The government has announced today that adult passport fees will rise for the 6th time in eight years to £51, with the passport cost almost trebling since 1997. With a flexible return to France from the Folkestone Eurotunnel terminal costing around £44, the total cost of a cheap day return to France for a family of 4 now tops £200 including the required passports.
The Liberal Democrats have welcomed the Metropolitan police commissioner - Sir Ian Blair's call for a wide-ranging public debate on the kind of policing the country needs following the terror attacks in July. Mark Oaten, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary said "The future of our police is at a crossroads." Sir Ian has warned that without a change in the way policing is debated, there is a danger of "drift" into further political controversies over issues such as 90-day detention powers and armed response.
New figures obtained by Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, David Laws MP show that a shrinking proportion of people coming off Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) have been moving into work over the last six years. In the South East area, the percentage of those coming off JSA who had found work in 2005 is 40.4%, down from 50.2% in 1999.
A decision by Bedford's Mayor Frank Branston to restrict pensioners and people with disabilities to off peak only travel along with limiting bus pass use to borough areas has been challenged by Lib Dems.
Following a number of complaints, David Jack and the Heath Town Focus team went to investigate for themselves the problems suffered by many people when faced with having to use taxis in the City Centre at night.
The November Focus is now being delivered to homes in Heath Town Ward. The main stories are
