24/06/2014 BBC London News

from the News at Six. Goodbxe from me. On BBC One, we join the teams

where you are. is in Westminster for us now, Nick.

Tonight on BBC London News... The Government names scores of

private schools and colleges it says are involved in student vis`

private schools and colleges it says are involved in student visa fraud.

We will take action against those who do not abide by their legal

responsibilities. are involved in student vis` fraud.

Tens of thousands of overseas students are involved.

Also tonight... The vulnerable children who are

"abhorently failed" ` new c`lls to "abhorently failed" ` new calls to

overhaul the social care system Getting away from it all by bike `

City Hall's new idea to make cycling more appealing.

Plus... Is the cast

of EastEnders too white to properly reflect life in the East End?

Good evening, welcome to the programme.

The Government has said that nearly 50,000 immigrants ` mainly based in

London ` have fraudulently obtained English language certificates to

London ` have fraudulently obtained English language certificatds to get

a UK student visa. The immigration Minister James

Brokenshire told the Commons that an inquiry into abuse of the sxstem has

found evidence of criminal activity. found evidence of criminal `ctivity.

57 private colleges have had their licenses to sponsor overseas

students revoked and three universities have also had

action taken against them by the Home Office.

It follows an investigation by the BBC's Panorma progralme.

As Gareth Furby reports. Their websites are still online, but

withdrawn at a stroke, therd are licensed to sponsor overseas

students. Some 40 separate institutions in and around London

and the south`east are affected. This government action follows the

Panorama investigation into a company called Education Testing

Services. What am I Panorama has uncovered is important. It was meant

to test overseas students bdfore to test overseas students bdfore

they got a visa but some were allowed to cheat. Today, the

government said they had iddntified government said they had iddntified

more than 25,000 invalid results and 19,000 that were questionable. In

the Commons, the London School of business and finance, based in

Holborn, was mentioned specifically. Overseas students

Holborn, was mentioned specifically. Overseas studdnts at

privately funded further education privately funded further edtcation

colleges are not allowed to work at all yet one college has 219 foreign

students who worked and paid tax last year. People were allegedly

studying in London with homd addresses in Ipswich and Colchester.

The University Of West London is said to have more than 110 students

with invalid test results and pending further investigation, that

University and the University of Bedfordshire will not be allowed to

sponsor new students. The government will also be looking at othdr

locations in the capital. Because will also be looking at other

locations in the capital. Bdcause of locations in the capital. Bdcause of

much of the worst abuse seems to be taking at other locations in the

capital. Because of much of the worst abuse seems to be taking

capital. Because of much of the worst abuse seems to be takhng a

worst abuse seems to be taking a blonde and sub compasses of

universities based the House that blonde and sub compasses of

universities based the Housd that we universities based the Housd that we

will examine these London campuses will examine these London c`mpuses

to see whether further action should be taken against the parent

universities. The scale of the abuse, some 48,000 students as

minimum, is shocking. Tonight, many London colleges named on the

minimum, is shocking. Tonight, many London colleges named on thd list

London colleges named on the list are considering the implications but

one, the London School of Btsiness one, the London School of Business

and Finance, said they were disappointed and would be hoping for

a resolution shortly. They stressed it will not affect Karen students

it will not affect Karen sttdents who will continue to study. ``

current students. Our home affairs corresponddnt is

Our home affairs correspondent is with me. Plenty of people s`ying

Our home affairs corresponddnt is with me. Plenty of people saying it

with me. Plenty of people s`ying it needs to be sorted out urgently?

needs to be sorted out urgently Indeed it does. Which is higher

education is a global brand and we have some of the best universities

in the world. `` British higher education will stop apparently it

makes up about 3% of the annual GDP. That is why last September we saw

Boris Johnson and George Osborne hopping over to China not jtst

Boris Johnson and George Osborne hopping over to China not just to

woo tourists and business executives, but also students. The

longer this investigation goes on the fear is that those potential

students might go elsewhere. What can we expect from the government?

This was cheating on an indtstrial scale. Five companies are licensed

to carry out these tests. One was exposed, as you heard in the

to carry out these tests. One was exposed, as you heard in thd report,

exposed, as you heard in the report, by Panorama. There are posshble

links to organised crime. The Immigration Office is hunting those

who instigated this and if so will ban them from the UK. They `re

looking into other London universities.

As Gareth Furby reports. Coming up later in the programme...

In 2010 the Mayor dismissed phone hacking allegations as codswallop.

Today he reacts to Andy Coulson's Today he reacts to Andy Coulson's

guilty verdict. There are calls tonight to radically

change to the way vulnerabld change to the way vulnerabld

children are cared for in London. A report out today highlights

a system under huge pressurd, with a system under huge pressure, with

some children are being abhorrently failed by social services.

Now a task force has been sdt up, headed by the former Director

of Public Prosecutions to drastically improve care.

Nick Beake has been speaking to one young Londoner who

feels she was badly let down. I got taken into care from `n early

age through no fault of my own. I had multiple placements throughout

my life. I didn't settle down. At 13 I lost my mum to a brain

haemorrhage. That is when mx life went on a downhill spiral. It is

went on a downhill spiral. Ht is only now Becky feels she is living

the sort of life everyone ddserves. the sort of life everyone ddserves.

She thinks the failings of London's social services robbed her of much

of her childhood. I didn't get any support from the local authority

with regards to grievance counselling. I was moved from place

to place. I had no structurd in my to place. I had no structurd in my

life, I had no real stability. I had no understanding of what was going

on. This video released to date by the charity Kids Company highlights

how thousands of children are being sexually abused or mistreatdd.

how thousands of children are being sexually abused or mistreated. And a

big report also released today is calling for a Royal commisshon

big report also released today is calling for a Royal commission on

Public enquiry into what it claims is a system in crisis. What a number

of social workers told us w`s that it was becoming increasingly

it was becoming increasinglx difficult to have children accepted

as in need of care. What they suggested was that the bar was being

artificially raised because social services did not have room for them.

This is an effort to shake up services did not have room for them.

This is an effort to shake tp the This is an effort to shake up the

system sooner, the launch of a task force led by the country's former

top prosecutor. It will identify the best models of care and hopes the

best models of care and hopds the next government will act on what it

finds. There has got to be honesty about the extent of the problem.

about the extent of the problem That is what this report flushes

out. You will only get real change when you get a moment in time

out. You will only get real change when you get a moment in tile when

when you get a moment in time when people say, enough is enough. In a

statement the government told us it was tackling the problem.

hopes her daughter's generation and beyond can begin a better start in

life. Well the founder of the charity Kids

Company which commissioned the research, Camilla Batmanghelidjh,

joins us now... Thank you for coming in. This is not

new to you, but why do you think a new task force will be effective in

helping children get timely support? What has happened in the past is

there have been a lot of enpuiries there have been a lot of enquiries

and governments have tweaked the structure as it is. With thd task

force, See The Child, Change The force, See The Child, Change The

System, we hope to look at the structure again and rethink

children's social services and structure again and rethink

children's social services `nd child children's social services `nd child

mental health to see if we can completely improve the service

completely improve the servhce provision and the structure. There

is a lot of good work going on. There are a lot of brilliant

practitioners. The system is no longer fit for purpose and ht

practitioners. The system is no longer fit for purpose and it is

actually letting down a good million plus children. You mentioned good

practitioners. Is there a d`nger plus children. You mentioned good

practitioners. Is there a danger of glossing over the great work? The

president of the Association Of Directors Of Children's Services

says, this must not be taken as an indicator of widespread failure.

Unfortunately, for years professionals have been unable to

tell the truth publicly. The professionals have been unable to

tell the truth publicly. Thd reason tell the truth publicly. Thd reason

I asked the Centre For Soci`l Justice to carry out this

investigation is because thdse professionals who are leading major

organisations inside local authorities are coming to md

authorities are coming to me privately and saying that they are

failing vulnerable children and they do not dare speak up. That is

failing vulnerable children and they do not dare speak up. That hs why I

brought an independent organisation to investigate. The research is

beyond 20 cases. It is national and it has had social workers and mental

health workers whistle`blowhng about health workers whistle`blowhng about

how children are being failed. health workers whistle`blowing about

how children are being faildd. In how children are being faildd. In

terms of shaking up the system, the government says changes are being

made. From your perspective, is it about money? Is it about thd

made. From your perspective, is it about money? Is it about the system?

Both? We do not know. The cost of a child does not get captured. We do

not know how many children `re vulnerable because government and

local authorities do not capture the numbers. That is why the tile

local authorities do not capture the numbers. That is why the time has

come to have some truth telling to identify the children who nded help

and deliver proper help to them. The nation would not want maltrdated

nation would not want maltreated children left to fend for

themselves. Thank you for coming in.

joins us now... More now

on the phone hacking verdict. And the Mayor of

London Boris Johnson has sahd today that it is right that those

convicted should pay a heavy price for their beh`viour.

a heavy price for their behaviour. However, when the allegations first

re`surfaced during his first`term, he controversially described them

as codswallop. Let's cross to

our political editor Tim Donovan who's in Westminster tonight.

The Mayor had a quite a unique role here?

Yes, an unusual position. Not only was he the victim of hacking but he

was also able to do something about it, arguably. His case the phone

hacking was one of the orighnal hacking was one of the original

cases investigated and part of the original trial in 2007. We know it

was a limited investigation. By the time the allegations resurfaced

was a limited investigation. By the time the allegations resurf`ced and

time the allegations resurfaced and were being publicised in 2009/1 ,

time the allegations resurf`ced and were being publicised in 2009/10, he

were being publicised in 2009/1 , he was then chair of the Metropolitan

Police authority with a statutory responsibility to hold them to

account. Critics say there was a distinct lack of pressure on the

peat `` police to open the investigation and bring justice to

the victims. He said he recdived assurances from police officers that

there was no need for a reinvestigation. As you know,

publicly he was highly dismissive. The conclusion of our conversation

would be obvious. From what I have said. In other words, this is

would be obvious. From what I have said. In other words, this hs a load

of codswallop cooked up by the Labour Party. There is a ch`nge

of codswallop cooked up by the Labour Party. There is a change of

Labour Party. There is a ch`nge of substance and town in a statement

from City Hall today. He sahd, I am from City Hall today. He sahd, I am

pleased that Rebekah Brooks and Charlie Brooks have been acquitted

Charlie Brooks have been acpuitted and the case has taken its course.

Phone hacking is a disgraceful method of journalism and it is read

the culprit should pay a he`vy price for their behaviour. That has been

for their behaviour. That h`s been quite a journey of the last four

years. The mayor had built tp quite a journey of the last four

years. The mayor had built tp close links with Rebekah Brooks and the

Murdoch family? He had had meetings with Rebekah

Brooks, James Murdoch and Rtpert Murdoch. You may remember that at

the time of the assembly, others were questioning him about hacking

and asking what he was going to do about it, and it emerged he was in

the middle of negotiations with News International to see if he could get

sponsorship from them for a cable car and a new academy. He s`id

sponsorship from them for a cable car and a new academy. He said there

car and a new academy. He s`id there was nothing inappropriate about

doing that, and he repeats that now. a unique role here?

Next, the push by City Hall to encourage even more

cyclists on to London's strdets It's spending a billion pounds

over ten years to help make roads safer and more pleasant.

That includes setting up a network of "quietways", as our Transport

Correspondent, Tom Edwards explains. Cycling in London for some canned

Felix trainee dangerous. That means many are put off. Now there are

plans to encourage them to use the side streets, called quiet ways.

Nobody is turning off because they do not know it exists. We are going

to label it and signposted so it is easy to follow. Where you nded to

negotiate a tricky Judge Chin, easy to follow. Where you need to

negotiate a tricky Judge Chhn, we are going to make it easy and have

segregation, that sort of thing. We took a trip from Waterloo to

south`east London. This would be one of the first quiet ways. We are

doing more segregated juncthons and more segregated tracks. We are doing

more segregated tracks. We `re doing a big network of backstreet routes

which will give you a quiet and peaceful journey and there are

which will give you a quiet and peaceful journey and there `re huge

peaceful journey and there are huge numbers in London. Councils like

Camden have already introduced schemes to make cycling safdr on

side roads. You will probably see more of these. We should have cycle

route everywhere but make sure the cards `` the cast and not come in.

Would it encourage cycling hf there Would it encourage cycling hf there

were more of these? Definitdly. These fences are coming down, there

will be planting and better lighting and CCTV. The authorities are

playing catch up in providing safe infrastructure for the huge increase

in cyclists. The plan is to open new routes like here, behind Millwall's

new Park. We will link up to another path and that will create a 24/7

full`time traffic free cycld route full`time traffic free cycld route

through south`east London. Campaigners have cautiously welcomed

plans but they want the routes to feel safe and welcoming, but also

they are frustrated at the lack of real progress. All roads in London

are contested spaces. They have two serve other groups as well as

serve other groups as well `s cyclists. In practice

are contested spaces. They have two serve other groups as well `s it

are contested spaces. They have two serve other groups as well as it is

serve other groups as well `s it is usually quicker. I understand

people's impatience with thd people's impatience with thd

grinding processes of consultation but it is quicker than rammhng

but it is quicker than ramming things through. They could start by

the end of the year and there are plans for future cycle superhighways

to be scrapped and the routes we drawn. London streets could be on

the verge of big changes. Still to come. We reveal the latest

installation in the Serpenthne gallery.

Force Is the TV soap EastEnders too white?

One of the front runners to become the next Chair of the BBC Trust has

said the programme is "almost twice" as white as the population of the

area of east London it's based on. Today the comedian Lenny Henry

defended the drama, whilst discussing diversity

in broadcasting with MPs. Chris Rogers is in east London now.

The creators of EastEnders many years ago got their inspiration from

here, Walthamstow and Stratford which is why it is founded in

Walford. Both areas, including many in London have become incre`singly

multicultural. And as we now report, the BBC Trust highlights a report by

the audience Council for England, which suggests that if Albert Square

is anything to go by, there are twice as many white people living in

fictional E20, as in real life E17. That most recognisable of theme

tunes. As soon as you hear ht, you know you are watching EastEnders but

how recognise is the east London portrayed in the soap? Do the real

EastEnders see any similarities with the one living in the fictional

Walford? Culturally diverse, a melting pot. It is not refldcted in

EastEnders. It is insulting. It is making out we are all Ronny and

Reggie characters. We are not. Look around you. You have every culture

you can imagine. There is jtst as many Russians as there is Turkish as

many Russians as there is Ttrkish as there is Asian as there is black. So

there is no real dominant group. It there is no real dominant group. It

is not really reflected in EastEnders, no. This pie and mash

shop has been here almost a century. If anyone know house the

demographics has changed it's these people. As time has gone on, it used

to be very English and mostly EastEnders, but we have all walks of

life in here now. And this man life in here now. And this man

thinks EastEnders does pretty well. Talking to MPs today, he defended

the programme's record in its reflection of black and minority

ethnic groups, otherwise known as BAME? . ? I think EastEnders is the

most racially diverse onscrden representation of any soap. Over

one`third. 38% of white poptlation watch it. And 50% of the BAME

population watch T clearly the BBC is not connecting with them at some

point but serve that population very well as for as it does for soaps.

Full rehearsal, on camera. The BBC says East enners has one of the most

diverse casts on British television and it would be draft to suggest the

programme needs to be a replica of a particular postcode. For soap people

in East 17, though, it is still falling short of the mark. Think

EastEnders represents old east EastEnders represents old east

London. It is stuck in that period. It could do better. Well, the BBC

Trust isn't just concerned about Trust isn't just concerned `bout

reflecting a multicultural society. It is also concerned about improving

equal opportunities on the BBC, on all outputs. I'm joined by Femi

Ogens, the founder of Britain's Ogens, the founder of Britain's

first drama school that specifically focuses on creating opportunities

for black act ors. I'm sure what you are hearing from the BBC Trtst

doesn't surprise you? Not one bit. I think it is a deliberate tactic to

silence those people who will be proactive now. Commissioners,

networks, producers, have had proactive now. Commissioners,

networks, producers, have h`d the networks, producers, have had the

luxury of being able to givd networks, producers, have h`d the

luxury of being able to give empty and ineffective promises th`t they

know will not make one scratch of difference. That's why now I'm glad

difference. That's why now H'm glad we are bringing it to your

attention. Here we are now talking about this on BBC London, the BBC

Trust is highlighting it. Strely Trust is highlighting it. Surely

that's a good thing and mord that's a good thing and mord

opportunities for the actors you look after. The thing is, it is not

about opportunity as such. The thing is, this country will continue to

lose the tallet that it nurtures and develops. That's evident evdn with

develops. That's evident even with our agency. We have stars who are

now the lead in Star Wars. Hs he now the lead in Star Wars. Is he

going to be interested in doing another show for BBC or ITV or

whatever? The bottom line shtuation, whatever? The bottom line situation,

if you don't recognise us now, just know it is can going to cost you

more when you recognise us in the more when you recognise us hn the

future. As simple as that. Xour work has been recognised. Congratulations

for your MBE for services to actors, you must be delighted. Absolutely.

My mum can't wait it see the you must be delighted. Absolutely.

My mum can't wait it see thd Queen. My mum can't wait it see the Queen.

In November. Congratulations from all of us in BBC London.

Thank you. It's the latest annual pavillion at

the Serpentine Gallery which opens to the public later this wedk.

The temporary structure has been created by Chilean

architect Smilijan Radic. So what exactly is it?

Our Arts Correspondent, Brenda Emmanus, has been to Kensington

Gardens to take a closer look. Visually it's open to many

interpretations. One of its commissioners described it as

appearing like an alien spacepod that has come to rest on a neolithic

site: But, for the next four months, this temporary pavilion stands proud

as the latest offering by the Serpentine gallery and the first

London Commission for its Chilean architect, Smilijan Radic. H visit

London like a tourist sometimes architect, Smilijan Radic. I visit

London like a tourist somethmes but it's not really ` I'm not really

inside of the culture and it is a different experience for me. That's

great. I think it is really challenged and pushed me to do

something that I think is really something that I think is really

good. This fragile`looking fibreglass shell was built up

good. This fragile`looking fibreglass shell was built tp like

papier mache and has taken six months from planning to

construction. Most of Smilijan's work has been in his native Chile

and its his bold structures that signature that have

long`inspired those that commissioned his debut London

project. We found out that there is an amazing architecture scene in

Chile of which he is a key protagonist. I'm impressed with the

way he makes experiences through materials which are unique. For

those people who don't know his work, of which there are many, what

we want them to do, what we want the public to do, is when they come

here, get a sense of the kind of considerations, the kind

that Smilijan has that, of course, exist in these other buildings. Like

previous all great pavilions it'll provide a

surprise at every turn. This installation will provide the

visitors with the very diffdrent visitors with the very different

experience up here in the interior cylindrical shape,

compared to below, surrounded by the

poetry, music, film and litdrature, it's hoped visitors will be drawn to

this playful semi`transparent doughnut, like kids to sweets.

The wind is picking up and that is because we have some showers making

their way to words is at the their way to words is at the

moment. They are not necessarily going to reach Wimbledon, btt

moment. They are not necess`rily going to reach Wimbledon, but things

are turning more unsettled through the next couple of hours. The

message for the next couple of days is a lot of dry weather here

message for the next couple of days is a lot of dry weather herd at

Wimbledon and for the majority of Wimbledon and for the majority of

us. It is not until Friday that things go downhill. You can see the

showers streaming into the East, showers streaming into the Dast

coming from the north and going off to the south`east. We have had heavy

ones in Essex in the last whde. to the south`east. We have had heavy

ones in Essex in the last whde. This evening they will drift towards

Kent. Some inland towards the West and Wimbledon, but for the bulk of

the rest of the play this evening, things should stay dry. We light

the rest of the play this evening, things should stay dry. We might see

things should stay dry. We light see some rain towards the end of the

evening. Tonight, what is h`ppening evening. Tonight, what is h`ppening

is we will have some fresh air is we will have some fresh air

coming towards us so temperatures overnight, nowhere near as luddy

coming towards us so temper`tures overnight, nowhere near as muddy as

overnight, nowhere near as luddy as recent nights. Somewhere around 30

Celsius in central London, 01 recent nights. Somewhere around 30

Celsius in central London, 11 or 12 Celsius in central London, 11 or 12

in the suburbs, so easier for speeding. Tomorrow, the last showers

moving off towards the South. Cloud around and we will see it in the

afternoon. It will not spoil things as we will have bright sunny

interludes and a fresher fedd. interludes and a fresher feed.

Temperatures are 21 Celsius tomorrow, compared to 26 yesterday

and a high of 24. Things are Thursday, another dry day. Spells of

sunshine and bright weather. Also cloud around. At least crucially

cloud around. At least cruchally staying dry. Temperatures 19`21.

cloud around. At least crucially staying dry. Temperatures 18`21 As

I say, change on the way for Friday. You can see in the outlook for

Wimbledon, we do have the threat of rain on Friday. In fact, yes, it

could affect play here at Whmbledon. Then some showers around for

Saturday. So there could be talk of play on Sunday. I will keep you

posted over the next couple of days about that. It wouldn't be Wimbledon

without that. Thank you. A quick reminder of the main

headlines: The sformer editor of the News of the World, Andy Coulson,

headlines: The sformer editor of the News of the World, Andy Coulson has

been found guilty of conspiring to hack phones and now faces a possible

jail sentence. Another former jail sentence. Another former

editor, Rebekah Brooks, was cleared of all charges. According to the UN,

more than 1,000 people, of all charges. According to the UN,

more than 1,000 mostly civilians, have been killed in Iraq thhs

more than 1,000 mostly civilians, have been killed in Iraq this month.

have been killed in Iraq thhs month. The rebels have continued their

advance through the north and west of the country.

And the government has named scores of language schools, mainly based in

London, which it says are involved in student visa fraud. The

Immigration Minister said an inquiry into abecause of the system has

found evidence of criminal activity. found evidence of criminal `ctivity.

You can of course see more on the day's stories on our website. Chris

Rodgers will be back from east London with our late news. From all

of us on the team, thank you for of us on the team, thank you for

watching. Enjoy your he evening Bye watching. Enjoy your he evening Bye

for now. `` enjoy your evening.