26/03/2014 East Midlands Today

in a moment with analysis of that debate between Nick Clegg and Nigel

And now the news for the East Midlands, I'm Dominic Heale.

Hundreds of teachers have been marching today in protest at changes

to their pay, pensions and working conditions. A one`day strike by the

National Union of Teachers affected around three hundred and thirty

schools across the region. Almost 90 schools in Derby and Derbyshire were

closed or partially closed. In Nottinghamshire, that figure was

125, and there was a similar number in Leicestershire. In response, the

Government has accused the NUT of holding back children's education.

Here's Geeta Pendse. Sending a clear message to the

education Secretary. Teachers gathered to mark through Nottingham

city centre this morning, a day of strike action over pay, pensions and

working conditions. The teaching table increase in time and length.

We already work in excess of 60 hours a week. They are not alone.

Unless the hundreds also met at Victoria Park to march through the

city centre. `` in Leicester. And in Derby union members gathered at the

marketplace. With teachers on the picket lines, many schools had

reduced lessons or were forced to close which left parents with the

task of making new arrangements. It's been inconvenienced because I

have an older daughter and my little ones in nursery. So we have

different timings and everything. They should stop acting like

children and get on with their work. I fully support the teachers commits

the right thing for them to do. It's just inconvenient it's only one day.

The government has condemned strike action, saying it disrupts

parents's lives, holds back children's education and damages the

reputation but many here believe it is necessary step to safeguarding

the future of teaching. Well, today's teachers' strike doesn't

appear to have caused a big stir at Westminster.

Earlier I spoke to our Political Editor John Hess. And I asked him to

describe the reaction among MPs. Interesting that there was no

reference during Prime Minister's Questions. The only formal

government response came from the schools minister who said his

officials at the Department for Education were fully engaged with

talks with the seven unions, although he was critical of the Nu

teeth are being the only union taking strike action. Is the

government offering anything in terms of concessions? They say the

talks are detailed and serious, covering teacher workloads,

in`school training, inset days as well as school funding. The key

complaint is that neither the schools minister or his boss, the

education secretary Michael Gove, are taking part in the talks. Is

Michael Gove part of the problem as far as teachers are concerned? He

didn't take part in trying to bring up the heat of this dispute during

questions in the Commons on Monday, and I think that's a sign that he

wants to call down the rhetoric and get the dispute settled.

A murder trial's been told that a gang leader organised the shooting

of a 15`year`old boy in Derby. Kadeem Blackwood was killed with a

sawn`off shotgun, after being challenged to a fight in a park. The

court heard he turned up with a knife, not expecting guns to be

used. Michael Hamblett`Sewell is accused of murder because he

allegedly ordered the shooting, although he didn't fire the gun. The

trial continues. The leader of Derby City Council has

called for the resignation of a councillor who posted a picture of

himself on Twitter holding an AK`47 assault rifle. Liberal Democrat Ajit

Atwal ` who represents Abbey Ward ` says the picture was taken seven

months ago on a personal trip to India. He says it has nothing to do

with his position as a councillor and magistrate. However he has

admitted to being naive. Passengers on board a Ryanair flight that

plunged twenty thousand feet due to cabin pressure problems, have

started legal proceedings against the airline.

A number of those on the flight heading to East Midlands Airport

suffered physical and psychological injuries. They're now seeking

compensation from the company. Carol Hinds reports.

On the masks came down, I just felt I was going to die, really. Two

years ago, this Brazilian national and Ph.D. Student at Loughborough,

boarded a Ryanair flight from Milan. The plane had reached 31,000 feet

but just north of Switzerland, it lost cabin pressure. The crew

started an emergency descent of about four miles in five minutes. It

levelled out at 10,000 feet and the passengers were flown home from

Germany on another flight. It was an ordeal that Patricia says has made

it difficult for her to get on a plane. The effect have been

devastating, and it's been almost two years since the accident, and it

changed my life completely. Solicitors have issued legal

proceedings against Ryanair on behalf of the affected passengers,

who are seeking compensation. Since we were instructed, Ryanair have

admitted liability, however the legal limitation period that applies

to this action is only two years and expires at the beginning of April so

to protect their legal rights we have had to issue proceedings

against Ryanair. We contacted Ryanair about today's developments

but they told us it's company policy not to comment on pending legal

proceedings. Time for the weather now.

We have had our fair share of showers earlier today. Even reported

a bit of snow in parts of the East Midlands. Unsettled through the

night with further showers, and rather cold out there. The showers

are being driven in from the east, they continue for the next few

hours. Mostly falling as rate or sleet. `` rain. There may be a bit

of frost around first thing tomorrow. Also the risk of some ice

on untreated surfaces. Actually start to Thursday, largely dry first

thing but then the showers. To arrive. They will be intense through

the afternoon. I will leave you with your Outlook.

blowing. On the outlook, it is warming up towards the weekend.

Here's Nick Miller with more. Some of the many faces of spring

weather showed themselves today. Sun in Scotland, snow in the showers

that moved in across England. Hail as well. Adrian took this picture

from Essex and the chilly feel stays with us for the rest