UK News: Peers probe officials' handling of ash cloud

Government officials were being quizzed today by a House of Lords committee over Whitehall's handling of the ash cloud crisis which devastated air services.

The peers want to know whether the six-day complete ban on air travel in Europe was an overreaction that could have been avoided.

Staff 'happier at home'

Staff would be more likely to stay with their employer if they were offered more flexible options, such as working from home.

A survey of almost 700 employees found virtually everyone said flexible working improved work-life balance, often taking it into account when choosing a job.

Tories reveal new police 'commissioner' plans

HOME Secretary Theresa May today announced plans for locally-elected police "commissioners" with the power to fire under-performing chief constables to be in place south of the border in less than two years.

The first elections to the controversial new posts are expected to be held in May 2012. The watchdogs will also set forces' budgets. But there are concerns over chief constables retaining operational independence over their force in the new set-up.

MP admits being 'foolish'

TORY MP Rory Stewart has admitted to being "extremely foolish" after describing parts of his Penrith constituency as "pretty primitive". He also made a joke about local people failing to get medical help for a boy run over by a tractor.

The Eton-educated ex-soldier insisted his comments were aimed at debunking the idea that Cumbria was a wealthy area that could afford spending cuts.

Banks told to get lending

Banks came under renewed pressure from the government today to increase lending to hard-pressed firms after Business Secretary Vince Cable warned they were "not acting in the national interest". He hinted at penalties on executive remuneration for failures to boost lending.

Blackpool: A 26-year-old woman, believed to be a nurse, was stabbed to death in the staff car park of the Victoria Hospital. Police believe the woman's attacker, who may have been on a bicycle, was known to her.

Oxfordshire: Every speed camera in the county is set to disappear following central government funding cuts.

Oxfordshire County Council is cutting its funding by 600,000 in a bid to meet 11 million savings.

It has resulted in the partnership taking steps to cease all enforcement in the county and switch off its 72 fixed speed cameras.