Britannia Radio

Sunday, 05 July 2009 Town Halls Urged to Raise Fees for Motorists and Leisure Centres 'A series of presentations at a recent conference hosted by the Local Government Association (LGA) saw councillors briefed on the best way to increase takings from fees and charges "in an economic downturn". As well as facing further hikes in the cost of parking spaces, people using council-run leisure centres and those who undertake property-related searches could be hit with increased charges.' Read more...

Sunday, 05 July 2009 Couple Lose Custody of Children After 'School Security Concerns' 'The man, a business consultant, was concerned that two of his three children – who are all under 13 – might be at risk of abduction because of the family's connections. Telling the school that the children were related to European royalty and that his brother was a senior Army officer, the father is said to have asked for permission – which was granted – to pick up his children inside the two schools attended by his eldest children. However, one of the head teachers went to the police because of her "concerns". This led to the parents' background being investigated and concerns being raised, initially over the father's mental state and then for the safety of his children. Lord Monckton, who has investigated the allegations, described the episode as "the worst case of child abduction by social services that I have ever come across".' Read more...

Sunday, 05 July 2009 Tony Blair: 'I’m a Planet-saving Kinda Guy' 'The silence from Tony Blair is so long it’s embarrassing. He has just spent 15 minutes enthusing about his new global report about how technology can help the world to combat climate change when the obvious question arose: what has he done to make his own life more sustainable?  Er . . . (long silence) . . . “We’ve got solar panels on our house.” Which one (he has a handful)? “The London one.”  Another long silence, then an aide mentions the offsets: “Ah yes, we offset our travel, too.” More silence: “And we have some home insulation.”It is an awkward interlude. Blair is about to launch himself onto the world stage in yet another new role: as an evangelist for world-saving green technology. Tomorrow he will launch Technology for a Low Carbon Future, a report put together with the Climate Group, setting out his arguments. Since it has been months in the making, the lack of prepared answers about his own life is odd.' Read more...

Sunday, 05 July 2009 Saudis Give Nod to Israeli Raid on Iran 'The head of Mossad, Israel’s overseas intelligence service, has assured Benjamin Netanyahu, its prime minister, that Saudi Arabia would turn a blind eye to Israeli jets flying over the kingdom during any future raid on Iran’s nuclear sites. Earlier this year Meir Dagan, Mossad’s director since 2002, held secret talks with Saudi officials to discuss the possibility.' Read more...

Sunday, 05 July 2009 How the Royals are Ripping Off the British Taxpayer Once Again 'Prince Andrew has been granted “sweetheart” property deals with the Crown Estate which have made him millions of pounds and secured a rent-free royal residence for his two daughters. A Sunday Times investigation has found the Crown Estate has been privately offering the royals bargain deals at taxpayers’ expense. The statutory body manages land and property owned by the crown but has an obligation to protect the interests of taxpayers. The bargains on the royal portfolio include: The sale of the Crown Estate freehold of Andrew’s former marital home, Sunninghill Park, for £12,265 in August 2003. The property was subsequently sold by Andrew for £15m and now lies abandoned. A 75-year lease on Royal Lodge, the Queen Mother’s former home in Windsor Great Park, for £1m. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie can inherit the lease on the 30-room mansion and live there rent-free until 2078. A 150-year lease for Prince Edward on Bagshot Park for £5m. Property agents say the imposing mansion would have fetched up to £30m on the open market.' Read more...