24/01/2014 BBC News at Six

major incident, after villages have been marooned in flood waters for

three weeks and more rain is forecast. It is a lovely place to

live and a beautiful community and we don't want to lose it. Do you

feel you are losing it? I feel we we don't want to lose it. Do you

are losing the whole community. We look at

Good evening. Welcome to the BBC's News At Six.

25 square miles in the county of Somerset are underwater. The

Environment Agency says there are currently 14 billion gallons on the

Somerset Levels, and more rain is forecast this weekend, as it falls

on saturated ground. Floodwaters are likely to rise.

It has been like this for weeks now. Vast areas of the Somerset

Levels are underwater, and it's just not draining away. When we came here

three weeks ago, this car was completely underwater. As you can

see, all those days later it has hardly changed. It has only dropped

see, all those days later it has really a couple of inches. We

travelled by tractor to the village of thorny. There was nobody in.

Flooded at New Year, it now feels like a ghost town. Water, water

everywhere, to use that famous quote. And it certainly isn't to

drink. With more heavy rain this weekend, Somerset County Council has

now declared this a major incident, which means they can call on outside

agencies like the military to help. The environmental pollution must be

enormous. Briony says it is about time her village was given extra

assistance. Things are rough. There is sewage everywhere. We are on

septic tanks, no mains drains here. It is so depressing. Hopefully this

is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. They could do with the

tunnel in Muchelney. We have been back to the village that became an

island three weeks ago, and nothing has changed. They are still relying

on a council funded road to get in and out, but they hope they might

now get pontoon bridges and extra pumps. You can't get an ambulance in

here, you can't get the fire brigade in here. If we have a problem like

that we're going to be in serious problems. It has gone past the point

of being in emergency. They need to do something. We need to get some

serious form of help out here. For weeks, the villagers here have been

looking after one another but they hope major incident status will

bring more help from outside. hope major incident status will

needs heart surgery next week, and that 90, the boat is not really an

needs heart surgery next week, and option. You feel your life is in

danger? Of course, yes. I rely on the pacemaker to keep my heart

going. So that's how bad it is. These communities are used to

flooding but they can't remember it being so bad for so long. Tonight,

the Environment Agency said the water would be here until at least

the end of February, and with another deluge imminent, it could be

much longer. Do you feel better off? That is the

question at the heart of a political row between Labour and the

government. Downing Street claims row between Labour and the

take-home pay for most workers rose faster than inflation last year.

Labour says the figures do not take into account cuts to tax credit and

child benefit. Hugh Pym has been to Hendon in north London, to see if

people feel better off there. It is one of the most marginal

constituencies in the country, Hendon in north London, a barometer

for the cost of living debate and Hendon in north London, a barometer

whether people are feeling the benefits of economic recovery. With

a sailing club nearby, this small boat Centre has been here more than

50 years. Trading isn't easy. There have not been paid arises for a

while. But Charlie, a welder making trailers here, feel that as far as

he is concerned things are not as tough as they were. You have to do a

bit of ducking and diving, take this and that and do the best you can. It

is not as bad as it was, to be honest, it is getting better. But

others who have seen wages lagging behind inflation are more downbeat.

This woman, a public sector worker, said she felt a squeeze on her

budget. I make do with what I've got. I get by. I cut out a lot of

things so I can afford what they can got. I get by. I cut out a lot of

afford. What sort of things have you had to cut? Holidays. The government

says 90% of workers saw take-home pay rise by at least 2.5%, thanks to

tax cuts in the 12 months to April 2013, which is just above the rate

of inflation, 2.4%. But the figures do not include self-employed workers

and do not take account of changes to benefits, such as child benefit

and tax credits. Even those in work often get benefits and tax credits

and they also tend to be falling often get benefits and tax credits

the moment. Clearly, it is a partial picture of what is happening to

overall income. Labour claims the government figures do not reflect

reality. This is an insult to millions of people who can see with

their own right ash macro their own eyes and feel in their pay packets

that they are getting worse off. He has demonstrated

that they are getting worse off. He understand the lives of millions of

people across the country and understand the lives of millions of

stands up for a view at the top. The Prime Minister, at

stands up for a view at the top. The economic summit, is focusing on job

creation and the economic summit, is focusing on job

companies were moving work back to the UK. A recent survey of small and

medium-sized businesses found more than one in ten has brought

back to Britain some production in the past year, more than double the

proportion sending production in the opposite direction. From food

processing to fashion, from cars to computer makers. The current state

of play is certainly more job creation, but not always wage

increases for those in work. If you creation, but not always wage

look at average ways -- wage rises, before taking account, they have

been running behind inflation for some time, but some economists

expect that to change later this year, with recovery helping push up

pay growth. That is the forecast, but the key issue in the year ahead

is whether higher pay packets and a slower pace in the cost of living

actually materialise. Let's speak to our political

correspondent Iain Watson at Westminster. It must be hard for

people to know what to make of these competing claims about wages. Why is

the government putting these competing claims about wages. Why is

out now? That is a good question. Usually we only see official figures

like this at the time of the budget Autumn Statement is. I think their

unconventional appearance owes as much to political reasons as to

economic reasons. Labour have been banging on for months about the cost

of living crisis, as they call it. They say wages have been falling

since the coalition came to power. For a while, the government

since the coalition came to power. have a dog in the fight. Today, they

are biting back, saying that new analysis shows that wages might be

down but with their tax changes most people were little bit better off

last year. They will also be delighted to know that in

last year. They will also be interview the governor of the Bank

of England is interview the governor of the Bank

interest rates won't go up any time soon, because if they did, the cost

of living for many people would rise, too.

of living for many people would conceding the political territory

without a fight. They accuse the government of touting dodgy figures.

But they are also saying, never mind the statistics, think about this, do

But they are also saying, never mind you feel better off? The suspicion

is that most people would answer no, and because of that, they are

portraying David Cameron as out of touch.

A series of bomb attacks in Egypt's capital, Cairo, has killed six

people and wounded dozens more. The main police headquarters was among

the targets. Supporters of the army generals who seized power last year

have generals who seized power last year

Brotherhood, and its leader Mohamed Morsi, for the attacks.

Brotherhood, and its leader Mohamed denied any involvement. From Cairo,

Brotherhood, and its leader Mohamed Orla Guerin reports.

Panic on the streets of the capital, after a brazen attack in the early

morning. This was the scene just after the bombing at police

headquarters, a desperate search in the rubble and a rush to help

survivors. Insurgents have been carrying out attacks since President

Mohamed Morsi was ousted last July, but this was the most significant

strike so far in Cairo. The damage is clearly visible and it gives an

indication of the scale of the blast. This should have been one of

the most protected and secure buildings in the capital. It was an

obvious target. Instead, attackers managed to reach this spot and

deliver a message to the very heart of the security establishment.

Crowds chanted their support for the army chief, and their fury at the

Muslim Brotherhood. Many put the blame on the Islamist 's, although

they condemned the attack. Local journalists were grieving for

friends at police headquarters. She says she won't be scared away.

TRANSLATION: I am going to come back to work, and if I die I will be

sacrificing my life for my country. I am ready to die for Egypt.

Throughout the day, there were a series of smaller bombings, some

near civilian targets, and there have been clashes between police and

supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, a violent build-up to

tomorrow's anniversary of the revolution which removed Hosni

Mubarak. Syria's opposition and government

will meet in the same room in Geneva tomorrow, after the first day of a

peace conference ended with no direct talks. UN envoy Lakhdar

Brahimi, who held talks with both sides today, said they all

understood that the conference was trying to "save Syria". Paul Wood is

in Geneva for us. Is this looking slightly more hopeful? Well,

slightly, given that the peace process seemed on the verge of

collapse at times jarring the day. They were supposed to meet

face-to-face but the government objected to a speech by the

opposition leader. The opposition reply that they wanted a written

undertaking from the regime that they accepted the provisions for a

transfer of power, and then the Syrian Foreign Minister

transfer of power, and then the would not be any meetings, and he

transfer of power, and then the would take his whole delegation back

transfer of power, and then the to Damascus tomorrow. The United

Nations special envoy was shuttling back and forth to meetings

Nations special envoy was shuttling separate rooms and was extremely

Nations special envoy was shuttling tense. There was even a fist fight

between government and opposition supporting journalists on the lawn

behind me. This evening, Lakhdar Brahimi came out and said he had

agreement both on the basis for the talks and that everyone would meet

in the same room. A journalist asked talks and that everyone would meet

if he had concrete and specific agreement, but he would only say

things like, that is a very good question. The

things like, that is a very good is of a meeting tomorrow in the same

room. Nobody is sure it is going to happen until they see everybody turn

up. Two people have been jailed for

sending abusive Twitter messages to a woman who was campaigning to get a

woman on British banknotes. 23-year-old Isabella Sorley was

given 12 weeks in prison 23-year-old Isabella Sorley was

25-year-old John Nimmo was sentenced to eight weeks for sending messages

to Caroline Criado-Perez. The judge to eight weeks for sending messages

said it was hard to imagine more extreme threats.

A council in Northern Ireland has extreme threats.

banned a play by the Reduced extreme threats.

Shakespeare Company after complaints it is blasphemous. The play is an

abridged dramatisation of the Bible and is due to to start a UK tour at

the end of this month. The theatre company says it infringes their

freedom of speech and they intend to perform the play to an empty theatre

as Chris Buckler reports. Is this biblical or blasphemous, comic, or

anti-Christian? The Reduced Shakespeare Company has found this

play at the centre of a real drama. The actors were rehearsing today

ahead of the UK tour of the Bible, the complete word of God, abridged.

But in Northern Ireland, one venue has cancelled the performance amid

complaints and claims by councillors that it makes a mockery of the word

of God. It feels like a political party is staring up religious

sentiment and religious fear, in the fear that we are doing something

horrible. I don't think any of these people have seen the entire show.

Dozens of tickets have already been sold but councillors from the

Democratic Unionist latte pushed for the show to be stopped. They say it

is mocking Christians, and the D U P is a party with strong religious

roots. It has a history of protest. In the past, members have been

involved in campaigns against other shows it viewed as offensive. And

the party fought to keep Sunday special. In decades gone by, some

Unionist controlled councils even chained up playground swings on the

sabbath. Some rival politicians say this modern-day issue has been

handled like a farce, but there are other unionists who support the

position. It was clear from a Christian point of view that the

issue was raised. This feeling that it is open season on anybody with a

Christian faith. There has been quite a song and dance, and while it

will provide publicity for this comedy, the battle but -- the battle

between respect for religion and freedom of expression is serious.

Our top story this evening: A major incident is declared in Somerset.

And still to come, wires crossed at Bletchley Park over the future of

its museum. Later on BBC London: We meet

London's winter Olympic hopefuls including the 22-year-old

figure-skater preparing for her second Games.

And why more of us may get views like this - as 200 new skyscrapers

could be on the way. Now, it's been one of the more

public and painful managerial changes this season but today David

Moyes got the support of his predecessor, Sir Alex Ferguson, who

Moyes got the support of his backed him to turn around

Moyes got the support of his them being dumped out of their

second cup competition this season and

second cup competition this season League. Sir Alex has been speaking

to our sports editor David Bond. It has been another difficult week

for Manchester United and their manager David Moyes. Defeat by

Chelsea in the league followed by a humiliating exit in the cup. Life

after Alex Ferguson is proving harder than most expected. He says

he has moved on, today, accepting a major new role as coaching

ambassador for European football's governing body, UEFA. And while he

would not be drawn into an inquisition in the current crisis at

Old Trafford, he told me he was critical of clubs who do not give

their manager 's time. He has two persevere with it. He may be goes

for a year and the change and he goes through the same procedure

again. It seems to be so stupid. You have no doubt in your mind that your

club will stick to that philosophy? Of course. And they will give David

the time he needs? You do not need to go down that road, I have said

that before. Sir Alex Ferguson was arguably the most successful manager

in English football history. He won this Tracy, the European cup, twice.

But since he left the club, they have gone into an alarming slump,

leaving many people to question whether their place at European

football's top table is secure. Just qualifying for Europe looks shaky.

Moyes will hope the signing of John-macro will help. All these

. To pick the top four, I find it very difficult. Until results start

to improve, it will be hard to shake off the hangover from Alex

Ferguson's glorious departure. The Liberal Democrat leader Nick

Clegg has insisted he acted immediately when informed

Clegg has insisted he acted allegations that one of his party's

MPs sexually assaulted a constituent. Mike Hancock was

suspended from the Liberal Democrats this week after the leaking of an

internal report into the allegations, which the MP denies.

The woman claims her complaints have been ignored for years. Our

The woman claims her complaints have political correspondent Louise

Stewart reports. Back at work today, his suspension

from the Liberal Democrats didn't prevent Mike Hancock chairing a

meeting of Portsmouth Council. An MP 4/19 years, Mike Hancock voluntarily

resigned as party whip at Westminster last year, to contest

allegations of sexual impropriety. He continued to serve as a Lib Dem

councillor until Wednesday, when he was suspended following the leak of

an unpublished report, which found evidence of unwelcome sexual

behaviour. The woman contacted the MP but said she was overwhelmed by

his attention. The things that he asked me to do, because he is in a

position of trust, he has just overstepped the mark and... I just

feel that no one has listened to me for three years. At the High Court

earlier, she won her battle to force the council to disclose

earlier, she won her battle to force report's findings to her. Although

today's legal action was against Portsmouth Council, it has increased

pressure at Westminster on the Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg. He has been

defending his handling of the situation, amid claims that nothing

was done for almost three years after the party was first notified

about the complaints. The first reaction was to be appalled by these

allegations. My second instinct was to react immediately which is why it

was then looked into and why Mike Hancock ceased to be a Liberal

Democrat MP and has now been suspended from the party

altogether. A police investigation into the claims which Mr Hancock

denies, found no further action should be taken. It is the end of a

difficult week for Nick Clegg. He has already admitted the handling of

sexual harassment allegations against Lord Rennard has been

messy. Mr Clegg must now show he is serious about changing his party's

culture towards women. Bogus insurance claims involving

cars are nothing new but a court in Sheffield has been hearing how a

whole bus Sheffield has been hearing how a

been used in a fake accident to try and claim money. It resulted in the

jailing of three men today, as Danny Savage reports.

This bus is on its regular route in Sheffield. Police say during the day

there are usually six or seven passengers on board. But one

afternoon, in June 2007, about 26 other people piled on. Knowing the

bus was about to be involved in an accident, and here on Scott Road,

the single back-up ran into the back of a car which was in on the scam.

-- the single deck. There was some minor damage and it happened at low

speed but you would not have thought so judging by the passengers'

reaction. Some of them threw themselves on the floor of the bus.

Another man ran down the aisle, head-butted the screen and fell

over. Others were said to be rising in agony. All good reactions for

making an insurance claim. One of the genuine passengers on board

could not believe what was going on around her. I did not know,

obviously. There were people screaming and I thought, have I

missed something here? They were faking it but I didn't realise at

the time. Even the bus try that Adam Herbert was part of the setup.

Today, he was jailed for 20 months. Mohammed Gulzar was given 4.5 years.

There would have been claims for whiplash and other injuries. I do

not know what that runs at. Certainly thousands of pounds. The

con was quickly spotted and stopped Certainly thousands of pounds. The

but it took the so-called crash for cash scam is to whole new level.

The artist Grayson Perry has cash scam is to whole new level.

awarded a CBE at Buckingham Palace. Dressed as his alter ego Claire, the

transvestite potter bowed Dressed as his alter ego Claire, the

receiving his honour for services to contemporary art from a

receiving his honour for services to amused Prince Charles. Mr Perry said

receiving his honour for services to it represented "30 years of hard

graft". After nine attempts in their tour

down under - at last - England have After nine attempts in their tour

finally beaten Australia at cricket. The relief on captain Alastair

Cook's face was obvious as they won the fourth one day international by

57 runs, having the fourth one day international by

three matches in the series, as well the fourth one day international by

as all five Ashes tests. The ground-breaking intelligence

work carried out at Bletchley The ground-breaking intelligence

during the Second World War was The ground-breaking intelligence

credited with bringing forward the end of the conflict. It was the home

of the Enigma end of the conflict. It was the home

as well as the first end of the conflict. It was the home

computer. But Bletchley Park is currently in the throes of the

bitter dispute, between owners who currently in the throes of the

want to create a brand new visitors centre, and volunteers who have been

want to create a brand new visitors working on the site

want to create a brand new visitors Jeremy Cooke picks up the story.

If the war was won on the battlefield, the boffins at

Bletchley Park made the job easier and shorter and so saved countless

lives. Here they first tuned into secret, heavily encrypted Nazi radio

lives. Here they first tuned into signals that started a digital

revolution. No one disputes the fact that this entire site is of huge

historic importance. As the birthplace of the modern computer,

but also, as a place where the German codes of the Second World War

were finally broken. But many visitors here are surprised to learn

that the site is actually split into macro. Colossus, the first

computer, is part of the National Museum of computers and separate

from the main Bletchley Park site. In the past, there has been no

friction between the two, and volunteer guides like Tony Carroll,

have always seen the entire site as part of the same amazing story and

taken visitors to both sites. But the bust up now means his Bletchley

Park bosses have put the computer area off-limits, by bringing people

here, Tony is breaking their rules. Minutes after this, he is called to

the head office and then returned with news he has been dismissed

after years of voluntary service. They haven't got a clue. They are

ruining this place. We are all very upset at not being able to tell the

story we want to. How has it come to this? Millions in lottery funding

means the Bletchley management want to make big changes, develop a

focused, slick, 21st century visitor experience. The work is well

underway but if some believe it is all a big mistake, the mission

statement is clear. No apologies. Unfortunately, places change and

maybe one or two cannot keep with this change. What is your message to

them? Thank you very much for your service but... Goodbye? But if we

are going to move forward we have to keep moving forward with the service

we deliver. Bletchley is in the thick of a new conflict and there

are casualties. 88-year-old Jack is another given his marching orders,

packing up his collection of Churchill memorabilia after 20

years. Making way, the management insist, for something better which

will better serve the public. Time for a look at the weather,

here's Louise Lear. Plenty of it, as well, I'm afraid.

Look at the lovely breaks in the cloud across the East coast. Here it

was a chilly day. We had an inch of rain in the south-west. But it was

milder with all that cloud around. The rain continues to drift slowly

eastwards through the evening and overnight, leaving behind quite a

lot of cloud, damp and truthfully as well. Sharp showers continue.

Nowhere near a cold night as the one just passed. Generally, Saturday for

England and Wales looks to be a promising day. Sunday on the whole,

turning increasingly wet and windy. It is a damp Andrew restart but you

can see some dry weather for England and Wales. -- a damp and dreary

start. By the middle of the afternoon you can see an organised

line of showers. These will contain some hail and rumbles of thunder.

They will gradually sweep their weight East. Mild for the South.

Cold with the wins in Scotland. weight East. Mild for the South.

need to keep an eye on the showers as they push south and east on

Saturday evening. Behind it turns quite cold. There is no escaping the

elephant in the room, the next area of low pressure pushes in from the

West. Dales on exposed coasts, the amber warning continues across

Somerset because river levels are extremely high here and the rain

pushes further east with substantial snow possible to the tops of the

mountains in Scotland. Things will improve a little in the afternoon.

Sunny spells, scattered showers, top temperatures of five to 10 degrees.

If you have heard a rumour that things will get colder and sweet,

find out more