'London schools face £600m budget cuts in next four years'

Pic: A class room
Educational reporter(wp/es):

London schools face more than £600million worth of budget cuts by 2020, unions have claimed.

An average of £570 less could be spent on each pupil in the capital within four years, according to calculations by two teaching unions.

It means 16,000 teaching jobs could be lost in the capital, the unions said.

The startling statistics were calculated by the National Union of Teachers and ATL Education Union following government plans to reallocate the way grants are given to schools across the UK.

But the government disputed the unions’ estimates, claiming they were based on “speculative figures” and deemed it “irresponsible scaremongering”.

The NUT said the figures - which have been released with a map showing how London postcodes could be affected - pointed to an “uncomfortable truth” about school funding.

The unions are predicting London authorities’ school budgets will face cuts of 10 per cent by 2020 as money is redistributed elsewhere and budgets are not protected against inflation.

Among the worst hit boroughs could be Southwark, Lambeth and Hackney, which could all face cuts of more than £1,000 less per pupil in four years, the unions claim.

They added that Newham could face a budget loss of over £41 million while Southwark is expected to lose out by £38 million – putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk.

The top five highest risk boroughs are the City of London, Southwark, Hackney, Haringey and Kensington and Chelsea, it was claimed.

The shake-up is part of government plans to introduce a national funding formula, which determines how much councils receive for their schools budget.

Currently the amount of money local authorities are given by the government can vary wildly – with the best funded areas given a grant of nearly £6,300 compared to £4,200 in other areas.

The Department for Education opened a consultation on the national funding formula with hopes of rolling it out by April 2018.

The NUT said the figures said there would be a budget cut equivalent to eight per cent based on predicted inflation rates between now and 2020.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “As the NUT and ATL’s own report admits, they do not even reflect the Government's proposed fairer funding formula for schools, which is yet to be published. 

“In reality the schools budget has been protected and in 2016-17 totals over £40 billion, the highest ever on record. 

“The government's fairer funding proposals will ensure that areas with the highest need attract the most funding and end the historic unfairness in the system."

Kevin Courtney, general secretary of the NUT, said: “Far from being irresponsible the NUT and ATL are pointing to the uncomfortable truth about school funding. 

“The government is not protecting the schools budget against inflation and higher costs.  

“In its response, the government does not seek to challenge the fact that school funding per pupil will be cut in real terms by £2.5bn a year so that schools are worse off by at least 8 per cent per pupil by the end of this Parliament.” 

Huge blaze rips through 'naturist health spa' on high street

Pic:a firefighter tackles the blaze in a sauna
Crime reporter(wp/es):

A huge blaze ripped through a well-known naturist health spa in North London this afternoon.

The fire took hold in a sauna cabin at Rio's, on Kentish Town Road, where singles and couples can go to enjoy spa facilties completely naked.

Four fire engines were tackling the fire at an "outbuilding" as black smoke billowed across neighbouring rooftops.

A London Fire Brigade spokeswoman confirmed the service had been called to the fire at 1pm.

She said: "Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers have been called to a fire in Kentish Town Road, Kentish Town."

She added: "Part of an outbuilding within a walled area is currently alight".

The Brigade took more than 35 calls related to the fire, with crews from Kentish Town, Euston and Hornsey fire stations in attendance.

Rio's, which describes itself as "London's leading naturist health spa", has a swimming pool, saunas and steam rooms as well as tanning showers and private massage rooms.

There were unconfirmed reports of women being evacuated from the spa wearing towels.

Pictures showed a group huddled together near the entrance of Rio's while firefighters tackled the blaze behind the row of shops.

The sauna cabin is located between Raglan Street and Kentish Town High Road.

Pictures from the scene showed a tower of thick black smoke reaching high into the blue sky.

Traffic was moving very slowly on Kentish Town Road and there were warnings of delays.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, said the Brigade.

The sauna was damaged in the fire but fire crews managed to stop it spreading.

Scotland vs England match marred by shocking scenes

Pic:Fans clash at Wembley during Scotland vs England World cup qualifier 
Sports reporter(wp/es):

Shocking video footage captured the moment fights broke out among supporters at Wembley stadium as England defeated Scotland 3-0. 

The video appears to show men throwing punches in a Wembleystand as other supporters try to pull them back. 

The footage, which was sent via Snap Chat, shows the two men lashing out as one man punches the other in the head repeatedly.  

In a separate incident one fan was left bloodied and had to receive medical attention from police and stadium security. 

It came hours after Scottish supporters descended on Trafalgar Square climbing on the iconic lions, swimming in the fountains and littering the landmark with empty beer cans and rubbish.

The fans invaded the square hours after the Armistice Day parade to remember those killed in the First World War. 

Shocked Londoners took to social media to express their disgust. 

One Twitter user wrote: “To the Scotland 'fans' trashing the remembrance tribute in Trafalgar Square, and the public toilets? You're scum.” 

Another user said: “This is how Scottish football fans leave Trafalgar Square on #ArmisticeDay. Don't hold your breath for a condemnation from @NicolaSturgeon!”

One person was arrested in Trafalgar Square on suspicion of common assault, while a second was arrested at Baker Street station on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, police said.

Police were unable to confirm if anyone was arrested at the stadium. 

Wreckage removed after derailment kills seven

Staff reporter(wp/es):

The Croydon tram which crashed killing seven people has been removed from the scene as police probe claims another almost derailed near the location last week.

Six men and one woman died and more than 50 people were injured when the carriages flipped over as they turned around a sharp bend in Croydon during the morning commute on Wednesday.

Among the dead were a mother with two young children, a new father, a teenager and a grandfather on his way to work after swapping shifts.

The tram's driver was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and questioned by investigators who have said the vehicle was travelling "significantly" above the permitted speed.

An operation to remove the 100 feet-long articulated tram began late on Friday, with the sections seen being craned onto a flatbed lorry early on Saturday.

All the wreckage was eventually removed from the site overnight.

The only woman to have been killed in the crash has been named as 35-year-old Dorota Rynkiewicz, a mother with two young daughters from New Addington.

Colleagues who started a crowdfunding page to raise £5,000 for her family said Ms Rynkiewicz was "loved by many people".

Dane Chinnery, 19, from New Addington, was also killed on his way to work at Croydon flood response firm Hydro Cleansing Ltd.

Tributes have also been paid to young father Mark Smith, 35, who worked for his father's double glazing firm.

Father-of-three Philip Seary, 57, who was also known as “Tank”, was also named as one of the tragedy's victims.

The driver of the tram, a 42-year-old man from Beckenham, was released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the crash.

It occurred at around 6.10am on a sharp bend near the Sandilands stop as the vehicle travelled from New Addington to Wimbledon.

Investigators said the tram was travelling at a "significantly higher speed than is permitted" and are probing whether the driver had fallen asleep.

Detectives are also examining a report that a tram "lifted onto one side" at 40mph in the same area on October 31.

British Transport Police said the claim "will now form one of our lines of inquiry".

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has launched a witness appeal, with anyone who was on the tram or has information relevant to the accident being asked to complete an incident form on the organisation's website.

An interim report into what happened will be published by the RAIB next week, with a final report, including any safety recommendations, coming at the conclusion of the investigation.

On Friday an extra minute's silence was held to remember the victims during the town's Armistice Day ceremony.

Croydon MP Gavin Barwell spoke to relatives near the scene where floral tributes and football scarves have been placed.

Authorities are still working on formally identifying the victims, Mr Barwell said.

He said: "It's quite right that the authorities absolutely want to make sure when they give a formal identification that they've got that 100 per cent right."

Prince Harry's girlfriend Meghan Markle spotted in London

Pic:Meghan Markle
Royal correspondent(wp/es):

Prince Harry's girlfriend Meghan Markle has been spotted in London amid unconfirmed reports she is enjoying her first stay at Kensington Palace since their relationship was made public.

The American actress, who stars in hit US television series Suits, is believed to have travelled to the UK to spend time with the prince at his London home.

Reports in America said the 35-year-old broke off from filming to cross the Atlantic to meet up with the prince, telling bosses she had "something important to do".

She was pictured shopping on Kensington High Street before returning to the palace nearby.

Bookmakers are offering odds on when the pair will first be seen in public together, with Harry expected to be in the royal box at Twickenham stadium on Saturday for the match between England and South Africa.

He will lead the nation in remembrance on Friday as he lays a wreath at the National Memorial Arboretum.

On Thursday, he made his first appearance since their secret relationship was made public, visiting Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance.

His relationship with Ms Markle, which began in the summer, was officially confirmed on Tuesday by his communications secretary, Jason Knauf, in a strongly-worded statement which described the "wave of abuse and harassment" she has experienced since rumours of the couple's tryst surfaced.

Mr Knauf revealed the depth of Harry's feelings for his girlfriend when he said in the statement that the Prince was "worried about Ms Markle's safety" and "deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her".

London work visas 'could combat Brexit effect in the capital'

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A groundbreaking plan to allow EU nationals to continue working in London through a capital-specific visa scheme has been proposed by business leaders.

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) wants employers in London to be able to sponsor skilled foreign workers for visas after Britain leaves the EU.

Under the scheme, EU workers would receive London-specific national insurance numbers that prevent them from working elsewhere in the country.

If they left or lost their job there would be a 60-day window to find another one before they are deported.

Sean McKee, LCCI policy director, said: “Our city would collapse without migrants. We need an immigration policy that is slightly different for London.

“The biggest issue by far [for businesses] is skills and staff. It is vital to London’s future that a degree of flexibility is applied if the government amends the UK immigration system.”

There are concerns among London's businesses that Brexit may lead to a shortage of skilled workers in some areas. 

EU nationals currently represent around 25 per cent of London’s workforce, according to a study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research.

If the current immigration rules for non-EU citizens are extended to apply to EU citizens then three quarters of the UK’s EU workforce would not meet the criteria to stay.

However, the government has not yet specified exactly what immigration rules will apply for EU citizens.

As well as a plan for welcoming new mrigant workers to London, the LCCI wants current foreign workers to be given assurances they can remain after Britain leaves the EU.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has confirmed on-going discussions about the possibility of a London work visa.

He previously said: “We are talking to business leaders, businesses, business representatives to see what we can do to make sure London doesn't lose out on the talent, the innovation, the partnership that has let us be the greatest city in the world.”

"The good news is the Government gets it. The good news is in all the conversations I've had with members of the Government, from the Chancellor to the Brexit Secretary to the Foreign Secretary and others in Government, I think they get it."

A spokesman for the mayor told the Financial Times this week he “has been pressing the government to develop a solution to the current failings in the visa system which create too many barriers to London’s businesses".

London voted overwhelming - by 59 per cent - to remain on June 26, prompting calls to declare the capital a separate state to the rest of the UK.

Mr Kahn has dismissed the idea of indpendence for London but in July he launched his ‘London is open’ campaign to encourage visitors and investment to the capital, with the support of leading figures from the world of art, business and sport.

TfL and London Underground staff finally agree on pay deal

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A long-running pay dispute between TfL  and Tube workers has come to end, with unions calling off some threats of Christmas strike action.

The deal, which was hailed a "massive victory” for Tube workers by union bosses, will grant them access pension schemes, pay rises in line with inflation every year until 2019. They will also get extra money for the launch of the Night Tube.

The RMT union described the agreement, reached after “strike action, campaigning and years of resolve”, as "groundbreaking".

It "turns the tide" on the wave of closures of final-salary pensions schemes across the industry, it said.

Mick Cash, RMT union general secretary, said a deal had been secured for “specific disputes with Tube Lines”.

He said: "The dispute over pensions goes back years. This victory proves once again that the RMT model of militant, industrial trade unionism, backed up by professional negotiations and campaigning, gets results where it matters.”

Other disputes are still ongoing.

More than 3,500 Tube station and other staff are currently ballotingfor strikes over jobs and the closure of ticket offices, with the results expected on Tuesday.

In a separate dispute, 400 members of the RMT union are balloting over whether to launch a campaign of industrial action on the Piccadilly Line.

The union said there had been a "wholesale breakdown" of industrial relations on the line, which serves Heathrow Airport.

TfL has been contacted for comment.