UK News: Spending cuts to slow if economy tightens

THE government may yet scale back its planned public spending cuts if economic conditions worsen, a Cabinet minister suggested today.

Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat Energy Secretary, said the coalition might have to "tack about" if circumstances altered before the Budget next spring.

Students pay for success

High-earning graduates are to be charged more for their student loans, it was reported today.

Interest rates on student loans would be varied so that those who get the most financial benefit contribute the most towards their education.

The move has apparently been agreed by ministers.

Banks warned to make account switching easy

BANKS must make it quicker and easier for people to switch current accounts to boost competition in the sector, a consumer group said today.

Three-quarters of people have never considered changing their current account provider, while 17 per cent have thought about switching but have been put off from doing so, according to Consumer Focus.

Reasons included the hassle of changing provider and fears about the costs involved.

Lotto player wins 113m

THE winning ticket of a 113 million Euromillions jackpot was bought in Britain, breaking the record for the country's largest ever lottery win, Camelot said today.

Nobody has yet claimed the prize after matching the winning numbers 9, 30, 35, 39, 46, with lucky stars 6 and 8. Until last night's draw, the largest lottery winner in the UK was an anonymous player, who scooped 84.4m in May.

Lennon widow in love call

JOHN Lennon's widow Yoko Ono will tell people around the world "to learn to love each other in peace" today as millions of people celebrate what would have been his 70th birthday. The late Beatle will be remembered in Liverpool and his adopted home of New York.

Birmingham: The largest council in the country will no longer provide housing to asylum seekers, saying it needs to put local people first. Birmingham City Council said it would not be extending its five-year contract with the UK Border Agency next June.

Newport: A passport office is to close with the loss of 250 jobs, a union said. The Public and Commercial Services Union said the closure of the office in Newport, South Wales, would have "devastating consequences" for the local economy. It said scores more jobs were threatened at interview offices across the UK.