Millions of the lowest-income households across the UK will get up to £1,350 from the Government in 2023/4 to help with the cost of living.

Millions will receive new cost of living support from Spring 2023, following up to £1,200 in support for over eight million low-income households in 2022

£900 Cost of Living Payment for means-tested benefit claimants will go direct to bank accounts in three payments over the financial year

Extra cash support for disabled people and pensioners will see some households receive extra cash

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has today announced more detail on the payment schedule for the next round of cost of living support unveiled in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, building on payments made to over eight million people in 2022.

The new £900 cash boost for over eight million eligible means-tested benefits claimants, including those on Universal Credit, Pension Credit and tax credits, starts in Spring and will go direct to bank accounts in three payments over the course of the financial year. There will also be a separate £150 for over six million disabled people and £300 for over eight million pensioners on top of their Winter Fuel Payments.

Exact payment windows will be announced closer to the time, but are spread across a longer period to ensure a consistent support offering throughout the year. They will be broadly as follows:

£301 – First Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2023

£150 – Disability Payment – during Summer 2023

£300 – Second Cost of Living Payment – during Autumn 2023

£300 – Pensioner Payment – during Winter 2023/4

£299 – Third Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2024

Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride said:

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We are sticking by our promise to protect the most vulnerable and these payments, worth hundreds of pounds, will provide vital support next year for those on the lowest incomes.

The government’s wider support package has already helped more than eight million families as we continue to deal with the global consequences of Putin’s illegal war and the aftershocks of the pandemic.

 

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt added:

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I know these are tough times for families across the UK who are struggling to meet rising food and energy costs, driven by the aftershocks of Covid and Putin’s war in Ukraine.

That’s why we’re putting a further £900 into the pockets of over 8 million low income households next year. These payments are on top of above inflation increases to working-age benefits and the Energy Price Guarantee, which is insulating millions from even higher global gas prices

Tackling inflation is this government’s number one priority and is the only way to ease the strain of high prices, drive long term economic growth and improve living standards for everyone.

 

If individuals are eligible they will be paid automatically, and there will be no need to apply. Claimants who are eligible for any of the Cost of Living Payments and receive tax credits, and no other means-tested benefits, will receive payment from HMRC shortly after DWP payments are issued.

These payments build on the Government’s extensive support package to help households tackle the globally rising cost of living stemming from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

The Government’s Energy Price Guarantee continues to cap energy costs, saving the average household around £900 this winter and a further £500 in 2023/24. Benefits, including working age benefits and the State Pension, will also rise in line with inflation from April 2023, ensuring they increase by over 10%. April will also see the biggest ever cash rise to the National Living Wage, bringing it to £10.42 an hour, and a further year-long extension of the Household Support Fund in England and associated devolved nation funding worth £1 billion in total.

This comes on top of the 2022 support package, which included:

A £650 Cost of Living payment for means-tested benefit claimants, split into two payments, each of which supported over eight million households

Further £300 and £150 payments, which reached over eight million pensioners and over six million disabled people respectively

A £150 Council Tax rebate for all households in Council Tax bands A-D

A £400 energy bill discount for all households, which will continue to run through March

Further Information

For each payment, exact payment start dates and eligibility criteria will be communicated by the Department before payments begin. HMRC will communicate details for tax credit-only customers.

These payments will all be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.

More than 8 million households on benefits will receive payments of up to £900, made in three lump sums. Eligible households will be on one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Pension Credit.

The £900 Cost of Living Payment will be delivered in three slightly different amounts. The distinct value relates to a specific qualifying period, so it is simpler to determine if a payee received the correct payments, reducing the fraud risk of people who claim not to have had one of the specific three payments, as DWP and HMRC will be able to clearly track those who have.

Low-income households are benefiting from Government support in a variety of different ways. 

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), said there was an “unprecedented level of ministerial interference” preventing a settlement, something which the government strongly denies.

40,000 workers on Network Rail and 14 train operating companies will take action on 3,4,6 and 7 this week, shutting down most rail services across the country.

Despite the union's best efforts over the Christmas period, it says that rail employers have not arranged any formal negotiations with RMT to resolve the dispute.

It has been claimed that both Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group are being directly blocked by government ministers from producing an acceptable proposal on job security, pay and working conditions.

RMT says that it remains available around the clock for talks so all parties can come to a negotiated settlement.

The situation stands in stark contrast to other areas of the railway where the Department for Transport does not have a mandate.

RMT has secured deals with Scotrail, Transport for Wales, contracts on Eurostar and areas where the railway is under the control of metro mayors.

Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, said:

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"The government is blocking the union's attempts to reach a negotiated settlement with the rail employers.

"We have worked with the rail industry to reach successful negotiated settlements ever since privatisation in 1993. And we have achieved deals across the network in 2021 and 2022 where the DfT has no involvement.

"Yet in this dispute, there is an unprecedented level of ministerial interference, which is hamstringing rail employers from being able to negotiate a package of measures with us, so we can settle this dispute.

"We will continue our industrial action campaign while we work towards a negotiated resolution."

 

Survivors of Britain’s nuclear tests will be calling on the Prime Minister to deliver their long–promised medal in a demonstration in Parliament Square on Tuesday (Nov 8).

A group of veterans, widows, and descendants will march along Whitehall to lay wreaths at the Cenotaph, Downing Street, and the Ministry of Defence, in honour of the 22,000 servicemen who have been ignored by successive governments for 70 years. Rebecca Long Bailey MP and other MPs from across the House will be attending.

They have been repeatedly refused a medal on the grounds there was ‘no risk or rigour’ to service at the tests.

On 7.11.22, Rebecca Long Bailey MP raised the lack of medallic recognition during Defence Oral Questions in the Commons Chamber.

Rebecca Long Bailey MP, commenting why she has raised this for the fifth time in the Commons Chamber since July 2021, said:

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“So many veterans have lost their lives and many more are facing serious, complex, and rare health concerns, which research suggests is linked to their service on the British Nuclear Test programme. It is scandalous however that despite their service and sacrifice, the UK is sadly one of the only nuclear powers on Earth to yet provide medallic recognition and full support to its Nuclear Testing Veterans. They have waited for over 70 years.

The Government has the power to end this national scandal now: provide long overdue medallic recognition, research for descendants, financial and medical support for veterans and families, war pension reform and education.”

 

Boris Johnson met campaigners in the summer and ordered a medal review, but resigned before he could push the decision through. Now plans for a national commemoration later this month are also being downgraded.

Alan Owen, son of a veteran and leader of campaign group LABRATS, said:

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“When he ran for office, Rishi said he’d support us all the way. Since he got into No10 he’s ghosted us – just like Liz Truss did.

“We know there’s a lot on his plate, but he should try living with irradiated blood, a disabled family, or the unending denials of governments who are just waiting for us all to die.

“Only he can deliver what Boris promised us in June, and we look to him to correct the injustices.”

 

It is with the deepest sadness that we report the death of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth the second, who passed away surrounded by her family at her summer home at Balmoral Castle in Scotland this evening.

A Spokesperson for Buckingham Palace, said:

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“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

Her royal highness had been suffering a number of health and mobility related issues which forced her to step back from her royal duties, under advisement from her physicians.

The monarch was coronated in June 1953 having taken her place as Queen following the death of her father over a year earlier in Feb 2052.

During 70-years on the throne, she saw no less than 15 UK Prime Ministers and met with 13 of the last 14 Presidents of the United States. 

Born in 1926, Elizabeth was the daughter of King George V’s second son, and had little expectation of succeeding to the throne until her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936 to marry the divorced American socialite, Wallis Simpson.

After the death of her father, King George VI, 25-year-old Elizabeth was called upon to assume the throne, beginning what was to become a momentous reign.

Earlier this year in February 2022, the United Kingdom kicked off a series of celebrations for the queen's Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of her service to the British Commonwealth.  

At 96 years old, Queen Elizabeth II had proven consistent and enduring.

Tragedy was to befall her as In April 2021, she lost her beloved husband of 73 years, Prince Phillip, when he died at age 99. Then in February 2022, the Queen contracted the coronavirus, which she later said left her "very tired and exhausted."

Her health had deteriorated over the following months which lead to fewer and fewer appearances in public. The last of which was to preform her duty in welcoming another new Prime Minister earlier in the week.

The Queens death now means that her eldest son and heir, Charlse will ascend to the throne as King of England, supported by his wife Camilla who will take her place as Queen Consort.

We will post updates as the story unfolds. 

Her Majesty the Queen is said to remain comfortable after growing concerns for her health prompted physicians to place her under medical supervision earlier today.

It is reported that members of the Royal family are currently enroute to the Queens Balmoral residence in Scotland where 96-year-old monarch has been staying over the summer.

Prince Charles, Camilla and Princess Anne are already at Balmoral, with Princes William and Harry reportedly to arrive shortly.

A spokesperson for the Palace, said:

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“Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.”

There have been no further updates since.

New Prime Minister, Liz Truss, has said that the nation is deeply concerned over the health of the Queen, adding her thoughts and those of the nation are with the royal family.

Following a request at Prime Minister’s Questions from Rebecca Long-Bailey MP to meet with her, a constituent and their grandfather, they, along with a group of British nuclear test veterans and their families today met Prime Minister Boris Johnson to tell him of their lifelong fight for justice.

They asked him for a medal to mark the 'Plutonium Jubilee', marking 70 years since the first British nuclear test in October 1952, and to bring an end to the longest-running scandal in this nation's history. They also provided him with evidence of missing medical records from their time at the tests - a possible crime by the state against its own servicemen.

Those attending included veteran John Morris, who fought for 60 years to see his baby son's autopsy report; Alan Owen and his sister Laura, whose father witnessed the equivalent of 2,000 Hiroshimas which left the family with hereditary heart disease; and Steve Purse, whose father served at the highly-radioactive 'minor trials', and who was born with undiagnosable conditions.

This is the first time that any Prime Minister has met with these families to hear their stories about the testing programme, and the decades of ill health which followed it.

The PM told campaigners:

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"I think that you're right, there are things you are not being told and should be told. If it's in a vault like in the Raiders of the Lost Ark, or stuff is being stashed in a vault or wherever, by the British government, that needs to be sorted out."

LABRATS is working with cross-party MPs to win recognition in all its forms, and also present were Rebecca Long-Bailey, Labour MP for Salford and Eccles, and Sir John Hayes CBE, Conservative MP for South Holland and the Deepings, and patron of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association.

Rebecca said afterwards:

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"The PM seemed to be appalled at what we told him, and I think genuinely shocked by what's happened to these men and their families. Now we need to make sure he does deliver the justice he promised us, and to have that moment of national recognition and acknowledgement to end this scandal once and for all. This would be an important and long overdue first step but beyond this I also hope the PM recognises the real need for research for descendants, financial and medical support for veterans and their families, war pension reform and education."

Sir John Hayes MP told the PM a medal

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"was just the right thing to do".

Afterwards he said:

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"The PM heard the cause of the veterans. I have great faith that he will now do the right thing for them."

National children’s charity Tree of Hope has created a brand-new role of a Remote Family Support Officer, to better support the families of sick and disabled children in the north of England.

Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children with healthcare needs all over the country and provides charity status to benefit from gift aid, corporate support whilst also providing donor reassurance.

With a head office in the south of England, the charity hopes that having a more locally-based support officer will help them better serve families with disabled childre in the area, and bring their service to more families and children who otherwise cannot get what they need via the NHS.

Katie Wotawa, 21, who grew up in Sheffield, took the Manchester-based post in February 2022, after studying Education and Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University.Katie said:

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‘I’m really enjoying the role – it’s been great to meet some of the families Tree of Hope support with fundraising, as well as suppliers of equipment and therapies who often refer families on to us.’

‘We are always happy to discuss how we can help and support families with their fundraising for children who need therapies or equipment which aren’t available on the NHS. It doesn’t matter where in the country you are. The best way to get in touch is by calling the families team on 01892 535525.’

 

Darren Bailey, 50, from Irlam, fundraises on a near-constant basis to help pay for his eleven-year-old daughter Freya’s specialised physiotherapy, as well as running his annual ‘Scooter Grannies’ event. This sees he and a group of his friends completing a 30 or so mile race on children’s scooters dressed as grannies.

Darren said:

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‘Katie has been helping me to get a street collection licence for this year’s event which will take place on June 25th, which has been invaluable when I have so much on my plate already. Tree of Hope have helped me with fundraising for several years now and it’s great to know that there’s now someone local who can give me a hand when needed.’

Georgina Lowry, head of marketing and family support at Tree of Hope said:

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'We’re delighted to have Katie onboard to help us deliver more help and support to families based in the north and is already proving valuable to families registered with us in helping their fundraising activities and spreading the word of Tree of Hope to agencies and suppliers. We very much hope this will give us a greater presence in regions so we can increase our support to more families and their children, so they can get the help and the support they really need.'

To donate to Freya’s fund, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/freyaslittlelegs/

For more information about Tree of Hope and the support the charity can offer, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk

A new Liverpool-led study, published in The Lancet Public Health, offers evidence that rising child poverty rates are contributing to an increase in children entering care in England.

Children in care face adverse health outcomes through the life-course, relative to their peers. In England, over the past decade, the stark rise in their number has coincided with rising child poverty, a key risk factor for children entering care.

Researchers from the University of Liverpool, together with colleagues at the University of Huddersfield, examined data from 147 local authorities including Salford, over a 5 year-period (2015-2020). Linking data on the number of children living in low income families, published by the Department for Work and Pensions, with data on rates of children entering care from the Department for Education, the researchers estimated the contribution of changing child poverty rates to changing care entry rates within areas.

Between 2015 and 2020, a 1 percentage point increase in child poverty was associated with 5 additional children entering care per 100,000, controlling for employment trends. The researchers estimated that, over the study period, 8.1% of care entries were linked to rising child poverty, equivalent to over 10,000 additional children. The short-run costs to local government alone are an estimated £1.4 billion.

Lead author Davara Bennett said:

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“This study offers evidence that rising child poverty is a major preventable driver of the increase in children being removed from the family home and taken into local authority care – one of the most drastic State interventions into families’ lives. In England, the double burden has fallen disproportionately on the North East and parts of the North West. National anti-poverty policies are key to safely tackling adverse trends in care entry. This would, in turn, relieve the unsustainable pressure on local authority budgets increasingly devoted to costly placements for children in care at the expense of preventative children’s services.”

Senior author Professor David Taylor-Robinson said:

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“This study shows that rising child poverty is putting unnecessary stresses and strains on families, increasing the risk of children being abused or neglected and ending up in the care system. This is all the more shocking since child poverty is preventable in a rich country like the UK.”

The study was funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) School for Public health Research (SPHR) and NIHR Public Health Policy research Unit (PHPRU).

The Chancellor, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, has today announced in Parliament a support package to help people with the cost-of-living crisis.

He has plans for a 25% windfall tax on the oil and gas industry which have seen huge profits since the war between Russia and Ukraine, which will be used as part of a £15bn package to help the UK households and the most vulnerable in society.

Sadly this does not include unpaid carers which has left them feeling disappointed and once again abandoned by the government.

Responding to the plan, and its implications for unpaid family carers across the UK, Carers Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, Kirsty McHugh, said:

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“We welcome, of course, the additional financial support for low-income households, including extra cost of living support for those on disability benefits.

“But we are extremely disappointed to learn that unpaid carers have been shut out of additional support yet again with Carer’s Allowance excluded from the benefits listed as qualifying for the extra £650 one-off payment for those in greatest need.

“Many of the UK’s seven million unpaid family carers bore the brunt of the pandemic. And before that were already experiencing a cost-of-living crisis because more than half of them had had to give up paid work because of their caring role. Now millions of those unpaid carers on Carer’s Allowance who were already experiencing acute financial hardship have been forgotten yet again by the Government, with only those on means tested benefits like Universal Credit qualifying for the additional £650 payment.

“The UK Government needs to urgently follow the example of the governments in Wales and Scotland. They have targeted unpaid carers who receive Carer’s Allowance there with extra financial support to recognise how their vital caring roles have all too often pushed them into financial hardship.  

“We also call on the UK Government to identify unpaid carers as a priority group in its guidance on new funding for local authorities on the Household Support Fund.

“For millions of unpaid carers, the support announced today will do little more than mitigate new pressures, rather than tackle pre-existing problems. It’s way past time for the UK Government to stop ignoring unpaid carers on Carer’s Allowance, and instead make them a priority group for the extra financial support they so desperately need, and deserve.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has told parliament that a temporary 25% windfall tax upon the profits of oil and gas companies will help towards giving UK households and vulnerable people more support with the rising cost of living, as he sets out what he said was a £15 billion support package.

This is a U-Turn by the Government which voted against a windfall tax on energy companies just last week.

Mr Sunak said that the Government can not solve every problem but need to ensure those struggling the hardest receive support.

So far the chancellor has disclosed that:

Every household in the UK is to get an energy bill discount of £400 which will not have to be paid back.

Those on the lowest incomes - around eight million people supported through welfare system - will receive one-off cost of living payment of £650 which will be paid in two lump sums.

Pensioners who receive the winter fuel payment will receive a one-off payment of £300

Six million people who receive disability living allowance will get a payment of £150

The planned energy bill loan has also been scrapped.

Mr Sunak said:

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"The oil and gas sector is making extraordinary profits not as the result of recent changes to risk taking or innovation or or efficiency as the result of surging global commodity prices driven in part by Russia's war.

"For that reason I am sympathetic to the argument to tax those profits fairly.

"It is possible to both tax extraordinary profits fairly and incentivise investment."

 

This latest move should see the most vulnerable households in the UK approximately £1,200 better off this year, although people are still facing the prospects of rising costs for food in supermarkets as well as increasing petrol prices as a result of the war in Ukraine.

The Government is expected to announce a £400 cut on energy bills for every home under a winter support package worth £10bn.

Additional help is expected for those on low incomes.

The package is expected to be funded partly by windfall taxation upon oil and gas companies which could raise and estimated 7bn.

Energy firm regulator Ofgem issued a stark warning earlier this week that a typical home energy bill could rise to as much as £2,800 from this October. This would plunge an estimated 12 million households into fuel poverty.

Opposition leaders have called for a windfall tax after energy companies were revealed to have made bumper profits following the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.

Shell is reported to have made a staggering 7bn in profits in the first quarter of 2022, whilst BP recorded a profit of 5bn in the same period.

The companies have warned that such a tax would result in a disruption of planning and investment and undermine investor confidence.

Campaign groups, however, say that the companies are raking in huge profits at the expense of hard working families who are struggling with rising costs of living across the board.

Ofgem has further warned that should Russia choose to disrupt supplies in the future, the price cap could rise even further beyond £2,800.

Although the UK only imports approximately 5% of its gas from Russia, it is still vulnerable from price increases per unit due to supply and demand taking effect as other countries seek to bolster supplies as they seek less reliance on Russian oil.

Ofgem Chief Jonathan Brearley, told MPs that the price cap currently at £1,971, is expected to increase dramatically due to what he described as a volatile market. This would mean that the cap could reach £2,800.

He said the price rises were a "once in a generation event not seen since the oil crisis in the 1970s".

This will bring little relief to many within Salford who are already struggling to balance eating with heating as the cost of living crisis continues to raise food and fuel prices across the board.

Data released earlier in the week suggests that many areas in the City are already classed as having high levels of child poverty, with Ordsall the worst to suffer.

War in the Ukraine is being cited as the main reason for the increase in costs and at the moment it looks like the conflict is set to continue for sometime to come.

Although the UK only receives 5% of its oil and gas from Russia, demand across the EU on other sources has lead to a supply and demand situation which has saw those prices rise to unprecedented levels.

Parliament voted against a windfall tax on energy companies last week which could have helped lower household energy bills, arguing that any such tax would damage investor confidence in the industry.

On Thursday 19^th May 2022, Isle of Man Post Office will issue a set of twelve stamps marking 100 years of the BBC. The stamp set has been designed in collaboration with BBC Studios to celebrate many of the BBC’s iconic programmes – from Doctor Who and Match of the Day to Blue Peter and Strictly Come Dancing.

The British Broadcasting Company was formed on 18th October 1922 by a group of leading wireless manufacturers including Marconi. Manxman Sir Frank Gill played a vital role in the formation of the BBC, convincing six organisations to form under the British Broadcasting Corporation entity. Daily broadcasting by the BBC began in Marconi’s London studio on 14th November 1922. It is now the world's longest-running, continuous public service broadcaster, and the first to mark its centenary.

The topics were selected by Robert Seatter, Head of BBC History and Glazier Design following research into the programmes most popular with Manx residents. They represent a diverse anthology of the BBC’s broadcasting:

Stamp 1 – The TARDIS from Doctor Who, the longest running sci-fi series in the world, underpinned by some intergalactic explanation: Time and Relative Dimensions in Space.

Stamp 2 – The glitter ball trophy from the light entertainment series Strictly Come Dancing, together with Bruce Forsyth’s immortal catchphrase: Keep Dancing!

Stamp 3 – The Blue Peter badge from the longest-running children’s show in the world, with its famous instruction: Here’s one I made earlier.

Stamp 4 – The BBC News globe, symbol of international communication, with its on-air announcement: Here is the News from the BBC.

Stamp 5 – A heritage Match of the Day ident from the much-loved BBC Sport programme, together with the memorable World Cup 1966 commentary: They think it’s all over... it is now.

Stamp 6 – A stunning alpine parrot from the BBC Natural History programming, championed by Sir David Attenborough, with his important global message: The future of life on earth depends on us now.

Stamp 7 – Blackadder’s ruff with eponymous adder emerging from it from the BBC Comedy series of the same name, together with his wily words: I have a cunning plan!

Stamp 8 – The bust of Queen Victoria from the Queen Vic pub in Albert Square, as featured in the nation’s favourite soap, EastEnders, accompanied by its cliff-hanger theme tune: Doof-Doof-Doof-Doof-Doof-Doof-Doof-Doof-Doof!

Stamp 9 – A musical symbol of the BBC Proms, the largest classical music festival in the world, with its open-hearted message: Welcome to the BBC Proms from the Royal Albert Hall.

Stamp 10 – Just one of eight Desert Islands Discs, the show that was recently voted the best radio show ever, with the immortal instruction: Eight tracks, a book and a luxury.

Stamp 11 – The Bitesize logo, celebrating the ground-breaking education service for young people, linked to the words of the BBC mission: Inform, educate, entertain!

Stamp 12 – The iconic Sky at Night presenter Sir Patrick Moore remembered here, silhouetted against the moon, with the words: World’s longest running TV show with the same presenter.

The ‘100 Years of Our BBC’ stamp set was designed by Glazier Design in collaboration with BBC Studios. The stamps contain iconic images from 100 years of world-leading broadcasting, representing comedy to soaps, news to the environment and sport to children’s entertainment. The stamps feature the multi-coloured BBC 100 ident that has been created for the BBC 100^th anniversary, as well as subtle graphic references and quotes related to the programme pictured on the stamp.

Robert Seatter, Head of BBC History said:

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“The BBC is delighted to be marking one hundred years of the BBC with this special set of anniversary stamps for the Isle of Man. Selecting just twelve moments was extremely hard, but we hope we have captured something for everyone – across radio, television and online, and connecting with the range of genres from news and factual programming to comedy, children’s, and entertainment.”

Maxine Cannon, Stamps and Coins General Manager, Isle of Man Post Office said,

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“The BBC has an indelible place in the hearts of the people of the Isle of Man. 100 years ago Manxman Sir Frank Gill played an integral role in its foundation and today we are well served by the BBC. They maintain a permanent office that generates content for Isle of Man/Ellan Vannin – BBC, Northwest Tonight, BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC Radio Lancashire and BBC Radio Cumbria as well as a feed direct to the BBC when the occasion demands it. Alongside these specific programmes is the rich range of programmes we have all grown up with and continue to enjoy, informing, educating and entertaining us for an extraordinary century.

The collection can be ordered from: www.iomstamps.com/bbc

An unnamed MP in his 50's has been arrested on suspicion on rape and sexual assault charges and is said to currently being held in custody.

The charges relate to a report made in January 2020 that the MP had carried out the alleged offences between 2002 and 2009 in London.

The MP has reportedly been told not to attend parliament whilst the investigation is underway.

A spokesperson for the Conservative Party, said:

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"The Chief Whip has asked that the MP concerned does not attend the Parliamentary Estate while an investigation is ongoing," said a Conservative whips office spokeswoman.

"Until the conclusion of the investigation we will not be commenting further."

 

The Met said: 

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"A man was arrested on suspicion of indecent assault, sexual assault, rape, abuse of position of trust and misconduct in a public office."

The latest allegations have been revealed on the same day Prime Minister Boris Johnson told his ministers to focus on cracking down on crime.

Bakers, Greggs, have warned that the cost of a pasty could be set to rise along with many of its other products due to fears of a shortage of wheat and sunflower oil caused by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Additionally soaring energy costs have added to pressure on the baked goods chain which was already struggling to regain ground following the end of covid restrictions.

Higher staffing and other ingredients price increases have also pushed up operating costs.

Although the chain has no immediate plans to increase its prices, it is carefully monitoring the ongoing dynamic situation as well as moves from its competitors.

An increase of up to 10p on its most popular items such as pasties and sausage rolls has not been ruled out having already added a similar amount on many products at the start of the year.

Roger Whiteside, the outgoing chief executive, said:

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“Cost pressures are currently more significant than our initial expectations and, as ever, we will work to mitigate the impact of this on customers, however given this dynamic we do not currently expect material profit progression in the year ahead.”

Despite its woes, Greggs is still on track to open up to 150 new stores each year despite a recent share slide of 6%.

The Metropolitan Police have issued more than 50 new fines to Downing Street staff in the wake of breaches of lockdown rules which the Government itself set.

The identities of those issued the fines has not yet been revealed but number 10 promised to reveal if the PM himself receives any further fines after being handed one over breaches at a lockdown party held at Number 10 in 2020. Downing Street have announced that Mr Johnson did not receive any new fines this time around.

Up to 12 gatherings are currently being investigated by police, three of which the PM is known to have attended.

Opposition leader Sir Kier Starmer is himself under investigation by Durham police over what has been termed as 'Beergate' , he has denied any rule breaking after being filmed drinking beer in an MP's office during lockdown. The Labour leader has pledged to step down from leadership should he be charged.

Meanwhile the Liberal Democrats who made a triumphant comeback during this years local elections have described the extent of fines and rule breaking as 'staggering'.

Last month the Prime Minister apologised to Parliament and said he did not know the gathering was in breach of the rules he himself had set.

These latest charges bring the total to over 100.

Ministers are reportedly drawing up plans to axe the BBC's £159-per-year licence fee in what would be the biggest overhaul since the fee was introduced in 1946, according to a 46-page white paper.

With more people now turning to online streaming services, the broadcaster has seen a considerable decline in funding as households opt not to hold a TV licence if they do not watch Live TV or BBC streaming services.

The Government is said to be now looking to overhaul the funding model for the public service broadcaster to bring it more inline with how other countries abroad fund their own services, such as turning it into a subscription service.

A think-tank will now be setup to explore other methods of funding ahead of the expiration of the current Royal Charter which is set to expire in 2027. This would mean that the broadcaster could be forced to run ads and program sponsorships on its domestic channels for the first time in its history.

Critics of the licence fee have welcomed the move which would mean that criminal prosecution for non-payment would no longer be a threat.

The BBC which has a regional presence in Salford at MediaCityUk has previously seen itself come under scrutiny over the abolition of free TV licences for all over-75s, with a grace period on payment because of the Covid-19 pandemic having ended on July 31st last year.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has promised a new ‘golden age’ of television with her new Media Bill.

Home secretary Priti Patel is to pass a special order on licencing laws today so that pubs and clubs can stay open long during the Queens 70th Jubilee celebration weekend.

The temporary amendments to the licensing hours will come into effect from Thursday 2 June until Saturday 4 June, with hours extended from 11pm to 1am.

Her Majesty is the longest reigning monarch after becoming Queen on the 6th February 1952 after the death of her father King George VI. The Queens own coronation came more than a year later on June 2nd 1953.

The laws will be revoked after the celebration period has passed.

Landlords are looking forward to the Jubilee weekend as they have suffered badly from the effects of closures and restrictions due to the pandemic.

Ms Patel said:

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“Her Majesty The Queen is an example to us all – she has served the UK and the Commonwealth with the utmost dignity, steadfastness, and resolve throughout her remarkable reign.

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“The Platinum Jubilee is a truly historic occasion, and it is right that the country should mark this celebration in a special way.

“This extension will enable families, friends and communities across England and Wales to raise a glass to toast Her Majesty The Queen and mark her incredible service to our country.”

 

Police in Portugal have confirmed that convicted rapist Christian Brueckner has been formally appointed as an 'Arguido' in the case of missing Madeline McCann, a term used in the country for an official named suspect.

The 44-year-old who is already in custody in Germany for the 2005 rape of a 72-year-old woman in the same town from which 3-year-old Madeline went missing just two years later in 2007.

He has been formally notified that Police in Portugal have taken the steps to name him as an Arguido, although he has not yet been formally charged. It is thought that the reason for acting now is due to Portugal's 15-year statute of limitations about to expire on the case.

Brueckner, an already convicted child abuser had allegedly made a confession to a friend in which he details snatching the youngster as she slept in her bed within the Praia da Luz apartment.

Both parents had left Madeline unattended along with two younger siblings whilst they socialised with friends at a nearby bar in the resort. A Europe wide search soon followed her disappearance but to no avail. They were also both named as Arguido's in the case themselves but the status was lifted in 2008 after the case was archived by the Portuguese.

Phone records place Christian at the same resort on the evening of Madeline's disappearance, a luxury campervan he was living in at the time is now the focus of a forensic search for clues. Police in Germany already consider him to be the prime suspect in the case.

It is now possible that Brueckner who is serving a 7-year sentence in a German prison, could be extradited to face questioning and possible charges in Portugal. He has denied involvement.

The government is implementing new rules such as making it “clearly illegal” to pay someone to write or host a fake review in a bid to shield the public from rip-offs.

The legislation will provide protection for shoppers’ savings clubs – where consumers can pay for goods and services in instalments throughout the year – which are not currently covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Plans also include making it clearly illegal to pay someone to write or host a fake review, so people are not cheated by bogus ratings, and clearer rules for businesses to make it easier for consumers to opt out of subscriptions so they are not stuck paying for things they no longer want.

Under the new rules, businesses must provide clearer information to consumers before they enter a subscription contract, send a reminder that a free trial or low-cost introductory offer is coming to an end and ensure consumers can leave a contract in a “straightforward, cost-effective and timely way”.

The average UK household spends around £900 each year influenced by online reviews and spends £60 on unwanted subscriptions.

Prepayment schemes like Christmas savings clubs will have to fully safeguard customers’ money through insurance or trust accounts.

It means even if the company goes bust, shoppers’ money will still be protected and it aims to prevent issues such as the collapse of Christmas savings club Farepak in 2006, when thousands of customers lost money they had been saving all year to spend on their family Christmas.

To beef up the enforcement of consumer protections, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will be able to directly enforce consumer law, including new powers to fine firms up to 10% of their global turnover for mistreating customers, or up to £300,000 in the case of an individual. This replaces going through a court process which can take years.

Consumer Minister Paul Scully said:

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”We’re making sure consumer protections keep pace with a modern, digitised economy.

“No longer will you visit a five star-reviewed restaurant only to find a burnt lasagne or get caught in a subscription in which there’s no end in sight. Consumers deserve better and the majority of businesses out there doing the right thing deserve protection from rogue traders undermining them.”

Citizens Advice director of policy, Matthew, Upton said: “With pressure piling on household budgets, it’s good to see action that’ll make it easier for people to protect their cash.

“The measures to deal with subscription traps are particularly welcome. We hope these will help bring unscrupulous traders to book and stop shoppers being duped by underhand tactics.”

 

CMA chief executive, Andrea Coscelli, said:

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“This is an important milestone towards strengthening the CMA’s ability to hold companies to account, promote fair and open markets, and protect UK consumers.

“The CMA stands ready to assist the government to ensure that legislation can be brought forward as quickly as possible, so consumers and businesses can benefit.”

 

The new measures will apply in England, Scotland and Wales as consumer protection is devolved in Northern Ireland.