UK News: Bank bosses face calls to curb huge bonuses

BANK bosses were facing renewed pressure to curb excessive bonuses today when they met for talks with Chancellor George Osborne and Business Secretary Vince Cable.

Mr Cable renewed the threat of imposing taxes to tackle "scandalous" annual payouts as he said the coalition was united in seeking tough action.

Economic recovery slows

THE UK economy will grow just 0.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2011, as government job cuts and higher-than-expected inflation slow the recovery.

Industry body CBI lowered its forecast for quarterly growth from 0.3 per cent, but said it did not expect the UK to fall back into recession.

Bid to lower consultancy bill 'undermined' by cuts

EFFORTS to slash the amount of taxpayers' money spent on consultants are likely to be undermined by cuts to civil service training.

The cross-party public accounts committee warned that the unprecedented financial squeeze on Whitehall could result in "uninformed" short-term savings.

Ministers have hailed a 350 million year-on-year reduction in the consultancy bill as a victory in tackling the previous administration's "incontinent" use of outside experts.

Drunk passenger danger

DRUNK car passengers can be as dangerous as drivers who drink, according to a survey today.

As many as 76 per cent of car owners have driven drunken passengers home from parties, the poll by swiftcover.com found.

The survey showed that more than 100,000 accidents and 650,000 near misses a year are caused by drunk passengers.

Sugar is sweet for Stella

A MOTHER-OF-TWO who left school with no qualifications has been revealed as Lord Sugar's new Apprentice.

Stella English, 31, beat rival Chris Bates to win the title after 12 weeks of tough tasks on the BBC television show.

Cardiff: Heavy snow has stopped Santa Claus's sleigh from coming to town for the first time in more than 30 years. Organisers of an annual Christmas present delivery in Rhiwbina, Cardiff, told how bad weather made it impossible for any vehicle to pull their wooden sleigh through the streets.

London: David Cameron will turn on the floodlights at the Olympic Stadium tonight. After darkness falls in east London, the Prime Minister will be the first to flick the switch on the new illuminations, under which international sporting heroes will shine in 2012.