18/12/2012 BBC News at One

The Queen becomes the first monarch to attend Cabinet in peacetime

since 1781. She arrived at Downing Street this morning for the weekly

briefing and was presented with 60 place mats as a gift to mark her 60

years on the throne. The end of the Metropolitan Police

warns against jumping to conclusions after a police officer

is arrested over newspaper legs about the former Chief Whip Andrew

Mitchell. There is more to this than meets the eye, and I am

constrained in explaining that. I hope that when people hear the full

story, they will support what we have done.

The care system is failing young offenders, says a damning new

report. The Newtown school shootings, now

two pro-gun US senators are calling for changes to the gun laws.

even as an NRA member, believe enough is enough, we need to come

to the table and end up with an appropriate restriction.

And a missing part of his Anglo- Saxon horde is among almost 100 new

treasures unearthed in a Staffordshire field.

Later on BBC London, two teenagers are given life sentences for

murdering a schoolboy. And a BBC investigation reveals there has

been a third unexpected debt at a privately run hospital in Stevenage.

Good afternoon and welcome to the BBC News at One. The Queen has

become the first peacetime monarch since the 18th century to attend

Cabinet. She went to the briefly -- weekly briefing in Downing Street

as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. She was introduced to

the cavernous by Prime Minister and sat in David Cameron's usual chair.

-- introduced to the Cabinet. The last monarch to attend on a

regular basis was Queen Anne at the beginning of the 18th century. Her

successor cannot be bothered because he could not speak English.

The last monarch to attend at all was George the Third. This morning,

a symbolic moment of history, recalling an earlier age. There was

a time when this was how Britain was governed by the monarch

presiding over a meeting of ministers, but that has not been

the way of things for nearly 300 years now. Downing Street has been

studying the historical record. last time this happened was in 1781

during the American War of Independence. The Queen sat in a

chair normally occupied by the Prime Minister. The meeting started

with a briefing on parliamentary business and one villa in

particular. Following its introduction last Thursday, we have

provisionally scheduled it for January. The Queen watched and

listened. Did she detect any Cabinet rivalries, any tensions

between coalition partners? If she did, you can be sure we will never

know about it. It may be the first time she has seen a British Cabinet

in session, but after 60 years she knows better than anyone had to

keep a secret. And in the year of the Diamond Jubilee, there was a

gift from the cabinet. Not one of the gold bars she reminded the

Chancellor she had seen last week at the Bank of England... I saw the

gold bars. We have still got some left! But the Diamond Jubilee,

marking 60 years of her reign, meant the cabinet had had a

collection and they bought 60 place mats. We are told that the Queen

spoke briefly twice during the Cabinet meeting. She urged them to

keep the Queen's Speech as short as possible and she wished them all

happy Christmas. In addition to the 60 place mats, she has also had

part of the British Antarctic territory named after, 169,000

square miles of Antarctica will help its 4th be known as Queen

Elizabeth land. -- henceforth be known of.

A police officer has claimed that he witnessed a row outside Downing

Street involving the former Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell is to be

investigated by the Police Complaints Commission. The officer

was arrested at the weekend on suspicion of misconduct. This

morning the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe,

said people should not jump to conclusions and there was more to

the investigation than meets the eye. Here is political

correspondent Robin Brant. Andrew Mitchell was a senior member

of government, but a confrontation one night in September ended his

Cabinet career. There was an exchange with an armed officer over

which 80 good used to cycle out of Downing Street. -- which date he

could use. It was claimed he called the officer a Clegg and a moron. He

was forced to resign. The exchange that is day... Andrew Mitchell said

he never caught the officer a Clegg or a moron. There has been a leak

inquiry. -- Clegg. Over the weekend there was an arrest, and now more

detail about why a serving police The police claimed they witnessed

the Exchange in September. There is more to this than meets the eye,

and I hope that when people hear the full story, they will support

what we have done. In spite of the dramatic 10, it does not clear

Andrew Mitchell on the claims about what he said, because the

commission has also said that this development has not really affected

the original account of the officers who were there at the time.

So the dispute about what Mr Mitchell said that night in

The rate of inflation is unchanged in November. It stayed at 2.7%, but

analysts expect inflation to rise again this month as higher gas and

electricity charges kick in. Here is chief economics correspondent

Hugh Pym. With Christmas coming up, most

families do not want to think too hard about the cost of living, and

these visitors to a traditional festive event in Hampshire were

certainly enjoying themselves. But it is hard to escape the bills for

shopping, driving and around the house. The price of milk, bread,

everything has gone up quite significantly, but we are saving

quite a lot, putting money aside to save for bigger things like

holidays. It is not just household, what we can provide in the house,

it is what we can provide for our son's wedding. Consumers may be

feeling the pinch because wage rises are falling behind cost-of-

living increases. But how are businesses coping across the

economy? It is a wildlife visitor attraction run by a charity that

needs donations from visitors as well as ticket sales to help the

finances. In the current climate, with customers under pressure, it

is not easy. We have seen a fall of people coming through the gate and

wishing to donate to us, and that is what we are faced with, people

wanting to spend the day here and have something to eat, and they

know there is a limited amount of money in their pocket and how they

want to spend it, they are being more careful. Customers here and

has sold around the country led today that the annual inflation

rate was unchanged with some factors pulling at up and others

holding it back. November food prices were up 3.9%, fuel was not

rising so quickly, up 1%, and clothing saw average falls of 0.6%.

So where does inflation go from here? As we get into the new year

and we get food price inflation picking up as a result of the

drought in the United States, I think we will be above 3%. Today's

figure does not include fuel price rises from gas and electricity

providers, are likely to push the inflation rate higher as winter

heating bills start fitting household budgets.

Children in England and Wales who have been in trouble with the law

and have been placed in care are being failed by the system. A

report by the Inspectorate of Probation says it is concern that

some children are being placed in care too far away from their homes

and without enough thought about the emotional impact. The

Department for Education said that plans were being developed to

improve care. Here is Tom Symonds. These young people have been in

care. Like up to 3,000 children across England and Wales, they can

seem lively and confident, but according to today's report their

lives are marked by disruption, loneliness and crime. It focuses on

youth offending teams, but the inspector says there is agencies

have failed the emotional needs of these young people, and being in

care is making things worse. -- There is agencies. One third of the

children were placed more than 100 miles from home, and many had been

frequently moved. One teenage boy with a history of violence that had

31 placements. In a number of cases, victims of sexual assaults were

housed together with young people alleged to have carried out abuse.

All of these things impact on their life chances. What we are seeing

for this group of children are very poor and guns. Many of them are

growing cap and then our fear is they will drift into the prison

system or mental health services. - - growing cap. Some towns have

become magnets for these children, but the report says that sending

them long distances make it harder for the agency still coordinate.

are scrutinising the decisions they are making for each child. We need

to improve the quality of support we provide in these homes, helping

these children overcome the effect of abuse or neglect they have

suffered. The Department for Education says that it is

completely unacceptable that some local authorities and homes are

letting down children by failing to act as a proper parent. Three

expert groups are currently developing proposals to improve the

care provided by children's homes. But there is much to do. Today's

damning assessment is clear, the social agencies are too often

merely managing troubled children with little aspiration for their

futures. President Obama has begun

discussions with senior members of his government on how to reform

America's gun laws following the school shooting in Connecticut on

Friday. Many Americans are calling for stricter controls on weapons

after a lone gunman murdered 20 children and six school staff. Two

Democratic senators who had previously been supporters of the

gun lobby are also calling for change. Here is world affairs

correspondent Nick child. A candlelit vigil as the grieving

goes on for a small town in Connecticut, and the shockwaves

from the devastating shooting in Newtown continued to reverberate.

President Obama has now held talks with key Cabinet ministers on

possible new gun-control measures, but the White House says the issues

are complex. All present will rise and observe a moment of silence.

public gesture from Congress, but after the silence the first

stirrings of what will be an emotive debate. Two Democratic

senators who support the National Rifle Association, the NRA, now say

that Newtown has changed things. This is one of them. He even as an

NRA member, I believe enough is enough and we need to come to the

table and end up with new restrictions. What they played out

to be, you know, that is part of the process. A demonstration

outside the NRA offices in Washington underlines how feelings

are running high. But the right to gun ownership, to bear arms, also

remains deeply embedded in the American psyche. Yesterday saw the

first of what will become a heartbreaking procession of

funerals for the victims of the Sandy Hook shootings. Among them,

Dylan Hockley, whose family moved to Newtown from England two years

ago. Last night they said no words can express their feelings of loss.

The family said it did not and never would regret its decision to

move to the community. On the day of the shootings, many distressed

families gathered at the local fire house as the enormity of what had

happened started to dawn. Clive Calver was with them. In-patients

was growing, uncertainty was growing, until in the end one

mother yelled out, are any of them still alive? -- in-patients. That

is when we realised that nobody was. But what was the lasting impact of

that? Against the backdrop of heartbreak, the question is whether

there is a sea change in political and public attitudes to some

greater gone more restrictions. -- gun law.

Several police officers have been injured and 15 people arrested

including an 11-year-old, a 12- year-old and two is based are 13

year-olds during protests in Northern Ireland. There were 80

separate protests. Loyalists have been holding demonstrations for

more than two weeks following the decision by Belfast City Council to

stop flying the Union flag every day.

Lord McAlpine, who was wrongly implicated in child sex abuse

allegations, has settled his cases against the BBC and ITV. His

lawyers confirmed he received damages of �185,000 from the BBC

and �125,000 from ITV plus substantial costs.

The amount of notice that companies have to give before making large-

scale redundancies could be half from 90 days down to 45. The

government says the proposed change will help both workers and

businesses, but one union leader called it a cruel blow for workers

which would only make life harder As the economy has struggled in

recent years, there have been a series of large-scale redundancies.

Chorus has been one of the manufacturers that have lost jobs,

but companies have to undertake a 90 day consultation with staff when

they want to cut back, now that is going to change. The government

announced today that the 90 day period would be reduced to 45.

People coming to the end of fixed- term contracts will be excluded

from consultations, there will also be new guidance to employers to

improve the quality of how this 45 day period works. Employers claim

the moves will help jobs. employment law is a big concern for

many companies and they put off taking on staff because of the

costs of when things don't work, so simplifying this should help them

think about taking on more staff. It will make it easier for banks,

which have shed thousands of staff during the financial crisis to

respond to the economic climate. Unions argue that making it easier

for firms to sack people is the last thing workers need, and that

the 90 days has been crucial to help employees consider their

options. Nobody really wants this, it is just a quick fix - the

government trying to reassure employers they can sack people.

This is at a time when there are already record numbers of people

out of work. Last year around 75,000 people went through the 90

day consultation period. No minister was available to talk

about the changes today, but the government confirmed it expects the

changes to be in place by April next year.

The headlines: The Queen has become the first peacetime monarch to

attend a meeting of the Cabinet since the 18th century. Coming up -

trying to make ends meet, the Police say they are concerned about

a rise in shoplifting in the run-up to Christmas.

On BBC London, commuters suffer as the east Coast main line reopens

after hours of destruction. And why the Olympics, the Paralympics and

Jubilee celebrations have gone down a treat in India.

In the run-up to Christmas, it is thought around �6 billion worth of

goods are stolen from shops. It is not just luxury items that are

being taken, a number of police forces around the country say they

are concerned about the number of people who seem to be stealing out

of desperation, taking items like baby food and nappies.

If you speak to shoppers, they will tell you clearly they are feeling

the squeeze. Household bills are rising, and the practical effect of

that, according to the police, is that some people are returning to

crime. With Christmas just days away, the streets are filled with

shoppers, but there are people tempted to take rather than to buy

their goods. Watch closely, and you'll see this woman filling her

bag. Shoplifting is a major concern for the police, but there are a

growing number of people committing the crime because they are

desperate. We are seeing many young mothers committing crimes to feed

their children. What's are they stealing? Baby food, powdered milk

is quite expensive and they are pinching that to feed their child.

It is a crime taken seriously and businesses are keen to make sure

people are prosecuted. It is not the only area to see a rise in

shoplifting, but business groups say they can be no excuse.

affects bottom line, which affect the prices in the stores so at a

basic level customers will have to pay more. Many families feel under

pressure to buy presents, but some simply don't have the money,

particularly in the current economy. There is help available for

families who need it. Like this food bank in Rotherham - alongside

the cans of food, they are now stocking nappies here. One father

came in and said if I get some food and some nappies, I will not have

to go to the shop and steel because I have not got anything. Some

people are getting so desperate, these petty crimes are taking place.

The penalty for being caught shoplifting can be prison, which

could tear families apart. Officers from other forces including

Strathclyde and Greater Manchester have also raised concerns about

shoplifting and there is no doubt times are tough for people. Here in

this town yesterday it was announced that 500 jobs will go

from a colliery on the outskirts of the town at the start of next year,

and given that issue that businesses point out shoplifting

needs to be tackled because it can affect the future of businesses and

jobs. The judges are expected to decide

this afternoon whether a seven- year-old boy should have further

surgery for cancer despite his mother's refusal to give her

permission. Neon Roberts has a common type of brain tumour.

Doctors and his father agree that he should have surgery and

radiotherapy. This morning the court heard that

doctors, supported by Neon Roberts's father, agree he needs a

second operation to remove the remains of his brain tumour, but

his mother disagrees. She is not convinced of the need for the

operation, and she dismissed the leading lawyer who has been

representing her in court. Seven years old, and being treated for

cancer, Neon Roberts has had one operation to remove a brain tumour.

Now doctors say he needs more surgery to remove the rest of the

cancer. But his mother Sally has disagreed with doctors and his

father. She arrived in court today to continue her legal battle. The

High Court has heard that cutting out the tumour, then treatment with

radiation, radiotherapy and drugs, chemotherapy, gives the best chance

of survival, more than 80%. His mother is worried about the

potential damage to his brain from radiotherapy. Cancer experts say it

can leave children needing extra help at school, but the treatment

is carefully targeted and should happen soon after surgery, as delay

reduces survival. The radiotherapy dose has been significantly reduced

to what it was even 15 years ago, and it is important it is delivered

in an early and precise mother. That does is designed to be given

to patients who have very little visible disease, if any at all, in

order to prevent the microscopic disease from coming back.

Radiotherapy is part of the gold standard treatment for this cancer.

Lawyers for Sally Roberts said she was still looking for an

alternative medical opinion, but independent experts say there is a

strong consensus around the current treatment. Neon Roberts' parents

can't agree with each other so the judge is likely to make decisions

about his treatment before the end of the -- this week. The judge has

said the first decision will be about whether the operation goes

ahead. It is indicated he will tell the court that within the next hour.

After that, there are likely to be more discussions and hearings about

the radiotherapy. South Africa's President Jacob Zuma

has been re-elected as head of the ruling African National Congress.

He comfortably saw off a leadership challenge from his own deputy.

Around 5000 delegates took part in the election. Our correspondent is

at the conference in Bloemfontein. Is he confident about winning a

second term as president? Yes, I think he is pretty much certain to

do that. It wasn't an entirely foreseen result, at least everybody

guessed that he would be re-elected, there was a question about whether

it would be the kind of might -- majority he got. There was a

landslide and that will take him through to the next elections in

the country. The interesting thing really is the choice, the fact the

election of the deputy. Cyril Ramaphosa is an established

businessman who left politics after he failed to get the presidency. A

very big man in the ANC, and the fact that he is back will really

pleased the money markets, the foreign investors and so on. It

will establish South Africa as a stable economy in which people can

invest from the outside. That will be important, but everybody here

thinks that at some stage in the next few years the ANC will split

between right-wing and left-wing. There has been a big increase in

cases of Noro virus, often known as the winter vomiting virus. The

Health Protection Agency estimates they have been around 880,000 cases

in England and Wales since the summer. Let's speak to our health

correspondent. The big rise, and an awful lot of people being affected

by this. Yes, and it is worth remembering this is normally not a

dangerous illness, but it is very nasty involving vomiting and

diarrhoea for the great majority of people. We have seen a significant

rise in the last week, and if fall in the previous week. The figures

are fluctuating, but certainly higher than last year. Three years

ago they were much higher. The message from the Health Protection

Agency is for people who have had it to stay away from the GP and the

hospitals. Before almost 100 new pieces of

gold and silver have been unearthed in a field in Staffordshire were

the largest ever horde of Anglo- Saxon treasure was found three

years ago. Part of a helmet and an eagle shaped object was found.

The Staffordshire hoard is the largest collection of Anglo Saxon

gold and silver found anywhere in the world, and now 90 more

artifacts have been discovered. Archaeologists are examining the

find, after it was unearthed. of the pieces weighed less than one

gram, so we have to be careful, but the metal detector ists are masters

at this work. These new pieces were found after the field was repelled.

They found a fragment which could complete part of a helmet

discovered three years ago. Since the hoard was unearthed, it has

been viewed by more than a million people and it is hoped this will

also go on public display. The curators who have worked on the

Staffordshire hoard find this exciting discovery. It is one of

the most exciting things I have ever seen, ranking along with

Tutankhamen's treasure because it changes public consciousness. It

tells us about the period of time it must deposited, and it makes

everyone think. The pieces will have to be declared as treasurer by

the coroner, then further research can be carried out. Experts believe

it will be vital in helping to Now, the weather. The picture

illustrates the story - not that much in the way of sunshine out

there for today, but it does certainly look like we will see

some more severe weather through the night tonight. A dry day to day,

becoming increasingly wet and windy. We have this ridge of high pressure

influencing the weather, but in the Atlantic this deep area of low

pressure with isobars squeezing together, set to invade in from the

south-west. This guy is already turning increasingly hazy. Some

disappointing fog into Northern Ireland, that will affect the

temperatures. Isolated showers in the north-east. Here is the rain

and the strong wind, perhaps strongest ahead of the main band of

rain. We could see up to 40 mm of rain falling into the south-west.

Cloudy skies further east and a relatively quiet night to come, but

certainly by 8 o'clock in the morning the rain will still be

sitting across most of Cornwall and Devon, were the warnings have been

issued. That rain starting to push into south and west Wales. Into

Northern Ireland, a grey and wet start to your Wednesday morning and

it will probably stay like that for most of the day. A disappointing

feeling in Inverness as well, temperatures struggling. For little

more cloud further south, with temperatures at about five degrees

by 8 o'clock. There may be some brightness for the eastern coast of

north Norfolk, but you really are the chosen few. This rain pushes

into the south-west, driving steadily north and east. Across

Northern Ireland and into the fringes of Scotland by the middle

of the day. Perhaps staying dry during daylight hours across the

east. Maybe some late brightness under warmer feel down to the

south-west. It is not expected to last. This conveyor-belt of rain

drives in from the south-west and we could see as much as three

inches of rain before this system clears through. It will steadily

move away during Thursday, grinding to a halt across northern England

and Scotland, and again we could see some significant rainfall

totals before that eases. A lot of whether to look forward to in the

next few days. Keep watching the forecast. The Queen has become the