Woman Dies After Oxford Street Row

An elderly woman has died following a row between two people on a high street in Oxford. The woman was knocked to the ground after two women were rowing outside British Home Stores on Queen Street on Monday. One of the women fell back and knocked the woman to the ground. She was later taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital by her family, where she died. A 35-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the incident and is being held in police custody.

Wolseley To Cut More Than 2,000 Jobs

Wolseley, distributor of plumbing and heating products to professional contractors and a leading supplier of building materials, has announced it is to cut more than 2,000 jobs and to shut down 200 of its branches in the UK and Ireland. The Reading based firm, which trades as Plumb Center and Build Center, blamed a further deterioration in the trading environment particularly in the UK. Pre-tax profits for the year to 31 July fell to £145m compared to £634m last year. The group is expected to make the job cuts over the next few months.

New Member Leads ID Cards Roll-Out

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) today announced the appointment of an additional board member as part of a programme to increase capability in the run up to the start of the National Identity Scheme. Vince Gaskell, currently Chief Executive of the Criminal Records Bureau, will join IPS in the New Year as Executive Director for New Service Implementation. He will take overall responsibility for the business implementation of key identity card initiatives.

New Goal To End Rough Sleeping

A major new drive to end rough sleeping by 2012 was announced by the Government today. Rough sleeping numbers have been driven down over the last decade and have stayed down due to concerted efforts across Government, the voluntary sector and community action, but the Government is calling on everyone to go even further and help end rough sleeping for good. Ministers today said that it is not acceptable for people still to be sleeping rough in the 21st century and announced a new action plan developed with leading homelessness charities to prevent rough sleeping, and to support those already there to rebuild their lives away from the streets.

(JM)