20/09/2013 BBC Oxford News

Labour leader Ed Miliband says he will abolish the bedroom tax if his

party wins the next election. Also tonight, the derelict site that will

be transformed into a railway station, the first to be built in

Oxford —— Oxfordshire Fanelli named two years.

And of the ten on its last refuelling mission from Brize

Norton. Anna is off to a fast start as she takes on her final summing

challenge. Good evening. Opponents call it the

Bedroom Tax. The government calls it the Spare Room Subsidy — changes to

housing benefit that have led to cuts in monthly payments for

thousands of people with a spare room. It's a policy that the Labour

Party says is causing misery for those who can least afford it, and

in an exclusive interview tonight, their leader Ed Miliband has told

South Today they plan to ditch the change if they get into government.

It's been a controversial policy, sparking demonstrations and protest

marches. It's affecting people like Toni from North Oxfordshire — who's

now paying £100 more for her home since the change was introduced.

Before the bedroom tax came in, we were making ends meet by the skin of

our teeth. Now the bedroom tax has come in, we struggled for the first

couple of months, and then with the school holidays, the kids being home

a lot more and eating a lot more, I have had to concentrate more on

putting food on the table for the children. That change in labour

policy to scrap the bedroom tax will cost £470 million. It will be

formally announced at the political party conference tomorrow. We asked

the Labour leader, Ed Miliband, how he planned to fund this and if it

would be a difficult policy to reverse. It is difficult to work out

who should be losing this benefit. It is a benefit, not a tax. There

was also the money it saves the taxpayer. Labour has worked out

exactly how to fund that, and when I sat down to interview Ed Miliband,

he was very clear what his policy would be in 2015. We are going to

end the bedroom tax, because it is unfair and it isn't working. We will

find the money to do so by ending the tax loopholes that have been

allowed under this government. The government is saying the economy is

healing. Lots of families feel that by this getting worse. The Labour

Party is on their side. This £470 million you are saying you would use

to get rid of the probe could surely have gone towards the living wage

campaign, which is so high in the south of England. I believe that the

bedroom tax is deeply unfair. As a country, we should do the right

thing. We shouldn't be cutting taxes for hedge funds is when we are

imposing that kind of thing on people. It is about making fair

decisions. When you went to Oxford, David Cameron's constituency, you

won a seat in the local elections. Are you going to spend more time

campaigning in those unwinnable southern seeds? I am not forecasting

that we are going to take such seats in the general election, but we will

be campaigning right across the South of England, because we have an

important measure which about the cost of living, which faces so many

people. The other issue with that pledge to reduce the Spare Room

Subsidy, as the conservatives call it, is that we have some of the

highest waiting lips for housing in the whole of the country. This was a

policy that was designed to free up large houses for growing families,

to reduce those waiting lists. Labour say they want to build more

houses now, something the coalition is now getting on with, but many

will say, why didn't they do that when they were in office? You can

see that whole interview on the Sunday Politics this Sunday at 11am.

Meanwhile members of the UK Independence Party have been talking

about consolidating and building on their recent performance in our

area, at their own conference in Central London. The party took six

seats on Buckinghamshire County Council at the election four months

ago. Activists from the county were among voices speaking out today

against the government's High Speed rail line, HS2, which would cut

through the Chilterns. Not everybody in Buckinghamshire who is objecting

to HS2 is in the in a mansion. A lot of people objecting are normal

people who are having their home values slashed. This made people

look at UKIP closer. Away from politics — it'll be the

first new railway station to be built in Oxfordshire in almost 80

years, and tonight we can reveal that it's to be called Oxford

Parkway. It should be ready for passengers to use by 2016. Chiltern

Railways claims it will radically improve services, but its £130

million investment won't get passengers into London any faster.

Jeremy Stern reports. It's not much to look at, and that

is being kind, but Chiltern Railways believes this site has the potential

to revolutionise travel in Oxfordshire. The first new station

to be built in the county since 1935 will be called Oxford Parkway. This

will be a whole new rail travel experience. An out—of—town station,

handy to get to, large car park with fast, modern trains straight into

London Marylebone with free Wi—Fi and air conditioning. Currently,

commuters use the First Great Western line by Didcot into London

Paddington. From 2016, they will have the option of taking the

children Railways train via Bicester into Mala bone. —— the Chiltern

Railways train. Passengers have welcomed the £130 million

investment, but say other parts of the county have been neglected. We

need a lot more investment in the opening stages, and on the lines,

hurting people from the satellite towns into Oxford. There has been a

consistent failure to reopen some stations that have been closed.

Oxford Parkway should be open by 2015, but customers will not get to

London any quicker. Travel time from Oxford to Marylebone will be around

50 minutes. A support group offering help to

people who've lost someone through suicide has been launched in

Swindon. It's being led by Jacky Parry, whose brother killed himself

five years ago. She says when it happened, she found there was next

to no support available for those he'd left behind. Allen Sinclair

reports. Jacky's brother was 37 when he took

his own life. You go through denial, through anger, through crying... It

is just very overwhelming. There has been a rise in suicide among young

men, and research has shown there is a link between this and the

emotional stress that recession brings. Mental health workers say

their experience backs up those findings. We try to see people

early, so if you can teach someone strategies about how they can

thought challenge, or what they might do differently, because there

is a connection between how they think and what they do. The

challenge for mental health professionals is to reach out to

those who feel there is no future. For those left behind after suicide,

there is now at least more help. If you have gone through that journey

yourself, you can have identification and empathy for those

that are also suffering bereavement by suicide.

You can contact that support group by calling the number on the screen

now. A landmark building in Swindon is to

be protected with listed status. The Spectrum Building, designed by Sir

Norman Foster, was built in 1980 by the car company Renault. It was used

as a location in a James Bond film. The listing reflects the

architectural importance of the warehouse.

It is an aircraft affectionately known as the Queen of the skies.

Earlier today, two of the military's refuelling aircraft, the

V10, left RAF Brize Norton. It has been used all over the world.

They were first used by the military in the 1960s, and have been based at

RAF Brize Norton since 1984. I have flown on the VC10 for most of my

military career. There is a degree of dignity, pride and excellence.

The VC10 has transported royalty, heads of state and even hostages who

have been released throughout its history. Now it is about to make its

final journey, and we are about to go on board. They may be old, but

they are vast. This plane flew from the UK to Perth, Australia, in just

under 16 hours. Take—off was about ten minutes ago. We are facing

backwards, which is a common trait in all RAF aircraft for safety

reasons. There are only 17 of us on board, and we are heading towards

the North Sea near Newcastle to refuel some typhoons and tornadoes.

Most of the fusilade is taken up by these tanks. This is one of the

things the VC10 does best, refuelling and aircraft. These

tornadoes have flown from a base in Scotland. You can see just how old

this plane looks. This is a four manned flight deck, made up of two

pilots, and navigator and an engineer. It is very different from

modern aircraft, which only require two pilots. It is pretty much all

manually operated. It is an old aircraft, and it takes a lot of

work. The VC10 has been part of my life since 2002, so that will be 11

years of some good memories, some not quite so good memories, but

overall, it has been fantastic. I feel privileged to have the Pacino T

to fly the aircraft. There will be one final voyage to museums in

Leicestershire and Surrey. Nominations have opened for this

year's Oxfordshire sports awards. Nominations include unsung hero. We

will be at the awards ceremony on November the 29th. That's it from

us. Goodbye. public than reacting? They are

loving it. We need to fund raise. The hard bit is still to come. Back

to you. Still to come: This woman takes a close—up look. Join me later

when I have my first lesson in this bad boy.

The mother of a soldier serving in Afghanistan has described her as she

felt sick to the stomach when she opened a letter and a wooden cross

with a poppy on it fell out. It is part of a direct marketing campaign

by the Royal British Legion. It is not the first time the Royal British

Legion's letters have caused upset. The organisation has apologised for

any distress it may have caused. The first thing that happens, the cross

fell out of my lap. It was the most heart—wrenching, gutless feeling I

have ever felt in my life. The whole world went through the floor. Joe

Edwards lives on the Isle of Wight and does not want to identify her

son. She admires the work of the Royal British Legion and is

surprised by what she feels is the thoughtlessness. To me across

signifies a grave, a death. My son being over there at the moment, I

did not need to see that. I need to know that he is going to come back

safe and sound. And not be reminded of the dangerous situation that he

is in along with everybody else. The crosses are meant to provide a

tangible and meaningful way of helping people honour the memory of

a loved one who may have died in service. More than 100,000 people

send them back to Royal British Legion each year with personal

messages on, many accompanied by donations. The Legion then plans

them in the fields of remembrance in their behalf —— on their behalf.

This isn't the first time their envelopes of upset people. In a

statement, the Royal British Legion told us it empathises with Joan

Edwards. It says it is very sorry for any distress caused. The

envelopes carry a message in small print offering sincerest apologies

for any upset caused if the letter arrives at an inappropriate time.

Thousands of residents in Surrey have signed a petition calling for

professional cycling races in the county to be scrapped. The Tour of

Britain race arrives in Guildford tomorrow and once again there will

be a series of rolling road closures. Some residents say it's

like being "kettled" in their own homes — a reference to the police

tactic of restricting the movement of protestors. Ben Moore reports.

It's almost like a chain reaction in Guildford when the cycling comes to

town, the roads are closed. Now some residents in the middle of the

course wish cycling would get on its bike.

The entrance to and from my property leads me to a road that is closed. I

cannot get out of my house in a motor vehicle and SI wish to leave

before 5am or come home after 7pm. How do you feel? Kettled, to use an

expression. More than 60,000 cyclists took part

in the riding event this summer. Some roads were closed for many

hours. Tomorrow's event is for professionals, so some of the

cycling chaos should be avoided. We have had a consultation that has

gone out to individuals and residents, talking about what we can

do to make this less inconvenient. Surrey has been a focus for cycling

since the Olympics. It is that legacy that is also causing

problems. This whole part of the county is

absolutely saturated with people who wish to be like the Olympic road

racers. Businesses on the course say that

despite the popularity of races, they are not cashing in.

It is putting our normal customers of the area, because they are slowed

down by the cyclists. They ride three or four abreast on the country

lanes, and it becomes a real nuisance for them to come out and

use the local businesses. Tomorrow, the finish line will be

packed, testament to the popularity of the sport. Surrey post—Olympics

is making the sport its own. But it is hoped that the popularity of the

cycling will not be a divisive issue for those and to wheels or not.

It's an interesting debate, because the Tour of Britain is big this

year. It has proved a hit with cycling fans, sporting fans.

Indeed, it is the other side of the coin of the Bradley Wiggins affect.

We start off with another sport, World Cup qualifying starts for

Britain's —— England's women tomorrow. England had a difficult

summer with poor performances in the British Championships, which led to

the sacking of manager Hope Powell. Tomorrow, temporary boss Trent Hills

is in charge, and with the visitors from Turkey to Fratton Park.

There are a few new additions to the team, so everyone will be looking

forward to being a bit better than a few months ago.

That match is live on BBC One tomorrow from 9:50am. In the Premier

League, Southampton travel away. After a 0—0 game, it means that

Saints have lost only once, but they have struggled to score.

Reading have signed form and Southampton defender —— defender,

and also Saints striker Billy Sharpe could be set to join him. They are

trying to bring the man aside from Doncaster to them. Also, a record

signing of tequila ran the pipe once must could lead to a leading start

—— coq lo Runcie. Don't forget, there is commentary on all of the

matches later. In cricket, Surrey has been

relegated to the second—tier of the championships. Surrey gambled and

forfeiting as they needed to win to stay in the Division One. But they

did not pay off, Warwickshire won by six wickets.

Ben Ainslie and Oracle USA stayed alive in the Americas cup

yesterday, after beating team New Zealand. Yesterday's game was as

boned until today. The Kiwis lead 8—2. —— was aspirant until today.

The Kiwis need only one more race to win the trophy.

Making the change from enthusiastic amateur to contender must be one of

the most exciting and difficult tasks. It certainly will be for a

Dorset teenager, George Rogers has cerebral palsy. He is setting his

sights on the Paralympics, but tomorrow he is setting itself a

different fundraising challenge. George has only been swimming

competitively for two years. He wants to progress. But if he needs

to races game, he needs to raise some cash.

I need to be at every competition, you need to be up three places at

once in order to get your name into the Paralympics swimming world. You

cannot do that without substantial financial backing.

He is in training now, not force women competitions but for the

fundraising challenge he has set himself, —— not for swimming

competitions. He will be walking, in a kayak and in his racing

wheelchair. He is under no dissolution of how hard it will be.

With my training, it will be very challenging thing to do, especially

as I have just got out of a kayak. Travelling to accommodation and

competitions will cost £5,000 a year and will increase if he competes

abroad. It is the challenge itself that holds the appeal. It is a

difficult time for teenagers with a disability.

When people start achieving in the sport, their self—esteem goes

through the roof. That has happened to George.

I would go mad without this sport. I would not like to not be able to do

it myself. His team is to —— his dream is to

competes in team GB in the Paralympics. He is looking forward

to future competitions. Quick mention, the Portsmouth

triathlon, good luck to all the 700 competitors taking part.

A national conference with the American football taking place too,

good luck to them. Here is Sarah Farmer with the

weather. Is there a good weekend? Yes, it could warm up a bit as we go

through the week. We will look at the weather now. Newbury Racecourse

had glorious sunshine. This is Benjy. He is drying off in

the sun. He was photographed by his owner.

This is the picture of the Monet Pond at the Queen Elizabeth Country

Park, it is in sunshine. Whichever picture you look at, they

are all beautiful. There will be some good weather, but

there will be cloudy skies as you move into the evening. The class

will perhaps be thick enough to produce some rain or drizzle. Some

—— our temperatures tonight down to ten or 11 degrees. We start tomorrow

and at weekends on a cloudy note. We are looking at seeing maybe some

light rain in the picture, that should gradually cleared through the

day. We was to see the cloud winning and breaking. Some sunny spells

developing in the south. Temperatures at 16, 17 or 18

degrees. Some decent sunshine, might make those temperatures go up to 20

degrees. So a pleasant afternoon. Tomorrow evening looking fine as

well with some sunshine. But we will see the cloud increasing through

tomorrow night, some patches of mist and fog developing. Relatively mild,

temperatures 14 or 15 degrees, but Saturday morning starts with low

cloud around and patchy mist and fog will lift throughout the morning.

Sunday itself will be a decent day, most of us will be dry, but there

will be some drizzle in the picture. As we start the new working week, we

have this every of high—pressure from the continent, winning is some

dry conditions. As we start Monday, we have some dry and settled

conditions to come. Most others will have a dry day with some good sunny

spells. It will be pleasantly warm in the sunshine.

We will look at the summary for the current days. There will be some

cloud through the days on Saturday and Sunday, improving into the

afternoon. Monday, there will be some brightness and the temperatures

will climb a little. Very good indeed. We will be looking

at the town meeting the country and food producers meeting their

customers. Yes, it is a celebration of all

things rural with great food and farming machinery.

And thousands will be flocking to the Showgrounds near Newbury for the

current events. This is the Berkshire Showgrounds.

There will be livestock and even a hot—air balloon. Today, it is about

putting the finishing touches to the showground. Final preparations are

under way. We are very lucky in our county. We

have a lovely mix, to the east there is some real industry and business,

and in the West we have very rural areas with farming. The show brings

the two areas together. Amongst the marquees and sales

stands, the education tends shows work from local schools.

We took our children to the seaside to have a first—hand experience. The

children became deep sea explorers and invented their own creatures.

Coming to the show gives us a chance to celebrate the children's work and

show it off. Time for a wash, cuts and hairdryer.

Sadly not for me. Put this in the bucket. Brush left

and right on her feet. The merger is coming off. That is

what we are after! —— the moat is coming off.

It is my first time on the tractor. You have a very fancy tractor. Yes,

it will steer you up the field and then it will guide steer you at ——

up the field, although you will have to turn the corner. Can I have a

drive? Yes. You are sitting on two questions of

air, one in the cab and one above to give you some comfort. I was quite

nervous driving that, because it is such a huge vehicle and a different

aspect of software you are on the road will stop it is time to get

back to the office. Which way to the A34?

We thought you were late getting back. But we are very jealous. I

went 65 miles an hour. The show continues over the weekend? Yes,

both on Saturday and Sunday. It will be great. We will leave you tonight

with some live shots across the Needles at censure —— sunset. See

you on Monday. Goodbye.