News snippets from across the UK.

by Katie Murdoch

UK’s helicopter fleet alleged inadequacy.

Former Army Head, General Sir Mike Jackson had warned that the UK's helicopter fleet in Iraq was “creaking badly” and “inadequate”. Newly-released documents show he repeatedly voiced concerns expressed by his commanders on the ground about problems with helicopters and transport aircraft.


Dealing with stress as an adult.

A study led by Joanne Maselko for the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health reports that receiving expressive affection from your mother as a young child makes you more able to deal with stress as an adult.

Spending power moving over to GPs.

With Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s plans to create new and cost efficient spending plans for government funds actually appears to mean many care trusts and strategic health authorities will be phased out in favour of spending power moving over to GP s.


International Cheese Awards.

The International Cheese Awards took place today in Nantwich, Cheshire. A surge of around 30,000 visitors were expected to attend the event, marking a surprisingly large interest within the British Public.


UK interest rates to stay low.

The head of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, has hinted that interest rates will stay low in the foreseeable future, saying that he is more concerned about the economic recovery.


Facebook insults.

A 16-year-old boy has been detained for killing former friend, Salum Kombo, 18, after they traded insults on Facebook. The attack took place in east London in December, Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith said: “There was nothing brave about what you did.”

False sickness benefit claims.

Government figures show three out of four people who apply for sickness benefits are found fit to work. Of the applicants assessed for the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) in the year between October 2008 and November 2009, 39% were judged able to work.

Slowest swimmer to cross the channel.

Swimmer Jackie Cobell was crowned the slowest person to cross the channel after taking 28 hours and 44 minutes. 56 year old mother of two, Mrs Cobell had managed to raise over £2,000 for research into Huntingdon's disease but was dragged 40 miles off course by strong tides.


Britain's oldest Tweeter dies.

Britain's oldest Tweeter, Ivy Bean, died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 104 says Pat Wright , manager at Hillside Manor Care Home. Mrs Bean began tweeting in 2008 and gained 56,000 followers after attracting interest as the 'oldest member' of the social networking site.