Mirror's Daily Digest - Winter fuel payment U-turn to school run brawl
In this Monday's Mirror Daily Digest, we've pulled together the biggest stories of the day from the dramatic winter fuel payment U-turn to the love triangle school run brawl
Welcome to the Mirror's Daily Digest, where we pull together all the best stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Health teams and more. Today, we're bringing you the biggest stories from inside the newsroom, with the latest on the major winter fuel payment U-turn from our Politics reporters, through to the primary school playground bust-up.
Our Health team has been closely following the latest on the new coronavirus strain NB.1.8.1, following reports of unusual symptoms, while our Showbiz team has covered Kerry Katona 's latest comments on ex-husband Brian McFadden.
Major Winter fuel payment U-turn as millions to get up to £300
At lunchtime, our Politics team broke the news that nine million pensioners will now be eligible for winter fuel payments following the Government's dramatic U-turn. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that OAPs with an income of £35,000 or below in England and Wales will receive the benefit this winter. It is a major uplift from the current £11,500 cut-off point.
This means that more than three-quarters of pensioners will receive the support, which is worth up to £300. Keir Starmer faced a damaging backlash after last year introducing a means-tested system for the winter fuel allowance, which had previously been a universal benefit. Around 10 million pensioners lost the support last winter.
Ms Reeves said: 'Targeting Winter Fuel Payments was a tough decision, but the right decision because of the inheritance we had been left by the previous government. It is also right that we continue to means-test this payment so that it is targeted and fair, rather than restoring eligibility to everyone including the wealthiest.
'But we have now acted to expand the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment so no pensioner on a lower income will miss out. This will mean over three quarters of pensioners receiving the payment in England and Wales later this winter.'
Manchester stabbing victim, 14, pictured in heartbreaking tribute
In a heartbreaking update, our News team reported that the 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in Manchester has been named locally as Ibrahima Seck. The teenager was attacked on Nevin Road, New Moston, on Sunday before running into a stranger's house in a bid to get help.
Mortally wounded, he repeatedly begged to be saved and said: "I don't want to die". A kind resident took Ibrahima in and desperately tried to save his life by giving him CPR, but he sadly died in hospital of his injuries. His father was seen hugging the couple who took the boy in and tried to help him.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they have arrested two boys, aged 14 and 16 on suspicion of murder. The force said: "Early investigations established the identities of possible suspects and after attending a nearby address, a 37-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
"A short time later, two people – males aged 14 and 16 – were arrested on suspicion of murder. A further 14-year-old female has been arrested overnight on suspicion of assisting an offender. All four remain in custody for questioning."
Kerry Katona's nine-word statement in fresh plea to ex Brian McFadden
Meanwhile, Kerry Katona has revealed that she 'wishes' she and ex-husband Brian McFadden had stayed friends following their split in 2004. The famous couple tied the knot in a stunning Ireland ceremony in 2002, before breaking up after two years of marriage. They share two children together, Molly McFadden, 23, and Lilly McFadden, 21, but have had a jaded relationship since splitting, reports our Showbiz team.
Writing in her weekly New! Magazine column, Kerry penned: 'I was sad to read about Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson's split, I thought they made a nice couple. It's amazing how Chris and his ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow have managed to co-parent their kids and stay friends. I take my hat off to anyone who can do that.
"I wish Brian and I could have stayed friends. Molly went to watch him at a festival last week and I would have loved to have gone with her. Brian's fiancée is lovely and they've got a gorgeous little one. It would be great to have a better relationship.'
Covid alert as doctors issue warning about new variant
In other news, our Heath team has been following the latest on the new coronavirus strain following a spike in cases. The variant, labelled NB.1.8.1, reportedly comes with unusual symptoms, with many people experiencing gastrointestinal problems.
While experts have warned that the new strain, which has already been flagged in the UK, US and Australia, can cause issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and heartburn. Patients who experience bloating, constipation and abdominal pain could also find themselves with Covid-19.
The World Health Organization (WHO) added the variant to its official watch list and suggested that it is more transmissible than other strains. However, there isn't any evidence to indicate that it causes more acute illnesses.
According to WHO, the strain first appeared in January and by late April it was responsible for around 10.7% of global infections, up from just 2.5% a month earlier. The strain has seen a rapid rise in Ireland in recent weeks.
Love triangle sees mums trade blows on the playground
Finally, two mums were left with black eyes after a school run brawl saw them punching and slapping at each other in a primary school playground as shocked parents looked on, reports our News team.
A c ourt heard how the pair had a fight in front of kids and other parents at a primary school playground as they were picking up their children from afternoon classes. Mother of four Natasha Sherlock, 29, accused Samantha Rylance, 28, of sleeping with her ex-boyfriend as parents were collecting the children from Sommerville Primary School in Seacombe, Wallasey, the court heard.
The pair had previously been friends, the court was told, but fell out after Sherlock claimed Rylance had a one night stand with her former partner. Sherlock was said to have shouted: 'Do not f***ing talk to my kids' at Rylance after her daughter waved at the mother of three before the pair began scuffling on the tarmac.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
35 minutes ago
- Leader Live
MP urges Government to protect live music venues from new neighbours' complaints
Dame Caroline Dinenage has proposed letting decision-makers take into account existing properties, when they grant or refuse permission for new projects. The Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman warned that 'live music's in crisis, the Government needs to be listening' as she proposed a new clause to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Dame Caroline, the Conservative MP for Gosport, told the Commons: 'It isn't about venues versus developers. 'It's about making sure we have a balance right between building enough good homes and making sure the places we're building keep the things that make life worth living. 'In Westminster and our constituencies, everyone agrees that our high streets have been in decline, so it's vitally important that we protect the places that are special to us, our constituents and our communities, the places that provide a platform for our creators and our world-beating creative industries where we can make memories, celebrate and have fun.' Dame Caroline called on the Government to let town halls and ministers rule on plans 'subject to such conditions that would promote the integration of the proposed development of land with any existing use of land, including such conditions as may be necessary to mitigate the impact of noise on the proposed development'. A similar principle already exists in national planning rules, known as the National Planning Policy Framework, to ease pressure on existing businesses which 'should not have unreasonable restrictions placed on them as a result' of newer builds. But the Music Venue Trust's annual report last year warned that, in 2023, 22.4% of venues closed as a result of 'operational issues', compared with 42.1% of its members reporting 'financial issues'. The Trust identified noise abatement orders or other neighbour disputes as being among the issues which have resulted in permanent closures. 'Consistent application of the 'agent of change' principles will de-risk and speed up planning and development,' Dame Caroline told MPs, and added that her proposal was 'good for venues' and 'good for developers and new neighbours'. She said the law change could help authorities stop 'expensive and often pointless bun fights' when neighbours complain about noise. She continued: 'It'll make sure the needs of an existing cultural venue are considered from the start and it will save developers from late-stage objections and lengthy expensive legal disputes down the line.' Dame Caroline said music venues 'are the foundation of our world-beating creative industries and also very important for our local communities', and that they had been placed 'under threat, including from our disruptive planning system and our onerous licensing regime'. The Commons select committee recommended last year that the 'agent of change' principle should be put on a statutory footing, to protect grassroots music venues.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
MP urges Government to protect live music venues from new neighbours' complaints
Dame Caroline Dinenage has proposed letting decision-makers take into account existing properties, when they grant or refuse permission for new projects. The Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman warned that 'live music's in crisis, the Government needs to be listening' as she proposed a new clause to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Dame Caroline, the Conservative MP for Gosport, told the Commons: 'It isn't about venues versus developers. 'It's about making sure we have a balance right between building enough good homes and making sure the places we're building keep the things that make life worth living. 'In Westminster and our constituencies, everyone agrees that our high streets have been in decline, so it's vitally important that we protect the places that are special to us, our constituents and our communities, the places that provide a platform for our creators and our world-beating creative industries where we can make memories, celebrate and have fun.' Dame Caroline Dinenage is urging the Government to let town halls and ministers rule on plans (PA) Dame Caroline called on the Government to let town halls and ministers rule on plans 'subject to such conditions that would promote the integration of the proposed development of land with any existing use of land, including such conditions as may be necessary to mitigate the impact of noise on the proposed development'. A similar principle already exists in national planning rules, known as the National Planning Policy Framework, to ease pressure on existing businesses which 'should not have unreasonable restrictions placed on them as a result' of newer builds. But the Music Venue Trust's annual report last year warned that, in 2023, 22.4% of venues closed as a result of 'operational issues', compared with 42.1% of its members reporting 'financial issues'. The Trust identified noise abatement orders or other neighbour disputes as being among the issues which have resulted in permanent closures. 'Consistent application of the 'agent of change' principles will de-risk and speed up planning and development,' Dame Caroline told MPs, and added that her proposal was 'good for venues' and 'good for developers and new neighbours'. She said the law change could help authorities stop 'expensive and often pointless bun fights' when neighbours complain about noise. She continued: 'It'll make sure the needs of an existing cultural venue are considered from the start and it will save developers from late-stage objections and lengthy expensive legal disputes down the line.' Dame Caroline said music venues 'are the foundation of our world-beating creative industries and also very important for our local communities', and that they had been placed 'under threat, including from our disruptive planning system and our onerous licensing regime'. The Commons select committee recommended last year that the 'agent of change' principle should be put on a statutory footing, to protect grassroots music venues.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Fears of damage to nature from Labour planning reforms overblown, minister says
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook hit out at criticism that the plans would allow developers to get away with damaging habitats if they contributed to a nature restoration fund, dubbed 'cash to trash'. Mr Pennycook dismissed concerns several times, including calling them 'misrepresentation', 'patently false', and saying some critics had 'flagrant misconceptions' of what the Bill would do. Campaigning groups, including the National Trust, RSPB, Wildlife Trusts and Marine Conservation Society have warned they believe the reforms will significantly weaken environmental law. They said it could allow developers to effectively disregard environmental rules, and increase the risk of sewage in rivers, flooding and the loss of woods and parks. It came as Labour faced a potential rebellion in the voting lobbies on Monday over the fears. One Labour MP encouraged the Government to 'rescue something positive from the wreckage of this legislation' as he tabled an amendment. However, Mr Pennycook said the current 'status quo' between the environment and development was not working. In turn, he said, proposed changes would lead to a 'win-win' for both. He said: 'The nature restoration fund will do exactly as its name suggests. It will restore, not harm nature. It is a smart planning reform designed to unlock and accelerate housing and infrastructure delivery while improving the state of nature across the country.' He later told MPs: 'I feel obliged to tackle a number of the most flagrant misconceptions head on. 'First, some have claimed that driven by a belief that development must come at the expense of the environment, the Government is creating a licence for developers to pay to pollute. A cash-to-trash model, as some have dubbed it. In reality, the nature and restoration fund will do the precise opposite. 'I have been consistently clear that building new homes and critical infrastructure should not, and need not, come at the expense of the environment. It is plainly nonsense to suggest the nature restoration fund would allow developers to simply pay Government and then wantonly harm nature.' Mr Pennycook said the money would be given to Natural England, which would develop plans on how to better preserve nature. In response to a question from shadow housing minister Paul Holmes about the capacity of Natural England to take on the responsibilities, Mr Pennycook said: 'We've been perfectly clear that this new approach is not a means of making unacceptable development acceptable.' He continued: 'Another claim put forward has been that the Bill strips protections from our protected sites and species, allowing for untrammelled development across the country. Again, I'm afraid this amounts to nothing less than wanton misrepresentation.' Green Party MP Ellie Chowns (North Herefordshire) said the Office for Environmental Protection warned the Bill reduces environmental safeguards. 'This Bill constitutes a regression on environmental protection,' she said. Mr Pennycook said: 'The Government's view that the Bill is not regressive. Environmental delivery plans (EDPs) will secure improved environmental outcomes that go further than simply offsetting harm as required under current legislation.' Suggestions that the Bill would allow for the destruction of irreplaceable habitats or create irretrievable harm to them were 'patently false', he told MPs. The Conservatives accused the Government of 'greenwashing', over its plans. Mr Holmes said: 'While developers may cheer the ability to pay into a nature restoration fund instead of taking direct responsibility for mitigations, we should ask, is this really restoration, or is it greenwashing?' Mr Pennycook said the new laws were needed to 'speed up and streamline' Labour's housing target of 1.5 million homes, clean energy goals and aim to approve at least 150 'major economic infrastructure projects'. Labour MP Chris Hinchliff described the nature restoration fund as a 'kernel of a good idea', but added: 'The weight of evidence against how it has been drafted is overwhelming.' The North East Hertfordshire MP said his amendment 69 will give 'ministers the opportunity to rescue something positive from the wreckage of this legislation, ensuring environmental delivery plans serve their purpose without allowing developers to pay cash to destroy nature'. He added: 'It would ensure conservation takes place before damage, so endangered species aren't pushed close to extinction before replacement habitats are established, and it outlines that conservation must result in improvements to the specific feature harmed, protecting irreplaceable habitats like chalk streams.'
