The European Commission has launched a web site that will allow entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to provide the EU executive with tips on improving European legislation and reducing the bureaucratic red tape faced by businesses.
There is to be an urgent review of the law protecting those who intervene in criminal situations in England and Wales, the government has said. Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who has been a "have-a-go hero" four times, told Labour conference he wanted to clarify "that the law is on the side of the citizen".
Local MP Tim Farron is today writing to Farming Minister Lord Rooker to ask that the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs looks into doubling, or at least increasing the Hill Farm Allowance fund, which currently stands at £27 million. The reason behind the request is the particular suffering that hill farmers have had to endure this year with poor weather and especially the hardship caused because of the animal movement restrictions imposed following foot and mouth.
In a Today programme interview this week Gordon Brown rejected suggestions the government had known early on about Northern Rock's problems but had failed to act in time to prevent a run on the bank. Chancellor Alistair Darling told Labour's conference that there are "lessons to be learnt" following the Northern Rock bank crisis. Mr Darling announced on Saturday that he is considering guaranteeing people's savings held in a bank or building society up to £100,000.
After a long campaign by Coun Lawrence Hunter, an on-street booze ban has been introduced on Lemington's streets.
Local residents are supporting a council measure scheme to install speed humps on Mapperley Drive, Councillor Joanne Park reports.
