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Every postal worker in Britain will be given around £1,500 of shares in Royal Mail when it floats on the stock market, the Business Minister will say today. It will be the largest employee share scheme for 25 years with around 140,000 workers from postmen to local delivery office managers expected to scoop a windfall. In his first speech on the controversial privatisation of the country’s postal service, Michael Fallon will today pledge to make the share handout ‘as attractive as possible.’ He is keen the share handout is structured in a way that all postal workers benefit, rather than just allowing the executives to walk away with millions. But he will warn the militant postal union, the Communication Workers Union, that they must ‘engage’ with the Government - or the deal could be scuppered. The CWU is bitterly opposed to the privatisation of Royal Mail, a deal which it fears will lead to price rises, pay cuts and the destruction of the service. In a protest against the privatisatio

New laws giving householders the right to fight back against burglars were condemned as a ‘farce’ last night after it emerged they are riddled with loopholes. The Government had promised to let people use maximum force when confronted by intruders, after an outcry at cases where victims were arrested for defending their homes and businesses. Justice Minister Chris Grayling told last year’s Tory Party conference: ‘Householders who act instinctively and honestly in self-defence are crime victims and should be treated that way.’ Promises: Justice Minister Chris Grayling vowed to beef up protection But today it can be revealed that the new defence of ‘disproportionate force’ – which became law this week – will not apply in many cases. Official guidance sent to judges, prosecutors and police shows: Homeowners cannot rely on the new defence if they find an intruder in their garden or chase them outside – the fight must take place indoors. Shopkeepers can only get away with disproportiona

A new law has finally come into force giving householders the right to ‘bash a burglar’...but not if they are stealing from your garden shed. Justice Secretary Chris Grayling won huge plaudits last year by announcing people would be able to use ‘disproportionate’ force to protect themselves from housebreakers. But it yesterday emerged the new rules contain a string of exemptions. For instance, in guidance sent to prosecutors, officials say that homeowners cannot rely on the new defence if they find an intruder in their garden, such as stealing a lawn mower or ornament. Nor will they be protected if they chase the burglar outside. The fight must take place indoors. Mr Grayling defended the new law, saying it ‘does exactly what it says on the tin.’ He added: ‘It provides householders with proper protection if they are confronted by a violent or threatening burglar. ‘It was never intended and never promised to allow you to shoot dead someone stealing the lawn mower from your garden shed.

A senior Conservative MP has urged David Cameron to accept the newspaper industry’s proposal for a tough new Press watchdog. John Whittingdale, chairman of the influential Commons culture select committee, said the Royal Charter idea put forward by the Press would protect the public from rogue journalists. He called on the Prime Minister to ‘grab’ the proposal ‘with both hands’. Britain’s newspapers, including the Daily Mail, came up with their own proposals for an independent regulator after rejecting a plan drawn up by politicians and the Hacked Off lobby group. After reading the small print of the newspapers’ plan, Mr Whittingdale told the Sun on Sunday: ‘I could almost sign up to this tomorrow.’ The new Press-backed watchdog will have the power to impose fines of up to £1million and demand up-front corrections. But crucially, the scheme will prohibit interference by politicians and protects the freedom of the Press. Mr Whittingdale said: ‘If you are in public life, you have to acc

Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, who has repeatedly spoken out in favor of same-sex marriage, says he now worries that his career with the team may be on the line. On Sunday, Kluwe said he is starting to sense that rumors surrounding whether or not he will be released from the team will soon become ‘distractions.’ ‘It’s a shame that in a league with players given multiple second chances after arrests, including felony arrests, that speaking out on human rights has a chance of getting you cut,’ Kluwe told NBC’s Pro Football Talk via text message. Outspoken: Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, has repeatedly spoken out in favour of same-sex marriage, says he now worries that his career with the team may be on the line Pro gay marriage: Kluwe has repeatedly spoken out on the topic over the past year while addressing the question of whether the NFL is ready for an openly gay football player Kluwe, along with former Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, hired a lawyer earlier

David Cameron has launched a fresh assault on public sector pay - saying he was ‘surprised’ at the number of senior staff who earn more than him. He said he did not think it was fair that chief executives in local councils and the NHS should have a higher salary than the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. State salaries had been allowed to drift ‘up and up and up’ over recent years without any thought to whether such high rates were necessary to attract the best candidates. The Prime Minister earns £142,500 and it is believed that more than 300 staff employed by local councils take home more than him. Thousands more in the public sector, from NHS managers to doctors and BBC staff, also earn more. Mr Cameron also attacked ‘golden handshakes’ and generous early retirement deals which are often offered to departing highly-paid staff in the public sector. He made the comments at one a PM Direct question and answer sessions in Carlisle on Friday. When asked whether he thought it was fair t

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith has taken up an internship with a local member of Congress fresh off of his team’s Super Bowl victory in early February. Smith spent this month helping out Representative Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat who advocates 'world-class education', affordable healthcare and liveable wages for regular workers. The Ravens wide receiver has done an ‘outstanding job,’ Representative Cummings said yesterday. Enlarge Off-season opportunity: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith took up an internship with a member of Congress fresh off of his team's Super Bowl victory last month Something different: Smith has spent most of March helping Representative Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat who said the wide receiver did an 'outstanding job' ‘It was a pleasure having Torrey Smith intern with us, and I was glad that I could offer him the opportunity,’ the congressman said in a written statement. 'Torrey was eager to