Latest news with #AshleyFox
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
HMS Bristol to be scrapped and atheist employment row
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. HMS Bristol, a Royal Navy destroyer which took part in the Falklands War, is set to leave its home in Portsmouth and head to Turkey where she will be scrapped, the Portsmouth News reports. A Falklands veteran that served on the ship told the website he plans to be there "for the start of her last journey". The story of an accountant working for the Clifton Catholic diocese who successfully sued the body for discrimination due to the fact she is an atheist features in the Daily Mail and a number of other outlets. Janet Parker was sacked following a dispute arising for a request for carer's leave for her newly adopted daughter. The Bridgwater branch of Natwest is set to close this year, according to the Bridgwater Mercury. Bridgwater's MP, Sir Ashley Fox has voiced his disappointment and is urging the bank to consider alternative forms of face-to-face services. A disabled woman heckled Bristol North West MP and chief secretary to the treasury Darren Jones over planned cuts to Personal Independent Payments (PIP) at a surgery event, the Canary reports. The 27-year-old woman held a banner reading: "PIP: Lifeline not pocket money". Pink Floyd star's garden event ends in 'chaos' Doctor suspended for sexual relationship with teen School cannot take sacked teacher to Supreme Court Avon and Somerset Police have got a lot of heat on X after posting that they barred a student PC who took paid work as a referee and a barman. The force is being attacked for failing to pay proper wages, and for letting more senior officers get away with much more serious misconduct. Tewkesbury Abbey says one of its young falcons has flown the nest. Hundreds of people have been following the chicks' development online. Cheltenham's 2,000 Trees Festival has had an overwhelmingly positive response to a post in support of the LGBTQ+ community on its Facebook page. The event said it was "committed to supporting trans people and their right to be respected". Follow BBC West social channels in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Work to replace faulty Haygrove School could start in 2026
A school forced to close its main building due to its faulty construction could move to a new site by School in Bridgwater was partially shut in August 2023 due to safety concerns. Since then, lessons have taken place in temporary Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed a feasibility study to build a new school at Queenswood Farm is "on track" to be completed by the end of this MP Ashley Fox said construction is expected to begin in autumn 2026, subject to planning permission, with the aim of "welcoming students to the new school in September 2028". He added: "Despite the challenging circumstances, Haygrove School has continued to deliver strong outcomes for its students."That's a credit to the staff, leadership, and wider school community."A spokesperson for the DfE said high-quality and sustainable buildings are a key part of raising school standards. "We have increased investment to £2.1bn this financial year to improve the condition of school buildings, on top of the continuing School Rebuilding Programme," they added.
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP issues warning about tax-free limit as state pension rises
The state pension increased by 4.1% this month, with the new full rate now standing at £230.25 a week. This means it's only £600 away from the income tax threshold As the state pension moves closer to the personal allowance tax threshold, lawmakers in Parliament are raising queries about a possible tax break. Conservative MP Sir Ashley Fox recently put government officials on the spot, pressing them for an answer on whether they plan to sync up the personal allowance with the rising state pension. At present, people can earn up to £12,570 annually without incurring income tax. Meanwhile, with this month's 4.1 per cent increase in payments, the full new state pension stands at £230.25 weekly, equating to £11,973 each year, edging closer to that taxable figure by only £600. READ MORE: 'Powerful' Hoover cordless vacuum cleaner beats Shark and Amazon with 56% price drop Treasury minister James Murray responded to the query, explaining: "The Personal Allowance - the amount an individual can earn before paying tax - will continue to exceed the basic and full new state pension this tax year. This means pensioners whose sole income is the full new state pension or basic state pension without any increments will not pay any income tax." However, he pointed out an upcoming policy change, noting: "The previous Government made the decision to freeze the income tax Personal Allowance at its current level of £12,570 until April 2028. "This Government is committed to keeping people's taxes as low as possible while ensuring fiscal responsibility and so, at our first Budget, we decided not to extend the freeze on personal tax thresholds." During their General Election campaign last year, the Tories proposed an enhanced 'triple lock plus' policy aimed at pensioners' pockets. The "triple lock" refers to the formula that ensures state pensions swell annually by either 2.5%, inflation or average earnings growth – whichever is the mightiest, reports Lancs Live. But under Conservative plans, this would extend to upping the personal allowance yearly so the state pension never tips over into taxable territory. However, experts suggest that bringing taxes into the equation with the state pension could put some retirees in a tight spot, especially those banking on extra benefits. Rebecca Lamb from Money Wellness warned: "Many people understandably assume that a small rise in their pension is a good thing. "But if it pushes them just over the personal tax allowance, it won't just mean paying a bit of income tax - it could disqualify them from Pension Credit, which in turn opens the door to a much larger loss." She paints a dire scenario for some pensioners, as she explains: "Pension Credit serves as a key to numerous forms of assistance: Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, free NHS dental and eye care, the Warm Home Discount, weather -payments-2019-what-13874235> Cold Weather Payments, and even the free TV licence for over-75s. "In total, someone could end up losing more than £8,000 a year in support, all because their pension creeps just above the threshold."
