UK News: Warning on plans to scrap retirement age

BUSINESS leaders today warned the Government that plans to abolish the default retirement age would have a "significant" effect on employers.

The Institute of Directors argued in favour of keeping the device that allows companies to retire their workers at 65.

Plea over vetting system

THE Government must scrap the vetting system for people working with children and vulnerable adults or risk creating a broader culture of fear that will "poison the relationship between generations", Civitas said.

But charities warned it was "necessary to protect our children".

MP denies accusations of seducing constituent

A SENIOR Liberal Democrat MP denied allegations he tried to seduce a vulnerable female constituent.

A spokesman for Mike Hancock, MP for Portsmouth South, said that all he did was "offer help and support" to the 36-year-old woman - who is reported to have mental health problems.

Mr Hancock is being investigated by police after it was reported he took the single mother to dinner, bought her gifts and sent her intimate text messages.

Migraine breakthrough

MIGRAINE sufferers were offered new hope today after researchers identified a faulty gene responsible for the debilitating headaches.

The finding could lead to better treatment and improve the quality of life for the one in five people who have the neurological disorder.

Scientists at the University of Oxford took DNA samples from migraines sufferers and their families.

Gazza takes up gaffer role

FORMER England international and Rangers midfielder Paul Gascoigne was appointed the new manager of non-league club Garforth Town, it was reported.

The West Yorkshire side are currently in the Evo Stik First Division North League.

Wakefield: Former Great Britain Rugby League star Terry Newton was found hanged after worried friends alerted police. Newton, 31, was sacked by Wakefield earlier this year after being handed a two-year suspension from the game for using a performance enhancing drug.

Bristol: The family of a mother who was killed in a house fire paid tribute to "the kindest soul". Fire crews were called to a property in Wells Road after reports that smoke was billowing from the building. Firefighters entered the house and found 34-year-old Sara Peel-Yates unconscious in the basement.