, nothing could be done".

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Comic Relief: PM Stars In One Direction Video

David Cameron is to make a "cameo" appearance in a Comic Relief music video with teen heartthrobs One Direction.

The Prime Minister features in the group's official Red Nose Day single, which is a cover version medley of Blondie's One Way Or Another and the Undertones' Teenage Kicks.

The Government has already agreed to cover the cost of VAT on sales of the record to help the fund-raising effort.

One Direction, who have stormed to global fame after being put together on X Factor, went to Downing Street to film the clip last year.

It is not the first time Mr Cameron has taken part in Comic Relief, which has raised £800m since it was first launched 25 years ago.

In 2011, he recorded a special episode of MasterChef in the kitchens at Number 10 with comediennes Miranda Hart and Ruby Wax.

His predecessors Gordon Brown and Tony Blair have both also taken part in sketches for the charity.

In 2011, after he had left office, Mr Brown teamed up with James Corden, JLS and other celebrities in a comedy sketch.

And in 2007, Mr Blair showed off his acting skills in a segment with comedy actress Catherine Tate.

He had to deal with one of her most popular characters - stroppy teenager Lauren Cooper - and delivered her famous catchphrase: "Am I bovvered?"

Red Nose Day is on March 15.

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Lib Dem Wealth Tax Crackdown On Heirlooms

Jewellery, paintings and other heirlooms could be taxed under radical new plans to hit the rich drawn up by the Liberal Democrats.

The French-style tax on possessions would see a levy on family treasures including furniture, rings and necklaces.

Households could be fined if they refuse to allow tax inspectors into their homes to value items.

Plans also include extending the proposed "mansion tax" to include holiday homes and buy-to-let properties.

The party is already committed to introducing a mansion tax on individual properties worth more than £2m on their own, which Labour is now backing.

Under the new proposals, the levy would be extended to include anyone with a total property portfolio worth more than £2m.

An internal policy consultation has concluded there "may be merit" in imposing the 1% levy instead on anyone with a land and property portfolio worth above the same threshold.

The document is to be debated by activists at the party's spring conference in Brighton next month.

People could be taxed on their total property portfolio

Business Secretary Vince Cable dubbed the proposal to tax assets such as jewellery as "wacky", while MP Tessa Munt, who helped draw up the consultation paper, told the Mail on Sunday it was an "interesting idea".

"This is not party policy," Mr Cable told Sky News' Murnaghan programme.

"There is a working group coming up with ideas on a wide variety of things ... some of their ideas are interesting, a couple of them are a bit wacky - the idea of taxing jewellery is completely impractical and intrusive.

"The idea that you combine together people's properties, probably doesn't make a great deal of sense because people's second homes are already subject to capital gains tax, income tax on the rent.

"So there are ideas in there that I am sure will not get any further, but we have a democratic process, we have activists who come forward with ideas, we debate them and then we make policy - but we are a long, long way from that.

"I think we will want to stop at a mansion tax and make that work," he added.

Extending the mansion tax was reported to be favoured by some within the party as a vote-winner in the South West, where there is anger over second-home buyers forcing up prices.

But senior figures are also believed to have concerns that the move - in a package drawn up as part of preparations for the 2015 general election manifesto - could see some people taxed twice.

Landlords already pay tax on any rent they receive.

A Lib Dem spokesman said: This consultation is part of the process of asking for ideas on how to ensure a fairer tax system.

"It is up to Lib Dem party members as to whether these eventually become party policy."

The proposals emerged as Labour - which this week backed the idea of a mansion tax to fund the return of a 10p income tax rate - challenged the Lib Dems to support it in a Commons vote.

Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg, told Sky News: "I have been arguing for a small levy of 1% on very high value properties over £2m for years - long before Ed Miliband.

"The last thing I worry about is what the latest twists and turns are of Labour Party policy.

"What I think they need to to do is instead of constantly advocating other people's policies is come up with some of their own."

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Horsemeat: Minister Defends Defra Response

A leading charity claims the government was made aware that illegal horsemeat was in the food chain more than a year ago.

Horse Welfare International says they had a sit-down meeting with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2011, to flag up the problem of horse passports being faked to allow the animals to be slaughtered.

It follows claims from John Young, a former manager at the Meat Hygiene Service, now part of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), in The Sunday Times that he warned the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) of the potential scandal in April that year, but was ignored.

Mr Young says he followed this up a month later in a letter saying, "are the lunatics in total control of the asylum?"

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has mounted a robust defence of his department's actions following the claims.

Supermarkets have warned consumers could pay the price for the scandal

He said he had spoken to the FSA's chief executive, Catherine Brown, regarding the claims, which were made before he took up his position.

"I have discussed it with the chief executive of the FSA this morning and she is going to go back through the records and see exactly what was said at the time," he told Sky News' Murnaghan programme.

The Cabinet minister, who has been accused of being "asleep at the wheel" by Labour, said his department could not have been more "active" since the recent revelations.

"We are making progress - a whole lot of premises have been investigated, a large amount of evidence has been taken, and in this country we have been extremely active. Three premises have been investigated, two closed down and a number of arrests made.

"We are completely determined to get to the bottom of this because no matter what the price of the product, the consumer should buy what is on the label. It is a fraud on the public."

He said British actions had triggered Europe-wide testing for horse DNA and bute - as well as coordinated probes into the crisis across the continent.

"Too much of this system is based on trust on paper, and there is not enough testing. We have to get back to more testing of products."

Some 7% of people have stopped eating meat altogether, a poll suggests

The FSA said Mr Young's letter highlighted concerns about the horse passport system, which is the responsibility of Defra - not the illegal substitution of beef with horse.

A spokesperson said: "The horse passport system is the principal measure to keep horses testing positive for bute out of the food chain.

"During the past 12 months the FSA has increased the number of staff working in horse abattoirs to strengthen our oversight of the system. And from last week we introduced a system where all horses are tested for bute, and carcasses are not allowed into the food chain unless they have tested negative. This complements the protection provided by the horse passport system."

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Home Secretary Pledges New Deportation Law

Home Secretary Theresa May has claimed Britain's streets are being made more dangerous because immigration judges are failing to deport foreign criminals.

She criticised them for not following guidelines introduced last year which make clear that the "right to family life" - enshrined in law - is not an absolute right.

The Government's own figures show 177 foreign criminals avoided deportation in the year 2011/12, having convinced judges of their right to a family life in Britain.

Mrs May told the Sunday Telegraph that the actions of some immigration judges were "not acceptable" and that they were "subverting" British democracy.

A new immigration bill will reportedly be published later this year to give full legal weight to ministers' demands that foreign criminals should not routinely be able to dodge deportation by citing Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights.

Article 8 permits the right to a family life which can be a barrier to removal, but ministers and MPs say it should be balanced with the need to protect the public.

The new law is expected to state that Article 8 allows deportations to prevent "disorder or crime", meaning judges will be forced to take that into account when considering appeals by criminals.

The Sunday Telegraph also reported that new restrictions could also be included in the new law on migrants coming to Britain from countries including Romania and Bulgaria.

Last summer the Home Secretary changed immigration rules to make clear that foreign criminals should be deported if they were serious or persistent offenders.

But while the rules were backed by the House of Commons, they do not carry the full weight of law and are often ignored by judges on the Immigration Tribunal.

Ms May told the Sunday Telegraph: "The European Convention on Human Rights is clear - there is a right to a family life, but that right should be balanced with the wider public interest in controlling immigration and protecting the public.

"That's why we introduced new immigration rules last year.

"Those rules were debated in full and passed unanimously by the House of Commons. So it is not acceptable that some immigration judges are denying the democratic and legal validity of them.

"I said at the time that if the courts did not heed the changes to the rules, I would introduce primary legislation to force them to do so. That is exactly what I now intend to do.

"I am determined that Article 8 must not stop us deporting dangerous foreign criminals."

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Ms May said: "The law in this country is made by the elected representatives of the people in Parliament. And our democracy is subverted when judges decide to take on that role for themselves."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Held After Pensioner Dies In Hit-And-Run

A 26-year-old man has been arrested after a pensioner was killed crossing the road in a hit-and-run.

The 80-year-old was mowed down in the street when she was walking in Yardley, Birmingham, on Saturday morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said the woman suffered "multiple serious injuries and was in cardiac arrest" when medics arrived.

She was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman's family has been informed but police have yet to publicly name her.

A large-scale police operation to trace the car and driver started immediately after the crash, after the vehicle sped from the scene.

Hours later, officers found a damaged blue Vauxhall Astra dumped at the roadside about six miles away in Solihull.

Police believe it to be the car involved in the crash.

A police spokesman said: "A 26-year-old visited Stechford police station and has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said medics attempted to resuscitate the woman as soon as they arrived but "despite their best efforts, nothing could be done".

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Comic Relief: PM Stars In One Direction Video

David Cameron is to make a "cameo" appearance in a Comic Relief music video with teen heartthrobs One Direction.

The Prime Minister features in the group's official Red Nose Day single, which is a cover version medley of Blondie's One Way Or Another and the Undertones' Teenage Kicks.

The Government has already agreed to cover the cost of VAT on sales of the record to help the fund-raising effort.

One Direction, who have stormed to global fame after being put together on X Factor, went to Downing Street to film the clip last year.

It is not the first time Mr Cameron has taken part in Comic Relief, which has raised £800m since it was first launched 25 years ago.

In 2011, he recorded a special episode of MasterChef in the kitchens at Number 10 with comediennes Miranda Hart and Ruby Wax.

His predecessors Gordon Brown and Tony Blair have both also taken part in sketches for the charity.

In 2011, after he had left office, Mr Brown teamed up with James Corden, JLS and other celebrities in a comedy sketch.

And in 2007, Mr Blair showed off his acting skills in a segment with comedy actress Catherine Tate.

He had to deal with one of her most popular characters - stroppy teenager Lauren Cooper - and delivered her famous catchphrase: "Am I bovvered?"

Red Nose Day is on March 15.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Horsemeat: Minister Defends Defra Response

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has mounted a robust defence of his department's actions following claims Government ministers were warned in 2011 that horsemeat was illegally entering the human food chain.

John Young, a former manager at the Meat Hygiene Service, now part of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), told The Sunday Times he warned the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) of the potential scandal in April that year, but was ignored.

He followed this up a month later in a letter saying, "are the lunatics in total control of the asylum?"

Mr Paterson said he had spoken to the FSA's chief executive, Catherine Brown, regarding the claims, which were made before he took up his position.

"I have discussed it with the chief executive of the FSA this morning and she is going to go back through the records and see exactly what was said at the time," he told Sky News' Murnaghan programme.

Supermarkets have warned consumers could pay the price for the scandal

The Cabinet minister, who has been accused of being "asleep at the wheel" by Labour, said his department could not have been more "active" since the recent revelations.

"We are making progress - a whole lot of premises have been investigated, a large amount of evidence has been taken, and in this country we have been extremely active. Three premises have been investigated, two closed down and a number of arrests made.

"We are completely determined to get to the bottom of this because no matter what the price of the product, the consumer should buy what is on the label. It is a fraud on the public."

He said British actions had triggered Europe-wide testing for horse DNA and bute - as well as coordinated probes into the crisis across the continent.

"Too much of this system is based on trust on paper, and there is not enough testing. We have to get back to more testing of products.

"It trusts that the palate conforms to the piece of paper. Nobody checks what's on the palate often enough. Nobody checks what's in production often enough. Nobody checks the finished product often enough."

He added: "When this is all through, I want to have a proper look at the whole system within the constraints of European law. I want to make sure we do reintroduce more targeted testing and more random testing of products."

Some 7% of people have stopped eating meat altogether, a poll suggests

The FSA said Mr Young's letter highlighted concerns about the horse passport system, which is the responsibility of Defra - not the illegal substitution of beef with horse.

A spokesperson said: "The horse passport system is the principal measure to keep horses testing positive for bute out of the food chain.

"During the past 12 months the FSA has increased the number of staff working in horse abattoirs to strengthen our oversight of the system. And from last week we introduced a system where all horses are tested for bute, and carcasses are not allowed into the food chain unless they have tested negative. This complements the protection provided by the horse passport system."

Meanwhile, the boss of one of the country's leading supermarkets warned consumers could end up paying the price for the scandal.

Mark Price, managing director of Waitrose, said ensuring food has the best safety guarantees means it can no longer be regarded as a "cheap commodity".

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, he said rising costs of rearing animals could mean that "somewhere along that long supply route, somebody has looked to cheat and take advantage of these circumstances either for their own personal greed or to keep a company afloat".

But supermarket chain Morrisons insisted "high quality meat does not need to be expensive".

A spokesman said: "We have invested in our own abattoirs and meat processing facilities to control cost and quality. Many meat supply chains are too complex, with too many middlemen, and this adds to cost and leads to more risk of adulteration."

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Lib Dem Wealth Tax Crackdown On Heirlooms

Jewellery, paintings and other heirlooms could be taxed under radical new plans to hit the rich drawn up by the Liberal Democrats.

The French-style tax on possessions would see a levy on family treasures including furniture, rings and necklaces.

Households could be fined if they refuse to allow tax inspectors into their homes to value items.

Plans also include extending the proposed "mansion tax" to include holiday homes and buy-to-let properties.

The party is already committed to introducing a mansion tax on individual properties worth more than £2m on their own, which Labour is now backing.

Under the new proposals, the levy would be extended to include anyone with a total property portfolio worth more than £2m.

An internal policy consultation has concluded there "may be merit" in imposing the 1% levy instead on anyone with a land and property portfolio worth above the same threshold.

The document is to be debated by activists at the party's spring conference in Brighton next month.

People could be taxed on their total property portfolio

Business Secretary Vince Cable dubbed the proposal to tax assets such as jewellery as "wacky", while MP Tessa Munt, who helped draw up the consultation paper, told the Mail on Sunday it was an "interesting idea".

"This is not party policy," Mr Cable told Sky News' Murnaghan programme.

"There is a working group coming up with ideas on a wide variety of things ... some of their ideas are interesting, a couple of them are a bit wacky - the idea of taxing jewellery is completely impractical and intrusive.

"The idea that you combine together people's properties, probably doesn't make a great deal of sense because people's second homes are already subject to capital gains tax, income tax on the rent.

"So there are ideas in there that I am sure will not get any further, but we have a democratic process, we have activists who come forward with ideas, we debate them and then we make policy - but we are a long, long way from that.

"I think we will want to stop at a mansion tax and make that work," he added.

Extending the mansion tax was reported to be favoured by some within the party as a vote-winner in the South West, where there is anger over second-home buyers forcing up prices.

But senior figures are also believed to have concerns that the move - in a package drawn up as part of preparations for the 2015 general election manifesto - could see some people taxed twice.

Landlords already pay tax on any rent they receive.

A Lib Dem spokesman said: This consultation is part of the process of asking for ideas on how to ensure a fairer tax system.

"It is up to Lib Dem party members as to whether these eventually become party policy."

The proposals emerged as Labour - which this week backed the idea of a mansion tax to fund the return of a 10p income tax rate - challenged the Lib Dems to support it in a Commons vote.

Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg, told Sky News: "I have been arguing for a small levy of 1% on very high value properties over £2m for years - long before Ed Miliband.

"The last thing I worry about is what the latest twists and turns are of Labour Party policy.

"What I think they need to to do is instead of constantly advocating other people's policies is come up with some of their own."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More