UK News: U-turn on Alzheimer's drug for milder cases

HUNDREDS of thousands of people denied access to Alzheimer's drugs could now get them after a U-turn by the health watchdog, it was announced today.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence says the medicines should now be made available to people with mild disease.

Mortgage cost hits floor

THE cost of fixed-rate mortgages fell to a new record low during September as the number of deals available for first-time buyers continued to increase, figures showed.

But the improvement is expected to be short lived, with banks warning that they are set to tighten their lending criteria again.

Reforms planned over public pension shortfall

THE government was today set to publish a report expected to pave the way for millions of public sector workers to pay more into their pension and retire later.

The interim report by former Labour minister Lord Hutton will put ministers on a collision course with the country's most powerful trade unions, which warned yesterday that slashing pensions will add to the "volatile cocktail" of job and pay cuts already facing health, education, council and other employees.

More businesses start up

THE number of new businesses increased for the first time in 18 months, with more than 39,000 companies launched in the last six months, according to a study.

The Royal Mail said there was a 13 per cent rise in new start-ups.

Keith Jones, head of data strategy at Royal Mail, said: "The picture for start-up companies in the UK is optimistic."

Reject's mum 'innocent'

THE mother of X Factor reject Gamu Nhengu did not wrongly claim tax credits, the family's solicitor said today as the budding singer faced deportation to Zimbabwe.

The 18-year-old's mother's visa application was turned down following allegations of false claims.

Bristol: A woman lost all her possessions after her flatmate loaded everything she owns into the wrong car which then drove off. Faye Pounder, 25, was moving house when her flatmate Paul Robbins loaded her belongings into the wrong Xsara Picasso outside their flat in Bristol, which then drove off.

Lincolnshire: Police were continuing to investigate today after a 20-month-old boy was admitted to hospital with severe head injuries. The boy was admitted to the Princess Diana Hospital in Grimsby on Monday and police are treating the incident as suspicious.