14/01/2013 BBC News at One

Changes to pensions. Plans for a new flat rate to try to simplify

the system. Ministers say women and the low-paid will benefit. Critics

argue people will work for longer and pay more. The murder of five-

year-old April Jones. A man appears in court and pleads not guilty to

abducting and killing her. He says he probably was responsible for her

death. Snow causes disruption across North East England,

Yorkshire and Humber and the East Midlands. A British plane sets off

for the West African state of Mali but the Prime Minister insists

there will be no British army boots on the ground. And it is a date for

Kate. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's baby is due in July.

Later on BBC London: A school in South London is left shocked after

an eight-year-old pupil is shot dead in Jamaica. And three years

after six people died in a tower block fire in Camberwell, the

Good afternoon and welcome to the BBC News at One. Plans to change

the pension system will be announced this afternoon. Ministers

want to introduce a flat-rate state pension, set at �144 a week, which

will replace the basic pension of �107 - and the various means-tested

add-ons. The Government says three quarters of a million women will be

better off but six million people will need to pay more national

insurance to pay for it. With the details, here's our chief economics

correspondent. For Today's workers, the future generations of

pensioners, these reforms are designed to simplify and often

baffling state pension system. The aim is to let people know precisely

what they can expect. Ministers out meeting supermarket workers this

morning argue that people will find it easier to plan for retirement if

there is a guarantee of a decent state pension. The idea is for

people at work today, they know that they will get an amount from

the Government which will be a basic amount to live on. Where they

have a workplace pension, they can save with confidence. Right now,

the basic state pension is around �107 a week for a single person. On

top of that, many workers qualify for a second state pension. The

less well-off can apply for the means-tested pension credit. That

ensures a minimum pension income of �143 a week. The gunman was to

bring in an automatic minimum of �144 in today's money from 2017

with few p -- fewer people means tested. The self-employed will get

a higher pension as well women who have spent time out of the

workplace. Millions of people in work will be affected by the

changes will stop the Government does not want any additional public

spending. Some will be better off in a retirement but others will not

be so happy with the outcome. are a group of people, part way

through their Korea, earning above average earnings, he would have

expected to go on and build up the state pension bigger than �144 a

week. They will not get that. Millions of public sector workers

and those in final salary schemes will have to pay higher national

insurance contributions. Existing pensioners and those who retire

before the spring of 2017 will not be included in the changes. Some

like Barry are not happy. If we are introducing a new pension, everyone

should start and a level playing field. We should all start on the

minimum pension figure. We should all be on the same level. Labour

says the Government has delayed introducing the plans by a year and

has called for a detailed breakdown of the winners and losers. How

significant will these pension changes be? These are really big

changes to the pensions landscape. A very complex system. Most people

in work to not understand what they will be entitled to. The idea is

that if you work long enough, you will basically be guaranteed a

simple state pension and you will not have other things to worry

about. It will mean an end to means testing for many pensioners,

filling in complicated forms. Many do not get what they are entitled

to. You mention the winners and losers. 6 million people need to

pay extra national insurance. Will that be a difficult issue? Unions

representing public sector workers have already started complaining

about that. 6 million people are in secure schemes, known as final-

salary, and they get an incentive. Higher national insurance for

employers and employees. They paid 1.4% more. They will get a better

state pension at the end of it. When it is introduced, they will

probably fill a bit of pain in terms of higher contributions.

you want more information, or to find out how the changes will

Police in Jamaica, investigating the murder of an eight-year-old

girl from South London, have arrested eight people. Imani Green

was shot inside her cousin's shop in the town of Duncans on Friday.

Detectives believe it may be linked to another shooting a few weeks ago.

A man has appeared in court, to plead not guilty to the abduction

and murder of five-year-old April Jones. April went missing near her

home in Powys last year. Her body has still not been found. Courtroom

at number one was packed for the 57 minutes during which Mark Bridger

appeared. He steered, wearing a dark jumper and trousers. He looked

straight ahead of him to the judge as he was asked to confirm his name

and answered the charges against him. Some 10 metres away where sat

Coral and Paul Jones, the parents of April appearing together in

public for the first time since she disappeared. A prison van reverses

carefully to bring Mark Bridger to court. The 47-year-old flanked by

two officers. Once inside, he looked straight ahead at all times

and spoke in a clear voice to confirm his name. Asked how he

pleaded to the charges of child abduction, murder and perverting

the course of justice, he answered not guilty three times. The parents

of A pool watched and sat silently. Both wore pink, the colour now

synonymous with the search for their missing daughter. His lawyer

revealed his Clyde will, during his trial, say that he was probably

responsible for the death of the five-year-old. April Jones

disappeared on 1st October last year. She had been playing with

friends near her home. News of the missing five-year-old spread

quickly. Within hours, hundreds of volunteers joined the search,

scouring the countryside around Machynlleth. That search has become

one of the biggest in UK police history. 16 teams still header had

each day. The operation is expected to cost over �2 million. Ahead of

today's hearing, this new picture of a Paul Jones, playing with the

bike she was using on the day she went missing. -- April Jones. After

the hearing, the parents left without comment. They know they

will now have to prepare for a murder trial in this court. We're

just waiting for the prison van carrying a Mark Bridger to leave

Mold Crown Court. He will return to stand trial here for murder. Heavy

snow has been falling in some areas of the UK with up to four inches

expected in some parts of England during the day. The Met Office has

issued an amber warning for north- east England, Yorkshire and the

East of England. It has set eyes will become a problem in many parts

of Wales. Many motorists were failing to take enough care in

difficult conditions. Let's hear from Danny Savage in North

Yorkshire. As you can see, there is a good covering of snow here. It

fell for a couple of hours during the morning. It has stopped and the

sunshine is out. You are not be surprised to hear that when it was

snowing it caused the usual problems. It has been talked about

for days. This morning, the snow arrived. The first heavy falls were

over the hills of the North. Traffic was soon down to one lane

on the A66. Critters were at clearing what they could on the

ribbon of road running across the bleak moors. Up on the border

between Cumbria and County Durham, the main job is to keep this busy

road open, linking east and west. There has not been a huge amount of

snow yet but it has been causing problems. Police were quickly on

the scene of this accident, where one vehicle appeared to have spun

out of control. There has not been widespread disruption yet but

motoring organisations are stressing that drivers should be

extra careful in these conditions. It only takes a small amount to

cause a problem. It may be the ice underneath which is causing the

problem - worse than a good depth of snow. Heavy snow has fallen

elsewhere. This was the scene in Leicestershire, with people trying

to carry on as normal. In Cambridge, getting around on foot and bicycle

suddenly became more problematic. As ever, some took advantage of the

winter conditions. Sledges were out in County Durham. There is more

snow forecast today. Whilst it may look pretty, the messages to be

careful if you want to avoid the attention of the emergency services.

A couple of places we did not get to in that report, there were bad

traffic conditions in Aberdeen this morning caused by icy weather. In

the last hour, there have been reports of snow falling in Central

London. The emphasis of the problem goes east into North Yorkshire this

afternoon. A fall weather forecast at the end of the bulletin with the

very latest. Snow is still falling in Leicestershire. Is it likely to

get better or worse? I am afraid it is set to get worse. We have

already had about an inch of snow, which is still falling. That will

continue this afternoon and into this evening. You can see how much

snow we have had. Chatting to businesses, all mines are focusing

on the evening commute home. Conditions will get worse. People

need to figure out when the best time is to go home. The rush-hour

will be difficult and hazardous because of the conditions. Some

people have told me they have decided the journeys they are

planning to take, they have decided they will not be making them at all.

There will be a full weather forecast at the end of the

programme. French air strikes have been continuing in Mali. Britain

has said it will offer support to the French mission. David Cameron

has said there will be no Army boots on the ground. The first RAF

plane has taken off for Mali. Our diplomatic correspondent reports.

Last night, in France, this was an RAF plane being loaded with French

military equipment for their offensive in Mali. The C-17 has

unique capability in terms of load and left. It says a lot about our

strategic abilities. We can move large loads very quickly to decide

locations. Of the two plains, one broke down and another is being

made ready. They do not want direct involvement in fighting on the

ground. France is a strong ally and friend but what is being done in

Mali is in our interests. There is a very dangerous Islamist regime

ING control in the Noss of the country. It was threatening the

south of the country and we should support the action. We were first

out of the blocks in helping them. Why is France fighting in Mali? The

governor of this former West colony appealed for help against rebels

trying to seize control of the country. The rebels include Al-

Qaeda elements. They are heavily armed and some are fighting for an

Islamic state. Militants are swearing revenge on France. Mali is

desperately poor. Parts are mineral rich. The imposition of Sharia law

means a ban on music, tobacco and make-up. The French Cabinet is

entirely focused on the crisis in Mali. The minister says military

intervention has started well but his warning the job is not yet done.

TRANSLATION: there is a difficult situation in the West where we have

come across armed militants. The Mali Army was effective in the East

on Friday. The Army is under intense rebel pressure. If the

rebels were to win, Al-Qaeda and Islamic extremists would be in a

much stronger position to launch Mark Doyle is with us now. What has

been the impact of the French airstrikes on the rebel areas so

far? Well, the impact of the airstrikes has been just that,

really. They can attack from the air, they can attack buildings but

they don't have the boots on the ground. So for example in the town

of Gao, we were speaking to eyewitnesses there, that is about

1,000 north-east of where I am speaking to you from, deep in the

desert, there were attacks on Sunday and Islamists there were no

longer so after the attacks. That is the pattern, but without the

boots on the ground it is impossible to hold any of the

places that they are attacking. The French are waiting for West African

forces to support them in the operation.

Thank you. Our top story: Plans to overhall

the pension system with a single flat-rate from 2017 will be

announced this afternoon. Coming up: It is a good night at the

Golden Globes for British talent, Adele picks up the benefit song for

the Bond theme, Skyfall. Honestly, I have come for a night

out with my best friend, Ida. Thank you very much.

Later on BBC London: The trial begin noose the death of the former

EastEnders actress, Jemma McClusky. And Britain's tennis with Britain's

Laura Robson breaking into the top The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's

baby is due in July it was announced. A spokesperson said that

Kate's condition is continuing to improve since her hospital stay

last month. We are joined now from Buckingham

Palace. Peter, a short statement on the due date but do we know more?

In six months' time, if it goes according to plan, hopefully in

better weather. Someone will come from Buckingham Palace and attach a

notice to the railings to give details of the birth of the baby.

The baby will be either a prince or a princess. Kate, who has been

suffering from a severe form of morning sickness is said to be

improving. That was evidence on Friday when she attended the

private viewing of her first official portrait. The Duchess of

Cambridge is to resume public engagements in the near future. I -

- the announcement this morning made a reference to a baby, that

disappointed those who speck lated that royal twins were in the offing.

Thank you very much. David Cameron has given his

clearest indication yet that he wants a referendum on the UK's

relationship with the rest of the European Union. The Prime Minister

said a vote would take place once he had negotiated changes with the

EU. David Cameron warned that a simple in or out referendum now

would be a false choice. Let's talk to our Political Correspondent

Norman Smith who joins us from Westminster. Norman, David Cameron

makes the speech about Europe later this month. What do you think that

his message is likely to be? Well, the message today, seemed to be not

to panic. Or to quote David Cameron more accurately from his early

morning interviews, that there is in reason to be scared, to be

frightened about the idea of having a referendum on the EU as Europe is

changing. He said he was optimistic and confident he could renegotiate

a better deal for the European Union, but it is difficult, for him

to continue the Dad's Army analogy, as many are saying back to him, who

do you think you are kidding? Many fear he is leading Britain to the

exit door, which is why the Prime Minister began a series of

telephone calls to EU leaders to allay their concerns, but we simply

do not know what will happen.if the British people vote "no". We don't

know, other EU leaders don't know, maybe even David Cameron does not

know. Thank you.

Eight crew members have been rescued from a tug boat off the

defendantion coast after it was holed by the ship it was towings.

The Christos 22 contains about 200 tonnes of diesel. It was damaged

off Torbay. Let's join JonKay. Things are changing fast here. That

is the tug you were talking about, the men were rescued from there. It

contains 200 tonnes of diesel. That has been stabilised now. That is

safe, but have a look at this live camera. That is the vessel there

that the tug was towing it is sinking fast. By the end of the

afternoon that will be on the seabed, but it does not have fuel

on board. It is empty, it is not an environmental risk but a reminder

of how complex the operation has been and there is still attention

on the tug itself. night. Just one mile off the south

defendantion coast, a tug boat was sinking with eight crew members on

board. Lifeboats, Naval ships and a

military high pressure were all sent to the rescue. With the crew

safely off, attention turned to the half a metre long hull in the --

hole in the side of the vessel. It happened broadside, and it put

really a bad gash down the hull, low in the water.

The tug on the right, here, is now stable. It was pumped out for

several hours. The authorities had feared a major

pollution incident, if she had sunk with over 200 tonnes of diesel on

board, but it seems that the risk has passed.

Nearby, a more dramatic sight, this is the vessel that the tug had been

towing. She collided with it somehow. Slowly, sinking this lunch

time, now but because she is empty, the authorities say she is not a

danger. The hull was being taken off for

scrap, I assume. So there is no risk of pollution from that vessel.

That was much less of a concern if you like.

The water here is thought to be deep enough for the vessel to sink

to the seabed without affecting other ships. Meanwhile, the salvage

crews are still assessing the tug to work out how she can be repaired.

So, despite the dramatic pictures, the message is that there is relief

that this seems to be under control. Thank you.

Now, after the success of the Olympic Games makers at London 2012.

The organisers of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are launching an

appeal for volunteers. They are hoping to recruit 15,000 people in

what could be the biggest peacetime deployment for a common cause in

Scotland's history. Lorna Gordon joins us from Glasgow.

For the Commonwealth Games to be a success, lots of things have to

happen to a precise timetable. The venues, including the Sir Chris Hoy

velodrome here in the East End of Glasgow are well on track, well on

time. Today the formal application process opened for those interested

in becoming volunteers. The next name to call out... It is

not perhaps the usual Monday morning greeting, the commuters

heading to work through one of Glasgow's busy train stations a

friendly smile and worts of encouragement from Games volunteers.

Glasgow needs thousands of people like these to help out in the 2014

Games. We have had lots of interest from

Scotland, also from England and Wales and Northern Ireland and

further afield, even places like India. We want people to have great

communication skills. It is all about friendly people and Glasgow

is such a friendly place. The games makers, the volunteers

were a huge success at the London Olympics. Helping spectators and

competitors like Anthony Joshua, who believes that they showed what

a difference the volunteers can make at sporting events.

They were interactive. They smiled, helped with everything, there was

support getting to the venue and back.

Did it make a difference? Yes. They were doing lots of work behind the

scenes. I'm sure they made a huge impact.

50,000 people have registered interests in volunteering at the

Commonwealth Games, but today the applications itself opened and

interest is likely to be high. I enjoy meeting people. I like to

keep the pride in Glasgow. A feel-good feeling in a city which

already has a reputation for being friendly. Hopefully a taste of what

is to come when the Games get under way in 2014. That is Collide, the

Commonwealth Games mascot for 2014. As to the applications? Well the

online process opened at 7.00am. Already more than 5,000 people have

applied. The golfer, Rory McIlroy is set to

become one of the highest paired sports stars in the world when he

is unveiled at Nike's new brand ambassador. The deal is reported to

be worth about �77 million. Andy Swiss has more on this.

At just 23, he is the man who has it all. Rory McIlroy, bags of

talent, thousands of fans and now millions and millions of pounds.

�77 million, in fact, in a deal with Nike to turn one of the

world's youngest sports stars into one of its richest.

It is a dream deal. You walk forward, stay healthy and do what

he does best, that is playing golf. If he does it well there could be

even more big dreams. The dream pushes Rory McIlroy into

sports Super League. The boxer, Floyd may weather earned

�55 million. Tiger Woods earned �38 million, and David Beckham earned

�29 million, but for Nike there will be huge benefits. The brand

had a tough few years, first with damaging allegations about Tiger

Woods' private life and then about another client, Lance Armstrong,

who they have since dropped..$$NEWLINE Nike hope that

Rory McIlroy's clean-cut image will add to the sporting appeal.

This is where the sports people broaden themselves out. David

Beckham is the best example. We take a football player, perhaps no

longer the football player he was but he is a very well rounded

person. They are looking at Rory McIlroy,

he seems to have the lifestyle to match and they are taking a punt on

it. If has been some journey for Rory McIlroy, from childhood

project ijy to global superstar, now his talent has a bank balance

to match. It has been a great night for

British talent at the Golden Globes Awards. Adele won for the theme

tune of Skyfall. The stars love the Golden Globes

Awards. They are prestigious but more relaxed than the Oscars. More

of a party atmosphere. A good chance to see which films have the

buzz about them. Which have momentum as we build up to the

Academy Awards in six weeks' type. There was a buzz about Les

Miserables. Directed by Tom Hooper it was a big

winner of the evening. Taking benefit musical and Best Comedy and

Best Actor and Best Actress. Les Miserables... Les Miserables is

a project of passion. It took a lot of courage to make it.

The biggest surprise, and the biggest applause of the evening

went to Bill Clinton who introduced Lincoln, the film with the most

nominations of the night. The Steven Spielberg biopic, had been

widely tipped for glory. In the end it only picked up one

award. And the award goes to Daniel Day-

Lewis. Are you sure there is room for

another ex-President on this stage? Well if you thought that was

showing off, Her Majesty the Queen of England is about to parachute in

to make a last-minute pitch for Skyfall! The Bond film was

nominated in one category, benefit Original Song.

Music and lyrics by Adele and Paul Epworth. Oh, my God! Oh, my God!

Honestly, I have come out for a night out with my friend, Ida, we

are new mums. I was not expecting this. Thank you very much.

In the TV drama category, Dame Judi Dench won for Best Actor in

Homeland. Just before I go I want to dedicate

this to my mum. Who I know is out there tonight looking down on me,

bursting with pride and telling everyone up there all around her

how well her son is doing in acting. The other huge hit of the night was

Argo. Taking Best Drama and winning Ben Affleck Best Director. It is

unusual for a director to win a Golden Globes, and not be nominated

for an Oscar, but that is Hollywood. Now, let's get the full weather

forecast. forecast.

Phil is here. Part of the secret of making the

weather palatable is wearing the right gear, these guys have it

sussed here. They will not care about the amber warning but some of

you should. Especially to the eastern side of the British Isles.

There is a wee bit of the first lines of snow there, but this

feature is more significant, bringing rain, sleet and snow it is

to the eastern side of England that there are major concerns.

There could be up to five to 10 centimetres in that area, but to

the west, a different story. The snow is confined to the high ground

in Wales. A mixture of sunny spells and showers. The temperatures six

to seven Celsius. In Northern Ireland, you are going to see more

in the way of sunshine. In the north and the east, more rain. In

the west of Scotland faring well but the north-east picking up on

the top end of the weather front. To the south of the borders, south

of Newcastle, to the Lincolnshire Wolds, the East Midlands, up to

five to 10 centimetres lib real. As a rough rule of thumb south of

London it is watery rather than wintry. And when you thought it was

going to pile through, the southern portion does but brings an area of

rain through the M25 zone down to Kent, how much? Two to five

centimetres. If you miss it this afternoon you may get it overnight.

Then as that pulls away, the skies clear into a cold night. A

widespread frost here with ice. Where all of the surfaces have been

wet, bay that in mind as we start the new day -- bare.

Snow and ice may not be a problem over the next due -- few hours but

over the next few days, you will have to take care.

Leaden skies to the east. Brighter conditions for Northern Ireland,

western Scotland Wales and the southern counties. A supply of snow

showers getting in. Look at the temperature professional. That is