07/11/2013 BBC London News

Tonight on BBC London News. New revelations about London's school

places crisis. The areas with the biggest problems are revealed. Also

tonight. The site has taken three years to build, and you can see

why. Finally this morning the first ship came in, carrying hundreds of

containers, all the City Hall calls for the Mayor to have greater powers

over prisons and the probation service. And we talk to Strictly's

Len on his childhood, and memories of east London. There was an

atmosphere about London. I was working in Bethnal Green. It is

almost like `` when I grew up in Bethnal Green Good evening. We know

that London is facing a crisis of school places, and today we've

learned the areas where the problem is most acute. A new website,

launched by City Hall, reveals that in four years' time there'll be a

100,000 more school age children in the capital. And several parts of

London will see increases of more than 50%. One ward in Greenwich is

expected to see a 73% increase in the number of young children over

the next four years. There are now fears that the website will

encourage so called "pushy parents" to buy houses in the best areas for

schools whilst the fundamental problem, a lack of places, goes

unaddressed. Here's Marc Ashdown. A new free school in Hackney with a

music specialism catering for 100 music specialism catering for 100

pupils and it has gone some way to easing the shortage of spaces in the

borough, but the picture across the capital has been sketchy with some

councils less than it depends on the borough. We are we hang on if we can

share it in a transparent way, that will could this help, and it reveals

catchment travel it also shows other big creases are expected in

Colindale. It all adds up to a headache for it is hugely important

because there are a big crisis in providing enough school Providing.

It is also about parents being able to make informed decisions.

Ultimately, it is places which are needed. Free schools are currently

the favoured option, and this can only help. Any group wanting to set

up a free school has to prove demand in their area, and this will help

them do that, whether it be a lack of food laces, or information about

how far pupils have to travel to their current schools. In places

like Greenwich, parents are already desperate, stressing out over

places. Definitely. With my daughter, she suffered. She was

sitting at home for two or three months. I know of people who have

had problems where literally there are cold calling until they find a

place, it is that bad. This new information shows it is not getting

any better. The problem is clear. Now, we need solutions. On that

note, how much of a step is this, in addressing the crisis? education is

about data. Parents, and into the Department for Education itself

comic roles out to justify every policy. It is the first time we have

had all the data in one access it without calling councils. And policy

makers as well can target new places where they are most needed. That has

been one of the criticisms of free schools always, opening places where

they are this is the sort of thing estate agents will love. Letting

parents and create housing bubbles. We knew about the 100,000 figure for

a while, and it shows exactly where the problems are acute. The next

step, what everybody wants to see is Today marked a new era for the River

Thames, as the UK's newest deep`sea container port opened. London

Gateway has been built by the Dubai owned company DP World, at a cost of

?1.5 billion. It is claimed that the port will be capable of, dating 3.5

million containers each year, and that the development will create

27,000 jobs for the region. The company says the gateway will cut

the cost of transporting goods to the south`east are significantly.

The first time a ship has docked at the London Gateway, a big day for

the new port, and for the old River. Large ships could never get this far

down the Thames before, but this is now the deepest terminal in the UK.

We are an island nation, 90% of our trade it is sometimes a bit of a

mystery, how the supermarkets get full, but if we cannot handle the

biggest container ships in the world, we will become dependent on

somebody else's help. 100 kilometres of river has had to be dredged to

make the terminal 23 metres deep. `` hub. It has taken three years to

build, and you can see why. It is absolutely huge. Finally this

morning, the first ports, and the containers were brought to London by

Laurie. It is hoped the new site will reduce fuel costs. That has led

to concern that the London Gateway could bring business away from other

ports. Those behind the project say today is about more than a photo

opportunity. It is a new start for some of its 2000 employees. I used

to work in an office in freight forwarding. I have done the same job

since I left school. I wanted a career change, working outside,

instead of sitting typing away. And this is just the start of change.

There are going to be six terminals here. There will be other

developments along the Thames as well. This means more jobs on the

horizon. A man has been convicted of murdering his partner's

three`year`old nephew after he wet the bed they were sharing. The man

from Bromley left the victim with injuries to his ribs so severe, it

looked as if he had been in a car crash. He will be sentenced later

this month. Letting agents prepared to disconnect against tenants on

racial grounds must be stamped out by the Office of Fair Trading, says

a local council. Street protests erupted after a BBC investigation

found numerous firms which were prepared to discriminate against

Afro`Caribbean tenants on behalf of landlords. The OFT has now been

urged to take action. The estate agents deny wrongdoing. A man dubbed

the M25 rapist, Antoni Imiela, has lost his bid to appeal against his

conviction for a rape on Christmas Day 1987. He was convicted using

improved DNA techniques. At the Court of Appeal, is barrister argued

that evidence about earlier convictions had been prejudicial to

jurors, but the judge said evidence of the convictions was probably

admitted. `` properly admitted. The Royal Brompton Hospital trying

to Bridger has spent another birthday

at the Royal Brompton. She lives with cystic fibrosis and has been a

hospitals are the best part of a `` has been in the hospital. The unit

is a life`saver it is no longer the best place to carry the team

In the old days, this was how they raised money for hospitals, but no

amount of charity balls will work this time. Instead, the Brompton is

to sell off some of its land and sites. This wing will go, and the

aim is to raise half ?1 billion to pay for the new hospital. We are

fortunate that we have assets in a valuable location such as Chelsea,

which will enable us, hopefully once we get the planning consent, to

be able to reinvest back every penny of it into the hospital facilities.

This blog will eventually make way for the new hospital. The decision

to build here came after bosses looked at more than 40 sites. But is

there another obstacle in the wake as the NHS is currently deciding if

Brompton should be allowed to carry on doing congenital heart surgery,

as part of a national review. If the Government comes back and says, we

do not think you should be doing children's heart surgery here, does

it still holds true, does it make the plan in viable? It does, but we

hope and we do not expect that it will not happen. What he does expect

is a better future for his hospital and for his patients. The mayor

wants new powers over the capital's Krul justice system. At the moment

he has oversight over the Metropolitan Police, Boris Johnson

believes he would have more impact on crime reduction if you have more

powers. City Hall are presenting this as a kind of logical extension

of what happens now. Crime reduction strategy is not just about solving

crime and putting criminals behind bars, it is about ensuring there

will not make crime in the future. And what Stephen greenhouse, the

deputy mayor for the, has suggested today, is that there should be an

enhanced role for City Hall, there should be oversight and budgetary

control given to the mayor and his dignity over the courts, over the

probation service and over the whole issue of criminal justice. It has

been suggested in some quarters that this could one day lead to hiring

and firing of prison governors or the right of the mayor to open his

own units for young offenders and so on. The deputy is stressing, it is

not about directly running things, it is about providing a strategic

oversight. `` the deputy may. `` the deputy mayor. That is the way that

you get good governance. We have it for the Met, and we are requesting a

similar role for the wider criminal justice system. How is this going

down with government? The response from the Home Office today was the

kind of response we have been getting used to, when the mayor is

proposing further territorial grabs, if you like ` not ruling it

out, by any means. They are saying that the Police and Crime

Commissioners, along with the mayor and his deputy, have been doing good

work. The Home Office says it is prepared to look at examples where

those powers might be extended, and where it might well work. Still to

come before seven o'clock ` I will be speaking to the lovely Len

Goodman. I will be speaking about my new book about London.

A group of charity volunteers from east London are calling on the

Foreign Office for help after 33 Foreign Office for help after 33

tonnes of food aid destined for Syrian refugees in Jordan has been

held up for weeks by customs officials. The authorities dare say

the food is damaged and out of date. But the group Food for Syria say it

cannot all be unusable. Secunder Kermani reports. Hundreds of people

volunteered their time and money to this project, collecting food for

those fleeing the Syrian conflict. The food was meant to end up in

refugee camps in Jordan, neighbouring Syria. It left the UK

in August, passing through the Mediterranean, arriving in Jordan in

early September. It has been stuck with Jordanian Customs ever since.

There is more aid (London as well. There is tonnes of baby milk sitting

here doing nothing. You can see these bikes, they should be with

Syrian children. Photos from Jordan show some of the food is damaged or

out of date. The authorities say this is the case with the majority

of the goods, so they may have to be destroyed. The founder of Food for

Syria has been asked to pay large fines. He thinks he has been taken

advantage of. Most of the food items are proper, heavy duty tins.

Inspection was carried out by Tower Hamlets council. The Jordanian

authorities say they cannot take any risks with contaminated food being

handed out. Those involved in donating and packing the food say

they are hugely frustrated. We do not see why it should not get to the

children who need it. I cannot say any more, but it is really, really

disappointing. I have images of women, children, the elderly, giving

me donations and money, and trusting me with all this stuff, and I

haven't delivered their wishes because of bureaucracy. The charity

have asked the Foreign Office for their help, although they have told

us it is a matter for the Jordanian authorities. Food for Syria say all

they want is for the aid they have collected to be given to the people

who need it. Now, today is London Poppy Day, when people across the

capital are urged to dig deep to raise money for the Armed Forces and

war veterans. The aim is ?1 million in donations in a single day. Covent

Garden is one of the focal points of the fundraising. Our special

correspondent Kurt Barling is also there. You join me at Covent Garden,

where it all started this morning at half past seven. We are in the midst

of a rock concert which is bringing to the end a day which has been

called London Poppy Day. People have been out in their thousands, trying

to raise money for veterans. This morning, bright and early, Covent

Garden was hosting a spectacular cast. It is London Poppy Day, and we

are in Covent Garden, with the Army, the Navy, the air force, it is

wonderful. We are going to raise ?1 million. We might get more. Do you

think it matters that we come together as a community? Yes, Brits

do, as you well know. A lot changed about Britain, but not our hearts,

we still give. Today is not just about the commemoration of the

fallen, but about providing the resources for veterans like David,

whose journey to acquire the London cabbie's knowledge was supported by

the British Legion. Without their support, I would not at one point,

they purchased a new motorbike for me within days so that I could carry

on with my transition back into civilian life. Always trying to find

new ways of connecting with younger generations, the British Legion has

been busy on the design front. This year you have got a bit of bullying

going on. Do you want some? I would not mind. Yes, it we have got these

different versions of the poppy. not mind. Yes, it we have got these

different versions of the poppy. Some people, like my wife, love the

glittery stuff, so you can buy it online, although time is running

out. On it travels around the capital, the Poppy Appeal bus picked

up some and expect the passengers. It was all a reminder that this day

brings together all Britain's to remember those in the armed services

who sacrificed their lives and those who still need support. Back at

Covent Garden, you can see the rock concert is still going on. It has

been a day of fundraising and fun, so how has it been? It has been

fantastic. On behalf of everybody at London Poppy Day, I would like to

say a big thank you to the general public of London, who have been

phenomenal. Have you been surprised by the level of support you have

got? Every year we think we cannot be surprised any more, but we are.

This year it has been just fantastic. You have seen us with the

juke and Duchess of Cambridge. We are heading towards our first

?500,000, and in terms of where we were last year, this puts us well on

track for making ?1 million. We are really starting to drive through to

the finish. Of course, that is cash, but you have got other pledges as

well? Yes. Many people are saying, corporate people, that they will

match what they collect in their offices today. It is going to be

great. I would ask London just to go that last distance to get us there.

October joining us. It has been a great day so far. The money is still

rolling in. We will get the answers to how much tomorrow just ``

tomorrow. . Thanks to his role on Strictly Come Dancing, he is now one

of the most famous faces on television. Len Goodman started life

in Bethnal Green, growing up in a family of greengrocers. He has put

together a book of photographs and memories of the era. He has been

telling Brenda Emmanus all about it. I must say, what you did, you

did well, it is a tough times... it. I must say, what you did, you

did well, it is a tough times.. He did well, it is a tough times... He

is the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing, but his passion is not

eliminated limited to that. His new book is a personal journey of shared

memories and archive photographs. I started looking at one time, every

part of Britain, Streatham, Tottenham, Hammersmith, every part

of London had a ballroom, so I started looking at them. When I left

school, I worked in the docks, and I started looking at how the docks

were and how they are now, and just going through it, it evokes so many

wonderful memories of growing up. Seen here on the left, he spent his

early childhood in the East end and early childhood in the East end, and

relished its community spirit. There was an atmosphere about London back

then. Back in Bethnal Green, it was almost like a village. The road I

lived in, every door was always open and you could go in to one of your

mates was now houses and you were five or six and have some bread and

jam and they would come to your place. Every part was like a little

village community. London's pubs, clubs and cinemas were central to

his social life . for social nights out, all roads lead to the West End,

but thanks to Strictly, he is now a jet set. What has made it so

popular? It is like an old`fashioned variety show. There is dancing,

singing, telling a few jokes. Outside of it is nice. But I think

the viewers, and myself, you get to know the person more. How hard did

you work when you were starting your career, were you as committed? Oh

yes, once you turn professional it becomes like a job. You go in at

nine, practised till 12, go and have a sandwich, then come back, then

teach in the evenings. Now, his commitment is to strip Li. I have

not been everywhere in the world, but I have been around a bit. This

is sincere ` London is the best city in the world. I will drink to that!

Len Goodman chatting to Brenda Emmanus. I might even gives you

marks out of ten for the weather. Well, there is a bit of an autumn

chill in the air this evening. Well, there is a bit of an autumn

chill in There is a lot of them, I chill in There is a lot of them, I

allowed, but not enough of it to stop it getting even colder tonight.

`` hi cloud. It is likely to get cold enough in a few spots for a

touch of frost. Tomorrow, a cold but bright start to the day. Cloudy

skies by the afternoon. Maximum temperatures, around 11. That

thickening cloud will bring us some rain, just in time for the early

evening rush`hour on Friday. Some of it will be getting quite heavy.

Tomorrow night, the skies will clear, and if anything, Friday night

is going to be colder than tonight. Remember the numbers in the little

boxes that I show you on the weather map come those are the air

temperatures, about one metre above the ground. Down at ground level, I

think temperatures will be close to or below freezing. And if there is

any dampness left from that Wayne, then there could be the odd icy

patch around. Yes, we have got to that time of year. Some of the

showers on Saturday will be quite heavy. Last night I was suggesting

that Sunday would be mild, dull and damp, well, things have slowed up

out over the Atlantic, so the forecast for Sunday now is for

Adrian, bright day, but it is likely to be rather cold at the Cenotaph at

11. Just before we go, the main

headlines... Britain's top spy chiefs say revelations by Edward

Snowden have damaged the UK's security. Today's Parliamentary

committee hearing was the first time the heads of MI5, MI6 and GCHQ have

appeared together in public. A military court has released a

recording of the moment three Royal Marines are alleged to have murdered

an Afghan prisoner. One Marine can be heard offering to shoot the

Afghan in the head. Afterwards, a gunshot is heard. All three have

pleaded not guilty. Parts of London face soaring demand for school

places, according to a new website from City Hall. It is estimated the

number of school`aged children will rise by 100,000 in the next four

years. And the UK's newest deep`sea container port has opened in Essex.

The London Gateway is expected to reduce transportation costs and

create thousands of new jobs. That is it for now. Thank you very much

for joining us. We will be back during the Ten O'Clock News.