First-Time Buyers 'Getting A Shot At Long Last'

By Poppy Trowbridge, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

The number of first-time buyer sales has hit a seven-year high, according to new figures from LSL Property Services.

There were 30,000 first-time buyer sales in July, up by 25% on a year before and the highest number of monthly first-time buyers since August 2007.

At the same time, the data reveal average first-time buyer deposits are 10% lower than this time last year.

Down payments averaged £26,642 in June, a decrease from £29,609 12 months ago.

David Newnes, from LSL Property Services, said: "A whole generation of young buyers were trapped on the sidelines of the property market as the economy recovered from the recession, struggling to save for a deposit whilst inflation remained stubbornly high, savings rates were stuck at a historic low, and real wages fell.

"But the recent increase in high LTV (loan to value) lending options - enabled by Help to Buy - has allowed them a shot at getting on the ladder at long last."

Yet purchase prices are on the rise, and mortgage rates are climbing, meaning buyers could still struggle with debt and repayments.

First-time buyers paid 8% more over the last year, with the average price paid for a new home now £155,844, according to LSL Property Services.

Simultaneously, average mortgage rates climbed for the fourth consecutive month in July to 4.19%.

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Failing Doctors Could Be Forced To Say Sorry

Doctors could be forced to say sorry to patients or their relatives if they have been found to have made a mistake.

The proposed move is part of the General Medical Council (GMC) consultation which will help "improve patient protection and public confidence in doctors".

Whether or not they have apologised may also be taken into account when a fitness to practice panel is deciding on what sanctions the medic faces, the document said.

And those who fail to blow the whistle on a failing colleague could face stricter sanctions under the plans.

"In the vast majority of cases one-off clinical errors do not merit any action by the GMC," said GMC chief executive Niall Dickson.

"But if we are to maintain that trust, in the small number of serious cases where doctors fail to listen to concerns and take action sooner to protect patients, they should be held to account for their actions.

"We want patients, doctors and other professionals to give us their views - this consultation is a chance to make sure the action we take is fair to doctors while never losing our focus on protecting the public."

The consultation was launched today and will close on November 14.

Dr Helen Stokes-Lampard, honorary treasurer of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: "Patient safety is always of paramount importance and GPs work really hard to ensure that all patients receive the best possible care.

"All GP practices have a system to review instances where things could have gone better and GPs are required to reflect on 'significant events' during their annual appraisal and through the revalidation process.

"Anything that further improves the care that we deliver to our patients - and the trust that they have in us should be welcomed.

"But it is essential that any action resulting from these proposals is taken in the best interests of patient safety and care and not used as an excuse to criticise doctors who are doing a very difficult job in increasingly difficult circumstances."

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Football Ground Standing Pledge By Lib Dems

Fans of football clubs in England's top two divisions would be able to stand at games under plans put forward by the Liberal Democrats.

The party wants to change the law to allow standing areas to be brought back at the grounds of Premiership and Championship teams.

All-seater stadia were introduced more than 20 years ago in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster which left 96 Liverpool fans dead.

All-seater stadia were introduced in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster

The party stresses it does want a return of the terraces of the 1980s, but says safe standing areas could be introduced using "rail seating", which have been successfully used by top tier clubs across Europe, including in Germany, Austria, and Sweden.

These can be locked in an upright position to allow fans to stand and lean against a barrier, but can also be converted back into seating as required.

Many fans say standing provides a better atmosphere, and the Liberal Democrat's point out 70% of clubs support the move.

It also claims safe standing would enable clubs to cut the cost of tickets.

However, there remains strong opposition with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), which has said previously it would need to be convinced over whether it could work.

The Hillsborough Family Support Group is also against a return of standing at matches.

While the Liberal Democrats stand little chance of winning the next election, the return of another coalition government could see the safe standing proposals form part of negotiations in any power-sharing agreement.

Liberal Democrat sports spokesman John Leech said: "The Liberal Democrats believe football clubs should be allowed to introduce safe standing areas where there is a desire to do so.

"Safe standing is allowed in many other sports and we do not believe that the top level of football should be an exception.

"We are not calling for a return of the terraces of the 1980s. Modern safe standing areas using 'rail seating' operate very successfully in top tier football across Europe.

"When clubs and fans are in favour of safe standing and it can be done safely, then the Government shouldn't get in the way.

"That is why Liberal Democrats want to change the law to let clubs introduce safe standing.

"Safe standing offers supporters more choice, a better atmosphere and cheaper tickets."

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Middle Lane Hogging Rife Despite Fine Threat

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky News Correspondent

A year since laws were brought in to stop motorists hogging the middle lane, more than half of drivers admit they still do it.

New research has found 52% of motorists know that middle lane hogging is illegal.

Yet despite this, 59% owned up to staying in the central lane, rather than just using it for overtaking, with those aged 65 and over being the worst offenders.

The South East of England was also found to be the country's middle lane hot spot, with the M4 near Slough having the highest incidence of hogging.

The analysis came from traffic flow data from nearly 6,500 sites on the Highways Agency motorway network and the insurance firm Direct Line.

The most common reason for why people drove in the middle lane was because it is an easier way to drive on motorways because it saves changing lanes.

Rob Miles, director of car insurance at Direct Line said: "Lane hogging causes congestion, reduces the capacity of the roads, and most crucially, can be dangerous. 

"It is also illegal which means drivers could face a £100 on-the-spot fine and three points on their licence if caught.

"Motorists are risking their own safety and the safety of other road users through their actions so we'd urge them to be aware of the other lanes and drivers around them when on the road.

"If the inside lane has space, you should move into it."

Benjamin Heydecker, Professor of Transport Studies at University College London, fears that as well as adding to congestion and accidents, middle lane hogging is also a sign that people are driving around in a dream.

Prof Heydecker said: "Annoying other drivers is a bad idea, it doesn't add to road safety, but also I'm concerned that the drivers that are holding the middle lane aren't engaged in the driving task and that's bad for safety."

In August 2013 the Government introduced new careless driving laws to curb lane hogging and tailgating; those caught by police now face a £100 fine and points on their licence.

There are currently no nationwide figures for the number of people pulled over for lane hogging, but the Department for Transport told Sky News they intend to undertake research to examine how effective the introduction of careless driving as a fixed penalty offence has been.

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Rail Passenger Fares To Rise By 3.5% In 2015

Rail passengers face a hike of 3.5% in train fares in 2015 amid anger over the high cost of train travel.

Campaigners have been protesting at 45 train stations across the country over ticket price increases far outstripping wage rises.

The fare rise is determined by adding 1% to the just-published Retail Prices Index inflation figure for July, which is 2.5%.

There is anger over the disparity between fare increases and wage rises

But train companies have a "flex" option to add another 2% to some fares, as long as the overall average stays at RPI plus 1%.

It means some fares could go up by 5.5%.

Campaigners say the hike will mean fares have leapt by almost a quarter since the coalition came to power, while over the same period wages have risen by 6.9%.

It has already led to calls for the Government to again cap the increase to just the RPI  figure as it did last year.

Kevin Rowan of the TUC said it was bad news for passengers, and claimed the fare hikes were going towards the profits and shareholder dividends of the private train operators.

Labour has also condemned the rise, with Shadow Transport Secretary Mary Creagh saying: "David Cameron has allowed train companies to sting passengers with inflation-busting fare rises of over 20% since 2010, costing them hundreds of pounds. We can't go on like this."

But Transport Minister Claire Perry defended the rises arguing there had been an "unprecedented investment" in the rail service.

She told Sky News: "The challenge is making sure fares are fair."

David Sidebottom, director of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, said many travellers would be concerned about the fare rise.

He said: "This level of fare increase puts more pressure on the railways to ensure passengers get an excellent service for the money they are paying.

"We hope the Government will step in again as it did last year, to ensure that train fares in England do not rise above the rate of inflation announced today."

The transport charity Sustrans said: "Last year the Chancellor showed he understood the negative impact of high rail costs on the economy by holding fares to an inflation-only increase. He needs to take action again this year."

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Inflation Drops More Than Expected In July

The two measures of UK inflation have dropped more than expected in July, prompted by discounting on the high street.

According to official data, the Retail Prices Index (RPI) stood at 2.5% and the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) was 1.6%.

Economists had expected a CPI rate of around 1.8%, after official figures showed a June rate of 1.9%.

CPI now appears to be headed back towards May's figure of 1.5%, which at the time was the lowest level for four-and-a-half years.

Inflation has been below the Bank of England (BoE) 2% target for seven straight months - the first time this has occurred since 2005.

The RPI, which unlike the other measure includes housing costs, was recorded in June at 2.6%.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the biggest contributor to the slowing annual inflation rate was discounting on the high street for clothing and footwear.

This was because retailers held off on price cuts throughout June.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks also fell year-on-year, and the CPI was also eased by falling spirits and wine prices.

The ONS said the average house price in London is now £499,000

Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander told Sky News: "The fact that inflation has been below the Bank of England target for seven consecutive months shows that subdued inflation is now becoming the norm as the economy recovers.

"Eliminating the deficit fairly, and repairing the UK economy remains central to the role of Liberal Democrats in Government.

"These encouraging inflation numbers should give businesses the confidence they need to deliver the investment required to boost productivity. Rising productivity is the only route to sustainable increases in living standards."

The data comes as commuters learned they would face a 3.5% increase in rail fares next year, which uses the RPI figure plus 1% to calculate increases.

The further drop to the CPI eases pressure on the BoE to hike the 0.5% base rate, which has been at its historic low for the last five years.

Meanwhile, the ONS said UK house prices increased by 10.2% in the year to June, reaching a new high average price of £265,000.

House prices in the capital, however, shot up by 19.3% in the year to June.

It calculated the average house price in London at £499,000, and said that "house prices are increasing strongly across most parts of the UK".

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Sir Cliff Richard Hires High-Profile Lawyer

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent, Portugal

Sir Cliff Richard has hired the celebrities' go-to criminal lawyer to defend him against a sex assault allegation.

London solicitor Ian Burton flew into Portugal with a colleague and spent five hours in a meeting at the pop star's wine estate overlooking the Algarve coast.

Sir Cliff, 73, was spotted saying goodbye to them at the door of his villa before an aide drove them back to Faro airport to catch their return flight.

The pop star has rarely been seen since returning to his home near Albufeira on Friday, the day after police raided his Berkshire apartment as part of a sex assault investigation.

A man has accused Sir Cliff of sexually attacking him during an evangelical rally in Sheffield in 1985.

The multi-millionaire singer emerged in the grounds of his Portuguese home on Saturday when six friends arrived by car to play tennis.

Sir Cliff played a singles game on Sunday, but did not play on Monday as he spent time with the lawyers.

A man has accused Sir Cliff Richard of sexually assaulting him in 1985

Mr Burton, the senior partner in the firm he founded Burton Copeland, is considered one of the Britain's most successful and experienced lawyers.

He has represented football manager Harry Redknapp, who was cleared of tax evasion, PR agent Max Clifford, who was jailed for sex offences, and former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed.

His company has also represented TV cook Nigella Lawson, jockey Kieren Fallon, who was acquitted of race-fixing, and the late singer Amy Winehouse.

The online law guide Legal 500 described Mr Burton as "tough and canny" and wrote in an assessment of his ability: "If there is a chance of nipping an investigation in the bud, he will do it."

Mr Burton, 67, said in an interview four years ago: "Anybody can go out and learn the law. Anyone can read a book. Anyone can interpret the law, understand the law.

"But you can't suddenly bolt on the experience of actually having dealt with the thing, actually implementing it when there is a dawn raid."

Sir Cliff denies the sex assault accusation and has criticised South Yorkshire Police for not warning him about the UK raid, but inviting a BBC news crew to film it.

Detectives have spoken to Sir Cliff's lawyers and they are expected to question him in the next few weeks after examining items removed during the raid.

Police were also interviewing a number of people who have contacted them with information in the past few day.

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Coach Overturns On Motorway And Lands In Ditch

Around 50 passengers have escaped serious injury after a coach overturned on a motorway.

Police said the driver hurt his back in the crash on the M5 in Gloucestershire.

The incident, which the Highways Agency described as "serious", happened near Dursley, on the southbound side between junctions 13 and 14.

The section was closed following the crash.

A spokesperson for South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said: "We were notified at 9.58am that a coach had left the carriageway. It was the only vehicle involved in the incident.

"There were six casualties and all of them sustained minor injuries. They are being assessed at the scene to see if they need to be taken to hospital."

According to reports, the passengers were on a day trip from the West Midlands to Weston-super-Mare.

More follows...

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Met Names Undercover Cops Accused Over Affairs

The names of undercover policemen who allegedly had relationships with female environmental activists have been made public for the first time.

A spokesman for the Met said: "In compliance with the order of Mr Justice Bean the MPS has confirmed in its defence that Jim Boyling and Bob Lambert were undercover police officers."

The High Court judge said last month that the police force could not use its "neither confirm nor deny" (NCND) policy after the women brought damages claims against the police.

The policy was brought in to protect the identities and safety of officers working undercover but the judge's ruling means it cannot be used in this case.

The female activists want compensation for what they say is the emotional trauma they suffered after being tricked into relationships with the police officers after they infiltrated the groups.

The women's claims for deceit, assault, negligence and misfeasance in public office arise out of long-term and intimate sexual relationships they had with four men who - unknown to them - were members of the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), between 1987 and 2007.

The Met had initially refused to reveal the names and, following the ruling, if it had not done so would have been considered to have admitted to the claims.

Solicitor Harriet Wistrich of Birnberg Peirce and Partners, who represents the women, said: "The police have been on notice of this case for three and a half years and until this judgment, they have willfully refused to engage in any meaningful way with the most serious allegations put to them.

"Their ongoing refusal in the face of an overwhelming body of evidence in the public domain has greatly aggravated the distress caused to my clients, who want answers from the police as well as justice and accountability."

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Murder Suspect Dewani 'Fit To Stand Trial'

A South African court has ruled that murder suspect Shrien Dewani is fit to stand trial for the honeymoon murder of his wife.

A mental health panel in South Africa unanimously decided that the 34-year-old businessman is not mentally ill and should be tried in October.

He is accused of the murder of his wife, Anni Dewani, in Cape Town.

Her sister, Ami Denborg, said: "It's a relief for all of us. We've been waiting quite a long time for this.

"I know this autumn is going to be tough for us but we still want the trial to start so that we can get the information we need, we can get to know what really happened.

"It feels like we're moving forward. It's still a long way to go but at least we're taking steps in the right direction, and this feels like a huge step in the right direction."

Announcing the decision, Judge John Hlophe said the trial date had been set for October 6.

"The draft handed in by the state is hereby made an order of the court," said Judge Hlophe, after receiving an expert assessment which stated Dewani was not mentally ill.

Director of public prosecutions Rodney de Kock told the Western Cape High Court: "The accused is not mentally ill.

"The accused is not certifiable in terms of the Mental Health Act."

The South African Press Association reported that Dewani's lawyer, Francois van Zyl, said the mental health panel had made a unanimous decision.

The panel included members such as Professor Tuviah Zabow, who was appointed by the court as a psychiatrist for Dewani.

"We are in agreement. There is no objection," Van Zyl said.

Dewani, whose family attended court, is expected to appear again on September 9 for a pre-trial hearing, before his trial starts on October 6.

The millionaire, from Bristol, is accused of ordering Anni's murder during their honeymoon in November 2010.

She was shot in the neck as the couple travelled in a taxi on the outskirts of Cape Town.

Dewani, who has not yet entered pleas, faces charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice.

He has previously claimed that the couple were kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through Gugulethu township.

He says he was released unharmed but his wife's body was found in the abandoned car the next day.

His trial date follows a protracted legal battle over the seriousness of his mental health problems.

Dewani has been detained in a hospital in Britain for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and was extradited from the UK in April to face trial.

A panel of three psychiatrists and a clinical psychologist assessed Dewani's mental health over 30 days.

Three men have been convicted and jailed over Mrs Dewani's death, including taxi driver Zola Tongo, who was given 18 years after admitting his role in the killing.

Xolile Mngeni, who prosecutors claim was the hitman, was convicted of premeditated murder over the shooting.

Another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, pleaded guilty to murder and was handed a 25-year prison sentence.

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