UK News: PM slams violent student protesters

PRIME Minister David Cameron called today for "the full force of the law" to be used against people who assaulted police or damaged property during yesterday's student demonstrations against higher tuition fees at Conservative Party HQ.

A probe was under way into how police were caught out.

Jobless could lose benefit

TOUGH new welfare rules will strip unemployed claimants of their benefits for up to three years if they refuse the opportunity to work, it was announced today.

Those who turn down offers of work, refuse to apply for suitable jobs or fail to turn up for community work will lose their 65-a-week allowance.

Move raises hopes BBC strike can be averted

HOPES were raised of averting a fresh 48-hour strike by BBC journalists after moves to agree new talks between union leaders and management.

Members of the National Union of Journalists staged a walkout last week in a row over pensions which disrupted radio and TV programmes, and are due to strike again next week.

Behind-the-scenes moves are believed to have been held last night raising hopes of a breakthrough.

Commuting times down

AN increase in the number of people working from home has cut average commuting times to a ten-year low of 47 minutes, according to a new study today.

The TUC said average daily commuting times have fallen by almost five minutes since 2006, mainly because of the growth in home-working, which increased by 291,000 between the years 2006 and 2008.

Farage crash due to banner

AN air crash which left UKIP leader Nigel Farage severely injured on General Election day was caused by a campaign banner, a report said today.

The light aircraft came down in Northamptonshire after the tow line for the banner became wrapped around the tailplane.

Leicestershire: A police force has enlisted the help of a former drug addict and prolific thief in a bid to combat vehicle crime in the run-up to Christmas. James Hazell, 25, broke into more than 100 cars during his ten-year criminal career. But after two prison sentences, he has kicked a drug habit and has been enlisted by Leicestershire Police to help fight the traditional rise in vehicle crime in the festive season.

London: A full-size mock-up of a new jump-on, jump-off double-decker bus for London was set to be unveiled today by the capital's mayor Boris Johnson.