13/01/2014 BBC News at Six

give their backing for companies fracking for gas. Ministers say

councils could make up to ?10 million for every successful

drilling site. Shale is important for our country. It could bring

74,000 new jobs, over ?3 billion worth of investment, give us cheaper

energy for the future. But environmental campaigners accuse the

Government of bribing local councils into accepting the controversial

technique. Also tonight... The biggest public inquiry into child

abuse in the UK gets under way in Northern Ireland. Britain's obesity

crisis is worse than we thought. Health campaigners say we're heading

for a Doomsday scenario. We have to do something really serious now

otherwise we are going to be in a sorry state as a nation in the

future. Is this really fit for children? The film censors take a

closer look at raunchy pop videos. On BBC London, police pay out. Two

students wrongly accused of violence towards officers at the demo. A

former psychiatric patient describes her rape ordeal.

Good evening and welcome to the BBC News at Six. Local councils are

being offered millions of pounds if they back controversial fracking

schemes. Under new government proposals they could double the

amount they raise in business rates and collect more money from the

drilling companies themselves. David Cameron wants the country to get

behind the fracking revolution, releasing gas from deep underground,

but environmental campaigners have accused him of trying to bribe

councils. Danny Savage reports from Barton Moss near Salford, the scene

of the latest protest against fracking. As the Prime Minister

urged objective is to fracking to get on board today, he probably did

not mean this. Protesters climbed on tankers heading for a drilling site,

leading to a stand-off with police. Every time someone climbs on top of

one of these lorries, please have to get ladders and scaffolding out. It

does not make it easy for the police to get to them. It is costing the

force thousands of pounds a week to police this one protest site. Just

look at the chaos. Traffic is queueing all the way down the 857

and trying to get into Manchester. The road is closed while they tried

to remove the protest. Fracking is a danger to human health and the

environment. The risks are far too great. They far outweigh any

benefits. We do not believe we will receive any benefits. The Prime

Minister says otherwise. Today he was in Lincolnshire, where Total

wants to invest millions of pounds in shale gas. It is important for

our country. It will give us cheaper energy for the future and increase

energy security. I want us to get on board. It is bringing so much

benefit to North America and I want us to benefit from it as well. What

are the incentives? 100% of business rates from each fracking site will

go to each local authority. They could gain ?1.7 million a year

each. The industry is offering communities 100,000 power to each

Test drilling site. 1% of the revenue, if Shell gas is found. Is

it enough to pacify the main groups objecting to fracking? Today's

announcement from the Government is a desperate measure to try and

persuade local authorities to accept unwanted fracking, purely through

the financial incentives. Some people are concerned about a process

which involves drilling underground and releasing a high-pressure mix of

water, sand and chemicals to crack rocks and release gas stored inside.

What about the people living near this protest site in Salford? Will

community benefits sway them? I think the protests are causing more

trouble. They should put something back into the communities. We could

see between ten and 20 sites like this in the UK. Fracking could lead

to lower energy bills here. There is unlikely to be a letup in protests

yet. Our political editor is in

Westminster. As we have just seen, it is a hugely controversial issue.

The Prime Minister has given his total backing. Why take the risk of

confronting local campaigners, who are frightened of fracking?

Confronting green campaigners who accuse David Cameron of abandoning

his interest in the past with wind power and solar power and the rest.

The answer could not be simpler. The potential gains seen from Downing

Street absolutely dwarf the risks. Against potentially, and I do

underline potentially, of tens of thousands of jobs in Britain being

created, cheap energy ending the worries about high energy bills, the

potential gains of being much less dependent on the world 's trouble

spot for the supply of oil and gas to supply energy needs. Those might

not happen. There are campaigners who say they should be outweighed by

other concerns. For David Cameron, this is a moment when there is a

protest like this where arguments he has made largely without anyone

hearing them finally might get some attention and finally might be

heard. It is a pain barrier in other words he is willing to go through.

And, BBC News Online has more on the arguments for and against fracking.

That's at bbc.co.uk/business. The biggest public inquiry into

child abuse ever held in the UK has begun in Northern Ireland. Its aim

is to decide whether there was what it calls institutional abuse at

homes run by the state, church or voluntary organisations. The inquiry

is looking into allegations of abuse over a period of 70 years up to

1995. More than 300 people are expected to give evidence. In all,

13 institutions are under investigation. Nick Higham reports

from Banbridge in County Down, where the hearing is taking place.

Happy children, welfare and cared for in a wholesome environment. That

was the public image children's homes across Britain and Ireland

sought to project. The ballot he was sometimes very different. Many like

this home in Scotland in the 1950s were run by religious orders like

the Sisters of Nazareth. Kate Walmsley was taken into care at the

age of seven. At Nazareth House in Londonderry, she wet the bed and was

publicly punished for it. At confession, she was singled out for

abuse by a priest. When she wrapped it, she was branded a delinquent. I

was an abused child. I was calling for help. I was the her child. I

just needed someone to ask me why I was not happy. The inquiries

chairman said some victims of abuse had waited years to tell their

stories. The inquiries council quoted Nelson Mandela. There can be

no keener revelation of a society 's soul than the way it treats its

children. By examining how vulnerable children living in

children's homes in Northern Ireland in 1922 and 1995 were treated, this

enquiry will essentially examine the soul of Northern Irish society over

that period. Over the next 18 months, the inquiry team sitting at

this courthouse in Banbridge will hear often harrowing accounts of

childhood arrest of affection and scarred by cruelty, by physical and

psychological abuse, and sometimes by sexual abuse as well. At the

inquiry today, Margaret McGuckin, one of the campaigners who fought to

set up the inquiry. She was a victim herself, taken into care when she

was three, separated from her brothers and sisters. She is

described childhood of sadness, darkness and loneliness and

ill-treatment. Bath times were ritual, to be scrubbed in Jeyes

fluid. You were ducked down into a steel basin. Screaming out for help

and shivering. I remember waiting for that to happen. The inquiry will

look at abuse into institutions run by the Church, charities and the

States. But those still living who committed the abuse must face

criminal charges. Warnings from health experts that half the British

population will be obese by 2050 could actually be an underestimate.

The National Obesity Forum is claiming that, unless there's a

significant change in our lifestyle, we're heading for what it calls a

doomsday scenario. Our health correspondent reports. 27 years old

and 27 stone. Katie has battled weight problems ever since she was a

child. She has tried diets and weight loss clubs but still she is

struggling. She feels it is a fight she is having to conduct on her own.

If I do not help myself, I will end up dying from this, or getting

serious health concerns. The Bay City increases the risk of

conditions like diabetes, heart disease and strokes. The numbers

seem to have plateaued in recent years but millions are still

struggling with their weight. We are in daily touch with clinicians

around the country who are reporting disastrous levels of admission into

clinics. It is thought that 26% of adults in the UK are classed as the

beast. Previous reports suggested that by 2050, up to half of the

population could be obese. The National obesity Forum argues that

figure could be optimistic. Today's report says that unless there is

concerted action across the board from individuals, businesses,

society and government, we'll be lucky if only half the population

are obese by 2050. It goes on to add, while there are no quick fixes,

the situation is not hopeless. There are things that can be done. You

have lost another K. Gloria has been visiting her local GP surgery to

lose weight. We see pregnant ladies and children. In our conversations,

we should be encouraging our patients to go down the healthy

lifestyle. Recent figures suggested the number of the beast primary

school children fell for the first time in years. We still face a

sizeable weight problem. The Treasury has announced it will take

full responsibility for Britain's ?1.4 trillion worth of debt,

including Scotland's share, even if there is a yes vote in this

September's referendum. The move apparently follows some fears in

financial markets that Scotland might not be able to pay its debts

if it opted for independence. Our Scotland political editor, Brian

Taylor, is in Glasgow. How does this move play into the overall debate on

this referendum? George, it is intriguing. What has been happening

is the Treasury says it has been picking up jitters from investors in

UK Government bonds to the effect that if there is not the UK in the

event of Independence, who picks up the tab? Everyone agrees it is a

sensible move by the Treasury. The dispute, the difference, lies in the

interpretation of what is going on. For the Treasury, Danny Alexander

says it proves there is institutional worry about Scottish

independence, concerns that Scotland might default on its debt. This move

is designed to prevent the rest of the UK facing a problem right now,

facing what he calls a separation surcharge. Alex Salmond, the

Scottish first Minster, disputes that. He said Scotland is ready to

pick up its share of UK debt. He says that is sensible. He says also

Scotland wants a share of assets. In effect, the Treasury has blinked

first. It has allowed Scotland to leverage the access to use of

sterling, access to a sterling zone. The Treasury says, absolutely not,

the two issues are entirely separate. A memorial service has

been held in Jerusalem for the former Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel

Sharon, who died on Saturday at the age of 85. He's been buried on a

family farm, six miles from Gaza. The US Vice President, Joe Biden,

and the Middle East envoy, Tony Blair, were among the foreign

dignitaries at the service. From Jerusalem, our Middle East editor,

Jeremy Bowen, reports. With prayers and tributes outside

its parliament, Israel and its friends said a final farewell to

Ariel Sharon. Eight years to the month after a stroke removed him

from power. Benjamin Netanyahu said he would go down in history as one

of Israel 's greatest leaders it restored a lost legacy of Jewish

bravery. To Ariel Sharon 's son and grandchildren, the vice president

said his passing also felt like a death in the family to many

Americans, even though at times he had had profound differences with

American leaders. He was a complex man. To understand him better, I

think is important also history will judge. He lived in complex times in

a very complex neighbourhood. The Coffin was taken away to be buried

at the family farm in southern Israel. Ariel Sharon is as

controversial in death as you was in life. For many Israelis, it was his

military qualities, his strength and capacity for ruthlessness, which

made him a desirable prime minister at the time he was elected. Ariel

Sharon owned a house in the old city of Jerusalem, where most residents

are Palestinians. For many years, he led the drive to settle Jews in the

occupied territories. Jewish settlers have armed security guards.

This man, a prominent Palestinian, who believes in non-violent

resistance to Israel, said Israeli should move on from the legacy. He

thought he could deal with Palestinians and Arabs and the rest

of the world only true force. What Israel needs is a different kind of

political generation, people who understand that they themselves will

not be free as Israel is from the system of apartheid and occupation

unless we, the Palestinians, are free. As a soldier, Ariel Sharon

ignored orders if he thought his plan was more effective. Often it

was. Many Palestinians and some human rights campaigners think he

should have been put on trial as a war criminal. But he goes to his

grave mourned by Israelis who felt safer when he was alive.

And you can see more on his life in a special programme, Arial Sharon,

Israel's Ironman. . Our top story this evening. Councils that support

fracking for gas schemes are to be given financial incentives by the

government. Still to come: Success for British

director Steve McQueen at the the Golden Globes.

Later on BBC London. Why ambulance crews in Essex are

routinely calling on police to take patients to hospital.

And the British Armed Forces' first Muslim chaplain.

Films like Black Swan make it big at the box office, but they also

generate a huge number of complaints. The British Board of

Film Classification has been hearing from the public, and there are going

to be some changes. And it's not just films. People were asked about

raunchy pop videos, like this one featuring Miley Cyrus. So having

listened to people, the BBFC is going to get tougher on strong

language and sexual content. Here's our arts editor, Will Gompertz.

Decor made the pirate captain. This children's film was given a U rating

by the British board of classic -- British board of classification, but

it contains the word crap, which prompted the PBMC -- the BBFC to

take a new approach. Children learn by copying, so they can learn by

copying bad language. That can be embarrassing for parents, if they

start repeating the language to the vicar or something. The BBFC will

also pay more attention to how films containing scenes of Gore are

treated, such as the thriller Black Swan. It had a 15 rating, but it

might take a different approach to such films in the future, and

instead, allocate and 18 classification, to indicate it is a

dark and graphic tale of paranoia. Strong visual detail of violence or

its aftermath are also a cause for parental concern. Some grisly scenes

had to be dropped from the Hunger Games in order for it to receive a

rating. Some feel the classification has been skewed a little bit and it

should care a little bit more about violence and a little bit less

perhaps about bad language and fruity scenes. Film isn't the only

area where changes are happening. The government has proposed to alter

the regulations governing music diva -- music DVDs, asking them to apply

for a BBFC rating. But online videos, such as Miley Cyrus'

controversial Wrecking Ball, will not be affected. At least not yet.

However, a pilot project is being discussed that could see the BBFC's

rating system introduced at some point on Google and YouTube.

Two brothers who used their printing business to produce more than ?1

million worth of fake ?10 notes have been jailed. The National Crime

Agency said Amrit and Prem Karra's counterfeit operation posed a

significant threat to the UK economy. Our Midlands correspondent,

Sian Lloyd, reports The Crown Prosecution Service has sent a

letter to Portuguese Brothers Amrit and Prem Karra work

respected as Miss men, who ran a family printing firm in Birmingham.

But in court, the government 's -- the brothers were described as an

architect of conspiracy to flood the market with forged ?10 notes. Their

company, Karra design and printing, which operated from these premises

was, on the face of it, a legitimate business. The property is now under

new ownership, but the brothers used it as the face of a highly

sophisticated counterfeiting operation. This is amazingly

realistic. Absolutely. There was no raising on the boss of the wording,

and a hologram is slightly different. Between September 2010

and February 2011, they produced fake ?10 notes with a face value of

?1.3 million. Very similar, right down to the fact that a random

number sequence was produced on these notes. The judge said it was a

crime that could undermine the economy of the country and threaten

the integrity of the currency. I believe they did do this run of

producing the notes. They could have gone on to produce more. They could

have put themselves up to higher to organised crime gangs. Or they could

have sold on their knowledge and expertise and materials for other

crime gangs. That represents a significant threat to the UK's

interest. Investigators linked the notes to equipment at Karra printing

and design. Rajiv Kumar and Yash Mahey helped their brothers-in-law

produce the notes and were each jailed for four and a half years.

The masterminds of the plots will each serve seven years in prison.

The judge described them as professional forgers who were

motivated by greed. Thousands of protesters have brought

the centre of the Thai capital Bangkok to a standstill, blocking

traffic and occupying major road junctions. They are demanding that

the government steps down before next month's elections. 18,000

security personnel have been deployed to keep order. The Prime

Minister has offered to meet the protest leaders.

The First Lady of France is expected to stay in hospital for a few more

days. President Hollande's partner, Valerie Trierweiler, was admitted on

Friday, shortly after photos linking him with an actress were published

in a French magazine. The affair threatens to overshadow a major

speech by Mr Hollande this week. Our Europe editor, Gavin Hewitt, is in

Paris. Gavin, just how much of a political problem is this going to

be? George, today, the drama surrounding President Hollande's

private life deepened. His partner, Valerie Trierweiler, remains in

hospital and may stay there for several more days, perhaps as many

as four or five days. She went there for treatment after a French

magazine published photographs that indicated that President Hollande

had a new girlfriend. Valerie Trierweiler's spokesman said she

went there because she was suffering from a severe case of the blues. The

French public at the moment still seem to see this as a private

matter, but there are increasing questions demanding clarification.

There was one journalistic comment today which said that France seems

to have currently a First Lady and a first girlfriend. It so happens that

tomorrow, President Hollande is holding his first news conference of

the New Year. It was intended to relaunch his troubled presidency by

focusing on the economy, suffering from low growth and high

unemployment. We're certainly expecting to hear those details

tomorrow, but there are several papers here saying that nobody will

be listening until President Hollande clarifies exactly what is

going on in his private life. Gavin, thank you.

The British director, Steve McQueen, says he's in shock. His harrowing

film, 12 Years A Slave, won Best Film Drama at the Golden Globe

Awards in Los Angeles, and is now the bookies' favourite for the

Oscars. But, the night's big winner was the crime comedy American

Hustle. Lizo Mzimba reports. The first major awards ceremony of

the year is highly regarded, but more than that, everyone involved

knowing -- knows that taking hold a Golden Globe can also be a good

indicator of an Oscar statuette in two months' time. The favourite at

the start of the evening was 12 Years A Slave. The true story of a

man kidnapped into slavery. The Golden Globe award goes to 12 Years

A Slave. It won the evening's most prestigious prize, Best Film Drama.

A little bit in shock. What can I say? Firstly, I would like to thank

my wife, Bianca, for finding the book 12 Years A Slave. 12 years

might be the Oscars front runner, but there is strong competition from

70s crime drama American Hustle. It took three Golden Globes, including

acting nods for Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams. When a director asks

me to cry, I can't! But both 12 Years A Slave and American Hustle

lost out in the Best Director race to the director of space drama

Gravity. Surprisingly to some, the film The Wolf Of Wall Street was

classed as a comedy. Leonardo DiCaprio won the Best Actor award. I

would like to pay some congratulations to my fellow

comedians here tonight, christian bale, and Jamaican Phoenix. All eyes

are now on the Academy Awards in March, where it looks increasingly

likely that the academy could honour a spread of films, rather than one

runaway winner. Now for the weather.

Showers spreading east at the moment, and then we are worried

about ice. Behind the wet weather, when the temperature drops, the

slippery surfaces get icy. Some showers around, and some heavy

spells of rain affecting Southeast England later. Where the rain

clears, we will see the temperatures dropping away. Some of us at or

several degrees below freezing by the morning, which is a recipe for

those icy surfaces. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for ice

across parts of the country. Be aware, ice on untreated surfaces,

and patchy fog around too. For most of us, it will be a dry start to the

day, but still the possibility of some of that training going to parts

of south-east and East Anglia. Eventually, that goes, and the fog

lifts. Northern Ireland turning wet and windy throughout the afternoon.

A lot of rain in western areas before the day is done. It is a

fairly chilly area. This weather system bumps into that cold air

tomorrow evening. North-west, we will see a spell of accumulating

snow. Milder air moves in tomorrow night, and thankfully, not too much

rain across southern England. But don't drop your guard as there could

be more rain on Wednesday spreading east, with brighter skies following

on behind. Thursday and Friday, low pressure close by, which means

showers in the west and south. That's all from the BBC's News at

Six.