British Scientists To Explore Lost Antarctic Lake

Lake Ellsworth Ice Mission Q&A

Updated: 7:42am UK, Saturday 08 December 2012

As the scientists prepare to start drilling, Sky's Thomas Moore answers the key questions about the project.

Where is Lake Ellsworth?

The lake is under the West Antarctic ice sheet, 70km west of the Ellsworth Mountains.

Seismic studies suggest it is approximately 150m deep and is roughly the same size as Windermere.

There are over 360 sub-glacial lakes known to exist below Antarctica's vast ice sheet.

How remote is it?

The team has travelled 16,000km to reach Lake Ellsworth, flying first to the southern tip of Chile and then on to the drilling site in a smaller aircraft that is able to land on ice. In all, the flight time was five days.

Equipment was air-freighted to a runway on the Union Glacier and then hauled by tractor train 280km through the Ellsworth mountain range.

What are living conditions like?

The team will spend six weeks at the camp. Outside the wind-chill can dip to minus 70 degrees Celsius.

They will sleep in four-man clam tents. In the 24-hour daylight of the Antarctic summer, temperatures inside are generally between four and 20 degrees.

A larger tent serves as a kitchen, dining area and office.

A chef provides freshly-cooked food - even bread.

How will the engineers drill through the ice?

The team had to design a sophisticated hot-water drilling rig that could bore through the ice without contaminating the pristine waters of the lake.

Around 90,000 litres of water will be heated to 90 degrees Celsius by a 1.5 MW boiler and pumped at high pressure through a 3.2km continuous hose that has been made to support its own weight and the heavy drill head.

The drill should melt a 36cm borehole through the 3km of ice in around 100 hours.

Once drilling starts there is no turning back - the water in the hose would quickly freeze.

And then?

Once they breakthrough into the lake, scientists will drop down a titanium probe to sample the water at various depths. Built by the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, it contains 3,000 individual components.

Then they will use a highly specialised sediment corer to take a 3m column of the lake-bed.

The equipment has been sterilised to space-industry standards using hydrogen peroxide vapour to prevent surface microbes contaminating the lake.

All this has to be done within 24 hours or the borehole will be too narrow to retrieve the samples

Won't the scientists risk a geyser when they drill through to the lake?

Millions of tonnes of ice are pressing down on the lake. But the engineers have a plan to stop the water bursting back up to the surface when they breakthrough.

The first borehole will stop at 300m, where they will create a cavity. A second borehole will go through the cavity down to the lake. The cavity controls the pressure of the water.

What if they don't find life?

The scientists say that, too, would be significant. It would show there is a limit at which no life can exist on our planet.

But they are confident they will find microbes - wherever else there is water on Earth there is life.

And that would encourage scientists who believe there may be life in the seas below the icy crust of Jupiter's moon Europa.

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Belfast Flag Violence: Rioting In City Centre

Belfast has been hit by another night of rioting as hundreds of loyalists took to the streets to protest over flags.

Eight police officers were injured, with two needing hospital treatment, and five people were arrested following clashes across the city.

Trouble flared at Shaftesbury Square - a popular party spot near Queen's University - after a man tried to drive a black van through a loyalist road block of about 200 people.

Eye witnesses said police officers were pelted with stones, bricks, bottles and other missiles. Two cars were also set on fire.

Police vans cut off part of Belfast's Sandy Row area

Two PSNI water cannons were deployed to the area but were not used against the rioters.

There were also reports of minor sporadic disorder in other parts of the city.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr said: "This behaviour is simply not acceptable. These people are only wrecking their own communities and putting innocent people's lives at risk.

"Twenty-one officers have been injured so far this week dealing with this disorder. That's 21 officers who have been pulled away from their roles of protecting the community. This is unacceptable.

"This mob violence and intimidation cannot be allowed to continue and I am urgently appealing to politicians and those with community influence in these areas to do what they can to put a stop to this behaviour now before someone is seriously injured or killed."

A burned out car in Belfast city centre after rioters dispersed

Loyalists opposed to a restriction on the number of days the Union flag can be flown over Belfast City Hall have held protests across Northern Ireland every night since the decision was taken, despite appeals from the First Minister for the pickets to be suspended.

Last night, demonstrations were also held in the greater Belfast area, Bangor, Co Down, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh and Dungannon, Co Tyrone.

Police said there were no reports of violence outside Belfast. On Friday night, police clashed with loyalists in Ian Paisley's home town of Ballymena, Co Antrim.

Hillary Clinton appealed for the violence to stop

There are plans for a major protest in Belfast city centre later today. Traders are worried it could affect business on what should be one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

During her visit to Northern Ireland US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appealed for the violence to stop.

Much of the anger has been directed towards the non sectarian Alliance Party, whose councillors in Belfast voted to limit the number of days the Union flag could be flown over the city hall from 365 to 17.

A death threat against the party's only MP, Naomi Long, marked a significant escalation in the seriousness of the sectarian tension.

On Wednesday, a constituency office in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim was destroyed in an arson attack. An attempt to burn down Bangor premises occupied by the Alliance Party's Employment Minister Stephen Farry was thwarted.

Belfast city councillor Laura McNamee was also advised to leave her home while two others living in Bangor had their house vandalised.

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Starbucks Tax Row: Protests Planned Across UK

Coffee chain Starbucks is braced for protests over its tax arrangements despite announcing changes to its payments.

The US-owned giant said it expects to pay around £10m in UK corporation tax for each of the next two years, following the revelation that it paid just £8.6m in 14 years of trading in Britain and nothing in the last three years.

Activist group UK Uncut is planning more than 40 demonstrations across the country, "transforming" Starbucks stores into refuges, creches and homeless shelters.

The anti-cuts direct action group said the number of protests planned for today had increased since Starbucks made its announcement.

UK Uncut said it also wanted to highlight the "disproportionate" impact of the Government's spending cuts on women.

Sarah Greene, a UK Uncut activist, said: "It is an outrage that the Government continues to let multinationals like Starbucks dodge millions in tax while cutting vital services like refuges, creches and rape crisis centres.

"It does not have to be this way. The Government could easily bring in billions that could fund vital services by clamping down."

Hannah Pearce, a UK Uncut supporter, said that offering to pay some tax "if and when it suits" does not stop a company being a tax avoider, adding: "This is just a desperate attempt by Starbucks to deflect public pressure - hollow promises on press releases don't fund women's refuges or child benefits."

Union boss Mark Serwotka says Starbucks' tax stance is "scandalous"

She called on the Government to force Starbucks and other tax avoiding firms to "pay their fair share, instead of cutting welfare and tax credits for single mums and disabled women".

A spokesman from Global Women's strike, one of the women's groups supporting Saturday's action, said: "Women - in families, homes, communities and jobs - bear the brunt of austerity.

"At our Women's Centre we see more women cut off benefits, losing their jobs, being made homeless and going hungry.

"Already, 3.5 million children live in poverty, one in five mothers skips a meal to feed her children, and many walk miles to get food handouts because they can't afford the bus fare.

"Women are also expected to pick up the pieces as services disappear or turn people away, saying they are overwhelmed."

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services union, which is supporting the protests, said: "With hundreds of thousands of public sector workers having their jobs, pay and pensions cut, and people entitled to benefits being demonised and targeted in the most shameful way, it is utterly scandalous that some multinational companies believe they can get away with contributing little or nothing to our economy.

"We fully support this weekend's action which, along with previous campaigns by UK Uncut and others, will highlight the fact that if large companies like Starbucks paid their fair share it would change the debate about public spending overnight."

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Pregnant Kate: Radio Station Faces Backlash

Two DJs are being offered counselling after the nurse duped by their prank call to the Duchess of Cambridge's hospital died in a suspected suicide.

Nurse Jacintha Saldanha was found dead days after taking the hoax call and putting it through to a nurse on Kate's ward, who divulged private information about her treatment.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge led tributes to the 46-year-old mother of two, saying they were "deeply saddened" by news of her death.

Flowers have also been left outside the hospital's nurses' block, just around the corner from the building where Kate was treated for acute morning sickness.

Major advertisers have dumped 2Day FM and presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian have been taken off air as the station faces a backlash over the disastrous stunt.

The duchess said she felt "much better" when she left the hospital

Speaking at a news conference in Melbourne, Rhys Holleran, CEO of 2Day FM's parent company Southern Cross Austereo said the "shocked and devastated" DJs had been offered help dealing with the tragedy.

He said: "This is a tragic event that could not have been reasonably foreseen and we're deeply saddened by it.

"I spoke to both presenters early this morning and it's fair to say they're completely shattered.

"These people aren't machines, they're human beings. We're all affected by this."

Holleran would not say who came up with the idea for the call, only that "these things are often done collaboratively".

He said 2Day FM would work with authorities, but was confident the station hadn't broken any laws, noting that prank calls in radio have been happening "for decades".

The DJ pair bragged about the stunt on Twitter after an initial apology

"They're not just part of one radio station or one network or one country - they're done worldwide," he said

Supermarket giant Coles and telecoms firm Telstra both announced they are withdrawing their business from the station at the earliest opportunity, while Australian media are reporting that media company Optus is also reviewing its position.

The station later announced that it would pull all advertising from its airwaves with immediate effect.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority, which regulates the country's media industry, said it had been inundated with complaints.

It will be looking at whether the DJs breached the Commercial Radio Code of Practice, part of which aims "to prevent the unauthorised broadcast of statements by identifiable persons".

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard described the incident as a "terrible tragedy".

Police found the nurse's body at her hospital accommodation

During the hoax call, Greig impersonated the Queen and Christian mimicked Prince Charles and they managed to elicit details about the pregnant Duchess' medical condition.

Driving instructor Jeff Sellick, who taught Ms Saldanha last year, said she was a "delight to teach".

"I heard about it yesterday and it's just such a shame she was such a nice person, I can only imagine what happened would have played heavily on her mind," he told Sky News.

"I just feel for the family at this point because she must have been deeply traumatised by what happened to her."

A fierce online storm erupted as soon as news of the nurse's death emerged, with both presenters bombarded by messages on Twitter and the radio station's own comment section deluged.

At the time, the station's website had still been promoting the video of the prank call, but this was later removed.

Online critics called for the presenters to resign and some claimed they had "blood on their hands".

Ms Saldanha, who had worked at the hospital for four years, was found dead at an address near King Edward VII's Hospital in London on Friday morning.

Her family said in a statement: "We as a family are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved Jacintha."

A spokesman for Prince William and wife Kate said: "Their Royal Highnesses were looked after so wonderfully well at all times by everybody at King Edward VII's Hospital, and their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time."

"At no point did the Palace complain to the hospital about the incident. On the contrary, we offered our full and heartfelt support to the nurses involved and hospital staff at all times."

The King Edward VII's Hospital said: "It is with very deep sadness that we confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha.

"Jacintha has worked at the King Edward VII's Hospital for more than four years. She was an excellent nurse and well-respected and popular with all of her colleagues.

"We can confirm that Jacintha was recently the victim of a hoax call to the hospital. The hospital had been supporting her throughout this difficult time."

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Snow Alert: Cold Weather 'Beast' To Hit UK

Britain is facing a weather front dubbed the "Beast from the East" next week - with heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures.

Temperatures could plummet as low as -6C around London as icy winds blow in over the eastern coast.

Forecasters are also predicting "lots of snow" from Monday - "obliterating" East Anglia and spreading to southeastern areas.

By Tuesday and Wednesday there could be significant accumulation of snow along much of the eastern side of Britain.

Sky News weather presenter Jo Wheeler said snow which settled in the east tended to stay for longer.

"People should prepare for the cold weather and allow more time to get to work," Jo said.

"The snow could cause considerable disruption because of the accumulation in populated areas," she added.

Overnight frosts will continue throughout next week, with increasingly wintry showers turning from sleet into snow.

A few centimetres of snow could fall in the East and hilly parts of the South East today, but temperatures will be milder than earlier in the week.

There were early reports of snowfall in Luton this morning.

Snow is continuing to fall on higher ground across Scotland, but will struggle to settle after sleet showers.

The rain and sleet will move southwards over the country while other parts will stay dry following clear spells.

Weather warnings have been issued for Scotland, northern England and parts of the Midlands and East Anglia as ice is likely to form on untreated surfaces following today's rainfall.

Overnight the wind will ease and skies will clear, and temperatures will be close to freezing in most places.

A cold and frosty start is expected for the weekend, with plenty of sunshine.

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Military-Style Training For Unruly Children

Former soldiers are to be drafted into schools to pass on military-style values of teamwork, discipline and leadership to expelled pupils under a £1.9m Government initiative.

Ministers hope the four projects, which aim to engage and motivate troubled youngsters through mentoring in the classroom and outdoor activities, will improve their behaviour and grades.

Last year, only 1.5% of pupils in alternative provision - those who have been excluded from mainstream education - achieved at least five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English and maths. This is 40 times worse than those in mainstream education.

Announcing the action, Education Secretary Michael Gove said: "Every child can benefit from the values of a military ethos.

"Self-discipline and teamwork are at the heart of what makes our Armed Forces the best in the world - and are exactly what all young people need to succeed.

Education Secretary Michael Gove

"Exclusion from school should never mean exclusion from education.

"These projects are helping pupils in alternative provision reach their full potential and are helping to close the attainment gap."

Some £600,000 of the funding is going to Commando Joes' in Cheshire; £700,000 to Challenger Troop in Tunbridge Wells, Kent; £400,000 to Knowsley Skills Academy in Prescot, Merseyside; and £200,000 to Newcastle-based SkillForce.

All four ventures use activities including one-to-one mentoring, military-style obstacle courses and team-building exercises to pass on values taught in the military to children.

They also help re-integrate pupils and prepare them for post-16 courses or jobs, as well as helping primary school children in their move to secondary education.

Former bomb disposal expert Mike Hamilton, director of Commando Joes', said: "The instructors are all ex-military personnel - they are role models and kids look up to and aspire to be like them.

Mike Hamilton served in the Royal Engineers for eight years

"When we go to a school playground children hang on every word.

"In some of the deprived areas we work in, young people have not got grassy areas or anywhere to go. When they come to our sessions they get a chance to socialise in a different way, to be part of a team.

"Our motto is No Child Left Behind - we will work with every child and young person to help them feel motivated to learn and be part of their school and community again."

The boost is part of a wider aim to bolster links between the Armed Forces and schools, including expansion of the school-based cadets, developing the Troops to Teachers programme and a rise in the Service Children's Premium for service children.

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Hillary Clinton In Belfast Amid Bomb Finds

By David Blevins, Ireland Correspondent

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has begun her visit to Northern Ireland amid violence on the streets of Belfast and two bomb discoveries.

She is meeting Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers at Stormont and will then attend a lunch at Titanic Belfast in the city's docklands.

This is her second visit as secretary of state. The last was in 2009 when she encouraged the devolution of policing and justice powers from London to Belfast.

Police said a "viable explosive device" was discovered in a car after officers investigating dissident republican activity stopped the vehicle in the Creggan area of Londonderry on Thursday evening.

Two men aged 47 and 49 were arrested at the scene at about 8.40pm. Two others, also in their 40s, were detained later.

Armagh's Mayor Sharon Haughey, then 14, with President Clinton in 1995

Security chiefs believe dissident republicans opposed to the peace process were planning an attack in the centre of the city, next year's UK City of Culture.

Just hours after the device was intercepted, police revealed the discovery of a letter bomb at a postbox in a loyalist area of Co Down.

It comes as tensions have been running high over flags, and the peace that Mrs Clinton and President Clinton helped to build remains far from perfect.

A vote to limit the flying of the Union flag over Belfast City Hall has sparked several days of loyalist protests, some violent. 

The civil unrest had been threatening to overshadow Mrs Clinton's visit.

Mrs Clinton has already visited Dublin and met children at the US embassy

Gavin Robinson, Lord Mayor of Belfast, said: "The US Secretary of State will be no stranger to some of these issues. 

"She's been here in much more difficult times in Northern Ireland and I'm sure she will welcome and mark the progress that has been made and the collective political willingness that we'll not go back to the bad old days of the past."

It was 1995 when the Clintons paid their first historic visit to Northern Ireland. Thousands turned out to greet them and to herald the dawn of the peace process here.

Teenager Sharon Haughey, who had written a letter about 'The Troubles' to the White House, welcomed them to Armagh. She's now the city's Lord Mayor and gives them the credit.

"The Clintons have played a very important role in the pathway that I have chosen in my life," she said. "They gave me a platform as a very ordinary 14-year-old schoolgirl. 

"They gave me an extraordinary opportunity and I decided to use that opportunity to help shape that future that I wanted and that's really why I'm here today."

Mr Robinson has urged loyalists to suspend their protests over the flag issue. "Those who riot and engage in violence do a disservice to the flag they claim to represent," he said.

His statement followed attacks on the homes and offices of politicians belonging to the neutral Alliance Party, which had encouraged a compromise - the flying of the flag on designated days.

Syria topped the agenda when the US Secretary of State visited Dublin during her trip. 

Regardless of recent setbacks, she'll be keen to celebrate whatever kind of peace she finds in Belfast.

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EastEnders: Brother Admits Killing Actress

The brother of a former EastEnders actress, whose headless body was found in a London canal, has admitted killing her.

Tony McCluskie pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his sister, Gemma, as he appeared at the Old Bailey by videolink from Belmarsh Prison saying had he "suffered loss of control". 

The  35-year-old denied murder.

Miss McCluskie went missing after attending the opening of a hospital earlier this year. Her brother, who she lived with, joined friends in launching an extensive search to find her.

Former EastEnders co-stars Natalie Cassidy and Brooke Kinsella appealed on Twitter for help.

The 29-year-old's headless and limbless body was found, a week after she went missing, floating in the Regents Canal in east London.

A trial was due to begin last month but was delayed because of the discovery of her head in September.

Prosecutors are still waiting for medical reports to establish how the actress, who played Kerry Skinner in the BBC soap in 2001, died.

McCluskie will now face trial for murder on January 14.

Judge Gerald Gordon said that the trial must not be delayed any further.

"The family must have closure", he said.

McCluskie's father, also called Tony, watched from the back of the court as his son admitted to the killing.

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Sex Offences: Tougher Sentences To Be Imposed

By Mark White, Home Affairs Correspondent

Judges will be urged to consider the psychological and long-term damage to victims of sex offences when passing sentence on perpetrators under new sentencing guidelines.

The new proposals, which will go out to public consultation, will also ensure the judiciary takes into account other aggravating factors, such as filming or photographing sex attacks.

They would see sentences brought up to date with advances in the technology and tactics used by offenders.

A tougher maximum sentence of 19 years should be given for "one-off" rapes, a limit currently only available for those who attack the same victim over a course of time or rape multiple victims, the guidelines state.

Mother-of-two Gabrielle Browne was attacked by a serial sex offender in 2003, when she was out running in preparation for the London Marathon.

In the years since she has devoted much of her energies to fighting for victims' rights within the judicial system.

Particularly when it comes to sentencing, she believes victims' voices are often lost in the process.

She told Sky News that in her case, her attacker could have been stopped before he targeted her, had a judge handed down a custodial sentence for crimes he committed against other women.

"One of the most shocking and disappointing revelations in the lead up to court was when I found out that only six months earlier he had attacked six women in the same park," she said.

"Some of those women were out with their children. For those six offences he received a community supervision order."

The changes are designed to make sure paedophiles, people-traffickers and rapists who operate alone or in gangs are dealt with better in courts in England and Wales.

Sentencing Council member Lord Justice Treacy said: "We're improving guidance for courts to help them deal with these incredibly complex, sensitive and serious offences.

"The perspective of victims is central to the council's considerations. We want to ensure sentences reflect everything the victim has been through and what the offender has done.

"We are looking at the whole context, not just the physical offence but also the tactics employed by offenders like grooming activity, the targeting of vulnerable victims or abuse of a position of trust."

Judges are asked to take into account factors such as stalking and previous abuse by offenders, and the targeting of vulnerable victims like those in care.

The council said the review of the guidelines had come about because the nature of offending has changed and in some cases of sexual exploitation and child grooming perpetrators use technology in offences involving indecent images of children.

"The guidelines reflect these developments so they cover the ways these crimes are committed today," the council said.

For rape, the new guidelines are designed take a broader approach covering a range of scenarios, and to recognise not just the stereotypical "stranger rapes" but to take into account that most rapes are carried out by someone the victim knows, and that many occur within families.

The council said the current guidelines for sexual assault take "too narrow an approach", and focus too much on the nature of the physical activity done by the offender.

It called for fear and intimidation to be taken into account, so an offence would be more serious if violence was threatened or threatening or violent sexual language was used.

For child sex offences the council said it wanted to increase the focus on the behaviour of offenders, how children may have been groomed or exploited, and whether offenders abused a position of trust.

It also said factors such as the use of alcohol or drugs to facilitate the offence and the use of gifts or bribes to coerce a victim should be taken into account.

The guidelines say paedophiles operating in rings or those who abuse a position of trust to create images or videos should be given tougher sentences and called for changes in the way images are classified to aid investigators.

Although Gabrielle Browne welcomes the proposed changes, she believes judges will not be fully armed with all the information necessary to pass sentence until victim impact statements become an everyday part of sentencing.

She said: "When that becomes a routine part of the court process and a routine part of the judge's papers that he considers before passing sentence there is a much greater likelihood that there will be more uniformity in sentencing and taking a victim's views into account."

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Snow And Ice Could Cause More Delays

Commuters may face further disruptions in parts of the UK as forecasters predict more snow, a day after air and train passengers endured miserable delays.

A light dusting of snow sent the UK's transport system into meltdown on Wednesday, with major holiday airport Stansted shut for more than two hours and road and rail journeys delayed.

While England and Wales are expected to enjoy milder conditions on Thursday, Scotland is braced for more cold temperatures and snow.

Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "Today's risk of disruption from winter weather is further northwest across Scotland, northern England and Wales with the potential for ice, rain and heavy snow.

"The snow is most likely to cause problems over around 200m, where several centimetres is forecast, perhaps with as much as 10cm to 15cm building up over higher routes over 400m.

"Lower-lying areas should not be badly affected although some slushy snow is possible for a time."

:: Live transport updates

Overnight temperatures in Scotland plunged to -12C in Braemar, and up to 15cm (6in) of snow could fall on higher ground on Thursday, and 3cm (1.25in) in Aberdeenshire, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Motorists are warned to be careful on the icy roads

On Wednesday a 79-year-old man was found dead near a school in Angus. It is unclear whether his death was related to the weather and police are not treating it as suspicious.

The Met Office issued an amber alert for most of Scotland on Wednesday night. Four of the six regions in Scotland are under the "be prepared" snow warning, while Orkney, Shetland, southwest Scotland and the Lothian and Borders area have a yellow "be aware" alert until 11am.

Travel networks are likely to be disrupted, especially over the M8 corridor to the east of Glasgow, across Perthshire and over much of inland eastern Scotland.

Friday will bring slightly better weather all round but there could still be some problems with transport, said Lang.

"There may be some snow early on Friday which could again bring some temporary disruption to motorists - in particular over eastern counties of England," she said.

"The main theme for Friday is a drier and brighter one as the weather improves from the west, but with a cold and gusty northerly wind."

Lang said the weekend should be better, however she warned motorists should prepare for difficult driving conditions.

"Travel disruption is unlikely at the weekend - although there will still be icy roads and perhaps some fog on Saturday and the risk of some wintry showers in the north during Sunday."

Passengers' patience wore thin at Stansted

But next week is expected to be much worse, according to Lang.

"The weather is looking much colder next week with the potential for an icy blast from the east. This could bring some significant snow falls across eastern Britain."

On Wednesday, forecasters said the snow that caused transport chaos had amounted to no more than "one or two centimetres in places".

Luton, Aberdeen and Stansted airports were affected by the wintry conditions on Wednesday.

Stansted Airport, in Essex, was shut from about 6am to 8.30am, and passengers' patience wore thin as flights were delayed and then cancelled.

Patrycja Kubiak, from Poznan in Poland, was due to fly home on the 7.05am flight, but at around 8.30am she was told it had been cancelled.

The 20-year-old music student said: "I'm just surprised that such a small amount of snow can cause these problems. It only snowed for half an hour."

Flight schedules for Stansted are currently operating as normal, the airport's website said, and Luton airport also showed no indications of delays.

Rail routes in southern England were also hit by poor conditions.

Trains were cancelled between Watford Junction in Hertfordshire and Harrow and Wealdstone in northwest London, while snow caused delays of up to 90 minutes between London and Reading in Berkshire.

There were cancellations between Barnes and Hounslow via Brentford in west London, while there were delays between London and Ashford International in Kent and also between Sevenoaks in Kent and Hither Green in southeast London.

The A120 was one of the many roads in Essex to be affected by the weather, while the A171 near Scarborough was one of Yorkshire's snow-hit routes.

:: Read more on Sky News Weather, including Thursday's forecast

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Virgin Trains Gets West Coast Line Extension

Virgin Trains says it has reached an agreement to operate services on the West Coast Main Line for the next 23 months.

It comes after an embarrassing U-turn by the Department for Transport (DfT), which admitted it got its sums wrong after initially awarding the franchise to rival FirstGroup.

Sir Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin, who had described the bidding process as "insane" and mounted a legal challenge to the decision was delighted by today's decision.

He said: "It has been a long journey to get to this point but we won't be resting on our laurels and intend to keep improving services for our loyal customers.

"Our lawyers said we had a less than 10% chance of winning after the Government originally awarded the franchise to FirstGroup. One of the key things we have learned from this episode is to never give up if you think right is on your side.

"This is a perfect early Christmas present for our wonderful Virgin Trains staff and customers. Onwards and upwards in 2013 and beyond."

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "We are determined to ensure not only that passengers continue to experience the same levels of service they have in the past, but that services improve.

"There will be a new hourly service linking Glasgow and London and we will also work with Virgin Trains to explore other service improvements."

Virgin said there will be up to 28,000 more seats each day on the line because of the delivery of 106 new Pendolino carriages.

Its temporary deal will run from December 9 until November 9 2014, after which the West Coast line will be let under a long-term franchise.

DfT will be able to cut the 23-month period short "by up to six months if a subsequent franchise can be let on a shorter timescale", the Government added.

Three DfT officials were suspended after the bidding process was scrapped and Virgin was expected to be given the go-ahead to run the line for between nine and 13 months.

The new deal will see Virgin run the line on a temporary basis for far longer but does not involve an interim franchise as all existing bid processes were suspended pending the findings of an independent inquiry into the franchise system ordered by Mr McLoughlin.

The investigation, led by Centrica chief executive Sam Laidlaw, produced damning initial findings which listed a string of failings by the DfT.

The publication of the full report, expected later on Thursday, was delayed after one of the suspended department officials, Kate Mingay, mounted a legal challenge to her suspension.

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Pregnant Kate: Duchess Is Out Of Hospital

The Duchess of Cambridge has been discharged from hospital after a stay of three days for treatment for severe morning sickness.

Kate, who is less than 12 weeks pregnant, left King Edward VII Hospital with Prince William and was taken to their London home, Kensington Palace, to rest.

A pale, but relaxed looking Duchess, wrapped up against the cold in a coat and scarf, emerged from the building carrying a bouquet of yellow flowers.

She gave a brief smile to the waiting press before being driven away with the Duke of Cambridge by her side.

Kate was receiving treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum - a rare condition which causes severe vomiting during pregnancy and can cause dehydration, weight loss and a build-up of toxins in the blood or urine called ketosis.

She was admitted to the central London private hospital on Monday after developing the condition.

Her discharge comes the day after it emerged two Australian radio DJs managed to trick hospital staff treating the Duchess into revealing detailed information about her condition.

Sydney's 2Day FM presenters, Mel Craig and Michael Christian, impersonated the Queen and the Prince of Wales to dupe staff.

They, and the radio station, have since apologised for the prank call.

However, Christian has been promoting their stunt on Twitter telling followers in a tweet: "Still haven't heard the #RoyalPrank that has the world talking? Listen to it here..."

The hospital has said it "deplores" the stunt and is reviewing procedures.

In a brief statement, St James's Palace said: "Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank the staff at the hospital for the care and treatment the Duchess has received."

Kate's sister Pippa and her brother James spent an hour visiting her at the hospital on Wednesday, while the Duchess' parents Carole and Michael Middleton are thought to have visited their daughter on Tuesday.

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EuroMillions Jackpot Winner Still Unknown

Top 10 National Lottery Winners

Updated: 7:29am UK, Wednesday 05 December 2012

1. Colin and Chris Weir: £161,653,000

The Scottish husband and wife said they were "tickled pink" after becoming Europe's biggest lottery winners in July 2011. The couple have reportedly bought a fleet of cars for friends since their win, as well as a mansion.

2. Adrian and Gillian Bayford: £148,656,000

The couple, from Suffolk, decided to go public after scooping nearly £150m on the EuroMillions August 10 draw.

Mr Bayford said he would carry on running his music shop in Haverhill. Mrs Bayford, a children's ward healthcare assistant at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, said she would treat herself to her dream car, an Audi Q7.

3. Anonymous: £113,019,926

One British ticket scooped the massive prize on October 2010 but decided not to go public.

4. Dave and Angela Dawes: £101,203,600

The Cambridgeshire husband and wife hit the EuroMillions jackpot in October last year. It was only the third time the couple had played the lottery.

5. Anonymous: £84,451,320

The haul was won in May 2010 but the winner kept their identity secret.

6. Nigel Page: £56,008,113

Self-confessed white van man Nigel Page took home the win in February 2010. The skydiving enthusiast, who lived in a three-bedroom semi near Cirencester, Wiltshire, married his girlfriend Justine and moved into a mansion in the Cotswolds.

7. Anonymous: £46,432,285

A British ticket scooped the massive prize in February this year but also decided not to go public.

8. Les and Sam Scadding: £45,570,835

Unemployed mechanic Les Scadding and his wife Sam from South Wales bought one of two winning tickets which shared a £90m jackpot in November 2009. The other £45m-winning ticket was bought by a syndicate of seven office workers based in Merseyside. They each banked £6.5m.

9. Cassey Carrington: £45,160,170

The 22-year-old from Nottingham banked the staggering total after matching all five numbers and two Lucky Stars in a EuroMillions draw in February this year. The Iceland store supervisor said she planned to marry painter fiancee Matt Topham this September.

10. Gareth and Catherine Bull: £40,627,241

The Mansfield husband and wife scooped the bumper prize in January this year. Mr Bull, a self-employed builder, said he planned to splash out on an executive box at Manchester United and a new carpet.

His wife said she might go back to her job as a health insurance worker. The couple also said they planned to take their two sons, aged nine and 10, to Florida's Disneyland.

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Girl, Four, Dies After Level Crossing Crash

A four-year-old girl who was injured when the car she was travelling in collided with a train at a level crossing has died in hospital.

Emma Lifsey had been airlifted to Sheffield Children's Hospital after the incident in North Nottinghamshire on Tuesday.

A British Transport Police spokesman said "she was sadly pronounced dead in the early hours Wednesday".

The other person injured in the crash, a 67-year-old woman who was driving the car, remains in hospital and was in stable condition.

The girl's parents, Mark and Zoe Lifsey, said in a statement: "Emma meant the world to us. She was our much-loved daughter and a baby sister to her 11-year-old brother Jack.

"We are still trying to come to terms with the terrible incident on Tuesday afternoon and there are no words that can properly express how utterly distraught we are."

The Beech Hill crossing after the crash

The couple said they were thankful for the support received in the aftermath of the incident, but sought privacy at a time of grief.

They added: "This tragic incident has left us shocked and devastated and we would ask that we can be left to grieve in private at this acutely difficult and sad time for us."

The woman travelling in the car, a black Volvo, sustained serious neck injuries and bruising.

Police were investigating the accident, and said they would talk to any witnesses while experts examine evidence from the scene and the car.

Girl's death has left parents 'shocked and devastated'

The train, a Lincoln to Doncaster service, was damaged but remained upright and on the tracks. No injuries have been reported among passengers or staff onboard.

Speaking at the scene on Tuesday, Inspector Andy Selby of the British Transport Police declined to comment on whether the barriers and lights at the unmanned crossing were working correctly.

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Norovirus: More Than 600,000 Struck By Bug

More than 600,000 people are believed to have been struck down so far this year by the winter vomiting bug, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said.

Symptoms include a sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhoea, while some people may have a temperature, headache and stomach cramps.

Laboratory tests have revealed a 64% rise in the number of people with the norovirus, with 2,313 confirmed cases on December 2, compared with 1,412 at the same point last year.

But the HPA estimates there are 288 unreported cases for each confirmed one, which means 666,144 people are likely to have contracted the illness.

The agency said it was unsure why more people were suffering with the virus but added that the norovirus season was always "unpredictable".

"The norovirus season is always completely unpredictable as it peaks and falls over several months - usually October to April," said Dr Bob Adak, head of the gastrointestinal diseases department at the HPA.

"However, one thing we do know is that every year we will see a large amount of norovirus activity because it is highly contagious.

"The figures for the last two weeks show that there has been a reduction in the numbers of outbreaks in hospitals although there are clearly a lot of other people becoming unwell as we can see from the number of lab reports.

"We would like to remind people to avoid visiting friends or relatives in hospital or care homes if they have symptoms consistent with a norovirus infection as it can lead to ward closures and severe disruption."

The HPA last week reported an outbreak of norovirus had led to the closure of 45 hospital wards across the previous fortnight - the virus spreads rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools, nursing and residential homes.

Dr Adak added: "Norovirus is a short-lived unpleasant infection but most people will fully recover in a couple of days.

"It is important to remain hydrated as you will be losing a lot of fluids due to the symptoms. Over-the-counter medicines can also be useful in reducing headaches and other aches and pains."

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Pregnant Kate: Hospital Admits Falling For Prank

Prank callers have managed to trick hospital staff treating the Duchess of Cambridge into revealing detailed information about her condition.

Australian radio DJs impersonating the Queen and Prince of Wales were given an update about Kate, who was admitted to London's King Edward VII on Monday with severe morning sickness.

More follows...

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Belfast City Hall Protest Injures Police

Five police have been injured as loyalists rioted in Belfast city centre after a controversial vote on the Union flag.

The violence spread to parts of east Belfast on Monday night where loyalists who had earlier tried to smash their way into the grounds of City Hall attacked a Catholic church.

A police spokeswoman said reinforcements had to be called in to deal with hundreds of loyalists throwing missiles, including fireworks, bricks and bottles.

Five police officers, including two women, were injured during the disturbances.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spokeswoman said: "Five police officers have been injured, two of whom have been hospitalised. Two security staff of Belfast City Hall have also been injured."

It is understood a press photographer was also taken to hospital for treatment for hand and facial injuries.

Two female officers were taken to hospital

Trouble broke out minutes after Belfast city councillors voted to remove the flag from City Hall.

It is the first time the Union flag has been taken down from the Edwardian building since it opened in 1906.

Councillors agreed by 29 votes to 21 to bring City Hall into line with Stormont and other Government buildings and fly the flag on 17 designated days.

Sinn Fein Policing Board member Gerry Kelly said the PSNI had serious questions to answer about their operation.

Loyalist protestors carrying Union flags block the back of City Hall

He said: "I have to say, and I don't use these words unless I really mean them, it was a disgraceful police operation - or lack of a police operation.

"If that had been 1,000 or more republicans out there ... they would not have left it that they were able to come into the back of City Hall.

"They indiscriminately attacked cars. We are very, very lucky that they didn't get into the building or we could have been dealing with a lot more injuries."

Cars belonging to elected members and council staff were damaged during the disorder.

DUP councillor Christopher Stalford condemned those responsible for violence.

He said: "The violence has distracted from the issue we should be focusing on - the parties in Belfast City Council who have voted as a block to strip the City Hall of its flag."

The Union flag will now be flown on 17 designated days

Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford said: "The violence which took place at the City Hall and round St Matthew's Church was the responsibility of two groups of people.

"The first is those who went to the City Hall spoiling for a fight, who attacked police officers and council staff.

"But there is a second group which bears responsibility. DUP and UUP politicians fomented this protest, with both leaflets and the use of social media. They called people on to the streets.

"They must have known, from experience as recent as this summer, that violence was almost inevitable. They cannot avoid their responsibility.

"Such violence should be condemned by all civic and community leaders."

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Andrew Parsons Charged Over Wife's Death

A man has been charged with murdering his American beauty therapist wife at their home in Oxfordshire.

Andrew Parsons, 38, will appear at Oxford Magistrates Court, accused of killing his wife Janee in Lucerne Avenue, Bicester.

Mrs Parsons, 31, was found by police after they were called to her detached home on Saturday.

Despite attempts by officers and ambulance staff to resuscitate her, she was declared dead at hospital.

A post-mortem examination found that the mother-of-two died from multiple stab wounds, police said.

Detective Chief Inspector Joe Kidman, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are keen to speak with anyone in Lucerne Avenue who may have important information to help us establish the circumstances of this tragic incident."

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Leveson: Cameron Demands Urgent Action

Leveson Inquiry: The Options For Reform

Updated: 1:35am UK, Thursday 29 November 2012

Lord Justice Leveson's recommendations could radically change the way media organisations operate in the UK.

He has said he wants an independent body that could provide redress and a swift mechanism to resolve privacy and libel cases.

Those who complain of press harassment want a system that tackles invasions of privacy, inaccuracies and the culture that resulted in the phone hacking scandal.

But journalists and editors warn that freedom of expression will be threatened if a regulator with wide-ranging powers is set up.

Here are some of the options.

:: A "PCC-plus"

Lord Justice Leveson could call for a beefed-up Press Complaints Commission (PCC), with extra powers and resources to carry out inquiries and hand out punishments.

The general consensus is that the PCC's code of practice is a good foundation but many want it to have more power, amid criticism it has been "toothless".

Lord Black, chairman of the funding body for the PCC, has recommended a new body with the power to launch investigations and levy fines of up to £1m.

Current PCC chairman Lord Hunt of Wirral proposed turning the body into a true regulator of newspapers, with separate arms for dealing with complaints and enforcing standards.

A possible third arm could have the powers to mediate in disputes with newspapers and award compensation.

:: A PCC replacement combining self-regulation with a statutory framework

Lord Justice Leveson has stressed that he does not believe in the "binary" distinction between statutory regulation and self-regulation.

It has been suggested that a law should be passed forcing newspapers to sign up to the PCC or its successor.

Comments by the chairman during the hearings indicate he might be leaning towards the creation of an independent regulator backed by statutory powers.

These could include the ability to impose fines and insist on the prominence of corrections in papers, and a requirement to offer a "right to reply" to contentious articles.

:: Full statutory regulation

Some witnesses suggested the press should be subject to a much stricter regime, in the same way broadcasters are subject to watchdog Ofcom.

Ofcom has wide-ranging powers to investigate and penalise breaches of its detailed code - which includes strict clauses on impartiality and privacy - in TV and radio programmes.

Guardian journalists Nick Davies and David Leigh said they felt some newspapers are not capable of regulating themselves but statutory regulation was widely rejected as an option, especially by editors.

Lord Black, chairman of the Press Standards Board of Finance, suggested any form of statutory intervention would struggle to cope with the pace of change.

There is also the question of cost. Ofcom carries out many other roles, but its 2011/12 budget of £115.8m dwarfs the £2m annual bill for the PCC.

Lord Justice Leveson has repeatedly stressed that he does not support the licensing of journalists or newspapers by the state, and this option looks unlikely.

:: An arbitration service outside the court system

Media groups repeatedly complained about the huge cost of defending libel claims brought in the civil courts, and the chilling effect this has on serious journalism in the public interest.

Editors say "no-win, no-fee" arrangements mean they face potentially ruinous legal costs if they fight an action and lose.

On the other hand, the cost of bringing a claim can be too great for ordinary people, rendering them helpless.

Lord Justice Leveson has spoken of the merits of "a speedier, effective and sensible mechanism for all to use and for all to take the advantage of".

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet suggested a successor to the PCC could offer a mediation service dealing with libel and privacy.

Nick Davies called for the formation of an independent panel to give journalists and members of the public confidential advice on whether a story is in the public interest.

Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger argued for a Press Standards and Mediations Commission with an adjudication wing, so people would not have to go to the law to address any differences with newspapers.

:: A newspaper industry ombudsman

Press regulation could be split between the PCC, dealing with day-to-day complaints, and an ombudsman with wider powers to investigate and punish.

Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre argued for a new self-regulatory body, standing alongside the PCC, to deal with standards.

He suggested the ombudsman, perhaps a retired judge or civil servant advised by former newspaper editors, could launch his or her own inquiry into potential scandals, summon journalists and editors to give evidence, and impose fines in the most serious cases.

Lord Justice Leveson is said to have looked to Ireland's press watchdog as a possible two-tier model for a new system.

The Press Council of Ireland and the Press Ombudsman were set up as a two-pronged approach to media regulation in 2008, as an alternative to costly court battles.

The Press Ombudsman deals free-of-charge with complaints from the public, considers whether they are valid, then acts to resolve them through conciliation.

Where conciliation is not possible, the ombudsman makes a decision based on the Code of Practice for Newspapers and Magazines.

He has the option of referring "significant or complex complaints" directly to the 13-member strong Press Council, drawn from the public and the media industry, for decision.

:: A new privacy law

Britain already has statutes protecting privacy through its adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights, article 8 of which covers the "right to respect for private and family life".

But critics argue this has been left open to interpretation by judges, who have in recent years tended to side with celebrities whose personal peccadilloes have been aired in newspapers.

Some witnesses called for the UK to adopt a strong law protecting personal privacy as in France.

:: A "prior notification" law

Former Formula 1 chief Max Mosley has campaigned for a law requiring newspapers to notify the subjects of damaging articles before publication since he was the subject of a News Of The World expose.

Lord Justice Leveson has expressed an interest in whether journalists contact people and organisations before running negative stories about them.

But the European Court of Human Rights has already rejected Mr Mosley's proposal, which would have major implications for freedom of expression, and there appears to be no prospect of it being introduced.

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Autumn Statement: £5bn Investment Boost

An extra £5bn is to be invested in schools and transport over the next two-and-a-half years, the Government has announced.

The Treasury said the money would help Britain prepare for the future and compete globally, adding that it had come from savings elsewhere.

Whitehall departments will be expected to cut day-to-day spending by 1% (£950m) in 2013/14 and 2% (£2.5bn) in 2014/15 but health, schools, international aid, HM Revenue and Customs and nuclear decommissioning will be protected.

The move was unveiled ahead of Wednesday's Autumn Statement and as Chancellor George Osborne is under intense pressure over his economic plans.

George Osborne has very little wriggle room

It has already emerged that the heavily criticised Private Finance Initiative is to be overhauled in a bid to boost the economy.

Mr Osborne will include plans for a "faster and more transparent" system of private funding for public infrastructure projects in his mini-budget.

It is understood that safeguards will be built into the system to make sure the costs and risks to the taxpayer are minimised.

These will include limits on the type of services, such as maintenance, that can be incorporated into contracts and more flexible terms allowing the state to opt out.

Existing PFI schemes have been attacked for their generosity to private contractors, with one hospital reported to have been charged £333 by a firm to change a lightbulb.

The taxpayer will also take a minority shareholding in the delivery companies to ensure a share in any profits and allow closer oversight.

Some previous projects have taken up to five years but a new, strict 18-month limit will be imposed on the procurement process and cash reallocated if the deadline is missed.

Efforts will also be made to make the scheme more attractive to long-term investors like pension funds in a bid to reduce the amount of debt involved in the financing.

The reforms will promise more transparency over future liabilities facing the taxpayer, placing a cap on the total charges controversially going "off balance sheet".

The new system is expected to be named Private Finance 2 (PF2).

Safeguards will be built into the new scheme to protect taxpayers

Mr Osborne ordered a review of what he said was the "discredited" PFI system last year and will claim up to £2.5bn savings have been identified in existing contracts.

Set up under John Major's government in 1992, PFI was expanded dramatically under Labour and has been continued under the present coalition administration.

It allows private firms to build, operate and maintain public facilities like hospitals, schools and courthouses under contracts lasting as long as 35 years.

But it has faced harsh criticism over escalating costs, inefficiency and "perverse incentives" to use it over more cost-effective funding methods.

More than £267bn is due to private firms in repayments over the coming years and MPs recently called for the liabilities to be recorded in the national accounts.

Among the first projects to be put out to firms under the new process is expected to be the recently announced £1.75bn school repair programme.

A review of 100 existing contracts to run schools and other government buildings has found £1.5bn in savings over the past 18 months with another £1bn identified in future savings, Mr Osborne is expected to tell MPs.

The bulk - £630m - came from bringing services in-house or ending them and £615m from renting out buildings, increasing occupancy and using more energy-efficient equipment.

Another £140m was shaved off by ending the "gold plating" of services - such as firms charging for washing windows more often than required.

This week's mini-budget is expected to deliver bleak news for welfare claimants as well as the wealthy in the form of a possible benefit freeze and big cuts to pension tax relief.

Economists also expect Mr Osborne to make an embarrassing climbdown over one of his key goals - to have debt falling as a share of national income by 2015/16.

He conceded at the weekend that it was "clearly taking longer to deal with Britain's debts, it's clearly taking longer to recover from the financial crisis than one would have hoped".

On the eve of the statement, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) became the latest respected body to slash growth forecasts.

It now expects the economy to grow 1.2% in 2013 and 1.8% in 2014, compared with previous estimates of 1.2% and 2.2% respectively.

The organisation demanded a "laser-like focus" from the Chancellor on growth-boosting measures such as delivering key infrastructure projects and creating a business bank.

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Norfolk Shooting: Councillor And Wife Dead

A man and a woman found dead outside their Norfolk home were council leader Keith Johnson and his wife Andrea, according to reports.

Mr Johnson, 58, was a Conservative councillor for North Norfolk District Council and was a familiar face in the local area.

The couple were both found with gunshot wounds near their home in Compit Hills in Roughton, near Cromer, on Sunday.

They have not yet been formally identified.

Police were called to a bungalow at 2.50pm on Sunday after reports of gunshots.

A spokesman from Norfolk Constabulary said they found the body of a woman in her early 40s, in the front garden, and the body of a man in his late 50s, in a nearby back garden.

Detectives are not looking for anybody else in connection with the incident.

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb said he was "deeply shocked" by the news.

"I've known Keith for some years through his work on the council and we both attended the wedding of a mutual friend a few years ago," he said.

"We've always been on very good terms despite the fact I'm Lib Dem and he was a Conservative.

"I didn't know Andrea beyond seeing them both at civic events but she was always good for a friendly chat.

"I share the community's sense of disbelief and my heart goes out to all of their family and friends."

The couple have been described by their local newspaper as "prominent and much-loved" figures in their community.

Mr Johnson was also a former Cromer mayor and a long-serving member of both the district and town council.

He was elected as council leader earlier this year, had helped organise the town's Christmas market, launched at the weekend as part of a series of festive events.

On Friday he attended the opening of a Waitrose store in nearby North Walsham.

Mr Johnson's close friend, Benji Cabbell-Manners told the Eastern Daily Press of his "terrible shock" at hearing the news.

Detective Superintendent Peter Hornby, who is leading the inquiry into the deaths, said: "Whilst I understand this is a very shocking incident for the neighbours of the two people involved, I can reassure them that, at this stage, we are not looking for anyone else in connection with it."

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M1 Crash: Two Men Killed And Motorway Closed

Two men have been killed in a crash on the M1 which forced the closure of a section of the motorway.

The collision between two black BMW cars happened shortly before 2.40am on the southbound carriageway between junctions four and five, near Watford in Hertfordshire.

One of the drivers and his front seat passenger were killed, while another two men travelling in the same car were taken to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, central London, with "serious injuries", a Hertfordshire Police spokeswoman said.

Two men who were in the other BMW are being treated in Watford General Hospital, although their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, she added.

An investigation is now under way to determine the cause of the crash, which resulted in the closure of five junctions of the motorway in both directions.

The northbound carriageway has since reopened but southbound between junctions four and five - Edgware to Watford - is expected to remain closed until at least mid-morning.

Drivers have been advised to use the A1, A40 or M40.

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EastEnders' Rita Simons Accused Over Deaf Op

An EastEnders star who wants her deaf six-year-old daughter to have an operation to help her hear says she has been accused of abusing the child.

Rita Simons, who plays Roxy Mitchell in the BBC soap, said she and her husband, Theo Silveston, have encountered "extraordinary" hostility making the decision.

Their daughter Maiya, who has a twin sister Jaimee with perfect hearing, will undergo a cochlear implant operation to give her hearing in both ears.

Simons told Hello! magazine the hostility "comes mainly from people who firmly believe that deafness should be embraced rather than treated as a physical deficiency that should be corrected".

EastEnder Rita Simons speaks out in the latest edition of Hello! magazine

She said: "I totally respect their point of view. But when a 19-year-old girl told me that I was an 'abuser' to let my child have a cochlear implant, I was horrified and deeply hurt.

"I would throw myself in front of a bus for my girls, and yet I was being judged by someone who didn't know me or understand my emotional stance at all."

Simons said she wanted to treat Maiya, who featured with her in a BBC documentary about deafness, the same way as Jaimee.

She told the magazine: "We've brought Maiya up as a hearing child, and she attends the same mainstream school as her twin sister.

"She was born with some hearing; when that goes completely it will leave a void in her life and she will miss it.

"All we want to do is give her back what she has lost and help to expand her life.

"If you've got the opportunity to give your child the gift of sound, why would you not do that?"

Simons added: "We know it's not a miracle cure and her hearing won't be perfect.

"But, in time her brain will process what it is hearing and compensate, making sounds more familiar to her."

:: Read the full interview in Hello! Magazine out now.

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Winter Weather As Snow Hits Northern UK

Snow is continuing to fall across the north of the UK, with up to 10cm settling across the high mountains overnight.

Glasgow and Edinburgh have seen up to 5cm fall overnight, with up to 4cm settling in Teesside and County Durham.

The mountains in Cumbria, Northumbria and parts of Scotland have been decorated with a blanket of 10cm of snow.

Sky's weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "Winter started on December 1 and the weather has become more seasonal.

"In fact it looks set to stay that way with a continued threat of frost, ice and snow.

"Even looking ahead towards Christmas the rather cold and wintry story continues."

And the rest of this week is bound to be frosty, said Lang.

"On Tuesday colder north winds will bring in more widespread snow showers across northern and eastern Scotland, with these spreading across hillier parts of eastern England on Wednesday," she said.

"During Thursday another Atlantic frontal system is set to sweep east bringing in more persistent rain, preceded again by a period of snow."

Frozen flood water at York Racecourse, North Yorkshire, on Sunday

Further south, including Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, escaped the snowfall but were greeted with rain and very cold temperatures instead.

Eastern England shivered in temperatures dipping to -4C and it dropped to -7C in western Scotland.

But hasn't been cold all over Britain - areas of Cornwall and west Wales enjoyed far warmer highs of 11C.

The extreme weather in parts of the UK caused signal failures on transport, meaning delays for passengers on Sunday.

The big chill comes just days after severe flooding hit Britain, from which many areas are still recovering.

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Osborne Eyes Tax Evaders And Pensions Of Rich

The Chancellor has promised to hunt down tax evaders and tax the wealthy - warning that everyone must make a contribution.

In his Autumn Statement on Wednesday, George Osborne is set to hit the pension pots of the wealthiest by slashing the £50,000 annual tax relief cap on pensions to as little as £30,000, according to The Sunday Times. That could raise between £600m and £1.8bn.

Tax evaders are also under the scanner of the Chancellor who told The Sun "we are hunting down those who evade tax wherever they try to hide".

The comments come as several leading football clubs face questions about their tax arrangements and amid an unprecedented public outcry over multinational corporations' tax avoidance through complex offshore mechanisms.

Starbucks, which recently came under fire from MPs over its tax affairs, is reportedly in talks with officials at Revenue and Customs about doing a deal.

In an article in The Sun, Mr Osborne said: "We are still all in this together. Everyone must make a contribution to dealing with our debts, from the richest in our society to those living a life on benefits.

"Every one of my Budgets has raised more from the richest. The situation under Labour where top people in the City were paying lower tax rates than their cleaners has been ended."

Meanwhile, shadow chancellor Ed Balls told the Sunday Mirror that a change of course was needed from David Cameron and Mr Osborne.

"When the medicine makes the patient sicker, you don't just take more of it. We need to change the medicine, or change the doctor."

Any form of mansion tax - or splitting council tax bands - is likely to be ruled out in the coming statement.

There is also speculation a planned 3p per litre rise in fuel duty planned for January may be delayed.

Some benefits are also expected to be frozen.

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Open Prison Fugitive Arrested By Police

Fugitive Ivan Leach, who absconded from an open prison, has been found by police in Camden, north London.

The 47-year-old had been on the run from North Sea Camp open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire since October 9.

Police arrested him on suspicion of a number of offences this morning in the Camden area, Scotland Yard said.

Leach, also known as Lee Cyril, was wanted for questioning about a rape in Scotland committed while police hunted for him.

On October 15, a woman was woken and raped by an intruder in her home in Perth, and the following day a mattress was stolen from her home.

Leach, from Preston, was jailed in 2005 for robbing a 90-year-old woman in her home in the city.

He was given a life sentence with a minimum tariff of five years.

Leach is currently in custody in a north London police station.

Police had warned people not to approach the fugitive under any circumstances.

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Weather: Snow Continues As Mercury Plunges

Weather forecasters are warning of more snowfall in parts of England and Scotland, as Britons continue to shiver in below-freezing temperatures.

Overnight temperatures dropped to -6C in many parts of the country, from central Scotland through to Cumbria and Buckinghamshire.

Many areas will see up to 3cm of snow, while 15cm is predicted to fall in the Scottish mountains.

Sky News weather producer Jo Wheeler said there would be "significant snowfall" in the Scottish mountains and the Pennines later.

She said: "There is also the possibility of seeing between 1cm and 3cm of rain, even at lower levels for parts of the East and North East."

Many areas are likely to see about 3cm of snow

Edinburgh, the Pennines, the Peak District, County Durham, Yorkshire, Norfolk and East Anglia are all expected to be affected.

The Met Office has issued a low-level severe weather warning across most of Scotland, north and east England, and north Wales, because of the freezing temperatures and snowfall.

"Following showers of rain, sleet and snow on Saturday, ice is expected to form on untreated surfaces on Saturday evening and persist well into Sunday morning. Further wintry showers are likely to affect eastern coastal counties through the night.

"The public should be aware of possible disruption to travel."

The Met Office believes the freezing temperatures will last into next week, possibly followed by more snow.

The white start to the month has been enough to prompt record numbers of punters to place bets on snow falling on Christmas Day.

According to bookmakers Ladbrokes, more money had been staked on a white Christmas on Saturday than by any other December 1 in its history.

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Starbucks Pledges Action After Tax Backlash

Starbucks has announced it is reviewing its tax affairs after a backlash about the small amount of tax the US company pays in the UK.

The Seattle-based company reportedly paid just £8.6m in corporation tax in 14 years of trading in Britain.

It also revealed it paid no corporation tax for the past three years, despite sales of £1.2bn in the UK.

The coffee chain said in a statement that it is in talks with the HMRC and the Treasury over its tax affairs in the UK.

"Starbucks is committed to the UK for the long term and we have invested more than £200m in our UK business over the past 12 years," the statement said.

"Starbucks has complied with all the tax laws in this country but has regretfully not been as profitable as we would have liked.

"We have listened to feedback from our customers and employees, and understand that to maintain and further build public trust we need to do more.

"As part of this we are looking at our tax approach in the UK.

"The company has been in discussions with HMRC for some time and is also in talks with The Treasury.

"We will release more details later in the week."

The firm is one of many multinationals to have their tax affairs put under the spotlight recently.

Last month, the Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is charged with monitoring government financial affairs, questioned senior executives from Starbucks, Google and Amazon later on why they pay so little tax in the UK while racking up millions of pounds worth of sales.

"I assure you we are not making money," Troy Alstead, the chief financial officer of Starbucks, told the committee.

"It's very unfortunate. We're not at all pleased about our financial performance here. It's fundamentally true everything we are saying and everything we have said historically."

His comments came despite operating more than 700 UK stores and employing nearly 8,500 people, along with plans to employ another 6,000 staff and open 300 outlets.

Companies are able to sidestep the taxman legally by conducting different operations in different countries, and constructing complex global frameworks that allow them to move money through offshore subsidiaries and locations.

The Chancellor is expected to address the issue in his Autumn Statement on December 5.

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