Jewel Heist: Victims' Anger As Alarm Ignored

The Metropolitan Police has come under fire after it emerged officers initially failed to go to the scene of the Hatton Garden jewel heist despite a burglar alarm going off.

A security firm had contacted the force about an intruder alert at the safe deposit company shortly after midnight on Good Friday.

But the call was graded in a way that meant officers did not consider it worthy of a response.

And it was not until Tuesday morning, following the four-day bank holiday Easter weekend, that the raid - one of Britain's biggest - was discovered.

The Met is now investigating why the force did not respond to the alarm activated as the heist was thought to be getting under way.

Video: Raid: How Thieves Gained Entry

Police insisted it was too early to say if the handling of the call about the alert would have had an impact on the outcome.

But the revelations have led to anger from potential victims who spoke of their shock that the police "just weren't there".

Millions of pounds worth of gems were thought to have been stolen in the raid in London's jewellery district.

Michael Miller, from Knightsbridge, who may have lost £50,000 in uninsured jewellery, said: "I am just so shocked and disappointed to hear the police didn't answer that alarm.

"I mean before, we thought maybe the police didn't even know about that but now we know that they knew something was wrong.

Video: Ex-Detective On Jewel Heist

"This completely changes things, the knowledge that something could have been done.

"The police pride themselves on being somewhere in a couple of minutes, but on this occasion they just weren't there."

A store owner near the scene, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's just shocking that someone didn't answer that call that come in when the alarm went off.

"You think what on earth isn't a high priority call if it's isn't a safe deposit alarm going off in there.

"I know they're investigating but really what is the good of that when the damage is done. There are people who will have lost their livelihoods because of this."

Video: Jewel Heist Drilling Explained

Scotland Yard said: "The call was recorded and transferred to the police's CAD (computer aided despatch) system. A grade was applied to the call that meant that no police response was deemed to be required.

"We are now investigating why this grade was applied to the call. This investigation is being carried out locally."

Those behind the raid disabled a communal lift shaft and climbed down to the basement before using power tools to drill through a two-metre wall into the vault.

Once inside, they ransacked a total of 72 safety deposit boxes, although five were empty at the time.

A further 11 were due to be "drilled out" due to non-payment of fees, meaning detectives are attempting to contact a total of 56 box holders.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Obama And Castro In Historic Meeting

US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro have greeted each other at a summit in Panama - a symbolically-charged gesture, as the pair seek to restore ties between their countries.

For Barack Obama this will surely be amongst the highlights of his presidential legacy.

He's in Panama for a gathering of leaders from across the Americas - but it's a meeting that has taken place on the sidelines of the summit which will attract the headlines.

That meeting has taken place with Raul Castro.

Touching down in Panama City, even getting invited is a first for the Cuban President - after half a century in exile for his communist country.

The two men had spoken by phone - hours before they were due to meet.

It was only the second conversation between the leaders of the US and Cuba in 50 years.

Four months ago Mr Castro and Mr Obama simultaneously announced an ending of hostilities.

President Obama said starkly: "Fifty years of isolation hasn't worked."

It was quite a statement. But words come easy to the eloquent president. Now it's time to show Cuba has come in from the cold.

Fidel Castrol came to power in 1959 after overthrowing Fulgencio Batista

The handshake between the two leaders is symbolic proof of that.

It isn't technically the first time they have shaken hands.

Video: Historic Handshake

There is a grainy image of them fleetingly meeting at the Memorial Service for Nelson Mandela in South Africa in 2013.

But this time the handshake is supposed to mean more because it comes after the leaders' December declaration of a new beginning.

Speaking in Panama, President Obama said: "As we move towards the process of normalisation, we'll have our differences government to government with Cuba on many issues, just as we differ at times with other nations within the Americas, just like we differ with our closest allies, there is nothing wrong with that.

Video: Fidel Castro 'Still Full Of Life'

"But I am here to say when we do speak out we're going to do so, because the United States of America does believe, and will always stand for, a certain set of universal values."

And that means probably taking Cuba off America's designated list of state sponsors of terrorism. Something which infuriates Cuba.

The rapprochement will also open the door towards loans and aid for Cuba after decades of a crippling trade embargo. And that is a move worth its weight in gold.

Video: Dec 17: The Cuba Deal

Fidel Castrol came to power in 1959 after overthrowing the US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.

For half a century, the leader of the first communist country in the western hemisphere was a thorn in America's side.

In 2006 after abdominal surgery he started the transfer of power to his brother Raul who took the landmark step in 2014 of appearing with the US  President.

Video: Dec 17: Obama On Cuba: Statement

Removing Cuba from the terror list will be a major step if ties really are to be rebuilt between the US and Cuba.

An historic moment after 50 years which has seen America try to isolate Cuba and finally acknowledge it as a neighbour.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Walter Scott Killing: Cop's Dashcam Released

By Sky News US Team

Dashcam video has emerged showing a black South Carolina man running from his car after a traffic stop by a white officer, who gave chase before shooting him dead.

The footage, released by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, does not show Officer Michael Slager shooting Walter Scott but does reveal more about the minutes before the killing in North Charleston last Saturday.

Slager, who has been charged with murder and dismissed from the police, is seen approaching a car and asking the driver for his licence and proof of insurance.

The patrolman tells Mr Scott he has been pulled over because of a broken brake light. After a brief exchange, the officer returns to his patrol car.

The 50-year-old gets out of the vehicle, and Slager tells him to stay in the car. Several second later he leaves the black Mercedes-Benz again and runs away.

Video: South Carolina Police Shooting

After Slager gives chase, someone can be heard shouting: "Taser, taser."

The 33-year-old patrolman said in a call to a dispatcher that he fired his weapon because Mr Scott took his stun gun and he feared for his life.

But he was charged over the killing after a separate video, filmed on a mobile phone by an onlooker, showed the officer firing eight shots at Mr Scott's back as he flees.

In the second video, Mr Scott does not appear to be armed.  

Video: Audio: Murder Charge Cop Chase

A post-mortem examination has found Mr Scott had multiple gunshot wounds on the back of his body.

His father has said his son, a father of four, may have run away because he owed child support money and did not want to go to jail.

The dashcam video emerged as a man who was hit with a stun gun by Slager in a 2013 incident said he would sue.

Mario Givens, 34, told a news conference Slager came to his house, pushed in the door and fired the stun gun at his stomach.

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1. Gallery: Walter Scott's Death Sparks Protest

   Demonstrators rallied on Wednesday against what they described as a culture of police brutality

The protest came after a white officer, Michael Slager, was caught on video killing 50-year-old Walter Scott, an unarmed black man who was apparently running away

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'Voice Of Cricket' Richie Benaud Dies

Legendary Australian cricketer and commentator Richie Benaud has died in a Sydney hospice, aged 84.

Benaud, widely regarded as one of the most influential people in the game's history, had been receiving radiation treatment for skin cancer since November.

Channel Nine, the Australian network where he took the lead commentator's position in 1977, said he had died in his sleep on Thursday night local time.

Benaud was popular with fans, some dressing like him at a test in January

Nine's head of sport, Steve Crawley said: "You didn't have to know Richie to love him - everything about him.

"Best in the business bar none.

"We will miss him the way you miss loved ones. And at the same time we will thank our lucky stars he came our way at all."

Nine Entertainment Co's chief executive David Gyngell said Benaud's death had "robbed" the world of "not only a national treasure but a lovely man".

Australia's prime minister Tony Abbott, who has offered Benaud's family a state funeral, tweeted: "A sad day for Australia. We have lost a cricketing champion and Australian icon. What an innings. RIP Richie Benaud."

Hollywood actor Russell Crowe tweeted: "RIP Richie Benaud. My deep gratitude for all you gave to the sport of cricket as a player and as a broadcaster. Sad, sad day."

And Piers Morgan wrote: "RIP Richie Benaud. The greatest cricket commentator of them all & a wonderful man. Mourning Everyone."

Richie Benaud bowling in a test match in 1961

Benaud played 64 test matches as an all-rounder between 1952 and 1964, taking 945 wickets in 259 first-class matches and making 11,719 first-class runs, scoring 23 centuries at an average of 36.50.

He was the first man to achieve 2,000 runs and 200 wickets at test level.

Benaud will be remembered by millions for his measured, laconic brand of commentary and he was as popular in England, where he worked on television from 1963 to 2005, as he was in his homeland.

Speaking about his commentary work, he once said: "My mantra is: put your brain into gear and if you can add to what's on the screen then do it, otherwise shut up.

"What I want most from being a television commentator is to be able to feel that, when I say something, I am talking to friends."

The news arm of Cricket Australia, www.cricket.com.au, described him as "an Australian test great who nurtured a generation's love for the game with his commentary".

They added: "After Don Bradman, there has been no Australian player more famous than Richie Benaud."

He became one of the greatest commentators in world cricket before a car crash outside his Coogee home in 2013 left him with two fractured vertebrae.

The injuries and cancer combined to keep him away from the job he loved in his final years, but he made occasional pre-recorded appearances on Channel Nine and he rallied to record a moving tribute to Phillip Hughes when the Australia batsman died last year after being struck by a bouncer.

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Tories Attack 'Weak' Miliband With Subs Pledge

The Conservatives have attacked Labour's "weakness" on defence and accused Ed Miliband of seeking to trade away Britain's nuclear deterrent to secure power in the General Election.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon will today promise to maintain a continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent by building a fleet of four Successor Ballistic Missile Submarines if the Tories win power on 7 May.

In a speech in London he will warn that the Labour leader is prepared to "barter away" Britain's Trident programme in a bid to gain the support of SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.

Mr Fallon accuses the Labour leader of 'weakness' on defence

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Labour denies the claim and has accused the Tories of resorting to the "language of smear".

Video: Faisal Files: Non-Doms And Tax

Mr Fallon is expected to say: "(Ms Sturgeon) has told Ed Miliband that scrapping Trident - our country's vital nuclear deterrent - is a red line she will not cross.

"If he wants the keys to Number 10, he must abandon any plans to renew our current Vanguard ballistic missile submarines."

With the polls suggesting the SNP could be the third largest party in another hung parliament, Ms Sturgeon has made clear that the price of their support after the election would include scrapping Trident.

Speaking in her second televised debate in 24 hours last night, Ms Surgeon said the SNP would never vote in the Commons to renew Trident nuclear weapons.

Mr Fallon is expected to hit out at Ms Sturgeon's party in his speech, saying the SNP's "childlike world-view" would "sacrifice the long-term security of the UK and play into the hands of our enemies".

Video: 2013: UK Must Maintain Trident

Writing in The Times ahead of his address, Mr Fallon said: "Ed Miliband stabbed his own brother in the back to become Labour leader.

"Now he is willing to stab the United Kingdom in the back to become prime minister."

He added: "From hour one, day one, this unwritten, unseemly, unholy alliance would bankrupt Britain and begin to break up Britain.

"It would sow chaos, instability, division. And all because of a weak Ed Miliband's lust for power and his willingness to enter Downing Street in Nicola Sturgeon's pocket."

Labour responded to the claims by accusing the Tories of running an "increasingly desperate" campaign, adding that Mr Miliband supports the renewal of Trident.

Video: 2013: Trident Good For US Relations

"As Ed Miliband has already made crystal clear national security is not a matter for negotiation. We support renewal of Trident along with a renewed focus on multilateral disarmament," said Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary Vernon Coaker.

"Labour is committed to maintaining a minimum, credible, independent nuclear deterrent, delivered through a continuous at-sea deterrent. This is not up for negotiation with any party."

"The Tories are resorting to the language of smear. They are increasingly desperate as their campaign lurches on in confusion and chaos."

Mr Fallon said that Britain has kept a ballistic missile submarine at sea to deter a nuclear attack for 46 years.

He added that, with as many as 17,000 nuclear weapons around the world and concerning moves from Russia and North Korea, renewing Trident is "the only responsible choice".

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sex Offenders Could Be 'Influenced' By Genes

By Thomas Moore, Health And Science Correspondent

Genes passed down within families could significantly increase the risk of men committing sexual offences, according to groundbreaking research.

The first study of its kind has shown that men are four times more likely to carry out a sex crime if their father has been convicted for a similar offence.

The risk jumps to five times if men have a brother who has been convicted, the study of more than 21,000 sexual offenders shows.

Genetic factors account for 40-50% of the risk, with the remainder coming from the environment that men grow up in and other medical or social influences, according to results in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

The researchers stress the overall risk is small - just 2.5% of brothers of sex offenders are likely to commit similar crimes themselves.

There is no genetic inevitability that relatives of sex offenders will commit crimes themselves.

Lead scientist Professor Niklas Langstrom, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, said: "It is important to remember that it's nothing mystic.

"People get worried about the fact that there's a strong genetic component in problematic human behaviour.

"Of course, you don't inherit in some kind of robotic way so that you will grow up to be a sexual offender."

Co-author Professor Seena Fazel, of Oxford University, said: "We are definitely not saying we have found a gene for sexual offending or anything of that kind.

"What we have found is high-quality evidence that genetic factors have a substantial influence on an increased risk of being convicted of sexual offences."

Professor Fazel said social workers already working with families could use the finding to target education and preventative psychological therapies "where they could do most good".

"The things that we think might be underlying the risk are impulsivity, boundary setting, relationship skills and problem solving.

These are behaviours that can be amenable to psychological treatments."

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Labour Would Abolish 'Non-Dom' Tax Status

By Jason Farrell, Senior Political Correspondent

Labour leader Ed Miliband is to say he will abolish "non-domiciled" status if he wins the General Election.

"Non-dom" residency allows around 116,000 individuals to exempt their offshore income from UK tax for an annual charge.

In a speech in Warwickshire, Mr Miliband will say that the rich should not be allowed to "operate under different rules".

:: Full Coverage Of General Election 2015

"The next Labour government will abolish the non-dom rule. And we will replace it with a clear principle - anyone permanently resident in the UK will pay tax in the same way," he is expected to tell his audience.

Video: Election In 60 Seconds: Europe Row

The party expects the move to raise "hundreds of millions of pounds" which will be used to reduce the deficit.

There are an estimated 116,000 non-doms living in the UK who only have to pay UK taxes on money they bring into the country.

Their income from overseas investments does not have to be declared.

The 200-year-old rule has been criticised for being open to exploitation by a jet-set elite looking to minimise their tax liabilities.

However, it is argued that the tax law encourages skilled workers and large investors from abroad to locate here and contribute to the UK economy.

Mr Miliband will say: "The problem is it isn't true. It is a recipe that doesn't work for most working people, doesn't work for business and doesn't work for Britain.

"It works against every business and working person in this country who has to pay more as a result, everybody who relies on public services like the NHS, everybody who believes in Britain and a fair and modern country.

Video: The Faisal Files: Day 9

"The United States doesn't do it. No other major country in the developed world does it. No one would propose doing it now if didn't already exist. One rule for some and another for others? It is unjust, it does not work, it holds Britain back and we will stop it."

In 2008, Labour announced plans to charge non-doms £30,000 a year if they had been resident in the UK for seven of the previous 10 years.

George Osborne increased this to £90,000 for those who have lived here for 17 out of the past 20 years.

But a spokesman for Ed Miliband said: "UK citizens should pay tax on all gains, anywhere in the world."

He added: "There should be no different rules between rich and poor."

Famous "non-doms" include some of Britain's richest individuals, such as Indian steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal and Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

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Cop Charged After Fleeing Black Man Shot Dead

A South Carolina police officer has been charged with murder after he shot dead a black man who appeared to be fleeing from him.

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said investigators charged 33-year-old policeman Michael Slager after video emerged of the shooting in South Carolina.

The footage appears to show Slager firing eight shots at 50-year-old Walter Lamer Scott, who was running away at the time.

The altercation took place on Saturday and began when Mr Scott was pulled over for a traffic stop.

Police officer Michael Slager (Pic: Charleston County Sheriff's Office)

The video shows the two men engaged in a brief scuffle before Mr Scott appears to run away.

The officer is seen with his weapon raised before firing at the fleeing man. Scott falls face-first to the ground.

Video: US Shooting: Brother's Statement

Authorities say the officer opened fire after earlier striking Mr Scott with a stun gun.

Mr Summey told a news conference: "He (Slager) will be charged with murder.

"That's not something that we like to hear, or like to say. But it goes to say how we work as a community.

"When you're wrong, you're wrong. If you make a bad decision, I don't care if you're behind the shield of just a citizen on the street, you have to live by that decision."

He added: "We as a city want the (victim's) family to know that our hearts and our thoughts are with them."

North Charleston Police say Slager was arrested by officers of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Video: US Shooting: Lawyer's Statement

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has also launched an investigation into the shooting, which comes after a series police killings of unarmed black men.

The deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner on Staten Island have both led to nationwide protests.

North Charleston Police Chief Eddie Driggers confirmed that Mr Scott was shot as he was running away from the officer.

"I have been around this police department a long time and all the officers on this force, the men and women, are like my children," he said.

"So you tell me how a father would react seeing his child do something? I'll let you answer that yourself."

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tories 'Plan Secret Tax Cut For Millionaires'

Labour has accused the Conservatives of plotting a secret tax cut for millionaires after the General Election, as political parties launched a battle over economic statistics.

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls predicted a Conservative government would hike VAT - something David Cameron has ruled out - and slash the top rate of income tax for earnings over £150,000 from 45p to 40p.

The allegation was among a series of claims and counter claims as Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems all claimed their rival parties would make people worse off.

Mr Balls said: "We know that is their secret plan - another big tax cut for millionaires.

"How can it be fair when families here in Leeds and across the country are struggling and £1,100 a year worse-off?

Video: Labour: Tories Plan Secret Tax Cut

"How can it be fair to have a tax cut for the very richest  when our NHS is in crisis and going backwards?

"How can this be fair when we need to get the deficit down and the Tories are now planning deeper cuts in the next three years than the last five?"

Speaking in southwest London, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg told Sky News the Conservatives had sought further tax cuts for millionaires in government but were only stopped by his party.

"I was very amused yesterday to hear George Osborne and David Cameron saying with earnest sincerity that they had no plan of giving further tax cuts to people at the top because, I tell you, they had exactly that plan in government and it was something that we said we would not go along with."

While Chancellor George Osborne has said there are "no plans" for a cut to the 45p rate of tax, he refused to rule it out definitively four times on Sky News.

Video: Faisal Files: Day Eight

But Tory Treasury minister David Gauke hit back by claiming Labour has a secret plan to boost revenues by dragging more workers into the 40p higher rate of income tax and increasing national insurance contributions.

"Ed Balls and Ed Miliband must set out the details of their secret plan for £3,028 of tax rises on every working family - the British people have a right to know what these tax hikes are.

"The choice at this election is clear. Lower taxes under David Cameron. Or higher taxes under Ed Miliband and the SNP."

Speaking in Bristol, Chancellor George Osborne echoed Mr Gauke's remarks, adding: "Income taxes are being cut today. We have taken 4 million of the low paid out of tax, and cut tax for 30 million working people. The personal allowance has risen from £10,000 to £10,600 in the last few hours.

"When I became Chancellor, the personal allowance was just £6,475. I have increased this every single year, in every single budget – and made sure it's paid for with savings in the cost of government, not money borrowed from the next generation.

Video: Lib Dems: Tories Taking Our Ideas

"Today the higher rate threshold has also gone up, and in the next parliament, we will take the threshold up again so people can earn £50,000 before paying the higher rate of tax.

"These tax cuts this April are a stark contrast to the tax rises you'd get next April if Ed Miliband is in Downing Street. He would suck many more middle-income people into the higher rate of tax.

"Overall, their plans will hit those hard-working families with £3,000 more to pay in taxes – and whereas Ed Miliband wants to put up your taxes, we will carry on cutting them."

:: Full Coverage Of General Election 2015

While the Conservatives are highlighting figures that indicate people are better off, Labour claim the opposite.

Video: Election Day Seven: Milking It

Meanwhile, Lib Dem Chief Secretary Danny Alexander, has shared embarrassing details of a meeting from 2012.

Speaking to The Independent, Mr Alexander said: "The Tories' priority at the time was the top rate of tax.

"I remember one meeting with a group of senior Conservatives and one of them - I'm not going to say who - said: 'Listen, you take care of the workers and we'll take care of the bosses'."

Easter Monday also marks an overhaul of the pensions system, when for the first time pensioners will be able to cash in their savings rather than buy an annuity.

Liberal Democrat Pensions Minister Steve Webb said: "As a Liberal I believe people should have the freedom to do what they want with the money they have saved up throughout their working lives.

Video: Tax Rate Row: Labour Accuse Tories

"Our pension reforms will mean millions more people will have a better retirement."

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tony Blair Lends Support To Miliband Campaign

By Sophy Ridge, Political Correspondent

Tony Blair will today call on the country to support Ed Miliband, in a sign the leading lights of New Labour are prepared to throw their weight behind his campaign.

In an attempt to silence rumours of a rift between the two men, the former Prime Minister will say: "I want Labour, under Ed's leadership, to be the Government of our country on May 8th. I believe we can and will do it."

Mr Blair will claim that David Cameron's pledge to offer a referendum on Britain's EU membership would put jobs, businesses and the UK's world standing at risk.

:: Full Coverage Of General Election 2015

He is expected to say: "I believe passionately that leaving Europe would leave Britain diminished in the world, do significant damage to our economy and, less obviously but just as important to our future, would go against the very qualities and ambitions that mark us out still as a great global nation."

Video: Faisal Files: Day Eight

Mr Blair is a controversial figure within the Labour party, despite winning three elections.

In 2011 delegates at the Labour conference booed when Mr Miliband mentioned his name in a speech.

There has also been speculation about a rift between the former Prime Minister and the current Labour leader.

He was an ally of David Miliband, who lost to his brother in the 2010 leadership battle.

Video: Labour To Protect NHS & Education

In a speech in his old constituency of Sedgefield, Mr Blair will praise the Labour leader's refusal to offer a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.

He will say: "It is greatly to Ed Miliband's credit that he resolutely refused to make that trade.

"He faced down calls to follow the Tory concession from the media and many inside our Party. In doing so, he showed real leadership.

"He showed that he would put the interests of the country first.

Video: PM Outlines Tax Position

"He showed that on this, as on other issues, he is his own man, with his own convictions and determined to follow them even when they go against the tide. I respect that."

Mr Blair will deliver his speech alongside his wife Cherie Blair and Phil Wilson, his successor as Labour MP for Sedgefield.

He will also criticise UKIP, who are threatening to take votes off Labour in some northern constituencies.

Mr Blair is expected to say: "Are they the standard bearers of an open-minded culturally tolerant Britain?

Video: Lib Dems: Tories Taking Our Ideas

"Are creativity, innovation and curiosity about what we can learn from the world their hallmarks? We know what this movement to wrench us out of Europe is based on.

"UKIP talks about a new politics. But their politics is the oldest politics in history."

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Radical' Pension Changes Come Into Force

By Poppy Trowbridge, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

Major changes to pension rules come into effect today which will allow savers to have more control over their money when they retire.

People aged over 55 years of age are now able to cash in their pensions and spend them as they wish.

The changes were announced by Chancellor George Osborne in his Autumn Statement and were expanded in last month's Budget.

As many as six million pensioners who have already got an annuity will now be allowed to sell them for cash.

:: Full Coverage Of General Election 2015

Video: March: Chancellor's Budget Pledge

Retirees are also no longer required to use their pension pot to buy an annuity when they retire.

They can now take their pension pot in one go, or use it like a bank account to withdraw money in slices.

The changes will apply to the 320,000 people who retire each year with a defined contribution (DC) pension.

Around 540,000 people will be able to take control of their savings from today, according to estimates from the Government.

But critics of the new system say savers will be tempted to start a spending spree, leaving the state to pick up the tab later on.

Government advisor and pension expert Ros Altmann said: "This is a radical departure from the past. I would trust people with their own money.

Video: March: Pension Details Scandal

"Now it's up to the industry to offer better products and more choice."

The freedoms come at a price: those who choose to tap their defined contribution pension pots for cash should be aware of income tax thresholds.

Some 25% of a person's savings can be taken tax free. Any extra that is withdrawn is liable for income tax at 40%, if the total exceeds £42,386 when added to annual income.

The revenues from this could raise an extra £1bn for the Treasury, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

The Government's free, impartial Pension Wise service has been established to offer guidance to everyone eligible for the freedoms.

Pensions minister Steve Webb said: "It is right that people should have the power to make their own decisions about how they spend their own money after decades of careful saving - ending the effective obligation to buy an annuity will give people back control of their financial affairs."

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Parties Ready For Fight Over Living Standards

By Sophy Ridge, Political Correspondent

Politicians are preparing for a battle over economic statistics with Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems all claiming their rival parties will make people worse off.

As the second week of election campaigning begins, a row over living standards is set to dominate Easter Monday.

Prime Minister David Cameron will claim 94% of working families are better off after tax and welfare changes this financial year.

:: Full Coverage Of General Election 2015

According to the leader of the Conservatives, Treasury statistics show working households will on average benefit by £200 a year, and pensioner households by £180.

Video: Faisal Files: Decisive Devon

Mr Cameron is expected to say: "Today is a big day for our country. It's 'money-back Monday' - a day when, quite simply, hardworking taxpayers get to keep more of their own cash.

"A whole host of changes to our tax, benefits, pensions and savings systems come into effect today.

"And, as a result - a result of action we Conservatives have taken - our country becomes a better and fairer place to live.

"(A place) where those who put in, get out; where hard work is rewarded; and people are trusted."

While the Conservatives are highlighting figures that indicate people are better off, Labour will claim the opposite.

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls will argue families are worse off by £1,100 a year because of tax and benefit changes.

Video: Election Day Seven: Milking It

In a speech he is expected to say: "David Cameron and George Osborne are going round the country telling people they've never had it so good.

"How out of touch can they get? The truth is millions are worse off because of this Government's choices."

Mr Balls will also claim that a Conservative government would raise VAT while introducing a top rate tax cut.

Chancellor George Osborne has said there are "no plans" for a cut to the 45p rate of tax, but he refused to rule it out definitively four times on Sky News.

The man he shared the Treasury with for five years, Lib Dem Chief Secretary Danny Alexander, has shared embarrassing details of a meeting from 2012.

Speaking to The Independent, Mr Alexander said: "The Tories' priority at the time was the top rate of tax.

Video: Tax Rate Row: Labour Accuse Tories

"I remember one meeting with a group of senior Conservatives and one of them - I'm not going to say who - said: 'Listen, you take care of the workers and we'll take care of the bosses'."

Easter Monday also marks an overhaul of the pensions system, when for the first time pensioners will be able to cash in their savings rather than buy an annuity.

Liberal Democrat Pensions Minister Steve Webb said: "As a Liberal I believe people should have the freedom to do what they want with the money they have saved up throughout their working lives.

"Our pension reforms will mean millions more people will have a better retirement."

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Six Questions About Nicola Sturgeon Memo

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has denied telling a French diplomat she would rather see David Cameron as Prime Minister than Ed Miliband.

:: For full coverage of General Election 2015 click here

The claims come from a leaked memo, published in the Daily Telegraph, of Ms Sturgeon's meeting with the French Ambassador in February.

The memo was written by a British civil servant after a conversation with France's consul general in Edinburgh, Pierre-Alain Coffinier, who was present.

But speaking to Sky News on Saturday, Mr Coffinier said no preference for PM was discussed at the meeting.

Video: French Official: No Sturgeon Leak

So what do we know about this supposed memo - and who will the story damage most?

:: What does the supposed memo say?

"The Ambassador … had a truncated meeting with the FM [Nicola Sturgeon] (FM running late after a busy Thursday …)

"Discussion appears to have focused mainly on the political situation, with the FM stating that she wouldn't want a formal coalition with Labour; that the SNP would almost certainly have a large number of seats … that she'd rather see David Cameron remain as PM (and didn't see Ed Miliband as PM material)".

:: How did it come to light?

The Daily Telegraph claims the allegations are contained in a leaked UK government memorandum.

It was drafted by a Whitehall official after speaking to France's consul general in Edinburgh, Pierre-Alain Coffinier.

Video: Sturgeon Denies Cameron Support

He called the Foreign Office, following protocol, to pass on a confidential account of several of the ambassador's meetings in Edinburgh.

Those meetings also included talks with the Scottish Secretary, Alistair Carmichael. The letter appears to have been leaked to the newspaper.

:: What has the reaction been?

Ms Sturgeon was quick to react, angrily denying the claims by tweeting the Daily Telegraph's Scottish Political Editor: "Your story is categorically, 100% untrue … which I'd have told you if you'd asked me at any point today."

Labour Leader Ed Miliband said: "I think these are damning revelations ... in public the SNP are saying they don't want to see a Conservative government, in private they are actually saying they do want a Conservative government.

"It shows at this General Election that if you want the Conservatives out is to vote Labour for a Labour government."

Mr Coffinier has also denied the story, telling Sky News: "It is normal to talk about the political situation in broad terms, but I do not know where this comes from, because it is certainly not in my report that anyone gave any preference."

Video: Sturgeon On SNP-Labour Pact

:: Who do these allegations affect most?

For Mr Miliband it is not great, that one of your potential political partners would view you as "not PM material".

But ultimately it is Ms Sturgeon who could be most damaged. Critics have long believed that the SNP's long-term aim of an independent Scotland is best served by stoking anti-Conservative rhetoric.

With the Tories pledging greater spending cuts and offering what could be a toxic EU referendum - those unpopular measures north of the border, administered by Westminster, could strengthen Scottish nationalism.

But if the strategy was exposed it could turn voters off.

:: Could Labour gain?

If Labour can convince former Scottish Labour voters that by voting for the SNP, Mr Cameron is more likely to be Prime Minister, that could boost Jim Murphy's beleaguered party.

Video: Sturgeon Asks For EU Guarantee

And inversely, increased support in Scotland for Labour, would increase the chance of Mr Miliband walking into Number 10. 

:: And who do we believe?

The denials from both Mr Sturgeon and Mr Coffinier are strong. That begs the question of why a civil servant based in Whitehall would record something that wasn't true.

SNP supporters may well believe Ms Sturgeon, while her opponents might seize on it. But the only people who know for certain exactly what was said were the ones present in February's meeting.

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Investigation Ordered Into Leaked Sturgeon Memo

An investigation will be carried out into how a controversial memo about a meeting between Nicola Sturgeon and the French ambassador was leaked.

A Daily Telegraph report claims a leaked UK government memorandum - likely from the Foreign Office - sets out an account of a meeting between the SNP leader and the French ambassador to the UK Sylvie Bermann.

It claims she told the ambassador she would rather see David Cameron than Ed Miliband as PM after the election, a claim she strongly denies.

Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Heywood has ordered a leak inquiry to see how the memo reached the newspaper.

Ms Sturgeon had earlier said: "The bigger question and one I am raising with the head of the civil service is who wrote this memo since the Foreign Office seem to be denying all knowledge of it.

Video: 'What This Story Is Really About'

:: For full coverage of General Election 2015 click here

"How did it come to contain such an inaccuracy and how did it get into the hands of the Tory-supporting Daily Telegraph?"

The memo was written by a British civil servant after a conversation with France's consul general in Edinburgh, Pierre-Alain Coffinier, who was present.

But speaking to Sky News on Saturday, Mr Coffinier said that no preference for Prime Minister was discussed at the meeting in February.

:: Six Questions About The Nicola Sturgeon Memo

Video: French Official: No Sturgeon Leak

"At no stage did anyone comment on their preference regarding the elections."

The memo reportedly said: "Discussion appears to have focused mainly on the political situation, with the (First Minister) stating that she wouldn't want a formal coalition with Labour; that the SNP would almost certainly have a large number of seats ... that she'd rather see David Cameron remain as PM."

It added that Ms Sturgeon said the Labour leader was not "prime minister material".

The final line of the memo, however, read: "I have to admit that I'm not sure that the FM's tongue would be quite so loose on that kind of thing in a meeting like that, so it might well be a case of something being lost in translation."

Mr Miliband said: "I think these are damning revelations.

Video: Faisal Files: Sturgeon Memo Leak

"What it shows is that while in public the SNP are saying they don't want to see a Conservative government in private they're actually saying they do want a Conservative government.

"It shows that the answer at this General Election is that if you want the Conservatives out the only answer is to vote Labour for a Labour government."

Sky's political correspondent Anushka Asthana said: "The fact that Nicola Sturgeon has 'categorically' denied that she expressed a prime ministerial preference during a private conversation with the French ambassador will do little to stem the political fallout from this story.

"After all, the very suggestion of a conversation could be political gold-dust for Labour, whose national electoral hopes hinge on how well the SNP perform in Scotland."

Meanwhile, campaigning continues into Easter with Labour unveiling a plan to build 125,000 homes by creating a £5bn housebuilding fund.

Video: Sturgeon Denies Cameron Support

The Tories, meanwhile, are unveiling a pledge to force pornography websites to use effective age-verification tools to keep out under-18s.

Ms Sturgeon is due to join the annual Scrap Trident group march in Glasgow, only a short distance from the Faslane home of nuclear-armed submarines.

The latest Survation/Mirror poll puts Mr Miliband ahead of Mr Cameron, with 33% and 31% of the vote respectively.

UKIP polled at 18%, the Liberal Democrats 9%, the SNP 5% and Greens 3%.

These results are markedly different from a YouGov/The Sun poll which was published on Thursday night.

Video: Who Is Nicola Sturgeon?

It suggested that the Conservative Party had hit a three-year high - with 37% of those questioned stating they would vote Tory if the General Election was tomorrow.

Labour was on 35%, the Lib Dems on 7%, UKIP on 12% and the Greens on 5%.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More