A BUDGET airline is to review its operations at UK airports, including East Midlands, as part of a drive to return the business to profit.

Flybe, which operates five routes from the Castle Donington airport, has been making losses and it is now planning to axe 10% of its UK-based staff in an attempt to reduce costs by £35 million.

The carrier said it would make 300 people redundant – including a fifth of its UK-based management – and outsource support services such as on-board catering and aircraft maintenance.

The job cuts will affect staff in support functions such as human resources and IT.

It is also putting its network of 13 UK bases under review, including East Midlands Airport.

But it said it did not expect to close any of its bases.

MORE than 12,000 people in Derby will have to pay towards their council tax for the first time from April 1.

The city council says everyone in the city – apart from pensioners and war widows – will now have to pay up to a fifth of their council tax, even those who did not have to pay anything before.

It says the less-well-off must contribute towards council tax for the first time to help plug a gap caused by cuts to funding from Government.

Cabinet member for finance Sarah Russell accepted the move would "hit the city's poorest in the pocket".

She said the authority would be understanding to those who could not pay and that a hardship fund would be set up to help.

But she added bailiffs would be sent to recover cash from "those who won't pay".

In total, there are more than 30,000 households in Derbyshire that receive council tax benefit.

In Derby there are about 15,000, of whom 12,200 currently do not pay council tax at all, for reasons such as being in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance or Income Support. Some receiving Disability Living Allowance will also have to start paying up to 20% but pensioners and war widows will be exempt.

Councils get money from the Government to cover the shortfall for people excused from council tax because they are on low incomes or benefits but this amount has been cut by 10% as part of ministers' plans to reduce national debt.

City officials fear as a result they could be left with a £2.6 million "black hole".

Miss Russell said: "If we were to plug the gap ourselves, it would have an impact on frontline services so we can't afford to."

She said that a £200,000 "financial hardship fund" would be set up to help those struggling to pay.

Miss Russell said: "We will clearly differentiate between people that can't pay and people who won't. For those that can't, we will offer all the support we can, such as budgeting help and flexible payments.

"We will send bailiffs for people who won't pay but that is the absolute last resort."

Under Government rules, the city can only increase council tax for householders currently paying their full amount by a maximum of 2% without triggering a referendum.

Miss Russell said Leicester City Council is set to start the same system from the same date and Nottingham City Council will launch it in the next financial year.

Elsewhere in the county, the 1,600 people who previously paid no council tax to Tory-led South Derbyshire District Council will have to pay 10% from April 1. The area's Tory MP, Heather Wheeler, said: "Spending by local authorities has increased by 50% over 10 years. We can't afford the deficit and everybody has to play their part."

MORE heavy snow is predicted for the county ahead of this weekend.

Forecasters said they are expecting another severe snowfall during rush-hour on Friday evening.

It is set to fall from about 3pm across Derbyshire, with a heavy period at 6pm. A Met Office spokeswoman said: "We are still in this cold spell and advise people to keep watch on weather reports."

And the Environment Agency is urging people to build snowmen – to stop flooding. A spokesman said: "If everybody built themselves a snowman, it will slow the thaw down a bit.

Detailed statistics of how county schools performed in GCSE exams are published for the first time today. Zena Hawley reports on success stories.

WHEN Jo Ward took over as head teacher at Bemrose School nine years ago, she was determined to make sure results improved.

Now the school is celebrating its best-ever set of GCSE results and a good Ofsted judgment, with the promise of even more improvements to come.

Last summer, 41% of pupils achieved the gold standard five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths. When Ms Ward took over the Uttoxeter New Road school in 2004 this figure was just 8%.

She said: "Last year's results broke all of our records, and that, alongside our best ever grade, a 'good' rating, from Ofsted, meant 2012 was a pretty impressive year for Bemrose. With the exception of one year, our results have been climbing gradually year-on-year. And we are certainly hopeful of another increase in 2013."

But, for Ms Ward, the most important figure is the value-added measure, which shows how pupils' educational performance has improved throughout their time at the school.

She said: "The most significant figure for us is how much progress our children make during their time with us – because at schools across the city the starting points are very different.

"The majority of pupils start at Bemrose way below the national average. In fact, a huge proportion haven't even been educated in this country when they start their schooling with us, while more than half don't speak English at home.

"So, we were delighted to learn that, based on last year's GCSEs, our value-added score was way above the national average, showing our students make more progress, given their starting point, than almost any school in Derby.

"Nationally, we are in the top eight of schools in the whole country for how fast our children improve in English. For maths, we are in the top quarter."

In order to make such improvements, the school has worked hard to improve behaviour and raise teaching standards. Class sizes are kept small, often with fewer than 25 pupils, and paired teaching, with two teachers in the same lesson, is used as often as possible.

Among the high achievers last year were 14 pupils who took their maths GCSE a year early and gained A and B grades.

Ms Ward said: "These pupils have formed an additional maths group, so the teachers can work with smaller groups of pupils, and I am now personally teaching them A-level maths."

The school plans to build on its success and is beginning by looking at what it needs to do in order to get an "outstanding" rating from Ofsted inspectors.

Ms Ward added: "The next phase for us is to keep improving and moving towards an outstanding judgment, so that the children who come here can be confident that things will always be good and usually be outstanding."

Overall, Derby secondary schools celebrated some of their best-ever GCSE results – for the fourth time in five years. As well as Bemrose, seven other of the city's 14 secondary schools improved on their 2011 GCSE figures.

These included Chellaston Academy, Derby Moor Community Sports College, Merrill College, Murray Park School, Sinfin Community School, Noel-Baker School and West Park School.

One school only, Merrill College with 37%, remains below the Government floor target of 40% for five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths, while da Vinci Community College recorded exactly 40%.

Coming out top in the city with a 100% pass rate for pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades, including maths and English, were the independent schools – Derby Grammar and Derby High, both in Littleover.

Ash Venkatesh, head teacher at Littleover Community School, said he was delighted with his school's results of 77% five or more A* to C grades including English and maths. He said: "The exact figure varies from year to year, according to the group of pupils concerned, but we are pleased to have maintained our tradition of excellent results."

Other top performing schools were the JCB Academy in Rocester, High fields School, Matlock, and Friesland School, Sandiacre.

A PENSIONER was pushed to the floor of his home as he tried to stop a pair of robbers.

The man, who is in his 70s, was with his wife at the time of the offence, which took place yesterday.

Shortly after 5pm the couple heard a knock at the door of their static caravan, at Navigation Home Park, London Road, Derby.

The husband opened the door to two men, who asked if they could come in and check the pipes.

When the man refused to let them in, they pushed past him and searched the caravan.

They took cash before leaving, making their way through gardens and out on to Avon Street.

Police say the couple were unhurt, but shaken, by the robbery.

Both robbers were white and around 5ft 10ins tall.

One was in his late 20s or early 30s and wore a beige coloured jumper.

The other man was in his mid to late 20s, of stocky build and was wearing a grey hooded top.

Anyone with information should call 101.

CAR manufacturers don't often hit the bull's-eye at the first attempt, but Ford's original Ka city car looked a winner from the moment it left the blocks. So what about this, its replacement?

What You Get

The original Ka dropped jaws at the time of its launch. Perhaps intelligently, Ford elected not to attempt a similar trick with this second-generation model, whose more formulaic creation employs design themes found across the Ford range, including trademark swept back headlamps and trapezoidal front air-intake.

There are elements carried over from the original Ka around the rear end but from most angles the effect is of a stunted Fiesta – pretty but with little that broke new ground. Inside, the Ka sets the standard for build quality in city cars. The materials and switchgear feel like those of a far more expensive product.

Ford also worked hard to create a funky cabin. There's an airy feel inside with an abundance of headroom for front seat occupants and limited space for a couple of six-footers to occupy the rear on short journeys. The array of storage options has been very well thought out. The boot, too, is of a useful size for a citycar but 224 litres won't go far after a major supermarket splurge. Fold the rear seats and 747 litres is opened up. All Ka models have an MP3-compatible CD stereo with an AUX input, power steering with a wheel that's adjustable, ABS brakes and twin front airbags. The Zetec proved a popular choice and adds a raft of other items, including 15in alloy wheels, front fog lights and racy styling enhancements.

What You Pay

Originally opening at around £8,500 when new, the Ka can be obtained today at prices starting from around £7,000 for a 58-plate Style model with the petrol engine. The Style + has air-conditioning and the quickclear heated windscreen but costs around £600 more. The sporty Zetec is another £300 on top of that.Go for the diesel model and prices start at £8,500 on a 58 plate, rising to around £9,500 for a 59 plate.

Overall

The second-generation Ford Ka is unlikely to be remembered as fondly as the original but is a better car in most respects and is one of the very best city cars around.

VAUXHALL'S new full-size, four-seat convertible, the Cascada, will be priced from just £23,995 on-the-road – nearly £8,000 less than its main rival in the premium drop-top sector – when it arrives in showrooms in April.

With the Audi A5 Cabriolet firmly in its sights, the Cascada offers affordability paired with outstanding levels of equipment, technology and luxury. It comes in two trims, with the entry level SE getting 18in alloy wheels, a sports chassis, LED tail lamps and aux-in/USB all as standard. The up-level Elite includes leather trim, heated front seats and steering wheel, and front fog lamps.

The Cascada looks to have virtually all the ingredients to guarantee success at the affordable end of the executive convertible segment. It not only undercuts rivals from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, it also provides what is, in many ways, a better all-round package, one that includes more rear seat legroom and extra equipment.

It does itself no harm by getting the looks right. A large convertible lends itself to a low, sleek look, but not all four-seat convertibles ultimately escape the dumpster look. The Vauxhall thankfully does. At 4,697mm long and 1,840mm wide (excluding mirrors), the Cascada is bigger than the Audi A5 Cabriolet, let alone anything in the Peugeot 308 or Ford Focus convertible class.

With the top down, it has a clean profile with no roof-top cover or visible roll-over protection disturbing the car's silhouette aft of the steeply-raked A-pillar. It's also elegantly proportioned when the hood's up, thanks to a nicely contoured hood shape and a sharply raked rear screen. The fabric roof can be specified in one of three colours, which can be coordinated with one of ten body colours.

Driving dynamics are taken care of by HiPerStrut suspension and Flex-Ride adaptive chassis control, plus there's a wide range of engines, including a 140PS 1.4 turbocharged petrol unit, a new 170PS 1.6 SIDI Turbo ECOTEC petrol powerplant and a 165PS 2.0 CDTi diesel. If all that's not enough, then it's hard to see what more the brand can do.

BUDGET motor brand Dacia is coming to Derby as part of the growing family of Bristol Street Motors franchises in Sir Frank Whittle Road.

It is likely to help the Romanian marque gain a large foothold in cash-strapped austerity Britain predicted by CAP, the car information experts.

It believes the time is right for "no frills" motoring in Britain and points to Dacia's success in Germany and France as evidence that the brand can win motorists over.

They also believe that success for Dacia could put the brakes on Chinese ambitions to target the UK car market by getting in first to meet demand for good quality cars at prices around 30% below existing mainstream models.

From humble beginnings, it has gone from strength to strength since it was bought by Renault in 1999.

It has been the fastest-growing automotive brand in Europe for the past eight years, rising from under 5,000 sales in 2004 to shifting a mighty 350,000 last year.

At just £5,995, the entry-level Sandero Access (pictured) is the most affordable new car in the UK.

Put down a deposit of £1,845, at 9.4% APR and it costs from as little as £69 per month through a Dacia Dimensions personal contract purchase, and that's little more than a gym membership or satellite television subscriptions.

With a deposit of £699, at 9.9% APR, monthly payments are just £99, an incredible price for a supermini capable of seating five adults in comfort.

The Dacia Duster SUV meanwhile will be available from £8,995. Both cars can be pre-ordered online with a no quibble refundable deposit of just £100 or at one of the 135 Dacia retailers nationwide.

The Duster is now the UK's most affordable new SUV and with a £3,179 deposit is available at £99 per month.

A MACKWORTH van centre has been thanked for its support of a local cricket club's junior players.

Over the last two years Imperial Commercials, Derby's dedicated Volkswagen commercial vehicle site, has donated £1,500 to Belper Meadow Cricket Club.

The partnership has included a shirt sponsorship deal for the hardball junior teams, with new shirts bearing the company logo, along with advertising boards at its Christchurch Meadows ground.

Focus is placed upon giving youngsters a basic knowledge of the game, while ensuring they enjoy the experience.

Club chairman Mark Slater said: "We would like to say a big thank you to Imperial Commercials for the commitment and support it has shown.

"When we started working with Imperial Commercials, it was the first sponsorship deal in the cricket club's 133-year history and was a great reward for the grass roots development we do.

"We dedicate a lot of time to ensuring youngsters of all ages and ability have the opportunity to enjoy the game of cricket, so it's fantastic to have the support of our local Volkswagen Van Centre."

David Starr, head of business at Imperial Commercials' Volkswagen Van Centre, said: "It's a privilege to give support to a local cricket club which has held a prominent place in the community for over 100 years.

"We look forward to continuing our relationship with the club in 2013 and supporting the fantastic work it does."

For more details about sponsorships, contact Imperial Commercials on 01332 825 300.

SEAT's third-generation Leon looks much like its predecessor but is fresh from the ground up. Jonathan Crouch reports.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

THE Leon made its name as a sporty selection and the latest line-up is powered by a series of downsized yet powerful TDI diesel and TSI petrol engines, ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 litres. All the engines feature efficient direct injection and turbocharging. The 1.6 TDI generates 105PS and 250Nm of torque. The extensively re-engineered 2.0 TDI develops 150PS and 320Nm of torque. This same unit is offered in sporty FR form with 184PS and a potent 380Nm of torque. Petrol people will find a 1.2 TSI with 105PS, 1.4 TSI with 140PS and a 1.8 TSI with 180PS with a combination of direct and manifold injection.

Transmission options range from five- and six-speed manual gearboxes or the twin-clutch six- and seven-speed DSG sequential gearboxes. The chassis of the Leon is simple in its architecture with MacPherson strut front suspension, while the rear uses torsion beam suspension for engines up to 150PS. Go for a more powerful model and you get a multi-link rear set-up.

The Leon FR hot hatch features an interesting function called SEAT Drive Profile. This allows the driver to vary the power steering, throttle control and even the engine sound via a sound actuator using three modes: eco, comfort and sport. There is also a facility to tailor the settings according to the driver's preference. The interior ambient LED lighting changes according to setting: white in eco and comfort modes, red in sport. No red mist please.

DESIGN AND BUILD

The Leon is built on the Volkswagen's Modularer Querbaukasten architecture, which, in layman's terms, means it's built on the same chassis as an Audi A3 and the next generation Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf. This allows the company to alter wheelbases and track widths to suit different cars. With the Leon the proportions look rather peachy, with a slight shift of the visual weight of the cabin over the rear wheels compared to the last car. With more bonnet and deeply sculpted sides, the Leon now looks a lot sharper and more aggressive, with real edge to the detailing around its lights and grille.

At 4.26 metres, the new Leon is five centimetres shorter than its predecessor, which means it's easier to park, but through clever packaging and a six centimetre longer wheelbase, SEAT has managed to improve interior space, especially in the back. Despite a shorter rear overhang, the 380-litre luggage bay is 40-litres bigger too. Certain design cues remain, such as the "L­nea Dinamica" that runs rearwards over the wheel arches and the trapezoidal C-pillars, both ensuring you'll still recognise this design as a Leon. It just looks like the "after" shots in those muscle magazines. The cabin looks cleaner too, with a dashboard that no longer appears so obviously built down to a price, the biggest deterrent to the old Leon.

MARKET AND MODEL

Pricing sees this car pitched in the usual Focus bracket, which means a span between £16,000 and £23,000 across S, SE and FR trim levels. SEAT has always had to box a little bit clever with the Leon's pricing. With sporty versions of both the Skoda Octavia and the Volkswagen Golf on offer, the Leon has to occupy the middle ground, its proposition sweetened by decent equipment as standard.

In the UK line-up that includes air conditioning, twin halogen headlamps with electric adjustment, an MP3-compatible six-speaker CD player, integrated hands-free phone with Bluetooth audio streaming and a colour touchscreen interface. In addition, every new Leon comes with seven airbags, anti-lock braking, traction control, electronic stability control with emergency brake assist, active front head restraints, ISOFIX with Top Tether anchorage, and remote central locking.

A lot has been devoted to the vehicle's infotainment hub, the basis of which is formed by the media System Touch set-up, including a CD radio with an SD card slot, four speakers and a five-inch touch screen.

Go for plusher trim level and you get the media System Colour package featuring more in-screen colours and higher quality, with a CD drive and six speakers as standard (FR eight speakers). It connects devices via Bluetooth, USB or aux-in.

COST OF OWNERSHIP

The Leon has always been a vehicle that has carried an extremely reasonable asking price that is in turn backed up by solid residual values. Couple that with some of the most fuel-efficient engines in the VW Group parts portfolio and the end result is one of the most cost-effective family cars that is in any way sporty. The downsized engines offer decent punch when you get the turbochargers up to speed and excellent economy when driven with a little more restraint.

At the greenest end of the spectrum, the Leon 1.6 TDI 105 PS with Ecomotive Technology returns 74.3mpg and 99g/km CO2, while even the most powerful version at launch, the 2.0 TDI 184 PS FR, boasts a startling average consumption figure of 65.7mpg, with 112g/km CO2. And that's despite having more torque than a Porsche Cayman R, helping it to complete the 0-62mph benchmark in a rapid 7.5 seconds.

No Leon will exceed 140g/km of CO2. In fact, every engine bar the 1.8 TSI 180PS puts out less than 120g/km.

SUMMARY

The latest Leon looks a very promising package indeed. Better looking than before, classier inside and out, with super-efficient engines and the retention of its sporting appeal, it's exactly the car the Spanish brand needs to resurrect its fortunes in this sector.

LEON LAUNCH

A preview event for the SEAT Leon is on Friday, February 1, at Bristol Street Motors' Derby dealership in Locomotive Way, Pride Park (DE24 8PU), starting at 3pm. For more details call 01332 399000.

PLANNING a shopping expedition? Visiting relatives and friends? Make sure you don't forget the most important thing: is your car and your driving up to surviving the winter weather?

Of course, if you belong to a breakdown organisation, it's comforting to know that if the worst happens and your vehicle does let you down, help will quickly be on its way. However, the frustrating thing for many members stranded by the roadside is that the breakdown could easily have been avoided.

Ensuring that your car is serviced regularly is one way to avoid all the hassle, not foolproof, of course, but prevention is always better than cure.

Tyres should always be checked carefully as worn treads can be lethal. Check tyre pressures regularly too. Also consider swapping tyres in the autumn for winter ones – then swapping back in the spring. Garages will sell you a set of winter tyres, fit them and even store your summer ones free of charge.

Sluggish starting is a sure sign that your car battery is getting old. As soon as starting becomes slow, it's time to think about buying a new one.

Finally, make sure you are prepared by keeping a few essentials in the car, including a mobile phone (fully charged), shovel, de-icer/ice scraper, blanket, warm clothing, wellingtons, torch, a hot drink and a chocolate bar.

TODAY'S new cars have been revolutionised by high-tech design and manufacturing processes. This is good news, not just for new car buyers, it is also great for those interested in buying used cars.

The safest way to buy is from a reputable garage. Main dealers and independent garages that are members of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) agree to comply with a code of practice drawn up with the Office of Fair Trading.

In the trade, used cars are usually priced "nearly new" or "used". Nearly new are those up to one year old, while used falls into two categories – one to three years old and over three years old. Nearly-new cars often have very low mileages and have thousands of pounds off the new list price.

Main dealers generally offer efficient after-sales services and warranties also ensure peace of mind, as do mechanical breakdown, insurance services, hire-purchase facilities and servicing back-up.

An independent garage is likely to have cars on its forecourt that span a wider age range, from the low mileage to the older less expensive models. Used car buyers may also benefit from cheaper insurance.

There are a few simple points to remember. Avoid looking at a used car in the dark. If you don't know what to look out for when buying a car, take along a friend or relative who knows a bit about cars.

If the car is more than three years old, check it has a current MoT certificate. But remember it is not a guarantee that faults that may develop will be put right by the dealer.

A full service history is also very important, and check the mileage is warranted in writing to avoid any potential problems in the future.

Ask to see the registration document and service record – does everything match up?

Having test-driven the car, it is vital to inspect it thoroughly, outside, inside and under the bonnet.

When you buy from a reputable dealer, the car's financial history will have been checked along with other checks to show it is neither an insurance write-off nor been stolen. Ask the dealer for written proof that these checks have been made.

Before entering into any finance agreement, accepting any warranty or indeed accepting a used car, make sure you read and understand all the documentation before signing them or handing over any cash.

DERBYSHIRE'S historic place at the centre of British industry will be celebrated in a spectacular £15 million revamp of the Silk Mill, if a bid for Lottery grant cash is successful.

The city's Museums Trust says the revamped attraction would explore the county's extraordinary past, from being the home of the world's first factories to its place as a hub of modern innovation in engineering.

The trust's departing executive director, Stuart Gillis, said: "This will be a living study of the county's world-changing advanced engineering over the past 300 years. What we are intending to build here is one of the world's greatest science museums that inspires the makers of tomorrow."

A trust application for "major funding" from the Heritage Lottery, which uses money raised by the National Lottery, will be made by the end of the year, with the organisation already positive about the scheme.

If the bid succeeds, doors to the revamped museum would be opened in 2017.

Mr Gillis said displays in the museum would trace Derbyshire's industrial history starting from the building of the world's first factory on the site of the Silk Mill between 1717 and 1721.

It would then look at how Derby's Midland Railway Company drove railway technology forward in the mid-19th century, before focusing on modern success stories such as innovations by Rolls-Royce, Bombardier and Toyota.

Mr Gillis said exhibits would be "interactive and hands-on".

Hannah Fox, the trust's development manager, said displays would include ceramics, iron, brick production, steelworks, and modern games technology.

The revamped building would include open science workshops for young people, a new cafe and shops on the site.

The trust wants to open up more than two of the site's four floors to the public for the first time since it first began as a museum in 1974.

And pride of place would be given to two of its most important artefacts – the Eagle Engine, Rolls-Royce's first aero engine, built in 1915, which was used in the first direct transatlantic flight in 1919, and the Rolls-Royce RB211, built in the early 1970s.

The latter cost so much to develop that it drove the company into bankruptcy and nationalisation by the Government but was the predecessor to the Trent family of engines which now power planes around the world.

Mrs Fox said the engines would become "centre-pieces", making them into "something inspirational" instead of being tucked away at the sides of the building.

On the workshops, Mrs Fox said: "The idea is to interest people, especially young people, in industry, and technology so that it inspires future careers.

"We might have an engineer in residence, perhaps from the university or Rolls-Royce who'd run the workshops supported by the exhibits.

"They could, for example, run a session on clocks, explaining the technology behind how they work and then getting them to redesign their own clock. Those taking part would be developing their technology, science and maths skills."

She said the Heritage Lottery Fund would not be the only source of cash as the trust could also look to other grants, "partners in local industry" and Derby City Council for cash.

She said the Heritage Lottery would be "a major funder" but that the total amount being bid for had not yet been finalised. An application setting out the trust's vision for the Silk Mill's 4,000 square metres of space will be made by the end of this year.

THE original Silk Mill building was built on the site of the current structure between 1717 and 1721 by George Sorocold for the Lombe Brothers.

It housed machines, run by water power from the Derwent, for "doubling" or twisting thread.

During the 18th century it developed to become the home of the first factory system in the world – turning raw silk to fine-quality thread – but workers' conditions were poor.

By 1777, however, it was already a tourist attraction for people from Britain and abroad.

November 1833 saw the beginning of industrial unrest in Derby which led to the formation of the Grand National Trades Union in February 1834. The civil unrest is commemorated by a march organised by the Derby Trades Union Council annually on the weekend before May Day.

During the 1920s the ownership passed to the Electricity Authority which used it as stores, workshops and a canteen. It was adapted for use as Derby's Industrial Museum, which opened in November 1974. Derby City Council mothballed the museum in April 2011 to free funds for the redevelopment of other museums in the city.