(By Christopher Hope, Home Affairs Editor Last Updated: 11:39PM BST 24 Aug 2008
From Telegraph.co.uk)
The news comes days after the department lost a memory stick containing the details of all 84,000 prisoners in England and Wales.
It has emerged that officials lost more than 300,000 people's details a month in the year to April.
That came on top of the loss of two CDs containing the entire child benefit database – containing the details of 25 million families – last November. The discs have still not been found.
Home Office data released in response to a question by the Tory peer Lord Hanningfield show that 43 laptops and 94 mobile phones have been lost or stolen at the department over the past three years – 15 laptops and 47 mobiles in 2007; 14 laptops and 10 mobiles in 2006; and 14 laptops and 37 mobiles in 2005.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Defence said that almost 600 laptop computers had been stolen in the past decade.
That admission came after Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, had to make a statement to the Commons about the theft of a laptop containing the personal details of 600,000 people from a car in Birmingham.
A Home Office spokesman refused to say what was on the 43 laptops, but added: "We do not believe that any of the lost laptops contained sensitive or classified information."
Lord Hanningfield, the leader of Essex council, demanded an inquiry into what he described as a worrying data lapse. "This is another example of this Government's woeful failure when it comes to data security," he said.
"Given the sensitivity of the Home Office's work, including its lead role in the fight against terrorism, this is all the more worrying.
"This is, of course, also the government department with responsibility for ID cards. There now needs to be an urgent review of what data was lost on these laptops, its sensitivity and possible impact on any work, as well as a wider review of the Home Office's security policy."
Dominic Grieve, the shadow home secretary, added: "If the Home Office cannot safeguard such basic equipment, how can they be trusted to deliver ID cards containing the personal data of millions?"
The Home Office said in a statement yesterday: "The Home Office is determined to learn from earlier security breaches in government and is committed to ensuring that our systems and processes to protect personal data are as good as they can be."
Since the loss of details for 25 million child benefit claimants in November, Whitehall departments have begun including information on personal data losses in their annual financial statements.
Among the losses that emerged earlier this week were the National Insurance numbers of 17,000 people and the theft of a laptop containing encrypted details of 17,000 Sats exam markers.
It was also disclosed that the Foreign Office lost information affecting about 190 people, and that there were six occasions when the Department for Transport misplaced personal data, including the records of three million driving test candidates.
Monday, 25 August 2008
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Build up to London 2012 olympics starts now, says Lord Moynihan
(By Tom Knight Last Updated: 8:57PM BST 24 Aug 2008 Telegraph.co.uk)
Team GB'S preparations for London 2012 will start immediately, according to Lord Moynihan, the chairman of the British Olympic Association.
Basking in the glory of Britain's finest performance at the Olympics since the much-smaller Games were staged in London in 1908, Moynihan said: "Not a day can be lost because the work starts tomorrow."
There will be time for reflection and even an open-topped bus parade through London to celebrate Britain's fourth-place finish in Beijing, but Moynihan stressed the need to build on the success that was achieved ahead of schedule.
He added: "Sport has become the unending, unremitting search for perfection and never before have I seen so many silver medallists gutted at not winning gold.
"The funding system in Britain was due to deliver results in 2012. It was not expected in 2008. There will be additional pressure to succeed in London.
"There are nine million tickets to sell for the London Games and the British public will need to see early medals."
The BOA are fast becoming role models for national Olympic associations around the world. Their attention to detail has been one of the secrets of their success in Sydney, Athens and Beijing.
That organised approach will continue and, like UK Sport, the BOA will conduct a review into every sport's performance at these Games to improve for 2012.
Among the changes being considered is the introduction of bonus payments for medallists, similar to those paid in Australia and the United States.
Moynihan confirmed that bonuses were being considered for athletes and coaches but that they remain "a work in progress".
He urged the Government to underwrite funding for Olympic sport for the next four years and called on sports to seek out and recruit the best coaches to enhance Britain's medal prospects.
Team GB'S preparations for London 2012 will start immediately, according to Lord Moynihan, the chairman of the British Olympic Association.
Basking in the glory of Britain's finest performance at the Olympics since the much-smaller Games were staged in London in 1908, Moynihan said: "Not a day can be lost because the work starts tomorrow."
There will be time for reflection and even an open-topped bus parade through London to celebrate Britain's fourth-place finish in Beijing, but Moynihan stressed the need to build on the success that was achieved ahead of schedule.
He added: "Sport has become the unending, unremitting search for perfection and never before have I seen so many silver medallists gutted at not winning gold.
"The funding system in Britain was due to deliver results in 2012. It was not expected in 2008. There will be additional pressure to succeed in London.
"There are nine million tickets to sell for the London Games and the British public will need to see early medals."
The BOA are fast becoming role models for national Olympic associations around the world. Their attention to detail has been one of the secrets of their success in Sydney, Athens and Beijing.
That organised approach will continue and, like UK Sport, the BOA will conduct a review into every sport's performance at these Games to improve for 2012.
Among the changes being considered is the introduction of bonus payments for medallists, similar to those paid in Australia and the United States.
Moynihan confirmed that bonuses were being considered for athletes and coaches but that they remain "a work in progress".
He urged the Government to underwrite funding for Olympic sport for the next four years and called on sports to seek out and recruit the best coaches to enhance Britain's medal prospects.
Friday, 15 August 2008
Penguin on parade: The day they knighted a very special bird
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 8:52 PM on 15th August 2008
The world’s most decorated penguin p-p-p-picked up its greatest honour to date today - a Knighthood from King Harald of Norway.
In a ceremony at Edinburgh Zoo, involving 130 Norwegian Royal Guardsmen, the bird was entitled Sir Nils Olav.
It was quite a step up for Nils Olav – even though he is already a colonel.
Olav, a king penguin, is the third generation of his kind to enjoy a unique relationship with the Guards, who adopted his predecessor in 1962.
The bird waddled out to the cheers of hundreds of visitors and dignitaries to receive the accolade.
He ‘accepted’ the Knighthood from retired Major Nils Egelien, Vice President of the Norwegian Royal Guard Association.
The majestic bird inspected the line of soldiers before the medal was attached to his wing.
Major General Euan Loudon, chief executive and producer of the Edinburgh Tattoo, performed the Knighthood ceremony upon Nils Olav by waving a sword over the bird’s shoulders in the appropriate manner.
The officer said: ‘I am honoured to have been asked by the Norwegian Guard to perform the promotion ceremony for Nils.’
A musical fanfare from HM King’s Guards Trumpet Corps and a special Royal message from King Harald V were read out to the crowd.
The promotion of the honorary member of The Royal Norwegian Guard was shrouded in secrecy, known only to Norway’s monarch and his closest advisers.
Darren McGarry, Animal Collection Manager at Edinburgh Zoo, said: ‘Nils always recognises the Norwegian Guardsmen when they come.
‘We're excited about his new promotion.’
The King’s Guard, who take part annually in the Edinburgh Tattoo, always make the pilgrimage to the zoo to visit their most unusual comrade.
Last year, they unveiled a 4ft bronze statue in his honour.
The Scandinavians’ association with the zoo’s famous penguins dates back to when Major Egelien was a young lieutenant.
On a return visit, the officer persuaded his regiment to sponsor a king penguin, which they adopted as their mascot.
The penguin’s name combines his Christian name with that of the then king, Olav.
On subsequent visits to the capital, the Norwegians have promoted Nils Olav no fewer than six times.
He has risen from a lowly Lance Corporal in 1962, to Honorary Colonel-in-Chief in 2005.
When the original Nils died in 1993, he was replaced by a new king penguin who was immediately promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major.
In her welcoming address, Lieutenant Colonel Ingrid Margrethe Gjerde joked of the similarities between penguin Nils Olav and the Guardsmen assembled before him for inspection.
She said: ‘The ties between Scotland and Norway are strong, particularly since the time of the Second World War.’
David Windmill, chief executive of the Royal Society of Scotland, the charity that owns Edinburgh Zoo, said: ‘We have a long-standing history with the Norwegian King’s Guard and it is something we are extremely proud of.
‘Edinburgh Zoo is famous for its king penguins and Nils Olav is definitely the most famous of them all.’
Norwegian King’s Guardsman, Captain Rune Wiik added: ‘We are extremely proud of Nils Olav and pleased that an enduring part of the Royal Guard is resident in Scotland helping to further strengthen ties between our two countries.
‘I understand he continues to carry out his duties as Honorary Colonel in Chief in an exemplary fashion and this latest award is clearly very much deserved.’
Last updated at 8:52 PM on 15th August 2008
The world’s most decorated penguin p-p-p-picked up its greatest honour to date today - a Knighthood from King Harald of Norway.
In a ceremony at Edinburgh Zoo, involving 130 Norwegian Royal Guardsmen, the bird was entitled Sir Nils Olav.
It was quite a step up for Nils Olav – even though he is already a colonel.
Olav, a king penguin, is the third generation of his kind to enjoy a unique relationship with the Guards, who adopted his predecessor in 1962.
The bird waddled out to the cheers of hundreds of visitors and dignitaries to receive the accolade.
He ‘accepted’ the Knighthood from retired Major Nils Egelien, Vice President of the Norwegian Royal Guard Association.
The majestic bird inspected the line of soldiers before the medal was attached to his wing.
Major General Euan Loudon, chief executive and producer of the Edinburgh Tattoo, performed the Knighthood ceremony upon Nils Olav by waving a sword over the bird’s shoulders in the appropriate manner.
The officer said: ‘I am honoured to have been asked by the Norwegian Guard to perform the promotion ceremony for Nils.’
A musical fanfare from HM King’s Guards Trumpet Corps and a special Royal message from King Harald V were read out to the crowd.
The promotion of the honorary member of The Royal Norwegian Guard was shrouded in secrecy, known only to Norway’s monarch and his closest advisers.
Darren McGarry, Animal Collection Manager at Edinburgh Zoo, said: ‘Nils always recognises the Norwegian Guardsmen when they come.
‘We're excited about his new promotion.’
The King’s Guard, who take part annually in the Edinburgh Tattoo, always make the pilgrimage to the zoo to visit their most unusual comrade.
Last year, they unveiled a 4ft bronze statue in his honour.
The Scandinavians’ association with the zoo’s famous penguins dates back to when Major Egelien was a young lieutenant.
On a return visit, the officer persuaded his regiment to sponsor a king penguin, which they adopted as their mascot.
The penguin’s name combines his Christian name with that of the then king, Olav.
On subsequent visits to the capital, the Norwegians have promoted Nils Olav no fewer than six times.
He has risen from a lowly Lance Corporal in 1962, to Honorary Colonel-in-Chief in 2005.
When the original Nils died in 1993, he was replaced by a new king penguin who was immediately promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major.
In her welcoming address, Lieutenant Colonel Ingrid Margrethe Gjerde joked of the similarities between penguin Nils Olav and the Guardsmen assembled before him for inspection.
She said: ‘The ties between Scotland and Norway are strong, particularly since the time of the Second World War.’
David Windmill, chief executive of the Royal Society of Scotland, the charity that owns Edinburgh Zoo, said: ‘We have a long-standing history with the Norwegian King’s Guard and it is something we are extremely proud of.
‘Edinburgh Zoo is famous for its king penguins and Nils Olav is definitely the most famous of them all.’
Norwegian King’s Guardsman, Captain Rune Wiik added: ‘We are extremely proud of Nils Olav and pleased that an enduring part of the Royal Guard is resident in Scotland helping to further strengthen ties between our two countries.
‘I understand he continues to carry out his duties as Honorary Colonel in Chief in an exemplary fashion and this latest award is clearly very much deserved.’
Thursday, 14 August 2008
Bank leaves door open for rate cut
Thu Aug 14, 2008 6:40am BST
By Sumeet Desai and Christina Fincher
LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England raised hopes of an interest rate cut before year-end on Wednesday as it forecast the current record-breaking spike in inflation would reverse sharply as the economy grinds to a halt.
The market reaction was swift. Interest rate futures jumped more than 20 ticks and the pound fell to near two-year lows against the dollar as investors priced in an 80 percent chance of a rate cut by December and further easing after that.
The central bank's new quarterly forecasts showed inflation -- already running at more than double the 2 percent target and the highest since the series began in 1997 -- would leap to around 5 percent this year.
But thereafter, it would fall dramatically as the effect of rising food and fuel prices wane and economic growth dried up.
"It may still -- just -- be summer, but there is a feeling of chill in the economic air," Governor Mervyn King said at a news conference after publication of the Inflation Report.
"The next year will be a difficult one, with inflation high and output broadly flat. But with monetary policy focused on its task of bringing inflation back to the target we will come through that adjustment."
Fears have been growing that Britain is on the brink of its first recession -- two successive quarters of contraction -- since the early 1990s as house prices slump and consumers spend less because rising bills have made it harder to make ends meet.
Figures out on Wednesday showed the number of people on jobless benefit rose by 20,100 in July, the biggest jump since 1992, and wages rose by the weakest rate in five years in June.
"Real wage growth is heavily negative, which coupled with the rise in unemployment will continue to constrain purchasing power," said James Knightley, an economist at ING. "This is very worrying for consumer spending and will help to increase the probability of a technical UK recession even further."
PAIN AHEAD
Under fire for its handling of the economy and desperately in need of growth-boosting rate cuts from the staunchly independent central bank, the government said it would stand by any action the Bank thought necessary.
"The government ... will continue to support the Bank's decisions to ensure inflation comes back to target," finance minister Alistair Darling said.
King said the road ahead would be "painful" but interest rate markets took heart from the Bank expecting inflation to undershoot the target in two years -- the usual horizon it takes for monetary policy changes to affect the economy.
A Reuters poll showed expectations among City economists for lower interest rates by the end of the year were also on the rise. For story on that poll, please click on ID:nLAE000178.
Before the Bank's report, most analysts thought the central bank would hold off from cutting rates because inflation was so high. One member of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, Tim Besley, even wanted to raise interest rates last month.
Minutes of last week's meeting when interest rates were held at 5 percent for the fourth month running will not be available for another week but analysts will be focused on whether anyone will have joined MPC member David Blanchflower's call for a cut.
"We had expected the first rate cut to come in Q1 and the risk was a pre-Christmas cut. We now think the risk scenario is the base case and the first cut comes in November," said Alan Clarke, economist at BNP Paribas.
Some economists, however, said it would be difficult for the Bank to cut rates when inflation was so high.
"We expect easing will be mostly backloaded, probably from Q2 2009 onwards given the inflation profile, rather than imminent," said Michael Saunders, economist at Citigroup.
"Of course, delayed easing adds to downside risks to growth, but that may well be necessary to re-anchor inflation expectations and return inflation to target."
By Sumeet Desai and Christina Fincher
LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England raised hopes of an interest rate cut before year-end on Wednesday as it forecast the current record-breaking spike in inflation would reverse sharply as the economy grinds to a halt.
The market reaction was swift. Interest rate futures jumped more than 20 ticks and the pound fell to near two-year lows against the dollar as investors priced in an 80 percent chance of a rate cut by December and further easing after that.
The central bank's new quarterly forecasts showed inflation -- already running at more than double the 2 percent target and the highest since the series began in 1997 -- would leap to around 5 percent this year.
But thereafter, it would fall dramatically as the effect of rising food and fuel prices wane and economic growth dried up.
"It may still -- just -- be summer, but there is a feeling of chill in the economic air," Governor Mervyn King said at a news conference after publication of the Inflation Report.
"The next year will be a difficult one, with inflation high and output broadly flat. But with monetary policy focused on its task of bringing inflation back to the target we will come through that adjustment."
Fears have been growing that Britain is on the brink of its first recession -- two successive quarters of contraction -- since the early 1990s as house prices slump and consumers spend less because rising bills have made it harder to make ends meet.
Figures out on Wednesday showed the number of people on jobless benefit rose by 20,100 in July, the biggest jump since 1992, and wages rose by the weakest rate in five years in June.
"Real wage growth is heavily negative, which coupled with the rise in unemployment will continue to constrain purchasing power," said James Knightley, an economist at ING. "This is very worrying for consumer spending and will help to increase the probability of a technical UK recession even further."
PAIN AHEAD
Under fire for its handling of the economy and desperately in need of growth-boosting rate cuts from the staunchly independent central bank, the government said it would stand by any action the Bank thought necessary.
"The government ... will continue to support the Bank's decisions to ensure inflation comes back to target," finance minister Alistair Darling said.
King said the road ahead would be "painful" but interest rate markets took heart from the Bank expecting inflation to undershoot the target in two years -- the usual horizon it takes for monetary policy changes to affect the economy.
A Reuters poll showed expectations among City economists for lower interest rates by the end of the year were also on the rise. For story on that poll, please click on ID:nLAE000178.
Before the Bank's report, most analysts thought the central bank would hold off from cutting rates because inflation was so high. One member of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, Tim Besley, even wanted to raise interest rates last month.
Minutes of last week's meeting when interest rates were held at 5 percent for the fourth month running will not be available for another week but analysts will be focused on whether anyone will have joined MPC member David Blanchflower's call for a cut.
"We had expected the first rate cut to come in Q1 and the risk was a pre-Christmas cut. We now think the risk scenario is the base case and the first cut comes in November," said Alan Clarke, economist at BNP Paribas.
Some economists, however, said it would be difficult for the Bank to cut rates when inflation was so high.
"We expect easing will be mostly backloaded, probably from Q2 2009 onwards given the inflation profile, rather than imminent," said Michael Saunders, economist at Citigroup.
"Of course, delayed easing adds to downside risks to growth, but that may well be necessary to re-anchor inflation expectations and return inflation to target."
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