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Gordon Brown last night threw a mortgage lifeline to those hardest hit by the recession, to ensure that people who lose their jobs will not automatically lose their homes, too. continued...

HEADLINE NEWS

Lloyds TSB hints at return of ‘traditional’ Bank of Scotland

The chief executive of Lloyds TSB has given his strongest signal yet that, if the deal to acquire HBOS goes ahead, the enlarged group's main trading identity north of the border will be Bank of Scotland.

Martin ‘did not authorise raid on MP’

Scotland Yard's raid on an MP's office was last night branded "a scandal" after Commons Speaker Michael Martin revealed that he had not authorised the Scotland Yard raid on an MP's office and that the police did not have a warrant.

Tenacious teenager wins top achiever award

A Glasgow teenager with learning difficulties has won the Educational Achiever of the Year award from the Prince's Trust.

Rogue doctor accessed files for ‘unknown reasons’

Seven prominent BBC journalists are among a group of patients who have been warned that their personal health records may have been inappropriately accessed by a doctor.

Clampdown on alcohol ‘could lead to booze cruises’

A lack of uniformity in the interpretation and enforcement of Scotland's plans to halt "irresponsible drinks promotions" in off-sales and supermarkets could spark a wave of "booze cruises" across the country, trade leaders and retailers are warning.

Country reeling as the big freeze continues

A severe weather warning has been issued for the western half of Scotland for today. Forecasters have predicted persistent heavy snow, with the potential for 10cm to 20cm (4in to 8in), blizzard conditions and drifting.

Wave of car thefts as owners leave engines running to warm up

Cold weather has triggered a series of car thefts caused by car owners warming up their vehicles by leaving their engines running outside their homes.

Fear new planning rules could create ‘cowboy’s charter’

Thousands of home improvements including many dormer windows, large extensions and decking, will no longer need planning permission under plans revealed yesterday.

Recession takes centre stage in Queen’s Speech

Analysis: As Michael Martin�s statement over the Damian Green affair was overshadowing the Queen�s Speech, it was itself overshadowed by Gordon Brown, who last night unexpectedly announced new help for unemployed mortgage-holders facing the threat of home repossession.

Of course it wasn’t Speaker’s fault no-one asked for warrant

So, let�s say the Old Bill are at the door. �Allo, allo, can we come in and have a look around?� How many television detective series do you have to watch before you know the answer is: �Do you have a warrant, officer?�

MAIN BUSINESS

Lloyds chief remains confident HBOS merger will go through

Eric Daniels, group chief executive of Lloyds TSB, remains confident that his bank�s proposed acquisition of Bank of Scotland parent, HBOS, will go through, despite a late appeal to the Competition Tribunal by the Merger Action Group.

Bank of Scotland reassures small businesses on price of its loans

Bank of Scotland yesterday promised small businesses a cut of up to 80 basis points on the price of its loans after securing funding of �250m from the European Investment Bank.

Services shrinking as recession deepens

The Bank of England�s Monetary Policy Committee is expected to cut base rates by a full percentage point today after a closely watched survey showed the services sector contracted at its fastest rate in 12 years.

ROYAL SPEECH: The primary focus of the Queen's Speech yesterday was the global economic downturn and the government's response to the crisis

MAIN SPORT

Politicians back SFA bid for Euro 2016 bid

Any bid would need substantial support from the Scottish government and Stewart Maxwell, the sports minister, told The Herald on Tuesday that it would be a �major challenge� to meet the stadium requirements.

Wilson agrees new deal with Celtic

The decision to sign a new three-year contract with Celtic was not something Mark Wilson deliberated over for too long. The 24-year-old full-back is a boyhood fan of the club after all.

Kalvenes backing for countryman Hanstveit at Celtic

Christian Kalvenes spent years in the shadow of Erlend Hanstveit at Brann Bergen and is surprised it has taken so long for a club of Celtic�s stature to show interest in the Norwegian left-back.

Hughes is happy to continue wearing hometown colours

Stephen Hughes has no intention of leaving Mother-well in the January sales, despite speculation linking him with a return to English football.

The criticism will make me stronger, says Lafferty

Kyle Lafferty, the Rangers striker, has vowed to silence the critics who have dubbed him an expensive flop.

Back from the brink

The rise and fall of Leeds United can be told in three episodes starring Jonathan Woodgate. The high-flying success with all its attendant madness is perhaps encapsulated in the story of the Woodgate passport.

first shot in the battle to save clubs

Hilton Park phase out cheap golf for the oldies and appoint a director of golf. Douglas Lowe reports on the changes afoot.

Edinburgh must display big game mentality

Under questioning yesterday about Edinburgh�s capacity to perform in big matches, Chris Paterson was uncharacteristically fractious.

Olympic anger over anomalies in funding for London Games

In the best stoic traditions which characterise the sport, athletics decided to grin and bear it yesterday when it was revealed as the biggest victim of UK Sport funding cuts.

Kipchoge lines up chance to regain title

Eliud Kipchoge, Olympic silver medallist at 5000m in Beijing and at last year�s World Championships in Osaka, will attempt to regain the Edinburgh International Cross-country title at Holyrood next month.

Gilmour: McGuire victory could be new dawn for Scotland’s big hitters

Steve McGuire, the unbeaten super-middleweight from Glenrothes, can turn the clock back more than 40 years to the halcyon days of the 1960s, when Scottish boxing had a fighter capable of mixing it with the big boys.

English squad unite behind Pietersen

England�s cricketers have presented a strong display of solidarity by agreeing to fly out to Abu Dhabi for a training camp while they consider whether to resume their Test series in India.

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