26/03/2012 Spotlight

Harthill multi-million pound contract that secured hundreds of

jobs at Devonport dockyard. Good evening and welcome to

Spotlight. The deal to upgrade HMS Vengeance has been signed.

Also tonight. Forced off the road by rocketing fuel prices. The

effect it is happening on South West lives. It is ridiculously

expensive. I may have to downsize because I cannot before the

insurance or the fuel. The safety of mobility scooters is

questioned after a pensioner dies reversing out of his home.

Thousands turn out to go the extra mile for Sport Relief.

The �350 million contract to refit one of the Royal Navy's Trident

nuclear submarines at Devonport has been signed. The deal to upgrade

HMS Vengeance was announced by the Defence Secretary Philip Hammond on

a visit to the dockyard today. It is the last of the four Trident

refits and should secure jobs at Babcock and another 700 in the

supply chain for the next three years. There was no news of what

refit work may be available be on the end of the contract. The multi-

million pound contract to refit will of course be gratefully

received. But Devonport always has at least one eye on the future and

whether next job is coming from. The submarines have had their lives

extended, but they are still basically on the way out. I asked

the Defence Secretary has plans were going for the replacements.

The we are committed to the programme. Work is already under

way. The Vanguard class submarines will be in service for many years

yet. The success of some ranges start to come into service later.

The last government said that Devonport would provide the

maintenance for the vessels. Is that something you would honour?

This will be the sole location for the maintenance of some brains. It

is the only facility we have in the UK. The skills base here is unique.

I asked about the two new aircraft carriers. Could he confirm that

they would both be built? Both carriers are indeed being built.

The programme is under way. There has been much speculation in the

media. The whole of the defence equipment programme is being

reviewed as you would expect. We will make announcements to

Parliament as soon as we have clear decisions. They will be completed?

Yes. Turning to the issue of the aircraft that will fly from them.

He is it quite likely that you will revert to the jump jets that Labour

had plan by you said would cost more and do less? We are looking at

the entire programmes. Decisions were taken and a review programme

was set in motion at working with the Americans to understand the

detail costs of the different options. That work is ongoing. When

we have reached the decisions we will announce them to Parliament.

It would be very embarrassing if you adopted Labour's plans?

Prime Minister made clear last Wednesday that if the facts change

and costs are an important subset of that. If the facts change, we

will review our decision. A key may have noticed that I was wearing a

hard hat during this interview. This was because like everyone else

I was told to do so for safety reasons by the Navy. Mr Hammond

seemed to grow weary of his protective headgear. Then,

literally at the drop of a hat, the constituency MP is bare-headed as

well. A spokesman for the unions at Devonport was quick to condemn Mr

Hammond for apparently flouting the regulations for Vanity reasons.

The court has been told his solicitor from Devon was strangled

by her partner just hours after she had undergone surgery for breast

cancer. The body of a sham Reece was found in the van which crashed

-- Sian Rees. She was told she would have done -- this is how the

death of Sian Rees came to light. It is alleged to partner John Doyle

crashed his than near Hatherleigh after suffering a puncture while en

route to dispose of her body. The prosecution say he strangled the 50

eight solicitor. When it became apparent that she had not died in

the crash, he was charged with murder. The jury of eight women and

four men was told that the couple's relationship was in trouble. Sian

Rees said she wanted to end it. She had recently lost five stone in

weight and had used a pseudonym it to contact another man on the

internet. They never met face-to- face. On the day she died, Sian

Rees had undergone breast cancer surgery at this hospital. She was

having in lump cut from her breast. While at that was taking place,

John Doyle spent much of the afternoon in this pub. He is said

to have told one fellow drinker that his wife would not be happy he

was in the pub and he was also overheard saying that he was pretty

drunk. The couple were doing up their property, but it was taking

longer than planned. Sian Rees decided not to spend the night

there after her operation and she booked a room in a nearby hotel,

but she never went back to check-in. A postmortem showed she died from

strangulation, probably by bare hands. John Doyle, who was four

years older than her, denies murder. Motorists in the South West say

they are being forced off the roles as dual prices hit record levels.

The average cost of a litre of unleaded has risen above 140p for

the first time. Some drivers already pay more than one per and

50 per litre and more increases and fuel duty rises are expected. This

beauty comes at a cost. A widespread dependence on cars and

the expense that can entail. It has never been more of an issue and now

as fuel prices reached record highs. At this petrol station, customers

are suffering. Sylvia McGlynn lives on a pension and is having to make

difficult choices. It is difficult. You have to think about where you

are going and any journeys you were taking and whether you do need to

travel. Megan Sutherland tried so many miles or her job and finds the

fuel prices are unaffordable. ridiculously expensive. I struggle

to afford my car. I will have to downsize as I cannot afford

insurance and fuel at the moment. There is more bad news to come. A

duty rise will add 3p to the cost of a litre in August. Rural

communities it is unbelievable. trouble with fuel prices is the

volatility of the market. They react to the site is global event

and they spike the price up. It goes down as quickly as it goes up.

We do not get massive reductions at the pumps. At the moment, to see

some stabilisation would be a good thing. It now costs around �100 to

fill a family car. The main reason for the rise is the instability in

the Middle East. A Treasury spokesman said the government had

spent �4 billion helping motorists with rising costs. Int the last

Budget, fuel duty was cut and the fuel duty escalator was abolished.

But that those measures, prices would currently be around 10 pence

per litre more expensive than they are.

There are fears denied that a planned strike by fuel tanker

drivers could damage the region's tourism industry. The action has

been triggered by a display strike dates have yet to be set, but the

disruption could start before Easter. With a fuel tankers strike

looming, local businesses are bracing themselves. This man

operates this Bury. He has a contractor providing minimum

service for local people but it is not enough for he needs

holidaymakers to make money and Easter is crucial. We have big

bills to me. We are not subsidised. Our lease payment is due. The refit

on the big ferry is up for next month and like every other business

down here that is waiting for people, we are hoping that these

holidaymakers will use our ferry. Drivers in this union voted in

favour of strike action. They provide fuel to 90% of the

country's forecourts. Now normally businesses here are worried about

the weather. Now with the strike looming, they are concerned about

whether their customers will be able to get here. 12 years ago,

farmers and lorry drivers blockaded stations. This former was one of

five people behind the protest. These days he is speaking up for

the drivers, saying these actions have been on the cards for months.

It is about pensions, the way they are being treated and how the big

companies are trying to slash everything in the background, but

keep the price up to the consumer. There needs to be a full

investigation. I do not want strikes and most drivers do not

want to see strikes. We want common sense. It is not about wages, it is

about safety and other issues. does not want action before Easter,

and is confident there will not be. The distribution companies denied

or issues with health and safety, saying pay and conditions are among

the best in the industry. The government says it is prepared for

the strike and that soldiers are being lined up to stand in if it

goes ahead. Police liaison officers are helping

comfort the family of the lorry driver from Somerset who died

yesterday following Saturday's crash on the M5. The 65-year-old

was on his way from Manchester to Devon when his truck collided with

a broken-down coach in thick fog. He worked for food distribution

firm Fowler Welch which has a base in Newton Abbott.

A Torpoint Ferry service will be suspended tomorrow morning between

7:30pm and 845 p pm to allow movement. It will need permission

from the harbour master. More than 100,000 homes in Torbay

should be getting super-fast prop banned from the tee by this time

next year. The upgrade for Paignton, Brixham and St Marychurch in

Torquay was announced today as part of the �2.5 billion investment

across the UK. Financial experts say the are seen

a glorying rise in aggressive debt collection. Staff at the Citizens

Advice Bureaux say there clients have been getting threatening

letters and repeated phone calls demanding money, in breach of

government guidelines. Bob wicks knows all about

aggressive tactics over debt. In 2008, he was forced to cancel a

foreign holiday after his wife died. He thought everything's sorted out,

but months later the King demands for money, first from the holiday

company and then from a debt collection agency. The letters and

calls at a profound affect. Others answering their letters, conducting

what I thought was a reasonable argument, but the letters were

getting more and more threatening and I started losing sleep. It was

getting too much for me to handle by myself. At that point, he sought

help from a local Citizens Advice Bureau which captain deal with the

claim. The demand had been for �588, but it was settle for �70. The

Citizens Advice Bureaux says does he come to them with debt problems

are reporting receiving repeated phone calls and letters regarding

that debt. It seems that it is banks, credit card companies and

debt collection agencies who are the most likely culprits. The debt

collection companies that are causing the problems work on the

assumption that the people they are dealing with do not know the rules

and regulations. I get case workers say as soon as they start

challenging the debt collection companies, they will often stopped

doing it. The message for those facing bully-boy tactics is do not

There are calls Bawdsey training for people who use mobility

scooters. It comes after a pensioner died after reversing his

scooter out of his home. Out for a spin. Sean has relied on his

mobility scooter for years. He runs a charity for people who take

scooters out to places like Parma. He is amazed it is no regulation.

There should be training provided by the Government. The person

selling the scooter says, right, he is Will you go for one and a's

training. One hour should be fine. If they need more of they can come

back. A pensioner died recently after

crashing his scooter. But accidents like this do not need to be

recorded. This person gave his scooter up after being knocked off

You can buy them very easily. The person who buys them, before they

can put him on the road, should be able to prove that they have either

had a driving licence or are able to park one without a driving

licence. A Plymouth MP has taken the issue

to Parliament. Safety standards should be

maintained and basic training undertaken by all users.

From next year accidents will be officially recorded. The Government

admits that protecting the mobility light flame and dealing with all

these safety concerns is a difficult balancing act.

It is estimated that one in six adults have problems with every be

reading and writing. Many hike up problems of do not have the

confidence to ask for help. -- hide their problems. Our community

affairs Correspondent has been to Cornwall to talk to some adults

about the Experiences. He is the self-proclaimed Arch

Druid of Cornwall. But Edward has had a lifelong disadvantage. He

left school illiterate. It is terrible when you leave school and

you cannot read or write. You cannot measure, we, you need

people to open your post, reach your letters.

This group are trying to improve their literacy skills.

I have come through my life holding back. I thought, No I will push

myself. If they want further qualifications

the struggle. It is estimated that one in six adults have difficulty

with every be reading and writing. Just 15% of jobs in the past

required no literacy skills. Now with the rise of computer

technology it is less than 1%. One Survey showed that 42% of employers

are not satisfied with the basic use of English by school leavers.

An accident which left Ed were partially sighted meant he never

had the chance to read or write. -- Edward. If you would like to

improve your skills you can call It is time for the sport. Torquay

United are back to winning ways. We have had an insight peak at how

Torquay United operate during a football league match. The BBC has

been behind the scenes witnessing how modern technology helped

salvage a win over Port Vale at the weekend. It is quarter cabins for

changing rooms at the moment. The medical team have to work on the

players in the car park. But as the teams get ready for kick-off they

do something more moored on going on. The latest technology has been

used to monitor the game. Port Vale went ahead midway through the first

half. But using the footage the backroom team plot how they will

get back into the match. It seems that whatever was said in the

changing room following the video did the trick. A penalty with 20

minutes to go. Coolly converted. Ryan Jarvis then got his first goal

for the club soon after as they overcame 10 man Port Vale. Joy for

Martin Ling and words of wisdom for the players.

We will see you all on Tuesday. Again on Friday.

You can see more of that special feature tonight at 10:45pm. Life

for Exeter City in big one is fading after one-fifth successive

defeat. They went down to two second half goals at Tranmere

Rovers. They now must overhaul a six-point deficit to escape

relegation. Yorktown are not safe yet. These are for be a foster home

loss of the a year. Defeated by Hartlepool 1 - co. And Plymouth

Argyle steered of the drop zone. They drew with Northampton. But it

could have been much better if this free-kick found the net instead of

hitting the crossbar. A three-week break in her up the's Premiership

has not affected Exeter Chiefs. They stay in 5th place after

prevailing at Gloucester. This last-minute pride won it. -- try.

Plymouth Albion took a giant stride towards safety. They defeated

London Scottish. The scope for prize to prop -- top their

relegation play-off group. Plymouth Raiders were again the bridesmaids.

In a basketball final for the second time. Champions, Newcastle

Eagles, water and a nine-point deficit. -- overturned. They were

victorious by seven points on aggregate over the two legs. In

January the also beat Plymouth Raiders in the BBL Trophy final.

Finally let me point you towards Taunton races. Ladies Day coming up.

Prizes for the best dressed. Look Thousands of you took to the

streets for the Sport Relief Mile. Thank you to everybody who went the

extra mile the length and breadth of the region. Here is a flavour of

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 53 seconds

It was great fun. A wonderful event and hopefully we raised a lot of

money. Here is the movement if you want to

take a look. We had a jump at the end.

There were people in wheelchairs. Space hoppers. It was just

incredible. This is what it is all Brilliant. That look brilliant. And

great weather. We were very lucky. Absolutely gorgeous. Time for the

weather now. More of the same? I It is still fine and dry with

plenty of sunshine. We saw impressive temperatures today. 22

Celsius. That would be good temperature in the middle of summer,

least of all March. Cool along the coast. Certainly towards the Isles

of Scilly way it is just will Celsius. An easterly wind makes it

feel chilly. Most of the United Kingdom has been cloud for the

today. That will continue as high pressure moves closer overnight. It

will be even closer by lunchtime on Wednesday but as it changes

position the change in wind direction will law the temperatures.

By the end of the week will have northerly winds. Temperatures of

around 13 by a week -- by the time into the weekend. We have had some

he's through the English Channel. Earlier today and a cameraman went

down to which sand bay. Fine weather. The golf course here looks

pretty healthy. You can see the missed out at sea. Poor visibility

on the horizon. The golf club enjoying a fine weather and dry

conditions. Although there has been medium and high level cloud in the

sky that will not change much overnight. Looking at the detail,

hardly a cloud in the sky. It will turn cold quite quickly. Overnight

temperatures possibly as low as three or for degrees. Maybe even a

touch of frost. Almost unbroken sunshine for the whole day. Similar

temperatures. Partick will be fog the south-west coast of Cornwall.

North of Devon and across some signal sea temperatures of possibly

20 Celsius. Despite the lovely fine weather just 12 of their team

around the Isles of Scilly. Again that because of the east of the

wind. Here are the high tides. It is an easterly to more of. Ford's

five but moderate of his ability. You do not see many weeks like that.