UK News: Tax office slammed for surprise demands

HM Revenue & Customs was criticised today for failings that left millions of people facing surprise tax demands.

The Commons' Public Accounts Committee said that taxpayers had been caused unacceptable "uncertainty and worry" after problems with a new PAYE computer system.

Osborne told: delay cuts

Chancellor George Osborne should consider delaying austerity cuts to support Britain's flagging economy, according to a report.

The National Institute of Economic and Social Research also warned interest rates may have to rise as early as the spring to hold back soaring inflation.

Minister 'advised Libya over bomber's release'

A UK Government minister gave Libya advice on how to secure Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi's release, claims Wikileaks.

Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell wrote to his Tripoli counterpart weeks after Megrahi was diagnosed with cancer, spelling out in detail the procedure for obtaining compassionate release.

The UK Government has always denied any attempt to influence the decision by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill in August 2009.

Kids watch TV for 36m hrs

UK children are collectively spending 36 million hours a day in front of the TV or computer, research suggests.

On average, youngsters clock up an hour and 50 minutes online a day, and watch TV for 2.7 hours, according to the Childwise annual monitor report.

The study questioned almost 2500 five to 16-year-olds about their computer, TV and reading habits.

It's good news for Emma

Former GMTV presenter Emma Crosby has been confirmed as Natasha Kaplinsky's replacement as the face of Channel 5 news.

Crosby, 33, dropped from the ITV morning show last summer, will present with Matt Barbet, an old university pal, from February 14.

Stornoway: Fourteen crew members were winched to safety after a fishing boat ran aground in heavy seas off the Isle of Rum.

The crew were rescued by helicopter after Stornoway Coastguard received a distress transmission from the French vessel at 11.36pm yesterday.

Liverpool: A post-mortem examination was taking place today after a mother and son were found dead with knife injuries at their home.

Police were called to an address in Halewood and found the bodies of Annie Coffey, who was in her 50s and her son Christopher, who was in his 20s.