Preparations to relieve the pressure on Accident and Emergency units in English hospitals are not good enough, a group of MPs has warned. The Health Select Committee has claimed it was given "confusing" and "contradictory" information about what is being done to prepare NHS hospitals for the cold season, a time that sees higher A & E attendances.
The UK's most senior civil servant has rejected a demand by Labour leader Ed Miliband for an official inquiry into the Conservatives' election strategist Lynton Crosby, following suggestions that he may have influenced government policy.Sir Jeremy Heywood, the cabinet secretary, wrote a letter to Mr Miliband rejecting the need for an enquiry, based on a document that has been produced by the Conservative party in the last few days. The document, outlining the "principles of engagement" between Crosby and the Party was described in the letter from Heywood to Miliband. In it, he writes: "Against this background I do not see what purpose would be served by the enquiry that you propose". Labour are expected to write back to Heywood today.
It has been reported that at least one supporter of Egypt's deposed president Mohammed Morsi was killed in Cairo yesterday during a protest march.
The Muslim Brotherhood has claimed on its website that plain clothes police opened fire using live ammunition early on Wednesday on marching Morsi supporters.
Back in the UK, major banks are set to reveal details of their lending in thousands of local areas. It is hoped that this move will boost credit to homeowners and small businesses, according to the Danny Alexander, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. The Treasury says it will encourage competition by helping smaller lenders to identify gaps in the market, luring other lenders to the shunned areas.
