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.
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