Responding to the Shadow Chancellor’s suggestion today to cut pensions tax relief for top-rate taxpayers to fund a “jobs guarantee” for the long-term unemployed, Richard Ayre, chairman of the Institute of Directors in the South West, said: “However laudable Ed Balls’ job-creation aim may be, pensions saving is the wrong target to produce money to pay for the scheme. “Pensions have been hammered repeatedly by governments looking for more cash, damaging public confidence in retirement saving. “If the coalition wishes to encourage people to save more, they should resist calls for further...

Police in North Devon are appealing for witnesses following two assaults early on New Year’s Day.

Police are investigating two assaults that occurred on two separate women between 12.30am and 1.30am on Tuesday 1st January 2013 in the Bideford area.

In the first incident a 17yr old female was assaulted on The Quay next to “Radfords” Tobacconists.

The victim fortunately managed to push the male suspect off and run away and didn’t sustain any injury.

Many people would have been around the location at this time celebrating the New Year and may have seen the...

Exeter Community Initiatives' Transitions Project is recruiting vounteers now to start a new training course planned for late January 2013.

Transitions volunteers provide mentoring support to people who have been homeless, or who are at risk of becoming homeless, or who are vulnerable or isolated, to live independently in the community.

The Transitions Project works with people to develop their skills and resources to manage change, cope with life’s ups and downs, and become more resilient. They are looking for people who are interested in helping others, not to do things...

With the New Year underway, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service are asking people to make one of their resolutions in 2013 to check that their smoke alarms are up to date and are in the right place to protect their home.

A spokesperson said "Many people see January as an opportunity for a fresh start, and safety should be no exception. So this month we are encouraging everyone to make sure they have enough working smoke alarms in their home."

A smoke alarm can give someone the few extra seconds they need to escape in a fire. But while the majority of homes across...

The Devon and Cornwall region is one of 13 areas that will roll out video technology in their court service during 2013, Justice and Policing Minister Damian Green has announced. The local community will benefit from quick and effective justice as court appearances will take place via video-link technology, saving police and court time.

The region is one of 13 areas across England and Wales to launch this new scheme, where technology will allow police officers to give evidence in court from the station Mr Green said today .

Over the past year, around the country, an...

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision in Kingsteignton.

The collision occurred around 3.50pm on Thursday 3rd January on the B3193 Chudleigh Road in kingsteignton. The road is also known locally as Claypits Road.

Involved in the collision was a Ford Fiesta driven by a local woman and a Ford Focus motor vehicle containing two men who also reside locally.

The woman, aged 27 sustained fracture injuries and was conveyed to the R D & E Hospital in Exeter.

Both men travelling in the Ford Focus, an 84-year-old driver and...