Summary: In Spain. families are cutting back on their food bill due to the financial crisis, according to government statistics. Popular items such as meat and fish are being dropped in favour of cheaper alternatives like pasta, rice and cheap meats. Spending on food per person fell in three consecutive months, with September witnessing a 2.3% fall and a decrease of 1.8% in October. In Algeria, fanatics have attacked workers at a gas plant. The outrage — ordered by Mokhtar Belmokhtar — killed 23 hostages and 32 militants over the course of four days at BP’s In Amenas gas plant, according to the Algerian government. It is believed 11 fanatics linked to al-Qaeda executed seven hostages before being killed by Algerian special forces in yesterday’s bloody desert showdown. After Lance Armstrong decided to open his heart to Oprah Winfreh, star cyclist Mark Cavendish fears no one will believe pro cyclists are clean again. Vavendish, the sprint ace, says the shamed star was so convincing in the past when lying about performance enhancing drugs, the TV revelations will leave the public wondering if cyclists are telling the truth forever more. Last night he said: “He was a hero to anyone wanting to be cyclist when I was growing up, but when he was asked in the past if he was cheating he was so adamant, so convincing. “I get irritated when people question if my success is through hard work, but after seeing the interview, I can now understand why people have a problem with believing us today when we say we are clean. “They could think ‘if Lance lied so well, so could they’.” BRITAIN’S top union boss has been accused of brainwashing after launching a secret bid to sign up schoolkids. Unite leader Len McCluskey has set up a team of “union tutors” to target every 15-year-old in the country. The hardline Left-winger has ordered his hit-squad to visit secondary schools as part of a campaign to “educate, agitate and organise”. A MIGRANT mum thanked the UK yesterday for letting her claim £14,500 a year in benefits. Natalija Belova, 33, told The Sun how she spurns full-time work — yet can afford foreign holidays and buys designer clothes. The Lithuanian said: “British benefits give me and my daughter a good life.” She has milked soft-touch Britain for £50,000 in benefits and yesterday said: "I simply take what is given to me." Overjoyed Natalija told how she lives a life of luxury thanks to our “strange” system, declaring: “It’s important to have nice things and good holidays.”
