Collapse in the UK

Thousands of 999 police axed as spending cuts hit frontline numbers

Figures reveal emergency staff have been hit despite pledge by David Cameron to defend them from spending cuts

the Guardian,

10 March, 2012

The number of police dealing with 999 emergencies has fallen by more than 5,000 since the last general election, according to new figures that seriously undermine David Cameron's pledge to be defending "frontline" forces from spending cuts.

The figures, compiled from responses to freedom of information requests from all 43 forces in England and Wales, are a severe embarrassment to the government, which has insisted that its 20% funding cuts will not compromise public safety or the fight against crime.

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Barclays chief Bob Diamond takes home £17m in pay, shares and perks

Following fall in profits and row over tax avoidance schemes, bank pays chief executive's £5.7m tax bill

the Guardian.

9 March, 2012

The scale of multimillion-pound pay deals still being handed out to top bankers was underlinedwhen Barclays bank revealed its boss Bob Diamond received £17m in pay, shares and perks in 2011 while senior bankers at bailed out Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group also took home lucrative rewards.

Most of the focus was on Barclays after the bank also paid £5.7m to cover Diamond's tax bill and he was awarded more in shares which will pay out, according to performance, in coming years.

His pay deal is likely to infuriate shareholders and pay campaigners and comes after Barclays was forced into an embarrassing row with HM Revenue & Customers over two tax avoidance schemes that could have saved Barclays up to £300m.

For article GO HERE