UK News: Jobs funding axe 'will create lost generation'

AXING an employment fund risks creating a "lost generation" of young people without work, Labour leader Ed Miliband warned today.

David Cameron is hosting business leaders to highlight pledges to create thousands of new jobs. But Mr Miliband has criticised cutting the Future Jobs Fund initiative a year early.

TV murder reconstruction

THE mother of Joanna Yeates has offered to take part in a TV reconstruction of her daughter's last-known movements.

Avon and Somerset Police are planning a reconstruction of the landscape architect's last steps, which will be shown on the BBC programme Crimewatch later this month.

Ex-child protection boss warns against shake-up

THE former head of the UK's child protection agency has attacked plans to remove its independence.

Under a government shake-up, the stand-alone Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre is being incorporated into a new national crime-fighting organisation.

Ceop's former chief executive Jim Gamble, who quit in October after the change was announced, described it as a "mistake for child protection".

Housing confidence falls

CONFIDENCE in the housing market has fallen to its lowest level for two years as people worry about Government spending cuts and the ongoing problems in the mortgage market, a survey suggested today.

Only 54 per cent of homeowners think house prices will increase in the coming six months, down from 81 per cent a year ago, according to property website Zoopla.

Fiennes is record fundraiser

ADVENTURER Sir Ranulph Fiennes is the country's top celebrity fundraiser, according to a survey published today.

The explorer, who once ran seven marathons in seven days, has raised more than 2.5 million for Marie Curie Cancer Care in the past two years.

Portsmouth: Survivors and relatives of more than 1000 people killed in a German bombing blitz on Portsmouth will attend a memorial service today to mark the 70th anniversary of the attacks. A total of 1013 people are recorded to have been killed during the bombing raids.

Liverpool: A British-based Chinese businessman has lodged a 5 million bid to buy a decommissioned Royal Navy aircraft carrier after it was put up for sale. Kin Bong Lam, 48, hopes to turn HMS Invincible into a floating tourist attraction in Liverpool or China.