The chief executive of Pfizer is due to be grilled by MPs today, as the US drugs giant insists that its commitments to UK jobs and research made as part of a £63 billion takeover offer for AstraZeneca are legally binding.
In a written statement ahead of Ian Read’s appearance before the Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee, Pfizer said that the planned merger would create a “UK-based scientific powerhouse”.
Critics claim the pledges made by Mr Read in a letter to the Prime Minister are worthless, and are calling on ministers to block any deal.
HEATHROW EXPANSION PLANS REVISED
Heathrow’s bosses are laying out revised plans for expansion that they will submit to the Whitehall-appointed Airports Commission.
Plans today from the chiefs of the west London airport include proposals that could lead to those dropping off passengers at Heathrow by car being subject to a congestion charge once transport improvements around the airport are finished.
Heathrow’s revised submission also includes an improved compensation plan for those affected by the building of an extra, third, runway at Heathrow should such an expansion get the go-head by the commission.
’NO BENEFIT’ FROM WINE INGREDIENT
Claims about the healthy and life-extending properties of a much-hyped ingredient in red wine and chocolate are unfounded, research suggests.
The anti-oxidant resveratrol, found in dark chocolate, red wine, and berries, has no significant impact on life-span, heart disease or cancer, say scientists.
It cannot explain the “French Paradox” - the low incidence of heart disease suffered by people in France despite a diet laden with cholesterol and saturated fat, they believe.
WATCHDOG WANTS MORE MIDWIFE BIRTHS
Healthy women experiencing a straightforward pregnancy should be encouraged to give birth in a midwife-led unit rather than a traditional labour ward, according to draft guidance from an NHS watchdog.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) also provisionally says that a home birth could be as safe as hospital for low-risk pregnant women who have already had at least one child, and that midwives should discuss all options with women in their care.
The proposed changes to the institute’s guidance could affect hundreds of thousands of births, Nice said.
THIEVES RAID HOME OF PEACHES GELDOF
Thieves targeted the home of the late presenter and television personality Peaches Geldof, police have confirmed.
Detectives in Kent say they are investigating two break-ins at the property, in Fairseat Lane, Wrotham.
Officers said a lawnmower was taken in mid-April, while thieves who broke into the home during a second raid on Friday apparently left empty-handed, police said
LABOUR SEEKS LETTING AGENT FEES BAN
Labour will challenge the Government to back a ban on expensive letting agent fees by forcing a vote on its plans in the Commons today.
The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the Consumer Rights Bill aimed at tackling the fees, which average about £350 but can be much higher.
Labour said the fees were a major difficulty facing “generation rent” as they found it difficult to cover the cost each time they need a new property.
PM TO BE QUESTIONED OVER UKRAINE
David Cameron will be questioned by MPs about the Government’s response to the Ukraine crisis and the actions of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
The Prime Minister’s appearance at the Liaison Committee follows the “sham” referendums in eastern Ukraine which led to separatists in the Donetsk region declaring an independent state and asking to join Russia.
The West has refused to recognise the results of the referendums in Donetsk and neighbouring Luhansk, with European Union foreign affairs chief Baroness Ashton describing them as “illegitimate and illegal”.
FRAUD THREAT ’DIMINISHES JUSTICE’
G4S and Serco should be barred from bidding for government business until a major fraud investigation into their practices has been completed, prison reform campaigners have said.
Both multinationals are being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and have agreed to repay a total of more than £180 million after it emerged they had overcharged the taxpayer for electronic tagging of criminals.
Charity The Howard League for Penal Reform will today hand a dossier outlining actions they claim amount to failures by both firms to the Metropolitan Police in a protest move against ministers’ decision to allow G4S and Serco to resume bidding for contracts.
TITCHMARSH ’HURT’ BY BBC OFFER
Broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh has admitted he was “hurt” by the BBC’s decision to sideline him in this year’s Chelsea Flower Show programming - saying he was made “an offer I had to refuse”.
Titchmarsh, 65, who has been replaced by Monty Don, said he was offered a lesser role for the much-loved event after three decades as host.
The former Gardeners’ World presenter told Radio Times magazine he was not bitter and that he had moved on.
