A policewoman who admitted trying to kill her former lover when she shot him with her police issue handgun has been jailed for 12 years. Diane Northcott, 41, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Sergeant Laurence Smyth inside a police station in Newtownabbey in September 2006.
Commenting on the publication today of a study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) that has called for the UK's tax credit system to be completely overhauled, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Danny Alexander said:
The Liberal Democrats have highlighted evidence that the Government has reneged on its promise to consult on increasing the Personal Expenses Allowance (PEA) for more than 250,000 care home residents. Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg, alongside a number of his Front Bench colleagues, has signed a motion against the regulations introducing the insufficient increase.
As Essex County Council holds an inquiry into the A12, Liberal Democrats are looking for an improvement in interim safety & capacity measures. However, paramount is the need for a revised Local Transport Planning Strategy to provide and encourage the use of viable alternative modes of transport.
County Councillor Colin Taylor and Surrey Lib Dems have welcomed the lifting of the county's freeze on Youth Service recruitment.
Labour is facing a growing backbench rebellion over the axing of the 10p rate. The Treasury has hinted there could be measures to help low earners who are worse off, but not for several months. Chancellor Alistair Darling is working on proposals that would offset some of the impact of the tax changes, but they would not come into effect until the autumn pre-Budget report at the earliest. MPs vote today on the second reading of the Finance Bill and a week today on amendments to the Bill.