23/01/2014 East Midlands Today

shaking your head. That is horrible. That is all from the

This is East Midlands Today with Anne Davies and me, Dominic Heale.

Tonight: Good news on jobs. Bosses say our big fall in unemployment is

unprecedented. New figures show we are leading the

way. Is the economic recovery in the bad? Everyone seems more confident

than last year. More smiles. Also, an inquest is told of the final

moments of a woman who died on a crossed channel swim.

Plus, a major coup for Donington Park. It is to become the

headquarters for the world's first electric car racing Championships.

And I will be getting used to life in the slow lane on England's

shortest motorway. Welcome to Thursday's programme.

First tonight, solid signs of strong economic recovery in the East

Midlands. We've seen the biggest drop in unemployment of any region

in the UK, according to official figures. One business leader says

the fall in unemployment is unprecedented. Certainly, local

firms are taking on more staff. But are they offering high`quality jobs?

Here's our political editor John Hess.

If you want to find out why the economy seems so bright in this

region, you need to come to a place like this. This place likes

mouldings `` makes mouldings for industry. It has taken on extra

staff over the last six months and aims to take on an additional ten

people over the next year. We service a number of different

industries and we are seeing investments over the years of

recession, they are starting to buy across all industries, from

electrical to building. In the 0

electrical to building. In the East Midlands, 149,000

registered out of work. That is down 16% on the last quarter and 21.6%

over the last year. We have never seen it on this scale before. We are

seeing a combination of factors. There is real job growth and many

companies are taking on additional people. We are also seeing the

effects of Bennett reform so people are looking more vigorously for

work. And the degree of people still remaining in training and education.

Are these new jobs secure or just temporary? Most people are saying we

will take someone on for one year, two years or on a temporary vacancy

in order to work out how it goes. At Westminster today, one of our senior

MPs questioned whether the economic upturn was at the real deal. We need

to have a debate on real action given that under this employment no

longer seems to be a root out of poverty `` under this government

employment no longer seems to be a root out of poverty. Is the economic

upturn reflected on the street? I feel better than I did a year or so

ago. I feel my job specs have improved. Feeling quite confident. A

little bit more secure. Financially, my wages have gone up. Overall, I

think, yes, things are looking up. The changes to benefit payments may

also have been a factor. But looking at the figures, there is no doubt

our region economically is leading the way.

Lucy Haynes is the regional head of the bosses' organisation the CBI and

she's in our Leicester studio. Obviously, this is encouraging. Why

are the latest 0 Obviously, this is encouraging. Why

are the latest job numbers so good here in the East Midlands? I think

one of the reasons for that is because of the diverse range of

sectors that we have in the East Midlands. There has been talk about

the rebalancing of the economy and I think perhaps we are starting to see

that in the East Midlands. It really is good news. It is good news that

we are seeing labour market recovery, we are seeing businesses

take people on. There has been a huge dent in the levels of youth

unemployment which is obviously really important. We have seen

increasing levels of part`time employment and full`time employment.

Really good signs. Is this a jobs recovery based on short`term

contracts and low pay or are these good, sustainable jobs? There is

nothing to suggest that. We are seeing increases in levels of

part`time employment, but we are also seeing part time employed

people going into full`time as well. I think one of the issues in the

East Midlands is very much around productivity. That is the measure of

output and time needed 0 productivity. That is the measure of

output and time needed to do that. What we really need to see in the

East Midlands is increased productivity. We need businesses

selling more. We need to see them becoming more efficient. Then we

will be able to see them pay their staff more and hopefully take on

more people as well. Thank you very much.

A court's been hearing about the final moments of a swimmer from

Leicestershire who died while attempting to cross the English

Channel. Susan Taylor died from swimming in the sea for long enough

to make her heart stop. Helen Astle reports.

Today her brother and parents came to the coroner 's court to hear

answers. Why did she die? The 34`year`old had given up her job to

start training to swim the channel in the hope of raising money for a

charity. The challenge got under way in the early hours of the 14th of

July last year. Then with just a mile to go update stopped. In

distressing evidence, the court heard that she suddenly collapsed.

Her brother a paramedic who was on the support boat following her

described what happened. Susan was showing signs of fatigue, she kept

going, but soon she was sick and she had to stop again. I told her to get

out. Susan then lay on her back and seemingly became unconscious. She

then rolled over onto her front and lay facedown in the seat motionless.

`` in the C. David then helped to pull the one to the support boat.

She wasn't breathing. She was airlifted to hospital but she died

before she could be treated. Following her death, thousands of

people donated money to the hospice, over ?100,000 has been raised. A

representative from the charity spoke on behalf of the family. Susan

was a wonderful person dedicated to helping those less fortunate than

herself. It was a great comfort that Susan died trying to accomplish her

childhood ambition in aid of such worthy causes. We have received

support from many people. The coroner recorded a verdict of

misadventure. He said that she was not undertaking the swim for glory,

she was doing it because of her love for other people. She has probably

achieved far more in her life than many of us can hope to.

Still to come: Plugging a hole ` built during the industrial

revolution, this canal's sprung a leak. Lots of them. Now it's been

emptied so repair work can get under way.

It has been an interesting day weather`wise. Heavy showers at

times. The main concern over night is ice.

Next tonight, some big news from Donington Park today. It's to become

the multi`million pound headquarters for the world's first

electric motor racing Championships. It's being hailed as a critical leap

forward for the company which took over the running of the race track

some three years ago. It secures the future of the track and promotes

Britain as a leading innovator in energy`efficient cars. Sarah Teale

has the full story. It has had a somewhat chequered past

over the last few years but this is the exciting future for Donington

Park. The circuit is to become the global headquarters for formula

capital E. It is a game changer for the new company that took over in

2010 and have been slowly rebuilding. A great programme of

racing. It needed something like this to really kick ass into the

bigger league and put Donington Park on the international map. With big

money and big names like Richard Branson and Leonardo DiCaprio

involved, Donington Park was up against ferocious worldwide

competition. The fact is that Britain is the home of the worldwide

motorsports industry. This is a great location. Next door to an

international airport. The logistics partner is DHL. They are here. The

motorway and railway is here. There is a good and well trained workforce

in the area. This is an exciting new development in the world of

motorsport. The cars will look very similar to the traditional ones we

are used to seeing. They will be powered exclusively by electricity

and capable of reaching speeds of up to 150 miles an hour. The races will

start in September and take place around the streets of ten cities

worldwide including London. The racing teams will also use the

Donington Park circuit testing and development work on the racing cars

which means the famous faces involved will be flying in to watch.

It will be the case that Leonardo DiCaprio is bound to come and see

how it is doing. I am sure that may well be quite a popular day in the

district. There is no doubt this is a major coup for the Donington

Park, placing it at the heart of a new vision for the future of the

motor industry. The police in Derbyshire have asked

a man to stop fundraising in the name of six children who died in a

house fire started by their father Mick Philpott. The Catch Me When I

Fall appeal was set up in the wake of the fire in 2012 to help other

local children. But relatives of the Philpott children wanted it stopped

from raising money in their name. In a statement, the police said they

had investigated the way the appeal was being run and had found no

wrongdoing. Even so, they've advised that no further money be collected.

Mick Philpott, the children's mother, Mairead, and a family friend

Paul Mosley are all serving prison sentences for manslaughter.

New figures suggest crime in Nottinghamshire isn't falling as

much as in other parts of the country. There's been a 1% drop in

the number of reported offences last year, compared to a 10% fall across

England and Wales. There was a large rise in shoplifting and sexual

offences and 1,300 extra violent crimes in the county. Officers have

blamed changes in the way crimes are collated and say people are also

more confident about reporting them. An alcohol`free bar is opening up in

the East Midlands. It's run by a charity that helps people

with drink problems and has been given a grant of ?340,000 from the

National Lottery. A Government survey suggests around one in eight

people in our region never drink alcohol. The venue is also aimed at

people who do, but fancy a change from a boozy night out.

A stones throw from the Old Market Square, it looks like a club. If you

arrive so that here, you will leave that way. There is not a drop of

alcohol here. People are looking to be more healthy and everyone is more

aware of addiction issues as well. Should more of us switch to alcohol

free alternatives more often? In the East Midlands, one in five people

were drinking at a level that increases the risk of damaging their

health. 83,000 alcohol related hospital admissions were reported in

2011 and 149 people died from alcohol`related causes. Jason told

me drink was killing him until he quit nine years ago. He is one of

the first to sample the alcohol free bar. It is ideal for Nottingham.

People in recovery, it is ideal. People are getting more

health`conscious and not going on mad benders like in the 80s and

90s. Cheers. Plenty of media attention today, but will be public

give it a second glance when it opens next week to estimate the

people who hand out National Lottery money are convinced it is a good

cause. They have granted over ?300,000 to the venture set up by a

Nottingham drugs and alcohol charity. We have funded a project

similar to this recently in Liverpool. That has shown success.

With around 100 drink choices and alcohol free cocktails, they are

hoping to shake up Nottingham's nightlife great idea.

We will see if it catches on. Striking lecturers have accused

their university of bullying them, by docking them a full day's salary

for a two`hour strike. Staff at Nottingham Trent University took

part in a national stoppage this morning over pay. But their managers

have taken legal advice and say, along with 40 other universities,

they are entitled to dock strikers a whole day's money, even though the

walk`out only lasted two hours. We have members here today who I have

not seen take industrial action before. I think it has angered our

members sufficiently to force them to come out. They are being bullied,

essentially. It is a democratically voted for strike and to say they

will dock as the day's paper two hours is frankly disingenuous. ``

the day's pay. Plans to revamp the main entrance to

Nottingham's Victoria Centre have been approved. The design includes

an extended glass entrance with lighting panels which change colour.

The centre's owners say it's a key part of its ?40 million

refurbishment which starts next month. The city council's already

approved proposals for similar entrances at the Clock Tower and

Glasshouse Street. A leaky pipe's a pain at the best of

times. But a canal that's leaking is an entirely different kettle of

fish. On the Erewash Canal in Nottinghamshire, a loch's been

drained so repair work can get under way. While they're at it,

they'll fix a set of lock gates and repair the brickwork. All part of a

nationwide, ?45 million programme of canal repairs. Amy Harris reports.

Stepping into the past, these workmen are storing and repairing

this loch in Derbyshire. It dates back to the Industrial Revolution.

Not surprisingly, it is in need of a face`lift and there is a fair bit to

do. We have got a 250`year`old canal and we have got to keep it working.

Each loch takes a bit of tender loving care. 0

Each loch takes a bit of tender loving care. Pointing, brickwork

repairs. It is required to keep the canal in tiptop condition. This is

one of 100 lochs across the country undergoing repair work for the

benefit of the 33,000 bows that pass through them every year. `` boats.

It will cost ?50,000 and take up to four weeks. But while the loch is

closed, to boats, it is open to the public on Sunday. You would not

believe it, but their role people living here who did not know the

canal and the loch was here. It will be eye opening. I hope they come and

have a look. It is part of their heritage. The loch will be open from

10am until 4pm. Read chance to see the of engineering from the past and

the work to protect its the future `` a red chance.

Still to come: Is this the world's worst motorway?

It's just one mile long, doesn't go anywhere and the roadworks are

never`ending. Full story later. Talking about never`ending...

Colin, take no notice! It gets harsher and harsher.

I will get on with it. First, it's not until March, but the

build up to the Derby`Forest match has started already. Today Derby

confirmed they're changing where away fans will sit at the iPro

Stadium from next season. Rams supporters will be behind both goals

and the away fans moved to a corner. Interestingly, the club will trial

the plans at that Forest game. Natalie Jackson explains.

From next season, the 0 Natalie Jackson explains.

From next season, the South stand here at the iPro Stadium becomes a

home fans only area. It means Rams supporters can sit behind both

goals. 0 supporters can sit behind both

goals. The away fans will be tucked away over there in the south`east

corner. Chief Executive says it gives the head coach Steve McClaren

home advantage. Certainly, Steve is behind it. For him and the players

to come out to an arena where all of the fans behind the team is

fantastic. It will help spur them on. Chief operating officer John

Vickers has widely consulted fans. We sometimes have 4500 away fans

hide the South stand goal making noise. `` behind. We feel we are

giving away the home advantage. Since we left the baseball ground,

we have not had a central area of the home supporters. I think it will

be much better. We have always wanted to be behind the goal and

push them into the corner. We have spoken about it further number

years. The club will trial the plans at the coming East Midlands derby

giving Forest and allocation of 2700 tickets. I see no point in entering

into a tit`for`tat exercise and giving them 0

into a tit`for`tat exercise and giving them 2000 and leaving 700

unsold seats. The game with Forest is on the 22nd of March.

Other news form the Rams, Derby have signed Nuneaton goalkeeper Kelle

Roos on a two`and`a`half`year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Leicester City Manager Nigel Pearson has confirmed they've turned down a

second bid from Fulham for young defender Liam Moore. Moore has

impressed with his performances at the heart of the Leicester defence

this season. Pearson says as far as he's aware he's the only player the

club have received official bids for this January. And he's hoping

attention from the Premier League isn't a distraction. I think there

is always the danger when their respective Laois and surrounding

players' future is that it can have an adverse effect. `` when there is

speculation. Hopefully it will not have a negative effect.

Nottingham Forest have sent striker Ishmael Miller back to Yeovil on

loan until the end of the season. He's already spent a month there

scoring three goals. Finally from me, the Nottingham

woman who took up Brazilian jujitsu as a student and now she says she's

aiming for the moon. Vanessa English has already become a world champion

as a purple belt. This week she's going for an even bigger title in

Lisbon. Tom Brown has been to meet her.

One. Two. In a small hall in Nottingham, this Brazilian teachers

Brazilian jujitsu. In Vanessa English, he has got a real star. I

love my life 0 English, he has got a real star. I

love my life and I love jujitsu being a big part of my life. Vanessa

is a special girl. She is one of the most dedicated students I have over

here. Vanessa only picked up the sport four years ago. Already, she

is a world champion at purple belt, beating opponents who have more

experience and who are often much bigger. Nice. I have had people say

to me, you feel like a 100 kilo guy but you are 50 kilos. What is going

on? That is a nice feeling. But being the best requires a relentless

training schedule and Vanessa has to fit it all around her job as a home

carer. She has to do her overnight shifts and she goes all the way

through the night and the next morning she is here training. It is

a contrast. One day I 0 morning she is here training. It is

a contrast. One day I would like to do jujitsu completely full`time. If

that is what I have to do to reach my goal is, then that is what I will

do. Her goal this week is a brown belt title at the European

Championships in Lisbon. That would leave her just one below the top

division of lap belt and her ambition does not end there ``

blackbelt. I am going to the moon. The sky is not the limit for me. I

am going beyond that. I want to be the best.

All that in just four years. Remarkable performance from her and

she is really going along way. Just shows what is positive thought

does. You have to believe you will get to the top.

Don't mess with Vanessa! The shortest motorway in England has

opened in Leicestershire. It's just one`mile long and I suspect the

chances of getting stuck in a traffic jam are pretty low.

I think you are right there! So, what exactly is it used for and

where is it? Our reporter Eleanor Garnier's been finding out.

Motorways are of course the driving, not for walking. You might

think I am taking a bit of a risk. If this was a real motorway, you

would be right. Luckily for me, it isn't. Which works here. I am going

to find out what he does. `` Richard. This is a one mile stretch

of road, three lanes, white lines under high shoulder. I am team

manager for the Highways Agency. Here we do a lot of operational

training in a safe environment where we can replicate the motorway

without having to affect the public by closing motorways. Highways

officers from across the country come to the motorway to do their

training, whether it is towing vehicles, putting up screens around

accident or even organising the traffic, it can all be done here. It

allows us to develop our skills in a safe environment and also learn from

our mistakes. We are constantly changing and learning new skills.

Coming to a facility like this gives us the opportunity to learn more

skills. This stretch of motorway as part of the 1.9 mile 0

skills. This stretch of motorway as part of the 1.9 mile runway.

Officers still need to do some training on a real motorway, but 90%

of the courses the new staff can be done here. While they get on with

their training, I am going to relax in the slow lane. Or should I save

lane one. One thing is for certain, I am certainly not going to get

stuck in a traffic jam `` or should I 0

stuck in a traffic jam `` or should I say lane one? Let us hear it for

the highways workers, they do a vital job.

You don't think about them having to practice doing stuff like that but

it is quite obvious. Dangerous on the motorways,

especially when it is wet like today.

Despite the fact we had such a wet start to the day and we certainly

saw some pretty lively showers as well with the sky is really

darkening across the East Midlands, we are left with the remnants of the

water that has fallen. There is a weather warning in force tonight. It

is with regards eyes on untreated pavement Zandra Rhodes `` ice.

Wintry showers across the peak district. Gradually they will sink

towards the south. Clear skies across the eastern side. A little

bit more cloud. That will have an impact on how much frost we are

likely to see. It's coldest temperatures in the East, that is

the main area where we will see ice problems. Very wet on Friday. Rain

coming in in the early part of tomorrow morning. Why the time this

weather front reaches us, it will weaken slightly. It will still be a

very cold day. It will be damp and dismal. The temperatures by the

afternoon, a southerly breeze. Around five or six degrees. It will

increase further through the early part of the evening. Milder air is

starting to come in. Saturday morning starts fine and dry. It soon

changes as the day goes on. Further bands of rain coming in on Saturday.

Temperatures recover a bit. Sunday after a dry and cold start to the

day, it will certainly start to change once again. The deep area of

low pressure moves in. Gale force winds likely. A band of heavy rain

working East. The low pressure does not know where to go on Monday so

it. Off wet and cold `` it will start off wet and cold. How is your

thumb? Serious accident.

Thank you for helping me with all of the little personal tasks!

A star will be born on The Voice 2014!