UK News: Two due in court over school airgun attack

TWO teenagers are due in court in Ayr today in connection with an airgun attack near a school in which 11 youngsters were injured.

No-one was seriously hurt in the incident in Auchinleck, East Ayrshire, yesterday afternoon. Officers were called to reports that an airgun had been fired at around 1.40pm.

Child costs hit 210,000

The cost of raising a child is increasing faster than inflation and now totals more than 210,000, according to an annual study.

The figure is up 4.5 per cent over the last year, ahead of the official inflation rate of four per cent, the Cost of a Child Report from insurer LV= found.

Bed-blocking warning over social care funding

THE NHS faces a "bed-blocking" crisis which could see half of wards being flooded with elderly people who should be in care homes, a report warned today.

Figures estimate that if social care budgets are not ring-fenced, 81,000 care home beds will be lost over the next decade, leaving vulnerable people nowhere to go but hospital. The pressure on the health service will be further compounded by the rapidly ageing population, the Bupa study warned.

Fears over student cuts

UNIVERSITIES minister David Willetts was urged today to disclose if the Government plans further cuts to student numbers or higher education funding if institutions charge close to 9000 in fees next year.

Labour has warned there is "increasing concern" the Government has misjudged how high fees will rise and that ministers will be forced to make further cuts to balance the books.

CBE honour for Zeta-Jones

HOLLYWOOD actress Catherine Zeta-Jones was set to be made a CBE by the Prince of Wales today following a glittering career.

The Welsh beauty who became an Oscar-winning star will receive the honour for services to the film industry and to charity.

Anglesey: Prince William and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton were set to make an eagerly anticipated public appearance today. The young royal and his fiancee were to attend a service of dedication for a new RNLI lifeboat close to their home on Anglesey, North Wales.

London: Jobseekers interested in working at the London 2012 Olympic Games can register their interest from today. Adecco, the official recruitment services provider for the Games, said a "vast array" of jobs will be on offer, ranging from catering and cleaning to customer services and technical posts.