Folkestone Sports Centre Trust won an £57,403 slice of good cause cash from the Big Lottery Fund's regional People's Millions contest. ITV Meridian South East viewers voted for the project to win the award after a nail biting head-to-head contest for community votes screened on Tuesday on ITV Meridian South East regional news.
Folkestone Town Council last night strongly backed a call to oppose cuts at Folkestone Fire station, raise awareness of those proposed cuts and encourage as many people as possible to take part in the public consultation on those cuts.
The Liberal Democrats have formally urged the police to investigate apparent "serious breaches" of party funding laws by Labour. Acting leader Vincent Cable said in a statement that it was essential to "establish the facts" and press charges if necessary. Gordon Brown has said donations made to Labour through intermediaries were unlawful and has announced an inquiry. But when asked in prime minister's questions as to why he had not called in the police, he said he had followed convention in referring the matter to the Electoral Commission.
Commenting on the new tests for gaining Incapacity Benefit announced by the Government today, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Danny Alexander MP said:
New incapacity benefit tests are to be introduced, which ministers say will mean fewer sick and disabled people will qualify for being unable to work. Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain says the changes, introduced next year, will end "sick-note Britain".
Social care for elderly and disabled people in England is being rationed so severely that councils are supporting only the most needy, campaigners say. The Learning Disability Coalition said three quarters of local authorities had decided to restrict assistance.