Written By Unknown on Jumat, 13 Februari 2015 | 22.11
By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs Editor
The number of teetotal young adults has almost doubled, according to new statistics that show a significant drop in alcohol consumption amongst 16 to 24-year-olds.
The rise is so steep that it has caused an overall increase in the number of adults who do not drink at all, which is now over one fifth.
Young adults are also responsible for a decrease in binge drinking, the figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.
The proportion who drank more than eight units of alcohol in one day, in the week before the interview, was down from 18% in 2005 to 15% in 2013.
London had the highest rates of teetotalism, with one third of adults in the capital saying they did not drink at all.
Video:Dec: 'Zero Tolerance' To Drink Call
One expert told Sky News that the rise in numbers of teetotal young people was related to the UK's changing demographics.
"It's probably mainly driven by the changing ethnic mix in this country. There are increasing numbers of people who don't drink at all because of religious reasons," said Professor Ian Gilmore, chair of Alcohol Health Alliance.
"But there is also under-reporting. We know that people report in surveys roughly half of what they drink.
"If you look at the Customs and Excise data who know how much we drink, the average drinking adult is drinking roughly 25 units per week. So there's no room for complacency."
Video:Dec: Binge Drinkers May Face Arrest
There remain concerns about regional variations in drinking patterns.
The figures in London contrast to the north of England and Scotland, where more adults drank and where more were likely to binge drink.
The ONS said alcohol misuse is a leading cause of ill-health in Great Britain, which is estimated to cost the NHS in England approximately £3.5bn every year.
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Video:Talbot Concealed Dark Past Of Abuse
By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent
Fred Talbot's weather forecasts from a floating map in Liverpool's Albert Dock made him a familiar face to millions across the UK.
But those watching his antics on ITV's This Morning had no idea he had a past as a teacher who preyed on vulnerable pupils for his own sexual gratification.
His trial in Manchester heard that he was "obsessed with teenage boys" and "could not help himself," especially when he had been drinking alcohol.
The abuse happened in the 1970s and was carried out during Talbot's time as a biology teacher at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys.
Ian Brown was a surprise prosecution witness during the trial
Victims described how they were forced to sleep naked with Talbot on canal barge school trips organised by the teacher.
Prosecutor Neil Usher told Minshull Street Crown Court "the very qualities that made Fred Talbot so successful as a TV celebrity - his boundless energy, his infectious enthusiasm, his extrovert personality - helped him gain, we say, the trust of these boys".
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Gallery: Diaries Seized By Cops Helped Convict Talbot
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Stone Roses singer Ian Brown appeared in court to give evidence for the prosecution.
A former pupil, he recalled Talbot teaching 11-year-olds to masturbate during a biology lesson and showing the class what was "probably a gay porn film".
The trial heard how Talbot's teaching career came to an abrupt end in 1984 when he propositioned a boy at his home and was forced to resign.
Only then did he pursue a career in TV.
Talbot's own diary entries were seized by police and formed a key part of the prosecution case.
An entry from 1969 read: "What I am doing with the kids means a lot to me, but it may be the wrong thing.
"I find that my mind is never at rest. I am in conflict about many things. Teaching will not make me rich, is that important.
"What is more interesting than a smoking, swearing and copulating 15-year-old."
In 1984 he wrote: "At night a group of the 4th years round to use the telescope. Later joined by some of the 6th years... A very clear night. The 4th decided to stay the night. As usual I had quite a bit to drink and as usual I tried. I must be mad".
Lawyer Richard Scorer, head of the abuse team at Slater and Gordon solicitors in Manchester, told Sky News it was unusual for abusers to keep diaries in this way.
"Typically what we find it we're dealing with is very manipulative people - they know that abuse is secretive, that it happens beyond the eyes of most people so they generally don't leave traces of what they're doing," he said.
"I think certainly in other cases where we've seen this kind of behaviour - paedophiles keeping diaries of their activity - there has been an aspect of it which is around the trophy, celebrating what they're doing and the fact that they're able to get away with it despite knowing, as Talbot clearly did, that it was totally wrong."
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Video:Talbot Concealed Dark Past Of Abuse
By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent
Fred Talbot's weather forecasts from a floating map in Liverpool's Albert Dock made him a familiar face to millions across the UK.
But those watching his antics on ITV's This Morning had no idea he had a past as a teacher who preyed on vulnerable pupils for his own sexual gratification.
His trial in Manchester heard that he was "obsessed with teenage boys" and "could not help himself," especially when he had been drinking alcohol.
The abuse happened in the 1970s and was carried out during Talbot's time as a biology teacher at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys.
Ian Brown was a surprise prosecution witness during the trial
Victims described how they were forced to sleep naked with Talbot on canal barge school trips organised by the teacher.
Prosecutor Neil Usher told Minshull Street Crown Court "the very qualities that made Fred Talbot so successful as a TV celebrity - his boundless energy, his infectious enthusiasm, his extrovert personality - helped him gain, we say, the trust of these boys".
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Gallery: Diaries Seized By Cops Helped Convict Talbot
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Stone Roses singer Ian Brown appeared in court to give evidence for the prosecution.
A former pupil, he recalled Talbot teaching 11-year-olds to masturbate during a biology lesson and showing the class what was "probably a gay porn film".
The trial heard how Talbot's teaching career came to an abrupt end in 1984 when he propositioned a boy at his home and was forced to resign.
Only then did he pursue a career in TV.
Talbot's own diary entries were seized by police and formed a key part of the prosecution case.
An entry from 1969 read: "What I am doing with the kids means a lot to me, but it may be the wrong thing.
"I find that my mind is never at rest. I am in conflict about many things. Teaching will not make me rich, is that important.
"What is more interesting than a smoking, swearing and copulating 15-year-old."
In 1984 he wrote: "At night a group of the 4th years round to use the telescope. Later joined by some of the 6th years... A very clear night. The 4th decided to stay the night. As usual I had quite a bit to drink and as usual I tried. I must be mad".
Lawyer Richard Scorer, head of the abuse team at Slater and Gordon solicitors in Manchester, told Sky News it was unusual for abusers to keep diaries in this way.
"Typically what we find it we're dealing with is very manipulative people - they know that abuse is secretive, that it happens beyond the eyes of most people so they generally don't leave traces of what they're doing," he said.
"I think certainly in other cases where we've seen this kind of behaviour - paedophiles keeping diaries of their activity - there has been an aspect of it which is around the trophy, celebrating what they're doing and the fact that they're able to get away with it despite knowing, as Talbot clearly did, that it was totally wrong."
A 13-year-old boy has died following an altercation during his lunch break at a grammar school in County Fermanagh.
Oisin McGrath, a student of St Michael's College in Enniskillen, was taken to hospital from the school on Monday.
He was later transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where he lost his fight for life on Thursday evening.
Parishioners at a special mass were told that, on medical advice, his parents had made the difficult decision to withdraw life support.
Their parish priest, Father Seamus Quinn, confirmed the family had also opted to donate the schoolboy's organs for transplant.
He said: "There are no words to describe what they're going through. They're devastated, they're numb, they're in shock. It's a nightmare, except this one you don't waken up from. It's horrendous."
Oisin McGrath fell ill at St Michael's College in Enniskillen on Monday
A sixth-form student, aged 17, was detained by police after the incident but later released on bail pending enquiries.
In a statement, St Michael's - a Catholic school for boys - said: "A group of students were playing at lunchtime when one student became unwell and we sought medical assistance.
Video:Local Priest: 'The Family Is Numb'
"He was taken by ambulance to the South West Acute Hospital for medical help."
The school said it would be closed on Friday and would reopen on Wednesday February 18 after a mid term break.
Northern Ireland's Education Minister John O'Dowd expressed his sadness at Oisin's death.
The Minister said: "I am deeply saddened at the tragic death of Oisin McGrath. As a parent myself I can only imagine the grief his parents and family are feeling.
"My thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time. I also extend my sympathy to the whole St Michael's College community.
"The Western Education and Library Board is providing counselling and pastoral support to the school and will continue to do so for as long as is needed."
Oisin McGrath was a popular member of the under-14 team at Belcoo Gaelic football club in County Fermanagh.
In a statement, the club said: "Our thoughts remain with Oisin's extended family circle and friends at this tragic time."
They also included the quote "ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam", which translates as: "On the right hand of God that is his soul."
Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew expressed her sympathy to the McGrath family.
She said: "My thoughts and prayers are with the McGrath family. The loss of a young life after such a tragic incident is devastating for the entire community.
"I offer my sincerest sympathies to Oisín's parents Sharon and Nigel, his younger sisters Ciana and Cairenn and to their entire extended family."
A quick-thinking bus driver has been hailed a life-saver after manoeuvring his vehicle to help a naked man escape from a burning building.
The man is thought to have been in the shower when the fire started in his third-floor flat above a cafe in Braintree, Essex, and he found himself trapped.
Passers-by flagged down off-duty bus driver Andy Waterman, who was taking his double-decker back to the depot.
He positioned it close to the roof of the flat, allowing the man to jump about 10ft (3m) to safety.
Firefighters then arrived and helped him to the ground.
The fire broke out just after 7pm. Pic: Essex County Fire and Rescue
Mr Waterman, from West Mersea, is to receive a commendation from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.
He said: "A group of people started flagging me down and they were asking me to stop.
"I asked them what the problem was and they said a man was stuck on the roof of his flat because it was on fire.
"I drove nearer and all I could see was thick, black smoke. (Then) I saw the man and thought 'We've got to get him to safety'."
Mr Waterman added: "I have been driving buses for eight years and nothing like this has happened before. I am just pleased the man is alive."
Eight fire crews were sent to the scene. Pic: Essex County Fire and Rescue
Incident commander Dave Barritt said: "The man was trapped on the third floor and there was no way he could get out.
"If the bus hadn't been there I don't know how he would have escaped - the fall could easily have killed him. The bus driver's actions saved this man's life."
Eight fire crews were called to the scene and it took them several hours to bring the flames under control.
Adrian Jones, managing director of the First Essex bus company, which employs Mr Waterman, said: "We are very proud of Andy - he was in the right place at the right time."
Former weather presenter Fred Talbot has been found guilty of indecently assaulting two boys when he was a teacher.
Talbot showed little reaction to the verdicts, which related to two victims who were aged 14 or 15 in the 1970s.
The 65-year-old, who was known to millions for his forecasts on a floating weather map for ITV's This Morning show, was described as a "chancer" at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
He was said to have been "obsessed" with teenage boys and "could not help himself", particularly when he had been drinking alcohol.
Talbot's diary entries formed part of the prosecution's case
Victims described how they were forced to sleep naked with him during school trips on canal barges that he had organised.
One told how boys would take turns to sleep in Talbot's bed on one of the trips, and that at one stage the defendant "started talking to me about sexual stuff" before assaulting him.
Video:Talbot Concealed Dark Past Of Abuse
Talbot's diary entries spanning three decades were seized by police and formed a key part of the prosecution's case. One entry read: "What I am doing with the kids means a lot to me, but it may be the wrong thing."
Greater Manchester Police Detective Constable Chris Doggart praised the bravery of the victims and said: "Talbot was an extremely popular and well liked individual - both as a celebrity weatherman and formerly as a science teacher - who earned not only the trust and adulation of many of his peers and pupils, but also much of the nation.
"Now he has been exposed as an opportunistic sex offender and that reputation is rightly in tatters."
The jury cleared Talbot of eight counts of indecent assault in relation to three other complainants.
Among prosecution witnesses at the trial was The Stone Roses singer Ian Brown, who had told the court how Talbot had explained to boys in his class how to carry out a sex act.
Brown said Talbot had also shown a gay porn film in another class.
Video:Talbot's Abuse Was 'Appalling'
Talbot's teaching career ended abruptly in 1984 after a proposal he made to two boys about sleeping with them at his home.
During a police interview in 2013, Talbot refused to answer questions about allegations by men who claimed they had been abused as children.
The abuse happened during his time as a biology teacher at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys in Cheshire, which said in a statement: "These awful events took place over 30 years ago and naturally our thoughts go out to those former pupils who were subjected to this abuse.
"We are confident that our present pupils and their parents know that the school is totally committed to ensuring the safety of our students and staff at all times and that these historical offences have no bearing on the School's outstanding reputation today."
Talbot has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on 13 March.
Written By Unknown on Rabu, 11 Februari 2015 | 22.11
By Lisa Dowd, Sky News Correspondent
A project to test driverless vehicles is being launched today in the hope the UK will become a leading global supplier.
A shuttle is being tried out in the London borough of Greenwich and an electric pod will be used on closed roads and pedestrian areas in Milton Keynes and Coventry.
Vehicles trialled in Bristol will also help gauge public reaction to the cars and assess legal and insurance issues.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "The UK is at the cutting edge of automotive technology - from the all-electric cars built in Sunderland to the Formula One expertise in the Midlands.
"It's important for jobs, growth and society that we keep at the forefront of innovation, that's why I launched a competition to research and develop driverless cars.
Video:UK Driverless Car Trials Begin
"The projects we are now funding will help to ensure we are world leaders in this field and able to benefit from what is expected to be a £900bn industry by 2025."
The Government says there are no legal barriers to the testing of automated vehicles on public roads.
Dr Nick Reed from the Transport Research Lab, which is running the Greenwich trials, said the shuttles use sensors to avoid hazards.
Video:The Future Of Driving?
"Safety is paramount in our research and the vehicle is detecting moving objects around it, and if pedestrians are moving into its path it will slow down, and if they continue into its path it will come to a safe stop ahead of the pedestrian," he said.
It is hoped £19m of Government funding will help British designers get ahead of competitors.
In the US, Google has been testing its version for several years and car companies have been showing off their designs.
Video:How The Finished Pods Will Look
For the UK trials, a qualified driver will be ready to take control if necessary.
David Williams, head of underwriting at insurance firm Axa, said: "Currently whoever is driving the car, or cars, are responsible for the accident, but going forward what's it going to be?
"Is it going to be the manufacturer of the vehicle? The person who programmed the software? And it gets even more complicated - most of these vehicles, they're not driverless all the time, they have the ability for people to interact and take over."
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Gallery: Mercedes Unveils Driverless Car At CES
The Mercedes-Benz F015 Luxury in Motion autonomous concept car is shown on stage during the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas
The interior features a wooden floor and four futuristic armchairs covered in white Nappa leather, which rotate to face each other
NHS staff who raised the the alarm over poor patient care were driven to the brink of suicide, a major review into the treatment of whistleblowers has found.
The report's author, Sir Robert Francis QC, said he repeatedly heard horrific stories of workers' lives being destroyed because workers had tried to do the right thing for people in their care.
He said the health service must undergo a "major change of culture", warning that: "Failure to speak up can cost lives."
Action has been urged at "every level of the NHS" to make staff raising their concerns the norm.
Sir Robert's proposals include:
Video:Hunt On NHS Whistleblowers Review
:: Action at every level of the NHS to make raising concerns part of every member of staff's normal working life
:: Freedom to Speak Up Guardian in every NHS Trust - a named person to give independent support to whistleblowers and hold board to account if it fails to focus on the patient safety issue.
:: A National Independent Officer to support the Guardians an intervene when cases go wrong.
:: A support scheme to help good NHS staff who are without work after raising concerns to get another job.
:: Sets out 20 Principles and Actions which aim to create the right conditions for staff to speak up.
Some 600 staff spoke to the review team, with another 19,000 responding to an online survey.
Many staff said they did not speak up because they felt their concerns would not be listened to, while others feared victimisation.
The report said student nurses and doctors believed the problem to be "endemic" within the health service.
Sir Robert wrote: "I heard shocking accounts of the way some people have been treated when they have been brave enough to speak up.
"I witnessed at first hand their distress and the strain on them and, in some cases, their families.
"I heard about the pressures it can place on other members of a team, on managers, and in some cases the person about whom a concern is raised.
"Though rare, I was told of suicidal thoughts and even suicide attempts."
Sir Robert wrote: "The genuine pain and distress felt by contributors in having to relive their experiences was every bit as serious as the suffering I witnessed by patients and families who gave evidence to the Mid Staffordshire inquiries."
Announcing the raft of measures, Sir Robert stressed that a change in culture was more important than regulation in bringing about the much-needed change.
"What I heard during the course of the review from staff, employers, regulators and unions and others leaves me in no doubt that there's a serious problem in the National Health Service," he told reporters.
"Taking into account all the evidence obtained by the review, I have come to the conclusion there must be a change of culture.
"No amount of legal or regulatory change will make it easier for staff to raise issues that worry them unless there is a culture which encourages and supports them to do so."
He added: "Too often, honestly-expressed anxieties have met with hostility and breakdown of working relationships.
"Worse still, some people suffer life-changing events, they lose their jobs, their careers and even their health."
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt ordered the review last June after Sir Robert led two inquiries into failures at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, which the QC said had shown the "appalling consequences for patients when there is a 'closed ranks' culture".
Mr Hunt said he was accepting all Sir Robert's proposals "in principle".
He told MPs: "The message must go out today that we are calling time on bullying, intimidation and victimisation which have no place in the NHS."
The Government would also fast-track a new law protect whistleblowers against discrimination.
More than 40% of schoolgirls aged between 13 and 17 in England say they have been coerced into engaging in sexual activity, a study has found.
Most of the schoolgirls say they were pressured into having sex, although some also reported being raped.
The survey found many have also suffered physical attacks, intimidation and emotional abuse.
The study was carried out by researchers at the Universities of Bristol and Central Lancashire, led by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
Researchers also carried out the study in Norway, Italy, Bulgaria and Cyprus.
It was the largest of its kind ever carried out in Europe.
It found that a high proportion of teenage boys regularly view pornography and one in five hold negative attitudes towards women.
Some 22% of schoolgirls reported suffering physical violence or intimidation from their boyfriends, including slapping, punching and strangling.
The NSPCC has called on the Government to help children learn about healthy relationships.
Claire Lilley, head of child safety online at the NSPCC, said: "The levels of victimisation revealed by this research shows action is urgently needed by the Government to make updated sex and relationship education a statutory right for every child and young person.
"There needs to be a greater focus in schools on topics such as sexual exploitation and violence against girls and young women, as part of a balanced curriculum.
"The high rates of sexual coercion discovered need to be addressed through education and awareness-raising that challenges attitudes and helps change behaviour.
"We need to nurture children to have positive relationships based on mutual respect."
A man and two women have been arrested on suspicion of terror-related offences.
The man, aged 31, is being held on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism and his arrest comes as police search five addresses on Merseyside..
Officers from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit and Merseyside Police raided the houses after "intelligence received" from law-enforcement agencies.
Police said the searches were expected to take many hours or even days.
Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Mole from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said: "It is our intention to carry out a thorough, professional investigation to determine the circumstances and details of the activity reported.
"We are taking all measures necessary to ensure public safety, which is our primary concern.
"Members of the public will see a lot of police activity at a number of addresses in the coming hours and possibly days.
"However, it is absolutely vital to stress - and, I hope, at the same time, reassure the public - that there is no current threat or evidence of an imminent attack."
Anyone with concerns about suspicious activity should contact local police or the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321.
Meanwhile, officers from the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit have arrested two women from Walsall in connection with Syria-related offences.
One, aged 23, was held on suspicion of preparing for acts of terrorism and the other, aged 33, is accused of failing to disclose information.
The arrests are the latest of dozens since the UK raised its international terrorism threat level to "severe" in August.
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Ms Harman said 'a white van was not going to do the job'
Using a bright pink minibus to encourage women to vote is not "patronising", Labour's deputy leader has insisted.
Harriet Harman will head up the "woman-to-woman" campaign, which aims to visit more than 70 constituencies before the General Election.
But she was forced to defend the push at a briefing for journalists after questions were asked about the colour of the 16-seater vehicle.
Ms Harman denied suggestions the campaign was "patronising" to women, and said the colour showed it was "different".
"Is it not magenta or something?" she joked.
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Gallery: A Look At Backfiring Political Campaigns
The Tories' first election poster depicted a 'road to a stronger economy'. Their campaign backfired when it turned out the road in question was in Germany
The Labour party was criticised by its 'peas in a pod' poster. It claimed the coalition has added £450 to shopping bills through increasing tax - but all the items shown were VAT-free
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Ukip used this Billboard campaign to illustrate how EU migrant workers were leaving British people out of jobs. However, it turned out the actor in the photo was a migrant himself, from Ireland
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In another attempt to build support, Ukip launched the #WhyImVotingUkip hashtag. However, it was hijacked by users posting sarcastic comments
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The Home Office came under fire after introducing vans with warnings to illegal immigrants. The posters - which told law breakers to 'go home' were withdrawn by the government
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"We wanted to mark that this was something different.
"We wanted it to look conspicuous and therefore a white van was not going to do the job."
She added: "It is a very nice looking bus ... It is the correct colour. This is a One Nation Labour colour."
Conservative MP Caroline Dineage said: "The wheels have come off the Labour bus.
"Getting Harriet Harman to drive around the country in a pink van to try and attract the female vote is as patronising as it gets.
"This is clearly just another divisive gimmick that the electorate will see through."
Ms Harman said at the briefing the party doesn't want women to "give up on politics".
"If you look at the figures, the disaffection that there is with politics is even more pronounced among women," she said.
More than nine million women did not vote at the last election.
"We want women to feel that this is their democracy and politics is for them as well as for men."
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Labour Denies Pink Minibus Is 'Patronising'
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Ms Harman said 'a white van was not going to do the job'
Using a bright pink minibus to encourage women to vote is not "patronising", Labour's deputy leader has insisted.
Harriet Harman will head up the "woman-to-woman" campaign, which aims to visit more than 70 constituencies before the General Election.
But she was forced to defend the push at a briefing for journalists after questions were asked about the colour of the 16-seater vehicle.
Ms Harman denied suggestions the campaign was "patronising" to women, and said the colour showed it was "different".
"Is it not magenta or something?" she joked.
1/7
Gallery: A Look At Backfiring Political Campaigns
The Tories' first election poster depicted a 'road to a stronger economy'. Their campaign backfired when it turned out the road in question was in Germany
The Labour party was criticised by its 'peas in a pod' poster. It claimed the coalition has added £450 to shopping bills through increasing tax - but all the items shown were VAT-free
]]>
Ukip used this Billboard campaign to illustrate how EU migrant workers were leaving British people out of jobs. However, it turned out the actor in the photo was a migrant himself, from Ireland
]]>
In another attempt to build support, Ukip launched the #WhyImVotingUkip hashtag. However, it was hijacked by users posting sarcastic comments
]]>
The Home Office came under fire after introducing vans with warnings to illegal immigrants. The posters - which told law breakers to 'go home' were withdrawn by the government
]]>
"We wanted to mark that this was something different.
"We wanted it to look conspicuous and therefore a white van was not going to do the job."
She added: "It is a very nice looking bus ... It is the correct colour. This is a One Nation Labour colour."
Conservative MP Caroline Dineage said: "The wheels have come off the Labour bus.
"Getting Harriet Harman to drive around the country in a pink van to try and attract the female vote is as patronising as it gets.
"This is clearly just another divisive gimmick that the electorate will see through."
Ms Harman said at the briefing the party doesn't want women to "give up on politics".
"If you look at the figures, the disaffection that there is with politics is even more pronounced among women," she said.
More than nine million women did not vote at the last election.
"We want women to feel that this is their democracy and politics is for them as well as for men."
