05 January 2017
Week in Brief: UK
NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS: Concerns have been expressed that the nuclear regulator has down-played accidents which may have been more serious that it has been prepared to admit. Incidents have been dismissed as posing no safety threat. The Department for Work and Pensions, which has responsibility for the regulator, is investigating.
VOLKSWAGEN: Criticisms have been levied at Volkswagen after claims were made that 900,000 cars in the UK still have the illegal software designed to conceal the extent of toxic emissions. VW had promised to remove the devices a year ago.
EDUCATION: Figures show that schools are finding it hard to keep and recruit head teachers. Apparently one in ten schools loses a head teacher every year. The reasons seem to be a combination of stress and low pay.
RAILWAYS: Rail groups have expressed dismay over the recent announcement of fare increases. The average rise is 2.3% across all routes. The rises mean that the UK has fares which are 6 times higher than some EU countries. This reflects Government policy that public subsidies must be cut and
that passengers must pay more for travel. The explanation given is that more money is needed for investment in the rail infrastructure. However, it appears that 200,000 people may have given up their jobs because of high rail fares. The figures come from a poll carried out on behalf of Sainsbury’s Bank.
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