Other News In Brief

Quarry Bones Find Probed

A human skeleton has been found in a disused quarry in north Cumbria, prompting a police investigation. A member of the public made the find in the Gaitle Bridge area, north of Carlisle, on Tuesday afternoon and now, detectives are attempting to determine the age of the remains, thought to be that of a woman, the cause of death and the person's identity.

Dole Queues Lengthen

The UK's unemployment rate rose by 49,000 to almost 2.5 million in the three months to the end of November, the Office for National Statistics has said. One in five 16 to 24-year-olds are now out of work, after a rise of 32,000 to 951,000 without jobs, the highest figure since records began in 1992. Despite the rise, the unemployment rate in the UK remained unchanged at 7.9%.

Patten For BBC Trust?

Interviews for the new BBC Trust Chairman's post have started with former Hong Kong governor Lord Patten as the first candidate to face the selection panel. It is understood that the former Tory party chairman was interviewed for the £110,000 "three to four days a week" job on Monday in London. Interviews to find a replacement for Sir Michael Lyons, who is leaving in April, were not expected to begin until the end of this week. As Hong Kong's last governor, now Oxford University chancellor, Patten was said by one insider to be "very keen" about the job that he "really wants". Chris Patten is also the man behind revolutionary reform for the RUC in Northern Ireland, which is ongoing as a part of the historic Good Friday Agreement.

Cow Culled

Extreme measures were needed today after an escaped cow caused havoc for motorists on the A9 in Perthshire. All access roads onto the Keir roundabout in between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan were shut after the cow escaped from a nearby abattoir. The unfortunate cow was eventually shot by a police marksmen in a field close to the roundabout and all roads have since been reopened.

Sustainable Travel Boosted

Local authorities are set to receive an unprecedented £560m funding boost for sustainable transport projects to help create economic growth and reduce carbon emissions. Full details of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund are published today in a Government white paper 'Creating Growth, Cutting Carbon' which aims to encourage greater use of public transport and more walking and cycling. Among the aims of the strategy which sets out a vision for local solutions which will have a national impact are cutting red tape for councils while cutting carbon; getting quick wins locally by investing in smaller scale schemes to help create jobs and giving local people more power over initiating innovative transport schemes in their own areas to better meet local needs.

Driving Standards Leaves Cardiff

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has announced the closure of its area office at Caradog House in Cardiff. Staff have been informed that there will now be a consultation with trade unions on implementing the closure of the office, which carries out administrative work. The consultation will be completed by 19 April 2011. Rosemary Thew, DSA Chief Executive, said: "DSA is funded by the fees we receive from customers, and our duty is to spend that money responsibly, while maintaining a good level of service. That means being as efficient as possible in every area of our work and considering closely any areas of spending which may not be necessary. Staff at Caradog House will be properly involved throughout the consultation process on the proposed office closure and we will be working hard to make sure that their questions and concerns are answered," she explained. The office will close by 31 March 2012. Possible redeployment options for 87 staff at Caradog House are being explored. A small office would be retained to support operational staff in the area. Other responsibilities would be transferred to DSA's headquarters in Nottingham and northern area office in Newcastle.

(BMcC/GK)