It has been revealed that personal information about almost every farmer in England has been lost by Government officials in the latest incident tobe revealed to the public.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has informed MPs that in May this year a total of 38 back-up computer tapes and one disc were ‘unaccounted for’ during routine checks at the Rural Payments Agency.

The tapes are believed to contain the details of more than 100,000 farmers including addresses, bank data and computer passwords, Which were kept in connection with subsidy payments.

“Longer franchises will get money into the industry by giving companies an incentive to invest in real, long-term improvements,” said Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary.

Commenting on today’s report by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) on franchise reform, Norman Baker said:

“Train passengers have been getting a raw deal from the way franchises are set up. We need a system that puts the passenger first.

“We need to grow the railways. Longer franchises will get money into the industry by giving companies an incentive to invest in real, long-term improvements.

“The East Coast Main Line should remain in public ownership for a longer period to demonstrate how a franchise should be run with passenger-focused targets to drive up standards.

“We should also look at tying franchise deals to GDP, which would stop companies collapsing in recessions and mean that the Treasury gets more in the good times.

 SPRING bulb planting extravaganza will take place in People’s Park over two weekends in November – on the 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th.Weather permitting, the planting will run from 10am each day, and the community is invited to come along and get involved in this fun event – including schools, charities, community groups or local businesses or individuals who just fancy a day out in the park.

Tools and gloves will be supplied and park staff and the Friends of People’s Park will be on hand to assist. Bags of bulbs will be of mixed variety including crocus and chionodoxa. 

A dedication book will be available for people to sign to say that they have visited the park to plant the bulbs. It will be kept as a historical document to allow participants to show future generations their contribution, including where they planted their bulbs. 

Sections to be planted will be between the avenue of trees around the park, starting from the north east end of the park, eventually working all the way around the park. These areas will be cordoned off during planting.

The bulb planting is a five-year project, and it is hoped it will prove popular year on year. Those who help plant bulbs this season will be able to enjoy the fruits of their labours in spring – when their bulbs will have flourished into a beautiful carpet of colour.

The bulbs will cost £2 per bag and you can purchase them from the park.  Posters will be displayed in the park with start times for the planting, but if you require additional information, please contact Sarah Wright, People’s Park Manager, on (01472) 325785 or e-mail sarah.wright@nelincs.gov.uk. 

Tip offs from the public have helped a multi-agency operation seize nearly 2,000 fake cigarettes and more than 30 litres of vodka from the streets of North East Lincolnshire.

The operation saw trading standards officers and licensing teams from North East Lincolnshire Council team up with Humberside Police and HM Revenue & Customs in two successful raids across the borough.

The operation took place this October and is the first of many planned over the coming months. It is hoped that its success will send a clear message to those involved in the supply of counterfeit goods: those found guilty of selling fakes could be liable to an unlimited fine or up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Fake cigarettes and alcohol often contain very low-grade materials which have a detrimental affect on one’s health. Fake cigarettes have in the past been found to contain high levels of heavy metals including cadmium, lead and arsenic, which can cause kidney and lung damage, heart problems, fertility problems, dementia and a much greater risk of cancers.

Councillor Steve Beasant, portfolio holder for community safety and public protection, said: “I hope this shows that community tip-offs will be followed through by the council and I hope it encourages others to come forward with more information. Anyone who suspects someone to be selling fake cigarettes or alcohol should report the matter to the council’s trading standards officers, and it is important to realise that all matters will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.”

Cllr Steve Hocknell, portfolio holder for health, said: “We know young people can become addicted to nicotine after just two or three cigarettes, which can lead them to becoming life-long smokers of a product that could cause the death of half the people who use it.

THE toilets and café in People’s Park, Grimsby, will be closed until further notice following an incident of vandalism.
 
Damage was caused to the roller shutter doors on the night of Monday 26 October, and repair work is now being organised.
 
North East Lincolnshire Council apologises for any inconvenience caused

Get ready for a spectacular family event under the stars as Meridian Park presents the Meridian Fire and Light Festival this Sunday, November 1.

The evening promises to be a unforgettable event as special effects company LCI produce a dramatic display with a breathtaking mix of lasers, lighting and pyrotechnics effects, choreographed and programmed to selected music tracks.

LCI’s skill is in the marriage of technology and creativity to create outstanding multimedia spectaculars and special effects. 

There will also be a variety of entertainers including Juggling Inferno, a group of highly skilled fire performers. Their death-defying fire performances have entertained and amazed audiences from Dundee to Dubai. Juggling Inferno’s performers are some of the best in the world, with great costumes, great skills and a world class level of fire performance they are guaranteed to amaze and astound.

Food and drink will also be on sale at the event.

Gates open at 5.30pm, with walkabout entertainment until 7pm.
From 7pm to 7.10pm, there will be a children’s themed light show.
Juggling Inferno will perform from 7.15pm to 7.50pm, and the adult themed light show will run from 7.50pm until 8.25pm. Sambalada will conclude the evening with a performance, from 8.30pm to 9pm.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children. Family tickets (two adults, two children) cost £14. Tickets are on sale now from the Grimsby Auditorium Box Office and through Ticketmaster on 0844 847 2426. They are also available fromCleethorpes Tourist Information Centre.

Chris Huhne MP, Liberal Democrats Home Affairs spokesperson said on today’s Politics Show that the Labour and Conservative frontbenches had connived with the Speaker to ensure that issues such as flipping were not considered by expenses inquiries.

He said

“some of the worst offences of the expenses scandal have been swept under the carpet” and he added that it was done “with the connivance” of Labour, the Conservatives and the Speaker.

Mr Huhne continued to say that he had no problem with another vote on the Kelly recommendations, but pointed out that MPs had already agreed that an outsider should decide on changes.

“MPs voted before to make sure that it was dealt with by an objective outsider – I personally have no problem with another vote,” he said

You can see the video from the Politics Show by clicking >>>>>>HERE<<<<<<

“President Mugabe’s grip on power in Zimbabwe is as tight as ever,” said Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary.

Commenting on the Government’s announcement that it is planning to resume returning failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe, Edward Davey said:

“President Mugabe’s grip on power in Zimbabwe is as tight as ever, and his repression of political has put his fragile power-sharing agreement with the MDC on the verge of collapse.

“For the Home Office to pick this moment to consider deporting Zimbabweans back to Mugabe’s clutches reveals both deep ignorance on its part and cynical impotence in the Foreign Office.

“David Miliband must act today to stop these deportations and explain to Alan Johnson directly that Mugabe remains as dangerous and despotic as ever.”

“The return to growth in the US is in stark contrast to the UK and is clear evidence that the billions poured into a meaningless VAT cut has failed,” said Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor.

Commenting on the news that the US is officially out of recession, Vince Cable said:

“The UK is now one of the last major developed countries still in recession.

“We are now paying the price for a massive over-reliance on the banking sector and a bubble in housing and personal debt which went unchecked by the Prime Minister for years.

“The recovery we are now seeing in the US is in a good part be down to the positive action the Obama administration has taken to support jobs and build up the country’s infrastructure.

“The return to growth in the US is in stark contrast to the UK and is clear evidence that the billions poured into a meaningless VAT cut has failed.”

“Businesses need real action now and are fed up with Labour’s empty promises and meaningless rhetoric,” said John Thurso, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Business Secretary.

Commenting on today’s Bank of England report which reveals a 40% year-on-year fall in bank lending to the manufacturing sector in the last quarter, John Thurso said:

“Today’s appalling lending figures will send a chill through every manufacturing company in the country. 
 
“It’s no wonder that Gordon Brown is presiding over the longest recession on record when perfectly good businesses cannot get the credit they need to invest and grow.
 
“Manufacturing has a huge part to play in the country’s recovery and yet Labour seems to have given up on the sector. Its failure to get the banks to lend is costing people their jobs and businesses are going bust.
 
“Businesses need real action now and are fed up with Labour’s empty promises and meaningless rhetoric.”