27/11/2012 BBC News at Ten

Tonight, missing the target. The Major government programme for

getting people back to work. Less than 4% of those on the scheme have

found long to work, but ministers say it is too early to judge.

is over a two year period, so it is on track. I think this programme is

doing well, as expected. But those looking for work have been let down,

according to Labour, who insist the scheme is already a failure.

need responsibility from those on welfare but we need a government

taking its responsibilities to get people into work. Also tonight,

extensive flooding in North Wales where an elderly woman has died

inside a flooded house. The Prime Minister visits one of the worst-

hit villages in Devon and promises to be tough but insurance companies.

The late MP Sir Cyril Smith should have been charged with child abuse,

according to the Crown Prosecution Service. In England's schools, 2

million children get a sub-standard education, says the schools

watchdog. And why this loan of a treasure from the British Museum is

seen as an exciting diplomatic I'll be here with Sportsday later

in the hour on the BBC News channel, including Harry's first game in

charge of QPR. We will have the best of the action from their match

A major new government scheme to find work for the long-term

unemployed has failed to meet a key target. Just 3.5 % of those who

joined the Work Programme found a job which lasted six months or more.

Labour says the scheme is a mess, but ministers claim that is on the

right track. Everything has been going really wrong. Amy is what the

Work Programme is all about. Out of employment for years, she joined

the scheme almost the first day began in the summer of 2011. It

took 12 months to get her job ready. But for the last six, she's been

working as a receptionist. They got me loads of interviews and then

some work placements. It gave me something on my CV. From that, and

where I am now. In a comfortable job where I can easy see myself

growing. The idea is radical. Instead of a taxpayer-funded scheme

to get the long-term unemployed into sustained work, private and

not-for-profit organisations, like the Salvation Army here in

Birmingham, are contracted to do it, paid by the state only if they get

results. It is a critical part of the Government's plans to reform

welfare and boost economic growth. But today we got the official

figures for the first full year of the scheme. That has led plenty to

question whether the Work Programme is actually working. So what do the

figures show? In the first 12 months, 878,000 were referred to

Work programme providers. 31,000 of those were employed for at least

six months. The Government's minimum target was for 5.5 % of the

total to have been helped. Today's figures suggest it is actually 3.5

%, with some saying It's even lower than that. Labour leader Ed

Miliband says the figures are so bad that more people might have

been found work if the scheme didn't exist. These figures show

that the Work Programme isn't working, in fact it's a miserable

failure. The reason it is a miserable failure is because the

government is not showing its responsibilities to make the work

available for people. Government ministers remain convinced the Work

Programme will hit its targets by the end of the second year. But

growth lower than forecast and high unemployment, it has been

particularly difficult to get young people into sustainable jobs, they

say. However, some private sector firms are accused of costing and

have been sent warning letters. Where companies don't succeed, we

have the contract set so that other companies can expand to spill that

face -- fill that space. So the other companies can take over the

contracts if the others don't succeed. Homeless a few months ago,

a housing association contracted under the Work Programme recently

helped Sammut find a much-needed jobs. He works between 11:30pm and

3am washing dishes at a distribution centre in Burton-upon-

Trent, a small step for some but a giant leap for him. Look at me, I

now have two jobs and a flat thanks to the Work Programme helping me

out. Everyone says a job is just a job but it's not, it's a lifestyle.

More recent figures will see the numbers on the scheme employed for

over six months more than double, putting the Work Programme back on

track. For Sam and a million others, it's not about numbers, it's about

turning lives around. Where does this leave one of the Government's

major reforms? How do you see it and how damaging of these figures

today? In public, ministers insist everything is on track but in

private there is more concerned. Once you strip away the arguments

about which statistics you choose, it's pretty clear that at best

there are big teething problems for this scheme. At worst, it's just

not working properly. It matters because this is a big experiment.

They want to take this idea of taking the private sector and it

delivering services and paying them by results, they want to use it in

other areas. They want to use it to stop prisoners reoffending, to stop

drug addicts going back on drugs. If there are doubts about the basic

model, Camber companies deliver? That is a big problem. More

importantly, this is one of the Government's big tickets of public

sector reforms. This is what this government came into being to do.

It's to take people off the unemployment Rowland into work.

They want to tackle the benefits bill, they want to deal with the

deficit. There's a huge amount at stake. This is a government that

wants to go to the next election and so it has reformed education,

health and, yes, it has reformed welfare. On the basis of today's

figures, that as -- that last issue is very much a work in progress.

elderly woman has been found dead in her flooded home in St Asaph in

North Wales. Hundreds of families were told it was too dangerous to

stay in their homes, as the River Elwy rose to record levels.

Torrential rain is expected to ease but there's a continued threat of

flooding in the north-east of England and in Northamptonshire.

The Environment Agency has issued two severe flood warnings in North

Wales and 171 warnings across England and Wales. More than 1000

homes have now been flooded. From St Asaph tonight, let's turn our

correspondent. The very first people started

arriving at this emergency evacuation centre in the early

hours of this morning. Tonight, more people are arriving, bringing

in gifts of food, clothes, bedding, shoes, anything to help the

hundreds of people forced from their homes in the last 24 hours.

It has been a testing day in North Wales, and won many people in St

Asaph will never forget. A city surrounded. This morning the

streets of St Asso have turned into waterways. Its people had to find a

way out. Evacuation teams went from door to door trying to help the

frail and vulnerable. Their own pictures show best the challenges

they faced. 76-year-old Macworld and made it to dry land with his

bags full of medication. -- Mike Weldon. The water had reached chest

height. They did a great job. They took a window out and pushed me

through it. But not everyone can be rescued in time. At another home,

workers discovered the body of an elderly woman. Late into the

afternoon, people are still being brought out of the houses using

lifeboats. The crews of going round door-to-door, just to check that

they haven't left anyone out. River levels have now dropped but flood

defences were found wanting. Many here want to know how they were

overwhelmed. Ultimately, in the face of that level of rainfall and

those volumes of water coming down the valley, it is very difficult to

see how the defences could have stood up to those. 15 miles away

upstream in Rothen, that answer might not please everyone. This

escape - that this estate, like so many houses, was built on the flood

plain. Over the border in Gloucestershire, this family had

been stuck in their home for a day before the fire service could reach

them. North in Pickering, more than 50 houses are at risk from rising

waters. Nearby, in the City of York, new flood defences helped hold back

the full force of the River Ouse. The Prime Minister made his first

visit to Devon since the floods there. A deal between the

government and insurance companies to ensure affordable premiums is

still being hammered out. I'm sure we will do a deal, we are

negotiating at the moment. We need to take a tougher approach. It's

important that insurance companies do what they are meant to, which is

provide insurance to households. We will make sure that happens. Some

families in St Asaph are still working out where they will spend

tonight. This may have been a once- in-a-lifetime flood, but the next

few weeks may be just as hard. Tonight, emergency crews are still

going from house to flooded house, to ensure that they have found

every vulnerable person in St Asaph. Meanwhile, those forced from their

homes have been asked not to return until they've been told it is

entirely safe. The former Liberal Democrat MP, the late Sir Cyril

Smith, should have been prosecuted for child abuse. That is the view

of the Crown Prosecution Service, which has reviewed claims of

physical and sexual abuse made by eight men some 40 years ago. They

accused him of abusing them as teenagers, but prosecutors at the

time took no action as they considered a successful prosecution

unlikely. Do you want a man to represent you or do you want a

party robot? Sir Cyril Smith was one of the most famous politicians

of his generation. But if he was still alive today, prosecutors say

the former Liberal MP would be facing jail for indecently

assaulting boys. Barry Fitton was one of eight men had told police in

1970 that Cyril Smith had sexually abused them as teenagers at a

Rochdale children's home. He pulled me over his knee, spanked me and

then after that it was, there, there, it had to be done. You will

know better not to skip off work next time. We now know that

prosecutors and police a letter saying any charges of indecent

assault foundered on these allegations, as well as being

somewhat stale, would be, in my view, completely without

corroboration. Further, the characters of some of these young

men would be likely to render their evidence suspect. But prosecutors

now say a change in law and attitudes means if the same

evidence was presented to the CPS today, there would have been a very

realistic prospect that Smith would have been charged with a number of

indecent assault. 15 years ago, a high-profile inquiry into abuse at

children's homes in Wales prompted victims of alleged abuse elsewhere

to come forward. Again, Cyril Smith's accusers were questioned.

But again it was decided there was no chance of conviction. In the end

of what the revelations about Jimmy Savile that sparked the latest

review of the civil slipcase. The current MP for Rochdale says

today's announcement is too late. There are serious suggestions from

other victims that I've met that Smith felt empowered because he

hadn't been prosecuted. He felt empowered to continue to abuse

others as well. Tonight, the family of Cyril Smith said it was saddened

and concerned by the allegations. And his death in 2010 men to was no

longer able to defend himself from them. Greater Manchester Police

said investigations were continuing. In a statement, but also expressed

sympathy with victims who it said would never now see justice done in

court. More than 2 million children in England are not getting an

acceptable education, according to the schools inspectorate, Ofsted.

It says that in some areas, pupils face a less than 50 % chance of

being taught at a good school, and that the gap in educational

standards between the worst and best areas in England is completely

Two local authorities in Camden in north London children have the best

chance of getting in a good primary school. In Coventry they're least

likely to get the same. That's according to the Ofsted annual

report and it wants to know why. This is Clifford Bridge primary

school in Coventry. Placed in special measures in 2011, that

means it was considered to be failing. The Local Education

Authority brought in Kim Docking from a school in the City doing

well. It's a partnership that's bringing results, but she's

concerned the bottom ranking in Coventry could undermine her.

would never say to a quield, "You are the worst and bottom of the

pile." You know the impact that would have on that child and yet it

appears to be all right for Ofsted to do that to us. I fail to see how

that will get the best out of schools. Coventry City council says

it has a programme in place that is already showing progress. This

report says across the country, more than two million children have

been taught in schools that aren't good enough. Ofsted says that

overought schools are improving, but -- overall schools are

improving, but standards are widening. For the first time, it's

published comparisons, that show a primary school child has on average

a 69% chance of being in a good or outstanding school. In Coventry

that falls to 42% and in Camden it's 92%. My airing what is

happening and making it public, giving this information to the

people who really matter, that's parents, and those who use the

education system, we hopefully will improve schools and colleges.

Parents here had mixed views on how useful the comparisons are for them.

As parent, yes, it's definitely useful to find out what's happening.

Shall I move to Sheffield? Take my child there? This school is

improving through work with the local authority, but the National

Union of Teachers Ofsted rankings could force other schools into

academies. The former Director- General of the BBC, George

Entwistle, is said to have asked for a bigger pay-off than the one

he was given, when he resigned earlier this month. The revelation

was made by Lord Patten, during questioning by a Parliamentary

committee. He said he agreed a pay- off of �450,000 after taking legal

advice. The exchanges were testy at times, as our correspondent, David

Sillito, reports. The BBC, the buck stops with the chairman and Lord

Patten was facing questions about George Entwistle. He said the

former Director-General was honourable, but one MP wondered how

did that square with him, demanding �450,000. Do you think honourable

is the appropriate term to be used? You Noye the easiest thing and I

made this point yesterday, is to join in the general trashing of a

decent man. I'm not going to do that. But he admitted he had no

choice. Sacking him in a claim for unfair dismissal would have cost

�530,000. Then it emerged that George Entwistle had asked for even

more. How much? Did he have eyes on �670,000 paid to another former

boss? Did he ask for a Thompson, two years? No, he didn't ask for

two years, but he did ask for more. I think that's for him and his

lawyers. Two hours in, his question got around to the commitment to his

job. Can we have a copy of your itinerary on a regular basis about

the work you do and how many hours you spend and where you're doing

your work? Certainly not. Why not? Because I think it's a thoroughly

imper nant question. He wouldn't say how many days he worked, but an

hour-by-hour diary no. If fault is found with George Entwistle the

inquiries will be seeking some of that money back. Coming up on

tonight's programme - after the Lance Armstrong scandal, the head

of the world anti-doping watchdog says it's time for a wider

crackdown across sport. We are saying you have a cheek when you

are cheating and if you know you're ever likely to have to give a blood

sample. The couple from Rotherham,who had three foster

children removed from their care, because they are members of the UK

Independence Party, have demanded an apology from the local authority.

In their first television interview, they told the BBC that they felt

bereft. The council has said it will co-operate fully with an

inquiry ordered by the Education Secretary, as our correspondent, Ed

Thomas, reports. Indefensible and wrong. Words used to describe what

social workers did here in Rotherham. Today, the foster

parents who had three European migrant children taken away,

because they were UKIP supporters, said they had been left bereft. We

can't show their faces and have stkpwieded their voices to protect

the -- disguised their voices to protect the identity of the

children. You are only humanitarian reason and you love these children.

I went from having a baby in my arms to having nothing. When the

children were removed, what did social workers say to you two?

were shocked. They told us that the policies that UKIP had were well

known as racist. Did you give social workers cause for concern

with your views on immigration and racism? Absolutely not. We have no

strong opinions on immigration. Basically we don't know much about

politics. All we know is we agree with UKIP about getting out of the

EU. The Labour leader of the council wouldn't speak on camera

yesterday, but in a statement council Roger Stone said the

council would be open and transparent. He'll give an internal

report to the Education Secretary, Michael Gove and also said being a

member of UKIP should not present anyone from fostering. All of this

is just two days before a by- election here in Rotherham. Some

worry this is now becoming a political issue and an issue that's

overshadowing the welfare of these children. Children that this couple

believe should never have been taken away. I want an apology.

Officials lost sight of how they were treating the children. How can

politics be an issue? All children want to be in nurtured and loved.

To become adults to take their place in society. The couple now

want to foster again. As for the children, they're said to be safe

and well, unaware of what is happening around them. Tens of

thousands of Egyptians have gathered in Cairo for an opposition

rally against President Mursi's decision to grant himself sweeping

new powers. Opposition supporters clashed with police near Tahrir

Square. President Mursi has tried to defuse the crisis by insisting

his new powers are limited. But opponents want him to withdraw his

decree completely. A lack of blood testing in global sport is sending

a dreadful message and encouraging cheats, according to John Fahey,

President of the World Anti-Doping Agency. He accused football and

other sports of a failure of leadership. Many banned drugs can

only be detected by blood tests and the agency wants a radical increase

in the number of tests being carried out. Our sports editor,

David Bond, has the story. Lance Armstrong is now the toxic symbol

of cycling's failure to tackle the threat of drugs, but the fallout is

posing serious questions for all sports in the fight against doping.

Armstrong showed the gruesome lengths some athletes will go to,

an nip lating his own blood to evade detection. -- manipulating

his own blood to evade detection. The key is more blood tests, which

are more effective in catching cheats using human growth hormone.

The head of the agency said without tough action, the battle will be

lost. We are wasting our time and letting people through the loop and

we're saying you've got an immunity to cheat. If they know that there's

a very remote likelihood that they'll ever have to give a blood

sample and that doesn't work for any programme. When it comes to

blood testing, the difference between sports is stark. For all

its problems, cycling is setting an example. Last year, 35% of its

samples sent to labs were blood. Athletics too has made strides,

with 17%. But many big sports, all of which feature at the Olympics,

are lagging behind. Blood made up less than 3% in football, tennis

and boxing. Many blame the high costs. We have to keep trying with

blood, otherwise we are giving a licence to dope to certain cheats

that might be using human growth hormone. When you look at some of

the sports, they are rich, they can afford it? Yes. Is that not a

failure on the part of leadership in football? I can't argue.

it's not just the administrators raising concerns. US Open champion,

Andy Murray and Roger Federer, both warned recently about the levels of

blood testing in tennis. Those running the sport say they are

listening. What we are doing, we do well. But, if there are areas where

we think that we could improve things, I think it would be fair to

say we would look at the number of samples we are collecting and try

to increase that as a proportion in the future. Public confidence in

our sporting heroes has been badly shaken by the Lance Armstrong

scandal. A doping conspiracy on this scale may never be repeated,

but sport can't afford to take any chances. One of the British

Museum's most ancient treasures is to be loaned to the United States

for the first time. It's the Cyrus Cylinder, which is more than 2,500

years old. Historians regard it as the world's first declaration of

human rights. It's recently been on loan to the National Museum of Iran

and it's hoped that the new loan to the USA will promote cultural

understanding between Iran and America, as Will Gompertz explains.

It's ten inches long, resembles a corn on the cob and has seen better

days, but take a closer look at the Cyrus Cylinder and you'll see the

artefact has a message on the surface. Written in Babylonian

writing, it is said to be the first declaration of human rights as said

out by the first%ian king. Here it is. It was buried under a wall in

Babylon, which is now part of modern-day Iraq. It stayed there

until 1879, when archeologists from this place, the British Museum,

discovered it. They gave it a clean and sent it home to be put on

public display. It's an ancient object, with, according to the

director, significant contemporary relevance. In this cylinder, in

this inscription on a bit of clay, made in Babylon 2500 years ago, you

have the first real articulation of the rights of peoples to be free

and to have their religions. It is and has remained, one of the key

documents in the history of the Middle East. Without that long

history, the current situation just doesn't make sense. In 2010 it was

lent to the National Museum of Iran, where it was seen by over one

million people. Next year it's off on a tour of America. Such activity

has become known as culture diplomacy, but artefacts and not

politicians are used to improve international relations. Everybody

would endorse the ideals that he articulates in the cylinder. They

are universal ideals of human freedoms and that's a unifying

thing. Which makes sending it fragile, ancient object on a world

tour, from the Middle East to the American West, an act of culture