Piers Morgan wrong about Ukraine having ‘Eurovision sympathy vote’ says Hull expert

The festive season has seen an unexpected twist, as Keir Starmer finds himself at the heart of a viral Christmas parody song titled "Freezing This Christmas." This tune, which pokes fun at Labour's winter fuel cuts, has struck a chord with many who feel the effects of these cuts, especially pensioners. Created by Chris Middleton, the song cleverly parodies Mud's classic, "Lonely This Christmas," and is dedicated to raising funds for Age UK. Middleton's motivation stems from a widespread sentiment of betrayal felt by many towards Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Following the decision to slash Winter Fuel Payments to pensioners, Middleton and his musical collaborators, “Sir Starmer and the Granny Harmers,” have captured a public outcry in a playful yet poignant manner. The song's popularity is growing, as it resonates with individuals recalling how pensioners, after a lifetime of contributions, seem to be neglected in their time of need. The satirical Christmas parody has been making waves across the UK, swiftly capturing the public's imagination. This parody, playing cleverly on Mud's classic festive tune, "Lonely This Christmas," delivers a poignant critique of current government policies, specifically targeting cuts to Winter Fuel Payments. These cuts have sparked significant concern, as they directly impact pensioners, a group already grappling with rising energy costs during the colder months. The mastermind behind this parody, Chris Middleton, has crafted something more than just a song—he’s ignited a voice of protest that speaks to the heart of the public's distress. Middleton's motivation for writing...

In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing struggle against illegal Channel crossings, a man believed to be a "major supplier" of boats and engines to organized people-smuggling gangs has been apprehended in Amsterdam. This arrest follows a coordinated operation involving law enforcement agencies from the UK, the Netherlands, and Belgium, highlighting the international effort required to address this complex issue. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed this development as a "significant piece of the jigsaw" in the broader efforts to combat unlawful Channel crossings. He emphasized the importance of utilizing counter-terrorism tactics to disrupt the activities of people-smuggling networks before they reach British shores. The newly formed UK Border Security Command (BSC) reflects this approach, with enhanced capabilities to identify and dismantle these networks by freezing their financial assets and tracing their operations. As of November 11, 2024, over 32,900 individuals have crossed the Channel to the UK in small boats this year alone. This figure is already surpassing the 2023 total of 29,437, pointing to a rising trend in recent years. In 2022, the record for annual crossings stood at 45,755, making it the highest since records began in 2018. Collectively, more than 147,000 people have crossed to the UK in small boats since 2018. The demographic profiles of those making the perilous journey reveal that Afghans constitute the largest group, followed by Iranians, Eritreans, Vietnamese, and Turks. A significant portion, over 80%, of these travelers are male, with approximately 40% aged between 25 and 39 years old. The journey...

The talk of rising council tax bills is becoming a reality for millions across the UK, as recent reports suggest that the average household could see an increase exceeding £100 next year. Such a development demands urgent attention, analysis, and a deeper understanding of what this means for ordinary citizens, local governance, and the economic landscape of the nation. The proposed rise in council tax bills is more than just a minor administrative adjustment—it signals a shift in the financial responsibilities of local councils and the everyday people they serve. For many families, an extra £100 or more obligation can signify the difference between financial comfort and distress, especially amidst a backdrop of rising living costs and economic uncertainty. So why exactly is this happening? The reasons are complex but largely center around funding shortages for local services. Councils have long been grappling with budget cuts and increased demand for services, and a higher council tax seems to be the proposed solution to bridge funding gaps. Local communities bear the brunt when council tax bills rise. The immediate impact is financial strain on household budgets. However, the broader implications permeate various dimensions of community life. Social care, education, transportation, and housing are all sectors that rely heavily on local funding.  Without adequate revenue, councils face tough decisions—cutting services or inconveniencing taxpayers with higher bills. While some argue that higher taxes are necessary to maintain service levels, this perspective overlooks the financial stress that increased taxes place on low-income families and the broader societal...

There Are Thousands Of Train Tickets Available From Nots To Skegness For Just £7.70 People looking for a cheap day out can grab a bargain thanks to East Midlands Railway.   Today, East Midlands Railway (EMR) has announced there are thousands of cheap tickets available for people wishing to travel to Skegness for a day out or a holiday. The train operator has said they have 3,500 Advanced Single tickets available to and from Skegness for just £7.70. Customers are being urged to book the cheap tickets as quickly as possible to avoid disappointment. People looking for a day out in Skegness or a holiday to Skegness can book the cheap train tickets up to 12 weeks in advance. At the same time, they can book a return journey. The bargain train tickets don’t include being allocated a specific seat. For people wishing to go to Skegness on the train with children under the age of five are being reminded that when accompanied a fare-paying parent or guidance, the child will go free. Philippa Cresswell, Customer Service Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We are delighted to offer these cut-price advance tickets to Skegness this summer. “By booking early, our customers can secure the best deals and ensure they have a guaranteed spot on their chosen train. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity and enjoy a lovely trip to the beach. “Remember, children under five travel for free with a fare-paying adult, making it an even more affordable family outing.” Skegness has become one of the...

A Protest Over The Way Pensioners Are Treated Has Gone Viral On TikTok The TikTok video calls for changes. The TikTok video wants the new government to look at reducing the age of state pensions and giving pensioners a living wage.   A TikTok video released this week has gone viral after TikTok users agreed that the state pension needs to change. The Protest TikTok video received more than 80,000 views within two days of it going live. Have Your Say Now, which is a TikTok channel tackling important issues, feels strongly that the state pension scheme is out of date. A spokesman for Have Your Say Now said: “The state pension scheme is years outdated and needs to be looked at. Millions of pensioners are struggling due to the old system.” Within the first day of the TikTok video, more than 200 people commented on the video and agreed that the state pension scheme was out of date.  State Pension TikTok Video Has Had More Than 200 Comments“Pensioners should not be forced to choose between heating and eating,” commented one user, encapsulating the sentiment echoed across the platform. Another user remarked, “It’s heartbreaking to see our elders struggling after contributing so much to society. It's time for real change.” This powerful video highlights the struggles that millions of pensioners go through each day. It looks at the National Minimum National Wage and compares it to the state pension Have Your Say Now TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@haveyoursaynow/which posted the TikTok video is asking how pensioners can survive on a...