Britain today: New cap to cut level of non-EU immigration

THE Government was today reportedly set to cap the number of non-EU skilled migrants allowed into the UK at about 43,000 next year, down 13 per cent on 2009.

Staff transferred by their companies from another country will be exempt if their salary is more than 40,000, it is expected to be announced.

Alzheimer's drug hope

A COMMON diabetes drug could be redeveloped as a new treatment for Alzheimer's, research suggests.

The drug metformin helps prevent the formation of a key brain abnormality linked to the disease.

Charities say further research is now needed into the drug's potential.

UK 'must triple efforts to cut carbon emissions'

THE UK needs to triple its efforts towards cutting emissions and moving to a low-carbon economy by 2050, a report has warned.

The Climate Policy Tracker by wildlife charity WWF and innovation company Ecofys reveals that EU countries are doing only a third of what is needed to cut emissions by between 80 per cent and 95 per cent by mid-century. The UK is doing only a third of what is necessary to put the economy on track towards slashing greenhouse gases by 2050.

Motorists want fine hike

FED-UP UK motorists want to see a four-fold increase in fines for those caught driving without insurance.

The current fine for getting behind the wheel without insurance is around 200. But 2000 people polled by insurance company Direct Line came out with an average figure of 900 for the fine they would like to see imposed. A third wanted those caught to have to resit their driving test.

Britannia rules airwaves

BRITAIN'S TV talent enjoyed a triumphant night at the International Emmys, winning half the main awards.

Bob Hoskins, pictured, and Helena Bonham Carter won the top acting prizes, while Jimmy McGovern's The Street and drama Small Island also came out on top.

In brief:

Birmingham: A transplant patient "would certainly have died" without the donated liver that was involved in a dramatic plane crash, the surgeon who performed the operation said. The organ was on board a private Cessna that crash-landed on the Tarmac in foggy conditions at Birmingham Airport after arriving from Belfast.

Northumbria: Northumbria Police will lose 450 civilian posts in the face of Government budget cuts, Chief Constable Sue Sim said. The top officer said the North East force expected to lose 34 million as a result of the spending review.