Heatwave Warning: Danger Of Grass Fires

More than 120 firefighters have been battling to control grass fires to the east of London.

The fires on Wanstead Flats, which were reported early on Friday afternoon, were tackled by fire crews from Walthamstow, Ilford, Stratford, Homerton, Leyton, and Chingford. 

Authorities have warned that a prolonged period of hot weather in England will continue to put a strain on the emergency services over the coming days and asked that the public be aware of fire risks. 

London Fire Brigade's Dave Brown said: "A small spark from a cigarette is often all it takes to start a grass fire in these dry conditions.

"It really is important that smokers dispose of their cigarettes properly. Drivers also need to take care not to throw cigarettes out of car windows as they can easily burn grass verges.

"If you see a grass fire, don't attempt to put it out yourself as grass fires can be fast moving and change direction without warning. Call the fire brigade and let us know where the fire is."

As temperatures soar, London's firefighters are dealing with twice as many grass fires compared to last year.

A young child cools down with an ice-cream

In the first half of July last year there were just five grass fires a day and a total of 535 from May 1 to July 15. This year the figures have soared to 21 fires a day and 1,010 respectively.

Britain will continue to bake in temperatures of 30C (86C) right through into next week, forecasters say.

Six days of 30C-plus temperatures have already been recorded, the longest heatwave for seven years.

The hot weather is expected to continue this weekend and into the early part of next week.

Sky News weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "Western areas will still remain very warm into the weekend, in fact it will feel hot for some with temperatures possibly reaching up to 30C locally.

"There will be a brief respite from the heat in the east with cloudier skies during the mornings and perhaps the cloud lingering into the afternoon.

A man basks in the summer sunshine in Nottingham

"But into the start of next week there will be plenty of sunshine across the UK and Ireland and feeling hot again, especially across southern counties where we could see temperatures up to 31C, perhaps a little higher locally."

She warned that the heat and humidity are likely to trigger some thunderstorms in the west.

The prolonged hot spell has prompted the Met Office to issue level three heatwave health warnings for northwest and southwest England, and the West Midlands after a similar alert for London and the South East on Wednesday.

Level three warnings are only one notch below the most serious alerts and are put out when high temperatures place the very young, the very old and those with chronic diseases at risk.

Mountain blazes tore across the south Wales' valleys while flames devastated swathes of Tentsmuir Forest in north east Fife, Scotland, on Thursday night. 

A couple and their dog enjoy Roundhay Park, Leeds

There have also been reports of people arriving at hospitals with extreme sunburn, including a four-week-old baby.

The death toll from swimming accidents as people look to cool off has reached 13.

A man and a teenage boy who drowned while swimming at a beauty spot in Norfolk have been named by police.

Ryan Pettengell, 41, and 16-year-old Umar Balogun, died at Bawsey Pits, a disused quarry near King's Lynn, on Tuesday.

Their bodies were recovered from separate lakes following a major search and rescue operation by emergency services after both had separately been reported getting into difficulties in the water.

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Obama: Trayvon 'Could Have Been Me' Years Ago

Barack Obama has said Trayvon Martin "could have been me 35 years ago" and urged Americans to do some "soul-searching" about the country's racial history.

The president took the rare step of speaking about his own personal experiences of racism, as he talked openly for the first time since a man was cleared of killing a black teenager in Florida last week.

In the aftermath of the acquittal of George Zimmerman, a neighbourhood watch volunteer, Mr Obama had issued only a statement urging calm.

But on live TV, he said: "When Trayvon Martin was first shot, I said that this could have been my son. Another way of saying that is Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago."

The case, rife with racial overtones, have prompted protests across the US

The president said black Americans feel pain after the verdict because they view the case through "a set of experiences and a history that doesn't go away".

Mr Obama, the country's first African-American president, spoke emotionally about the kind of subconscious racial profiling that blacks, especially young black men, continue to suffer in the country.

"There are very few African-American men in this country who haven't had the experience of being followed when they are shopping at a department store - and that includes me.

"There are very few African-American men who haven't had the experience of walking across the street and hearing the locks click on the doors of cars - that happened to me, at least before I was a senator."

George Zimmerman was acquitted by a Florida jury

Mr Obama said that violence would "dishonour" Trayvon's death.

Trayvon, 17, was shot to death by Mr Zimmerman, who describes himself as Hispanic, during a confrontation in a gated community in Florida in 2012.

Trayvon, who was unarmed and had been visiting his father, was followed by Mr Zimmerman. 

Mr Zimmerman said Trayvon assaulted him and he fired his gun in self-defence.

A jury last week agreed with his version of events and cleared him of second-degree murder charges.

The president declined to wade into the detail of legal questions about the case, saying: "Once the jury's spoken, that's how our system works."

But he said state and local laws, such as Florida's "stand your ground" statute, need a close look.

Mr Obama said it would be useful "to examine some state and local laws to see if they are designed in such a way that they may encourage the kinds of confrontation" that led to Trayvon's death.

He questioned whether a law that sends the message that someone who is armed "has the right to use those firearms even if there is a way for them to exit from a situation" really promotes the peace and security that people want.

Trayvon's parents have said they were shocked at the verdict

Trayvon's parents said in a statement they were honoured by Mr Obama's "beautiful tribute" to their son.

"What touches people is that our son, Trayvon Benjamin Martin, could have been their son," they said. "President Obama sees himself in Trayvon and identifies with him. This is a beautiful tribute to our boy."

Meanwhile, Mr Zimmerman's brother, Robert, said he was "glad" Mr Obama had spoken out.

"No matter what you think of the verdict, there have to be things that bring us together," he told Fox News.

Sky News US Correspondent Amanda Walker said some Americans will feel Mr Obama has "gone too far" but added: "For many African-Americans there will be a sense of relief - relief that could calm the mood of a series of protests planned for the weekend."

Trayvon's parents have spoken of their shock at the verdict, and several protests have been staged across the US.

The Justice Department has said it plans to review the case to determine whether federal prosecutors should file criminal civil rights charges now that Mr Zimmerman has been acquitted.

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Bond Actor Paul Bhattacharjee Found Dead

The body of an actor who disappeared from a London theatre a week ago has been found, police have confirmed.

Paul Bhattacharjee, who appeared in the James Bond film Casino Royale and EastEnders, had last been seen leaving rehearsals at the Royal Court Theatre in Sloane Square, London, on July 10 and appeared to walk in the direction of a nearby Tube station.

The 53-year-old was said to be in good spirits that evening but after sending his girlfriend a text message at 9pm, no-one heard from him and he was reported missing.

Scotland Yard was contacted by officers in Sussex this morning and told that the body of a man matching his description had been found near cliffs at Splash Point in Seaford, East Sussex, last Friday.

Mr Bhattacharjee, from Redbridge, north-east London, was formally identified today and his next of kin have been informed.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

His friends and family had made pleas for his safe return, including his 24-year-old son Rahul Bhattacharjee-Prashar, who told the Evening Standard the disappearance was "completely out of character".

He added: "He was doing well in his career and everything seemed to be going okay."

The actor, who also appeared in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, White Teeth and Dirty Pretty Things, had been due to appear in this week's play Talk Show at the Royal Court.

Bhattacharjee and Meera Syal rehearse last year

His role in the play, which began last night, was recast.

He was part of the theatre's company of 14 actors performing in the Weekly Rep series, which sees six plays staged in six weeks, and had already appeared in two of the productions.

Tributes have been paid to the actor, with many from the theatre world taking to Twitter to express their sadness.

Director Jamie Lloyd wrote: "Very sad to hear about the death of Paul Bhattacharjee. He was a very fine actor. My thoughts are with his family."

Muzz Khan, who appeared in Much Ado About Nothing alongside the late actor, said: "Rest In Peace, Paul Bhattacharjee. I can't believe you're gone, mate."

Playwright Duncan Gates wrote: "'When you depart from me sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave'. RIP Paul Paul Bhattacharjee."

Actor Rick Warden wrote: "Having a bad time with the news about friend and colleague Paul Bhattacharjee's death. An intelligent & charismatic man. Very sad."

He played a doctor in Casino Royale in 2006 and was in several episodes of EastEnders as Inzamam between 2008 and 2010.

Other television credits for the actor included Waking The Dead, Spooks and The Bill.

Last year he appeared as Benedick opposite Meera Syal in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Much Ado About Nothing.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org

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NHS Patients Urged To Be Hospital Inspectors

Patients are being urged to join a "small army" of inspectors keeping check on NHS hospitals.

The new Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richard, has announced ways to radically change how hospitals in England are assessed.

In his first press conference since taking the Care Quality Commission (CQC) job, Sir Mike called on people "from different walks of life" to help the watchdog inspect facilities.

His beefed-up inspection teams - made up of patients, doctors, nurses and other professionals - will give all hospitals school-style ratings.

"Today I am issuing a call for inspectors. I want assistance in this inspection process," Sir Mike said.

"I want to start building a small army of inspectors.

Sir Mike admitted the CQC had "flawed" inspections in the past

"These inspectors need to come from different walks of life, some of them will be practising clinicians who will come and do two or three inspections a year,  some others will be retired clinicians but importantly we are also seeking patients and carers and we will provide training.

"We will assess whether services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led."

Sir Mike said each of the 161 acute hospital trusts will be rated as "outstanding", "good", "requires improvement" or "inadequate".

If they are deemed to be inadequate they could be put into "special measures" - as seen earlier this week with 11 hospital trusts reviewed for having higher mortality rates.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was "worrying" that the CQC failed to spot any real cause for concern at the 11 trusts.

Sir Mike admitted the embattled regulator had "flawed" inspections in the past.

"If we thought that the CQC process in the past had been perfect we wouldn't be changing it," Sir Mike said.

"We are changing it because we recognise that it was flawed."

Sir Mike said the bigger inspection teams would spend longer examining the hospitals with a mixture of announced and unannounced inspections.

However, he said the surprise inspections will "probably" occur after the announced ones which raises concerns that failing trusts could prepare for inspections.

Simon Whittle went to an NHS hospital with a broken leg and ended up having much of his leg amputated .

Mr Hunt said CQC's assessment of the 11 trusts was "worrying"

He told Sky News what should have been a simple procedure to mend it went badly wrong.

Mr Whittle said the new inspections will be a waste of time and money.

"It (money) should be where it's needed," he said.

"You don't need these inspections. Just give them the money to do what they need to do."

Another NHS hospital patient, Hazel Cameron, agrees.

"We don't need people inspecting what's being done. We just need being it done," she told Sky News.

"I don't know the answers. I'm not political, but I know they've got to improve the quality of nursing care."

Sir Mike said the new ratings system will be rolled out from next January and that all hospitals will be assessed by 2015.

Earlier this week, a shocking report revealed that thousands more patients died than would have been expected at 14 hospital trusts, including the 11 put into "special measures".

The review by Professor Sir Bruce Keogh found that none of the hospitals investigated was providing "consistently high-quality care to patients" and all the trusts have been ordered to act on recommendations set out by health officials.

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Trayvon Martin: George Zimmerman Acquitted

George Zimmerman has been acquitted of all charges over the fatal shooting of black teenager Travyon Martin in Florida.

Mr Zimmerman was freed after the jury deliberated for more than 15 hours over two days in the second-degree murder trial.

The jurors notified the judge on Saturday night, shortly before 10pm local time, that they had reached a decision.

Minutes later the verdict was announced. Mr Zimmerman stood impassively as the verdict was read out.

Supporters of Trayvon Martin outside court after the verdict was reached

The parents of the teenager were not in court for the verdict.

But outside the court supporters of Trayvon reacted with disappointment and anger.

Some chanted and held up a large banner saying "End racial oppression", while others yelled "No" in disbelief at the acquittal.

The six-member, all-woman jury began deliberating at 2.30pm on Friday after spending part of the day listening to the defence team's closing arguments and a rebuttal from the prosecution.

George Zimmerman is congratulated by his defence team

The jurors considered nearly three weeks of often wildly conflicting testimony over who was the aggressor on the rainy night the 17-year-old was shot while walking through the gated townhouse community where he was staying.

Mr Zimmerman's lawyers said the case was classic self-defence, claiming Trayvon knocked Mr Zimmerman down and was slamming the older man's head against the concrete footpath when Mr Zimmerman fired his pistol.

Trayvon Martin was shot dead in a gated community

"We're ecstatic with the results," defence lawyer Mark O'Mara said after the verdict.

"George Zimmerman was never guilty of anything except protecting himself in self-defence."

Another member of his defence team, Don West, said: "I'm glad this jury kept this tragedy from becoming a travesty."

Prosecutors called Mr Zimmerman a liar and portrayed him as a wannabe police officer and vigilante who had grown frustrated by break-ins in his neighbourhood committed primarily by young black men.

The teen's death drew protests in cities across America

They said Mr Zimmerman assumed the teen was up to no good and took the law into his own hands.

The case divided public opinion in the United States, with even President Barack Obama commenting on the shooting. Congressman Bobby Rush wore a "hoodie" in the House of Representatives in support of Trayvon.

Further criticism came from the 44-day delay before Mr Zimmerman was arrested.

Trayvon's father was not in court for the verdict

After hearing the verdict, judge Debra Nelson told the defendant he was free to go and the GPS tracking tag unit would be removed.

"You have no further business with this court," she said.

Mr Zimmerman later hugged his family, and his wife Shellie smiled and cried.

Fearing further social unrest over the controversial shooting, the police chief in Sanford, where Trayvon Martin was shot and where the trial was held, urged peace.

State Attorney Angela Corey said she believed second-degree murder was the appropriate charge because Mr Zimmerman's mindset "fit the bill of second-degree murder."

"We charged what we believed we could prove," Ms Corey said.

Second-degree murder is classed as a death that does not include specific intent to kill, and the trial centred on the state's controversial self-defence rule of "Stand Your Ground".

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Belfast: Clashes In Second Night Of Rioting

Police have used plastic bullets against protesters during a second night of rioting in parts of Belfast in Northern Ireland.

Police use water cannon to disperse protesters in Belfast

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said so-called attenuated energy projectiles (AEP) were used in one location.

Water cannon were also deployed against demonstrators in several areas.

Police said they fired "a number of AEPs" in the Woodvale area of north Belfast on Saturday night.

It was the second night of trouble in the area.

Bottles and other missiles were thrown at officers on Woodvale Road.

Over 30 police officers were injured in the first night of clashes

Sky News Ireland Correspondent David Blevins said: "For a second consecutive night police came under sustained attack.

"It is mainly from youths pelting police lines with bricks, bottles, masonry and fireworks.

"There has also been a number of petrol bombs."

Youths set fire to bins and threw objects at officers

The PSNI also responded to isolated incidents elsewhere in north Belfast, at Rosapenna Street and North Queen Street.

Police said the disorder in the Woodvale area was "sporadic", but said one officer was struck by a petrol bomb.

The PSNI said the officer had been examined by medical personnel and remained on duty.

Officers said a 40-year old male was arrested in the Castlereagh Street area of east Belfast on suspicion of breach of the peace following a protest in the area.

Over 30 police officers were injured in the first night of clashes

A 17-year-old male and a female, also 17, were arrested on Saturday on suspicion of riotous behaviour during Friday's clashes in east Belfast.

The Woodvale Road and the Newtownards Road in east Belfast witnessed the worst violence on Friday, with 32 police officers injured.

MP for North Belfast Nigel Dodds was taken to hospital amid the clashes in Woodvale after being struck by a brick.

He was discharged from hospital on Saturday morning.

Around 400 extra police officers have been sent to Northern Ireland after the clashes.

More than 600 officers from forces in England, Scotland and Wales were already in the region supporting the PSNI operation.

On Saturday PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott condemned those responsible for the trouble.

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Heathrow Dreamliner: Probe Into Cause Of Fire

Air accident experts will continue their investigation into the cause of a fire on board a Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet at Heathrow Airport amid concerns the aircraft type could be grounded again.

The Ethiopian Airlines-operated plane caught fire while on a remote parking stand shortly after 4.30pm on Friday but nobody was on board and there were no injuries.

Boeing temporarily withdrew the Dreamliner from service earlier this year for modifications after concerns that batteries on board could cause fires.

Thousands of travellers faced long delays resulting from diversions as both runways at the airport were closed to all flights for an hour and a half while emergency crews dealt with the blaze. The runways are now fully open.

Foam surrounds the Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner

The US National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a representative to London to assist the Air Accidents Investigation Branch with their examination of the incident.

Ethiopian Airlines said the aircraft had been parked at Heathrow for more than eight hours before smoke was detected.

The fire appeared to have caused damage to the top of the plane's fuselage.

The Ethiopian Airlines plane involved in the Heathrow fire was the first Dreamliner to fly in April after the battery problems.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident Thomson Airways said a Dreamliner flight to Florida had to be diverted back to Manchester yesterday due to a "technical issue".

Boeing shares fell sharply on the New York Stock Exchange yesterday after news broke of the incident.

Damage to the top of the Dreamliner's fuselage

Travel Expert Simon Calder told Sky News: "It's entirely possible that the Dreamliner could be grounded which I think would be unprecedented in the history of aviation to have an aircraft type be grounded twice in quick succession.

"If that were to happen, clearly, airlines would be very badly affected they'd have to completely to have to reconfigure their fleets which they were hoping to be a very profitable summer."

Thomson Airways became the first British carrier to operate the Dreamliner earlier this week and is taking delivery of eight of the planes.

The company had hoped to take delivery of the first of its 787s in time to start Dreamliner operations in May but this was delayed due to the battery problems.

Thomson had to scrap plans to use the ultra-green aircraft in May and June and only received its first plane in June.

The battery problems followed endless production difficulties for the Dreamliner, which has been marketed as a quiet, fuel-efficient aircraft carrying between 201 and 290 passengers on medium-range routes.

It should have entered passenger service in 2008 but it was not until October 2011 that the first commercial flight was operated by Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways.

British Airways is taking delivery of the first two of its 24 Dreamliners, while Virgin Atlantic said it "remains committed" to taking the first of its 16 Dreamliners in September next year.

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Belfast Violence: Police And MP Injured

Sectarian tension in Belfast has spilled over into violence overnight leaving 23 police officers and an MP injured.

Democratic Unionist Party MP Nigel Dodds, who had been near police lines talking to officers, was taken to hospital after being struck on the head by a brick during fighting, a party spokesman said. His condition is said to be stable.

Officers were pelted with masonry, bottles and other missiles during clashes with loyalists in Woodvale Road.

Police said 23 officers had been injured in the North Belfast disturbances as they dealt with "serious public disorder".

Water cannon was deployed and around 20 non-lethal rounds known as Attenuated Energy Projectiles fired.

Officers were hit by an array of missiles including sticks and fireworks

Water cannon was also been used by police in east Belfast in response to missiles hurled by crowds of people.

Trouble erupted as the Orange Order protested against the decision to ban a contentious July 12 parade from a north Belfast flashpoint.

Loyalist bandsmen played sectarian tunes at police lines while bricks and bottles were thrown.

At one point a rioter broke down a section of wall and threw it at police shields. Others used sticks and pieces of drainpipe to batter police vehicles while some danced on top of the force's Land Rovers and tried to rip off protective plating.

Police were enforcing a Parades Commission ban. The ruling stops Orange Order lodges from walking on a stretch of road in north Belfast that separates loyalist and nationalist communities.

Water cannon is used on loyalist protesters

The Parades Commission - the adjudicating body set up after the Good Friday Agreement peace deal - had banned marchers from a 300 metre stretch of the Crumlin Road past the nationalist Ardoyne area.

Three lodges from the Ligoniel area were able to walk the contested route this morning but were prevented from making the return journey.

Trouble also broke out on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. Bricks and bottles were thrown in both areas.

One man was arrested for disorderly behaviour and another for provocative behaviour.

Serious rioting has erupted after previous Orange Order evening marches in Ardoyne. Last year shots were fired at police who also came under sustained attack from petrol bombs thrown by republican protesters.

MP Nigel Dodds was taken to hospital after his head injury

Before he was injured, Mr Dodds said: "This sort of situation here creating a bottleneck at this junction, the Parades Commission decision to block it here, this is the inevitable outcome.

"The police were well aware that was the danger the Parades Commission had put them in. I would appeal for everybody to stay calm, not to get involved in violence.

"The Grand Lodge have made it clear they do not want violence and the people who want to engage in violence should desist immediately."

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly blamed the violence on the Orange Order and unionist politicians.

"Speech after speech at the various (Orange) demonstrations were clearly designed to stir up sectarian tension and have alongside the Orange Order's failure to abide by Parades Commission determinations led directly to the violence in Belfast tonight.

"No amount of hand wringing or denial in the coming days from the Orange Order and unionist politicians can alter that reality.

Twenty-three officers were hurt during the 'serious disorder'

"People had a right to expect better, instead what we got was a very deliberate strategy with the inevitable results being seen on the streets this evening."

The Orange Order has appealed for calm and asked that all parades be peaceful.

In a statement, it said: "The Parades Commission must go but violence is not the way to achieve it. All protests must be peaceful.

"In support of the Grand Orange Lodge's appeal for calm, the Ligoniel Lodges (north Belfast) have decided to suspend their protest over the determination for the Crumlin Road."

DUP leader and Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson called for calm.

"Violence and attacks on the PSNI and the wider community are wrong, can never be justified and must stop," he said.

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San Francisco Crash: Pilot 'Blinded By Light'

Timeline Of Asiana Flight Crash

Updated: 4:41pm UK, Wednesday 10 July 2013

After departing from Shanghai and stopping in Seoul, Asiana Flight 214 makes its final approach into San Francisco International Airport following a 10-hour flight across the Pacific Ocean. A preliminary review of the crash by US investigators turns up the following:

:: Approach proceeds normally - Pilot Lee Kang Kuk and training instructor, Lee Jung Min, receive clearance from air traffic control to land without instrument landing system.

Visibility is about 10 miles with winds out of the southwest at seven knots.

There are no distress calls or special requests in the air traffic control tapes that captured the discussion between the tower and the Asiana pilots.

:: Plane descends - At 1,600ft and 82 seconds before impact, the autopilot is disengaged, a normal procedure.

At 1,400ft and 73 seconds before impact, the plane's speed is about 170 knots.

At 500ft and 34 seconds before impact, the speed has dropped to 134 knots, just below the optimal landing speed of 137 knots that the pilots believe has been programmed into the "autothrottle".

Lee Jung Min recognises the plane is coming in too low and tells Lee Kang Kuk to "pull back".

:: 16 seconds out - Plane is at 200ft and travelling at 118 knots.

The Precision Approach Path Indicator that uses red and white lights to tell pilots if they are approaching correctly is all red, indicating the plane is much too low.

Lee Jung Min recognises the autothrottle is not maintaining the proper speed.

:: 8 seconds out - At an altitude of 125ft, the plane is travelling at 112 knots when the throttles begin moving forward.

:: 4 seconds out - The stick shaker, a yoke the pilots hold, begins vibrating, indicating the plane could stall.

:: 3 seconds out - The plane is travelling at 103 knots, the slowest speed recorded by the flight data recorder. The engines begin increasing power from 50%.

:: 1.5 seconds out - From the cockpit comes a call to abort the landing and go around for another try.

:: Crash - The plane, which has increased its speed to 106 knots, clips the seawall at the end of the runway with its landing gear and then its tail, which breaks off.

The plane spins on the runway and slides to a stop. The controller declares an emergency and rescue vehicles rush to the scene.

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MPs' Pay: Watchdog To Propose Rise To £75,000

MPs' Pay: For And Against Hike

Updated: 4:18pm UK, Wednesday 10 July 2013

By Nicola Boden, Sky News Online

Handing politicians a pay rise when they are imposing austerity on millions of ordinary Britons is bound to be a hard sell - but some of the arguments in favour are hard to ignore.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) is later due to suggest an inflation-busting rise and then put its plans out for consultation.

The prospect of an increase comes as taxpayers, already mostly on far lower salaries, are facing a cost of living squeeze and public sector pay increases are limited to 1%.

Giving politicians up to another £10,000 in their pay packets will undoubtedly play exceptionally badly and make them even less popular than they are at the moment.

Workers who spoke to Sky News this month made clear they would consider the move "disgusting", and MPs themselves are well aware of the consequences.

Nick Clegg has declared the public will find it "impossible to understand" and David Cameron said making politics more expensive is "unthinkable".

But the Commons' expenses watchdog insists that there is never a good time to address the issue, and that there are some very good reasons for doing so now.

Here, Sky News examines both sides of the debate:

FOR

Better value for the taxpayer - The rise will come in tandem with curbs to MPs' gold-plated pensions and personal expenses, making the set-up more transparent and the overall cost of funding Parliament lower.

Quality of MPs - Supporters of a rise argue you will only attract top quality people into parliament if you offer bigger salaries - ie. you get what you pay for.

MPs may earn far higher than the national average but their salaries are significantly lower than that given to council bosses or other professionals in high-profile roles.

A change could encourage a shift from career politicians to candidates with more experience of public life, who can bring that knowledge into parliament.

Mix of MPs - There are fears a failure to address the issue could lead to a Commons full of multi-millionaires and aristocrats because only they could afford to enter politics.

Two homes - MPs from outside London have to run two households, ramping up the costs of taking on a parliamentary role (although critics would note expenses are available for this).

Retention - The discrepancy between ministerial and MPs' pay is so large that it is considered to encourage former Cabinet ministers to quit once they leave Government.

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett has suggested the system currently almost says "you have done your time, get out" which strips the Commons of valuable experience.

Avoiding scandal  - Ipsa boss Sir Ian Kennedy has suggested not allowing a rise could lead to a repeat of the expenses scandal because MPs would find other ways to boost their salaries.

Greater Focus - If salaries were higher, politicians would potentially be less inclined to forge links with businesses and therefore avoid damaging conflicts of interest.

AGAINST

Timing - With the coalition pushing through austerity measures and making clear drastic cuts will last into the next parliament, the idea of a pay rise is toxic to the public.

As the cost of living crisis continues, taxpayers' salaries have risen just 0.6% on average this year and public sector pay rises are limited to 1% as part of a raft of savings.

Giving MPs an inflation-busting rise would be in stark contrast to the hardship faced by millions, and conflict with the idea "we are all in this together".

Furthermore, if the next government - as predicted by experts - has to impose tax rises to raise money, a pay rise in 2015 will be even less palatable.

Perception - Ever since the expenses scandal, politicians have been battling to restore public trust. A pay rise will reinforce the view held by critics that they are just out to line their pockets.

A large salary would also make it harder for MPs to argue that they are in touch with the concerns of ordinary workers.

Second Jobs - Many MPs already supplement their salary by taking on lucrative external opportunities or continuing in their previous profession.

Recent figures suggested almost half (295 of 650 MPs) declared some form of extra income and 20 made more from other work than their salary of £65,738.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has suggested there should be a limit on external earnings but while this situation continues, it is harder to argue for an increase.

Greed - The counter-argument to raising salaries to attract higher quality candidates is that more money could encourage people to enter parliament for the wrong reasons.

People want their MPs to consider it a vocation rather than a lucrative career so that they truly have their constituents' interests at heart.

The Hours - MPs have to work fluctuating hours during the week and shuttle between London and their constituency but they also enjoy long holidays most could only dream of.

They are about to go on holiday for six weeks, breaking up for the summer on July 18 and not returning until September 2.

Over the year, MPs also leave Westminster for half-terms, have two weeks off for Easter and then at Christmas and another three weeks in party conference season.

Public accounts committee chair Margaret Hodge called for longer parliamentary hours earlier this year, warning too much time was spent in recess.

"Members of the public would be forgiven for thinking that it is MPs who are lazy and that it is Parliament that is failing to provide good value for money," she said.

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