Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has said the chances of clinching a final deal at Northern Ireland's inter-party talks look slim.

Another round of the talks is due to reconvene later on Wednesday.
In a statement, Ms Villiers said: "We've reached a critical stage of these talks.
"There's been some positive work by all the parties, but the chances of clinching a final deal look slim."  She said significant differences remained.
The talks are aimed at finding a way forward on a range of unresolved issues.
Wednesday's session follows a series of fierce exchanges between the parties over controversial comments by DUP MP Gregory Campbell and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.
Ms Villiers is due to make a progress report to Prime Minister David Cameron on the state of the Stormont talks this Friday.
Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan has said substantial progress has been made, but also said that there is very significant work yet to be done.
After the controversies over remarks from both  Mr Campbell and Mr Adams few could fault the logic, but it is striking that ministers who normally seek to put a positive gloss on these talks are now relatively blunt in their assessments.


The UK version of Kidz Bop has just launched - they're Ashton, Lois, Max and Twinkle.

12 April 2017 Last updated at 15:16 BST
It's a massive thing in the US, where an all-singing, all-dancing group of kids do cover versions of big pop hits.
Watch the clip to see Kidz Bop UK teach our reporter Whitney how to dance to their first song, Shout Out To My Ex.


Ahoghill has been named the UK small town champion of champions in community gardening.

The County Antrim village scooped the accolade at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom awards.
Ahoghill was one of only six areas from across the UK chosen to compete in the champion of champions category.
The RHS said its success "confirms its position as arguably the cleanest, greenest and most beautiful small town in the United Kingdom".
Congratulating Ahoghill, DUP MLA Phillip Logan, who is from the village, said: "This is a massive achievement for the village.
"Ahoghill has won many awards since the community got together to transform the village.
"Ahoghill has done Northern Ireland proud, allowing us to compete at such a high level and showcasing what is great about Northern Ireland."
Also winning an award was Castlecaulfield, County Tyrone, whose entry was disrupted by vandalism in July.
It scooped a gold award and was named joint category winner in the village category.
It was was also awarded the first ever Britain in Bloom award for overcoming adversity following the vandalism.
Bernie McKenna, chairperson of Castlecaulfield Horticultural Society, said: "We are absolutely over the moon with this result for Castlecaulfield.
"We are delighted; this was the first time we've been an RHS Britain in Bloom finalist and we enjoyed the experience very much.
"We are very proud as this was a real community effort and we can't wait to take part again next year."
Other Northern Ireland Britain in Bloom winners were Belfast, Coleraine, Hillsborough, Londonderry, Newcastle and Whitehead.


A former Conservative MP who defected to UKIP has been charged with electoral fraud.

The allegations against Bob Spink are related to the local election campaign in Essex for Castle Point Borough Council in 2016.
Essex Police said UKIP activist James Parkin had also been charged.
The pair have been accused of submitting false signatures on nomination papers.
More on this story and other Essex news
Mr Spink has been charged with five counts of submitting false signatures on nomination papers on or before 5 April 2016.
Mr Parkin faces nine counts of the same charge.
Four of the charges in Mr Parkin's case relate specifically to false signatures while the remaining five related to obtaining genuine signatures by misleading electors about what they were signing for.
Both men will appear at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on 25 April.


Applications to restrict freedom of people with illnesses such as dementia and autism for their own safety have risen 10-fold since a landmark ruling.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) provide protection for people with reduced mental capacity.
The Supreme Court ruling means every individual is entitled to their own assessment rather than a general one.
But social services directors say it has put major pressure on services as social workers carry out assessments.
The application for a DoLS is normally made by a hospital, care home or advocate for the person who has reduced mental capacity.
A report published on Monday by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) and Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW) also found hospitals and care homes were not always aware of their responsibilities under DoLS guidelines.
Figures obtained by BBC Wales show that since the Supreme Court ruling, there has been at least a 10-fold increase in applications for DoLS in most areas of Wales with some receiving significantly more.
Hywel Dda University Health Board, which covers Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, has seen applications rise to 251 between April and August compared with just 57 in 2013/14.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board which covers north Wales has seen applications increase to 127 from 27 in the same period while Powys Teaching Health Board's figures have gone up from 30 to 140.
In council areas, Gwynedd had seven applications last year but 122 so far this year and Blaenau Gwent's figures have risen to 146 in the six months from April from just two in the previous year.
Councils and health boards are obliged to carry out a full DoLS assessment within 21 days, seven days if the request is urgent, and failure to adhere to these timescales could leave them vulnerable to legal challenges.
Liz Majer from the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru said they had done a survey of local authorities which showed there had been a 30 fold increase in applications in a six month period, as compared to the previous year.
"Without additional resources you can understand that's had a major impact and pressure on service delivery", she said.
Cath Dyer's daughter, Claire, has severe autism.
Ms Dyer told BBC Radio Wales how the system had worked when Claire received a DoLS order while at college in 2011.
She said the system worked well for their daughter, and offered extra protection and safety.
The report published by CSSIW and HIW said there needed to be a greater awareness and understanding in care homes and hospitals of how safeguards can be used to support people who lack mental capacity.
It also found training was fragmented and needed to be better co-ordinated.
CSSIW chief inspector Imelda Richardson said: "It's not unusual to have to go outside to relieve the pressure on the system by having additional staff on a temporary basis.
"If there is pressure on the system then there's going to be some time-lags.
"But it's important to try to keep within reasonable bandwidths on timescale because we're talking about very vulnerable people and the anxieties of their families."
Health Minister Mark Drakeford said: "Authorities need to be made more aware of their responsibilities and need to have reliable access to training and ongoing professional support which is focused on their particular role and responsibilities.
"An action plan has been agreed outlining the process for streamlining the DoLS process, to make it both proportionate and protective within the legal parameters and by embedding the Mental Capacity Act in relevant codes of practice."


Microsoft has tackled a problem with its email filters that had prevented them from properly screening out spam.

It first acknowledged the problem with Outlook and Hotmail on Tuesday evening.
"Some users may be receiving excessive spam mail," a service page update stated.
The company later said it had managed to put in place two sets of fixes to protect users' inboxes and its own infrastructure.
Many affected users had complained about the issue on social media.
"Getting a spam/junk email about every minute into my main inbox," tweeted Ben Nelson.
"Drowning in junk mail," added Jennifer Roseblade.
But one Reddit user was able to see a funny side.
"Look at all of these great deals I've been missing out on for years," Peck Ed wrote.
"Now if you chaps will excuse me, I'm off to become a... millionaire getting a great deal on my car insurance with my new Russian bride at the Casino with my free bets."
Microsoft has not disclosed what had caused the issue.


At least 16 people have been injured after two Amtrak trains collided in California, US media reports say.

Most of the injuries were minor, but several people had been taken to hospital, one official said.
The trains had come from Bakersfield and Los Angeles. They collided near Oakland Station at around 2200 local on Wednesday (0500 GMT Thursday).
A fire official told Associated Press one train had been stationary and the other was travelling at 15mph (24kph).
A passenger said there had been "an awful jolt" when the collision took place.
Oakland Fire Department battalion chief Emon Usher told AP the stationary train had been unloading passengers when it was hit.
He said several of 16 people injured in the collision had been taken to local hospitals.
The Oakland Tribune and KTVU-TV put the number of injured at 18.  They said most had suffered bruises and bumps, with one report of a broken arm.
Authorities said the injured came from both trains.
Amtrak said it had been a "low speed" collision between the "San Joaquin" train - travelling between Bakersfield and Oakland - and the Coast Starlight, which was on its way from Los Angeles to Seattle.
The wheels of both trains' lead engines had derailed, a spokesman said.
Train traffic through Oakland Station has been suspended and emergency services and rail inspectors are at the scene.


Rhys Hanbury and Chris Bridge both scored hat-tricks as Widnes ran in 11 tries to thrash Featherstone and edge closer to Super League safety.

Charly Runciman, like Bridge and Hanbury, grabbed a first-half double against the Championship club to put Widnes 34-4 up in the Qualifiers match.
Misi Taulapapa and James Lockwood responded either side of the interval, but they were mere consolation efforts.
Bridge and Hanbury completed their hat-tricks to seal the comprehensive win.
Two of Widnes' five second-half scores came from Stefan Marsh, while Joe Mellor went over for their 11th try late on.
Featherstone remain winless and second from bottom after three Qualifiers matches.
Widnes Vikings boss Denis Betts: "I was very satisfied with that. We wanted to be more ruthless this week. We got opportunities this week and we took them.
"That win was important, but also important was the points difference. Last time we were in this situation the points difference was like an extra point for us and it was worth having. We spoke about it at half-time and the players went back out there and got the job done."
Featherstone head coach John Duffy: "I'm very disappointed with the performance today. Widnes have taken us for a great lesson.
"We took the lads in at half-time and questioned people's attitude. We have a lot of learning to do and I'm glad we have some time to look at this at training.
"These (Widnes) guys are full time and play high intensity stuff. They have a fantastic squad and have been unlucky in some of the Super League games this season to finish where they did."
Widnes Vikings: Hanbury; Marsh, Bridge, Runciman, Thompson; Mellor, Craven; Buchanan, White, Dudson, Houston, Whitley, Cahill.
Replacements: Gerrard, Burke, D. Walker, Olbison.
Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Briscoe, Hardcastle, Taulapapa, Turner; Briggs, Thackeray; Griffin, Wildie, Moore, Davies, Lockwood, Baldwinson.
Replacements: Carlile, Brooks, Ormondroyd, Tagg.
Referee: Gareth Hewer.


Two abandoned bicycles are being examined by police investigating the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old man in Liverpool.

Yusuf Sonko was found injured in Tagus Street, Toxteth, on Friday evening and later pronounced dead.
The bikes, which police said had been damaged by fire, were found on the corner of Corinto Street and Upper Stanhope Street on Wednesday night.
Two people have been held on suspicion of murder in connection with the death.
Det Ch Insp Mark Tivendale, of Merseyside Police, said: "I would appeal to anyone who lives in the area around Upper Stanhope Street who may have seen anyone riding these bikes in the past few days, or seen anyone acting suspiciously on the patch of land at the junction of Corinto Street to get in touch.
"I would also ask any taxi drivers with dash-cam footage or anyone with CCTV footage that may be relevant to get in touch."
He added officers were "keeping an open mind into the motive for the shooting" and renewed an appeal for witnesses to contact them.
A post-mortem examination found Mr Sonko died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Police have said they believe the attack was targeted.
A 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail pending further inquiries.
A 17 year-old boy, also held on suspicion of murder, has been released under investigation.


A new village for homeless people will be up and running before Christmas.

The Social Bite Village in Edinburgh will be made up of 10 two-bedroom homes that can be moved and transported.
The village will be built on a 1.5-acre site of council land which has been given to Social Bite on a "meanwhile use" basis, meaning it can be used until the land needs to be developed.
The village will have a communal area where residents can eat together, socialise, work, learn and get support.
The houses in Granton are now under construction after more than 300 of Scotland's most influential people, including Olympian Sir Chris Hoy, slept rough overnight last December to raise the Â£500,000 needed for the project.
Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of Social Bite, a sandwich chain which supports and employs homeless people, said: "We're so pleased that the Social Bite village will be up and running this year and we're edging closer and closer to creating what we believe can be an effective alternative to a broken temporary accommodation system for people struggling with homelessness.
"Only seven months ago we experienced an incredible night with some of the country's most successful and influential people taking part in our CEO Sleep Out to raise the money that would turn this from a nice idea into a reality and make a real impact to people who need our help.
"Now we're about to break ground on the site and the first house will be displayed in St Andrew Square throughout August for anyone to come and see.
"The end result will be an inclusive, compassionate community that will provide a vital support network to people who are ready to be helped back into society.
"The village is only a small part of a much bigger answer required to end homelessness but it could be a blueprint for how social enterprise, charity, council and corporates work together on a solution that makes a difference."
Social Bite's main charity partner on the project is Cyrenians.
Residents will be made up of those living in unsupported temporary accommodation, shelters, hostels and B&Bs and they will have a dedicated support team from Social Bite and Cyrenians to help them transition into permanent accommodation and employment.
The village will provide a safe living environment for up to 20 people from a homeless background for around 12 months at a time, with residents then beginning their transition back into society.
Ewan Aitken, chief executive of Cyrenians, said: "Through participation in the Social Bite Village we'll support residents to build and nurture their relationships, find employment, to manage their money and once they move on, to maintain a tenancy."
The homes, designed by architect Jonathan Avery of Tiny House Scotland, are being manufactured by Carbon Dynamics.


Councils are to get an extra week to decide whether to accept the Scottish government's funding offer.

Scotland's 32 local authorities now have until 9 February to respond to the plan.
Many councils have complained they are facing bigger cuts and savings targets than they had forecast.
Inverclyde Council has said it will delay setting its budget until  "uncertainty" over funding is resolved.
This is the second time the Scottish government has delayed the deadline.
On Tuesday, after talks between Finance Secretary John Swinney and senior councillors, they were given until 2 February to respond.
In his December budget, Mr Swinney again extended the national council tax freeze which has been in place since 2007.
The local authority umbrella group Cosla has warned pressures on council budgets are now so severe they face making "draconian cuts".
Some councils are considering an increase in council tax in defiance of the Scottish government.
But BBC Scotland understands that doing so would lead to a loss of central funding in three key areas:
Inverclyde Council has said it will delay its budget meeting because of what it calls "uncertainty over future Scottish government funding".
The council had been due to set out its plans on 18 February but the decision will now be delayed until March.
Inverclyde said the amount it will get from the government is being cut by Â£6.6m - Â£4.2m more than it had expected.
Council leader Stephen McCabe said: "We are working together with our trade union colleagues and all elected members through the cross-party members' budget working group to protect jobs and services as best we can.
"This is proving extremely challenging in the face of the extra cut from the Scottish government."


A man charged with attempted murder after a woman fell from the third floor of flats has appeared in court.

Michael Riggon, of West Bromwich Street, Caldmore, Walsall appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
A 28-year-old woman had to be taken to hospital in a serious condition after the fall in February.
Mr Riggon, 53, is also charged with actual bodily harm and is due before the same court on 3 August. He has been remanded in custody.


Mae Prif Weinidog Cymru wedi galw ar Theresa May i ail ystyried ei chynlluniau ynglŷn â sut y dylai Prydain adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd.

Mewn llythyr at y Prif Weinidog dywedodd Carwyn Jones fod canlyniad yr etholiad cyffredinol yn dangos fod "dim mandad" ganddi ar gyfer "Brexit caled".
Mae'n galw am gyfarfod brys o'r cyd pwyllgor Gweinidogion rhwng arweinwyr ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig er mwyn canfod "consensws" ynglŷn â'r mater.
Dywedodd nad oedd Theresa May bellach mewn sefyllfa i atal mynediad i'r farchnad sengl ac y dylai arweinwyr y DUP a Sinn Fein hefyd fod yn rhan o'r cyfarfod.
Ychwanegodd na fyddai yn bosib taro bargen ynglŷn â gadael yr undeb a sefydlu perthynas i'r dyfodol gyda'r undeb o fewn dwy flynedd oherwydd y sefyllfa wleidyddol.
Yn y llythyr mae Mr Jones hefyd yn annog Mrs May i "barchu'r setliad datganoledig" ac yn ei rhybuddio i beidio ymyrryd mewn materion fel amaeth a datblygiad economaidd pan fydd cyfrifoldeb yr UE yn y materion yma yn dod i ben.
"I siarad yn blaen, does dim angen i chi gael y frwydr hon," meddai.
Mae trafodaethau gyda Brwsel ynglŷn â gadael yr undeb i fod i ddechrau 19 Mehefin ac mae Mrs May yn ceisio cael cefnogaeth y DUP er mwyn sefydlu llywodraeth leiafrifol.


Jockey Andrea Atzeni says a Royal Ascot racegoer threw a pint of beer at him as he made his way to the start of a race.

He said the incident happened before the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, which was Friday's final race.
"It only just missed my horse. I'd have only been two or three metres from the rail, and he meant it," Atzeni told BBC Radio 5 live.
Crowd behaviour was in the spotlight after images of a fight at the track on Thursday went viral online.
"I was cantering down on the way to the start and some fella threw a plastic glass with beer in it," said Atzeni, who won the preceding Queen's Vase on Stradivarius.
"I was going to go back, but it's difficult to go back because I couldn't see who did it."
A report from the Ascot stewards said they held an inquiry and viewed a recording which showed a plastic glass being thrown from the area of the half-furlong marker.
"They noted the explanation of the clerk of the course that Ascot will try to establish during their post-race debrief with the security staff whether they can identify who threw the object," said the report.
More security staff will be deployed to the area and a report forwarded to the British Horseracing Authority.


An otter has been returned to the wild in Carmarthenshire after being found curled up in a puddle of water from a pressure hose.

The female was found in the Llandovery area last month, struggling with a fever and dehydration.
She was rehabilitated by RSPCA staff at a specialist wildlife facility in Taunton, Somerset.
Her weight also increased from 2.8kg to 4.8kg by the time she was released near to where she was found.


A former Scotland international footballer has told a judge he will be defending a damages claim brought by a woman who alleges he raped her.

David Goodwillie, who has played for Dundee United and Aberdeen, was not represented by a legal team in court.
Judge Lord Armstrong asked him: "I take it by your presence you wish to insist on your defence in this action?" Mr Goodwillie replied: "Yes."
The player has denied raping the woman at a flat in Armadale, West Lothian.
The Court of Session in Edinburgh was told that the solicitors who previously represented Mr Goodwillie had withdrawn, prompting the Plymouth Argyle striker's personal appearance on his own behalf.
Lord Armstrong told Mr Goodwillie, 27, that it was open to him to seek other lawyers to act for him and that the Law Society of Scotland could assist.
The judge said there was an issue that could arise if the footballer continued to be unrepresented. This related to him questioning, in cross-examination, the woman who has brought the action.
"If it is thought appropriate that arrangements or adjustments could be put in place, I will obviously consider that," Lord Armstrong said.
Simon Di Rollo QC, for the woman, said the matter had been discussed with her but that it had been on "a hypothetical situation".
A rape accused in the criminal courts in Scotland is prohibited from personally questioning an alleged victim.
The woman raised a £500,000 damages action against Mr Goodwillie, who has also played for Blackburn Rovers, and another footballer, David Robertson.
The 30-year-old woman claims she was raped by both men in the early hours of 2 January 2011 at a flat in Armadale.
She said she had been at a bar and nightclub and alleges that she was "visibly and obviously severely intoxicated".
The woman maintains that when sex took place she was incapable of free agreement because of the effect of drink.
She claims that both men were aware that she was incapable of giving free agreement to the sexual conduct.
Both men deny the allegations and maintain sexual intercourse was consensual.
Earlier this week, Lord Armstrong refused a bid to overturn a decision that the player would set aside £100,000 ahead of the proceedings.
His lawyers had previously agreed to the move to allow the sale of his house in Scotland to go through.
But they maintained that if the order was not recalled, he faced being left without legal representation for the complex and lengthy civil court action because he had no other available funds.
The solicitor advocate then acting for him, Jonathan Nisbet, said the property had been sold but Mr Goodwillie had anticipated receiving a larger sum for it than he did.
He had expected it would sell for £380,000 but it went for £40,000 less and the mortgage repayment figure was higher than anticipated.
"The net effect is he has been left with £100,000," he said.
Mr Nisbet added: "The difficulty this presents for him is he has no money other than the £100,000 to pay for his legal representation."
He said that if the order was not recalled, it was likely that his agents would withdraw. It was estimated it would cost about £90,000 for agents and counsel to defend him.
The court was earlier told that the woman's lawyers now valued the claim, if successful, at approximately £250,000.


An emotional US President Barack Obama has unveiled new restrictions on gun purchases at the White House, saying the "constant excuses for inaction" have to stop.

The White House has outlined his plans for executive action, which focus on background checks.
Most of the actions can be carried out without Congressional approval.
"That's why we're here, not to do something about the last mass shooting, but to prevent the next one," he said.
"The gun lobby may be holding Congress hostage right now, but they can't hold America hostage," Mr Obama said.
He gave his remarks surrounded by survivors and relatives of victims of shootings, recalling mass shootings in the US in the past few years and everyday gun violence in cities like Chicago.
An emotional President Barack Obama employed all of his rhetorical skill to justify what are, in reality, executive actions that modestly expand federal regulation of firearm sales.
Standing in a room filled with victims of gun violence, he explained that the murder of schoolchildren in Newtown, Connecticut, changed him - and that he hoped it would change the country.
Three years have passed since that school massacre, however, and the country hasn't changed. While some states have toughened their laws, others have expanded gun rights and the US Congress has taken no action.
So Mr Obama did what he could, and wrapped the move in language that sounded more appropriate for a ceremony announcing the passage of sweeping legislation that, in today's political environment, has no chance of reaching his presidential desk.
And even this small move will likely be fiercely challenged in court, in Congress and at the ballot box by whichever Republican wins the nomination fight to replace him in 2017.
Gun violence is significantly higher in the US than in other advanced countries, killing about 30,000 people each year.
Congress has been reluctant to pass any laws restricting gun ownership, facing pressure from gun owners and the powerful National Rifle Association.
Mr Obama tried to pass expanded background check legislation in 2012 after the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, that left 20 children and six adults dead but it failed in Congress.
The executive actions include:
The announcement is already shaping up to be an issue in the 2016 presidential election.
Leading Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted: "@POTUS is right: We can protect the second Amendment while protecting our families and communities from gun violence. And we have to."
Republican candidate Senator Ted Cruz tweeted that the executive actions are unconstitutional, with a link to sign up for his campaign correspondence on a webpage that says "Obama wants your guns" with a photo of the president in an army jacket and hat.
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush tweeted that he would repeal the actions and protect the Second Amendment.
During Mr Obama's speech, comedian Amy Schumer, cousin of New York Senator Chuck Schumer, was in the audience. Two women died in a shooting at a movie theatre in Louisiana during a showing of her movie Trainwreck.
Gabby Giffords, a former congresswoman who survived a shooting, was there as well, in addition to many relatives of victims and survivors of mass shooting.
Why Obama is powerless - the roadblock at Congress
Are you mad or criminal? - the question a gun seller asks
Texas women and their firearms - a photographer taught to shoot at an early age
Do tighter gun laws work? - a state where guns are a way of life
Guns at home - the question parents hate to ask before a playdate


Three hijabs have been issued to police officers in Scotland since they became part of their official uniform, BBC Scotland has learned.

Police Scotland confirmed in September that women from Muslim communities would be allowed to wear the religious headwear as part of their uniform.
The force told BBC Scotland it was unable to confirm how many officers were now wearing the hijab.
But they said three have been issued from their stock of six.
The information emerged in response to a Freedom of Information request to Police Scotland.
Officers and police staff always had the option to wear religious headwear but September's announcement ratified the use of the hijab.
It was part of an attempt to encourage Muslim women to consider pursing a career in the force.
At the time, there were six Muslim women working as police officers but none of them wore the hijab either on duty or outwith the force.
Chief constable Phil Gormley said the police force was working towards becoming more representative of the community it served.
The move was welcomed by the Scottish Police Muslim Association.
Its then-chairman, Faha Bashir, said there was "no doubt" it would encourage more women from Muslim and minority ethnic backgrounds to join Police Scotland.
Official figures showed that there were 127 applications from black, Asian and ethnic minority candidates in 2015-16. That was just 2.6% of the total number applying to work for the force.
In order to reflect the 4% figure across Scottish society, the force said it would need to recruit an additional 650 ethnic minority candidates.


Informal talks between the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Plaid Cymru for an assembly electoral pact have failed to reach an agreement.

BBC Wales understands one proposal was for two parties to withdraw candidates in seats where the third party had a chance of victory in the poll on 5 May.
The Greens said the "electoral math was there" but not the "political will".
Plaid confirmed "exploratory talks" had ended. The Liberal Democrats said they "decided it wasn't the right approach".
Wales Green Party leader Alice Hooker-Stroud said: "Talks took place but no final proposal to take to our members for final agreement was reached."
A spokeswoman for Plaid Cymru said Wales needed "a new direction and fresh thinking".
She added: "Informal, exploratory talks were held with the Liberal Democrats and Green Party in order to establish whether any cooperation was feasible between the parties.
"These discussions have since come to an end.
"Plaid Cymru - the Party of Wales - will continue to demonstrate that it is ready and able to provide the strong leadership Wales needs following May's election."
A spokesman for the Welsh Liberal Democrats said: "We can confirm that we were approached informally on this matter but we decided it wasn't the right approach."
Plaid Cymru is the third largest party with 11 of the assembly's 60 seats, while the Lib Dems have denied suggestions they could lose all five of their AMs.
The Greens currently have no assembly members, and gained 2.6% of the vote in Wales in the 2015 general election.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said the talks showed that some people were "throwing in the towel already" on the assembly election.
Speaking on Y Sgwrs on S4C, Mr Jones said it would have been interesting to hear the discussions.
He said Welsh Labour was not looking for any electoral deal and would be fighting the election as a single party.
Conservative AM Dr Altaf Hussain claimed the news was "hugely embarrassing" for Plaid Cymru and its leader Leanne Wood.
"Just this week Plaid AMs said that it wasn't appropriate to talk coalitions before the election, and now we find out that they have been desperately scratching around for a deal with other minor parties - disrespecting voters and undermining democracy," he said.
"It does seem that Leanne has given up on her election chances before a single vote has been cast; leaderless, rudderless and utterly hopeless."
In 1992 Cynog Dafis was elected MP for Ceredigion on a joint Plaid Cymru-Green ticket.
However, in the run-up to the 2015 general election the Greens accused Plaid members of harassing them on social media after they refused to stand down to give Plaid a better chance of winning Ceredigion back from the Lib Dems.
Y Sgwrs is on S4C at 21:30 GMT on Wednesday 10 February.


Wales will get an extra £755m over five years as a result of money being spent on the HS2 high-speed rail line in England, the Welsh government has said.

Plaid Cymru has campaigned for Wales to get some of the cash under the Barnett formula rules for public spending.
The party accused Welsh Labour of not pursuing a share of HS2's budget, which some have claimed could reach £80bn.
The Welsh government denied the claim, saying ministers had called for a "fair share" of the extra transport funding.
The new high-speed line, linking London to Birmingham by 2026, with routes to Manchester and Leeds by 2033, is officially predicted to cost £55.7bn, according to the Department for Transport.
Jonathan Edwards, Plaid Cymru MP for Carmarthen West and Dinefwr, accused First Minister Carwyn Jones of trying to "pull the wool over our eyes" about Welsh Labour's attempts to ensure a fair share of extra rail funding.
"It's bad enough that Labour MPs from Wales supported the project despite being fully aware that it will suck hundreds of millions of pounds out of the Welsh economy each and every year," he said.
"Now, however, the First Minister and his party have been exposed as having done nothing to back up their rhetoric."
A Welsh government spokesman rejected "misleading statements" and said ministers had ensured Wales would get extra money as a result of HS2.
"Wales will receive a Barnett consequential of over £755m over the next 5 years because of increased UK Department for Transport budgets, a consequence of the investment being made in HS2," he said.
"The way Barnett works is that we get a share of the departmental spend for transport - not individual programmes.
"The devolution settlement differs for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - for example rail infrastructure is devolved to Scotland and Northern Ireland but not to Wales.
"As a result, the mechanics of the Barnett formula are a bit different for each administration and additional funding is allocated somewhat differently.
"But the fact is that Wales has received significant additional funding over this SR (Spending Review) period as a result of increases in the Department for Transport budget which in large part arise from funding for HS2."


Forest Green Rovers have signed central defender Ethan Pinnock from London club Dulwich Hamlet on a two-year contract.

The 23-year-old joins the National League outfit for an undisclosed fee.
He helped Dulwich Hamlet reach the Isthmian Premier League play-off final in May, but they missed out on promotion to National League South, losing 3-1 to East Thurrock United.
He scored 13 goals for Dulwich Hamlet in 204 first-team matches, having made his debut in 2010 at the age of 16.


A philosophy student who wears vintage clothing has won a national contest for alternative models.

More than 300 people entered Alternative Model of the Year with the winner being decided by judges in Newcastle on Saturday.
Vintage-fan Zoe Waters, 19, from Bishop Auckland, is a student at Newcastle University.
Ms Waters said she was shocked to be declared the winner. "I've always dressed a bit crazy," she said.
"I don't know why I wanted to be different, I guess I just always choose to wear what I like and look how I want to look rather than worrying about what's in fashion."
She said she now plans to pursue a career in modelling.
"I'm only 5ft 3in tall and I never wanted to look normal so I never thought I could actually be a model, I hadn't realised how big the alternative modelling world is."
Organiser Kieran Martin said: "There is a lot of prejudice and hatred for people from sub-cultures so we wanted to create something that would celebrate the different lives we have, we are proud of what we are achieving."
The final was held at Northumbria University in Newcastle.


Wikileaks founder Julian Assange should be extradited to Sweden to face sexual assault allegations, a judge has ruled.

At Belmarsh Magistrates' Court in south London, District Judge Howard Riddle said the extradition would not breach Mr Assange's human rights.
Mr Assange said the ruling, which he will challenge, was due to a "European Arrest Warrant system run amok".
The 39-year-old denies three allegations of sexual assault and one of rape last August in Stockholm.
He believes the claims are politically motivated because of Wikileaks' publication of sensitive material - including leaked US diplomatic cables - from governments and high-profile organisations that has made headlines worldwide.
Mr Assange has been released on bail on the same terms he was granted in December.
Bail was granted then after he had spent nine days in Wandsworth prison in London following his arrest under a European Arrest Warrant on 7 December.
Following the extradition ruling on Thursday, Mr Assange said: "What we saw today at Belmarsh was a rubber-stamping process. It comes as no surprise, but is nonetheless wrong.
By Maddy SavageBBC News, at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court
Julian Assange looked calm as District Judge Howard Riddle read his conclusions. But he remains in limbo as his lawyers begin to construct an appeal. It's likely to be tough - the judge commented that the defence team had already "left no stone unturned".
The media circus that has surrounded this case continues, but fewer supporters turned out this morning compared with previous hearings. Some of those that did made themselves noticed by wearing orange jumpsuits and bearded Guy Fawkes masks as seen in the film V for Vendetta. They insist this case is politically motivated.
Daniel Gianstefani, 16, from Australia, said: "The authorities want him to be sent away to stop him embarrassing them because they are afraid of the truth."
The judge said he was confident Julian Assange was wanted in Sweden purely over sex assault allegations. His most critical comment toward the authorities was directed at Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whom he accused of "improper intervention".
"There was no consideration during this entire process as to the merits of the allegations made against me, no consideration or examination of even the complaints made in Sweden."
He added: "We have always known that in all likelihood we would have to appeal."
Judge Riddle dismissed the argument that Mr Assange would not receive a fair trial in Sweden that had been made by his lawyers during the two-and-a-half-day hearing earlier this month.
They had argued that criticism by Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt had made Mr Assange "public enemy number one" in Sweden.
But delivering his ruling on Thursday, the judge said: "The defence refer to the alleged denigration of the defendant by the Swedish prime minister.
"For this reason and other reasons it is said Mr Assange will not receive a fair trial. I don't accept this was the purpose of the comment or the effect."
Mr Assange's lawyer, Geoffrey Robertson QC, had also argued that rape trials in Sweden were regularly "tried in secret behind closed doors in a flagrant denial of justice".
Clare Montgomery QC, for the Swedish authorities, told the hearing that evidence from a trial would be heard in private but the arguments would be made in public.
Judge Riddle said that did not mean the trial would be unfair or breach human rights.
Dismissing further arguments made by Mr Assange's lawyers, the judge found:
During the hearing two weeks ago, Mr Robertson said his client could ultimately be extradited to the US on separate charges relating to Wikileaks - and could face the death penalty there.
In response, Ms Montgomery said Sweden provided "protection against that sort of threat and violation" taking place.
The European Court of Human Rights would intervene if Mr Assange was to face the prospect of "inhuman or degrading treatment or an unfair trial" in the US, she said.


Wayne Rooney marked his England return with the goal that secured a place in Euro 2012's last eight - but it was a rough passage eased by helpings of good fortune and controversy against Ukraine.

England manager Roy Hodgson instantly restored Rooney after a two-match suspension in place of Andy Carroll with orders to make a belated mark on the campaign after sitting out the draw against France and victory against Sweden.
And after missing a simple header in the first half, the Manchester United striker ensured England topped Group D to set up a quarter-final meeting with Italy in Kiev on Sunday.
England could have met world and European champions Spain but that eventuality was avoided by Sweden's 2-0 win against France, and Rooney's first goal in a major tournament since scoring twice in the 4-2 victory over Croatia in Lisbon at Euro 2004.
"We hope Wayne Rooney will get fitter. Steven Gerrard is a massive plus and if he can keep this form then England have a chance. We're not playing great football, we're just getting results."
Ukraine, however, will complain long and hard about a contentious second-half incident when Marko Devic's shot clearly crossed the line before it was scrambled away by John Terry, only for the officials to remain unmoved.
The incident immediately revived the debate about goal-line technology, with a final decision on whether it is introduced expected to be taken in Zurich on 5 July.
England will regard it as a measure of justice for Frank Lampard's disallowed goal against Germany in Bloemfontein at the 2010 World Cup - but it was also an illustration of how they rode their luck for long periods in front of a predictably partisan home crowd.
But once again Hodgson's men found a way to get the result they required and there is a real air of respectability about their campaign even though they had to survive a first-half siege from a Ukraine side desperate for the win they needed to progress.
Oleg Blokhin's side lost the talismanic Andriy Shevchenko to the substitutes' bench because of a knee injury but still showed enough to put England through real turmoil in spells.
A lack of match sharpness was perhaps to blame for Rooney squandering England's best chance after 27 minutes.
It appeared he only had to make clean contact with Manchester United team-mate Ashley Young's cross to score but his far-post header lacked conviction and went tamely wide of keeper Andriy Pyatov's goal.
Either side of Rooney's fluffed chance, it was a tale of Ukrainian domination as they attacked England down both flanks and showed the greater fluidity of the teams.
Scott Parker was desperately urging England's players to keep possession - but it was easier said than done amid waves of Ukraine attacks and it needed a penalty area block from the Tottenham midfield man to thwart Devic.
England keeper Joe Hart had to save smartly from the dangerous Andriy Yarmolenko, who also raised the hopes of the Donetsk crowd as he evaded several challenges in the area before running out of space.
However, Rooney made no mistake with his second headed opportunity, Steven Gerrard's delivery from the right once again the creative source. The cross took two deflections and slipped from the grasp of Pyatov for a simple far-post header from the Manchester United striker.
The crowd was momentarily silenced but Ukraine refused to lose heart - and they were robbed of an equaliser when once again an effort that had crossed the line was not spotted by officials.
Artem Milevskiy should have done better than send a header wide but the real controversy came when Hart partially stopped Devic's effort and Terry desperately scrambled back to hook the ball off the line.
The Ukrainians immediately demanded a goal and their claims were vindicated as replays showed the ball crossed the line before Terry's intervention.
There was still time amid the drama for Ashley Cole to almost mark his 97th cap with a goal but the erratic Pyatov made a fine recovery save after another inelegant attempt to deal with a cross.
With 20 minutes left it was time for the entrance of Ukraine's great sporting icon Shevchenko.
He received a thunderous ovation as his country looked to him to rescue their Euro 2012 campaign but it was a task beyond even the veteran striker, who was soon booked for a rash challenge.
Before the game manager Hodgson had said England could dream a little - ahead of the confrontation with Italy in Kiev, they can now afford to dream a little more.
Full Time   The referee blows for the end of the match.
Andy Carroll challenges Yevgen Selin unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Andrei Pyatov.
Andriy Yarmolenko takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar.
Anatoliy Tymoschuk crosses the ball, blocked by Scott Parker.
Ashley Cole takes the free kick.
Substitution      Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain comes on in place of Wayne Rooney.
Booking      Andriy Shevchenko is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
Andriy Shevchenko challenges Ashley Young unfairly and gives away a free kick.
The ball is delivered by Serhiy Nazarenko.
Outswinging corner taken by Serhiy Nazarenko from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by John Terry. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Serhiy Nazarenko from the right by-line to the near post.
Joe Hart takes the direct free kick.
Substitution      Andy Carroll comes on in place of Danny Welbeck.
Anatoliy Tymoschuk gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven Gerrard.
Wayne Rooney challenges Anatoliy Tymoschuk unfairly and gives away a free kick. Anatoliy Tymoschuk takes the direct free kick.
Effort from just outside the area by Serhiy Nazarenko goes over the target.
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Yevhen Khacheridi by Danny Welbeck. Yaroslav Rakitskiy restarts play with the free kick.
Booking      Ashley Cole is shown a yellow card for time wasting.
Substitution      Serhiy Nazarenko replaces Denys Garmash.
Substitution      Artem Milevskiy goes off and Bohdan Butko comes on.
Yevgen Konoplianka produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.
The ball is swung over by Oleg Gusev, Glen Johnson manages to make a clearance.
Corner taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Save made by Andrei Pyatov.
Joleon Lescott takes the free kick.
Booking      Yaroslav Rakitskiy goes into the book.
Free kick awarded for a foul by Yaroslav Rakitskiy on Steven Gerrard.
Yevgen Konoplianka takes a shot. Joe Hart makes a save.
Anatoliy Tymoschuk takes the direct free kick.
Booking      Steven Gerrard shown a yellow card.
Steven Gerrard challenges Denys Garmash unfairly and gives away a free kick.
The ball is swung over by Oleg Gusev, Ashley Young gets a block in. Corner taken by Yaroslav Rakitskiy.
Substitution      Marko Devic goes off and Andriy Shevchenko comes on.
Substitution      Theo Walcott joins the action as a substitute, replacing James Milner.
James Milner crosses the ball, Andrei Pyatov makes a save. Shot from 12 yards from Ashley Cole. Save made by Andrei Pyatov. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Ashley Young from the left by-line, save by Andrei Pyatov.
Yevhen Khacheridi fouled by James Milner, the ref awards a free kick. Yevhen Khacheridi restarts play with the free kick.
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Yevhen Khacheridi by Ashley Young. Anatoliy Tymoschuk takes the direct free kick.
Strike comes in from Wayne Rooney from the free kick. Andriy Yarmolenko produces a cross.
Booking      Anatoliy Tymoschuk booked for unsporting behaviour.
Marko Devic takes a shot. John Terry makes a clearance. Anatoliy Tymoschuk concedes a free kick for a foul on Scott Parker.
Short corner taken by Yevgen Konoplianka. Andriy Yarmolenko delivers the ball, Artem Milevskiy has a headed effort from close range and clears the bar.
Unfair challenge on Denys Garmash by Wayne Rooney results in a free kick. Yevhen Khacheridi takes the free kick.
A cross is delivered by Ashley Young, Yaroslav Rakitskiy makes a clearance.
Unfair challenge on Ashley Cole by Denys Garmash results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Ashley Young.
The ball is delivered by Ashley Young.
Effort from a long way out by Yevgen Konoplianka goes wide right of the goal.
Unfair challenge on Artem Milevskiy by John Terry results in a free kick. Denys Garmash takes the free kick.
James Milner takes a shot. Yaroslav Rakitskiy gets a block in.
The ball is delivered by Yevgen Konoplianka, blocked by Ashley Cole. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Yevgen Konoplianka from the right by-line.
Yevgen Konoplianka takes a outswinging corner to the near post,  clearance made by Danny Welbeck.
The ball is crossed by Oleg Gusev, save by Joe Hart. Corner taken by Yevgen Konoplianka played to the near post, clearance by Ashley Cole.
Yevgen Konoplianka takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Glen Johnson. Inswinging corner taken by Yevgen Konoplianka from the left by-line, Scott Parker makes a clearance.
The assist for the goal came from Steven Gerrard.
Goal!  - Wayne Rooney -    England 1 - 0 Ukraine        Wayne Rooney finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. England 1-0 Ukraine.
The ball is sent over by Steven Gerrard,
Corner taken by Steven Gerrard from the right by-line to the near post, Anatoliy Tymoschuk makes a clearance.
Unfair challenge on Ashley Cole by Andriy Yarmolenko results in a free kick. Ashley Cole takes the free kick.
The second half has started.
Half Time    The half-time whistle blows.
The ball is delivered by Denys Garmash.
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Yevgen Selin by James Milner. Direct free kick taken by Yaroslav Rakitskiy.
Corner taken by Yevgen Konoplianka played to the near post.
A cross is delivered by Oleg Gusev, blocked by Joleon Lescott.
Effort from outside the penalty area by Scott Parker goes wide left of the target.
Foul by James Milner on Artem Milevskiy, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Yevgen Selin.
Denys Garmash has an effort at goal from long range that goes wide left.
Ashley Young sends in a cross, Yaroslav Rakitskiy manages to make a clearance.
Free kick awarded for a foul by Denys Garmash on Danny Welbeck. John Terry takes the free kick.
Marko Devic produces a cross, clearance made by Glen Johnson.
Shot by Ashley Young from 25 yards. Yevhen Khacheridi gets a block in. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard, Header from deep inside the area by John Terry goes over the bar.
Andriy Yarmolenko takes a shot. Save by Joe Hart.
The ball is swung over by Ashley Young, Close range header by Wayne Rooney misses to the right of the goal.
The ball is crossed by James Milner.
Anatoliy Tymoschuk concedes a free kick for a foul on Ashley Young. Direct free kick taken by Steven Gerrard.
Corner taken by Steven Gerrard from the left by-line played to the near post.
Free kick awarded for a foul by Yaroslav Rakitskiy on Glen Johnson. Free kick crossed right-footed by Steven Gerrard, Andrei Pyatov makes a save.
Effort on goal by Oleg Gusev from just outside the area goes harmlessly over the target.
The ball is swung over by Oleg Gusev, John Terry manages to make a clearance.
Yevgen Konoplianka takes a shot. John Terry gets a block in. Effort from just outside the area by Anatoliy Tymoschuk goes over the target.
Centre by Yevgen Selin, save by Joe Hart.
Effort on goal by Yaroslav Rakitskiy from a long way out goes over the bar.
Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Steven Gerrard, save by Andrei Pyatov.
The ball is delivered by Glen Johnson, clearance made by Oleg Gusev.
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ashley Young by Anatoliy Tymoschuk. Steven Gerrard takes the free kick.
The ball is delivered by Yevgen Selin. Marko Devic takes a shot. Blocked by Scott Parker.
Centre by Ashley Cole, save by Andrei Pyatov.
Foul by Artem Milevskiy on Glen Johnson, free kick awarded. Steven Gerrard takes the free kick.
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Denys Garmash by Wayne Rooney. Anatoliy Tymoschuk takes the direct free kick.
Denys Garmash produces a right-footed effort from long distance that goes harmlessly over the bar.
Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Welbeck on Yaroslav Rakitskiy. Free kick taken by Yevgen Selin.
Yevgen Konoplianka takes a shot from a long way out which goes wide of the right-hand post.
The ref blows the whistle to start the match.
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Campaigners who set up a "tent city" to highlight the issue of homelessness in Leeds have ended an 18-day protest.

The group, known as Leeds Voice for the Homeless pitched dozens of tents at four different sites.
They claim the protest helped secure permanent or temporary housing for 31 homeless people.
The council says 15 people already had accommodation, but another 10 have been given a place to stay.
It added that six other people had been refused help and could not receive support "due to their status in this country".
In a statement, the council said: "The ultimate aim of the protesters, council and our partners have been met and we've been able to help people in need.
"We hope this demonstrates what can be achieved by working constructively and positively with those that provide services rather than working against us."
The group started its protest on the 21 September by pitching tents in Victoria Gardens outside the city's art gallery.
The camp was moved to make way for the Yorkshire Olympic athletes' homecoming parade after Leeds City Council obtained a court order.
The group then moved to Park Square, where more than 70 tents were put up.
After a hearing at Leeds county court, the council agreed to let the group use the site of the city's former international swimming pool for six weeks.
They then moved to their final site on University of Leeds land.
During the campaign the group used tents that had been abandoned at Leeds Festival and were given to the city's homeless.
"I just hope that Leeds City Council now realise that the public want the homeless to be given help and supported accommodation, not hidden away, excluded from the city centre and buried in statistics," said Simon Rickets, a volunteer with the group.


The girlfriend of a motorbike racer who died following a seven-bike crash has said his motto was "I'm here for a good time not a long time".

Mick Whalley, 42, from Sheppey, Kent, was competing at Donington Park, Leicestershire, on Saturday when the crash happened.
Kayleigh Shoebridge praised medics for trying to save his life.
It is thought oil on the circuit from a bike engine in a previous race was the cause. An investigation is under way.
Miss Shoebridge, who was in the pit lane when the crash happened, told the BBC: "They [trackside medical team] told me he was not breathing and his heart was not working when we left the circuit.
"It was instant, he didn't suffer."
Updates on this story and more from across the East Midlands
Nick Hale, who had known Mr Whalley for 15 years, described him as a "fun, loving guy... the life and soul of the party".
"I'm just completely devastated," he said. "Mick was such a big-hearted guy with such a big lust for life.
"He was out doing something fun and exciting, just to hear he's gone is shocking for everybody."
Friend Tom Baker said he was "really sad", but the businessman "was doing what he loved".
Nick Watts and Wayne Baber said their "irreplaceable" friend was a "thrill-seeker", who was "hard not to love" and lived for his two children.
Mr Whalley, who died in hospital, was taking part in a support race for the Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup of the MCE British Superbike Championship.
Another rider suffered multiple leg injuries and received hospital treatment.
A minute's silence was held at the track on Sunday before racing began.
Leicestershire Police and the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board are investigating.


A tale of two sentences, drafted in two different capitals, exposes the clear blue water between London and Brussels.

In Theresa May's letter triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty she states: "We believe its necessary to agree the terms of our future partnership alongside those of our withdrawal from the EU.'
But Donald Tusk responded today: "Starting parallel talks on all issues at the same time as suggested by some in the UK will not happen."
Bluntly, the divorce bill would have to settled before talks on trade can begin.
What's more, only one party to the break-up, the European Council, would decide if the settlement is good enough.
This rebuff was always likely, and the Downing Street response restrained - in effect, reminding us we were simply at the beginning of the negotiating process.
So no flames fanned, but it may not be long until Theresa May feels the heat.
Ahead of a divided Labour Party in the polls, she may be at the zenith of her political popularity.
Because now her own party's apparent unity is set to be tested.
If some of her own MPs don't like the size of any proposed financial settlement, they may not only suggest it's better to walk away with no deal, but attempt to apply pressure to this end.
That in turn might lead to the largely self-muting Remainers in her ranks to find their voice.
And there are more time bombs in Tusk's draft guidelines.
If Theresa May wants a transitional deal, she will have to accept a "supervisory" regime for a time - presumably the European Court of Justice whose jurisdiction she wants to end.
So UKIP are likely to claim by the next election that we are still "half-in, half out".
And with the EU refusing to do a final trade deal until after the UK has left, it may be difficult for her to demonstrate the benefits of leaving - allowing the Liberal Democrats to claim we should never have cast aside single market membership in the first place.
It's an old political adage but one with which Theresa May will be familiar: "you cannot please all of the people all of the time."
But she may find it a challenge to please some of the people some of the time, even in her own party.


Data from approved health apps will feed directly into personal health records, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced.

Patients in England will also be able to enter symptoms online and receive tailored advice or a call back from a health professional.
The NHS.uk website will allow patients to book appointments, access medical records and order prescriptions.
The initiatives are part of moves towards a paperless NHS.
It was announced in February this year that £4bn had been set aside for the IT initiative.
The new online triage system is part of an expansion of the current NHS 111 non-emergency phone line service.
The service is being developed with leading clinicians and will be piloted before the public can use it.
The re-launched NHS website will also allow patients to compare how well their local health services perform in areas of dementia, diabetes and learning disability services.
Data on maternity, cancer and mental health data will be added in the autumn.
The site will also have a new collection of NHS-approved health apps to guide patient choice.
Mr Hunt said: "We are going to make very big moves in the next 12 months into apps and wearables,
"I wear a Fitbit, many people use apps. What is going to change with apps is the way that these apps link directly into our own medical records.
"And by March next year NHS England are going to publish a library of approved apps in areas like mental health and chronic conditions like diabetes.
"We will also in the next 12 months be having a competition because we think we need better apps than the ones that are available in the market.
"We don't want to develop them ourselves but we want them to be developed by entrepreneurs who have the specialist knowledge and creativity to do this.
"These will link into people's medical records."
In 2012 ministers had promised that within three years patients in England would be able to book GP appointments and get test results online.
In 2013 Mr Hunt said he wanted the NHS to be paperless by 2018 - with the first step, giving people online access to their health records supposed to be available by March 2015.
A report suggested better use of technology could allow £4.4bn to be put back into the NHS.


A bid to have the maximum bet on some gambling machines significantly reduced has been rejected by the government.

Some 93 councils in England and Wales called for the highest stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) to be cut from £100 to £2.
Newham Council, which led the campaign, said the move would help prevent clusters of betting shops, particularly in deprived areas.
The government said it had already introduced stronger controls.
The proposal had been submitted under legislation which allows councils to urge central government to change the law to help them promote the "sustainability of local communities".
Newham's mayor, Sir Robin Wales, said the decision was an "insult" to councils.
"We will challenge this decision, because without a reduction in stakes, FOBTs will continue to blight the nation's high streets," he said.
There has been a significant rise in the amount of money gambled using FOBTs in recent years.
Between October 2013 and September 2014, £1.6bn was lost by gamblers using the machines, up from £1.3bn in 2010-11, according to the Gambling Commission.
Newham Council has said it is possible to bet up to £18,000 in an hour using them.
Earlier this year, new rules were introduced which mean anyone wanting to place a stake over £50 on the machines has to interact with staff or set up an account with a bookmaker.
The government said the change will allow staff to monitor behaviour and act if they identify signs of problem gambling.
Case study: 'I spent any money I could'
Simon Perfitt, 59, spent ten years using fixed-odds betting terminals. During that period he lost his job and home after gambling "any money" he had.
Mr Perfitt, who lives in Dudley, was 47 before he even entered a betting shop. But within two years of being introduced to gambling machines by a friend, he was addicted.
"When [FOBTs] first came out, you saw quite a few people winning", he says, explaining the attraction of the machines. "That and the fact that there were fixed odds."
Mr Perfitt never bet as much as £100 in a single stake, but often splurged £30 on each bet. He recalls losing £3,000 in a single lunch hour. After losing his job, he would often spend a whole day gambling.
"It probably wouldn't have been so attractive if there were lower stakes," Mr Perfitt says, though he concedes he may have just ended up losing his money "more slowly".
He doesn't know exactly how much money he lost over his decade of gambling, but estimates around £180,000.
Mr Perfitt eventually ended up in rehab for a year. He hasn't gambled for more than three years and now works for the charity, Rethink Gambling.
A government spokesman said: "We do not support Newham Council's proposal as we have already acted by introducing stronger gambling controls to further protect players and promote responsible gambling, in April.
"This includes putting an end to unsupervised stakes above £50 on FOBTs and giving more powers to local authorities to stop new betting shops opening up in their areas.
"The government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of existing controls and will take further action if necessary."
Sir Robin said betting shops had "taken over our high streets".
"Current planning and gambling laws are failing to protect our towns and high streets," he added.
The Campaign for Fairer Gambling, which supports a lower maximum stake, said: "Councils are the ones who know the impact of FOBTs in their areas."
Labour's shadow sports minister, Clive Efford, said more research was needed on high-stake FOBTs, but added local councils needed more power to act.
A spokesman for the Association of British Bookmakers said the industry was committed to "responsible gambling measures".
Any rule changes should be "based on facts and evidence", he added.
Some powers over gaming machines with a maximum stake of £10 or more in Scotland are expected to be devolved to Holyrood as part of the Scotland Bill.


It's eight weeks to go until the referendum and, with the debate ramping up, it can be be easy to lose track - but we're here to help.

Each Friday, we'll give you a round-up of the big referendum stories, the small referendum stories, and the weird ones from the far-flung corners of the internet.
We'll also take a look at what you've been saying on Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and other social media sites.
So, here's what's been going on this week.
It's been a fairly quiet week as the #indyref goes.
With the Commonwealth Games in full swing, Alex Salmond has taken a "self-denying ordinance" on talking about independence, as both sides have agreed not to use Glasgow 2014 for political gain.
Although the First Minister did call Glasgow "freedom city" on the day of the opening ceremony, which has caused quite a stir.
Let the games begin...
We had Scottie dogs leading out the teams, Rod Stewart in a silver suit and giant Tunnock's teacakes. The opening ceremony of Glasgow 2014 was largely seen as a success.
However, there was a bit of confusion over the Red Arrows' involvement in the show.
The BBC's James Cook tweeted a picture of the opening ceremony media guide which showed the plan was to trail blue and white smoke.
So, where did the red come from? Well, apparently  the change of colour was confirmed on the day, with the RAF saying no formal request was ever made to have just blue and white smoke.
Two convicted murderers have had their appeals for a referendum vote rejected by the UK Supreme Court.
Leslie Moohan, 31, and Andrew Gillon, 46, argued the voting ban infringed on their human rights.
The pair - both serving life sentences - were attempting to overturn a ruling from Edinburgh's Court of Session earlier this month.
The Scottish government welcomed the verdict.
The Prime Minister visited Glasgow to take in the Commonwealth Games -  but not before a surprise visit to Shetland.
David Cameron's the first PM to visit the islands since Margaret Thatcher 34 years ago.
The Guardian claims he is considering basing himself in Scotland for the final two weeks before September's vote, which Liberal Democrat cabinet colleagues believe could damage the no campaign.
But look, he tweeted a picture of himself petting a Shetland pony. Isn't that cute?
We've had a look at what a Yes vote would actually mean for the rest of the UK.
From analysing population density to looking at life expectancy, there are a few interesting facts and figures to be seen.
We've even got a pie chart.
So have a look at how the UK would fare without Scotland in more detail here.
Have you seen something you think should be in next week's Referendum Round-Up? Tweet it using #RefRoundUp, or message us on Facebook.


What can we expect in 2016 from the world economy?

If the mainstream forecasters are right slightly better than last year.
The International Monetary Fund, for example, forecasts growth of 3.6% this year after 3.1% in 2015.
Last year's figure is rather sluggish; this year's stronger but still not all that impressive.
The IMF will produce an updated forecast later this month, but in a guest article for the German newspaper Handelsblatt, the agency's managing director, Christine Lagarde, warned that this year will be disappointing.
The recovery from the Great Recession, which followed the international financial crisis, continues. It's just not very convincing.
This is just a forecast of course and like all such exercises it's surrounded by a cloud of uncertainty.
So what are the big issues for next year, the factors that will determine whether things turn out better or worse than the IMF and others currently predict?
Once again, two factors dominate, and they come from the world's two largest economies: the United States and China.
In the US the long haul back to a more normal interest rate policy began at the end of last year. The Federal Reserve finally raised its main interest rate target from the level of practically zero it has had since the end of 2008.
There is certainly the potential for that to cause significant disruption to emerging economies. It's likely to lead to higher borrowing costs, and lower currencies, because money will be moved to the US to benefit from the rising interest rates there.   That in turn will make it more expensive to repay loans in dollars.
All this has already happened to some extent as financial markets moved in anticipation of the Fed's action. So far, there has been no emerging markets financial crisis. It could well stay that way, though there are certainly risks of turbulence.
Might we be looking at a new wave of emerging market crises like that of the 1990s and 2000s, which swept through East Asia, Latin America, Turkey and Russia?
Prof Carmen Reinhart of Harvard has expressed some concern. She wrote in October: "Though emerging economies' debts seem largely moderate by historic standards, it is likely that they are being underestimated, perhaps by a large margin. If so, the magnitude of the ongoing reversal in capital flowsâ€¦ may be larger than is generally believed - potentially large enough to trigger a crisis."
Then again, Nouriel Roubini, who made a name for himself by warning about the global crisis, argued that "widespread distress and crises need not occur".
Many economists accept that emerging economies have improved their economic policy dramatically in recent years and are better able to withstand international financial storms today.
Nonetheless some do face serious problems for other reasons, which can only be aggravated by financial market turbulence, for example, Russia due to the lower price of crude oil, Brazil due to a domestic political crisis, while Venezuela has both types of problem.
The other big issue is China's slowing economic growth.
It could not have been sustained indefinitely at the annual average of 10% that the official data shows for the 30 years up to 2010.
Throughout the slowdown, which began around the start of the current decade, the question has been: will it be a smooth transition or not, a hard or soft landing?
So far, no crisis, though there have been some sharp stock market falls in China. There were several weeks of volatility in the middle of 2015 and trading for this year got off to an inauspicious start, with a fall of 7% in Shanghai and trading suspended.
One of the reasons for those latest falls was data pointing to a decline in manufacturing activity in December, more evidence in other words of the economy shifting down a gear.
China's slowdown has been a central factor in another development: the recent falls in global commodity prices - oil, metals and foods.
China is not the only factor, especially in the oil market, but it's an important one for many commodities.
The price fall has been good news for some countries. Cheap oil in particular is often likened to a tax cut for consumers.
But it is equally bad news for countries that make a living exporting these items - soya from Argentina, oil from Saudi Arabia and copper from Zambia, for example.
Oil prices have not rebounded during the course of 2015 as some analysts thought they might. In fact oil is now even cheaper than it was a year ago, and it's now about two-thirds down from the level it reached in June 2014.
Prof Kenneth Rogoff, also of Harvard and a former IMF chief economist, says the beneficial effect of cheaper oil for global growth has been rather "muted" this time, in part because some countries are using it as an opportunity to cut subsidies rather than allowing consumers to get the full benefit.
The broad picture since the financial crisis is that the rich countries have been through a slow and incomplete economic recuperation.  Some are further into this process (the US, the UK) than others (the eurozone).
For the emerging economies, growth has slowed every year since 2010. It is still faster than the rich countries, but this slowdown has raised a question posed by the World Bank: is this group experiencing a rough patch or prolonged weakness?
The IMF predicts that growth for emerging and developing economies will pick up this year, from 4.0% to 4.5%.
Still, the World Bank identifies a number of reasons for concern that they might be in for a more protracted period of relatively disappointing performance.


An Iraqi government minister has been kidnapped in north-eastern Baghdad, said security sources.

The officials say that the acting deputy justice minister, Abdulkarim Fares, was stopped in his car by a number of gunmen dressed in black.
Two security guards and another man - identified either as another ministry official or Mr Fares's driver - were also abducted, said reports.
The identity of the kidnappers is not known.
Kidnappings happen regularly in Baghdad - either motivated by financial gain or to achieve political ends.


Swansea City will welcome back defenders Martin Olsson and Kyle Naughton for Sunday's Premier League match against relegation rivals Middlesbrough.

Right-back Naughton (hamstring) and left-back Olsson (ankle) both missed the 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth.
Naughton was also ruled out of the loss at Hull, but both are fit to face Boro at the Liberty Stadium.
"We are in good shape going into this game," said Swansea boss Paul Clement.
After reverses at Hull and Bournemouth, the Swans are 17th in the table, five points ahead of Middlesbrough, who are one from bottom of the table.
Clement, who confirmed all his players had returned from international duty fit, says the returning defenders have been missed as he had been forced to reshuffle his resources.
"I think so because of the way we have played going into those games," the former Bayern Munich assistant manager added.
"They have been very influential both defending and particularly attacking from those positions, so we are very happy to have them back."
Clement says the pressure to avoid relegation has to be embraced by his players, but realises the importance of the game against Middlesbrough.
"Nine games to go and the fact that we did not pick up any points in the last two it's important to get back points on the board again," he said.
"We are going to use our home form  momentum to do our very best to get points against Middlesbrough.
"If we win, I think it would put them in a difficult situation. It would not be over for them but would make things more difficult, of course."
Asked whether he had set a points target for his side, Clement said: "What's the highest amount of points a team has gone down with? 42? So we have to get more than that."


Connacht lost a 19-3 lead as Grenoble won a thrilling European Challenge Cup quarter-final in France.

Two Niyi Adeolokun scores and a Robbie Henshaw try seemed to put Connacht in control but Jonathan Wisniewski replied with 13 points before the break.
A  Matt Healy try left Connacht 26-16 up before Grenoble punished Denis Buckley's sin-binning as Lucas Dupont and Mahamadou Diaby scored tries.
John Cooney kicked Connacht ahead again but Wisniewski's late drop goal won it.
Grenoble's victory means they will face Harlequins in the semi-finals while Connacht will have to recover from this disappointment to regroup for the conclusion of the Pro12, in which they are currently placed second in the table.
As Connacht started with their verve that has been the hallmark of their season, centre Bundee Aki's looping pass set up Adeolokun's 13th-minute try.
After Wisniewski's penalty reply, a lightning Healy break and well-directed Shane O'Leary cross-kick allowed Henshaw to touch down before a Kieran Marmion dart helped set up Adeolokun's second try.
However after slotting his second successful conversion, O'Leary's reckless cross-kick on his own line gifted Grenoble a lifeline as fly-half Wisniewski replied.
Two more Wisniewski penalties reduced Connacht's lead to 19-16 at the break but the Irish province moved 13 clear by the 52nd minute after the outstanding Healy burst through the Grenoble defence and O'Leary kicked five further points.
However, Buckley's sin-binning on the hour mark, after he illegally attempted to prevent a Grenoble try, was a key moment.
Grenoble, currently eighth in the Top 14 table, scored two tries during Buckley's absence with Dupont and Diaby touching down as Irishman Chris Farrell provided a brilliant off-load in the build-up to the second score.
Wisniewski's two conversions helped Grenoble lead for the first time with 10 minutes left and while replacement John Cooney's penalty put Connacht ahead again on 73, the home number 10's drop goal two minutes later clinched victory.
TEAMS
Grenoble: G Aplon; N Nemani, C Farrell, N Hunt, L Dupont; J Wisniewski, C McLeod; S Taumalolo, L Jammes, D Edwards; B Hand (capt), P Kimlin; S Setephano, M Diaby, R Grice. Replacements: F Barcella for Taumalolo 53, M Marie for Hand 70, F Alexandre for Grice 26, F Estebanez for Hunt 67.
Not used: L Saseras, R de Klerk, P Mas, F Gengenbacher
Connacht: M Healy; N Adeolokun, R Henshaw, B Aki, D Poolman; S O'Leary, K Marmion; D Buckley, T McCartney, F Bealham; U Dillane, A Browne; S O'Brien, J Connolly, J Muldoon (capt). Replacements: D Heffernan for McCartney 71, R Loughney for Connolly 60, JP Cooney for Bealham 75, Q Roux for Dillane 60, G Naoupu for O'Brien 73, J Cooney for Marmion 63, P Robb for O'Leary 66, F Carr for Poolman 37.
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)


UK banks Barclays and RBS were among the FTSE 100's biggest losers on Monday, both dropping about 1%.

But the biggest faller was troubled doorstep lender Provident Financial, which shed 5.8%.
At the other end of the scale, the biggest climbers were IT business Micro Focus International, up 3.2%, and mining firms including Anglo American.
Overall, the 100-share index edged 5 points or 0.07% lower to 7,318.88 after a choppy day of trading.
Analysts said investors were unnerved by geopolitical tensions resurfacing between the US and North Korea.
"The two nations are locked in a stalemate, and this week we will see the US and South Korea engage in their 10-day military exercises," said David Madden at CMC Markets.
Henry Croft at Accendo Markets said financial stocks were among those being sold off due to the investor unease.
"Alongside that you have a mixed overview for British banks, what's going to happen in the future - it's looking less and less likely that we're going to see a Bank of England rate hike," he added.
Provident Financial suffered after a Sunday Times article suggested hedge funds were betting against the stock.
Miners fared better thanks to a rise in metal prices. Zinc hit its highest price in a decade as investors backed metals used by China's steel sector.
On the currency markets, the pound was up 0.19% against the dollar at $1.2900 but 0.27% lower against the euro at 1.0919 euros.


South Africa's government says it will pay compensation to the families of mineworkers killed during a wage dispute in Marikana in 2012.

The details of the payments will be determined by an independent panel led by a judge, President Jacob Zuma said.
Police shot dead 34 miners at the Lonmin platinum mine, claiming they were acting in self-defence.
The shooting was the most deadly police incident since the end of apartheid in 1994, and shocked the nation.
The families' lawyers have reportedly welcomed the president's announcement.
"We welcome that process. In fact, that gesture was expected a long time ago by families who had lost hope," the Sowetan newspaper quotes lawyer Tsepiso Ramphele as saying.
They have already filed suits claiming compensation for loss of income and medical costs.
Marikana: 'My husband died in vain'
Marikana mine massacre casts long shadow
Many of the mineworkers who died were sole bread-winners and the compensation will be a welcome relief for their families, says the BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg.
Opposition parties argue that the matter should be brought to parliament so they can weigh in on what a fair settlement would be.
In the days before the shooting, 10 other people died at the site, including non-striking miners, security guards and two police officers who were hacked to death.
An enquiry set up by President Zuma sat for two years and looked at the roles played by the police, the management of the platinum mine, Lonmin, the unions and government.
The Farlam Commission found that the police had a "defective" plan to break up the strike and concluded they were wrong to proceed with it.
It recommended a criminal investigation into police over the deaths but no-one has been charged or held responsible for the killings.
Numerous calls have been made for police commissioner Riah Phiyega to be sacked over the incident.
The enquiry criticised both the mining unions and Lonmin for not doing enough to resolve the dispute in the early days of the protests.
There has been no reaction from Lonmin yet on the government's move.


Artificial intelligence can identify skin cancer in photographs with the same accuracy as trained doctors, say scientists.

The Stanford University team said the findings were "incredibly exciting" and would now be tested in clinics.
Eventually, they believe using AI could revolutionise healthcare by turning anyone's smartphone into a cancer scanner.
Cancer Research UK said it could become a useful tool for doctors.
The AI was repurposed from software developed by Google that had learned to spot the difference between images of cats and dogs.
It was shown 129,450 photographs and told what type of skin condition it was looking at in each one.
It then learned to spot the hallmarks of the most common type of skin cancer: carcinoma, and the most deadly: melanoma.
Only one in 20 skin cancers are melanoma, yet the tumour accounts for three-quarters of skin cancer deaths.
The experiment, detailed in the journal Nature, then tested the AI against 21 trained skin cancer doctors.
One of the researchers, Dr Andre Esteva, told the BBC News website: "We find, in general, that we are on par with board-certified dermatologists."
However, the computer software cannot make a full diagnosis, as this is normally confirmed with a tissue biopsy.
Dr Esteva said the system now needed to be tested alongside doctors in the clinic.
"The application of AI to healthcare is, we believe, an incredibly exciting area of research that can be leveraged to achieve a great deal of societal good," he said.
"One particular route that we find exciting is the use of this algorithm on a mobile device, but to achieve this we would have to build an app and test its accuracy directly from a mobile device."
Incredible advances in machine-learning have already led to AI beating one of humanity's best Go players.
And a team of doctors in London have trained AI to predict when the heart will fail.
Dr Jana Witt, from the charity Cancer Research UK, said:  "Using artificial intelligence to help diagnose skin cancer is very interesting, as it could support assessments by GPs and dermatologists.
"It's unlikely that AI will replace all of the other information your clinician would consider when making a diagnosis, but AI could help guide GP referrals to specialists in the future."
Follow James on Twitter.


A teenager has been jailed for the "brutal" rape and assault of a woman while she was out walking her dog.

The 58-year-old victim was in Church Street, Workington, on 15 July when she was targeted by Jack Walker, 18.
She was beaten so badly during the assault she suffered two swollen eyes and needed stitches, Carlisle Crown Court heard.
Walker, of Dean Street, Workington, admitted rape and grievous bodily harm. He was jailed for 11 years.
He also admitted sexual assault and attempted rape.
Det Con Jim Grattan, of Cumbria Police, said the victim had "shown true bravery" throughout the investigation.
"There is no excuse for Walker's unthinkable actions and I am glad that he is now facing a significant sentence for his crimes", he said.
"His victim was innocently walking her dog when Walker forced himself upon and conducted his brutal attack.
Walker will also go on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely.


A body was found after a blaze broke out in a Leicestershire cottage.

The fire broke out at a row of cottages on Grantham Road in Bottesford at about 13:50 BST on Sunday.
Leicestershire Police confirmed one person had died and an investigation to determine the cause of death was ongoing.
Police and firefighters are investigating the cause of the fire. Nearby homes had to be evacuated during the incident on Sunday.
Maria Pride, who runs a cafe in the town, said: "One gentleman has clearly lost everything, so we have set up a focal point here for people to drop off clothes or furniture.
"We had (the affected residents) in here this morning and they were still very much in shock."


A Gloucestershire farmer who has worked for 40 years to save rare farm breeds has been honoured by the Queen.

Joe Henson, who founded the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in 1973, was made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for his services to conservation.
Mr Henson attended a Windsor Castle ceremony with his wife Gill, daughter Louise and son Adam - a farmer and television presenter.
The Henson family has also owned and run the Cotswold Farm Park since 1971.
Mr Henson said: "I'm delighted to receive recognition of the work that I've done to save our rare breeds, and thrilled that this continues to be born out through the work of The Cotswold Farm Park.
"I was particularly pleased that it was Princess Anne who gave it to me because she is very involved with rare breeds as well."


The UK's exit from the European Union could cause "severe regional and global damage", the International Monetary Fund has warned in its latest outlook.

A so-called "Brexit" would disrupt established trading relationships and cause "major challenges" for both the UK and the rest of Europe, it said.
The IMF said the referendum had already created uncertainty for investors and a vote to exit would only heighten this.
Vote Leave said the IMF had been "consistently wrong" in past forecasts.
The IMF, one of the main pillars of the global economic order with a mandate to oversee the international monetary and financial system, also cut its UK growth forecast.
It now expects 1.9% growth in the UK this year, compared with its January estimate of 2.2%. For next year, it expects 2.2% growth, unchanged from its earlier forecast.
If the 23 June referendum in the UK were to produce a vote in favour of leaving the EU, the IMF would expect negotiations on post-exit arrangements to be protracted, which it warned "could weigh heavily on confidence and investment, all the while increasing financial market volatility".
It also believes a UK exit from the EU would "disrupt and reduce mutual trade and financial flows" and restrict benefits from economic co-operation and integration, such as those resulting from economies of scale.
However, the Fund said that domestic demand, boosted by lower energy prices and a buoyant property market, would help to offset the impact on UK growth ahead of the EU referendum.
Chancellor George Osborne said the IMF's comments reinforced the case for staying. "The IMF has given us the clearest independent warning of the taste of bad things to come if we leave the EU," he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "The IMF is right - leaving the EU would pose major risks for the UK economy. We are stronger, safer and better off in the European Union."
Maurice Obstfeld, economic counsellor to the International Monetary Fund and the organisation's chief economist, says there could be "severe regional and global damage" if Britain were to vote to leave the European Union.
An exit would present "major challenges" and a prolonged period of uncertainty which would "weigh" - that is have a negative effect - on confidence and investment.
Market volatility could increase, trade could be damaged and economic growth undermined.
Mr Obstfeld, an expert in international finance, is a former economic adviser to President Barack Obama.
And, as one of the top 40 economists cited in the world for his research, has muscle in this arena.
Read more by Kamal here
Vote Leave, the group campaigning for the UK to leave the European Union, criticised the IMF's findings saying it had "been consistently wrong in past forecasts about the UK and other countries".
"The IMF has talked down the British economy in the past and now it is doing it again at the request of our own Chancellor. It was wrong then and it is wrong now," said Vote Leave chief executive Matthew Elliott.
"The biggest risk to the UK's economy and security is remaining in an unreformed EU which is institutionally incapable of dealing with the challenges it faces, such as the euro and migration crises."
UKIP leader Nigel Farage also criticised the IMF, saying it had "lost its way" in recent years and had been "effectively hijacked" by pro-EU bosses.
Former chancellor Lord Lamont also dismissed the IMF's concerns as "assertions… for which there is no real evidence".
He said the IMF was "very closely connected to the European Union" and was therefore "bound to reflect their views".
"The idea that we wouldn't continue trading on a perfectly normal basis is just fantasy," he added.
In contrast, Britain Stronger In Europe, which is campaigning for the UK to remain within the EU, said businesses and families should heed the IMF's warning.
"This is the clearest evidence yet about the danger of Britain leaving Europe from the word's most respected financial body," said former Labour foreign secretary David Miliband, speaking at an event held by the group.
Other major bodies' assessments on the impact of a possible Brexit have been less severe than the IMF's.
Credit ratings agency Moody's recently said the the impact of the UK leaving the EU would be "small" and was unlikely to lead to big job losses.
But the CBI has warned a British exit from the EU - known as a "Brexit" - could cost the UK economy £100bn and nearly one million jobs.


Up to 160 new retail jobs are to be created at Edinburgh Airport in the first half of this year.

The announcement follows the redevelopment of retail space at the airport.
The jobs are in addition to nearly 50 posts created by the opening of three new outlets at the airport at the end of December.
They included chains such as Superdrug, JD Sports and Flutes and Tails Champagne Bar.
The latest announcement will see All Bar One create about 70 new posts and fashion chain Next up to 30 jobs in May.
Brora Cashmere is set to create about 10 new posts, while about 35 jobs are expected with the opening of outlets by fashion firms Max Mara and Michael Kors.
Lifestyle clothing and accessories retailer Fatface is also planning about 15 new jobs.
Edinburgh Airport has been expanding following significant growth in passenger numbers last year,
In November, the airport saw the official opening of a new World Duty Free store, which led to the creation of 44 new jobs.
Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar said: "2015 was an incredible year for Edinburgh Airport; the growth in our passenger numbers is thanks to the increased choice of destinations and our commitment to improving the overall passenger experience.
"The expansion of the retail side of the business is a key element of our success.
"The fact is that Edinburgh Airport's growth in the non-aero market allows us to be competitive and attract more airlines and more routes in and out of Scotland's capital.


When a city suddenly moves to the top tier of foreign ministers' travel itineraries, you know it has notched up new political significance.

Such is the status of Tehran.
No sooner was a landmark nuclear deal announced in Vienna on 14 July than senior officials started checking and changing their diaries to come here.
The first to reach the Iranian capital was Germany's Vice-Chancellor and Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who flew in with a 100-member delegation, including many captains of German industry and finance.
Now it's the turn of the EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who's just arrived for her first official visit. Europe's top diplomat played a key role in the final stages of the intensive talks which stretched over nearly two years, sometimes hovering on collapse.
"It's good to be here," Ms Mogherini remarked as she slipped into a waiting black limousine bearing Europe's flag in a mid-length coat and an obligatory head scarf in shades of coral and pink.
In sparkling sunshine, the convoy of sleek Mercedes, flanked by motorcycle outriders, ferried Europe's top diplomat and her closest aides down wide, sweeping boulevards and through crowded streets towards the elegant mansion housing the foreign ministry for her first meeting of the day.
Her maiden drive through the capital takes her on a tour of the symbols that define Iran: the face of Iran's revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khomeini painted on soaring walls; the iconic white monument built during the Shah's reign, now renamed "Azadi" or freedom; and the national flags that seem to flutter everywhere.
Tehran's streets are still festooned with the brightly-coloured bunting from recent celebrations from the Islamic Eid al-Fitr festival.
But this month, it was the news from Vienna of a deal that caused Iranians to take to the streets in an eruption of joy. Now they wait for results.
And Ms Mogherini wants to play a leading role in the implementation of the deal, which will also be demanding and difficult, to ensure the agreement holds: that Iran carries out significant curbs to its nuclear programme to cut off all pathways to any possible development of a nuclear bomb - and that world powers reciprocate with the lifting of sanctions.
And that's not the only reason why Iran will now be under the world's microscope. Even Ms Mogherini's itinerary underlines another concern.
Her diplomacy this week began in Riyadh with her first official meeting with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, who on Monday condemned what he called recent "aggressive statements" by Iran.
That means Ms Mogherini arrives in Tehran fully briefed on the deep-rooted concerns in many Arab capitals over a nuclear deal they fear that will embolden Iran in its regional political ambitions.
Before she set out on her trip, Ms Mogherini told the BBC she hoped the deal could be "a great opportunity to open the country".
When I travelled to Tehran a year ago with her predecessor Catherine Ashton, no-one could say for sure if a deal would be done, but Tehran felt like a city willing it to happen.
Everywhere we went  - from popular bazaars to business offices -  Iranians approached us to say how much they hoped this long period of punishing sanctions would soon come to an end. Many expressed hope Iran would re-engage with the West, and take its rightful place at the world's top tables.
But there was also sensitivity among more conservative Iranians that the nuclear deal was a Trojan horse to allow the West to start meddling in Iran's internal affairs, including human rights and issues of personal and political freedoms.
And yet there were, and are, the slow but certain signs of change.
A year ago, European tourists were starting to trickle back in greater numbers. At the sprawling Grand Bazaar with its exquisite traditional mosaics, we ran into a group of delighted German tourists who were gushing in their praise of Iranian hospitality.
Now even countries like Britain, whose embassy has been closed since attacks on the property in 2011, recently relaxed its travel advice for most areas of Iran, saying there had been "decreasing hostility under President [Hassan] Rouhani's government".
A year ago, in bustling hotel lobbies, we met people from Asian and Arab and African countries who spoke of keen interest in a nation with a big population, and big potential. Iran, under sanctions, was already a destination in the diary of many officials and investors.
Now a fast-flowing stream of visitors is swelling with the arrival of more business executives from the West, as well as Russia, China and many other nations hoping to exploit business opportunities and make this new opening to Iran even wider.
When the EU in Brussels unanimously approved the nuclear deal earlier this month, Ms Mogherini again hailed this diplomatic triumph in resolving, peacefully, a major security problem of our time - without a shot being fired, without it being a zero-sum game.
So great was this sense of achievement that the EU's top diplomat moved to build on this momentum and establish a similar diplomatic forum to deal with an even more protracted problem: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
But the challenges for the world's top diplomats on a still controversial deal are only beginning. We'll get an inkling of what lies ahead through official remarks on Tuesday, what we hear on the streets, and through the coverage in Iran's often outspoken media.
Ms Mogherini will hear even more behind closed doors with she meets Iran's top leaders on her one-day trip. And hours after Iranian officials bid her farewell, they'll welcome France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius to Tehran.
In September, Austria's president will become the first head of state to visit after a deal clinched in his own fine capital.
There's a real sense here that a page is being turned. But there's still no real certainty about how this new chapter will be written, even if most Iranians dare to hope there's a happier ending in store.


If Jersey takes Syrian refugees they will be given housing, according to the deputy chief minister.

Speaking to the States Assembly, Senator Andrew Green said there was enough space in the island to accommodate people fleeing the war.
He told the States they should be prepared to welcome some people who were in desperate need.
Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst had previously confirmed the island could take up to 30 refugees.
He said talks were being held with the UK.
He said: "I am convinced that we in Jersey need to play our part, even though it is only a small part.
"We are talking a small number of families, probably five or six families or between 20 and 30 refugees."
In Guernsey, the States have made no further progress in negotiations with the UK over taking refugees.
Former housing minister Terry Le Main said the island was heavily populated with a housing shortage.
Jersey has about 2,100 people per square mile, compared to 660 to each square mile in the United Kingdom.
"We have a social housing shortage, and there is also a severe shortage of affordable homes for first time buyers. It's a huge problem," Mr Le Main said.
Mr Green said there was spare capacity and a number of people had already offered to house them. He said: "These are genuine refugees, people fleeing for their lives. We will house them.
"I wouldn't want to frighten local people by telling them they will be disadvantaged by helping a few helpless, homeless people fleeing from war."
Mr Gorst said any refugees would come directly from the camps, in line with the plans of UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
At the last census in 2011 half of Jersey residents were born in Jersey with about a third being born elsewhere in the British Isles.