Other UK News In Brief

Birth-Damaged Teen Compensated

A teenager who was left profoundly disabled at birth is to receive £6.5m. Rhiannon Hayman, 15, of Bridgend, has severe cerebral palsy, is unable to talk or walk without help and requires round-the-clock care. ABM University Health Board apologised at the High Court for failures by the former Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust in the management of her mother's labour. She sustained her injuries after being starved of oxygen during her birth at Bridgend's Princess of Wales Hospital.

Edinburgh Knife Point Robbery

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after two men robbed and Edinburgh store at knife point. The incident happened around 6.50am on Saturday at the RS McColl newagent in Pennywell Road. The men entered the store before presenting a knife at the 47-year-old assistant. The suspects then made off with a small sum of cash and some cigarettes. The first suspect is described as white and was wearing a dark hooded top with lettering on the shoulders and white trainers. He was riding a yellow pedal cycle. The second suspect is described as white and wearing a grey beanie hat, grey tracksuit top and dark bottoms. He was riding a dark pedal cycle. Police are now appealing for anyone who witnessed anything suspicious to come forward.

Govt Funding Cut Threatens Housing

More than half a million affordable homes could be axed from the Government's building plans if earmarked public spending cuts are implemented, a campaign group warned today. The National Housing Federation said figures set out in the Pre-Budget Report imply spending cuts to the housing budget of 17.98%, which if implemented over the next decade, would slash the planned number of new affordable homes by 556,000. The Federation also warned cuts of 17.98% over the next 10 years would also lead to 278,000 jobs and apprenticeships in the construction industry, and the wider economy, either being lost or not created. Given the dire consequences big cuts in spending would have on house building numbers, and job losses, housing should be viewed in the same "untouchable" terms as health, education and policing by all the political parties, and be protected from cuts, the Federation said.

Scotland's health In Focus

No decision on plans to modernise health services in south west Scotland will be made before the autumn. There has been considerable opposition to NHS Dumfries and Galloway's favoured way forward which would see five cottage hospitals closed. The consultation process on the plans had already been extended until the end of next month. A series of postponed community meetings will now be held in March and April over the proposals.

Student Hurt In Crash

A 21-year-old student has received serious leg injuries in a collision with a bus near a university campus. The main road near the University of Glamorgan in Treforest, Pontypridd, closed following the incident, which was just before 9.20am today. South Wales Police closed the A473 Llantwit Road in both directions. The student was taken to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant by ambulance.

(BMcC/GK)