National News

Council's Sustrans scheme gets parliamentary backing

Local MP Tim Farron has tabled a parliamentary motion promoting the Sustrans Connect2 scheme which will see the creation of 79 new cycle and foot paths up and down the county. The motion also congratulates Cumbria County Council for participating in the scheme. In Cumbria, areas such as Coniston are set to benefit hugely from the new links that the scheme will create for cyclists and the benefit this will bring in terms of tourism and the environment.

3 Dec 2007
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Police to investigate Labour Party donations amid new revelations

The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into secret donations to the Labour Party. The Electoral Commission asked them to investigate after it emerged Labour received more than £650,000 from David Abrahams via middlemen. Harriet Harman yesterday appeared to implicate Gordon Brown in the affair by revealing it was his leadership campaign manager, Chris Leslie, who suggested Janet Kidd as a possible donor. But Downing Street has played down reported tensions between Mr Brown and Ms Harman. Durham Police are to speak to Chris Huhne, after he raised questions about the decision to allow a company controlled by Mr Abrahams to build a business park in County Durham. In a separate development Peter Hain has said he failed to register a £5,000 deputy leadership campaign donation from Labour's chief fundraiser, Jon Mendelsohn, blaming an "administrative error".

3 Dec 2007
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Learning difficulties care 'poor'

Sweeping changes are needed to specialist inpatient health services for people with learning difficulties in England, warns the NHS watchdog. The Healthcare Commission audit found poor standards in most services and big regional variations. It referred six services for further investigation.

3 Dec 2007
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Councils' failings are causing human rights abuses, says RADAR

Responding to ombudsman reports released today that find two councils have failed in their legal duties to provide care and assistance to disabled people, Liz Sayce, Chief Executive of RADAR, said "These cases show that budget cuts in social services are becoming human rights abuses - and these cases are not isolated incidents.

3 Dec 2007
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