24/10/2013 Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)

Monday. That is all from the BBC's News at

Good evening and welcome to BBC Look North. The headlines tonight:

job`seekers hanging on for work but getting big bills, the Government is

asked to investigate a high cost phone line.

Can we have a debate on how we can stop these exploitative racket to

desperate people looking for work? A bus company wants to introduce

cameras to keep other drivers out of their lanes.

How the home of Dylan Thomas hopes to find the right words to beat Hull

in the competition to become City of Culture.

Pampered pet pigs getting five`star spa treatment in Lincolnshire. After

a pleasant day, we are looking at wet weather on the cards,

particularly tomorrow morning. I will be back with a forecast.

There are calls tonight for a Government investigation into claims

that vulnerable job`seekers are being tricked into calling a premium

rate phone line. A number of unemployed people from East

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire say they've run up big bills calling

what they thought was a recruitment hotline ` but turned out to be an

overseas call centre. The Hull North MP Diana Johnson told the Commons

they've been victims of a "racket". More from Tim Iredale.

These are two of the job`seekers who they phoned what they thought was a

genuine recruitment service, but were left with a hefty bill. Sarah

is a mum of two from North Lincolnshire. She's looking for work

as an admin assistant or receptionist. I received an e`mail

from a recruitment agency, asking me to call a number. I was on the phone

about 45 minutes, and they said they would give me a call if anything

came up. I checked and I had been charged ?20.

Mark is self`employed from East Yorkshire. He tells a similar story.

It was one more question, one more question, and after each question, I

said, is that the last question, and they said, yes, but we have one more

question. How much did it cost? I found out later it was ?3 50 minute

plus a connection charge. The company in question is called SB

Millers, and its operation appears to be based in an overseas call

centre. How can I help you? Yes, the number of people have contacted our

programme saying there have been calling you and been charged an

awful lot of money, and you are not a genuine company offering genuine

jobs. Is that true? No. You are genuine? Hello? They would not give

me a number for anyone in authority. The e`mail address they gave me has

bounced back, saying it doesn't exist. There is no sign of the

company's website on the Internet. Can we have a debate on how we can

stop these exploitative racket for people desperate looking for work?

Today, the matter was raised in the Commons by a Hull MP. If they are

sent an e`mail saying there is an opportunity, when this number, a lot

of people will bring that number, acting in good faith, then find they

are being ripped off. The premium phone line regulator

says it is prepared to take action against firms which target the

unemployed. We can find people up to ?250,000. Recently, we find a

company doing something very similar to this.

So those on the hunt for work are being warned they could end up

paying a high price for one wrong call. If you have been affected by

this, or if you have a view on this, get in touch.

We will have some off your thoughts before we finish tonight. Thank you

for watching this Thursday night. In a moment: Papua New Guinea

players bringing the excitement of World Cup competition to a young

audience. A bus company is calling for cameras

to be used to fine drivers who go into bus lanes in Hull. The city

council is looking at how it could enforce the proper use of lanes.

East Yorkshire Motor Services says some car and van drivers are

illegally blocking the lanes, making buses late. Phillip Norton reports.

The morning rush hour in Hull, and one of the bus lanes that could soon

be landing motorists with a fine. They're a controversial addition to

the road network, but bus companies say more needs to be done to help

keep them clear. The lanes really help goes. We would like to see

consistent and fair enforcement with the lanes. CCTV and remote

enforcement of that type is the fairest way to do it. And that may

soon happen. Hull City Council's compiling a report which may see new

methods of enforcement such as cameras being introduced. But it

comes at a time when other cities such as Liverpool are getting rid of

bus lanes altogether. This will allow the traffic to

smoothly run through the city, and in that sense it will be more

environmentally friendly because I do genuinely believe that bus lanes,

in certain parts of the city, actually add to the congestion. Here

in Hull, commuters had differing views. I suppose they are trying to

help. We have to use public transport. People get the bus to get

to work. If they are not the on`time, I don't mind is a car

driver. With ?60 fines as a penalty, it could be the solution to keeping

buses on time, at the risk of an outcry from cash`strapped motorists.

Well, Phillip joins us live from a bus lane in the city now. Phil, how

likely is it that Hull will get enforcement cameras in these lanes?

Peter, this is still at the report stage. If councillors agreed that

more needs to be done to enforce these lanes, powers could be ` `

cameras could be installed as early as next year. These lanes tends to

run only at certain times of day. Bus drivers say that it is

infuriating when they are empty at times when drivers are allowed to

use. I spoke to Rupert Lipton from the

National Motorists Action Group on this one. I asked him whether using

CCTV to police bus lanes was a good idea. It is not as simple as that.

In some circumstances, it is appropriate. If motorists did not go

into them, there would be no need for cameras. What this is really

about is efficiency of road space. Too often, when the bus lane is 24

hours, there is only one bus every 20 minutes, it is insanity to have a

long queue of motorists trying to get where they are going. At the

cameras to keep the buses running just as a revenue generator? To be

fair, for some local authorities, I am sure it is the former. There is

too much evidence to suggest that when local authorities are given

this potential to find people, they use it with too much glee. Too

often, it is the ideology, car bad, plus good that gets in the way. As

we discussed this, Liverpool is scrapping them. His Liverpool right

or wrong? Does it depend whether you are waiting for bus in the morning

driving? Look, we will get very interesting evidence from what

Liverpool are doing. They are clear it is a trial, which is sensible. We

can wreak on being in nine`month time on the back of that experience.

Very interesting to talk about. Thank you. Not at all.

You might have a view on this story as well. Should there better

enforcement on bus lanes? Maybe you think they should be removed?

New ratings for hospital trusts put this area in the lowest categories.

The Care Quality Commission has ranked all hospital trusts from one

to six. Band one means they have a higher risk of providing poor care.

Band six is for the best performing trusts. The data used to make the

rankings, includes death rates, serious errors and patient surveys.

In this area hospitals in Lincoln, Boston, Grantham, Grimsby,

Scunthorpe and Goole, are run by trusts in band one. The Hull and

East Yorkshire Trust, which runs Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill

Hospital at Cottingham, is in band two.

A multi`million pound agricultural college could be built at the

Lincolnshire Showground. Bishop Burton currently runs agricultural

courses at Riseholme College near the showground but says the

University of Lincoln has decided not to extend the existing lease.

It's applied for funding to develop a new site at the Lincolnshire

Showground. The total cost will be ?30 million and we're hoping to get

a glance towards that. ` ` we're hoping to get a grant towards that.

A Scunthorpe woman accused of stealing thousands of pounds from

her disabled daughter wept in court today as she gave evidence. Cathy

Watson, seen here in the pink scarf, is accused of four offences of theft

and one of transferring criminal property. Her daughter Samantha, now

29 years old, was awarded 2.6 million in compensation for medical

negligence. In her defence, Cathy Watson claimed her ex`husband,

Robert Hills, was the one who dealt with finances and she had no idea he

was using Samantha's money to buy houses and cars. The trial

continues. Still ahead tonight: The home of

Dylan Thomas. How Swansea Bay hopes to beat Hull

to become City of Culture. And an unusual girls' night in for

Mika, Molly and their owner in Lincolnshire.

Keep the photographs coming in. Rainbow over Molescroft Primary

School in Beverley, sent in by Matt Britton. K Donovan is here.

You have made a new friend to day. Amanda Holden. You were exchanging

little twits with her today. I was not. She was on the radio show

today. You can tell me later.

There is nothing to tell. I will get my own back, doomed worry.

It has been a lovely day today. Rain through tomorrow morning. Heavy at

first and a rather windy day. It is courtesy of this front. On Saturday,

another band of rain pushing through. Potentially Anastas storm

on Monday as well. You can see this mass of cloud. That will track

northwards over the next few hours. It will turn increasingly cloudy and

increasingly windy. Some wet weather will push up from the south. It will

be a mild night. The sun will rise at 7:47am. It will be a bit of a

Crotty start. Not a great commute. It will be windy and rainy. The rain

will clear away and we will see dry and brighter conditions. The risk of

the odd shower in the afternoon. For most places, and improvement during

the day. It will be mild as well. Temperatures will make their way

into the mid`are high teens. ` ` into the mid`or high teens. The

potential for Anastas storm on Monday. ` ` the potential for a

nasty storm on Monday. She showed me a little bit of

respect, something you could learn from.

I will take note of that. I liked the old days when you didn't

say boo to a goose. I lead from the best, didn't I?

To share. See you soon. Next month, Hull will find out if it

has been named City of Culture for 2017. The hard work will end in one

final presentation before the judging panel makes their decision.

Hull is one of four cities short listed, but what do we know about

the competitors? Swansea Bay, Dundee and Leicester are all bidding

alongside Hull to secure the title. This week, Look North is visiting

our rival cities to find out more about their bids and the culture on

offer. Tonight, Caroline Bilton reports from Swansea in South Wales.

Is my journey today takes me from east to west, into a different

country, to the city by the sea, Swansea. I am here to see an area

spread over 30 miles of coastline. Unlike the others, Wales has entered

a joint bid, spread over three local authorities. It takes in the area of

the mumbles, city of Swansea and East Carmarthen shire. What do we

know of this area? Most of us probably know it for this, the place

we send our car tax to. It is the birthplace of Dylan Thomas, the

poet, and is flagged by some of the most picturesque countryside in

Wales. This is my first port of call. Wills 's largest indoor

market. I am going to meet a man who is lived in Swansea or his life. It

will take the tour of the places he thinks will help Swansea Bay when

the City of Culture. Hello. Mal Pope is a musician, broadcaster and

writer, and the lover of all things Swansea. Have you ever had a Welsh

cake? I have never had a Welsh cake. Whenever I went to university back,

I would take some with me. This is a place where everybody meets. The

Welsh and English have come here for years. It is not totally English and

not totally Welsh. I am getting from you that culture is about people. It

is about people, food, the way we talk, it is about the music,

poetry, the pictures, it is about so much more. It was Swansea's most

famous son Dylan Thomas who captured that in his poems. There are

reminders of around the city, but this is the best place to learn

about his work. Do not go gentle into that good night. He is a world

literature classic figure. We forget that at our peril. Looking back

through his work, you can see the heart of Swansea as well. He is an

important part of our culture because he reflects our culture.

Well, you have brought me to the top for our final place. What have you.

Yeah. This really shows sitting nicely. ` ` this really shows the

city nicely. It is looking out to the rest of the world, not looking

inwards. His enthusiasm seems to be shared by many here. It is captured

here on this dissent while. The city centre that, to be honest, has seen

better days. That does not seem to be stopping people from believing

that they can become City of Culture. People are coming to

Swansea. Things have changed. There is regeneration, especially on the

seafront. It would be well deserved. The football team has played in

Europe. We can raise our profile. Dylan Thomas himself described it as

an ugly town. Swansea, like Hull, has problems. It has boarded`up

shops, unemployment. That is what makes his competition interesting,

because it is not necessarily about the Posh galleries and museums.

Swansea Bay's bid is about its people. That is something Hull can

compete with. My trip here has shown me that perhaps we are on a more

level playing field than we think. I agree with Caroline. If we have

any competition, it probably is Swansea. We will be at Leicester

tomorrow night about the same time. Lots of you got in touch with us

overnight about wind farms. East Lindsey district council says

planning applications it has rejected have been overturned by

central government, with little regard for the local impact. The

Government says the views of local communities should be listened to.

Thank you for your messages on this. It's just days now until the start

of the rugby league World Cup and today school children in Hull got

the chance to find out what the excitement is all about. The players

of Papua New Guinea took assembly at Stockwell Primary and it's a day

no`one will forget. Simon Clark was with them.

If they play as well as they sing, Papua New Guinea could go a long way

in the World Cup. Children from Stockwell Primary were enchanted by

the Kumuls, and responded with an East Hull Haka. It's a day they'll

never forget. It has been incredible, actually. I've always

wanted to meet someone who is very famous. It is been so good to make

them. Awesome. . It has been great. We will never forget this day. We

enjoyed it so much. Business followed for the players on the

training pitch under the watchful eye of coaches Mal Meninga, the

former Australian star and Adrian Lam, once of Wigan, and one other

interested observer. The boys have played really well. I am sure Papa

New Guinea will come out winners on Sunday. Meninga also held a coaching

master class. Well, who wouldn't want to know what made a player who

could do this tick? You have to have a strong work ethic. You have to be

courageous in your decisions. They said they are going to the schools

so it'll be great for the kids that are interested in rugby league. It

might even bring some new youngsters to the game. It's really good. To

come here and have the opportunity to speak to guys of this calibre,

who have been at the very top of the game, it's a great opportunity. The

indications are that upwards of 6000 tickets have been sold already. This

brand`new North stand looks like it has sold out for the game. When Papa

New Guinea take on France on Sunday, the city of Hull is ready.

Good evening to those pupils, who I am sure will be tuned in. What a

treat for you meeting those players. A senior aircraft man from RAF

Coningsby has won the RAF's photograher of the year competition.

Graham Taylor has been with the RAF for four years and only treated

photography as as a hobby before that, but now he's beaten off stiff

competition for the top accolade. He says his photos draw on messages he

wanted to get across about the RAF. It is quite humbling experience I

suppose. I wasn't expecting it. One of my favourite shots was of a

typhoon in the Middle East. I wanted to show it was a 24`hour force. My

other favourite is one of a Spitfire. I wanted to make it look

alive, make it jump out the screen. It just fell into place. Very look

it, really. Well done to Graham. After buying one micro`pig that

turned into an 18`stone beast you'd think Janey Byrne from Lincolnshire

would avoid pet pigs in the future. But instead, she bought another one,

and that's also grown up to be a full`sized pig. Amanda White has

been to meet Janey and her animals. Meet Mica, the 18`stone micro`pig,

whose owner Janey was so unfased by her unexpected size, she bought her

a friend. This is Molly. Come on, girls. Molly is supposed to be a

micro peak as well. And together, the three ladies of

the house enjoy quality together time. We had a pamper session. It

was beautiful. I had a drink of wine. I had the nail varnish out. I

did her nails, hair trotters. I cleaned their ears, moisturise them.

They love it. Then they had a little Massad, and then we lie down

together by the fire. ` ` they had a little Massad. But what about the

man in the house? I wouldn't say it was relaxing. They are not the

quietest of animals. They are always moaning and grunting. Don't be

naughty. With a couple of animals like this, you will never be short

of the talking point. One thing is for certain, these girls are not on

the menu. Bacon is not allowed in the house. The I hate it.

Molly and Mica might not have been spared the nail varnish, but at

least they'll never fear the butcher. Heaven help us. Don't

forget, if you have a story you think we should know about, send me

an e`mail at the usual address. Let's get a recap of the national

and regional headlines: Portuguese Police reopen their investigation

into the disappearance of Madeline McCann five years after they

originally closed it. Hull MP calls for a Government

investigation into high cost phone lines targetting job`seekers.

Big response on the subject of bus lanes. Stephen says, but cameras up

and find every single one who uses them illegally. Jason says, my

belief is the only thing the council is concerned about is hoovering up

more money from the pockets of motorist. When says, motorists are

getting taxed more and more and we are having more road space taken

away for most, I would love one of the councillors to do my commute to

work, it takes ten minutes in a morning, and anywhere between 40

minutes and 90 minutes to get home at night. Thank you for those. We'll

have some more tomorrow night. Enjoy your evening. Good night.