Latest news with #JohnMyers
Wales Online
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Wales Online
This might be the last chance to see Northern lights in UK for a while, but who can see them?
This might be the last chance to see Northern lights in UK for a while, but who can see them? The rare phenomenon is predicted to be visible in several parts of the country The northern lights as seen over fields in Undy, Monmouthshire (Image: John Myers ) People in certain parts of the country might be able to see northern lights or aurora borealis once again, but it doesn't look like it will last long. Earth is currently under the influence of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) that came to the planet yesterday, June 1, according to the Met Office. The forecaster has said though people might be able to see the northern lights at first in UK, the chances to do so fall sharply with time, and will depend on factors like the intensity of geomagnetic activity and the sky being dark. The Met Office's forecast for yesterday predicted that people as far as Wales would be able to see the aurora borealis. The beautiful natural phenomenon has made a few appearances in Wales (Image: John Myers ) An X post by the forecaster June 1 read: 'There's a chance of seeing the #aurora tonight, possibly as far south as the Midland and Wales. 'Most likely though, the #northernlights will be visible for Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland, where clear skies allow.' Article continues below Content cannot be displayed without consent However, as mentioned above, the chances to see the Northern lights falls sharply with time. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here So will you be able to see the famed lights from your backyard tonight? If you live in Wales, that is unlikely due to the 'wet and windy' forecast for the night. The full forecast for Monday evening and night reads: 'A fine evening, with plenty of sunshine ahead of dusk. 'Turning wet and windy overnight as a band of rain arrives from the west. 'The rain will prove heavy for a time before clearing northern and western Wales by dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.' However, those living in Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland, might just be fortunate enough to experience the light due to 'residual geomagnetic storms' The Met Office has told WalesOnline: 'Some residual geomagnetic storms likely on Monday UTC evening, with aurora sightings generally confined to Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland.' Article continues below
Wales Online
13 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Millions of Universal Credit claimants set for bigger payments from this week
Millions of Universal Credit claimants set for bigger payments from this week The annual uprating to benefits took place on April 7 with Universal Credit payments increasing by 1.7% - however, the higher rates only apply to Universal Credit assessment periods that started on or after that date Universal Credit payments will increase this month (Image: John Myers ) Millions of Universal Credit recipients will experience an increase in their payments from this month as the annual benefits uprating takes effect. Universal Credit payments saw a 1.7% rise from April 7 - however, as Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears, most individuals won't see their first increased payment until this month. The elevated rates only apply to Universal Credit assessment periods that commenced on or after April 7. Your assessment period is utilised to determine your Universal Credit amount, based on earnings or deductions during this timeframe. Universal Credit payments are disbursed a week following the final date of each assessment period. This means if your last Universal Credit assessment period began on April 7, you'll start receiving the higher payments from this week. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here . Some individuals would have seen their first increased payment at the end of June. Universal Credit comprises a standard allowance, which is determined by your age and whether you're claiming individually or as part of a couple, reports the Mirror. The standard allowance is the fundamental amount you receive before any additional elements - such as having children or being unable to work due to illness - or any deductions are considered. Here's how much the Universal Credit standard allowance has increased:. Article continues below For singles under 25: from £311.68 a month to £316.98 a month. a month to a month. For singles aged 25 or over: from £393.45 a month to £400.14 a month. a month to a month. For joint claimants both under 25: from £489.23 a month to £497.55 a month. a month to a month. For joint claimants, both or one aged 25 or over, the amount has increased from £617.60 a month to £628.10 a month. Universal Credit is taking the place of six older legacy benefits, namely Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, and Housing Benefit. Claims for Tax Credits, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, and Housing Benefit have now been closed. However, households claiming income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) still need to transition to Universal Credit. The goal is to reach out to all remaining ESA claimants by September 2025. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) aims to have everyone on Universal Credit by March 2026. In other DWP updates, the benefits department has recently begun prompting Universal Credit claimants to verify any changes in their circumstances. If you're a Universal Credit claimant, it's your duty to report any changes in your circumstances to the DWP. This could include changes at work, a change of address, or alterations in your living arrangements. Article continues below Failure to report changes to Universal Credit could result in receiving an incorrect amount of money, which you may be required to repay.
Wales Online
15 hours ago
- Wales Online
Man appears in court over collapse of Ammanford school stabbing trial
Man appears in court over collapse of Ammanford school stabbing trial Christopher Elias, 45, denies a charge related to the original Ammanford school stabbing trial, which saw the jury being discharged by the judge Christopher Elias (right) leaves Cardiff Magistrates Court (Image: John Myers ) A man has appeared in court in connection with the collapse of the first trial into a stabbing at an Ammandford school. A 14-year-old girl - who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions - was sentenced to 15 years detention after being convicted of the attempted murder of two teachers and a pupil at Ammanford's Ysgol Dyffryn Aman following a trial in January, 2025. The matter had originally gone to trial in October last year but the jury was discharged when the case was only part-heard. Christopher Elias, 45, of Millbank, Waunceirch, Neath, pleaded not guilty to an offence of refusing to answer a question relating to the qualification to serve on a jury - contrary to the Juries Act 1974 - when he appeared at Swansea Magistrates Court at an earlier date. Today, June 2, the case was due to be heard at Cardiff Magistrates Court but the matter was adjourned to June 30 and the defendant released on unconditional bail to that date. District Judge Christopher James said it was "deeply regrettable" that the hearing had to be pushed back again. He said: "It is regrettable that this matter is to be adjourned by four weeks." Article continues below Giles Hayes, defending, expressed his frustration that it was the third time the case had been to court and been adjourned, adding that his client was of "clean character". He said: "Each time we have come to court no-one can tell me what is happening with this case." Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here . The school stabbing trial heard the girl attacked deputy head teacher Fiona Elias, teacher Liz Hopkin and a female pupil during the school's morning break on April 24 last year. The girl approached Mrs Elias in the school yard and said "I'm going to f****** kill you" before stabbing her in the arms with the knife. Article continues below When Mrs Hopkin intervened and tried to restrain the girl, the teenager turned on her and stabbed her in the neck, back, legs and arms. Other members of teaching staff spoke to the defendant and tried to calm her down but she ran off and attacked a 14-year-old girl with the bladed multi-tool before being successfully restrained and disarmed. The judge later said he believed the girl had done it "for attention" and she was sentenced to a 15-year detention.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Huge upgrade to 28 miles of road in Wales finally finishes after 23 years
Huge upgrade to 28 miles of road in Wales finally finishes after 23 years The last traffic cone and contraflow has been removed from the A465 Heads of the Valleys road after a long, drawn-out saga It was described as one of the UK's 'most significant infrastructure investments' (Image: John Myers ) It is Wales' most-expensive road building project ever. And now, 23 years on since the work began, traffic can finally run smoothly again in an area which has caused traffic misery for motorists. On Friday night the last traffic cone and contraflow was removed from the A465 Heads of the Valleys road. The long-awaited moment marked the completion of a 28-mile upgrade which began in 2002 and cost £2 billion. The project had been described by Welsh Government minister Jane Hutt as "one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the whole of the UK." Work to convert the A465 into a dual carriageway began in 2002 and has been carried out step by step ever since. The road links the M4 by Neath with the A40 dual carriageway at Abergavenny and ultimately the midlands of England. The final stage of the project - the section between Hirwaun and Dowlais - began in 2001. Now complete, 17.7km of new dual carriageway has been put in place, along with 6.1km of side roads, more than 14km of active travel routes, 38 new culverts to channel water, 30 new bridges and 28 retaining walls. The new road will be a 70mph dual carriageway with six junctions. How construction looked during the project (Image: Welsh Government ) The Welsh Government say the scheme has created more than 2,000 new jobs with over half of those employed living in the local area, employing 158 apprentices with just under half from the valley's region, helping to support education and skills training. As well as economic benefits the project has also created a series of environmental benefits, the Welsh Government adds. Species such as the great crested newt and marsh fritillary butterfly have been relocated and new habitats created for bats, dormouse and lapwing, and more than 55,000 trees have been planted locally, rising to an expected 120,000 by the end of the programme. Wales' transport minister Ken Skates previously said: "This project is an incredibly impressive piece of engineering and a fantastic example of how targeted investment in road infrastructure can deliver on many levels, providing jobs for the local community, improving accessibility, supporting education and skills, alongside delivering environmental benefits. "It's been a complex project which has not been without its challenges, and I would like to thank everyone who has played their part in helping us to deliver one of the largest road projects in the UK.' Article continues below Keith Jones, of the institution of civil engineers, told the BBC: "As a whole, the Heads of the Valleys project is one of the UK's biggest road upgrade projects for many years "And what's been so challenging is keeping the existing road operational while the work has gone on in some challenging and bleak terrain."
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Universal Credit payment boost worth £420 for over one million people
Universal Credit payment boost worth £420 for over one million people The DWP changed how much money can be deducted from your Universal Credit payments and it means one million households in the UK will be better off in 2022 The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that over one million households grappling with debt will retain an average of £420 more of their benefits each year (Image: John Myers ) The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that over one million households grappling with debt will retain an average of £420 more of their benefits each year, following a change to Universal Credit implemented at the end of last month. The Fair Repayment Rate sets a cap on how much individuals in debt can have deducted from their benefits to repay what they owe. The maximum amount that could be taken from someone's Universal Credit standard allowance payment to repay debt was 25 per cent, but this was reduced to 15 per cent on April 30. This alteration applies to all assessment periods commencing on or after that date and means claimants due their monthly payments from May 30 will benefit from the reduction. It equates to an average of £420 extra a year for 1.2 million of the poorest households, including 700,000 households with children, whilst aiding people to pay down their debts in a sustainable manner. This is part of the UK Government's Plan for Change to put more money into people's pockets and enhance living standards and signifies the Government's initial step in a broader review of Universal Credit to ensure it continues to fulfil its purpose. Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced the Fair Repayment Rate at the Autumn Budget, as part of wider efforts to elevate living standards, combat poverty, and tackle the cost of living crisis, reports the Daily Record. The Chancellor remarked: "As announced at the Budget, 1.2 million households will keep more of their Universal Credit and will be on average £420 better off a year. This is our plan for change delivering, easing the cost of living and putting more money into the pockets of working people." This comes amid revelations that nearly 2.8 million households experience reductions in their Universal Credit each month to address debts, with the updated rate aiming to balance debt repayment while ensuring individuals can still manage their essential expenses. In an assertion of the government's commitment to worker prosperity, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall stated: "As part of our Plan for Change, we are taking decisive action to ensure working people keep more of the benefits they're entitled to - which will boost financial security and improve living standards up and down the country." She further emphasised the government's dedication to improving prospects, saying, "We're delivering meaningful change to ensure everyone has a fair chance, the support they need, and real hope for the future." Article continues below The introduction of the Fair Repayment Rate joins a suite of ambitious efforts under the UK Government's Plan for Change, aiming to spark growth and broaden wealth across the nation. Spotlighting employment as a critical escape from poverty, the Labour Government unveiled the Get Britain Working White Paper, setting sights on an 80 per cent employment rate goal through major reforms to Jobcentres, the creation of a new employment and advice service, plus a youth guarantee ensuring young people are either gaining work experience or pursuing education. This is in addition to raising the National Minimum and National Living Wage to ensure that work is financially rewarding.
