06/01/2013 BBC Weekend News

The Prime Minister has insisted the Government has a full tank of gas

and is going full steam ahead into the New Year. On the eve of the

coalition's mid-term review, David Cameron defended changes to child

benefit, which take place at midnight. If we don't raise that �2

billion from that group of people, we would have to find somewhere

else to take it from. Syria's President Assad edelivers a rare

television address denouncing his opponent as enemy of God and

puppets of the west. Patient deaths and mistreatment at Stafford

Hospital ahead of an inquiry, the Health Secretary says failing

managers can't expect to keep their jobs. And in sport there is more

controversy for Luis Suarez, as he hands Liverpool a place in the FA

Good evening. The Prime Minister has defended Government policies on

the eve of what the coalition calls its mid-term review, saying it is

going full steam ahead to deliver what it promised at the election.

Mr Cameron said the decision to remove child benefit from better

off families, which takes effect at midnight was the right approach.

Labour called the changes perverse. Our political correspondent reports.

First there were the proud smile, when the coalition Government was

born. Then came a more business like approach from David Cameron

and Nick Clegg. We are closer to the next election than we are from

the last one, the coalition is officially midlet aged. But David

Cameron is determined to prove the Government isn't slowing down, and

certainly isn't thinking of retirement. What you are going to

see tomorrow is a coalition Government, with a full tank of gas,

full steam ahead, we have travelled a long way down the road, but there

is a lot more to do one item right now is the removal of child benefit

from better off families. The Prime Minister insisted that was fair,

given the state of the country's finances. You need to make sure

that everyone is making their contribution. So taking away child

benefit from people earning over �60,000. That is only the top 15%

of the country. I am o not saying those people are rich. It is right

they make a contribution. Tomorrow, the focus will switch to the

Government's next set of priorities. Among them it is thought ideas on

how to pay for new roads, funding long-term care for the elderly, and

improving childcare could feature. But Labour claim a bigger promise

has been broken. Because the economy is still sluggish.

Prime Minister said judge us on the economy. The economy has flat lined.

It has hardly grown, unemployment is higher than it was two years ago,

they are not getting the deficit down. Reviving the economy remains

the big challenge, but looming before long will be the awkward

business of how the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats untangle

themselves from each other, before the next election. Both sides

already pointedly talk up their own successes. We want to show we

didn't run away from being in Government, that is what people

said in the past. Why should we vote for your? We haven't run away,

we faced up to responsibility, stepped up to the plate. We have

been willing to take difficult decision, but we have been

determined to make a fairer Britain at the end of the day. But for now,

the aim is to project a united front, an agenda the two men who

brought their parties together can agree on. Let us talk to Chris at

Downing Street. What else did Mr Cameron have to say today? Firstly

we heard that David Cameron would like to continue living here until

2020, of course do that he will have to win the next election. He

touched too on the subject of the European Union, he said Britain

should remain within the EU, but the Conservatives would offer a

real choice as he put it at the next election. He hinted that he

would like to make it harder for immigrants from the EU to be able

to claim benefits. All of that is for another day. The real focus

tomorrow will be what is called this mid-term review, effectively

it is like a to-do list you might have ad at home where some things

get down and -- done and others don't. The aim for the Government

will be to show determination and drive and desire, so they can prove

more of those boxes can be ticked. In Syria President Assad has

delivered his first major speech since June, in a television address

he denounced opponents as puppets of the west and called for the

Syrian people to stand up and fight those who threatened the country's

future. The UN estimates more than 60,000 Syrians have been killed

since the uprising began. As our Middle East editor reports. 60,000

Syrian dead according to the UN. Hundreds of thousands more wounded.

Millions driven from their homes. But the end of Syria's Civil War is

nowhere close. President Assad is embattled. This was his first

public speech in six month, to a carefully vetted audience of

supporters in the Damascus Opera House, but predictions of his

regime's imminent collapse, by last summer, all all been wrong. One

reason, he has important foreign friends.

TRANSLATION: We thank all these country at the forefront. Russia,

China and Iran and all the countrys that have stood with Syria get

interference. We salute and we are grateful for the stances of these

countries. The President delighted his supporter, he called for

dialogue and a referendum on the future. But rebels he called

traitors could, he said, have no part in it.

TRANSLATION: He told them terrorists who have embraced Al-

Qaeda and Jihaddys were trying to destroy Syria. Syrian refugees in

Jordan watched the speech. The shoes were waved as signs of

contempt. The message from Britain wasn't very different. It is

hypocritical because it suggests no part of the regime in the death and

destruction that has been waged against the Syrian people. It

suggests it has been down from Joan side when it is the Syrian people

that have taken against their own regime. And outside President

Assad's security bubble Syria's war goes on. There are no good

scenarios in Syria ant there have been for a while. A peace enjoy is

struggling to make progress, partly because so much blood is being

spilled and the parties are opposed to each other and partly because

the UN Security Council is divided and deadlocked. About what do next.

President Assad's supporters tried to kiss him. His enemies want him

dead. No wonder the diplomats are struggling. The Health Secretary

Jeremy Hunt has warned NHS managers in England that they can't expect

to keep their jobs if there are failings under their care. A second

report into the deaths and mistreatment of patients at

Stafford Hospital will be published within the next couple of month,

writing in a Sunday paper Mr Hunt said proper accountability was

needed in the Health Service. Here is our health correspondent. What

happened at Stafford Hospital will be remembered in the NHS for a long

time. Appalling failures of care that came to light four years ago.

Hundreds of patients neglected, some dying needlessly. A public

inquiry is due to report on how it was allowed to happen. Bella Bailey

went into Stafford Hospital for a routine operation, but after a fall,

and poor care, she died. Her daughter Julie has been campaigning

for change. She says it is still too hard for whistle-blowers in the

NHS, who find themselves put under pressure. Each nurse and each

doctor should be able to go into their hospital, and know they will

be allowed to care for their patients, the way they want to care

for them. Doctors and nurses are tortured just for speaking out,

about the poor care they are witnesses day in and day out.

Unfortunately, the NHS has become a pullly -- bullying culture and that

needs to stop. The Government is trying to anticipate the findings

of the public inquiry. Introducing a friends and familyst the, where

patients are asked about their experience. Funding more training

and calling for managers to be held to account for any failings. It may

be less keen on an overhaul of regulation, as the NHS in England

is already in the middle of a reorganise anyisation. The Health

Secretary knows this inquiry could raise awkward questions, could it

happen now? Can staff speak out? So since last year he has been talking

about making the NHS accountable. need to say this this to all

manager, you will be held responsible for the care in your

establishments. You wouldn't expect to keep your job if you lost

control of your finances. Don't expect to keep it if you lose

control of your care. Stafford Hospital has made many changes

including increasing the number of experienced nurses. The report

won't just be tricky for the Government. Labour were in power

when things went wrong here. This inquiry could influence every

hospital in England. All under pressure to find big financial

savings, without allowing another major failing of care. A police

officer has died after his car crashed into a tree, as he

responded to an emergency call in North Yorkshire, PC Andrew Bramma

was killed in West Tanfield near Ripon on his way to a reported road

accident. The father of two was pronounced dead at the scene. The

Health and Safety Executive is to investigate. Politicians and church

leaders in East Belfast have met to try to find way to end the violent

protests sparked by the City Council's decision to restrict the

flying of the Union flag. Last night, police were pelted with

fireworks and petrol bombs. The chairman of Northern Ireland's

Police Federation says paramilitaries are exploiting the

situation. In streets where the union flag has become a symbol of

protest. The aftermath of another night of violence. There has been a

month of anger and disorder, at the decision to limit the flying of the

flag over Belfast City Hall. There have been bitter stand offs between

protestors and the police, with dozens of officers injured. Even

reports of shots being fired. is no doubt there is a very serious

challenge to the rule of law by paramilitary organises in Northern

Ireland. Our officers are out there and they are holding the line.

afternoon community leaders and politicians have been meeting in a

church in East Belfast, trying to find a solution that will stop the

violence, but currently there seems no prospect of an end to the flag's

dispute. The decision to restrict the flying of the Union flag to a

limited number of designated days was a democratic one, made by the

council. The cross community Alliance Party holds the balance of

power and it supported the vote. Because the make up of the council

isn't going to change any time soon, neither is the decision. It is

going to continue, isn't it. don't have a right to violence

do You can't justify police officers getting attack, the

community getting wrecked. They shouldn't have took the flag down

in the first place. There are many others in this community sick of

both trouble and disruption. Today, there has been a special it ising

of the courts to deal with those charged with rioting and the police

say they will do everything they can to maintain law and order. Let

us get sport now. Thank you. There were no upsets from today's brace

of FA Cup third round match, but a degree of controversy as Liverpool

crushed non-league Mansfield giant killing dreams with a bit of help

from Luis Suarez's hand. Earlier Arsenal drew 2-2 at Swansea. For

some the FA Cup has become a distraction for Arsene Wenger it

represented the chance of much- needed silverware. This season's

options looked to be narrows when Swansea brought on their star

striker Michu. That jump started Arsenal. Their passing had purpose

but they still needed a goal. With ten minutes left Lukas Podolski

obliged. That finish from their left back, Gibbs. But with Arsenal

you should never jump to conclusions, Danny Graham equalised

on 87 minute, and an amazing tie goes to a replay. In Mansfield it

was day to say I was there, or just outside. The Conference side were

hosting Liverpool, and keeping them waiting. The Reds weren't held up

much longer. Seven minutes into his debut Daniel Sturridge spoiled

their party. Mansfield were determined not to hang on and they

started to enjoy thing, the Premier League side needed a hand. Over to

Luis Suarez. His sense of fair play is sometimes questioned, but

despite the up the of his arm the goal stood. They exit with no

regrets but plenty of questions. The draw for the FA Cup Fourth

Round was made this afternoon. There is a full list on the sport

Andy Murray says he is pleased with his form going into this Australian

Open. The world number three defended his Brisbane title today,

beating the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets in the

final. Murray dedicated his title to an ill friend. His Davis Cup

colleague Ross hutch ins has been diagnosed with cancer. And