Inside plans for national memorial to Queen Elizabeth
Renowned architect Lord Foster has won the bid to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II, a project set to transform St James's Park.
The memorial will feature a statue of the Queen at a new Queen Elizabeth II Place, a Prince Philip Gate with a statue of Philip, and a 'family of gardens'.
A central element is a translucent, glass unity bridge inspired by the Queen's wedding tiara, symbolising her as a unifying force.
Lord Foster described his 'light touch' design as aiming to enhance the park while preserving its familiar feel, with completion expected by 2026.
The winning design was selected by the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, and Lord Foster stated that any past disagreements with the King are now insignificant.
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The Sun
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- The Sun
How to boost your chances of winning a £2million scratchcard jackpot and the ones to NEVER buy
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Track down the odds 4 Scratchcard odds can be found on the back of the slip, on the game procedures document or the National Lottery website. They can also be found on in-store screens at the till in shops. Typically, the more expensive the scratchcard, the better the odds - but this isn't always the case. The odds of winning on the Sapphire 7s Doubler scratchcard, which costs £2, is one in 3.37, whereas the odds of winning the Diamond Maze scratchcard, which is £5, is one in 3.58. Odds show how likely you are to win any particular prize - the lower the number, the better the odds. This means you have a better chance of winning with the £2 game compared to the more expensive £5 game. Of course, there's no guarantee you will win on your scratchcard, even if you buy many to increase your odds of winning. 4 Patrick said: "If you buy a scratchcard with odds of one in four, and you buy four scratchcards, you'd assume you get a winner. 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The Sun
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- The Sun
I'm fuming with my selfish neighbour, where he's put a satellite dish is unreasonable & opening my window is a nightmare
A WOMAN was left fuming after her 'selfish' neighbour appeared to install a satellite dish right outside her window blocking the view of the garden. The upset woman claimed that he had put the device in a spot which didn't hinder his own view outside. 2 On her TikTok account, she showed photos of the offending dish attached to their connected house. She shared: 'POV: Neighbour enters his selfish era and puts the satellite dish where you look out, not where he does." The woman also showed the view from her garden and how closely the dish appeared to be installed to her window. She then asked internet users if she was overreacting to be upset - and it has sparked a debate online. One person pointed out: 'If a neighbor attaches something to their house that extends over your property line without your permission, it's considered an encroachment.' Another added: 'That's on your side lol he can't do that.' And many people suggested ways that she could take petty revenge. One offered up: 'Ok, so here's what you'll do- put some tin foil on your window, across the whole pane. 'Then open it right across the satellite dish. 'He won't get any reception whatsoever, - then he can move it, his choice. Your kids are breaking law if they kick their ball over neighbour's fence, High Court rules after couple sued next door 'This is level 1 petty. We have 52 stages remaining if needed….' However, some people said she take a more mature approach. One said: 'Did you try talking to him about the overhang? Maybe he just didn't realise and you're being a Karen not talking to him first about it.' In the UK, if your neighbour installs something on your property boundary without your permission, you generally have rights to address the situation. 2 This is particularly relevant if the item is physically attached to your property, like a satellite dish on your wall, or encroaches into your airspace or land. The first and most recommended step is to talk to your neighbour as many disputes can be resolved amicably through calm discussion. However, if direct communication fails, you can send a formal letter (ideally from a solicitor) stating that the item is on your property without permission and requesting its removal within a reasonable timeframe. I had a two-year bin war with my next door neighbour Gemma Smith and Sophie Wood were engaged in a weekly feud for a year over their wheelie bins. When Gemma moved next door to Sophie, 34, who is unemployed, in November 2020 they were civil to one another. Gemma, who is single and doesn't work due to stress, says: 'Sophie seemed nice and we'd stop and exchange pleasantries. 'But it all changed at the beginning of 2022, when Sophie's bin was full and she put her rubbish bag in mine. 'I took it out and put it on top of her bin. 'It fell off, gulls pecked at it and there was rubbish everywhere.' Both women refused to clear up the mess, claiming it was the other one's fault. Gemma says: 'I felt so angry. 'There was cat litter spread all over my drive — it was absolutely disgusting and we ended up shouting at each other. 'We were both as bad as each other — we'd walk past each other and I'd tell her she was a lazy cow and to clean up after herself. 'We'd scream insults at each other." Within six months Sophie had set up a CCTV camera and threatened to report Gemma to the council. In retaliation, Gemma set up the baby monitor — which can record video — to try to pin more wrongdoing on Sophie. Then last July Sophie spotted Gemma in tears on her doorstep following a burglary at her home. Gemma says: 'Sophie came straight round and asked if there was anything she could do. 'We are now the best of friends and help each other out all the time."
The Guardian
an hour ago
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UK energy meter switch-off delayed amid fears over heating and higher bills
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It uses the long-wave radio frequency to switch meters between tariffs and can also turn heating and hot water systems on and off. Suppliers had been given a deadline of 30 June to transfer customers away from the old technology, but problems in the transition – reported by the Guardian last month – led to fears that 300,000 homes could end up without a functioning meter. Readers have continued to report problems obtaining an appointment or problems with replacements. Some were told a smart meter would not work in their home because of poor connectivity or even that there was currently no suitable tech that would integrate with their home set-up. 'We've had three visits from Ovo engineers, all of whom advise a smart meter cannot be installed as the signal is too weak,' one married couple, who wished to remain anonymous, living near Chichester in West Sussex, said. 'This has been going on for about 15 months.' Energy UK, the energy industry trade body, said there are now technical solutions for every home. If a customer has previously been told a replacement is not possible, they should recontact their supplier, it added. These solutions include a pre-programmed smart meter. After being contacted by the Guardian this is the solution being offered to the couple. It can be remotely switched to smart when signal strength improves. Ovo said: 'We have solutions in place for exceptional cases like this and remain committed to supporting them in scheduling an appointment to replace the meter.' Other consumers are worried about what the switch off could mean for their energy bill. The old-fashioned RTS systems often include panel heaters or immersion heaters in water tanks that charge overnight when electricity is cheaper. 'My advice to anyone with storage heaters contemplating a change to a smart meter would be: don't,' said Bryan Jones, who lives in Redruth in Cornwall. Having his meter replaced by EDF 18 months ago (the network was originally due to be switched off in March 2024) was, he said, 'one of the worst financial decisions I have ever taken'. 'Initially my smart meter was set up incorrectly to charge all units at day rates,' he said. 'This was subsequently corrected but the adjusted smart meter then malfunctioned in different ways.' 'A recent review of my electricity usage between January and April 2025 has revealed that a third of my night units have been charged as day units, due to the smart meter overriding my heater settings.' Two appointments to replace the meter were missed by the supplier. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Jones is now on a priority list to have his meter changed. After the Guardian contacted EDF it apologised for the missed appointments and applied compensation. It is now investigating the billing errors. Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, said 'no customer should be financially disadvantaged' as a result of the swap. Suppliers should be 'offering the same or equivalent tariffs after their RTS meter has been upgraded', it added. The meters are replaced at a rate of 1,800 a day but Ofgem wants the work to 'go faster' still. The government said the energy minister, Ofgem and Energy UK will meet fortnightly to review the progress of the phase-out, with particular attention paid to Scotland where about a third of the remaining meters are located. Charlotte Friel, the Ofgem director for retail pricing and systems, said the cautious approach being adopted 'should reassure customers' but it 'remains crucial that these meters are replaced urgently'. 'It's vital to engage with your supplier when offered an appointment,' she added. Simon Francis, the coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said the RTS switch-off process was doomed to failure after it became clear that the deadline was simply unachievable. 'We now need to see a plan published that sets out how the gradual switch-off will take place, including which regions will be affected and when,' he said. 'Crucially, we also need firm and binding reassurances that no customers will be left without heating or hot water, and that no household will face higher bills as a result of the changes.'
