Lynne Featherstone (Hornsey & Wood Green, Liberal Democrat)
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he intends to use his powers under section 143(6) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 to produce rules for the inclusion of imprints on election materials that take the form of websites, emails or other similar electronic means; and if he will make a statement.
Michael Wills (Minister of State, Ministry of Justice; North Swindon, Labour)
The legal requirements relating to imprints on election material are set out in Section 143 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 for printed election material issued centrally by political parties, and Section 110 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 for printed election material which is intended to promote or procure the election of a candidate.
These requirements do not apply in the case of non-printed election material, although Electoral Commission guidance for parties and candidates is clear that it is considered good practice to include an imprint that complies with the legal requirements on any website that contains information about an election or candidate(s).
The Government recognise the importance of ensuring proper transparency as to the source of election material, in any form. Where practical, the Government agree that it is a matter of good practice for an imprint to be placed on non-printed material. However, the Government believe that any regulations introducing legal imprint requirements for non-printed material would need to be workable and long-lasting, in particular taking account of the fast-evolving nature of online campaigning. The Government do not propose to introduce regulations requiring imprints for non-printed material at this time but will keep the issue under review. If evidence suggests that further statutory provision is required we will consider that carefully.August 18, 2009
The number of burglaries is soaring in the recession, with £100 million
worth of insurance claims in the first quarter of 2009 – the most
expensive quarter for the insurance industry in five years.
Homes in London and Nottingham are the most likely to be burgled, according to research from Moneysupermarket.com, after it analysed 2.6 million home insurance enquiries on the site last year.
Here are the 20 UK postcode districts most likely to fall victim, with the percentage of homes in that district claiming for theft or burglary on their home insurance.
1. Arnold, Nottinghamshire (NG5) – 0.42%
2. Leicester, Leicestershire (LE3) – 0.35%
3. West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire (NG2) – 0.33%
4. Ellesmere Port, Cheshire (CH66) – 0.32%
5. Roundhay, Leeds, West Yorkshire (LS8) – 0.31%
6. Clapham, south London (SW11) – 0.31%
7. Sheffield, south Yorkshire (S8) – 0.29%
8. Hornsey, London (N8) – 0.28%
9. Croydon, Surrey (CR0) – 0.28%
10. Hove, East Sussex (BN3) – 0.28%
11. Sherwood, Nottinghamshire (NG3) – 0.27%
12. Bilborough, Nottinghamshire (NG8) – 0.26%
13. Beckenhem, Kent (BR3) – 0.25%
14. Manchester, Greater Manchester (M28) – 0.25%
15. Grossgates, Leeds, West Yorkshire (LS15) – 0.25%
16. Walthamstow, east London (E17) – 0.24%
17. Bristol, Avon (BS7) – 0.24%
18. Fulham, south west London (SW6) – 0.24%
19. Forest Hill, south east London (SE23) – 0.24%
20. Maidenhead, Berkshire (SL6) – 0.24%
By Lauren Thompson
Civil liberties campaigners are calling for a ban on the Mosquito, a sonic-sounding dispersal gadget – because it infringes the rights of teenagers.
According to a Press Association report, more than 3,500 Mosquito devices have been installed to disperse groups of young people who loiter in public places.
Marks and Spencer and Spar, the corner shop chain, are just two of many retailers who have installed the special boxes which emit a screeching noise at frequencies that can only be heard by the under-20s.
Launching the "Buzz Off" campaign, Children's Commissioner Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green said the devices were indiscriminate and created a divide between young and old. "I have spoken to many children and young people from all over England who have been deeply affected by ultra-sonic teenage deterrents," he said.
"These devices are indiscriminate and target all children and young people, including babies, regardless of whether they are behaving or misbehaving."
Shami Chakrabarti, director of the human rights group Liberty, said: "Imagine the outcry if a device was introduced that caused blanket discomfort to people of one race or gender, rather than to our kids. The Mosquito has no place in a country that values its children and seeks to instil them with dignity and respect."
The Mosquito was invented by Howard Stapleton, from Merthyr Tydfil, south Wales, and is manufactured by Compound Security Systems. He said a test case in the courts might be the only way of establishing the Mosquito's legality.
"We tell shopkeepers to use it when they have a problem and I would be more than happy to introduce a contract which stipulates to shopkeepers how it can be used," Stapleton told the Western Mail.
Meanwhile, shopkeepers defended the use of the device. The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), which represents 33,000 local shops, said the device can be useful in fighting back against anti-social youths.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: "Unfortunately, in many locations around the country, retailers are victims of anti-social gangs of youths that congregate around their premises. These youths deter customers, intimidate staff and can commit vandalism and violence. Where a retailer is faced with this problem, we fully support the use of a Mosquito device sparingly and as a measure of last resort."
Rochdale is one of a number of borough councils to use the Mosquito – and they've no plans to dismantle the devices.
Rochdale Borough's Cabinet Member for Community Safety – Councillor Ted Flynn has defended the use of 'mosquito devices' as part of his Borough's fight against youth nuisance. This follows criticism of the scheme by members of the youth council.
Councillor Ted Flynn, who is responsible for community safety in Rochdale, said: "This Council's top priority is the fight against anti-social behaviour and crime. Whilst we appreciate that young people have rights we must take into consideration the rights of everyone to have a safe and peaceful existence without youth nuisance.
"These devices have proved useful in dispersing youths causing annoyance in many areas throughout the Borough."
If there's a Mosquito device in your area tell us about it. Join in the debate – Mosquitos yes or no? Vote here.
Record numbers of elderly people and their families are having to find and pay for their own social care.
A new ‘softly softly’ approach to introducing ID cards has been announced.
Concerns over civil liberties, the cost and effectiveness of an ID scheme and the disappearance of Government department databases containing personal information appear to have scuppered plans for a full-blown ID card scheme for the foreseeable future.
The latest timetable falls a long way short of former Prime Minister Tony Blair's pledge, a couple of year's back, for a comprehensive compulsory ID card scheme to be introduced by 2010.
Here, then, are the latest plans for the limited roll-out of ID cards between now and 2014/15:
Announcing the plans, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "I want as many people as possible to enjoy the two key benefits of the National Identity Scheme - improved protection and greater convenience.
"And I want them to be able to choose how they participate in the scheme as well - whether to have a passport or an ID card, or both - so that they can enjoy its benefits as quickly as possible."
It may seem far fetched, but the prospect of hard-working Neighbourhood Watch volunteers receiving a rebate on their rates could become a reality.
Former Attorney-General Lord Goldsmith has announced a string of recommendations on how to promote citizenship in Britain, including offering council tax discounts to people who take part in community work.
The plans have a long way to go yet, but we asked some Neighbourhood Watch 'good citizens' what they thought of the idea.
Dave Rydings, a trustee of the UK Neighbourhood Watch Trust said: "In principle I think it is a good idea. There's no better example of 'active citizenship' than the army of volunteers who give freely of their time to run Neighbourhood Watch groups.
"You would need to make a distinction between those volunteers who are genuine and actively involved and give something back to their community, and those Watch members who simply just turn up to the occasional meeting. If it helps to get more people involved in their communities, then I'm in favour."
Irene Wilson, who has run Willow Watch for the past 20 years, a scheme covering more than 2,000 homes in Enfield, London, also thinks there could be merit in the scheme.
She said: "There are many volunteers in the community who deserve some form of recognition. Carers for example, do a fantastic job. If this idea to promote citizenship does go ahead then I certainly think Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators and group organisers should be included too.
"No-one goes into Neighbourhood Watch expecting to make any money out of it – quite the reverse. But it would be public recognition for the hard work that goes on to improve the safety of our local neighbourhoods."
Keith Warren received the MBE last year for his work in promoting Neighbourhood Watch in Lancashire. Keith is chair of his regional Neighbourhood Watch association and sits on the Home Office-run Watch steering group.
He said: "My personal opinion is that if there is going to be recognition for people who participate in good citizenship schemes then it should include Neighbourhood Watch."
Other suggestions for boosting the concept of citizenship include a National Day – starting in 2012 to coincide with the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee – and coming-of-age citizenship ceremonies for school leavers, where students would pledge a form of oath of allegiance.
