Taxing times

Revenue & Customs is expected to face more criticism with the publication of a damaging report into its performance over the past year. Sir Gus O’Donnell, the Cabinet Secretary, will publish two capability reviews into HMRC and the Treasury. The Public and Commercial Services Union claimed that morale at HMRC was low after the merger of the departments had led to the loss of 7,000 jobs.

MP to sleep rough

The Opposition’s housing spokesman will be spending Christmas Eve sleeping rough. Grant Shapps, who has three children, has scouted out locations near the House of Commons and plans to keep warm on the streets with a sleeping bag, blankets and cardboard boxes. He insists that it is not a stunt and that he wants to call attention to the plight of homeless people.

Prosecution call

Human Rights Watch has called for Colonel Karuna Amman, a Sri Lankan rebel leader who was arrested after entering Britain illegally last month, to be prosecuted for human rights abuses. He has been accused of summary executions, abductions and recruiting child soldiers. “His arrest is a golden opportunity to bring justice for victims of his many atrocities,” the group said.

Beer not a study aid

A Somerfield store in Brighton has been ordered to introduce ultraviolet security tags on all beer and wine to help police to trace any alcohol illegally sold to teenagers. The store, which has twice been caught selling to minors, will also be banned from selling alcohol in May, when students are revising for GCSEs.

Boys held after school attack

Two youths were arrested after a 15-year-old boy was attacked at a school with a baseball bat. The boy is recovering at home after spending a night in hospital, where he was treated for head injuries.

A second 15-year-old suffered a fit during the attack at Hameldon College in Burnley. He was also treated in hospital. Police are still investigating.

£2m police bill for translators

South Yorkshire Police have spent more than £2 million over the past five years on translating interviews with suspects and witnesses who cannot speak English, according to records released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Two found dead after house fire

Two people died in a house fire in South Wales. Firefighters who were called to the scene, in Brynmawr, near Merthyr Tydfil, found the ground floor and first floor ablaze. The bodies of two adults were in a bedroom. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Younger drivers ‘getting worse’

Young motorists’ accident rates are getting worse while older drivers’ are improving, according to Norwich Union. Insurance claims by drivers under 23 have increased more than 300 per cent in the past five years. Claims by the over-23s fell by 10 per cent in the same period.

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