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ITV News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
What does the new subsidy mean for Welsh farmers?
The Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS, who has responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, has outlined the new Sustainable Farming Scheme today. What is the Scheme? The Sustainable Farming Scheme is said to be The Welsh Government's way to support farmers, land management and sustainable food production from 2026 onwards. It will pay farmers for actions resulting in environmental, animal welfare and social outcomes above the legal requirements. To be eligible, farmers will be required to manage at least 10% of their farm as habitat. Farmers will be required to carry out 'universal actions' for which they would receive the 'universal baseline payment'. 'Optional' and 'collaborative' actions can be done for additional payments. Farmers can chose to join the scheme but must undertake all 'universal actions' and have sole control of the land to receive the money. There are 12 'universal actions', which include soil health, habitat maintenance and tree and hedgerow planting opportunities. Why is it controversial? Last year thousands of farmers protested outside the Senedd as a result of the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme. The backlash is based on the fact farmers will have to meet strict environmental targets in return for government funding. There are fears it won't work for all farmers due to complications around land ownership and rights to land. The National Farmers Union in Wales says that the scheme must work for every farm in Wales. Aled Jones, President of NFU Cymru, says that agriculture is the bedrock for Wales' food and drinks sector. "NFU Cymru has long been clear that the Sustainable Farming Scheme must provide at least the same level of stability to farm businesses, rural communities and the supply chain as the Basic Payment Scheme does currently. "In March 2024, NFU Cymru placed 5,500 pairs of wellies on the steps of the Senedd, a deeply moving and poignant depiction of the potential job losses on farm forecast by an impact assessment of a previous version of the Sustainable Farming Scheme. "It is imperative that the revised scheme and budget attached to the SFS, which is expected to be published this week, avoids such a shocking impact on one of Wales' iconic sectors. The SFS must work for all farming sectors and areas of Wales and help ensure that Welsh farming can continue to underpin the £9.3 billion food and farming supply chain." When will the Scheme come into play? From 2026 you will have the choice to enter the Sustainable Farming Scheme or remain with the Basic Payment Scheme which will be phased out by 2029. The current scheme that farmers receive funding from will be worth just 60% of its current value. That means that if farmers want to receive more money from the Welsh Government, they will have to sign up to the Sustainable Farming Scheme next year. What the Welsh Government hope it will achieve? " Our ambition is to see a thriving and confident agriculture sector in Wales, that is built around innovation and growth." "Supports farmers in Wales to produce world class, high-quality, food whilst caring for the environment, tackling and adapting to climate change and building resilience for those who will work and care for this precious land in the years to come."
South Wales Guardian
15-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
New payment scheme for farmers unveiled amid industry doubts
The plan has been seven years in the making and has been the subject of widespread protests by farmers during the consultation stages. The SFS will replace EU-era subsidies, which farmers had received for decades based largely on how much land they had. Most rely on these payments - an average of 67% of Welsh farm income - came from subsidies in 2020-21. The SFS aims to reward farmers and land managers for 'public good' practices such as like wildlife habitat and soaking up carbon in the land. Wildlife groups warned the new plan fell "far short" of helping farmers to successfully tackle climate change and nature loss. For their initial 'universal' payment, farmers will have to agree to carry out 12 actions ranging from soil health planning and habitat maintenance, to online courses to enhance knowledge and skills related to sustainable farming. There will also be funding to recognise "social value" - something farmers had called for - and which aims to recognise what are described as the wider benefits that sustainable agriculture provides to society, from food production to sustaining rural communities. An extra £1,000 will go to smaller farms in 2026 as a one-off stability payment to acknowledge the uncertain period of transition. A further optional layer of the scheme is intended to top up farm incomes for further environmental work, including woodland creation, improved public access to the countryside and support to go organic. A collaborative payment will also be available in future to support farmers working together on landscape-scale projects. The Welsh Government has said it will commit £238m in 2026 for the universal payments - equivalent to the current, main subsidy farms receive, known as the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). 'Significant' funding for optional and collaborative work is also promised - with an overall budget similar to the £340m currently designated to farming. But farming unions and environmental groups alike said far more was required - closer to £500m, to account for rising costs in agriculture and the scale of what was now being asked of farmers to deliver. The Welsh Government said its plans will support food production and address environmental concerns A requirement for 10% tree cover has ben dropped. Instead the government said it was asking farmers to plant at least 0.1 hectares - or 250 trees by the end of 2028. There would be "generous support for tree and hedgerow planting" in the optional layer, including a higher payment rate for tree planting during the first three years of the scheme. The government is also targeting 1,500km (932 miles) of hedgerow extension by 2030, with an aspiration of achieving 2,000km (1,243 miles). NFU Cymru said the Welsh Government's decision to slash the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) by 40% for 2026 overshadows much of the positive work undertaken to improve the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: 'This unwelcome decision by Welsh Government is extremely worrying for farmers in Wales who had previously been informed that those opting not to enter the new Sustainable Farming Scheme in 2026 would receive 80% of their BPS. Farming businesses have forward planned on this basis. 'This development is even more of a blow given significant guidance and technical detail is yet to be published which farmers need if they are to make informed decisions about whether to enter the scheme from 1st January 2026.' He also argued that '… the level of detail, constraints, administration, costs and bureaucracy attached to the SFS is significant and far greater than anything seen before. We remain deeply worried about the burden this scheme will place on a sector low in confidence and already dealing with a mountain of red tape.' Farmers Union of Wales President Ian Rickman the scheme marked a generational milestone for the future of Welsh agriculture.' 'To highlight some of the key successes, we have secured a total budget for the Universal Baseline Payment and BPS taper combined of £238 million, providing workable payment rates and much needed stability for the sector,' he said. 'This includes the provision of universal payments for common land rights holders. 'We have retained and strengthened the application of capped and redistributive payments, a longstanding policy position for the FUW and one that maximises the amount of money going to typical Welsh family farms and rural communities.'
ITV News
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Council paid over £5m by NEC Group after they pulled out of Bradford Live
The original operator of a controversial £50million music venue in Bradford paid more than £5million to back out of its agreement with the council, it has been revealed. The NEC Group had been due to run the 3,800-seater Bradford Live before it suddenly announced it was pulling out in September 2024, four months before the start of Bradford's year as UK City of Culture. The decision left Bradford Council searching for a new operator for what was hailed as the biggest regeneration scheme in the city centre. Trafalgar Entertainment signed a 25-year lease to manage the site in April. It has now been revealed NEC Group paid £5.3million to Bradford Council after it withdrew from its agreement. Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: 'As people can see we secured a significant settlement from the NEC that protected the interests of the Bradford district taxpayer. "With the opening season for Bradford Live under the fantastic new operator, Trafalgar Entertainment, starting next month, we can now all look forward with excitement to a wonderful future for this amazing building.' Bradford Live, on the site of the former Odeon cinema, was initially forecast to cost between £22m and £25m and was due to open last year. But costs spiralled to £50m, with the council putting in £44m, and the venue has yet to open. It is now due hold its first gig on Yorkshire Day, 1 August. The concert, Yorkshire Calling, will feature classical singer, Aled Jones, acclaimed poet, Ian McMillan and the BBC Bantam of the Opera Choir with Bradford City legend, Chris Kamara.
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Ex-EastEnders hunk spotted snogging nepo-baby actress Emilia Jones at Sabrina Carpenter's Hyde Park gig
EX-EASTENDERS star Ben Hardy was seen getting a bit lippy with actress Emilia Jones at a Sabrina Carpenter gig. The star, 34, who played Peter Beale in the BBC soap, snogged Emilia — the 23-year-old daughter of singer Aled Jones — while surrounded by thousands of revellers in London's Hyde Park on Sunday. 12 An insider said: 'Ben couldn't keep his hands off her and was trying to kiss her at almost any opportunity. "She didn't seem to object and was all smiles.' Ben played Peter from 2013, but left two years later. He starred in 2016's X-Men: Apocalypse and was Queen drummer Roger Taylor 2018's Bohemian Rhapsody. Emilia stared in 2021 film Coda, playing the child of deaf parents. Ben dated House of the Dragon actresses Olivia Cooke in 2020 followed by fellow EastEnder Jessica Plummer in 2021. Emilia has previously been spotted kissing Irish Eurovision star in 2023. She is about to star in the film Tony with movie hunk Leo Woodhall. Born in 1991, Ben was born in Bournemouth, Dorset, and grew up in Sherborne. The actor has made appearances in Call The Midwife as a reporter and also appeared in one episode of Drunk History as King Arthur. Aled Jones' daughter Emilia stars in Apple TV's CODA about a girl living with deaf parents 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Prolific teenage thief, 18, who snatched Bridgerton star's phone after mugging Aled Jones for his Rolex during 'ruthless' thieving spree is jailed for just 22 months
A prolific teenage criminal who robbed a Bridgerton star at a Joe & the Juice during a 'ruthless' spree of thefts across London has today been jailed for just 22 months. Zacariah Boulares, 18, snuck up behind actress Genevieve Chenneour, 27, and grabbed her iPhone 14 Pro in the upmarket coffee shop on Kensington High Street, west London, while she was walking her black maltipoo on February 8. Boulares was scolded by the judge as put his middle finger up at members of the public gallery before he was taken down to the police cells by security guards at Isleworth Crown Court today. MailOnline previously revealed CCTV of the incredible moment Ms Chenneour bravely fought back against the thief and dragged him to the floor with the help of her boyfriend at the time, Carlo Kureishi, 30, the son of the writer Hanif Kureishi. Ms Chenneour, who before acting was on Team GB 's synchronised swimming team and later became a trained boxer, revealed how she thought she was going to die after the thug threatened to stab her while the tussle escalated on the floor. Around 18 months earlier, Boulares had targeted another celebrity victim when he threatened to behead Aled Jones with a 20in machete as he stole his £17,000 Rolex in Chiswick, west London. The thief, then 16, was locked up for his attack on the Welsh singer in October 2023 but only served 14 months of his 24-month sentence before being released back onto the streets. Boulares, who was named and pictured after turning 18 in February, has continued to wreak havoc on Londoners, including robbing rising star Ms Chenneour, who plays rumour-monger Clara Livingston in hit Netflix period drama Bridgerton. Isleworth Crown Court heard today how detectives were able to catch Boulares after arresting him for stealing a backpack from a blind couple who were dining at a Five Guys in Kensington with their 10-year-old son on February 18. Genievieve Chennour (pictured) previously told how she was left 'concussed and traumatised' after being robbed at the popular lunch haunt by Algerian national, Zacariah Boulares MailOnline previously obtained footage of Boulares, then 16, appearing to clutch a machete after he ran away from the spot Aled Jones was mugged of a £17k Rolex Police were then able to identify him as the perpetrator for the theft of Ms Chenneour on February 8 and stealing a handbag at a Pizza Pilgrims restaurant in London's West End on January 30. Stern-faced Boulares sat with his arms crossed as he appeared in the dock today with a long black ponytail and grey prison tracksuit on, where he was jailed for the three thefts across London and the common assault of Mr Kureishi. The thug's extensive criminal history - 12 previous convictions relating to 28 offences - was laid bare after he pleaded guilty on May 29 to stealing Ms Chenneour's phone and assaulting Mr Kureishi. Sentencing him, Judge Martin Edmunds KC, the Recorder of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, said: 'It is clear you are completely willing to use violence when challenged. 'It's a matter of the deepest regret that individuals targeted on these occasions are left feeling that they don't want to come to London or they should leave London.' The judge added: 'Your pattern of offending both in these offences and the past demonstrate that only custody is appropriate... You seem to be plagued by an attitude if people can afford nice things, then you can take them. 'I have no doubt he has been targeting areas where he hopes there are rich pickings.' In a victim impact statement read out to the court, Ms Chenneour said: 'I have previously experienced an assault that has left me scared to go out and leave the house, this ended in a severe bout of depression which further prevented me from leaving my home, and the incident today feels like a big set back in my journey to improve my mental health. 'I am feeling extremely shaken and cannot stop replaying the incident in my own head and am extremely worried that I might see both of the suspects again and as a result be put in the same danger that I felt I was in during the incident. The Yorkshire-born thespian quickly noticed her phone was missing, and bravely confronted Boulares who has a history of violent crime She courageously stood up to the thief, hitting him with the phone as he tussled with a man on the floor during the ordeal After a tussle, the thief then pointed his finger and said something to Ms Chenneour's friend 'I felt like I have emotionally shut down and am anxious that this might happen again.' Mr Kureishi, in his own victim impact statement, added: 'This incident has impacted me. After the incident I truly feel worried and scared to carry my belongings. I feel like being in a café is going to make me feel paranoid and unsafe.' Boulares also admitted stealing a black leather handbag from a diner at a Pizza Pilgrims restaurant on Kingly Street, in London's West End, on 30 January this year. Prosecutor Alex Mullen told the court how at around 7.35pm that day, victim Akira Morgan realised her bag was missing. She then began to receive messages from her bank, asking her whether she was trying to withdraw money from a nearby Tesco, while Boulares had also spent money on her cars in nearby shops, the court heard. Her handbag contained her driving licence, other cars, sunglasses, gloves, a phone charger, makeup and £20 in cash. The court was shown CCTV of Boulares pinching the bag and handing it to an unknown accomplice before the duo made off together. Ms Morgan said she felt 'violated because the suspect had access to all parts of my life'. The victim said she does not feel safe to go back to London and 'didn't want to leave my house for a while just in case'. In the third case, which was revealed for the first time today, Boulares admitted stealing a rucksack from a blind couple at a Five Guys burger restaurant in Kensington, where they were eating with their 10-year-old son. The court heard how Netta O'Carroll had hung her bag on the back of her chair but when she went to pull out a water bottle, she noticed it was missing. Mr Mullen explained: 'She asked her fully sighted son to look under the table for the bag but it was gone.' CCTV clips showed in court today showed Boulares walking into the Five Guys, taking a seat on the table next to Ms O'Caroll and her family before pouncing. He lurked behind the young boy before snatching the bag from Ms O'Carroll's chair. The court heard how Boulares eventually pleaded guilty but maintains that he was not aware the couple were blind. The bag contained debit and credit cards, a freedom pass, a blue disabled badge, around £40 in cash, two gift cards and printed photographs of her son which were of 'significant sentimental value'. The court heard how Ms O'Carroll later received a call from police who informed her they had retrieved her bag after officers recognised Boulares walking along Harrington Road, near the Five Guys, and chased him. When he noticed them, Boulares fled and discarded the bag, which still had all the items inside, in a hedge. When police officers eventually caught him, he attempted to escape by jumping out a first floor window. In a victim impact statement, Ms O'Carroll said she was left 'extremely shocked and anxious', adding: 'I could not understand why somebody would steal a bag from two blind people. I felt it was completely unfair that the responsibility was left for my son, who is young, to keep an eye of my rucksack.' Mr Mullen told the court how Boulares 'smirked' when discussing the impact on Ms O'Carroll and was identified by Forensic Child and Adult Mental Health Services as being 'very dangerous, skilled at using violence to create confusion, terror and control and intelligent and ruthless'. His probation officers described him as experience 'feelings of jealousy seeing others with expensive or designer items that he cannot attain so he seeks to take it by force', adding: 'He demonstrated strong pro-criminal attitudes and glarmoises It was the Five Guys theft that enabled police to catch Boulares for the Pizza Pilgrims theft and the robbery of Ms Chenneour at Joe & the Juice. In exclusive footage obtained by MailOnline last month the actress was seen courageously fighting back against the hooded thief who targeted her while she was out walking her dog Ralph with her then boyfriend Mr Kureishi. In the CCTV, Boulares can be seen prowling around the back of the café, waiting for Mr Kureishi to leave her alone at the table while he ordered. Boulares, wearing all black with a navy cap, then snuck up behind the actress and swiped her phone while she had her back turned. But in a moment of complete instinct, she quickly leapt into action and lunged at the thief while Mr Kureishi quickly intervened and helped drag him to the floor. The fearless Yorkshire-born actress then put her arm out to block Boulares from leaving and dislodged the phone from his hand. Retrieving the iPhone from off the floor, she then used the device to strike Boulares multiple times while he was left helpless on the floor. The commotion continued as shocked onlookers began to form a crowd in the popular café in Kensington. The tussle could then be seen spilling into the back of the café, where Ms Chenneour, Mr Kureishi and Boulares can only be seen in CCTV in glimpses via a mirror. In new mobile footage taken by a staff member which was played in court today, Ms Chenneour could be heard screaming at the thug while Mr Kureishi had him in a headlock on the floor while the dog was barking and jumping on him. After around four minutes of scuffling, the humbled crook then pointed his finger in the face of Ms Chenneour's then boyfriend before walking out of the café without the phone. In an interview with The Times, Ms Chenneour revealed: 'I got on his back while [Kureishi] was on the floor holding him down. Then he threatened to stab me, and I thought I was going to be killed. I was terrified.' Ms Chenneour, who was struck on the head and suffered with concussion, has fled west London since the attack after seven years in the capital. Boulares' heartbroken mother Myriam told MailOnline last month: 'From the day he was born, I knew there was something wrong with Zac, and as he got older, I confirmed it – it got worse and worse. 'I always knew he would end up getting into trouble because of his personality from a very young age. 'I have been to court with him so many times. I knew it was not going to end up well. 'I am not excusing his behaviour for one moment. There are no excuses for what he did.' It was previously misreported that Boulares was Algerian and that he couldn't be deported back to Algeria because his offences were committed before he turned 18. But in fact the teen mugger is a British citizen by birth - he was delivered at the prestigious Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, north London, in February 2007. Boulares went on to rob Ms Chenneour after being released from youth detention for the attack on chorister Mr Jones on July 7 2023. He threatened Mr Jones with a 20-inch machete, demanding the 'f***king Rolex' on the singer's arm, while threatening to cut his limb off. Boulares could not be named at the time due to his age. After the terrified baritone gave the menacing youth his watch, Boulares later said he would 'cut [Jones's] head off' if the Songs of Praise star continued to follow him. The now 18-year-old appeared late to magistrates court late several times before he eventually pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of an offensive weapon at Wimbledon Youth Court. It was also heard the youngster had also stolen a £20,000 gold Rolex from a pensioner. His record was dubbed 'appalling' by Chairman of the bench Rex Da Roach. At his sentencing today, defence barrister Miss Maddison Fisher told the court: 'Mr Boulares is just 18 years old. He is now 18 but was 17 when he committed all of the offences.' She told the court how Boulares has suffered 'several traumatic events' including his parents splitting, being stabbed and seeing his friend die from a knife attack. The court heard he has been 'targeted by older peers'. Miss Fisher continued: 'Mr Boualres has expressed to me this morning that he would like to apologise to the victims for the offending behaviour. 'He wishes upon his release to seek pro-social and law abiding lifestyle. 'He feels his actions were broadcast to society through social media and feels greatly ashamed and insecure of himself.' Addressing Boulares today, Judge Edmunds KC condemned the teen for his repeat offending, telling him: 'They feature regular violence, stealing, robbery, knives. You have been punished by a variety of means including youth rehabilitation orders, detention and training orders which do not appear to have had any affect on you.
