Latest news with #JohnPrescott
Auto Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Auto Express
The car is still king! Ridiculous train fares make them look like absolute bargains
When I'm not happily driving cars, I'm a grudging train passenger who's regularly ripped off, let down or disillusioned by this much-hyped strike-prone public transport. The customer experience is so underwhelming that my confidence in, and respect for, Britain's heavily subsidised rail industry has rarely – if ever – been lower. Advertisement - Article continues below I'm not sure if it's me giving up on the train or the train giving up on me. Either way, the 'alternative to the car' is as implausible now as it was in the nineties, when notoriously hypocritical Transport Secretary John Prescott (a user of two Jaguars) told me to tell you, dear reader, that the train would soon take over as the preferred mode of transport for the average Brit. This was as blatantly untrue then as it is now, not least because the cost of rail travel is exorbitant. Travel from, say, Cardiff to Aberdeen and the standard single/one-way fare is from £285.50 – more than many flights from the UK to the Far East. People in central London doing short journeys can pay up to £15 per mile. In the Stratford quarter of the capital, passengers can pay up to £2.21 per minute on the fastest trains. A standard annual season ticket from Ebbsfleet, Kent, to St Pancras, 20 miles and minutes up the line, costs £6,000-plus. Add £1,815 for a yearly parking pass and an extra £2,000 for tube or taxi fares and we're talking £10,000 or more per annum. That's enough to buy a used car, refuel petrol tanks for several years, or charge an electric car at home for well over a decade. If tickets weren't so prohibitively expensive and responsible for preventing freedom of movement among low-paid workers, students, shoppers, holidaymakers and cash-strapped folk seeking jobs, social lives or both, they'd be comical. But current Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander can still deliver some rail-related hilarity – as she proved with her performance on 25 May, when her Government began renationalising rail services. 'Today marks a new dawn for our railways,' she enthused during her away-day on the first renationalised train from London's Waterloo station. Further promises included 'moving away from 30 years of failing passengers', who now get 'higher standards'. She has to be the funniest Transport Sec cum stand-up comedian since Two Jags Prescott. How so? Because her highly symbolic train ride couldn't be completed by, er, train. It took her four times longer than scheduled. And it was completed only after passengers were embarrassingly turfed off and ordered to complete their journeys in dreaded rail-replacement buses which, in my experience, are even more unpleasant (if that's possible) than iffy trains or railway lines. If Britain's highest-ranking transport politician believes that this latest fiasco and wallet-busting fares represent 'higher standards', she's more out of her depth than I feared. Trains too expensive in your area? We can help you find a great deal on a new car instead ...
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Prescott's son to run London Marathon for dementia
The son of John Prescott is running the London Marathon to raise money for dementia research in memory of his father. The former deputy prime minister died at the age of 86 in November 2024 after living with Alzheimer's disease for a number of years. David Prescott said as well as fundraising, he was taking part in the race to raise awareness of the condition. "It's the biggest killer of people in the UK," he said. "For every one dementia researcher there's four researchers looking into cancer research. "So there's a big inequality in terms of funding and in terms of mindset," said Mr Prescott. Speaking on BBC Radio Humberside's Breakfast Show, Mr Prescott admitted that he did not know much about the disease prior to his father's illness. He said that dementia needed to be "put at the heart" of the new NHS 10-year plan. "We need to have the same vigour that we tackled Covid with," he added. Lord Prescott was first elected as Labour MP for Hull East in 1970 and held the seat for almost 40 years. He served as deputy prime minister between 1997 and 2007. His funeral service at Hull Minster in January was attended by most of the Labour cabinet, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, who all gave eulogies. Mr Prescott said the floods of tributes paid to his father had made him feel like he was "being hit by a Tsunami". "To see the kind of response from people on social media, coming up to us at work, when I'm out and about and just hearing the tributes from everyone really whose lives were touched by him was just overwhelming," he said. "It was just lovely to see that kind of response from the people of Hull." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Blair praises 'extraordinary' Prescott at funeral John Prescott: The political heavyweight who stewarded New Labour What is Alzheimer's and how common is it? Alzheimer's Research UK
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
John Prescott's son to run London Marathon for dementia research
The son of John Prescott is running the London Marathon to raise money for dementia research in memory of his former deputy prime minister died at the age of 86 in November 2024 after living with Alzheimer's disease for a number of Prescott said as well as fundraising, he was taking part in the race to raise awareness of the condition."It's the biggest killer of people in the UK," he said. "For every one dementia researcher there's four researchers looking into cancer research."So there's a big inequality in terms of funding and in terms of mindset," said Mr Prescott. Speaking on BBC Radio Humberside's Breakfast Show, Mr Prescott admitted that he did not know much about the disease prior to his father's said that dementia needed to be "put at the heart" of the new NHS 10-year plan."We need to have the same vigour that we tackled Covid with," he Prescott was first elected as Labour MP for Hull East in 1970 and held the seat for almost 40 years. He served as deputy prime minister between 1997 and funeral service at Hull Minster in January was attended by most of the Labour cabinet, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, who all gave eulogies. Mr Prescott said the floods of tributes paid to his father had made him feel like he was "being hit by a Tsunami"."To see the kind of response from people on social media, coming up to us at work, when I'm out and about and just hearing the tributes from everyone really whose lives were touched by him was just overwhelming," he said."It was just lovely to see that kind of response from the people of Hull."Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
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The Independent
30-01-2025
- Health
- The Independent
John Prescott's Hull funeral draws Labour veterans as Reeves vows third Heathrow runway within a decade: Latest
Ministers begin to arrive at John Prescott's funeral More than 300 family members, friends and colleagues have been invited to John Prescott's service at Hull Minster. Lord Prescott, who served as deputy prime minister under Sir Tony Blair between 1997 and 2007, died on November 20 last year aged 86 in a nursing home where he had been living with Alzheimer's. Hosted by the Rev Canon Dominic Black, the service will include singing from the Choral-Hull children's choir, made up from pupils across the city. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations for Alzheimer's Research UK. Jabed Ahmed30 January 2025 11:16 Full report | Rachel Reeves warns Sadiq Khan she will defeat London mayor's bid to sabotage Heathrow expansion Reeves warns Khan she will defeat London mayor's bid to sabotage Heathrow expansion Chancellor and the mayor of London at odds over controversial plans to add third runway to Heathrow Jabed Ahmed Analysis | Streeting's NHS mandate lays bare the limits of government ambition for the health service Wes Streeting's 2025 NHS mandate has revealed a stark truth about the government's ambition for the NHS. While the health secretary has promised to deliver on the peoples' priorities, his admission that the health service will go "back to basics" suggests that this may be all they're delivering on. Streeting's warning that the 'NHS must learn to live within its means' is hardly an inspiring message for one of Britain's national treasures – and campaign groups have already pointed out key omissions from today's mandate, such as a lack of national targets or deadlines for the NHS to implement sexual misconduct policy. With an increasingly difficult fiscal situation – and an electoral landscape that makes improving satisfaction with the NHS absolutely pivotal to Labour's success – it seems Streeting is gambling on getting the basics right, rather than making truly ambitious reforms for the health service. Millie Cooke 30 January 2025 11:01 Starmer sends condolences to those affected by plane crash in Washington DC Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to emergency services responding to the plane crash in Washington DC. More than 60 people are feared dead after an Army helicopter crashed into a commercial jet near Washington D.C on Wednesday night. Footage of the crash shows the two aircraft collide in midair before exploding a huge fireball. In a post on X, the prime minister said: 'I am deeply shocked by the tragic scenes coming out of Washington D.C. My thoughts are with all those on board and their families desperately waiting for news. 'I pay tribute to the emergency services for their dedicated work in such challenging conditions and I send the UK's condolences to the United States at this time.' Jabed Ahmed30 January 2025 10:58 Labour's border bill to 'block migrants from claiming slavery protections' Labour's border bill to 'block migrants from claiming slavery protections' Sir Keir Starmer accused the previous Conservative government of 'driving a coach and horses' through protections for victims of trafficking Jabed Ahmed30 January 2025 10:49 Streeting takes NHS mandate 'back to basics' in new war on overspend 'The culture of routine overspending without consequences is over', Wes Streeting has warned, as he unveiled a new, trimmed-down mandate for the NHS. The health secretary, who said he will bring the health service 'back to basics', warned that the 'NHS must learn to live within its means'. His new targets include cutting waiting list times, improving access to GPs and dentists and improving urgent and emergency care. In a foreword to the 2025 mandate, Mr Streeting said the approach will put 'the NHS on the road to recovery'. 'The last Labour government delivered the shortest waiting times and the highest patient satisfaction on record. It won't be easy, but together we'll do it again', he said. 'We recognise that this will mean tough decisions need to be made and local systems should feel empowered to make them', Mr Streeting warned. "The culture of routine overspending without consequences is over." Millie Cooke30 January 2025 10:36 Labour Party pay tribute to John Prescott The Labour Party have said 'Today we say goodbye to a giant of the Labour movement' ahead of Lord John Prescott's funeral later today. Lord Prescott, who served under Sir Tony Blair between 1997 and 2007, died on 20 November last year, aged 86. In a post on X, the Labour today paid tribute to him with a video of his most notable moments in the party. Jabed Ahmed30 January 2025 10:29 Watch | Rachel Reeves grilled on past opposition to airport expansion over environmental concerns Jabed Ahmed30 January 2025 10:19 Streeting says 'NHS must learn to live within its means' Wes Streeting has delivered a trimmed-down mandate for the health service today, bringing the NHS 'back to basics'. The health secretary said: "With so many pressures on people's pockets and the public purse, the NHS must learn to live within its means. We recognise that this will mean tough decisions need to be made and local systems should feel empowered to make them.' Jabed Ahmed30 January 2025 10:10 Watch | Rachel Reeves warns UK 'losing market share' without Heathrow expansion Jabed Ahmed30 January 2025 09:59
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
John Prescott's funeral to be held on Thursday
The funeral of former deputy prime minister and Hull East MP John Prescott will take place on Thursday. The service will be held at Hull Minster at 12:00 GMT, and the family said it would be an invitation-only ceremony. Lord Prescott died on 20 November, aged 86. He had been in a care home, living with Alzheimer's disease. In a statement, his family said: "We wish to thank everyone for their love and support on the passing of our husband, father and grandfather." Lord Prescott was first elected as MP for Hull East in 1970 and went on to hold the seat for almost 40 years. He was deputy leader of the Labour Party between 1997 and 2007 and held housing, local and regional government and environment briefs. He is remembered by many for getting into a scuffle with a protester who threw an egg at him during the 2001 general election campaign. Lord Prescott's widow Pauline and his sons David and Johnathan said they had invited more than 300 family, friends and colleagues to the funeral to "pay their respects to a man who played a pivotal role in shaping modern British politics". Choral-Hull, a choir made up of children from across the city, will sing at the service. "To hear so many wonderful tributes from people who knew John has been a great source of comfort to us as we dealt with our grief," the family statement said. "We hope the service will be an opportunity to celebrate his life and his love of Hull and its people." Hull City Council said a number of roads would be closed on the day, between 08:30 and 16:00 GMT. These include Lowgate, Market Place, North Church Side, South Church Side, Vicar Lane, Dagger Lane, King Street, Posterngate, Fish Street, Prince Street, Trinity House Lane, Silver Street, Scale Lane and Liberty Lane. There is due to be a further closure of Lowgate on Wednesday between 20:00 and 00:00 GMT to allow the installation of traffic management measures. The road will also be closed on Thursday between 20:00 and 00:00 GMT so the restrictions can be removed. Parking restrictions will be in place along South Church Side, North Church Side and Lowgate from 06:00 GMT on Wednesday until 16:00 GMT on Thursday. Any vehicles left in the area will be removed. In lieu of flowers, the Prescott family has requested donations for Alzheimer's Research UK. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. John Prescott: The political heavyweight who stewarded New Labour John Prescott: Political bruiser who played vital role in Labour comeback Seven memorable moments in the life of John Prescott Hull Minster Alzheimer's Research UK
