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Thousands of pensioners will be able to more easily claim a free TV licence under a new shake-up confirmed by the Government. Free TV licences for over-75s were axed in 2020, except for those who claim Pension Credit . Under the current rules, everyone who is entitled to a free TV licence must send documentation to the BBC to prove they are in receipt of Pension Credit. But as part of a revamp of the system, the BBC will soon be able to verify this information with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It will mean, in most cases, households will only need to apply online or over the phone without any need to supply additional paperwork. A statutory instrument has been laid in Parliament today to amend the Television Licences Act 2000. Pensioners over 75 and in receipt of Pension Credit can claim a free TV licence ( Image: Getty Images) The changes to the application process are expected to come into effect next year. A full colour TV licence … [Read more...] about New DWP shake-up will make it easier for pensioners to claim a free TV licence

MAX VERSTAPPEN says former race director Michael Masi was 'chucked under the bus' and did not deserve to be sacked after last season's controversy. Masi's handling of the late safety car in Abu Dhabi gave Verstappen a huge advantage which allowed him to overtake Lewis Hamilton on the last lap to win his first world title . Speaking on Masi's sacking , he said: "I think it’s not correct. Everyone always tries to do the best job but everyone can always use help. "I think us drivers also, to try and improve ourselves. "But it’s very unfair what happened to Michael because he’s really been thrown under the bus." Verstappen sympathised with the pressure Masi was under, after teams up and down the grid would harass the race director during races while he was making decisions. Red Bull and Mercedes both gave Masi a barrage of radio messages in Abu Dhabi which ultimately led to the season-defining decision. Verstappen added: "Can you imagine refereeing in … [Read more...] about Max Verstappen claims Michael Masi was ‘thrown under a bus’ and didn’t deserve sacking after Lewis Hamilton controversy

Geri Horner says husband Christian Horner is a 'solid guy' Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top F1 stories again 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 Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner live in a sprawling Oxfordshire mansion with a boating lake and a tennis court, which F1 Red Bull principal Christian has admitted is idyllic. However, in a recent interview the racing guru, 48, has revealed that behind closed doors his wife of seven years regularly contributes to the family's swear jar, with Christian teasing that his wife, 49, is more at fault than he is. Related articles Age-defying Vera Wang, 73, looks decades younger on her birthday Stunner Ruth Langsford almost unrecognisable in glam … [Read more...] about Geri Halliwell thrown under the bus by husband Christian Horner as he admits ‘problem’

The pain is still raw; the anger undiminished. Marlene Anderson breaks down in tears as she remembers watching Grenfell Tower burning, the white ash floating out of the sky and landing on her hair and clothes, while inside the building her father – although she wouldn’t officially know it for another two months – had perished in the blaze. Ray ‘Moses’ Bernard, an electrician, who had worked in the House of Lords and at Buckingham Palace, died of suffocation and cyanide poisoning killed by the acrid smoke. By the time his body was recovered, “his remains were no more than 30 per cent of who he was”. Moses, as everybody knew him, was found on the floor next to his bed, his dog, Marley, close by. On the bed were other victims who had sought refuge in the top floor flat as they tried to escape the flames. Among them was Jessica Urbano Ramirez, a 12-year-old girl, who had spent 55 minutes on the phone to 999 emergency operators begging to be rescued, and 12-year-old Biruk Haftom, whose … [Read more...] about Grenfell, five years on: ‘We know who the guilty are but they remain free’

DANIEL RICCIARDO has been passed fit to race in this weekend's Bahrain GP after recovering from Covid. The Australian was forced to miss the whole of pre-season testing last week in the Gulf as a result of the virus. It meant Lando Norris was forced to step in for the three days while Ricciardo was in isolation. However, after returning two negative tests, he is free to race this weekend and says he is feeling no lasting effects. McLaren confirmed: "McLaren F1 Team confirms that after testing positive for Covid-19 last week, Daniel has now returned a number of negative tests and will therefore return to the paddock on Thursday ready to compete in this weekend's Bahrain GP . "Daniel has been feeling better each day as he continued to recover while in isolation following local regulations in Bahrain." Read more on F1 F1 CALENDAR 2022 Grand Prix schedule, dates, results for season as 2022 gets underway SEASON OPENER … [Read more...] about F1 star Daniel Ricciardo passed fit to race for McLaren in Bahrain Grand Prix season opener after Covid battle

WEST HAM have been left fuming with Sonny Perkins' agents after his departure. The 18-year-old forward joined the Hammers at U14 level and was tipped to be the latest academy star to break into the first team. But having rejected several professional contract offers, Perkins is now set to leave – with West Ham accusing the player’s representatives of breaking the rules regarding approaches from other clubs. West Ham are entitled to receive compensation from any club Perkins joins, but have not confirmed whether they will be making a formal complaint through a tribunal. A damning statement read: “West Ham United invests millions of pounds annually into its world-renowned Academy of Football. “Naturally the Club is extremely disappointed that Sonny has chosen not to continue his development with the Hammers. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL GET YOUR GOSS Salah had Chelsea lined up before Liverpool deal EXCLUSIVE - transfers live … [Read more...] about West Ham left fuming and release damning statement as 18-year-old wonderkid Sonny Perkins quits on free transfer

As soon as I got my lipoedema diagnosis last year, tears rolled down my cheeks. For years, doctors told me that I was ‘just fat’. But finally a medical professional had confirmed my disproportionately large legs were a medical condition – an extremely painful chronic disease that causes fibrotic fat to accumulate in the lower part of the body, over which the patient has very little to zero control. It was the validation I’d waited nearly 30 years to receive. When I was 12 years old, I began noticing distinct changes in my body. I quit wearing shorts or swimsuits and avoided all activities where I was expected to show my legs. Whenever I looked at them, I felt deeply ashamed and disgusted with myself. By age 14, I was so ashamed of my big legs that I convinced my parents to let me have a free consultation with a plastic surgeon. Back then, I was 5 foot 6 inches (170cm) tall and weighed roughly 135 pounds (61kg), the majority of which were within my legs. I was so … [Read more...] about Doctors told me I was ‘just fat’ – my serious medical condition was missed

SIR – Your Leading Article ( June 28 ) is a salutary reminder of the need to revisit the call in last year’s defence review for “a modern army that is more agile, more integrated and more expeditionary”, achieved through digitisation rather than numbers. While digital transformation remains relevant, the need to refocus on our European backyard puts the spotlight firmly on numbers – particularly the plan to limit the Army to 73,000 regulars and 30,000 reserves, with a commensurate reduction in heavy armour. Four months on from Russia’s invasion of a sovereign nation – and given Boris Johnson’s cheerleading for Ukraine at the G7 meeting, as well as Nato’s decision to increase high-readiness forces to 300,000 – the credibility of Britain’s contribution to thwarting Vladimir Putin’s ambitions is at stake. However dire the economic outlook, the Government must reorder its defence priorities. This will include: reversing Army personnel cuts so that at least one full-sized armoured … [Read more...] about Letters: Russian aggression highlights the need to restore Army manpower

In the leafy Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey lies a very different kind of farm:  the astonishing Funny Farm, a not-for-profit animal sanctuary open to the public two days a week, created by New Jersey's own Doctor Doolittle, Laurie Zaleski. Every animal here is a rescue – abused, abandoned, disabled – and Zaleski has healed and protected more than 600 animals over the last 20 years, from retired racehorses to raucous roosters. "We have 115 roosters," she said. And it sounded like it! Correspondent Lesley Stahl asked, "For those people who have never been here, never even heard of the Funny Farm, how would you describe it?" "I say Heaven on Earth, especially for animals," Zaleski replied. "And for people, because when you walk through the gates, you can feel the inner peace and harmony, because they all get along here. "My mother had the original Funny Farm, and she said it's full of animals and fit for lunatics!" laughed Zaleski. As she writes in her book, "Funny Farm: … [Read more...] about Remarkable friendships from the animal world

Every Independence Day I like to tell this story about my ride on a decorated party barge in the Fourth of July Boat Parade on False River in the '80s. Because other barge riders were from New Roads, there was great food on the craft, including some delectable deviled eggs from one of the ladies. I made sure to be close to the eggs as we cruised down the lake, waving to the spectators on shore. Unfortunately, water balloons had become popular with teenage boys, and we soon were being bombarded. When one of the balloons hit the nearby railing and burst, soaking me, I was outraged to see the boy who threw it laughing maniacally. Without thinking, I reached behind me, grabbed a deviled egg and hurled it. It hit him square on his bare chest. The expression on his face was priceless as he looked down at the yellow goo. My fellow barge passengers got a big laugh out of my counterattack — except for the deviled egg lady. She was not amused… Psychology 101 Mike Boudreaux, … [Read more...] about Smiley: Barge armed with a devilish weapon