UK News: Majority unaware of new tax regulations

Eight out of ten Britons are unaware of tax changes that will come into force at the beginning of April, a survey by HSBC suggested today.

The new tax year on April 5 will see a rise in the personal allowance to 7475 for people aged under 65 who earn less than 100,000, while there are also increases for over-65s.

Patten set for BBC post

The appointment of former Hong Kong governor Lord Patten as the chairman of the BBC Trust has been approved by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

Lord Patten addressed the committee on Thursday and is the government's preferred candidate to replace Sir Michael Lyons in April.

Bites worse than barks as police pay out 770k

POLICE forces across the UK have paid out 770,000 in compensation to people bitten by police dogs over the past three years.

A BBC investigation found that one victim received almost 49,000, with Greater Manchester Police shelling out a total of 180,743.

The statistics showed that 2725 suspects were bitten, along with 196 police staff and 155 other members of the public. Eight police forces reported more than 100 dog bites over the last three years.

Coca-Cola keeps it fizz

Coca-Cola has once again been named the biggest brand in Britain in an annual UK grocery survey.

Sales of the drink were up 8.3 per cent last year to more than 1 billion, according to figures compiled for The Grocer magazine's Britain's 100 Biggest Brands annual survey.

Warburtons held on to its place in second, followed by Walkers crisps in third.

Bush plans chart return

Reclusive former chart star Kate Bush is to make a rare return after revamping a number of her old songs.

The singer-songwriter has re-recorded some parts of the tracks which were originally released upwards of 17 years ago.

Sheffield: Nick Clegg was braced for a rough ride at the Liberal Democrat spring conference today.

With protesters promising to test the 2 million "ring of steel" around the gathering, the leadership is fighting to avoid defeat in a vote on the coalition's health reforms.

Surrey: Detectives investigating the deaths of four soldiers at the Deepcut barracks did not properly consider a list of hypothetical suspects, according to a report.

Devon and Cornwall Police found Surrey Police were aware of a number of theories suggesting specific individuals could have killed the soldiers.