Other News In Brief

Electronic Company To Shed More Jobs

An electronic components company has announced it is to axe 700 jobs this year, after it shed 600 posts in 2008. International group TT Electronics employs around 7,000 jobs internationally, and Group Chief Executive Geraint Anderson said around 100 jobs in the Weybridge, Surrey plant will go. Mr Anderson said the announcement followed a strategic review. He said: "The review has confirmed that the group's business is underpinned by its world class engineering skills and technologies, blue chip customer base and sound financial position. At the same time, we have identified opportunities which we believe can significantly improve business performance and drive shareholder value."

M8 Closed After Fatal Accident

The M8 motorway is closed in both directions near Glasgow following an early morning crash. A 40-year-old woman died after her car left the eastbound carriageway near Erskine and struck a tree at about 5.25am on Wednesday. It is understood icy conditions may have played a part. The M8 will remain closed between junctions 29 and 30 for several hours. The restrictions are causing delays in surrounding areas. Strathclyde Police want to speak to a male driver, who spoke to personnel from Amey Highways, near the scene of the accident. Officers want to determine if he witnessed the crash.

Councils To Be Given More Freedom To Build Homes

Councils may soon have greater freedom to build more homes under plans going out to consultation today. Under the proposals announced by Housing Minister Margaret Beckett, councils would be able to keep all the rental income from any homes they build, as well as keep the receipts from any of those homes which are later sold through Right to Buy. The extra money could free councils to invest in the building of more council houses, helping to deliver more homes for families in need. Councils currently only build a few hundred council homes a year, with the majority of new social homes being built by registered social landlords. The consultation proposals would seek to boost this build rate by removing some of the financial barriers stopping councils from building new properties and increasing their housing stock.

First NHS Consultation Launched

An historic signing ceremony to mark the launch of the NHS Constitution for England took place at Downing Street today. The Constitution, the first of its kind in the world, was signed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Health Secretary Alan Johnson and NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson. The Constitution will give power to patients and the public by bringing their existing rights together in one place so they know what they are legally entitled to - and how they can exercise their rights as well as understanding their responsibilities. It also contains a range of pledges to patients, public and staff, which the NHS is committed to achieving. For NHS staff, the Constitution will mean an NHS-wide commitment to equipping them with the tools, training and support they need to deliver high quality care for patients.

(JM/BMcC)