20/10/2014

Other News In Brief

Second Royal Baby Due In April

The second child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is due in April, Kensington Palace has confirmed.

A palace statement confirmed the due date and that the Duchess is continuing to suffer from extreme morning sickness, but added that her condition was "steadily improving".

The Duchess is expected to make her first public appearance on Tuesday, following the announcement that she was expecting a second child was made in September.

Carrier Bag Charge Introduced In Scotland

Scotland has today introduce the mandatory carrier bag charge, with retailers now expected to charge 5p for a single use carrier bag.

It follows a vote in May by MSP's to introduce the charge in an effort to reduce litter.

It is understood that the charge will not just be applied to plastic bags, but to all single-use bags regardless of material. The charge is also to be applied by all retailers and not just supermarkets.

Second Badger Cull Ends

The second year of badger cull trails end today at midday.

The cull had a target of 615 in Gloucestershire and 316 in Somerset, but there is currently no official figures on the number killed this year.

The cull is being conducted in an effort to reduce the spread of bovine TB, however critics have said that the method is ineffective and inhumane.

(MH/CD)

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Poll Shows Support For 5p Carrier Bag Charge
A new poll has suggested that a majority of people think a 5p charge on single-use carrier bags should be introduced in England to cut litter and waste. The poll of 1,752 English adults found that 56% agreed a 5p carrier bag charge was not unreasonable even in a time of austerity, as it had been proved to reduce litter and waste.
13 February 2009
OFT Consults On Second Charge Lending Guidance
The Office of Fair trading (OFT) today launched a consultation on draft guidance for businesses engaged in second charge lending. Second charge loans, or 'homeowner loans', involve consumers with an existing mortgage taking out further personal borrowing secured against their home.
28 June 2013
Scotland To Introduce Plastic Bag Charge
Scotland is to introduce a plastic bag charge for shoppers by 2014. Retailers will have to charge a minimum of 5p per bag, as part of a move to reduce carrier bag use. The move would bring Scotland in line with Northern Ireland, which already has a similar scheme in place. Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead announced the move today.