PM vow to stick to economic plan
DAVID Cameron will today vow he is “sticking to the plan” on the economy as Business Secretary Vince Cable appeared to suggest it was time to change course.
Despite a turbulent few weeks that has seen the Government left embarrassed after its economic policy failed to deliver on the promise to protect Britain’s credit rating and a by-election drubbing that heaped humiliation on Conservatives, the Prime Minister will defiantly pledge to “hold firm”.
He will argue that those who “falter” would plunge the United Kingdom “back into the abyss” just at a time when there are positive signs of recovery.
End student visa loopholes: Labour
LABOUR will today call for an end to student visitor visa loopholes that are allowing tens of thousands of people to enter the country as the party continues to reposition itself on immigration.
In a major speech, Yvette Cooper will say genuine international students are being blocked from studying in the United Kingdom while the short-term visas are being increasingly abused.
It comes after party leader Ed Miliband last night admitted in a party political broadcast that Labour had got it wrong on immigration when they were in power.
Bank vote set to be tight decision
BANK of England rate-setters are facing a “knife-edge” decision today on whether to pump more cash into the fragile UK economy.
Experts said this month’s vote will be an extremely close one after minutes of February’s meeting saw governor Sir Mervyn King and Paul Fisher join previously lone voice David Miles in calling for a restart to the printing presses.
But there will be little joy for savers as interest rates are expected to remain firmly at 0.5%, with today’s meeting marking the fourth year in a row at the emergency low level.
Volunteer killed by lion in zoo
A FEMALE volunteer was killed by a lion at a private wild animal park in Central California.
Cat Haven founder Dale Anderson was crying as he read a one-sentence statement about the fatal mauling at the exotic animal zoo he has operated since 1993.
The 26-year-old intern was attacked and killed yesterday when she entered the lion’s enclosure, Mr Anderson said, but he refused to answer questions or provide more details.
Chavez killed by heart attack
PRESIDENT Hugo Chavez died of a massive heart attack after great suffering and inaudibly mouthed his desire to live, the head of Venezuela’s presidential guard has said.
“He couldn’t speak, but he said it with his lips...’I don’t want to die. Please don’t let me die,’ because he loved his country, he sacrificed himself for his country,” General Jose Ornella said.
The general said he spent the last two years with Mr Chavez, including his final moments, as Venezuela’s president of 14 years battled an unspecified cancer in the pelvic region.
