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Pru Boss 'Irritated' By Labour Letter Row

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 04 April 2015 | 11.46

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

A row over company bosses' political affiliations ahead of the General Election deepened on Thursday amid allegations that Labour was trying to undermine the leaders of some of the UK's biggest businesses.

Friends of the Prudential chief executive, Tidjane Thiam, told Sky News that he was "irritated" at suggestions from Labour sources that he was reconsidering his backing for a pro-Conservative letter which appeared in The Daily Telegraph this week.

The letter, which was originally signed by 103 business leaders, expressed support for Tory economic policies and warned that a "change of course" could jeopardise Britain's economic recovery.

Despite indicating that Labour was unconcerned by bosses' backing for the Tories, one Labour aide suggested on Thursday that Mr Thiam had "regretted" his decision to sign the Telegraph letter.

That provoked a robust response from people close to the Prudential chief, who is leaving his role this year to head the Zurich-based banking group Credit Suisse.

"He made his views clear and they speak for themselves, so he is unlikely to be happy at anyone else trying to misrepresent his position," a friend of Mr Thiam said.

Labour had earlier seized on a decision by Pascal Soriot, chief executive of the drug-maker AstraZeneca, to withdraw his association with the pro-Tory letter.

Mr Soriot did not say why he had signed the letter, but issued a statement saying: "Neither I nor AstraZeneca endorse any political party and while I support such policies my name should not be used in the context of the letter."

Labour aides also tried to claim that the chief executive of Ladbrokes had also changed his mind about being a signatory but omitted to mention that Richard Glynn, whose name appeared on the list of supporters, stepped down this week.

His successor, Jim Mullen, said he would not sign any similar letters during an election campaign.

A Conservative Party source said that Labour was trying to "intimidate or undermine" business leaders from speaking out on the economy.

Sky News revealed earlier this week that Stefano Pessina, the boss of Walgreens Boots Alliance, had been approached but declined to sign the letter just weeks after being attacked by Ed Miliband for saying that a Labour government could be "disastrous".

In Thursday's seven-way party leaders' debate, David Cameron referred to the support from business leaders as evidence for the need to keep the Tories in government.

The festering row about business support for the main parties was also reignited this week when Chuka Umunna, the Shadow Business Secretary, said that Paul Walsh should not become the next president of the CBI after opting to show support for the Conservatives.

Sky News revealed in February that Mr Walsh, the former chief executive of Diageo, was being lined up to succeed Sir Mike Rake, and his appointment is expected to be confirmed later this month.


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Sluggish US Economy Adds Only 126,000 Jobs

By Sky News US Team

A slow US economy added a lower-than-expected 126,000 jobs in March, though the unemployment rate held steady, as predicted, at 5.5%.

Friday's jobs reports broke a run of 12 consecutive months in which the economy added more than 200,000 jobs.

It was the smallest jobs gain since December 2013, said the Labor Department.

Job gains in February and January this year were also revised down by 69,000.

US manufacturing and construction activity is anaemic, while hiring at restaurants is down as the country emerges from a harsh winter.

Average hourly wages rose a modest 7 cents to $24.86 (£16.68) an hour.

The disappointing report could hold back the Federal Reserve from raising interest rates in the middle of this year.

Cheaper oil has hurt manufacturers as energy firms rein in orders for equipment, and has yet to show an impact on consumer spending. 


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Energy Firm Pays Heavy Price For Overcharging

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 03 April 2015 | 11.46

Energy firm E.ON is to hand £7.75m to Citizens Advice for customers who were overcharged after price rises.

The sum is on top of the £400,000 E.ON has already paid back money to others who may have been affected.

Regulator Ofgem said the penalty reflected the company's "repeated failing" on billing rules.

It wrongly imposed exit fees and overcharged customers following price rises in January 2013 and January 2014

Under Ofgem rules firms are not supposed to apply exit fees if a customer signals their intention to move supplier within the standard 30-day notice period of a price increase.

This is the case even if the switch occurs after the rise.

Sarah Harrison, Ofgem's senior partner in charge of enforcement, said: "(Our) rules give customers a chance to avoid exit fees and higher costs when suppliers put up prices.

"These are important customer protections and it is vital that suppliers play by the rules so customers are encouraged to engage in the market."

In November 2012, E.ON, one of the UK's six biggest energy suppliers, was required to pay £1.7m for similar failings.

Ms Harrison commented: "It's absolutely unacceptable that E.ON failed to provide these vital customer protections yet again and this persistent failure is the reason for the high penalty."

The errors in respect of price rises in January 2013 and 2014 affected direct debit and standard credit customers. The average amount paid back was around £8 and £12 respectively.

The mistakes also resulted in around 11,500 prepayment customers - traditionally the poorest - missing out on an average refund of £3.42.

E.ON is aiming to reimburse them by the end of April.

Last May E.ON was ordered to pay back a record £12m for mis-selling.


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Pru Boss 'Irritated' By Labour Letter Row

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

A row over company bosses' political affiliations ahead of the General Election deepened on Thursday amid allegations that Labour was trying to undermine the leaders of some of the UK's biggest businesses.

Friends of the Prudential chief executive, Tidjane Thiam, told Sky News that he was "irritated" at suggestions from Labour sources that he was reconsidering his backing for a pro-Conservative letter which appeared in The Daily Telegraph this week.

The letter, which was originally signed by 103 business leaders, expressed support for Tory economic policies and warned that a "change of course" could jeopardise Britain's economic recovery.

Despite indicating that Labour was unconcerned by bosses' backing for the Tories, one Labour aide suggested on Thursday that Mr Thiam had "regretted" his decision to sign the Telegraph letter.

That provoked a robust response from people close to the Prudential chief, who is leaving his role this year to head the Zurich-based banking group Credit Suisse.

"He made his views clear and they speak for themselves, so he is unlikely to be happy at anyone else trying to misrepresent his position," a friend of Mr Thiam said.

Labour had earlier seized on a decision by Pascal Soriot, chief executive of the drug-maker AstraZeneca, to withdraw his association with the pro-Tory letter.

Mr Soriot did not say why he had signed the letter, but issued a statement saying: "Neither I nor AstraZeneca endorse any political party and while I support such policies my name should not be used in the context of the letter."

Labour aides also tried to claim that the chief executive of Ladbrokes had also changed his mind about being a signatory but omitted to mention that Richard Glynn, whose name appeared on the list of supporters, stepped down this week.

His successor, Jim Mullen, said he would not sign any similar letters during an election campaign.

A Conservative Party source said that Labour was trying to "intimidate or undermine" business leaders from speaking out on the economy.

Sky News revealed earlier this week that Stefano Pessina, the boss of Walgreens Boots Alliance, had been approached but declined to sign the letter just weeks after being attacked by Ed Miliband for saying that a Labour government could be "disastrous".

In Thursday's seven-way party leaders' debate, David Cameron referred to the support from business leaders as evidence for the need to keep the Tories in government.

The festering row about business support for the main parties was also reignited this week when Chuka Umunna, the Shadow Business Secretary, said that Paul Walsh should not become the next president of the CBI after opting to show support for the Conservatives.

Sky News revealed in February that Mr Walsh, the former chief executive of Diageo, was being lined up to succeed Sir Mike Rake, and his appointment is expected to be confirmed later this month.


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Tories Woo New Backers As Boots Boss Says No

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 02 April 2015 | 11.46

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

The Conservatives have embarked on a fresh attempt to court backing from the business community hours after the publication of a letter warning against "a change in (economic) course" pursued by a Labour administration.

Sky News can reveal that Lord Feldman, who chairs the party's board and was responsible for organising a pro-Tory letter in Wednesday's Daily Telegraph, has urged other business leaders to add their support for a Conservative government.

"I hope you have seen the Daily Telegraph today that has published a letter with over 100 business leaders supporting the Conservative's policy to lower corporation tax to 20% effective today," Lord Feldman wrote in an email to company executives obtained by Sky News.

"I am writing to ask if you would consider adding your name as a signatory to this letter.

"It is clearly important to send a signal that the business community is behind the Conservatives' long-term economic plan, and does not want to see a change of course."

Sky News also understands that the boss of Boots, the high street health and beauty retailer, was asked to sign the original letter but declined, just weeks after being attacked by Ed Miliband for predicting that a Labour election victory could be "disastrous" for the UK economy.

Stefano Pessina, who runs the US-headquartered Walgreens Boots Alliance, opted not to put his name to the letter because as a Monaco resident he is not entitled to vote in UK elections.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for the company, which employs tens of thousands of people in the UK, said: "As Stefano Pessina is not a UK citizen and does not vote in the UK, he would not sign any letter to support a political party in the UK General Election.

"Furthermore, he has not previously signed any letters to back political parties on such occasions.

"As a businessman, international entrepreneur and investor, Stefano naturally takes a keen interest in the overall business environment in the countries in which he leads businesses.

"With this in mind, he has previously expressed views regarding certain business policies and recommendations, especially regarding the UK economy to which he has been very committed and highly supportive for 20 years."

Mr Pessina was stung by the Labour leader's accusation in February that he was "avoiding his taxes", an allegation he strongly denied.

Although Mr Pessina and others approached about the letter declined to sign it, its publication will reinforce the widely held perception that the Conservatives enjoy far stronger support from the business community than Labour.

Under the Tory-led coalition, corporation tax has been reduced to 20% following a string of annual cuts which Labour has pledged to reverse in order to favour tax cuts for smaller companies.

It is unclear whether the Conservatives plan to publish an updated version of the letter once new signatories are added.

George Osborne, the Chancellor, said the letter represented an "unprecedented intervention" in a General Election campaign.

"A hundred business people, employing over half a million people and leading some of Britain's best-known companies, from Primark to the Prudential and from BP to Britvic and Mothercare have spoken out," he told Sky News.

Some observers suggested, however, that after weeks of corralling support, the Tories would have been disappointed to enlist support from the chief executives of only three FTSE-100 companies: Associated British Foods, BP and Prudential.

The festering row about business support for the main parties further deepened on Wednesday when Chuka Umunna, the Shadow Business Secretary, said that Paul Walsh should not become the next president of the CBI after opting to show support for the Conservatives.

Sky News revealed in February that Mr Walsh, the former chief executive of Diageo, was being lined up to succeed Sir Mike Rake, and his appointment is expected to be confirmed later this month.

A CBI spokesman said: "The CBI is a politically neutral organisation and its senior post holders will always act impartially.

"The CBI has made no announcement about its next president."


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Kurt Geiger To Try On Another New Owner

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

The upmarket shoe retailer Kurt Geiger is preparing to try on another new owner less than a year after its last buyout.

Sky News understands that the company's management and their backers at Sycamore Partners, an American private equity firm, have hired bankers at Goldman Sachs to explore a sale of part or all of the business.

An outright sale would be the latest in a string of deals involving Kurt Geiger, which prides itself on its celebrity customer base and which operates footwear concessions in department stores including Harrods and Selfridges.

Jon Hamm, the Mad Men actor, and ‎the model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are among prominent fans of the brand.

The price tag attached to the fashion label, which is moving into the children's footwear market, is unclear‎ although analysts said it could be in the region of £300m, roughly equivalent to last year's estimated sales figure.

The brand was bought by Jones Group, a US fashion company, in 2011 in a deal worth £215m.

Jones' subsequent troubles led it in April last year into the arms of Sycamore, which days later sold a stake to Kurt Geiger chief executive Neil Clifford and other senior managers.

At the time, Mr Clifford said:

"We believe our company has tremendous potential for growth in the UK and internationally, and we will continue to invest in new opportunities alongside our department store and brand partners."

In a recent interview with The Times‎, Mr Clifford raised the prospect that Kurt Geiger could abandon its US operations, citing the need for substantial infrastructure investment to make a success of the move.

Preparations for another sale could take several months, with Kurt Geiger expected to appeal to private equity firms for investing in the luxury goods and retail industries, as well as international fashion houses.

A stock market listing is another possible alternative.

In addition to its hundreds of concession operations, Kurt Geiger sells its own brands‎ such as Carvela in more than 70 stores around the world.

Kurt Geiger's first shop opened on London's Bond Street in 1963, but it took until 2007 before its first significant overseas expansion into Europe and the Middle East.

Four years after that, the business was sold to Jones Group by Graphite Capital, a private equity firm which had bought it from Barclays' buyout arm in 2008.

Prior to Barclays, Kurt Geiger had been owned by Mohamedd Fayed, the then owner of Harrods.

Sycamore Partners and Goldman Sachs both declined to comment.


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M&G Fund Manager Scoops £15m-Plus Pay Deal

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 01 April 2015 | 11.46

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

A top fund manager at M&G Investments has scooped a £15m-plus pay deal for the second consecutive year, cementing his status as one of the highest-paid executives at a London-listed company.

Sky News can reveal that Richard Woolnough, who oversees nearly £35bn of clients' money at the fund management arm of Prudential, was the mystery recipient of the bumper package.

Prudential's annual report, released on Tuesday, disclosed that an individual received between £15.3m and £15.4m but declined to name the person because they do not sit on the company's main board.

However, sources confirmed that Mr Woolnough was the unidentified employee, following the achievement of performance metrics last year which included the M&G Optimal Income Fund being Europe's best-selling mutual fund.

The £15m-plus award comes on top of a £17.5m payout to Mr Woolnough in 2013, and places the bond manager firmly among the City's top-paid money managers.

The timing of the pay award may be sensitive for Prudential, given the proximity of May's General Election.

Fund managers' pay deals, and the means through which they earn them, have become an increasingly visible target for pay campaigners, with the Institute of Directors calling in recent months for a more detailed investigation of the sector.

People familiar with the situation said that Mr Woolnough's pay award was "based on performance", pointing to annualised returns for the Optimal Income Fund of 8.19% since its launch in 2006, against a sector average outline by the Investment Association of 4.7%.

Mr Woolnough's other funds include the M&G Strategic Corporate Bond Fund and M&G Corporate Bond Fund, which manage £10.2bn fund in total.

One of the City's top fund managers, Mr Woolnough has a low profile outside the UK financial sector, having joined M&G after stints at Lloyds Merchant Bank, the Italian insurer Assicurazioni Generali, and SG Warburg.

In 1995, he became a fund manager at Old Mutual, where he also spent almost ten years.

Mr Woolnough's Optimal Income Fund launched in 2006 to provide investors with an alternative to traditional corporate bond funds.

It has a mandate to hold 50% of its assets in bonds, but is more flexible than many competitors and has almost trebled during the last two-and-a-half years.

That rapid growth is partly explained by investors' search for "safe" income when interest rates have been at historic lows.

Under disclosure rules for public companies, Prudential, which owns M&G, has to disclose by name the remuneration packages awarded to board members.

The company is in the process of seeking approval from regulators to name Mike Wells, the head of its US operations, as its new group chief executive.

The insurer's annual report also disclosed that both Mr Wells and Tidjane Thiam, who is stepping down as its chief executive to run Credit Suisse, the Swiss banking group, were paid more than £11m last year.

Like his board colleagues, the vast majority of Mr Woolnough's pay is understood to be in the form of Prudential shares and deferred for several years.

Prudential and M&G both declined to comment.


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UK Economic Growth Almost Tops 2006 Figure

Revised official figures show that the UK economy grew last year at the fastest pace since 2006.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the economy expanded at 2.8% in 2014, approaching the figure of 3% seen eight years before.

The ONS boosted the figure after a standard revision to growth in the last quarter of 2014 was calculated.

It said Q4 growth was 0.6%, up from the previous estimate of 0.5%.

This took growth for the whole of 2014 to 2.8%, from the earlier published figure of 2.6%.

It said several factors were behind the greater pace increase, including a big boost to exports, along with increased household spending and services spending.

The ONS made the announcement at the same time as revealing the latest current account figures for income received and liabilities paid to the rest of the world.

It said the record current account deficit of £27.7bn in Q3 had been reduced to £25.3bn by the end of December.

New measures to calculate wellbeing of households were also released by the ONS.

It said real household disposable income increased by 1.9% last year, but overall it showed only a 0.2% increase from the figure at the end of Q2 in 2010.

It said household optimism over finances has continued to increase from a low point seen at the start of 2012.


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Bank Of England Reveals New Lender Stress Test

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 31 Maret 2015 | 11.46

The UK's biggest banks will have to show how they would cope with a 1930s-style global economic slump under a new doomsday scenario.

The second annual stress test of the financial system set by the Bank of England (BoE) aims to act as a health check on Britain's seven biggest lenders.

This year's test will focus on international risks rather than the most recent assessment in December, which had a more domestic focus.

It includes a dramatic slump in Chinese growth and a eurozone recession.

The test will assess the impact on the banks' balance sheets and resilience in the face of severe economic stress.

The lenders to come under the spotlight are Standard Chartered, HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, Nationwide, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Santander UK.

The Co-operative Bank, which failed last year's test and has been taking remedial steps by speeding up the sale of its loan book, will not be included.

The BoE said the Co-operative is now smaller and its status was unlikely to have a "material impact on the resilience of the financial system".

BoE Governor Mark Carney said: "Last year's tests demonstrated how much stronger the core of the UK financial system has become since the financial crisis.

"The results showed that the post-crisis reforms have put the UK banking system on a stronger footing and made it better able to support the real economy even in the face of a major domestic shock.

"This year's test will have a different focus and is equally important.

"By assessing the resilience of the UK banking system against a major external shock, we will improve further our ability to identify vulnerabilities and we will ensure that banks have plans in place to address a wider range of possible stresses."

Those lenders found not to have a big enough capital to loan margin will be required to bolster their financial position.

Results of the stress test will be published in December.

The Bank stressed the scenario it set out was not a forecast of expected conditions in the UK or other markets.

While only the Co-op failed last year's test, concerns were also raised about state-backed Lloyds and RBS.

However, improvements and changes to their plans during 2014 meant they passed the check-up.


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Pension Data Sales Claims Trigger Inquiry

An investigation has been launched by the data watchdog into claims that details of milllions of people's pensions are being sold to cold-calling firms and fraudsters.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has described the revelations as "very worrying" and said it would be speaking to regulators and police.

The allegations have reinforced concerns about an upsurge in fraud as changes are introduced giving people access to their entire pension pots.

From 6 April, people can cash in their pension savings when they retire, rather than purchase an annuity.

Details of people's salaries, the value of their investments and the size of their pensions are being sold for as little as 5p without their consent, according to the Daily Mail.

The paper said its undercover reporters were sold information about the pensions of 15,000 people without any checks being made on who they were and what they would do with the data.

The ICO has already warned the pension reforms being brought in could lead to more people being scammed.

Steve Eckersley, the head of enforcement at the ICO, said: "It suggests a frequent disregard of laws that are in place specifically to protect consumers. We will be launching an investigation immediately.

"We're aware of allegations raised against several companies involved in the cold-calling sector, and will be making inquiries to establish whether there have been any breaches of the Data Protection Act or Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations."

The ICO has the power to slap companies with fines of up to £500,000 for the most serious breaches of the Data Protection Act and can pursue criminal prosecutions around unlawfully obtaining or accessing personal data.

Mr Eckersley added: "The information we've been shown supports the work we've been doing to target the shady industry that operates behind the nuisance of cold calls and spam texts.

"We're already aware of the potential for a huge spike in the number of scam texts and calls linked to pensions when the law changes in April, and have already taken action against a company that was sending out misleading messages.

"What we've seen here confirms those fears. Personal data is such a valuable asset, particularly financial information.

"The worst case scenario here is this information getting into the wrong hands and being used to target individuals at a critical point in their financial lives."


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Gulf Keystone Investors Push To Remove Murray

Written By Unknown on Senin, 30 Maret 2015 | 11.46

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Investors in a controversial London-listed oil company are demanding that it begins hunting a successor to its chairman in return for backing a £30m fundraising.

Sky News has learnt that several major City institutions have told Gulf Keystone Petroleum that they want to see a replacement identified for Simon Murray, who took over as chairman less than two years ago.

The ultimatum comes amid discussions between Gulf Keystone, which operates in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and prospective buyers of its assets or the whole company.

Payments to oil exporters have faced protracted delays as the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has been distracted by ongoing unrest in Iraq and the need to devote resources to countering incursions by Islamic State insurgents.

Although Gulf Keystone and other foreign oil companies have begun to receive some multimillion dollar payments, the company's indebtedness has left it facing a financial crunch.

Last month, Gulf Keystone confirmed a Sky News report that it was in talks with prospective buyers, while it has also been pursuing a share placing to raise roughly £30m as an alternative option to secure its future.

Leading City institutions which have fought a long-running battle with the company over pay and governance are now calling on Mr Murray to depart.

A former French Legionnaire and ex-chairman of Glencore, the giant commodities trader, Mr Murray was drafted in as Gulf Keystone's chairman in July 2013 after a protracted fight led by Capital Group and M&G Investments.

The company's former chief executive, Todd Kozel, finally stepped down from the role last year following hints of a further revolt, but the change has failed to appease investors.

A number of independent board members elected as part of a peace deal in 2013 have since been forced out.

Shares in Gulf Keystone have slumped by more than 63% during the last year, valuing it at just £330m, while it continues to carry debts of nearly £400m.

It is unclear whether Gulf Keystone will agree to expedite a succession plan for Mr Murray or whether potential successors have been identified.

The fundraising may yet be a necessity, since a sale of Gulf Keystone is by no means certain.

Exxon Mobil is said to be among the prospective buyers.

In a statement earlier this month, Gulf Keystone said: "Stakeholders are advised that these discussions (with potential buyers) are preliminary and, as such, there can be no certainty that any offers will be received and any transaction concluded, or any certainty as to the terms on which any offer might be made.

"Concurrently, and in view of strategic discussions and its current liquidity position, and with the intention of meeting its existing debt payment obligations, the Company is undertaking a review of its financing options and in that context will engage in discussions with its key stakeholders."

London-listed companies have been hit hard by the fall in the price of crude oil, with Afren among those facing urgent restructurings as they buckle under the financial strain.

Another Kurdistan-focused group, Genel Energy, which is run by Tony Hayward, the former BP chief executive, has also been impacted by the payments delay involving the KRG, although it has a much stronger balance sheet.

The investment banks Deutsche Bank and Perella Weinberg Partners are advising the company on its options.

A Gulf Keystone spokesman declined to comment on Sunday.


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Miliband's NHS Pledge At Campaign Launch

Labour leader Ed Miliband has launched his party's General Election campaign with a promise to safeguard the future of the NHS.

The event in east London came after Mr Miliband and Prime Minister David Cameron answered questions in the Battle For Number 10, the first showdown of the campaign.

Launching the party's push for power in the "tightest general election in a generation", Mr Miliband said: "The Tories say this is as good as it gets.

"We say Britain can and must do better than this."

Referencing the special programme broadcast on Sky News and Channel 4, the Labour leader claimed the PM's performance showed he was "rattled", "running from his record" and "living in a different world".

The election on 7 May is a choice between "two different visions" for Britain, Mr Miliband said.

"A Tory government that looks out only for the few, or a Labour government that will stand up for working families in every part of our country," he claimed.

At the heart of the launch was a promise of a "double lock" to protect the health service.

Mr Miliband said Labour would act to ensure health services are not threatened by privatisation and pledged to provide £2.5bn in extra cash, paid for by taxes on expensive properties and tobacco companies and a crackdown on tax avoidance.

A new profit cap - usually 5% - would be imposed on outsourced healthcare contracts worth more than £500,000, private firms would be prevented from "cherry-picking" lucrative treatments and the NHS would be the "preferred provider" for all services.

Mr Miliband said: "Just think about how far backwards the NHS has gone in the last five years.

"People waiting longer and longer to see a GP. Ambulances queuing up outside hospitals, because A&E is full. Even a treatment tent erected in a hospital car park.

"For all the promises, for all the air-brushed posters, David Cameron has broken his solemn vow to the British people when it comes to our NHS."

He admitted the race for Downing Street would be neck-and-neck and could "come down to the wire".

Mr Miliband said: "I know our opponents will throw everything they have our way, because they're desperate to hang on to power.

"But we know we can win this fight on behalf of the British people."

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy has also launched the party's campaign in Glasgow.

Addressing activists, Mr Murphy called on them to help Labour "consign David Cameron and his austerity to the dustbin of history".

In response to Mr Miliband's remarks, Conservative MP and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "We can only have a strong NHS if we have a strong economy, but Ed Miliband doesn't have an economic plan.

"We all know Labour want to 'weaponise' the NHS but this is another policy from Ed Miliband that looks ill-thought through. It risks higher infection rates, higher waiting times and chaos for our NHS.

"This incompetence is exactly why Ed Miliband is simply not up to the job."


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UK Airlines Bring In New Cockpit Safety Rules

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 29 Maret 2015 | 11.46

By Charlotte Lomas-Farley, Sky News Correspondent

New safety rules have been introduced in the UK after 150 people on board the Germanwings Airbus A320 were killed when it crashed in the French Alps.

The UK's aviation regulator, the UK Civil Aviation Authority, has contacted all British airlines to get them to review all relevant procedures.

Here is a breakdown of how the safety rules affect different airlines:

:: Thomas Cook, Thomson and easyJet - from Friday, all three are changing their safety procedures to ensure that two crew members are in the cockpit at all times.

:: Virgin Atlantic and Monarch - both airlines say that while a two crew policy has always been common practice, they are in the process of making this formal policy.

If a pilot or co-pilot needs to leave the cockpit for any reason then a cabin crew member will stand in.

:: Jet2 and Flybe - both carriers already implement a two people in the cockpit at all times policy, as does Ryanair.

:: British Airways - the airline has refused to comment on the policy of its cockpit manning levels. The airline has insisted it does not discuss security issues.


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Miliband's NHS Pledge At Campaign Launch

Labour leader Ed Miliband has launched his party's General Election campaign with a promise to safeguard the future of the NHS.

The event in east London came after Mr Miliband and Prime Minister David Cameron answered questions in the Battle For Number 10, the first showdown of the campaign.

Launching the party's push for power in the "tightest general election in a generation", Mr Miliband said: "The Tories say this is as good as it gets.

"We say Britain can and must do better than this."

Referencing the special programme broadcast on Sky News and Channel 4, the Labour leader claimed the PM's performance showed he was "rattled", "running from his record" and "living in a different world".

The election on 7 May is a choice between "two different visions" for Britain, Mr Miliband said.

"A Tory government that looks out only for the few, or a Labour government that will stand up for working families in every part of our country," he claimed.

At the heart of the launch was a promise of a "double lock" to protect the health service.

Mr Miliband said Labour would act to ensure health services are not threatened by privatisation and pledged to provide £2.5bn in extra cash, paid for by taxes on expensive properties and tobacco companies and a crackdown on tax avoidance.

A new profit cap - usually 5% - would be imposed on outsourced healthcare contracts worth more than £500,000, private firms would be prevented from "cherry-picking" lucrative treatments and the NHS would be the "preferred provider" for all services.

Mr Miliband said: "Just think about how far backwards the NHS has gone in the last five years.

"People waiting longer and longer to see a GP. Ambulances queuing up outside hospitals, because A&E is full. Even a treatment tent erected in a hospital car park.

"For all the promises, for all the air-brushed posters, David Cameron has broken his solemn vow to the British people when it comes to our NHS."

He admitted the race for Downing Street would be neck-and-neck and could "come down to the wire".

Mr Miliband said: "I know our opponents will throw everything they have our way, because they're desperate to hang on to power.

"But we know we can win this fight on behalf of the British people."

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy has also launched the party's campaign in Glasgow.

Addressing activists, Mr Murphy called on them to help Labour "consign David Cameron and his austerity to the dustbin of history".

In response to Mr Miliband's remarks, Conservative MP and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "We can only have a strong NHS if we have a strong economy, but Ed Miliband doesn't have an economic plan.

"We all know Labour want to 'weaponise' the NHS but this is another policy from Ed Miliband that looks ill-thought through. It risks higher infection rates, higher waiting times and chaos for our NHS.

"This incompetence is exactly why Ed Miliband is simply not up to the job."


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