Food Waste 'Is Morally Repugnant', Say Lords

The scale of food waste, which sees 15 million tonnes of food dumped each year in the UK and at least 90 million tonnes across the EU, has been branded "morally repugnant" by a House of Lords committee.

The Lords EU Committee said supermarkets should abolish "buy one get one free" offers and not cancel orders of food from farmers after the produce has been grown, a practice which leads to edible food being ploughed back into the fields. 

They also suggested that more unused food sold by retailers should be donated to food banks, rather than sent for composting or landfill as is often the case at present.

In a report, the committee said EU efforts to reduce food waste were "fragmented and untargeted" and called for the new European Commission to publish a five-year strategy within six months of taking office later this year.

Committee chairwoman Baroness Scott said: "Food waste in the EU and the UK is clearly a huge issue. Not only is it morally repugnant, but it has serious economic and environmental implications.

The committee says taking action against food waste cannot be delayed

"The fact that 90 million tonnes of food is wasted across the EU each year shows the extent of the problem and explains why we are calling for urgent action.

"Globally, consumers in industrialised nations waste up to 222 million tons of food a year, which is equivalent to nearly the entire level of net food production of Sub-Saharan Africa.

"We cannot allow the complexity of the issues around defining and monitoring food waste to delay action any further.

"We are calling on the new European Commission, which will be appointed in November this year, to publish a five-year strategy for reducing food waste across the EU, and to do so within six months of taking office."

The report found that the carbon footprint of worldwide food waste is equivalent to twice the global greenhouse gas emissions of all road transportation in the US.

Lady Scott added: "We were shocked at the extent of food waste in the EU. Especially given the current economic challenges the EU faces, it is an absolutely shocking waste of resources.

"Some efforts are already being made, which is very positive, but much more can be done, and so we are calling on the EU, the Government, businesses and consumers to make sure it is."

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Anarchists Demand $3bn To Stop Google Protests

Protesters have demanded $3bn (£1.8bn) from Google to stop targeting the homes of senior employees.

The booming technology scene in the San Francisco area has caused a spike in house prices and the cost of living.

In the latest demonstration by protest group The Counterforce, leaflets were distributed to neighbours of Google Ventures partner Kevin Rose calling him a parasite.

The protesters also held up banners outside his home.

Rose later posted an image of one of the leaflets on Instagram, in which he was criticised for his role in "ravaging" the landscape of the area.

Digg founder and Google Ventures partner Kevin Rose

Part of the handout read: "As a partner venture capitalist at Google Ventures, Kevin directs the flow of capital into the tech startup bubble that is destroying San Francisco.

"The start-ups that he funds bring the swarm of young entrepreneurs that have ravaged the landscapes of San Francisco and Oakland."

Later a blog post by The Counterforce said: "We now make our first clear demand of Google.

"We demand that Google give three billion dollars to an anarchist organisation of our choosing.

"This money will then be used to create autonomous, anti-capitalist, and anti-racist communities throughout the Bay Area and Northern California."

It said the communities would have free housing, "solving" the housing crisis in the Bay area.

Rose posted a photograph of one of the leaflets

Rose, who founded news aggregator Digg and also invested in mapping site Foursquare, later responded on Twitter.

He wrote: "My house was protested today by anti-tech folks, they had a large banner saying 'Kevin Rose Parasite'.

"They recorded video on an Android phone and said they were going to post it to YouTube, which I thought odd.

"That said, I did agree with them that we need to solve rising rents, keep the SF culture, and crack down on landlords booting folks out.

"SF is such a great place, definitely need to figure out a way to keep the diversity."

In January The Counterforce protested outside the home of Anthony Levandowski, who works in the experimental Google X laboratory.

Protesters have also disrupted the routes of staff shuttle buses.

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New Car Sales Accelerate By 18% In March

New car registrations were up almost 18% in March compared to the same period last year.

A total of 464,824 cars were registered in the month, the highest level for a decade - nearly 15,000 a day.

Last month's figure and the previous high, recorded in March 2004, were the two best registration periods since 1999 when the motor industry ditched the August new number plate for a twice-yearly system.

The sales speed-up in March has taken year-so-far sales to 688,122, a rise of 13.7% on the total for the first three months of 2013.

Trade body SMMT said the surge reflects a return to confidence to Britain, especially as more than half of the total went to private buyers.

"New car registrations surged 17.7% in March to 464,824 units, a surprisingly strong level of growth and a reflection of intensifying consumer confidence and the availability of great new products," SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said.

"Given the past six years of subdued economic performance across the UK, there is still a substantial margin of pent-up demand that is contributing to a strong new and used car market."

The month of March is the traditional registration high point, however the industry expects growth to continue.

"There has never been a better time to buy a new car thanks to attractive finance deals and advanced technologies that often make new cars cheaper to run," Mr Hawes said.

"We expect the market to continue to perform positively for the rest of the year, albeit at a more modest rate."

The best-selling car remains the Ford Fiesta, with 25,753 registered in the month.

That was 58% above the next best-seller, the stablemate Focus (16,860), and the Vauxhall Corsa (16,231).

VW Golf, Vauxhall Astra and Nissan Qashqai were the next best models, along with the VW Polo, Fiat 500, BMW 3 Series and Toyota Yaris.

Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) saw a rise of 35% year-on-year, however the "green vehicle" total was still below 2% of all cars put on the road.

There is now expected to be a surge in AFVs sales, amid an increased awareness of air pollution.

Diesel-powered cars, whose exhaust emission particulates are known to be harmful, made up 47.8% of sales in March.

Many heavily-populated areas of Britain have been blanketed in thick smog this week, due to atmospheric conditions and vehicle pollutants.

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House Of Fraser Bought By Chinese Tycoon

A Chinese tycoon has bought British high street chain the House of Fraser, according to sources.

Reuters said a 89% stake was bought by Sanpower, a Nanjing-based conglomerate controlled by Yafei Yuan.

Sources have told Sky News an announcement is expected imminently.

House of Fraser will now seek strategic growth in mainland China as part of a wider, global expansion.

The deal values the department stores at more than £450m.

The two sides are thought to have been in secret discussions for several months.

This follows a protracted search for investors led by House of Fraser's chairman, Don McCarthy.

Just months ago the company was tipped for a public flotation.

But Sky News City Editor Mark Kleinman reported in February that Mr McCarthy apparently had no desire to chair a publicly-listed company.

Sports Direct and Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley was also tipped as a making a possible move for the company.

The British group enjoyed strong Christmas trading, with like-for-like sales at its 61 stores up more than 7% during the three weeks to December 28 and more than 4% in the nine weeks to the same date.

Established during the 1850s, House of Fraser was taken private in 2006 for £351m by a consortium led by Baugur alongside Mr McCarthy and entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter.

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Microsoft XP And Office 2003 Security Warning

Britain's data protection watchdog has warned owners of Microsoft's Windows XP and Office 2003 products of future potential security flaws.

The warning from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) comes as the software giant is set to end official support of the products on April 8.

Despite Windows XP being considered an aged operating system, it still powers nearly a third of all PCs worldwide, according to NetMarketShare.

UK software firm AppSense believes three-quarters of UK firms have XP within their networks, while Gartner says many businesses have up to 20% running on XP.

The ICO said once official support ends, no update release to overcome flaws will be issued, risking data breaches of machines used by businesses and private users.

The watchdog said the problem will get worse over time as more vulnerabilities are gradually discovered.

It said that will increase opportunities for attackers to exploit and potentially gain unauthorised access to systems.

ICO technology group manager Dr Simon Rice also warned that the issue is not limited to these two products.

He said: "Organisations regularly end support for their older products.

"And those with supported systems still need to be vigilant, as vulnerabilities will be discovered over time."

Dr Rice urged businesses to be prepared for the ending of support.

He said: "As a responsible data controller, it is your organisation's responsibility to make sure you have the measures in place to keep people's details safe."

He added: "Where you cannot apply a (software) update, you may need to put additional measures in place to mitigate the risk."

Approached by Sky News, a Microsoft spokesperson said warning about the end of support was announced some time ago.

It said the user notifications raised the issue of potential virus and security risks.

:: Microsoft has given advice for users of both Office 2003 and Windows XP on its website.

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Energy Complaints Soar By Staggering 224%

Complaints about energy companies have trebled in the first quarter of this year, according to the energy sector's ombudsman who is calling for "increased transparency".

The record figures showing a 224% rise in the first three months of this year come after regulator Ofgem said it was referring the energy sector to the Competition and Markets Authority for a full-scale competition inquiry.

Between January and March, complaints trebled to 10,638, compared with 3,277 received during the same period last year.

More than 2,000 consumers complained about not receiving bills, 1,474 people made complaints about billing charges, and over 1,000 consumers criticised the quality of customer service.

The numbers suggest that 2014 will see more complaints overall, as there were 17,960 complaints made over a 12-month period last year.

Chief Energy Ombudsman Lewis Shand Smith said: "Consumer frustration and dissatisfaction is something that we hear about every day, and we welcome any attempts by Ofgem to make the energy market fairer.

"With energy complaints trebling in the first quarter of this year and problems relating to billing the greatest concern, increased transparency is something that should be addressed."

A competition inquiry will be held into the household energy supply market

A spokeswoman for Energy UK, the trade body that represents the industry, said most customers had no problems with their energy company, but accepted that sometimes things go wrong.

She added: "If a customer has any concerns relating to their bills, they should contact their provider as soon as they can, and if possible have an up-to-date meter reading to hand which will ensure their bill is as accurate as possible.

"Energy companies work very hard to resolve problems and most complaints are fixed within a few working days with no more than a phone call."

The spokeswoman said there were new rules in force which made matters "more open and clear for customers including: explaining bills so people understand what they are paying; making it easy to switch; ensuring customers are on the right deals; and simplifying tariffs".

But Richard Lloyd, executive director of Which?, the consumer watchdog, said the rise in complaints was "further proof that the energy market is broken".

He added it was "right" that the energy sector had been referred for a full-scale investigation.

A Department of Energy and Climate Change spokeswoman said the figures were "worrying", and added: "We would advise consumers to shop around and switch to find a better deal, whether on cost or customer service."

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Unions Bid To Halt Rail Franchise Awards

Rail unions have launched legal action against the Government over the way it is going ahead with the awarding of three rail franchises.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, Aslef and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) want a judicial review into the reprivatisation of the East Coast line and the extensions to the Thameslink and Great Northern franchises.

They accuse the Government of rushing the processes - a claim the Department for Transport (DfT) says it will vigorously defend.

The unions, who are seeking a judicial review, argue their members' jobs and conditions are threatened by a lack of consultation and suggest passengers will also be worse off.

The legal bid is a response to the expectation of an East Coast franchise sale being completed ahead of the next election in May 2015.

National Express gave up the East Coast franchise in 2009

The London to Scotland line has been in public hands since 2009 when National Express gave up the franchise with five years left to run on it.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said of the expected reprivatisation: "It is imperative that we raise the genuine concerns of all stakeholders but, especially, the employees before this is rushed through.

"We cannot, in good conscience, allow the mistakes of the past to happen again."

RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said: "After the scandal of this Government robbing the British taxpayer of a billion pounds in the scramble to privatise the Royal Mail it is shocking that they are engaging in the same tactics to try and hand the East Coast Mainline back to their friends in big business.

"The British public have a right to openness and transparency when it comes to the ideologically-driven attempt to sell off Britain's most successful rail route to the speculators and chancers after two previous private sector failures on the same line."

TSSA leader Manuel Cortes said: "The coalition knows only too well that rail franchising is not fit for purpose. Rail workers are at a loss to understand why the government insists on going forward with a broken system which threatens the interests of passengers and taxpayers.

"We can only conclude that the ideology which saw Royal Mail flogged off on the cheap continues to thrive."

A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "We will vigorously defend this claim and remain committed to the franchising programme.

"As these legal proceedings are ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage."

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Benefits At Risk Unless Jobseekers Make Effort

By Siobhan Robbins, News Correspondent

Jobseekers will soon have to prove they are taking steps to make themselves more employable or face losing some of their benefits.

From April 28, those looking for work will be expected to have written a CV, set up an email account and logged onto the Government's jobs website before they meet a Jobcentre Plus adviser.

Ministers said the move signalled a "fundamental shift" in expectations, and would help put to an end the "one-way street" to benefits where people start claiming Jobseeker's Allowance by just signing-on without first taking steps to make themselves attractive to employers.

Employment Minister Esther McVey said: "With the economy growing, unemployment falling and record numbers of people in work, now is the time to start expecting more of people if they want to claim benefits.

"It's only right that we should ask people to take the first basic steps to getting a job before they start claiming Jobseeker's Allowance - it will show they are taking their search for work seriously.

"This is about treating people like adults and setting out clearly what is expected of them so they can hit the ground running.

"In return, we will give people as much help and support as possible to move off benefits and into work because we know from employers that it's the people who are prepared and enthusiastic who are most likely to get the job."

There are currently 1.17 million people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance.

Employment Minister Esther McVey says more should be expected of claimants

Under the changes, people will also be able to meet with Jobcentre Plus advisers weekly, rather than fortnightly.

Kate Shoesmith, from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, is one of many employers welcoming the move.

She said: "Everything that helps the long-term unemployed back into work has to be one of the Government's top priorities right now, along with helping those who are young and looking for work, and we think this is a good move forward."

However, some are concerned political point-scoring means people on benefits are increasingly being labelled scroungers.

Sue Marsh has not been able to work for the last 13 years due to health problems.

She is now campaigning for a change to the current benefit system, and told Sky News: "The tough line actually makes people less likely to move off benefits, it makes them less likely to be confident and inspired to try to find work and makes them feel like it's better to just hold tight and dig in, which is exactly the opposite of what Iain Duncan Smith wants to achieve."

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services union, said: "This Government is already making life intolerable for people who are out of work, with a massive increase in the number of benefits sanctions for even minor transgressions.

"Instead of dreaming up new ways to turn the screw, ministers should be doing something about consistently high unemployment, a drastic shortage of job vacancies and the fact so many new jobs are low paid and insecure."

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Brickies Earning £100k As 'Brawn Drain' Hits

A shortage of skilled labourers has helped push pay packets for the country's top bricklayers past the £100,000 mark, according to industry experts.

Recruitment firm Deverell Smith and building consultants EC Harris told The Times the recruitment problem was so acute it was threatening to damage efforts to boost housebuilding.

The firms warned that an exodus of labourers in the wake of the financial crisis meant that the construction industry was struggling to recruit enough bricklayers, joiners, stone-fixers and plasterers now the recovery was gathering momentum.

Australia and New Zealand were thought to have been the main beneficiaries of the emigration and EC Harris said that a decline in apprenticeships meant that the void would have to be filled by migrant workers from Eastern Europe.

New developments are springing up as the market recovers

Demand for construction workers had risen 125% since 2008, the newspaper said, when industry output was largely stopped in its tracks by the credit crunch and resulting recession.

Economic recovery and Government schemes such as Help to Buy, which was launched a year ago, have aided the mortgage market and prompted builders to begin work on their huge land banks to help meet needs for new homes.

But the firms believe problems in the supply chain could undo the boom in property building, with costs rising by up to 7% this year alone.

While the most experienced contract bricklayers are now earning up to £100,000 annually, EC Harris said, material prices were also on the up as manufacturers struggled to recover production.

Mark Farmer, its head of residential, added: "The construction industry is grappling with a real capacity constraint issue at the moment.

"The cyclical 'boom and bust' nature of the sector has led to a gradual attrition of long-term skilled workforce, whether bricklayers or plasterers or experienced project managers.

Rising costs threaten to demolish major projects

"The recession of the last 5-6 years has seen many leave the industry through choice or natural ageing of the workforce and the level of new recruits is just not keeping up.

"What is needed is not casual labour but a trained and experienced workforce which takes many years to generate, so we are now facing a structural capacity issue that cannot be immediately remedied."

He cited volatility in day rates for skilled craftsmen as evidence of the supply and demand imbalance for labour.

Mr Farmer said "During the recession, bricklayer day rates fell by up to 50% as work dried up.

"We are now experiencing a massive rebound as demand outstrips availability of the very best tradesmen.

"Day rates in London are up to £150-£200 day and those that are particularly experienced and industrious, laying up to 1,000 bricks a day, can earn the equivalent of £100,000 a year on an output bonus basis."

He called for the construction industry to work harder to attract the best young talent and invest in off-site manufacture and pre-fabrication of housing to reduce the need for on-site labour.

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Asda Plans 12,000 New Jobs Over Five Years

By George! Why Asda Jobs Fit UK Recovery

Updated: 3:34pm UK, Monday 07 April 2014

By Poppy Trowbridge, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

It is not every day a company, albeit a major employer, confirms plans to create 12,000 jobs in the UK.

That's clearly a significant amount of badly needed new work.

But as unemployment across the UK is coming off uncomfortable highs hit during the recession, some economists and many politicians are concerned that the jobs being created are the wrong kind: temporary, badly paid, with little security.

Despite the UK's reputation for the wrong kind of snow, the wrong kind of rain etc these jobs, for the most part, are the right kind.

The 12,000 positions represent full-time roles. So, even if split by part-timers, the number of jobs simply multiplies.

The job creation has already begun in the North of England, the company having opened 14 new stores already in 2014, and will pick up pace significantly in the two years to 2018 as Asda makes its presence felt in London and the South East.

While the majority will be shop floor spots, Asda's plan to expand with superstores, supermarkets and 'click and collect' locations will require a variety of skilled back office staff, managers, accountants and logistics personnel.

Asda does not offer zero-hours contracts, which means employees can bank on a certain income stream, even if not top of the range.

So, the 12,000 promised spots look somewhat more secure, dispersed across the country, and come with the promise of accelerated creation.

That counts for quality these days.

And if Asda delivers on these promises, we should not turn our noses up at it.

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