Other News In Brief

Riots Will Happen Again Says Panel

A panel looking into the cause of the London riots in August have said the riots will happen again if action is not taken. The independent Riots Communities and Victims Panel's interim report found there were many individual causes and motivations for the disorder between 6-10 August this year. The panel's research estimates that between 13,000-15,000 people were actively involved in the riots, which spread through England with "unprecedented speed". The Panel concluded the riots were not about or caused by any single issue, although it did find that had the police response in Tottenham, and subsequently across London, been "more robust", riots would not have happened elsewhere in England. The Panel said it explored the link between deprivation and rioting, and the role of brands and consumerism, values and parenting. Following its research the Panel said the riots could happen again, and immediate action was needed if this is to be prevented. Darra Singh Chair of the Riots Communities and Victims Panel said: “While deprivation is not an excuse for criminal behaviour we must seek to tackle the underlying causes of the riots, or they will happen again. Our findings have led us to set out recommendations for immediate action by individuals, government, public services and business. The threat of future riots and the response to them is not somebody else’s problem.”

Public 'Support Pension Strikers'

Despite claims to the contrary by the Government, an opinion poll by BBC News has found that 61% of people believe public sector workers are justified in going on strike over pension changes. More than two million people are due to walk out on Wednesday as part of a UK-wide 'day of action' against pension contributions increases. The research also indicates differences between men and women in their outlook on the strikes and the economy. The polling firm Comres interviewed 1,005 adults by telephone across England, Scotland and Wales one week ago. The poll indicates greater sympathy for the industrial action among women - at 67% - compared with men, at 55%.

Gov Waives X-Factor Vat

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced the Government will waive VAT on sales of the X-Factor Christmas single by making a charitable donation to Together for Short Lives, the charity chosen to benefit from sales of the song. The donation will be equivalent to the sum of the VAT receipts collected on sales and will be funded by the Department of Health, which makes a number of charitable grants each year. Recognising the exceptional contribution Together for Short Lives makes through its work with children with life-limiting illnesses and the wide ranging support it provides to their families, George Osborne and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said they wanted to maximise the donation the charity receives by adding the VAT equivalent.

(DW)