Have you ever struggled to get a GP appointment?

An investigation by the BBC has uncovered a national shortage of GPs, doctors deserting the profession and junior doctors avoiding what they see as an "unglamorous" career.
All these have culminated in the number of unfilled GP posts quadrupling in the past three years, which may help explain why your surgery's phone number is often engaged.
Surgeries are certainly struggling with growing workloads.
One in Whitehaven in Cumbria opened its phone lines at 08:00, and all 49 appointments disappeared within 12 minutes.
Dr Guy Clayton, a GP from Beverley in Yorkshire, told BBC Inside Out: "At the age of 48, like a lot of GPs, I'm looking forward to retiring from the NHS.
"I never expected to be saying that at this stage in my career. The physical volume of the work does take its toll.
"I do feel that general practice is on the verge of being irreparably broken."
An exclusive BBC Inside Out ComRes survey of 1,004 GPs across the UK found that 56% of doctors expect to retire or leave general practice before the age of 60.
25%
Percentage of GPs definitely leaving the service before  60
30% Will probably leave
32% Probably not leaving
6% Definitely not leaving
6% Don't know
Pressure is also being felt by other health practitioners and out-of-hours services which are picking up the demand for GP services.
In the north of England, the out-of-hours doctor service, Cumbria Health On Call (Choc), said it is increasingly busy because people call them when they cannot get a GP appointment.
The Choc centres, which are open outside GP hours at weekends and evenings, take up to 3,000 calls a week from patients struggling to get appointments during the working week.
In Carlisle, one in three GP surgeries has unfilled vacancies for doctors, leaving 20,000 patients, in effect, without a doctor and putting extra pressure on existing GPs in the city.
It is a picture which is reflected across England where Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said that the results of the BBC Inside Out survey were "worrying".
• A greater role for pharmacists diagnosing and prescribing for minor ailments
• Better management of wasted patient appointments
• Increased use of locums, nurses and out-of-hours services
• Patients paying a membership fee like a gym, and then buying appointments when they need them or in bulk
But he told Inside Out a new government programme designed to encourage doctors to come back into general practice will tackle the recruitment issue.
So where does that leave the current state of GP services across the UK?
The west of England requires 25% more GPs by 2020 to keep up with demand for services, according to the Royal College of General Practitioners.
The private sector is answering the need in some places. At a new private GP practice in Bristol called the Medical, patients pay a membership fee like a gym, and then buy appointments when they need them or in bulk.
Closures are also becoming more common. The Kington Medical Practice in Herefordshire is typical in that it has been forced to close two of its branch surgeries, as a result of a continuing shortage of GPs.
According to its website, the practice has 7,900 registered patients over an area of nearly 600 sq miles, all of whom are now served by a single surgery.
The GP shortage is being exacerbated by the declining number of students going into GP practice as a speciality.
In 2013, only 20% of medical students chose to work in general practice on completion of their foundation training despite a national target of 50% by 2016.
27%
Volume of consultations
22% Other
20% Standing within profession
19% Working hours
9% Pay (3% don't know)
Work pressures and the declining status of the profession were the reasons cited by young medical students whom Inside Out spoke to at Imperial College in London.
Mitul Patel, a final-year student, said: "Your work environment is so pressured and stressful as a GP. It puts current and prospective GP trainees off."
The perception of GP practice as a "second rate" career choice is something which medical students claimed they had come across from other doctors during their training.
Rob Cleaver, editor of the Medical Student, said: "If we're told something's second rate, you instantly disregard it. I've seen people actually taken aback when someone else has said, 'I'd like to be a GP.'"
Dr Krishna Kasaraneni from the British Medical Association stressed the need for a solution to the number of GPs leaving the service.
"Politicians across the board need to acknowledge that general practice is not resourced and funded correctly.
"Trying to ask GPs to do more and more work, and not resourcing and staffing it correctly, will mean general practice will break."
Mr Hunt told Inside Out: "Hospitals have been struggling to meet increasing demand and that has taken money away from services like GPs, mental health and district nursing.
"That was wrong and we're moving to correct that. The centre of gravity in the NHS for 66 years has been big hospitals.
"We need to change that and make the centre of gravity general practice and out-of-hospital care."
But as the UK's population gets older and GPs continue to leave the profession, these changes will need to work fast before more drastic treatment is required to tackle the mounting GP shortage.
Inside Out is broadcast on Monday, 2 March on BBC One England at 19:30 GMT and nationwide for 30 days on the iPlayer thereafter.


A high court judge in the Republic of Ireland has ruled that the media can report what was said in the Irish parliament under privilege about the country's richest man.

Denis O'Brien was granted a high court injunction in May to stop RTÉ reporting details of his personal finances.
TD Catherine Murphy later made comments regarding his finances under privilege in the Dáil (parliament).
Media organisations returned to court to seek clarity.
Ms Murphy told the Dáil that Mr O'Brien owed the former Anglo Irish Bank upwards of 500m euro (£362m).
Ms Murphy, an independent left-wing TD, said Mr O'Brien was attempting to pay loans back at an interest rate of just over 1%, when it was arguable that the correct rate should be over 7%.
But those comments went largely unreported in the Republic of Ireland because of the high court injunction restraining RTÉ from reporting on Mr O'Brien's personal finances and his relationship with the former Anglo Irish Bank, now the nationalised Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC).
On Tuesday, lawyers for several media organisations returned to the high court to hear judge Donald Binchy say that he never intended nor could he order any interference with what a TD may say under privilege in the Dáil.
He could not stop any media organisation from reporting those remarks, he said.
That clarification has been welcomed by the national broadcaster RTÉ and other media organisations, and by the National Union of Journalists.


A Berwickshire councillor has asked whether flags other than the Saltire can be flown on the Scottish side of the border with England.

Michael Cook has made the inquiry regarding provision at Lamberton on the boundary between the Scottish Borders and Northumberland.
He said three Saltires currently fly on the Scottish side.
Mr Cook asked whether a county flag of Berwickshire or the union jack could also be flown north of the border.
His request to Transport Scotland is scheduled to be discussed by Scottish Borders Council's Berwickshire area forum.
Mr Cook pointed out that on the English side of the border the flag of Northumberland, St George's flag and the union jack were regularly flown.
He has asked whether it would be possible to fly a flag featuring the emblem of Berwickshire - a bear chained to a tree.
He said the local area forum was keen to highlight the "regional distinctiveness" of the area.
Mr Cook also asked whether it would be possible to fly the union jack reflecting the "shared identity and relationship which exists across the border".


Plans to regenerate a former iron and steelworks site in Wrexham have been given a £2m boost.

Brymbo Heritage Group (BHG) will use the money from Big Lottery Fund to create a parkland around the site.
The group's other plans including using nine old buildings to create a heritage centre, learning facilities, business units, shops and apartments.
Brymbo steelworks employed about 2,500 people at its peak but it closed in 1990 after almost 200 years.
Chairman Colin Davies said: "The money will help so much."


Woking returned to winning ways with a much-needed victory over Torquay at Kingfield Stadium.

The away side took the lead against the run of play when Nathan Blissett's header was blocked by former Gulls goalkeeper Michael Poke before summer signing Giancarlo Gallifuoco tapped the ball home for his third goal of the season.
Torquay almost doubled their advantage when Blissett and Daniel Sparkes combined to set up Jamie Reid, who struggled with the tight angle and found the side netting.
Woking struck back four minutes after half-time as Gozie Ugwu collected a great ball and set up for Delano Sam-Yorke to sweep into an empty net, and he completed his brace from inside the box just before the hour mark.
The visitors threatened to come back but Garry Hill's home side increased their lead through man of the match Dennon Lewis as he lifted a neat shot over goalkeeper Brendan Moore and in off the underside of the bar.
Report supplied by the Press Association
Match ends, Woking 3, Torquay United 1.
Second Half ends, Woking 3, Torquay United 1.
Goal!  Woking 3, Torquay United 1. Dennon Lewis (Woking).
Substitution, Woking. Charlie Penny replaces Gozie Ugwu.
Substitution, Woking. Charlie Carter replaces Fabio Saraiva.
Substitution, Torquay United. Sam Chaney replaces Dan Sparkes.
Substitution, Woking. Luke Chike Kandi replaces Delano Sam-Yorke.
Goal!  Woking 2, Torquay United 1. Delano Sam-Yorke (Woking).
Substitution, Torquay United. Brett Williams replaces Jamie Reid.
Goal!  Woking 1, Torquay United 1. Delano Sam-Yorke (Woking).
Substitution, Torquay United. Chay Scrivens replaces Joe Ward.
Second Half begins Woking 0, Torquay United 1.
First Half ends, Woking 0, Torquay United 1.
Goal!  Woking 0, Torquay United 1. Giancarlo Gallifuoco (Torquay United).
Joey Jones (Woking) is shown the yellow card.
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.


Residents in India's western city of Mumbai (Bombay) are in mourning for dozens of people killed by alcohol poisoning earlier this week.

With the death toll rising to 84, police spokesman Dhananjay Kulkarni said it was the worst incident of its kind in the city in more than a decade.
He says more than 30 people are still in hospital, some in serious condition.
Toxic alcohol deaths are a regular occurrence in India, where people often drink cheap bootleg liquor.
Residents of the Malad slum area fell ill after drinking cheap homemade alcohol on Wednesday. Police reportedly found eight sick people after a door-to-door search for more potential victims.
Five people have been arrested on charges of distributing and selling the alcohol, while eight police personnel were also reportedly suspended for suspected negligence following the incident.
Tayra Khan, wife of one of the victims, told Mumbai's Mid-Day newspaper that her husband was admitted to hospital early on Thursday after "he complained of vomiting and pain in the stomach".
"He died three hours later, leaving me and my three little children alone."
At least 29 people were killed after consuming toxic alcohol in Uttar Pradesh state in January.
India has witnessed many other incidents of toxic alcohol deaths in the past:


Holidaymakers from Northern Ireland have said they are "relieved" to be home following a failed military coup in Turkey on Friday.

More than 160 civilians lost their lives during the clashes.
Some passengers returning to Belfast International Airport in the early hours of Sunday spoke to BBC News NI.
Louise McMillan heard helicopters and jets overhead during her holiday, but she had to rely on reports from home to find out what was happening.
"It scared the life out of us, but you've just got to get on and hope for the best", she said.
Another passenger said her daughter was "in a state" at home worrying about her.
The Foreign Office has relaxed its advice for British people travelling to Turkey.
It says public places in Ankara and Istanbul, particularly demonstrations, should be avoided.
British Airways will be providing a reduced service to Turkey today after cancelling all flights yesterday.
A flight to Dalaman in the south-west of the country left Belfast International Airport on Saturday afternoon.
Tour operator Thompson said most travellers had decided to continue with their holiday plans.


England coach Mark Sampson has sympathised with Women's Super League teams over the disruptive schedule of the national team in March and April.

The Lionesses are currently in the United States for the SheBelieves Cup tournament and then play two Euro 2017 qualifiers next month.
It means the new WSL season, which starts on 23 March, breaks after games on 28 March and resumes on 21 April.
"The challenge is to find the right balance," said Sampson.
"Have we got that yet? I don't think we have, we've still got to keep working on this, and make sure we give the players and clubs the best chance to be successful, but in turn that must allow the international team to have every opportunity to win major tournaments.
"We know that if England win a major tournament the impact that will have on the game is far greater than anything else we could ever do in the women's game."
Sampson is keen to avoid a club-versus-country row but as a former boss of Bristol Academy he knows why WSL head coaches may be unhappy with the scheduling.
England host Belgium on Friday, 8 April in Rotherham before travelling to face Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday, 12 April.
"Any club manager will always want more time with their players, just like I want more time with the players," he added.
"We're in constant communication about doing what's right by the players, and getting the best out of the players and trying to develop a programme that fits international and fits club."


It is a crazy weekend for Welsh sport, in the best way, with both the national football and rugby teams facing huge games and it is amazing to be able to play a small part in proceedings.

On Sunday I hope to fly the flag for my country, in my adopted home city of Leeds, in the latest World Triathlon Series event.
But first, it will be time to watch the football and rugby.
I love my rugby, so hopefully I can definitely get up and watch a bit of that.
Obviously it is fantastic to have a Welsh team at the Euros this summer, I would love to see Wales do well and I am really looking forward to them playing England.
There will be plenty of chat with the English guys I train with when it comes down to that game, we are doing a Euro 2016 sweepstake and ahead of the game, there will be so much excitement.
Let's hope Wales can finally undo England, otherwise, I might never hear the end of it. Even my flatmate Vicky Holland is English.
There are lots of Welsh girls already qualified for Rio, Welsh sport at the moment is really strong and Welsh women are at the forefront of that.
There are loads of names in the last few years that have come to the public's attention and it is nice to be involved in it all.
I draw inspiration from those girls, absolutely, it is hard to describe, but Welsh people will understand, I love looking out for my compatriots and seeing them doing well.
For example, I love my cycling and get excited every time I see Geraint Thomas doing so well, because he's Welsh. He's come through the same system as us and it inspires you.
And seeing Jade Jones win gold at the Olympics four years ago left a huge impression with me. How could you not be inspired by what she was doing?
It is pretty exciting to have a World Series race practically in my back garden.
The race goes nearly past my house, it is ten minutes from it at the most and it will literally be a case of running in front of a hometown crowd as well.
It will be fantastic, all the athletes from around the world have started descending on Leeds and it is great to be able to showcase the city to them and showcase why we love Leeds so much.
It has been so good to perform in London in the past and when Yorkshire had the Tour De France last year, they support the people showed for it was phenomenal.
So hopefully they will show similar enthusiasm for this event and it will give us a real boost.
Find out how to get into triathlon in our special guide.
My fitness is where I would I want it to be, touch wood the last few months have gone as they should and we are on track at the minute for peaking in Rio.
I have had some really good sessions in the past couple of weeks and I am feeling good about it, but everything at this point is a stepping stone towards the games.
In terms of my result in Leeds, I would love to do well, you start every race wanting to do as well as you can and that means a podium finish, it would be great to do that in front of a home crowd.
So that is my target, it is a hard course, but this is what we are used to, it is pretty undulating and will be tough, but not something to worry about.
But ultimately, much as it would be nice to get on that podium, it does not matter too much how I do this weekend. Like I say, it is all about building blocks for Rio.
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The mother of a teenage Hillsborough victim said watching video footage of her son lying alone on the pitch with a police tunic over his head was "like a kick in the teeth".

The inquests have been hearing about the final movements of James Aspinall.
Former police officer Robert Fox told the jury he placed his tunic over the 18-year-old Liverpool fan "out of respect" as he thought he was dead.
Footage of him lying alone as people initially stepped over him was shown.
Mr Aspinall was one of 96 football fans fatally injured in a terrace crush at the  Liverpool versus Nottingham Forest FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield on 15 April 1989.
Speaking after the hearing, Margaret Aspinall - who became chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group in the years after the disaster - said she had found watching the footage difficult.
"I have not dealt with today very well to be honest with you," she said.
"In the past, how I have dealt with it is to put James to one side and help [the] other families.
"But today I knew for the first time in 26 years I definitely had to concentrate on my own son. And for me today - it was like a kick in the teeth."
She added: "You see your son lying on a pitch with a coat over him for about three or four minutes and nobody doing anything to help him.
"We still don't know whether he was alive or dead - and that I have got to live with for the rest of my life.
"But it's just a relief to get James's inquest over because it has been a hard, hard journey.
"The best way I can describe it is like climbing a mountain, but I still have not reached the peak. The peak is hopefully yet to come and maybe we will have peace.
"I want closure on Hillsborough and the only way we can get closure is by truth and justice, and hopefully we will get that."
Earlier, the court heard how fans had lifted Mr Aspinall on to an advertising hoarding and carried him away from the Leppings Lane terrace where the crush took place.
He was pronounced dead at 15:54 BST - nearly an hour after the match had kicked off - by a doctor in a temporary mortuary which had been set up near the stadium.
He was not formally identified by his father, James Aspinall Sr, who watched the match from a different part of the ground, until the next day.
The teenager travelled to the match by bus, the court heard, and his father initially heard all of the passengers on that bus had been accounted for.
Still worried, he checked with hospitals in Sheffield whether his son had been admitted but his name was not on any lists.
Reading his statement, Christina Lambert QC, counsel for the inquests, said: "They decided to drive back to Liverpool thinking and hoping that James may be on the bus.
"On their arrival home they went to the bus station with James's mother Margaret and waited for all the buses to arrive.
"The last bus arrived but James was not on it."
The jury saw footage of him on the terrace at 14:56.
He was next identified 30 minutes later, lying on the pitch with a police officer crouched beside him as a St John Ambulance volunteer approached.
Mr Fox said he was "90% sure" he was the person who took off his jacket and placed it over Mr Aspinall's head before moving away.
In a statement he gave in 1990 he said he attempted to resuscitate him for "a few minutes".
Michael Mansfield QC, on behalf of the Aspinall family, suggested to Mr Fox the possibility that he made "a rapid assessment that he had died without doing the normal checks".
Mr Fox replied: "I would have not put my tunic over somebody thinking they might still be alive."
The inquests, sitting in Warrington, Cheshire, are due to resume on Thursday.
BBC News: Profiles of all those who died


Two men have been arrested on suspicion of historical sexual offences against underage girls.

The arrests were part of an investigation into allegations of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, South Yorkshire Police said.
The men, aged 36 and 37, were arrested in the Rotherham area, the force said.
Three men, aged 35, 38 and 39, were held in Goole, East Yorkshire, in November as part of the same inquiry. They remain on police bail.
The allegations date to a period between 1990 and 2001.


The co-founder of a recently-shut down music streaming website has been found dead in his Florida home, local police have said.

Josh Greenberg, who was aged 28, created Grooveshark in 2006.
There was "no evidence of foul play or suicide," police in Gainesville said via Twitter.
Grooveshark closed in April this year following years of legal action from several record labels.
A US court had determined that the site could be liable for $736m (Â£472m) in damages after it was judged to have wilfully breached copyright when building the service's music library.
In closing the site, its owners posted a statement, which read: "Despite [the] best of intentions, we made very serious mistakes. We failed to secure licenses from rights holders for the vast amount of music on the service.
"That was wrong. We apologise. Without reservation."
Mr Greenberg's mother Lori told the Gainesville Sun newspaper that her son had been in good spirits.
"He was excited about potential new things that he was going to start," Mrs Greenberg said, adding that she did not believe he had any health concerns.
At the company's peak, the newspaper said, Grooveshark employed 145 people.
Friends and former colleagues of Mr Greenberg took to social media to pay their respects.
"Thank you @joshgreenberg for giving me the chance to get my career started with grooveshark. The world lost a great entrepreneur," wrote Tyler Nettleton, an engineer.
Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC


Unseasonably warm temperatures have led to "chunky" asparagus spears sprouting nearly a foot tall in Herefordshire.

Grower Chris Chinn, of Ross on Wye, said he was "absolutely astonished" to see the crop, usually harvested in early March, two months earlier.
But after the warmest December on record, he said it was "not that surprising".
The Met Office confirmed on Tuesday December was the wettest and warmest since records began in 1910.
Updates on this story and more from Herefordshire
Temperatures were about 7.9C (46F).
Mr Chinn, whose 1,000-acre family-run farm supplies Marks and Spencer with the vegetable, told BBC News his asparagus grows in temperatures above 6C (42F), and they normally expect to see the first spears by Valentine's Day.
"It's been the warmest December on record and this asparagus will grow over about 6C and if you look back at records over December, it was more or less 6C, including in the night time, so it's not that surprising I guess?," he said.
He said he came to check on the crop this week before sealing the polytunnels, but was stunned to see the fully-grown spears.
"It's just emerged through January and presumably started growing in December.
"I definitely didn't expect to see it.
"We came up here to check the tunnels had weathered the storms over Christmas... and thought we'd seal the doors down as normally we're harvesting in early March, so we're absolutely astonished."
The traditional start of the season is 23 April and runs through to mid-June.
Mr Chinn said the crops would reach chefs around the country this weekend and if the warm spell stays, they could start to appear in supermarkets in the coming weeks.
However, he said the predicted cold snap next week could slow growth, but would not ruin the crop.


Borders councillors have agreed plans which could see nearly 1,200 affordable homes built in the region by 2022.

However, it came with a warning that the construction sector would have to be worked with closely in order to see the "very ambitious" plans delivered.
The Strategic Housing Investment Plan could see up to Â£163m spent over a five-year period.
The Scottish government would contribute between Â£8.6m and Â£15m per year over that period.
The balance would be provided and the homes built by Scottish Borders Council's registered social landlord partners, including Eildon Housing.
Ron Smith, who chairs the council's planning committee, said a good pace had been set with building in the region to meet national targets.
"What you have is a challenging programme - certainly it matches with the Scottish government's demands of 50,000 houses," he said.
"We are happy to play our part in delivering that.
"It gives us challenges but there is the knock-on effect on local industry by providing jobs, there is the knock-on effect in consolidating local services - it is a case of what's not to like?"
Councillor Stuart Bell put forward an amendment asking that local firms be consulted as soon possible and it was accepted.
"I think this is an ambitious programme and I welcome the fact that we are looking to more than double the target for affordable build in the Scottish Borders," he said.
"The challenge for us is to get the right co-operation with the housing construction sector in order for it to be achieved.
"You don't double the number of houses that you're building in short order.
"My amendment was requesting that there is rapid engagement with the construction sector to ensure the best possibility of these ambitious targets being fulfilled."


A man banned from using computers borrowed a device to download 1,000 indecent images of children.

William Bawn was found with almost 100 category A images - the most serious - when police seized the device in October.
The 21-year-old admitted six charges, including three counts of making indecent images of children.
The judge at Carlisle Crown Court sentenced him to a 20-month jail term, suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to complete a rehabilitation requirement and made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
Bawn, of Main Street, Frizington in Cumbria, was prohibited from using any computer equipment not fitted with police monitoring software after a similar conviction in 2014.
The latest offence came to light when a woman complained he had borrowed her computer but refused to give it back.


A five-mile (8km) section of the Mississippi River near St Louis, Missouri, has been closed to vessels as rising water levels caused "hazardous conditions", the US Coast Guard said.

Storms and tornadoes have lashed the region in recent days, swelling rivers and causing flash flooding.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said 13 people in the state had died.
Another seven have died in Illinois, where there is a disaster proclamation in seven counties.
Mr Nixon said the National Guard had been called in to help local authorities.
Aerial footage showed water from the Mississippi River engulfing buildings in the evacuated town of West Alton, north of St Louis, on Tuesday.
In the town of Union, about 50 miles (80km) west of St Louis, buildings were partly submerged by severe flooding from the Missouri, Meramec and Bourbeuse rivers.
Coast Guard spokesman Capt Martin Malloy said the high water levels and fast currents had led them to close the section of the Mississippi near St Louis - a busy route for commercial shipping.
River levels are forecast to peak on Thursday and Mr Nixon warned that the situation could get worse before it gets better.
He said the National Guard would provide security in evacuated areas and direct traffic away from closed roads.
"These citizen soldiers will provide much-needed support to state and local first responders, many of whom have spent the last several days working around the clock responding to record rainfall and flooding," he said in a statement.
Nr Nixon added that three new flood-related deaths had been discovered on Tuesday, raising the death toll in the state since the storms began over the weekend to 13.
Many of the victims have been trapped in vehicles swept off flooded roads.
South-west of St Louis, a section of Interstate 44 was closed by flooding near the town of Rolla while part of Interstate 70 was also closed in the neighbouring state of Illinois.
Many other smaller roads were also closed across the two states, where flood warnings were in effect.
Floods also inundated a wastewater treatment plant south of St Louis on Monday, causing sewage to flow directly into rivers and streams.
The flooding in Missouri and southern Illinois began over the weekend after as much as 10ins (25cm) of rain fell in some areas in a matter of hours.
It came after severe storms over the Christmas holiday claimed at least 49 lives across southern and western states of the US.
Parts of eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas and Illinois are still subject to flood warnings.


At least 63 people have been killed in a series of car bomb attacks in Iraq, police and medical sources say.

One of the largest bombs was in the Shia-majority town of Khalis in the eastern province of Diyala, where at least 40 people were killed.
Another attack in the town of al-Zubair, about 15km (9 miles) south-west of the oil town of Basra, is reported to have killed at least 10 people.
A third bomb in Baghdad killed at least 13 people, police said.
At least 25 others were wounded in the blast in the capital's north-eastern neighbourhood of Husseiniya, according to Associated Press.
While Islamic State (IS) militants said they carried out the blast near Basra, no group has so far claimed responsibility for the other attacks.
However IS militants have frequently bombed Shia areas and government targets as part of their campaign to destabilise the Shia-led government in Baghdad.
The militants see Shias as heretics.
The bombing in Basra comes as a surprise, correspondents say, because it is predominantly Shia - which makes it harder for Sunni jihadist groups to carry out attacks in the same way they do in Baghdad and other parts of the country.
The two other car bombs went off in areas north of Baghdad that are regularly targeted by jihadists, correspondents say.
The blast in a market area of Khalis, around 55km (35 miles) from the capital, took place in a religiously and ethnically divided province that IS partly captured last year. The government said that Diyala was liberated in January.
While the jihadists no longer have fixed positions in the province, correspondents say, they have continued their tactic of planting car bombs and carrying out suicide operations and hit-and-run attacks in the area.
According to UN figures, 717 Iraqis were killed and 1,216 wounded in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in September.


The right of people living in council and social housing to buy their own homes should be revamped to provide more housing, according to the Welsh Conservatives.

They say the Right to Buy policy should be rejuvenated as only 420 tenants took up the opportunity last year.
The Conservatives' proposals include a "one-for-one" initiative with a new home built for every home sold.
Welsh Labour questioned where the money to build new homes would come from.
The Welsh Conservatives said the number of homes bought under the scheme had fallen from over 11,000 in Wales in 1988 when it was introduced during the Margaret Thatcher government.
In a policy launch later, they will say it is time to breathe new life into the right to buy scheme.
Shadow housing minister Mark Isherwood AM said: "These proposals set out a bold vision to increase the supply of housing to meet future demand by building more homes, replenishing supply through the right to buy and bringing empty homes back into use."
The proposals, A Vision for Welsh Housing, are due to published on the Welsh Conservatives' website.
Despite broadly welcoming the policy announcement, Community Housing Cymru (CHC) - the umbrella organisation for public housing associations - pointed to the impact of Conservative policies at Westminster on the Welsh housing sector.
Nick Bennett, chief executive of CHC, said: "I much welcome a huge amount of the content within the Conservative party document.
"Of course we too want to make sure that there is an increased supply of affordable housing in Wales and would also want to see that there are less empty properties."
But he added: "It's impossible to ignore what's going on across the UK in terms of Conservative policies when it comes to the 'bedroom tax' in particular that is increasing the number of empty properties in Wales and also it's reducing rental income for housing associations..."
Labour has attacked the plans, with Swansea East AM Mike Hedges saying: "Whilst a Welsh Labour government are always open to ideas to improve housing, no matter how unlikely the source, there are simply not enough details in these proposals to take them seriously."


Lewis Hamilton cruised to a dominant Italian Grand Prix victory to put a stranglehold on the world title - and was cleared of breaking tyre rules.

Media playback is not supported on this device
Hamilton's seventh victory this season puts him 53 points ahead of team-mate Nico Rosberg as the German retired.
Mercedes were investigated on the grounds the tyres were below the minimum permitted pressure.
But the stewards allowed Hamilton to keep his victory after ruling Mercedes had followed safe operating procedures.
Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was second as Rosberg suffered an engine failure with three laps to go.
Hamilton survived a scare in the final laps when his team told him he had to drive flat out but not what the problem was.
It seems Mercedes were trying to get Hamilton to build a lead of more than 25 seconds in case of a penalty for the tyre pressure, which was 0.3psi lower than the minimum amount specified by Pirelli on safety grounds.
Hamilton crossed the line exactly 25.0 seconds ahead of Vettel.
Rosberg's left-rear tyre was also found to be below the required pressure - by 1.1psi in his case.
Williams's Felipe Massa fended off a late attack from team-mate Valtteri Bottas to take the final podium place.
Hamilton's win, his most crushing of a season he has dominated from the first race in Australia back in March, came despite reliability concerns over an upgraded engine fitted to his car.
Both Mercedes drivers started the weekend with the new-specification unit, which used up all the team's seven remaining development 'tokens' in one go.
But Rosberg's had to be removed after the team discovered a contamination problem with it after final practice.
After checking Hamilton's engine, Mercedes decided it was safe to keep it in the car for the race, but the team admitted that it would be a nervous afternoon.
They also expected a major challenge from Ferrari, who had also introduced an upgraded engine for this high-speed track.
Media playback is not supported on this device
Hamilton was in imperious form. The 30-year-old built a 1.5-second lead on the first lap after concerns about an aggressive start from Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen on the front row alongside him disappeared when the Finn's car bogged down at the start and he was swamped by the field.
Hamilton blasted away from Vettel in second place, building a 12-second lead in 20 laps, sometimes pulling away at as much as a second a lap.
His lead over Vettel was out to well over 20 seconds when suddenly there was a scare in the closing laps as he was asked to start producing flat-out laps.
His engineer Peter Bonnington told him "don't ask questions, just execute", adding: "We will explain later."
It emerged that the reason for this was to build a gap in case Mercedes were given a time penalty for lower-than-permitted tyre temperatures on the grid.
But the stewards ruled that the tyres were at the correct temperature when fitted to the car and that the blankets which keep them warm were unplugged and at a lower temperature than the maximum permitted.
This lower temperature would mean the tyre lost pressure and would explain why it dipped below the minimum, which is why Mercedes were cleared of wrongdoing.
Rather than try to threaten Hamilton, who soon pulled his advantage out to more than 20 seconds, Vettel had to look backwards at the advancing Rosberg.
His fellow German was only five seconds behind once the two had completed their pit stops, after Rosberg leapfrogged both Williams cars in one go with an early pit stop and stunning first lap out of the pits.
Rosberg was at a disadvantage having stopped seven laps earlier than Vettel, but he inched towards the Ferrari, getting the gap down to 3.7 seconds with 12 laps to go.
With three laps to go, Rosberg was two right behind Vettel but then the Mercedes stopped with flames pouring from his engine at the second chicane.
The engine that had been fitted on Saturday had already done five races, and it seems the demands of Monza were too much for it.
Behind the Williams drivers, Raikkonen passed Force India's Sergio Perez for sixth place with three laps to go, moving up to fifth after Rosberg's retirement.
It was a good comeback but a disappointing result after such a strong qualifying performance.
The Mexican's team-mate Nico Hulkenberg won a close fight with Sauber's Marcus Ericsson, who was passed on the last lap for eighth by Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, whose team-mate Daniil Kvyat took the final point in 10th, both Red Bulls fighting up from the back of the grid.
Race results
Italian Grand Prix coverage


Norwegian three-time Olympic cross-country skiing medallist Therese Johaug has been given a provisional two-month suspension pending a full investigation into her positive doping test.

The defending World Cup champion tested positive for the steroid clostebol.
The Norwegian ski federation said the substance had come from a lip cream.
"The fact that she has been suspended means she has some degree of fault,'' the attorney for the Norwegian Anti-Doping Agency said.
"Which degree of fault is what we will now investigate."
Johaug said she would not appeal against the decision and would instead focus on "working for a full acquittal".
The suspension means Johaug will miss the start of the World Cup season.
The Norwegian ski federation said the steroid had been in a lotion given to her by team doctor Fredrik Bendiksen to treat sunburn on her lips during high-altitude training in August.
The team doctor has since resigned, describing the violation as his "personal mistake as a doctor".
The Norwegian Anti-Doping Agency is investigating the case further and will determine the appropriate penalty for both Johaug and Bendiksen.
Under international anti-doping rules the seven-time world champion could face between a two-month suspension and a four-year ban.
Johaug's anti-doping violation comes three months after Norway's top male cross-country skiier and 2014 Sochi Olympic bronze medallist Martin Johnsrud Sundby was given a two-month suspension after testing positive for salbutamol, an asthma medication.
Norway have dominated men's and women's cross-country skiing in recent years, winning 11 medals at the last Winter Olympics, including five golds.


Stuart Hogg faces an anxious wait to discover whether a facial injury could end his British and Irish Lions tour.

The Scotland full-back was hurt in the first half of Saturday's 12-3 win over Crusaders after being caught by the elbow of team-mate Conor Murray.
Hogg, 24, left the field with blood streaming from a gash on his cheek.
Head coach Warren Gatland said: "We're hoping he'll be OK, but we're just getting someone more qualified than me to assess that."
It was the Glasgow Warriors back's second appearance of the tour, having also started the win over New Zealand Provincial Barbarians.
"We're getting a specialist to have a look at that cheek of his, to get some idea in the next 24 to 48 hours in terms of how serious an injury that is," said Gatland, whose side face the Highlanders on Tuesday then the Maori All Blacks on Saturday.
Irish scrum-half Murray suffered a suspected dislocated finger on Saturday, but Lions staff are unconcerned by the minor issue.
Sam Warburton has shaken off his ankle problem to captain the Lions in Tuesday's Highlanders clash in Dunedin, while Jared Payne is fit to start at full-back as Gatland assesses his options given Hogg's injury doubt.
Centre Jonathan Davies must complete return-to-play protocols after a head knock but is already free of any concussion symptoms, while Ross Moriarty is still carrying the after-effects of a back spasm.
Dan Biggar is fit to return and start at fly-half having completed all the relevant concussions testing.
"Ross Moriarty had a bit of a back strain that he got in that first game," explained Gatland.
"He hasn't taken a huge part in training, the physios have been working with him. Hopefully he's back training fully in three days' time.
"He definitely would have been an option. That's why CJ Stander is backing up again.
"Sam Warburton hadn't had a lot of rugby under his belt, so it was important to get him involved for this game.
"He could potentially back that up against the Maori All Blacks."


Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has been fined and made the subject to a restraining order after he admitted harassing his ex-girlfriend.

The 48-year-old sent abusive tweets and texts to Amanda Thomas, Bournemouth Magistrates' Court heard.
He also admitted assaulting photographer Steven Shepherd and damaging his £200 glasses.
Gascoigne, who now lives in Poole, Dorset, won 57 caps for England during a 19-year playing career.
District Judge Stephen Nicholls sentenced him to a community order for 12 months and issued a restraining order for two years prohibiting him from contacting Miss Thomas or posting about her on social media.
The court heard the relationship between Gascoigne and Miss Thomas ended at the end of last year and she started seeing another man, Andrew Stone, who works with Mr Shepherd.
On 16 March, it was heard the former footballer telephoned Miss Thomas at a Post Office shop where she works in Bournemouth, but she told him not to contact her again.
He went on to send her text messages and a "series of abusive tweets" in the following days, the prosecution said.
Prosecuting, Lee Turner said: "As a result of those tweets, it encouraged other persons using Twitter - which led to further harassment of Miss Thomas.
"She was alarmed and distressed at their content. Mr Stone telephoned Mr Gascoigne asking him to stop, however the abusive tweets continued."
The next day Gascoigne called his former girlfriend and told her: "I am going to destroy you, I am going to hammer you, I am going to come into the post office tomorrow."
The court heard he turned up at her place of work "causing a scene" and started shouting her name.
He then sent a further tweet saying: "If they do not sack the cow I am going to sue the Post Office."
Miss Thomas made a complaint to police and officers arrested the 48-year-old.
Gascoigne also admitted assaulting Mr Shepherd and a charge of criminal damage.
The court heard the photographer was taking pictures of the former footballer as he signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans at a cafe in Bournemouth on 16 June.
Gascoigne confronted Mr Shepherd and demanded he hand over his camera's memory card.
The altercation resulted in a one-inch graze to Mr Shepherd's head and damage to his prescription glasses, it was heard.
In defence, Gavin Harris told the court his client had been in a relationship with Miss Thomas dating back five years, but it started to go downhill when paparazzi photographers Mr Stone and Mr Shepherd came into contact with them.
Mr Harris accused Mr Shepherd of a "brazen attempt" to provoke Gascoigne so valuable photographs could be taken by Mr Stone, who was by "no coincidence" also at the scene of the attack.
Gascoigne, who has faced a high-profile battle with alcohol addiction in recent years and has spent a number of spells in rehab, played for the likes of Newcastle United, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton.
He was also fined £100 for the harassment and ordered to pay £1,535 in compensation and court costs, as well as a £60 victims' surcharge.
It has been reported he is being lined-up to appear on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, due to start in November.


Labour will seek to distribute the rewards of growth more fairly, Jeremy Corbyn has said, as he set out his party's plans for the economy.

Addressing activists, he called for a "mixed economy of public and social enterprise... a private sector with a long-term private business commitment".
He said a Labour government would break from the "failed economic orthodoxy".
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said Labour would build 100,000 council homes a year and boost home ownership.
Labour attacks 'skyrocketing' rent rises
Osborne warns Brexit will hit house prices
At Labour's "state of the economy" conference in west London, Mr Corbyn set out his desire to reform capitalism and said his party needed to "deliver the new economy that this country needs".
"An economy that starts by tackling the grotesque levels of inequality within our society," went on Mr Corbyn.
"An economy that ensures every young person has the opportunities to maximise their talent and that produces the high-skilled, high-value, secure jobs they need. An economy that delivers new, more democratic forms of ownership and a zero-carbon economy that protects our environment."
Mr Corbyn said a proposed National Investment Bank would boost the UK's infrastructure.
"Building an economy for the future requires bold ambition, he said. "A new economics."
He said: "Wealth creation is a good thing: We all want greater prosperity. But let us have a serious debate about how wealth is created and how that wealth should be shared."
By Chris Mason, BBC News political correspondent
Having survived, so far, the rumblings of mutiny among fellow Labour MPs, both the party leader Jeremy Corbyn and his shadow chancellor John McDonnell are determined to begin setting out their economic pitch.
Mr Corbyn called it "a new economics". Mr McDonnell described his aim as being no less than the "fundamental business of reforming capitalism".
So today was big on vision, but short on new detail. Perhaps no surprise with the next general election, in all likelihood, not until 2020.
No one can doubt their ambition: "I want us to surpass even the Attlee government for radical reform," the shadow chancellor said, a reference to the administration that founded the NHS.
But to do that, they have to win the next general election.
Will Labour MPs put up with them for long enough for that to happen? And, if they do, can they sell such a left wing, socialist pitch to the electorate?
In his speech, Mr McDonnell said Labour would not win the next election unless it showed it was a responsible custodian of public money.
"We can reject the dreadful choice of austerity and maintain solid government finances," he said.
Councils would be given the power to limit "skyrocketing" rent increases, he added, pledging to help people "at the mercy of an unforgiving, unrestrained housing market".
The measures put forward at the conference will be subject to consultation, and will not immediately become party policy.
They include powers to regulate private rent rises - similar to those pledged by former Labour leader Ed Miliband in the party's unsuccessful general election campaign - below the rate of inflation for the duration of a tenancy.
Critics previously said Labour's pre-election proposals would reduce investment in housing stock.
Mr Corbyn said government intervention was needed to solve the housing crisis.
The "local rent regulation" suggested by Mr McDonnell would be available to councils in each area, rather than set nationally.
The National Landlords Association welcomed Labour's focus on making housing more affordable but warned the party not to "pull the rug from under the feet of responsible landlords", while new Labour mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, told the BBC he did not favour rent controls in the capital.
Addressing the Labour proposals on housing, a Department for Communities and Local Government spokeswoman said the government was "creating a bigger and better private rented sector".
"These proposals for excessive state regulation would destroy investment in new housing, push up prices and make it far harder for people to find a flat or house to rent," she said.


Representative Aaron Schock is resigning after questions over his use of campaign and public funds.

Mr Schock, 33, is under fire for his lavish spending, using public funds on donor-provided private flights and property transactions involving political contributors.
A congressional ethics investigation was reportedly under way.
The Republican from Illinois has served in Congress since 2009.
In a statement, Mr Schock said he would step down on 31 March, and was doing so with a "heavy heart".
"Constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself," Mr Schock said, according to Politico, which first reported the story.
Mr Schock was the focus of a Washington Post story about his congressional office, which was decorated in the style of Downton Abbey.
While Mr Schock repaid the government $40,000 (Â£28,500) for the office renovation, it was the first in a series of increasingly serious headlines about his spending of public and campaign funds.
The Associated Press (AP) used geolocated data from the Illinois lawmaker's Instagram account and his flight records to pin the congressman for more than $40,000 of expenses taken to cover the cost of private flights.
While that is within the rules of Congress to use office funds in this way, it was not in 2013, the year investigated by the AP.
Separately, Mr Schock came under scrutiny for multiple property deals closely related to political donors.
On Monday the AP confirmed that the Office of Congressional Ethics had reached out to Schock's associates to interview them.
And Politico reported on Tuesday Mr Schock billed the federal government and his campaign for 170,000 miles (274,000km) on a personal vehicle over four years. But the vehicle only had about 80,000 miles recorded when he returned it.
Top House Republican John Boehner said Mr Schock "has put the best interests of his constituents and the House first."
"I appreciate Aaron's years of service, and I wish him well in the future."


Forensic scientists have begun digging up a family grave in North Lanarkshire in the search for the body of a schoolgirl who disappeared in 1957.

Moira Anderson vanished aged 11 during a trip to the shops in Coatbridge.
Bus driver Alexander Gartshore, a child rapist who died in 2006, has been linked to her disappearance.
Moira's family believe she may have been killed and buried at Old Monkland Cemetery in the family plot of Sinclair Upton, an acquaintance of Gartshore.
The team at the site has begun digging after efforts to pump water from the sodden ground.
The operation is being overseen by Ch Insp Kenny MacLeod, of Strathclyde Police.
He said: "We have uncovered the burial plot. A team from the University of Dundee will be examining the burial plot."
He added that there were "significant challenges" because of the waterlogged ground, and that any remains found within the burial plot would be examined.
Moira went missing after getting on a bus as she ran an errand to the Co-op for her family.
Her body was never found and Scotland's Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland, ordered cold case detectives to reopen the case as a murder investigation last year.
Gartshore's daughter, Sandra Brown, has written a book detailing her suspicions that her late father was Moira's killer.
She said: "I originally became involved in the investigation because I had a conversation with my father in 1992 just after his mother's death and he linked himself there to Moira for the first time ever.
"He said to me that his own father blamed him for Moira and basically this was said in such a way that he probably thought at this time that I wouldn't remember Moira, because I was only eight when she disappeared.
"But actually it was really a chilling conversation I had with him and it brought up a lot of echoes and worries for me and eventually it led to me going to the police."
Moira's sister, Janet Hart, who lives in Australia, launched a petition to get Mr Upton's grave exhumed, believing that Gartshore may have dumped her body there in the days before Mr Upton was laid to rest.
Last month, a sheriff granted a request from Moira's relatives to open the grave.
A radar survey already carried out suggests there may be an extra body there.
The exhumation process is expected to take several days.


New Queens Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway wants the squad to show pride when they are representing the club.

The 53-year-old, who played for the R's in the 1990s, begins his second spell in charge against Norwich on Saturday.
"It is all about where you are and what the club means. We need talented boys and for them to be hungry," he told BBC Radio London.
"Every time I wore that shirt I was bursting with pride and I want my team to do the same thing."
Holloway was previously in charge of Rangers between 2001 and 2006, and agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract at Loftus Road on 11 November.
He said he was "honoured, privileged and proud" to return to the Championship club but has stressed it will take time to rebuild after taking over from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was sacked after 11 months in charge.
QPR are 17th in the table, six points off the play-offs and six points above the relegation zone.
"Can I get more out of the lads and make them believe in themselves? I need to settle down, have a look and orchestrate things," Holloway added.
"I can't wait to see if my way of doing things makes this side any stronger or whether I will have to adjust it.
"I am not going to change this overnight. I want the fans to understand I am here for the right reasons and I want to help us get back to where I believe we belong."
Holloway believes QPR are going in the right direction, referencing the excesses of former chairman Flavio Briatore, who sold the club to Tony Fernandes in 2011.
Italian businessman Briatore attempted to rebrand Rangers as a 'boutique club', while a documentary film 'The Four Year Plan' was made about the Hoops' bid to reach the top flight between 2007 and 2011.
"I don't want us to be what we turned into," Holloway said. "We're not a sparkly circus or 'let's make a film about ourselves'. That is not this club.
"The feeling behind the scenes is fantastic. It is not glitzy or glamorous where other people were trying to take us.
"The enthusiasm of Tony is immense. Les [Ferdinand, director of football] wants to protect this place and nurture it.
"I'm tingling with the sense of well-being we have all got about this club."
Phil Parry, BBC Radio London
As a player for QPR, Holloway's industry embodied a positive approach which was appreciated by team-mates and fans.
When he returned to the club as manager in 2001 he found a club heading down into the third tier and into administration.
But his character, combined with his desire for the club, helped re-energise things at Loftus Road through shrewd recruitment, good coaching and excellent man-management.
He has had mixed fortunes since leaving Rangers, but that includes two promotions to the Premier League and the adoption of an attacking style of play.
Going back is never easy, but there is a sense QPR are at a low ebb and in need of a turbo-injection. If he is on the top of his game, then Hollway has proven he can deliver that.


Marks and Spencer is to become the first UK retailer to add vitamin D to all its packaged bread and bread rolls.

The firm says two slices of its bread will provide a minimum of 15% of the daily requirement of the vitamin, which helps to keep bones and teeth healthy
The M&S range will contain yeast that been exposed to UV light, naturally raising the vitamin D content.
Vitamin D is mostly obtained from the action of sunlight on skin but natural sources include oily fish and eggs.
At present it is generally only added to breakfast cereals, margarine and some yogurts and drinks.
M&S says a survey of 2,476 of its customers suggested they were concerned about not getting their recommended daily amount of vitamin, with 78% saying they would welcome the enrichment of products.
The range will start to be sold from next week.
Medical experts have recently expressed concerns about a rise in rickets cases in children in the UK, because of vitamin D deficiency. Studies have also indicated vitamin D, which helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, can protect people against cancer, Alzheimer's and osteoporosis.
The NHS advisory body, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), said last year that more people should be given vitamin D tablets to counter a hidden epidemic of deficiency in England.
The chief medical officer in England also urged doctors to prescribe tablets to those most at risk of having low levels of the vitamin, and similar advice was issued in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
M&S's move has the backing of the National Osteoporosis Society, whose chief executive Claire Severgnini said: "Vitamin D is a vital nutrient that sadly many people are lacking.
"Safe sun exposure is an excellent way of obtaining natural vitamin D, however levels can be topped up through diet."
Nutritionist Laura de la Harpe told BBC Radio 5 live people were becoming more aware of the need of getting vitamin D in their diet and from sunshine.
"Where people have gone on low fat diets over the last 20 or 30 years, maybe some haven't got enough vitamin D," she said.


Clement Attlee once said to his troublesome Labour Party chairman, Harold Laski - "A period of silence on your part would be most welcome".

Some present day politicians may think similar of Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England.
After robust and regular statements on the risks to the UK economy following the vote to leave the European Union, today's speech in Liverpool puts the governor at the heart of the debate about rising inequality and stagnant incomes.
He said there were clear losers from the rapid growth of free trade.
Yes, wealth for countries had increased and millions had been lifted out of poverty.
But in developed nations such as America and Britain, some had lost their jobs and had seen their wages fall.
The global elites, the governor suggested, had neither done enough to tackle the problem or even admitted that the problem existed.
That had led to resentment and a feeling among many that they had been left behind.
Whatever the arguments about the triggering of Article 50, leaving the EU or the effects of a Trump presidency on the global economy, the debate on the unequal division of wealth will be the one that dominates the national conversation up until the 2020 election.
By then, will people feel - and indeed be - better off in real terms?
Theresa May spoke of building an economy that "works for everyone" - setting a tough test for her government.
Today the governor spoke of building "globalisation that works for all" - setting a tough test not just for central banks but for governments as well.
Including Mrs May's.
Politicians are, after all, in charge of the tax and spending policy levers that are most readily placed to redistribute wealth to those who are missing out on the growth dividend.
Mr Carney's speech went further than the free trade problem.
Echoing warnings from Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the governor said that growth in real incomes was at its slowest rate since the mid-19th century.
He said that wealth inequality across the West was "staggering" and that in Britain "equality of opportunity remains disturbingly low".
These are big, meaty, issues and raise two intriguing questions in some peoples' minds.
Shouldn't Mr Carney limit his comments to interest rate policy and inflation targeting - the central parts of the Bank's remit?
And, if he doesn't, isn't he in danger of straying into the political arena, always difficult for an unelected official?
I don't believe Mr Carney sees it that way.
Issues such as the good functioning of economies fall squarely within the Bank's remit, the governor believes.
The first line of the Bank's charter was drafted in 1694 and demands that the Bank 'promote the public Good and Benefit of our People" (which at that time meant paying for a war against France, a manoeuvre Mr Carney is not, one assumes, presently contemplating ).
Further, central banks around the world were obliged by politicians to do the heavy lifting of supporting economic recovery following the financial crisis, making their role more prominent in the public's mind.
They are part of the political conversation about who the economy works for, whether central banks are comfortable in that role or not.
Solutions - such as higher levels of productivity or investment in skills - have a direct influence on the Bank's remit to support growth whilst controlling inflation.
Mr Carney also feels the need to respond to the political criticism that ultra-low interest rates and the buying up of government, bank and business debt (quantitative easing) has helped some and disadvantaged others.
Mrs May put it like this: "People with assets have got richer, people without them have suffered; people with mortgages have found their debts cheaper, people with savings have found themselves poorer."
Mr Carney rejects the analysis.
"What has been the distribution of financial outcomes?" he asks of monetary policy.
"Has monetary policy robbed savers to pay borrowers?
"Has the Monetary Policy Committee [the Bank body which sets interest rates and QE policy] been Robin Hood in reverse?
"In a word, no.
"The poorest have gained the most while all wealth quintiles [fifths of the population] have gained since 2006-8."
While stubbornly high, wealth and income inequality in the UK is actually relatively static, he said.
Mr Carney has been one of the most prominent figures in the public debate, both in the run up to the referendum and its aftermath.
He was the first official to speak - reassuring the markets - after Britain voted to leave the EU.
The economy is central to the debate about Britain's political future.
And, as central banks play an ever greater role in supporting wealth creation, Mr Carney believes it is well within his brief to talk about the best route to an economy that works for all.


England have kept the same team that won at Edgbaston for the final Test of the four-match series against Pakistan, which starts at The Oval on Thursday.

There were suggestions that Yorkshire spinner Adil Rashid, yet to play a Test this year, might come into the side.
But batsman James Vince was passed fit after a dislocated finger, while England will stick with four seam bowlers and Moeen Ali's off-spin.
England have won successive matches to take a 2-1 lead into the final Test.
Leg-spinner Rashid has been released to play for his county Yorkshire in Thursday's T20 Blast quarter-final against Glamorgan in Cardiff.
Nottinghamshire pace bowler Jake Ball was the other player in the 13-man squad omitted from the final XI.
Rashid took 5-64 on his debut against Pakistan in October and had been tipped to play only his fourth Test, given that he is expected to feature prominently during the winter tours to the spin-friendly conditions of Bangladesh and India.
But England skipper Alastair Cook said he was happy with his five-man attack, who each took two wickets in the second innings at Edgbaston as the hosts won by 141 runs.
Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen, 29, took the final wicket with a smart caught and bowled and now has 75 wickets from his 29 Tests, at an average of 41.05.
"I think the pitch will turn but our four seamers are bowling well and Mo took a massive stride in that last game," Cook said.
Asked about Rashid, he added: "If we were 3-0 up it might have been different but the series is very much alive.
"We stuck with Mo because he's such a valuable member of the side with the runs he has scored and in the last game he bowled really well.
"Adil is clearly going to get a chance in the winter, he's still got one-day cricket here to keep that international experience going and when he gets that chance he's got to take it."
If England can avoid defeat at The Oval they will hold the series trophies against all nine of their Test opponents for the first time.
Victory could bring the possibility of a return to the top of the Test rankings for the first time since 2012, but that is dependent on various permutations in other current series around the world.
How can England get to number one? Try the ICC Test rankings predictor (external site)
"It shocked me a little bit when someone told me it could happen because I thought we're still a way off that," Cook told BBC Sport.
"To become the number one side in the world you have to win consistently away from home and possibly be a little more experienced across the board.
"In 2011-12, every guy had close to 50 games and you could name that 12 if everyone was fit.
"We're not quite at that situation, there's a few more places up for grabs, there's a lot of talent but I feel we need to work a bit harder to get there because there is a lot more for this side to do."
England: Alastair Cook (capt), Alex Hales, Joe Root, James Vince, Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, James Anderson.
Pakistan (probable): Mohammad Hafeez or Iftikhar Ahmed, Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali.
Umpires: Bruce Oxenford (Aus), Marais Erasmus (SA)
TV umpire: Joel Wilson (WI)
Match referee: Sir Richie Richardson (WI)


One of four men accused of the Hatton Garden raid had a "habit of falling out with people", a court has heard.

Jon Harbinson, 42, said he didn't speak to co-accused William Lincoln, who is his uncle, for 20 years until they reconciled a year ago.
Mr Harbinson is said to have been involved in the plan to get rid of the cash, diamonds and jewellery stolen by a gang in the heist.
Both men deny being involved in the burglary.
Taxi-driver Mr Harbinson told Woolwich Crown Court he had not met any of those who had admitted being involved in the raid at Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company in London apart from John Collins, who was in a relationship with his aunt, and William Lincoln.
He had also not spoken to his aunt for 10 years.
"It's a bit of a pattern with me," he told the jury. "I fall out with people."
When asked about items of jewellery found at his home, Mr Harbinson said one piece, a necklace, was given to him by his grandmother, which had sentimental value to him.
Another item, a sovereign ring, was a present from his parents, while another half-sovereign was a gift to his sister when he got his first job, he told the court.
Earlier on Monday, Mr Lincoln's friend James Creighton gave evidence.
He said Mr Lincoln was known as "Billy the Fish" by friends at the Porchester Spa in Bayswater.
Mr Creighton was given the nickname "Jimmy two baths" as he often stays all day at the spa, sometimes having two baths, the court heard.
Both he and Mr Lincoln used to "do quite a lot of schmeissing", or Yiddish whipping, the jury was told.
Schmeissing is a technique carried out in a hot steam room, where the body is soaped all over with a coarse brush and then scrubbed vigorously.
The trial continues.


Stephanie Inglis says she has time on her side as she attempts to return to judo for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

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Inglis, 28, is recovering from serious neck and head injuries sustained in a road accident in Vietnam last year.
"I've done judo since I was four, that's been everything to me," the 2014 Commonwealth silver medallist said.
"If I manage to qualify for 2022, I do think I would qualify with a good medal prospect or chance in hand. That would be my final bout."
Inglis, from Daviot, near Inverness, was in Vietnam teaching English and has no memory of the motorbike taxi accident in May.
Doctors gave her a 1% chance of survival and she received treatment in Thailand before being flown back to Scotland in June.
"I remember teaching that morning," Inglis told BBC Scotland.
"I had the 'pin the tail on the donkey' game. The last 20 minutes of my two classes I played a game. We had lots of fun. All the kids were laughing and really enjoyed it.
"And then I remember finishing up my classes and going down to get my taxi home and then I don't remember anything until I woke up in Edinburgh about six weeks later.
"I had broken my neck in two places, I had double pneumonia, septicaemia, I'd had a DVT [deep vein thrombosis] in my left arm. I just remember thinking, 'wow, this can't be happening' because I had absolutely no memory, no flashback, nothing.
"I was just wondering, 'is this real? Did this actually happen to me?'
Friend Khalid Gehlan set up a crowdfunding campaign to pay for her medical costs, with an initial target of £250,000 set.
"The amount that was raised, I just couldn't get my head around it, it was so much money and that is what helped save me," she said. "If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't be here today.
"I think it was over about £350,000, which is a crazy number. So much.
"For Khalid to have set it up, from knowing him for so long, I just can't thank him ever enough. It was absolutely amazing what he managed to do for me and it's something I'll never forget."
Inglis is currently having occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and physiotherapy as well as spending regular sessions in the gym and she will have a further operation in January.
"I'm getting a titanium plate put in my head to where my skull used to be," she explained.
"After that it's just recovery and hopefully I'll be able to take a big leap and that'll get pushed on quite quickly.
"Vietnam was the first time time that I'd ever done anything without having judo behind me. It was something so different but I definitely want to get back into the sport.
"I'm lucky to have a lot of time on my side to try and get back, just take it nice and slow and easy.
"It might not happen but hopefully it will so I've just got to give it a go and see what happens."


A former judge who played a leading part in one of France's biggest murder inquiries has been found dead at home with a plastic bag over his head.

Police are investigating Jean-Michel Lambert's death but no signs of a struggle have been reported.
He was in his first job when given the task of investigating the 1984 murder of four-year-old Grégory Villemin.
Mr Lambert had admitted making mistakes and the case was reopened last month when new evidence came to light.
The judge was 32 when he was given the role of investigating a case that was to be a cause celebre for decades to come.
Grégory Villemin's body was found with his hands and feet bound in the Vologne river in the north-east of France on 16 October 1984.
Three held in French child murder mystery
His murder became a tale of family rivalries, poison-pen letters and false leads, and his killer has never been found.
A cousin of the boy's father, Bernard Laroche, was soon arrested when his sister-in-law, Muriel Bolle, testified against him. Laroche was released the next year when she retracted her statement, but he was shot dead by the boy's father weeks later.
The father went to jail for Laroche's murder and within months Judge Lambert had turned the inquiry towards the boy's mother, Christine Villemin. She was accused of carrying out his murder in 1985 but eventually cleared in 1993.
By 1987 Judge Lambert had been replaced by another judge, Maurice Simon, whose devastating criticism of his predecessor's work emerged on Wednesday.
According to French news channel BFMTV, Judge Simon wrote at the time in his personal notebooks of Mr Lambert's "intellectual disorder".
"I am in the midst of a miscarriage of justice in all its horror," he wrote of the accusations made against Grégory Villemin's mother.
Mr Lambert had himself admitted he was unprepared for the enormous interest in the case at the time, and had complained of the poor judicial support he had been given.
"I didn't devote the full attention I should have given to the case from the outset," he conceded.
Since the collapse of the case, police have been able to take advantage of advances in DNA technology to shed further light on the murder.
Last month, three members of the murdered boy's father's family were held by police on suspicion of being accomplices. The boy's great-uncle Marcel Jacob and his wife Jacqueline were placed under formal investigation for kidnapping resulting in death. They were later released from custody.
Then came the arrest of Muriel Bolle amid similar allegations. Fifteen at the time of the murder, it was her testimony that led to the arrest of her brother-in-law Bernard Laroche in 1984. She retracted the evidence but prosecutors believe she was forced to do so by relatives.
Declaring her innocence she went on hunger strike and ended it on Tuesday, the same day the former judge was found dead.


A freeman has used his ancient right to herd a flock of sheep through a city centre to publicise the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Exeter Chiefs chairman Tony Rowe was given the Freedom of Exeter for his outstanding services to rugby.
Mr Rowe immediately exercised his right to lead sheep through the city, draping four animals in the flags of the teams who will be appearing in Exeter.
The Chiefs are hosting three world cup games at their Sandy Park ground.
During his 20-year involvement with the Exeter Chiefs, Mr Rowe presided over the club's promotion to rugby's top flight in 2010 and the construction of the Sandy Park stadium.
Exeter City Council said it can bestow the honour on anyone who has "undertaken something which is outstanding or has helped enhance the reputation of the city".
The former Royal Marine bandsman is being recognised for his services to rugby union, which the council said has "helped promote the city around the globe".
The businessman follows in the footsteps of Exeter-based Olympic athlete Jo Pavey and Great Britain swimmer Liam Tancock, who were both given the Freedom of the City in 2015.
Sandy Park will host it's first world cup group game when Tonga face Namibia on 29 September. It will then host Namibia versus Georgia on 7 October and Italy versus Romania on 11 October.


The money English councils will get to tackle potholes over the next six years has been revealed by the Department for Transport.

Nearly £6bn was allocated to the problem in June 2013. Tuesday's figures reveal how much individual highway authorities will get.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said it was enough to fix around 18 million potholes across the country.
The Local Government Association warned there was "a very long way to go".
The funding is designed to help local authorities tackle potholes and improve local roads between 2015 and 2021.
Mr McLoughlin said: "This huge investment is part of our long term economic plan to ensure we have a transport network fit for the 21st century."
The criticism often levelled at governments when it comes to road repairs is that they plump for the quick-fix rather than a long-term strategy.
For example, this government came to power vowing to take a pick-axe to road maintenance budgets, then ended up chucking large, emergency pots of cash at the problem every time flood water or ice opened up more potholes.
Now, ministers are promising more money and more certainty with a budget spread out over the next six years.
But a couple of caveats are needed here. Firstly, they're writing cheques for the next government, whoever that is - who might not want to stick to these budgets. Secondly, councils are not actually obliged to spend all the money on mending roads.
I'm told that local authorities have a good track record of allocating their roads money on actual repairs rather than diverting it to other causes. And if a council does spend its road repair money elsewhere it won't be able to bid for a share of the extra pots of cash being made available for new junctions, bridges, cycle paths and so on.
But it still means this budget isn't completely set in stone or asphalt.
Meanwhile, campaigners claim that it's not nearly enough to fix the repair backlog built up over recent, bad winters.
Just over £4.7bn of the cash will be shared between 115 English councils.
They will also be able to bid for a further £575m for the repair and maintenance of local highway infrastructure such as junctions, bridges and street lighting.
Some £578m has also been set side for an incentive scheme to reward councils who demonstrate they are delivering value for money in carrying out cost-effective improvements.
Commenting on these two additional funds the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils said: "The money should be given to councils directly to get on with the important job of fixing our roads."
Not all councils are included. Some have funding allocated through PFI initiatives, whilst London receives a block grant which is distributed by the mayor.
An LGA spokesman said: "While helpful, this new money does not bridge the overall funding gap which is increasing year on year. There is still a very long way to go to bring the nation's roads up to scratch."
The Institution of Civil Engineers said the money would be a "welcome boost".
But a spokesman added: "Given the one-time road maintenance 'catch up' cost has been estimated at £12bn this year, a significant gap will remain in local authority revenue budgets."
Michael Dugher, Labour's shadow transport secretary, said: "Local roads are in a desperate state under David Cameron. Over 2,220 miles more of our local roads now need maintenance work compared to 2010.
"Hard-pressed motorists and businesses are justifiably sick and tired of having their vehicles damaged because of Britain's pothole crises."


The UK has voted overwhelmingly to reject changing the way MPs are elected - dealing a bitter blow to Nick Clegg on top of heavy Lib Dem poll losses.

Officials say 19.1m people voted in the second UK-wide referendum in history - a higher than expected turnout of 41%.
The final result put the Yes vote at 32.1% and the No vote at 67.9%.
It comes as the Lib Dems suffered a rout in English local elections - and the SNP scored an historic victory in the Scottish Parliament poll.
Alex Salmond's party will form a majority government- humbling Labour in one of its traditional heartlands and paving the way for a referendum on Scottish independence.
Labour made significant gains in town halls in the north of England and in the Welsh assembly elections,it fell just short of an absolute majority.
Labour also held Leicester South in a Parliamentary by-election with an increased majority, although the Lib Dems hung on to second place. Sir Peter Soulsby, whose decision to stand down triggered the contest, won the contest to be Leicester mayor.
By Ross HawkinsPolitical correspondent, BBC News
A debate that was often about the complexity of electoral systems ended in the simplest of results.
The No campaign won, overwhelmingly.
The rush to attribute blame, or grab the credit for that result, begins here.
Those who favoured the Yes campaign will argue they were defeated by the Prime Minister's campaigning power, a largely hostile press and a tough opposing campaign.
Those who backed a No vote will say they won the argument for the merits of the status quo, and persuaded people the alternative vote was complex and unnecessary.
The voters, of course, needed only to mark crosses on ballot papers. They did not have to explain their reasoning.
So campaigners who devoted months of their lives to this argument will never know what difference, if any, they made to the result.
Read Ross's thoughts in full
The Conservatives managed to make significant gains too - with their Lib Dem coalition partners apparently bearing the brunt of public anger over spending cuts at English local elections.
And there was a double blow for Lib Dem leader and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg - who saw his dream of ditching Britain's first-past-the-post electoral system comprehensively dashed.
Mr Clegg said: "I wish I could say this was a photo finish but it isn't, the result is very clear. I'm a passionate supporter of political reform but when the answer is as clear as this, you have got to accept it."
"This is a bitter blow for all those people, like me, who believe in the need for political reform."
The official result of the AV referendum was declared early on Saturday morning.
According to the Electoral Commission, 6,152,607 voted Yes to the Alternative Vote, while 13,013,123 voted No.
Labour leader Ed Miliband - who also backed AV, while many of his own party did not - said he was "disappointed" but the people had "spoken clearly and it's a verdict I accept".
But David Cameron, whose Conservative Party campaigned to keep first-past-the-post, said the referendum had delivered a "resounding answer that settles the question" over electoral change and people now wanted the government to get on with governing in the national interest.
The director of the No campaign, Matthew Elliott, said he had been "astonished" at the scale of the No victory: "I personally believe that this result will settle the debate over changing our electoral system for the next generation."
Mr Clegg told the BBC the Lib Dems were facing "the brunt of the blame" for coalition spending cuts, adding that, for some voters, they were bringing out "memories of things under Thatcher".
He promised to "redouble our efforts" and "get up and dust ourselves down".
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the order had gone out from Conservative HQ that Tories, who campaigned against their Lib Dem coalition partners over AV, should not be seen gloating.
But he said while there was no serious talk about challenging Mr Clegg's leadership, Mr Clegg was expected to put up more of a fight against his Conservative colleagues so there would be more difficult months ahead for the coalition.
The Lib Dems have lost almost half their councillors whose seats were up for grabs but the Conservatives, who already controlled more councils than all the other parties put together, have increased their number of councillors and gained control of two councils.
In Northern Ireland, The DUP and Sinn Fein are expected to remain the biggest parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly, but there has beencontroversy over the system for counting votes.
The SNP's victory in Scotland is the first time any party has achieved a majority since the 129-seat Scottish Parliament was established in 1999.
Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said he would stand down in the autumn.
In Wales, Labour won 30 assembly seats, one short of the 31 needed to gain an overall majority.
The Conservatives made gains, but Plaid Cymru and the Lib Dems suffered losses.


A stainless steel tree has been planted in the grounds of a South Yorkshire hospice, after two years in the making.

The Tree of Life was made for Rotherham Hospice by artist Steve Medhi, who is also creating South Yorkshire's Man of Steel sculpture.
The tree, made of three tonnes of stainless steel, was installed in the hospice garden this week.
People can pay £100 to have a leaf engraved with the names of loved ones, to raise money for the hospice.
Derbyshire artist Steve Medhi is currently working on the 125ft (38m) Man of Steel figure sculpture which will sit on a plinth overlooking the M1 near Kimberworth.
The Man of Steel is expected to cost £3m and be taller than the Angel of the North.
Mr Medhi said several local companies involved in the Man of Steel project had donated to the Tree of Life.
"Newburgh Precision Engineering in Rotherham, Outokumpu and Maher Limited in Sheffield... all gave us materials, goods and services," he said.
Colin Cawood-Campbell, head of fundraising at the hospice, had the initial idea for a fundraising tree sculpture.
"For a long time we've wanted a special commemorative artwork in the grounds so families can remember their loved ones," he said.
"It's been a long journey of several years and I cannot begin to express the elation and fulfilment I felt when we saw the tree being lowered into place on its concrete foundation."
The hospice said the engraved leaves would stay on the tree for a year, after which they would be removed and presented to the donor. A limited number of "lifetime leaves" are also available for £500 each.


A jump in financial trading after Donald Trump's election win helped to lift JP Morgan's fourth-quarter profit.

The US bank's corporate and investment banking unit almost doubled its revenue in the three months to 31 December.
Mr Trump's victory set off a wave of activity in what is normally a slow period for trading desks at big banks.
Shares in JP Morgan rose 0.5% on Friday, while shares in Bank of America - which also reported a rise in quarterly profits - were up 0.4%.
US bank shares have soared in recent weeks on hopes that Mr Trump will loosen banking regulations and spur further interest rate rises.
JP Morgan, the US' biggest bank by assets, reported a 24% growth in profit to $6.73bn (Â£5.5bn) in the final quarter of the year.
"We grew market share in virtually all of our businesses and showed expense discipline while continuing to invest for the future," said JP Morgan chief executive Jamie Dimon.
Mr Dimon, who had been a potential nominee for Treasury Secretary under President-elect Donald Trump, also said the US economy "may be building momentum".
"Looking ahead there is opportunity for good, rational and thoughtful policy decisions to be implemented, which would spur growth, create jobs for Americans across the income spectrum and help communities, and we are well positioned to play our part," he said.
On a busy day for US bank results, Bank of America posted a 43% rise in net income to $4.7bn, but Wells Fargo reported its fifth straight decline in quarterly profit.
It is the first set of US bank results since last month's rise in interest rates.
Bank of America's chief financial officer, Paul Donofrio, said: "While the recent rise in interest rates came too late to impact fourth quarter results, we expect to see a significant increase in net interest income in the first quarter of 2017."
The US Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate to a range of 0.5% to 0.75% on 14 December from the previous range of 0.25% to 0.5%, only the second increase in a decade.
A rate rise usually helps banks because it allows them to charge more for loans.
Bank of America, which is considered the most sensitive US bank to rate changes, cited cost cuts and improved trading for its profit rise in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, Wells Fargo, which is dealing with a scandal over its sales practices, reported a 5% fall in net profit to $5.3bn in the quarter.
The results are the first since Timothy Sloan took over as chief executive from John Stumpf, who resigned in the wake of the scandal.


Tim Peake left Earth on Tuesday 15 December 2015 - his mission was to be the first British astronaut to live on the International Space Station.

18 June 2016 Last updated at 07:34 BST
His main task has been to carry out science experiments but he's managed to squeeze in quite a lot of other things too.
From scrambling eggs in zero gravity to making history as the first British astronaut to carry out a spacewalk, Tim has crammed a lot into his six months onboard the ISS.
Take a look at Tim's top 10 moments in space.


A former PSNI assistant chief constable questioned as part of an investigation into allegations of bribery is suing the organisation.

Duncan McCausland is seeking damages for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment.
He was arrested three years ago and held for three days.
Another former PSNI officer, who went on to become chief constable of West Yorkshire Police, is also taking legal action.
They were two of nine men questioned about the awarding of police vehicle contracts.
None of them faced any criminal charges.
Mr McCausland was one of the PSNI's most high-profile senior officers before his retirement in March 2011.
He has always strenuously denied any wrongdoing and claimed the decision to arrest him as part of the bribery probe in June 2014 was disproportionate, as he had volunteered to assist the investigation.
In a writ lodged in the High Court in Belfast, he accused his former employer of "wrongful arrest, unlawful detention and false imprisonment".
He claimed this was the result of "misfeasance in public office" and is seeking "aggravated and exemplary damages".
A former PSNI constable and two businessmen from England who were also arrested have lodged similar claims.
Another writ has been issued by former West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Mark Gilmore.
He was not arrested, but was questioned.
A former RUC and PSNI officer, he was appointed chief constable in West Yorkshire in April 2013.
He was suspended on full pay 14 months later after being questioned as part of the PSNI investigation.
That suspension was lifted when he was informed that he would not face any charges.
But, he did not return to his post and retired last year.
Mr Gilmore is suing the PSNI for "aggravated and exemplary damages" for personal injuries and loss caused by misconduct in public office.
It is understood that a number of others arrested during the investigation are also considering legal action.
In a statement, a solicitor for Mark Gilmore confirmed that he has initiated legal action.
"A judicial process has now been embarked upon and it would be inappropriate to offer further comment at this stage," the solicitor said.
When informed in December 2015 that he would not face any charges, Mr McCausland called on the PSNI chief constable to apologise for the way he had been treated.
"This matter can be resolved very quickly in an easy way if Chief Constable George Hamilton, who I know personally, is prepared to offer his regrets for what happened," he told the BBC.
In response, the chief constable said he was "wholly content" with the way police dealt with the case.
In a statement to the BBC, a PSNI spokeswoman said: "In relation to a number of claims arising from a police investigation, PSNI can confirm that it will enter a defence in all cases."


Bala Town will be aiming to achieve two firsts when they make their Welsh Cup final debut in Bangor on Sunday.

The Lakesiders will have to claim a first victory over holders and Welsh Premier League champions New Saints if they are to win the competition for the first time.
The club were playing in the Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) when Colin Caton took over as manager in 2003.
Since then they have progressed to Welsh football's top-flight, have been league runners-up twice and represented Wales in the Europa League on three occasions.
They are already assured of their place in Europe next season and Caton hopes they will be Welsh Cup winners when they begin their campaign in late June.
"It will rank as a great occasion for me to win it," Caton told BBC Wales Sport
"It's going to be a great day and hopefully there will be a shock on the cards.
Media playback is not supported on this device
"There's been a lot of shocks in the FA Cup this season and hopefully there will be a major shock in the Welsh Cup on Sunday."
Caton uses the word shock because his side have failed to beat Saints in 29 previous encounters since their promotion to the Welsh Premier League in 2009.
"They're as good as they should be," Caton said of the Oswestry-based club.
"We played them last Saturday and I don't think anybody expected the scoreline of 6-4 and for us to score four.
"That's the most we've scored against them and it was free-flowing football and we went for it on the day and it will be a bit similar to that on Sunday.
"We're not going to go and defend. We've got one chance and we're going to go for it."
"We're going to make it as difficult as we can."
Holders New Saints  will be appearing in their ninth final and looking to secure the Cup for a seventh time.
"The Welsh Cup final means a lot to me," manager Craig Harrison told BBC Wales Sport.
"It's a very prestigious cup and one myself, the players and the staff will be doing everything we can to win it again."
Saints are on course for a third domestic Welsh treble having already won the Welsh Premier League title and the Nathaniel MG League Cup.
Sunday's game in Bangor will be Saints' fourth successive final and Harrison's fifth.
The former Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough defender considers the 2014 win over Aberystwyth Town at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground as his stand out moment from previous finals
"It was a very dramatic final," Harrison recalls.
"We were losing 2-0 at half-time and I had a few choice words. I made a couple of substitutions and we ended up winning the game 3-2.
"Greg Draper came off the bench and scored twice and Mike Wilde also scored.
"I wouldn't want every cup final to go like that - I like it to be a bit more straightforward than that.
"But it was a nice, dramatic way to win a special cup like the Welsh Cup."
Harrison's first Welsh Cup win was achieved the previous occasion Bangor City's Nantporth staged the final in 2012.
Saints beat Cefn Druids 2-0 that year and the Bangor University Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for Harrison's side.
They won 11 consecutive games there, including two Welsh Cup semi-final victories, but were beaten 3-0 by Bangor City on their most recent visit earlier in April.


Port Vale have signed midfielder David Worrall on two-year contract following his release by Millwall.

Worrall, 27, will join Vale, subject to Football League approval, after leaving Millwall by mutual consent.
The former Bury and Southend midfielder made 41 appearances last season to help the Lions win promotion to the Championship - the fifth of his career.
"He's a very high energy player as we know and his experience speaks for itself," manager Michael Brown said.
Worrall is League Two side Port Vale's 17th signing of a busy summer transfer window.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.