Grim Osborne tightens budget screw

GEORGE Osborne will warn there are no “miracle cures” for Britain’s problems today as he admits more drastic action is needed to balance the Government’s books.

In a bleak mini-budget, the Chancellor is to confirm that Whitehall departments are being ordered to find further cuts to fund £5 billion of “shovel ready” projects designed to kick-start the economy.

He is also widely expected to concede that sluggish growth means it will take longer to tackle the deficit and a key coalition target to have public sector debt falling by 2015-16 may be missed.

Kate faces third day in hospital

THE Duchess of Cambridge faces a third day in hospital as she is treated for a severe form of morning sickness.

Kate was “continuing to feel better”, St James’s Palace said last night.

Relief of his pregnant wife’s improving condition was evident in William’s smile yesterday as he emerged from the hospital after spending the day at her bedside.

Premature baby survival rate ‘rise’

THE survival rate of babies born before their mothers are 27 weeks pregnant has increased, research suggests.

However, the proportion of premature babies who experience serious health problems has remained “largely unchanged”, according to two studies.

The papers, published on bmj.com, suggest that while the pre-term survival rate continues to rise, the number of long-term disabilities, such as learning difficulties and cerebral palsy, will rise in parallel.

Editors in crunch talks on Leveson

NEWSPAPER editors will hold crunch talks today after David Cameron warned that “the clock is ticking” to avoid regulation backed by law.

The Prime Minister has told the press it must act fast to convince politicians and the public that Lord Justice Leveson’s call for statutory underpinning is not necessary.

The push for an agreement comes as Labour, the Liberal Democrats and victims of media abuses continue to demand full implementation of the judge’s recommendations.

Clock ticks on unclaimed £64m prize

THE clock is ticking for one mystery lottery winner who has less than 24 hours to claim a £64 million prize.

The potential multimillionaire has until 11pm today to claim their £63,837,543.60 riches before the ticket expires.

The ticket was bought in the Stevenage and Hitchin area of Hertfordshire for the EuroMillions draw on Friday June 8.