UK News: Taxman faces stretch to meet fraud targets

TAXMEN are facing a "stretching" challenge to meet targets to bring in an extra £18 billion from fraud and evasion investigations over the next four years, MPs warned today.

Investigators increased revenue to 8.5bn last year but will have to do more to hit targets said the Commons Public Accounts Committee.

Fuel prices 'top priority'

THE spiralling price of fuel is a "critical issue", with the public placing it top of their transport concerns, a new survey has revealed.

The research for the RAC Foundation showed that 68 per cent of those surveyed regard the cost of filling up as a priority for government, up from 46 per cent last year.

Fresh confidence sees properties for sale rise

THE number of properties being put up for sale has soared by 25 per cent year on year as sellers become more realistic about how much their homes are worth.

The average estate agent branch had 70 properties on its books in February, up from just 56 a year earlier, according to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).

The group said the rise in sellers suggested there was renewed confidence in the market.

Economy affects children

JOB losses and parental anxiety about the economy are likely to have a major impact on children's happiness, the Children's Society charity has warned.

Children in households reporting a drop in income over the past year were more than twice as likely to experience low levels of happiness as those in homes where income had risen, the charity's research has shown.

New judges' magic touch

BRITAIN'S Got Talent hosts Ant and Dec said the change of judges on the show had led to a different style of acts.

Declan Donnelly, left, said: "Comedians and magicians never got much of a look in with Piers and Simon because neither of them have much of a sense of humour."

Cornwall: Tourist attraction the Eden Project is in talks with authorities in Singapore about creating a far more ambitious version of its biomes in the Asian country as the charity marks its tenth anniversary. Eden's chief executive Tim Smit said it was discussing what he called a "Sim Country-style" construction which would include homes.

London: Film noir-inspired murder mystery Heavy Rain emerged as the big winner at the video game Baftas after picking up three gongs. The PS3 game was honoured for original music, technical innovation and story.