New laws to tackle uninsured driving will be enforced this summer.

Under the new Continuous Insurance Enforcement law it is an offence to be the keeper of an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive when uninsured.

This summer registered keepers identified as having an uninsured vehicle will be sent a letter telling them that their vehicle appears to be uninsured, and warning them of the consequences if they fail to take action. Those who do not act on this warning - either by taking out insurance or declaring their vehicle off the road - will receive a £100 fine and could have their vehicle clamped, seized and destroyed. They may also face a court prosecution.

 The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which last month launched a national advertising campaign to raise awareness of the new law, has seen a 20 per cent rise in the number of successful searches by motorists who have checked their insurance details are recorded on the Motor Insurance Database (MID).

 All drivers can check their vehicle is recorded correctly for free at www.askMID.com.

 Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:

 “Anyone who receives a warning letter should take action immediately by getting insurance or contacting the DVLA to declare their vehicle off the road.”

  "Failure to act will result in a fine, court action or seeing your car seized and destroyed.”

 Ashton West, Chief Executive at the MIB, said:

 “We know who the registered keepers are with vehicles that have no insurance and letters will be dropping onto their doormats from this week. It’s no longer a case of if you will get caught, but when you will get caught.”

 “An estimated 1.4 million drivers are flouting the law by driving without insurance. This is a serious offence and results in accidents that cause about 160 deaths each year and more than 23,000 people are injured by uninsured drivers. It also adds around £30 per year to honest drivers’ motor insurance policies.”

Under the new system:

• The DVLA will work in partnership with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to identify uninsured vehicles.
• Motorists will receive a letter telling them that their vehicle appears to be uninsured and warning them that they will be fined unless they take action.
• If the keeper fails to insure the vehicle they will be given a £100 fine.
• If the vehicle remains uninsured - regardless of whether the fine is paid – further action will be taken. If the vehicle is on public land it could then be clamped, seized and destroyed. Alternatively court action could be taken, with the offender facing a fine of up to £1,000.
• Seized vehicles would only be released when the keeper provided evidence that the registered keeper is no longer committing the offence of having no insurance and the person proposing to drive the vehicle away is insured to do so. 

4. Measures already introduced in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 gave police improved access to the MID and powers to seize vehicles driven without insurance. In 2009 around 180,000 uninsured vehicles were seized.

A beacon was lit at Thorpe Mandeville last Monday in protest against the HS2 Rail Link and warning the start of the consultation process.

 Despite cold and wet weather about 100 supporters attended the beacon lighting at Lower Thorpe including Lizzy Williams, chairman of the national campaign STOP HS2.  Over 50 beacons were lit by objectors along the proposed HS2 route.

All five homes in the hamlet of Lower Thorpe are due to be demolished to make way for the HS2 London to Birmingham High Speed Rail Link.

 “Opposition to HS2 is not a Nimby rave” says Tania Parsons of Lower Thorpe, “It is an economic concern affecting us all.”

 “Because of their financial and environmental loss, those directly affected are the most motivated to scrutinise the proposed scheme, whereas HS2 supporters often talk in lofty generalisations. 

 The HS2 economic case is fundamentally flawed, but attractive to politicians who perceive it as emblematic and futuristic and, to Mr Hammond, a legacy.”
“But the minimum cost is a whopping £17billion for the first phase alone - £160m a mile - £1,500 for every household in Britain, in an economic environment where the Government preaches austerity and makes cutbacks of essential services and where individuals are facing uncertainty and redundancies.”

 “The Philip Hammond HS2 PR circus has started, but taxpayers need to look beyond the spin and
count the cost in relation to the true benefits before supporting this vanity project – So much is being

spent for the benefit of so few.”

As we head into summer, the Leek Grower's Association is urging people not to forget the benefits of the British leek as the fat-free, nutrient rich answer to staying healthy and helping combat colds.

From keeping sore throats at bay to improving the quality of the singing voice, this 'upmarket onion' or 'poor man's asparagus' is a must-have on shopping lists across the country as the British leek season runs through the year.

More refined, subtle and sweet than the average onion and packed with anti-oxidants, the leek has long been treasured in Europe and the Mediterranean where it has been grown and cooked for more than 3,000 years. Rich in iron, vitamin B6, vitamin C and folate it is used in traditional medicines to treat a variety of ailments including the common cold, gout, 'bad' cholesterol, kidney stones as well as protecting against cancer.

Whether you like them roasted, baked, braised or boiled, leeks are easier to digest than onions, have laxative, antiseptic, diruetic and anti-arthritic properties. Just half a cup of leeks counts as one serving so check out the British leek website www.british-leeks.co.uk for mouth-watering, seasonal recipes, developed for The Leek Grower's Association by leading UK chef and food consultant, Rob Rees, MBE. Or, try out his Open Tart of Leeks, Stilton and Chesnuts recipe overleaf.

Comments Rob, "The aromatic smell and subtle flavour of leeks is a great combination. The Great British Menu embraces seasonality as its core and what better way to manage Autumn into Winter than with this fantastic vegetable".