UK news: Forces 'undermined' by defence review

THE decision to scrap HMS Ark Royal and the Harrier jump jet fleet has undermined the armed forces' ability to mount crucial operations, leading military figures have warned David Cameron.

Ten retired army and navy chiefs have written to the Prime Minister calling for a re-think of the defence review.

Hospital merger warning

HOSPITALS may need to turn to private sector take-overs, mergers and community-based care to ensure they survive the NHS reforms, the head of the health service has claimed.

Sir David Nicholson said the scale of changes and severity of cuts meant some hospitals would find the future "difficult".

Three found dead in home

A MOTHER and two children from a "very pleasant family" have been found dead inside their home.

The three, named locally as Claudia Oakes-Green, her son Thomas, believed to be 12, and daughter Eleanor, eight, were discovered by police at the address in Garendon Road in Shepshed, Leicestershire, on Wednesday. Officers said they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.

Career award for Dimbleby

VETERAN broadcaster David Dimbleby has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award from the Royal Television Society, as he marks 50 years since starting at the BBC.

The Question Time host was presented with his award at the annual TV journalism awards.

FAMILIES' disposable income dived by a record 9 a week during January as inflation continued to outstrip wage growth, research indicated today.

Families see disposable incomes plummet again

The average family had 174 a week left to spend after meeting all of their essential outgoings, down from 183 a week in January last year, according to supermarket group Asda.

It was the 13th consecutive month during which people suffered a year-on-year fall in their disposable income.

Northampton: A 25-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter after a paratrooper died when he was attacked on a night out. Rory McWilliams, 20, from Northampton, was assaulted on February 6 as he celebrated his final weekend before his first tour of Afghanistan.

Kent: A nine-year-old boy will begin a 23-mile charity trek today supported by high-profile names including the Queen and Mayor of London. Jonjo Heuerman, from Wilmington, near Dartford, is undertaking a three-day expedition from Wembley to West Ham to raise 10,000 for the Bobby Moore Fund.