Costly number plate

Published 2 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A national charity supporting children with disabilities says more than 90% of the families it helps are struggling to pay bills due to rising living costs. Half of carers looking after disabled youngsters have skipped meals in the past 12 months to cut back on spending, a survey by Family Fund suggests. A West Yorkshire family supported by the charity say they are "scared" they won't be able to afford winter heating. The government said it was helping families with disabled children. York-based Family Fund said many families with seriously ill or disabled children faced higher energy bills due to the need to power home medical equipment. Frequent GP or hospital appointments mean regular car journeys for many, including the family of 11-year-old Charlie, from Bingley in West Yorkshire. "We can't go on as … [Read more...] about Cost of living: Disability charity says carers are skipping meals

Published 23 October 2020 comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Communities across the country are stepping up to the plate to provide free school meals to children after a campaign by Marcus Rashford. It comes after a motion to extend free school meals over holidays during the Covid-19 pandemic was rejected by MPs. The Manchester United striker had called on people to "unite" to protect the most vulnerable children. Fish and chip shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes are among the hospitality venues to offer free meals . A growing number of councils across England have also pledged to provide food vouchers over half term . Labour-led authorities in Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield, Hammersmith & Fulham and Doncaster are among those agreeing to fund their own schemes. The government said all measures would be kept under … [Read more...] about Marcus Rashford: Communities back school meals campaign

By Faisal Islam Published 6 hours ago comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing All types of household energy bill are now heading above £3,000 a year this winter, say energy industry sources. The rise is 7% higher than the predicted prices on which the government's recently announced cost of living support package was based. The government said it didn't recognise the figures, but added it and Ofgem "keep a close watch on energy prices". National Energy Action said there were "few signs of energy prices becoming affordable this winter". The bleak prediction comes as households are already struggling with rising food and fuel prices. Every UK household is to get an energy bill discount of £400 this October, whilst poorest households will also get a payment of £650. When will households get the £400 energy grant? … [Read more...] about Household energy bills to hit £3,000 per year

An estimated $18 to $20 million will be required to finish the Rotorua Museum renovation, a council report reveals. It follows Local Democracy Reporting revealing a confidential April 14 Rotorua Lakes Council report which said the 106-year-old museum – which has been closed since 2016 due to seismic concerns following the Kaikoura earthquake – would need an estimated minimum $15m more to finish . The building’s renovation has funding to date of $53.5m, including $15.5m from the council. Last month, the council confirmed $6.3m had been spent. The confidential report revealed the council considered accepting a lower, 70 per cent New Building Standard for the museum, in order to avoid an estimated $15m extra cost to achieve the original 80 per cent target. READ MORE: Rotorua Museum renovation: $30 million could be added to project, according to confidential council report Rotorua attraction named among world's top bucket list experiences Rotorua's Sir Howard Morrison … [Read more...] about Rotorua Museum revamp shortfall now estimated to be at least $18 million

Published 7 minutes ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Following the shock resignation of former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, his replacement Nadhim Zahawi has said he and Prime Minister Boris Johnson want to "rebuild the economy" and get soaring inflation under control. Mr Zahawi said "nothing is off the table" in terms of cutting taxes. What are some of the options open to the new Chancellor to make good on those plans? 1. Cut VAT Mr Zahawi has said he wants to do two things: cut taxes and "bear down" on inflation. Those are not usually happy bedfellows. Cutting taxes puts more money into the economy, which drives prices up - so how can he walk this line? A temporary cut in VAT - the tax paid when buying goods and services - from 20% to 17.5%, say, would lower the price of goods and services in the basket used to calculate inflation - taxes would get cut, and … [Read more...] about Four ways Nadhim Zahawi may try to boost the economy

A miracle pill which is claimed to cure hangovers has been launched in the UK, helping Brits get back on their feet after a night out. Experts say the new pill, which is taken before you drink, stops the body absorbing alcohol, protecting you from a hangover for the next 12 hours. Called Myrkl, it’s a mix of probiotics and made from the human body’s own natural bacteria. Grimsby Live reported . Combined with amino acid, L-Cysteine and Vitamin B12 the trio work together to help breakdown alcohol’s toxic by-products into carbon dioxide and water. Researchers have demonstrated that people who drank two glasses of wine after taking the pill, which costs £1, had on average 50 per cent less alcohol in their blood after 30 minutes. After an hour this rose to 70 per cent. Myrkl, the miracle hangover pill that was developed by Swedish medical company De Faire Medical. ( Image: Myrkl) The pill took three decades to develop by Swedish medical company De Faire … [Read more...] about New £1 pill ‘that prevents hangovers’ launches in UK after 30 years of research

Ukraine needs an 'urgent' reconstruction agenda says expert Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info THE EXTENT of President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine has been revealed as a new map shows how many thousands of civilians have been killed since Russia’s invasion. Russia began massing its troops along the Ukrainian border in February of last year — an exercise that continued for a few months until the summer, when personnel slowly peeled away. By October, however, the pile-up began again, and with the soldiers arrived military equipment. Related articles China’s President Xi refuses to visit Moscow Putin humiliated as blitzkrieg plans … [Read more...] about Horrific map exposes how many civilians have died in Ukraine

The energy crisis sparked by Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine is having all kinds of consequences on the corporate sector. Germany's government looks set to bail out Uniper , one of the country's biggest power utilities, with a package of up to €9bn apparently being discussed. On Wednesday, the French government went one step further, announcing a full nationalisation of the energy giant EDF, the company that in Britain is the fourth largest household energy supplier and which is building Hinkley Point 'C', the UK's first new nuclear power station in a generation. Elisabeth Borne, the French PM, told parliament: "The climate emergency requires strong, radical decisions. We need to have full control of the production and our energy future. We must ensure our sovereignty faced with the consequences of the war and the colossal challenges ahead. "That is why I confirm today the intention of the state to hold 100% of the capital of EDF." Advertisement In truth, … [Read more...] about UK’s fourth-largest household energy supplier EDF nationalised by the French state

Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak have both resigned from Government in an extraordinary blow to Boris Johnson 's premiership. The Health Secretary made the bombshell move as Tory anger mounted over the Prime Minister's handling of the Chris Pincher saga. Minutes later, Chancellor Rishi Sunak also announced he was also quitting . A source claimed the top Tories did not co-ordinate their resignations - despite the appearance of an organised coup to oust Mr Johnson. Their departures could be a fatal blow to the scandal-hit Prime Minister, who is fighting for his political life once again after months of sleaze and scandal. Mr Johnson was forced into a crisis reshuffle, which led to him appointing his Chief of Staff Steve Barclay as Health Secretary. Only 10 days ago Mr Johnson boasted he was “thinking actively” about a third term in office - that would keep him in No10 until the “mid-2030s”. But tonight his authority was rocked by a wave of departures, as several … [Read more...] about Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid RESIGN in Cabinet coup to topple Boris Johnson

By Hazel Shearing Published 2 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Former higher and further education minister Michelle Donelan has been made the new education secretary. It follows Nadhim Zahawi's departure from the post as he becomes chancellor. Ms Donelan, 38, has spent the past two years occupied with universities and colleges. Now she has the whole of England's education system to contend with - and she is facing a pretty packed schedule. Catch-up after Covid Perhaps the biggest issue Ms Donelan will have to contend with is the impact of two years of disruption on schoolchildren. By 2030, ministers want 90% of children leaving primary school to reach the expected standards in reading, writing and maths. There's a long way to go, and unions aren't convinced it's doable with current levels of funding. This week, Sats results … [Read more...] about Who is Michelle Donelan and what is the new education secretary facing?