NHS Seeks To Get Obese Britons Back In Shape

With obesity on the rise in the UK, health authorities are rolling out a new programme aimed at getting the nation back in shape through a better diet and more exercise.

Under the scheme, GPs in England will be asked to monitor patients who are putting on weight and offer them help to stop them becoming obese.

Obesity is estimated to cost Britain almost £47bn every year - more than war and terrorism.

A report from the European Commission shows that the obesity rate in the UK has increased over the past decade, making it the second highest in the EU after Hungary.

As part of the programme, thousands of people at risk of diabetes will be offered support to improve their health.

More than three million people in the UK have diabetes.

The programme aims to get people on a healthier diet

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: "The ghost of Christmases past reminds us that 20 years ago we didn't have these problems as a nation.

"The ghost of Christmases future tells us that if we get our act together - as the NHS, as parents, as schools, the food industry - we can get back in shape."

The European Court of Justice recently ruled that people who are obese could also be considered disabled.

But Mr Stevens called that ruling "daft" and said obesity is not "inevitable".

The NHS England leader said those at risk of diabetes can cut their chances of getting the disease by 60% if they lose between five and 7% of their body weight.

Simon Stevens, head of NHS England

The new programme "will offer tens of thousands of people at risk of diabetes proper support to get healthier, eat better and exercise more", Mr Stevens said.

Almost two-thirds of adults in the country are either overweight or obese.

Obesity is calculated through the body mass index, which is determined looking at the weight and height of the person. A BMI of between 25 and 30 means a person is overweight, a BMI of 30 or over means a person is obese.

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Boxing Day Snow As UK Slides Towards -15C

Forecasters have raised the cold weather alert for large swathes of Britain - warning of ice, plumetting temperatures and up to 10cm of snow.

The Met Office has increased its alert level from yellow to amber - the second highest warning - for the the Midlands and the North of England.

An amber alert means "there is a 90% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/heavy snow".

The South, Northern Ireland, Wales, East Anglia, London and Kent are on yellow alert, meaning there is a 70 to 80% chance of freezing conditions.

Areas most likely to be affected by snow

In some central and northern parts, up to 10cm of snow could fall later today.

Meanwhile, temperatures could dip below freezing across much of Britain next week - falling to -15C in some parts.

Sky News Weather Presenter Isobel Lang said: "After this evening's low pressure system spirals into the near continent, the remnants of any snow should clear and it will turn icy.

"Scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow are likely to affect many areas during Saturday, but it will turn drier and clearer as high pressure moves in through Sunday and the run up to New Year.

"That period is likely to be the coldest of 2014 with some very low temperatures forecast. Minima of minus 10 to minus 15C are possible with daytime highs barely reaching zero or 1C in central areas."

The Met Office cold weather alert warns conditions could "increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services".

Met Office meteorologist Krista Mitchell said: "This year as a whole has been very mild, so this could be the coldest spell that we've had.

"As we go towards Monday and Tuesday, we will see overnight temperatures really drop, with widespread frost and most places dropping below freezing."

A spokesman for Transport Scotland said it was monitoring the conditions.

"As ever, the public have a vital role to play in terms of helping to minimise disruption," he said.

"We would advise people to prepare for some travel disruption as bridges could be affected by high winds and driving conditions could be challenging in some areas, so please allow extra time for your journeys.

"They should also check the relevant websites, such as Traffic Scotland, for up-to-date travel information before they set off."

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City Link Jobs Blow Announcement 'Stinks'

A union has hit out at the timing of an announcement that more than 2,700 workers are facing redundancies after parcel delivery group City Link went into administration.

The RMT union has demanded "urgent talks" with Business Secretary Vince Cable after it was revealed on Christmas Day that the company had called in administrators.

The administrators - EY - were called in after years of "substantial losses".

City Link, which employs 2,727 people and is understood to count John Lewis among its largest clients, expects there to be a number of redundancies after no buyer could be found.

As well as the talks with Mr Cable, the union has demanded an investigation into the release of the news, saying it believed there could have been "more cynical motives" behind the decision to "delay" the announcement.

The RMT said it had been told the Coventry-based firm was in administration on Christmas Eve, something which neither the company nor the administrators were prepared to publicly confirm until the next day.

The union's general secretary, Mick Cash, said: "The delayed timing of the announcement that City Link was in administration to tea time on Christmas Day stinks to high heaven.

"Not only was it the most brutal and callous way to treat nearly 3,000 staff but RMT believes there may have been more cynical motives behind it which we want the Government to investigate.

"The disgraceful timing of the City Link announcement at the start of the festive season must not be allowed to delay and hamper efforts to rescue the jobs."

Employee Mark Critchley told Sky News that staff were angry with City Link's managers, who he called "cowardly and underhanded".

"We'd like them to come down here and tell us what's going on and why they've done it," he said.

In an internal email from the company's chief executive Dave Smith, seen by Sky News, Mr Smith apologises to staff for the timing of the announcement.

"I am sorry to break this news to you, particularly at this time of year."

The company's operations at all of its depots have been suspended until Monday.

Customers and those expecting deliveries will then be able to collect their parcels.

Hunter Kelly, joint administrator to City Link, said the strain of the firm's losses "became too great".

"Despite the best efforts to save City Link Limited, including marketing the company for sale, it could not continue to operate as a going concern and administrators were appointed."

Administrators EY said some employees will be kept on to help return parcels to customers and help with the winding down of the company.

Customers who had placed parcels with the company on Christmas Eve and recipients who have been told of a failed or pending delivery have been urged to pick up their parcels as soon as possible on or after December 29.

The company's 53 depots will remain open for a short period of time so people can collect their parcels.

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Boxing Day Bargain Hunters Hit High Street

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Video: Boxing Day Sales Get Underway

Thousands of people have braved the cold to hit the high street early as stores kick off their Boxing Day sales.

Retailers say big discounts are available - even as a record eight million people shopped online on Christmas Day as some shops started their sales on the internet a day early.

Sky News' Katie Spencer at Selfridges in London said it was "incredibly busy" but noted that a lot of the shopping would likely be done online. 

Shoppers searching for discounts online are expected to spend £748m today, or £519,000 every minute, according to data firm Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG.

Lining up outside Harrods department store in London

An estimated 142 million visits were made to retail websites on Christmas Day and an online survey found that more than a third of Britons buy Christmas presents in the post-Christmas sales.

Experian's Giles Longhurst, said: "This year has seen record breaking online shopping rates, particularly on Black Friday, which saw an astronomical £810m in estimated spend due to the massive resources put behind promotions by a wide range of retailers.

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1. Gallery: Boxing Day Sales Across Nation

   Shoppers are out in force as they hunt for a Boxing Day bargain

Crowds flocked to big department stores in London, such as Selfridges

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At Harrods people in the queue were treated to hot coffees

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When the doors opened shoppers who had lined up rushed inside

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Boxing Day is expected to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Continue through for more images

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"Traditionally, the Boxing Day sales have been the busiest day for retailers in the UK, but this year we expect them to come second to Black Friday."

Myf Ryan, director of the Westfield shopping centres, said Boxing Day remained a "huge attraction" for shoppers.

"Last year we had queues out of the door on Boxing Day by 5am," he said.

"This year we expect an exceptionally busy day yet again, fuelled by excellent retail offers and special deals with over 50% off by many of our 600 retailers."

But retail staff will also spend much of their time sorting out disputes with consumers returning Christmas presents.

The new retail ombudsman, Dean Dunham, who takes up his new role on 2 January, said he expected thousands of complaints from shoppers who have been refused refunds.

He said: "If the goods are not faulty, the law places no obligations on the retailer so you have to examine their terms and conditions.

"If their terms say the retailer will not accept returns where packaging is damaged or missing, and most terms do, the retailer will be perfectly within their rights to enforce this."

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We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Boxing Day Sales Get Underway

Thousands of people have braved the cold to hit the high street early as stores kick off their Boxing Day sales.

Retailers say big discounts are available - even as a record eight million people shopped online on Christmas Day as some shops started their sales on the internet a day early.

Sky News' Katie Spencer at Selfridges in London said it was "incredibly busy" but noted that a lot of the shopping would likely be done online. 

Shoppers searching for discounts online are expected to spend £748m today, or £519,000 every minute, according to data firm Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG.

Lining up outside Harrods department store in London

An estimated 142 million visits were made to retail websites on Christmas Day and an online survey found that more than a third of Britons buy Christmas presents in the post-Christmas sales.

Experian's Giles Longhurst, said: "This year has seen record breaking online shopping rates, particularly on Black Friday, which saw an astronomical £810m in estimated spend due to the massive resources put behind promotions by a wide range of retailers.

1/10

1. Gallery: Boxing Day Sales Across Nation

   Shoppers are out in force as they hunt for a Boxing Day bargain

Crowds flocked to big department stores in London, such as Selfridges

]]>

At Harrods people in the queue were treated to hot coffees

]]>

When the doors opened shoppers who had lined up rushed inside

]]>

Boxing Day is expected to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Continue through for more images

]]>

"Traditionally, the Boxing Day sales have been the busiest day for retailers in the UK, but this year we expect them to come second to Black Friday."

Myf Ryan, director of the Westfield shopping centres, said Boxing Day remained a "huge attraction" for shoppers.

"Last year we had queues out of the door on Boxing Day by 5am," he said.

"This year we expect an exceptionally busy day yet again, fuelled by excellent retail offers and special deals with over 50% off by many of our 600 retailers."

But retail staff will also spend much of their time sorting out disputes with consumers returning Christmas presents.

The new retail ombudsman, Dean Dunham, who takes up his new role on 2 January, said he expected thousands of complaints from shoppers who have been refused refunds.

He said: "If the goods are not faulty, the law places no obligations on the retailer so you have to examine their terms and conditions.

"If their terms say the retailer will not accept returns where packaging is damaged or missing, and most terms do, the retailer will be perfectly within their rights to enforce this."

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22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Queen Urges Reconciliation In Christmas Message

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Video: Queen's Full Christmas Address

Queen Elizabeth has used her traditional Christmas broadcast to call for reconciliation, citing the Scottish referendum and Northern Ireland.

In her annual address to the nation, the monarch also hailed the medical workers who helped fight Ebola in Africa.

The message was broadcast after the Queen attended the traditional church service at Sandringham.

The head of state talked about the poignant moment when First World War forces put aside their differences and met in no-man's land during the Christmas truce of 1914.

A sculpture by Josefina de Vasconcellos called Reconciliation.

She touched on how she felt visiting the poppy installation at the Tower of London last October.

"The ceramic poppies at the Tower of London drew millions and the only possible reaction to walking among them was silence.

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1. Gallery: Royals Attend Church Service

   The Queen attended the traditional Christmas service at Sandringham

She was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family

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Camilla was missing due to a back problem

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The Duchess of Cambridge attended but Prince George did not

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William and Kate greeted well-wishers after the service

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"For every poppy a life; and a reminder of the grief of loved ones left behind," she said.

Her Majesty also reflected on some events of 2014.

"In Scotland after the referendum many felt great disappointment, while others felt great relief; and bridging these differences will take time," the Queen said.

In contrast, Northern Ireland has already begun the journey to heal divisions between Protestant and Catholic communities.

She said: "The benefits of reconciliation were clear to see when I visited Belfast in June. While my tour of the set of Game Of Thrones may have gained most attention, my visit to the Crumlin Road Gaol will remain vividly in my mind.

"What was once a prison during the Troubles is now a place of hope and fresh purpose; a reminder of what is possible when people reach out to one another."

The Queen began by talking about a sculpture of a man and woman embracing by Josefina de Vasconcellos, called Reconciliation.

Casts of the artwork can be found in the ruins of Coventry cathedral and at sites in Belfast and Berlin.

"Bringing reconciliation to war or emergency zones is an even harder task, and I have been deeply touched this year by the selflessness of aid workers and medical volunteers who have gone abroad to help victims of conflict or of diseases like Ebola, often at great personal risk," she said.

The Queen, who wore a purple dress by Angela Kelly and a diamond and pearl brooch inherited from her grandmother, recorded her message sitting next to a table featuring separate photographs of her grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary.

Also present is an embossed box similar to those sent to soldiers on the frontline in 1914.

The Queen made her first Christmas broadcast in 1952, live on the radio from her study at Sandringham.

Her first televised message came five years later and she has only missed one year, 1969, when she decided the royals had featured enough on TV after an unprecedented documentary.

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We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Queen's Full Christmas Address

Queen Elizabeth has used her traditional Christmas broadcast to call for reconciliation, citing the Scottish referendum and Northern Ireland.

In her annual address to the nation, the monarch also hailed the medical workers who helped fight Ebola in Africa.

The message was broadcast after the Queen attended the traditional church service at Sandringham.

The head of state talked about the poignant moment when First World War forces put aside their differences and met in no-man's land during the Christmas truce of 1914.

A sculpture by Josefina de Vasconcellos called Reconciliation.

She touched on how she felt visiting the poppy installation at the Tower of London last October.

"The ceramic poppies at the Tower of London drew millions and the only possible reaction to walking among them was silence.

1/12

1. Gallery: Royals Attend Church Service

   The Queen attended the traditional Christmas service at Sandringham

She was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family

]]>

Camilla was missing due to a back problem

]]>

The Duchess of Cambridge attended but Prince George did not

]]>

William and Kate greeted well-wishers after the service

]]>

"For every poppy a life; and a reminder of the grief of loved ones left behind," she said.

Her Majesty also reflected on some events of 2014.

"In Scotland after the referendum many felt great disappointment, while others felt great relief; and bridging these differences will take time," the Queen said.

In contrast, Northern Ireland has already begun the journey to heal divisions between Protestant and Catholic communities.

She said: "The benefits of reconciliation were clear to see when I visited Belfast in June. While my tour of the set of Game Of Thrones may have gained most attention, my visit to the Crumlin Road Gaol will remain vividly in my mind.

"What was once a prison during the Troubles is now a place of hope and fresh purpose; a reminder of what is possible when people reach out to one another."

The Queen began by talking about a sculpture of a man and woman embracing by Josefina de Vasconcellos, called Reconciliation.

Casts of the artwork can be found in the ruins of Coventry cathedral and at sites in Belfast and Berlin.

"Bringing reconciliation to war or emergency zones is an even harder task, and I have been deeply touched this year by the selflessness of aid workers and medical volunteers who have gone abroad to help victims of conflict or of diseases like Ebola, often at great personal risk," she said.

The Queen, who wore a purple dress by Angela Kelly and a diamond and pearl brooch inherited from her grandmother, recorded her message sitting next to a table featuring separate photographs of her grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary.

Also present is an embossed box similar to those sent to soldiers on the frontline in 1914.

The Queen made her first Christmas broadcast in 1952, live on the radio from her study at Sandringham.

Her first televised message came five years later and she has only missed one year, 1969, when she decided the royals had featured enough on TV after an unprecedented documentary.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Royal Family Attend Christmas Church Service
2. Weather Alert As Four Inches Of Snow Expected
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Man Charged With Grandson's Murder In Lincoln

A 64-year-old man has been charged over the murder of his nine-year-old grandson in Lincolnshire.

Stewart James Greene, of Grimoldby, was charged following the death of Alex James Robinson on Tuesday.

Lincolnshire Police were called to Pennell Street, in Lincoln, just before midday on Tuesday.

The boy was taken by ambulance to Lincoln County Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police initially described the boy's death as "suspicious", adding that a 64-year-old man was "helping police with inquiries".

Police say Greene was charged with murder after a post-mortem was carried out on the boy's body.

Greene is due to face Lincoln Magistrates Court on Boxing Day.

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Loom Bands: A Tragedy Waiting To Happen?

More needs to be done to highlight the dangers of loom bands after a number of children got the popular children's accessory lodged in their noses.

Four children were treated at a Scottish hospital in just one week after the rubber bands became stuck, according to an article in the Journal of Laryngology & Otology.

But in a paper entitled Loom bands and young children - a tragedy waiting to happen? staff from the ENT Department at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, said there had been a surge in the popularity of the bands recently, and urged people to be aware of the potential risks.

The report's authors said: "Although the four cases presented were resolved without the need for general anaesthetic, the ever-soaring prevalence and popularity of loom bands necessitates a degree of caution and vigilance from parents, retailers and manufacturers alike.

"We believe there is an urgent need for greater public awareness of their potential hazards."

There is a risk of inhalation when objects become stuck in nasal passages, obstructing the airway, they added.

Loom bands are small loops of elastic in different colours that can be linked together to create jewellery such as necklaces and bracelets.

The Duchess of Cambridge and pop star Harry Styles have been seen wearing them - leading to an increase in popularity.

Earlier this year The Entertainer removed loom band charms from its shelves after they were found to contain the chemical phthalates, which can disrupt hormones in children.

The chemicals, which are used to soften plastics, have been banned in toys on sale in the European Union for several years.

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Archbishop Calls In Sick For Christmas Sermon

The Archbishop of Canterbury has been forced to cancel his annual Christmas Day sermon after coming down with a heavy cold.

Lambeth Palace said the Most Rev Justin Welby has been suffering from a "severe cold" for several days and decided this morning that he was too unwell to speak at the annual Canterbury Cathedral service.

A Lambeth Palace spokesman said the Archbishop "is suffering from a severe cold and will, with great regret, no longer be preaching the sermon at Canterbury Cathedral this morning.

"The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Rev Robert Willis, will deliver a homily."

The Archbishop had been due to talk about how the true spirit of Christmas cannot be captured in fairytale endings, using the example of the First World War Christmas truce in 1914.

The Archbishop had been due to say: "The truce illustrates something of the heart of Christmas, whereby God sends his Son, that vulnerable sign of peace, to a weary war-torn world.

"The problem is that the way it is told now it seems to end with a 'happy ever after'.

"Of course we like Christmas stories with happy endings: singing carols, swapping photos, shaking hands, sharing chocolate, but the following day the war continued with the same severity.

"Nothing had changed; it was a one-day wonder.

"That is not the world in which we live, truces are rare."

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One Man Killed In City Centre Shooting

A young man has been shot dead and another injured as they sat in a car in Sheffield city centre.

The incident happened in Derek Dooley Way, at around 10.15pm on Sunday.

The men, both 22, were taken to hospital but the passenger was pronounced dead. The driver of the vehicle is in a stable condition.

Both men are from the Sheffield area.

No one has been arrested.

Officers have urged anyone with information to contact police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Burglary Suspect Dies After Taser Shooting

A burglary suspect has died after being shot with a Taser by officers in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Staffordshire Police had been called to a block of flats after receiving reports of a break-in shortly after 1am on Monday morning.

The occupants of a first floor flat, understood to be a young couple with a little boy, were not inside when officers arrived, according to a force spokesman.

However, another man was in the flat and officers deployed a Taser.

The suspected burglar became unresponsive after being taken to a police vehicle.

Paramedics from the West Midlands Ambulance Service tried to treat the man, but he died a short time later.

Uniformed officers remain on guard outside the flat's doorway, while residents spoke of their shock at the night's events.

The man was tasered at a block of flats in Newcastle-under-Lyme

A resident living on the ground floor with his pregnant girlfriend said he saw a "drunk-looking" man being supported and escorted by at least three police officers into a custody van.

The 22-year-old, who declined to be named, said at about 1.45am he heard the white male call "help me", as he was walked along a short path leading from the front of the flats to the main road.

He added that the first he heard of any trouble was "shouting in the corridor", but initially thought nothing of it.

"I just thought it's the lads having a few beers, but then there was banging," he said.

The resident, who lives right by the front door to the block of flats said he grew alarmed, and helped his six-and-a-half month pregnant girlfriend into her car and off to her parents while he stayed.

A policeman stands guard outside the flat

"It's something when you have to put your missus in the car and send her off," he said. "I just locked the door and wanted nothing to do with it."

The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

A spokesman for the Staffordshire force said: "A detailed investigation is under way and the scene will remain cordoned off while the investigation continues.

"Local officers will be in the community throughout the day talking to residents."

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