Latest news with #BBCBreakfast
Daily Record
18 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Record
BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty shares real name as she admits reason she hates it
Naga Munchetty, who has been a regular face on BBC Breakfast since 2009, has opened up about her struggles with her unique name, as well as her decision not to have children BBC Breakfast stalwart Naga Munchetty has lit up our television screens for nearly 20 years, yet the story behind her name 'Naga' remains unknown to many. Her full name at birth was Subha Nagalakshmi Munchetty-Chendriah, and she earned the moniker 'Naga' after her mother had several snake-related dreams during her pregnancy, with 'Naga' meaning 'cobra' in Sanskrit. In conversation with Saga Magazine, she opened up about how challenging it was to have such a distinct name growing up, recalling schoolyard taunts: "I've embraced it now, but when I was younger, it was all about assimilation and it was an unusual name. "l'd get people asking: 'Oh, does she nag a lot?' all the time – and there were some awful racist variations as well." At one point, to escape the racist remarks, Naga considered changing her name to Nadia. After joining the BBC, she endured more racism from online bullies who dismissed her success, accusing her of being a "token" appointment. Naga admits that, despite her thick skin, discriminating comments can still sting: "Even though you think you're not going to let these remarks influence you, of course they hurt." More recently, Naga bravely spoke out about her private health struggles. In 2022, she revealed her diagnosis with adenomyosis, a condition where the inner lining of the womb breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus, causing significant discomfort. Naga has opened up about her long-standing battle with a condition that causes severe menstrual symptoms, including heavy bleeding and debilitating cramps, which went undiagnosed for years by medical professionals. She recounts the harrowing experience that led to her diagnosis, involving two weeks of relentless bleeding and pain so severe she had to have her husband James call for an ambulance. In discussing the challenges of intimate relationships, Naga reflects on the importance of timing when revealing such personal struggles to a partner: "I'm very lucky because you have to pick your moment with partners to tell them about everything you go through. "You don't want to do it on the first date, or the first time you sleep together." Naga also touches on the decision she and James made early in their relationship not to have children, which ultimately led her to choose surgical sterilisation: "We liked the life we had and we wanted to pursue that life," she explains. She candidly speaks about the realities of parenthood, describing it as "expensive, it's exhausting and a commitment for life." The NHS explains that adenomyosis, where the lining of the womb (uterus) starts growing into the muscle in its wall, is more commonly diagnosed in women over the age of 30, and can affect anyone who has periods. The NHS website also explains the difference between adenomyosis and endometriosis. While adenomyosis involves the lining of the womb growing into the muscle in the wall of the uterus, endometriosis is a different condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Initially met with resistance from her mother, Naga shares that her mum has now accepted their choice and is immensely proud of her daughter's career achievements.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Schools and hospitals ‘not over hurdle' of unsafe concrete, says minister
Catherine McKinnell also said ministers cannot 'fix everything overnight' when asked how much of the maintenance backlog could be eliminated or when schools would be free of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac). The Government has announced that around £1.2 billion – part of funding packages announced in last year's autumn budget – will be spent on repairing crumbling schools and hospitals across the country. Asked about Raac, school standards minister Ms McKinnell told LBC: 'We're not over that hurdle yet, and we're not over it in the NHS either.' She added that 'we have identified all the Raac' and there are plans for buildings to be fixed or rebuilt, because 'the fact that they have Raac in them means that they're probably a substantial age as a building'. More than 100 schools, nurseries and colleges across England were forced to shut down days before the autumn term in 2023 amid concerns that classrooms and other buildings containing Raac were unsafe. Asked on BBC Breakfast on Friday whether she could provide a figure for how much of the £14 billion maintenance backlog would be completed or when schools would be rid of Raac, Ms McKinnell said: 'We are working very hard, but you can't just switch a switch and fix everything overnight.' According to the Government, pupils at 656 schools and sixth forms will benefit from a share of this year's £470 million Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), used for projects such as fixing crumbling roofs and removing asbestos. More than 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750 million to tackle problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues. Projects to deliver improvements to schools and hospital buildings will be delivered during the 2025/26 financial year, with the first upgrades to begin this summer, the Government has said. A report by the National Audit Office in January estimated it would cost around £13.8 billion to address the repairs and remedial work backlog for hospitals and other NHS properties in England, and an additional £13.8 billion for the school estate.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Schools and hospitals ‘not over hurdle' of unsafe concrete, says minister
Catherine McKinnell also said ministers cannot 'fix everything overnight' when asked how much of the maintenance backlog could be eliminated or when schools would be free of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac). The Government has announced that around £1.2 billion – part of funding packages announced in last year's autumn budget – will be spent on repairing crumbling schools and hospitals across the country. Asked about Raac, school standards minister Ms McKinnell told LBC: 'We're not over that hurdle yet, and we're not over it in the NHS either.' She added that 'we have identified all the Raac' and there are plans for buildings to be fixed or rebuilt, because 'the fact that they have Raac in them means that they're probably a substantial age as a building'. More than 100 schools, nurseries and colleges across England were forced to shut down days before the autumn term in 2023 amid concerns that classrooms and other buildings containing Raac were unsafe. Asked on BBC Breakfast on Friday whether she could provide a figure for how much of the £14 billion maintenance backlog would be completed or when schools would be rid of Raac, Ms McKinnell said: 'We are working very hard, but you can't just switch a switch and fix everything overnight.' According to the Government, pupils at 656 schools and sixth forms will benefit from a share of this year's £470 million Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), used for projects such as fixing crumbling roofs and removing asbestos. More than 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750 million to tackle problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues. Projects to deliver improvements to schools and hospital buildings will be delivered during the 2025/26 financial year, with the first upgrades to begin this summer, the Government has said. A report by the National Audit Office in January estimated it would cost around £13.8 billion to address the repairs and remedial work backlog for hospitals and other NHS properties in England, and an additional £13.8 billion for the school estate.
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Schools and hospitals ‘not over hurdle' of unsafe concrete, says minister
Catherine McKinnell also said ministers cannot 'fix everything overnight' when asked how much of the maintenance backlog could be eliminated or when schools would be free of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac). The Government has announced that around £1.2 billion – part of funding packages announced in last year's autumn budget – will be spent on repairing crumbling schools and hospitals across the country. Asked about Raac, school standards minister Ms McKinnell told LBC: 'We're not over that hurdle yet, and we're not over it in the NHS either.' She added that 'we have identified all the Raac' and there are plans for buildings to be fixed or rebuilt, because 'the fact that they have Raac in them means that they're probably a substantial age as a building'. More than 100 schools, nurseries and colleges across England were forced to shut down days before the autumn term in 2023 amid concerns that classrooms and other buildings containing Raac were unsafe. Asked on BBC Breakfast on Friday whether she could provide a figure for how much of the £14 billion maintenance backlog would be completed or when schools would be rid of Raac, Ms McKinnell said: 'We are working very hard, but you can't just switch a switch and fix everything overnight.' According to the Government, pupils at 656 schools and sixth forms will benefit from a share of this year's £470 million Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), used for projects such as fixing crumbling roofs and removing asbestos. More than 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750 million to tackle problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues. Projects to deliver improvements to schools and hospital buildings will be delivered during the 2025/26 financial year, with the first upgrades to begin this summer, the Government has said. A report by the National Audit Office in January estimated it would cost around £13.8 billion to address the repairs and remedial work backlog for hospitals and other NHS properties in England, and an additional £13.8 billion for the school estate.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Schools and hospitals ‘not over hurdle' of unsafe concrete, says minister
Catherine McKinnell also said ministers cannot 'fix everything overnight' when asked how much of the maintenance backlog could be eliminated or when schools would be free of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac). The Government has announced that around £1.2 billion – part of funding packages announced in last year's autumn budget – will be spent on repairing crumbling schools and hospitals across the country. Asked about Raac, school standards minister Ms McKinnell told LBC: 'We're not over that hurdle yet, and we're not over it in the NHS either.' Catherine McKinnell (Jeff Spicer Media Assignments/PA) She added that 'we have identified all the Raac' and there are plans for buildings to be fixed or rebuilt, because 'the fact that they have Raac in them means that they're probably a substantial age as a building'. More than 100 schools, nurseries and colleges across England were forced to shut down days before the autumn term in 2023 amid concerns that classrooms and other buildings containing Raac were unsafe. Asked on BBC Breakfast on Friday whether she could provide a figure for how much of the £14 billion maintenance backlog would be completed or when schools would be rid of Raac, Ms McKinnell said: 'We are working very hard, but you can't just switch a switch and fix everything overnight.' According to the Government, pupils at 656 schools and sixth forms will benefit from a share of this year's £470 million Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), used for projects such as fixing crumbling roofs and removing asbestos. More than 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750 million to tackle problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues. Projects to deliver improvements to schools and hospital buildings will be delivered during the 2025/26 financial year, with the first upgrades to begin this summer, the Government has said. A report by the National Audit Office in January estimated it would cost around £13.8 billion to address the repairs and remedial work backlog for hospitals and other NHS properties in England, and an additional £13.8 billion for the school estate.
