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Daily Record
17 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Dramatic rise and fall of Stirling's 'Big Mags' Haney explored in podcast
The controversial matriarch led colourful life - from a Raploch anti-paedophile campaigner to being a convicted drug dealer. Controversial community figure and convicted drug dealer 'Big' Mags Haney is to be the focus of a new BBC podcast series. 'The Ballad of Big Mags' will explore the life and times of Mags, who rose to prominence in the late 90s. Margaret Haney or McMenamin from the Raploch estate in Stirling grabbed the headlines in the 1990s as a self-styled anti-paedophile campaigner. And when a sheriff branded her clan 'the family from hell', further garnering attention, it cemented her place in public consciousness. Decades later she continues to divide opinion, and, in the BBC podcast series, award-winning journalist Myles Bonnar 'reveals new insights as he speaks to people closely connected to her and intimately involved in the astonishing series of events that took place in the late 90s and early 2000s'. Myles said: 'Mags Haney's rise to prominence and her dramatic fall after revelations of her criminal activities, was a story which played out in the media over years. 'The series not only examines her contradictory life but also wider issues of mob justice, community dynamics, poverty, and the creation of the so-called media personality. 'Many people only partially know the story of this controversial figure and this series will give a full account of how she rose to fame and became a source of fascination to the media and public before her criminal life was exposed.' Chain smoker Mags, 70, who was suffering from lung cancer which spread to her brain, passed away in hospital in August 2013, surrounded by her family. The mum of 11 – two of whom died in infancy – and gran of 48, rose to fame nationally in the mid-90s when she led a campaign to oust convicted paedophiles from the Raploch estate where she and her family lived. She had also led protests in the estate against the Poll Tax and spoke out about everything from the need for regeneration in Raploch to directly telling senior politicians she wouldn't give stockpiled tins of European mince being handed out to pensioners and the poor 'to her dug'. Mags rallied other mums to demand one sex offender in particular was moved out of the area and sparked a string of protests across the country against sex offenders being housed near families, even appearing on the chat show Kilroy to discuss her campaign. But as her fame spread, the spotlight turned on Mags and her own family. She and her children , in 1995, were branded 'the family from Hell' by a sheriff, as they racked up scores of convictions for everything from housebreaking, assault to mobbing and rioting. Some in Raploch turned on the Haneys, who eventually fled the estate after a mob laid siege to their house. After a succession of communities campaigned to keep her and her family from moving to their areas, ironically she eventually ended up housed only a few hundred yards outside Raploch, in Lower Bridge Street. It was from there that she was arrested in a police drugs snare and in 2003 she was sentenced to 12 years in jail after being branded the controller of her family's drugs empire. Three members of her family also received sentences of nine, seven and five years for their roles. But, even as she began her sentence, Mags – who had a string of previous convictions for assault, breach of the peace and fraud – contacted the Stirling Observer from jail to insist she was the victim of 'conspiracy and a set-up' and insisted she only pled guilty to drug dealing to protect her elderly husband John, known locally as Smacks. Mags told us: 'I had no alternative but to plead guilty; he's 72 now and I just couldn't let all this go on for his sake. 'I was just watching him go more and more downhill and I eventually gave in.' Asked why so many people had been willing to testify against her, she claimed they had been put under pressure either by being threatened with being put on indictment themselves or because they were addicts who became prepared to say anything just so they would be let away for their next fix. Claims that Mags was one of the main beneficiaries of an operation which was raking in at least £200,000 a year from drug dealing, were also rubbished by her. 'I am in over my head in debt,' she said, adding if any cash was found it had nothing to do with her. But after she plead guilty, families came out accusing Mags herself of peddling drugs to their children and relatives, including in some cases going as far as to blame her for their drug-related deaths. She said: 'These stories are rubbish. I never ever agreed to members of my family selling drugs. But at the end of the day they are adults and free to make up their own minds whatever they do.' Asked why so many people were willing to 'shop' her, she said: 'There are people out there who hate the Haneys for reasons I don't really know.' Asked if her notoriety had been her downfall and if she had courted publicity she said: 'Never. I fought a cause for justice for the innocent children of our nation. Why shouldn't I have done that?' Haney eventually served six years in Cornton Vale Women's Prison, before being released in 2009. In jail, she battled cervical cancer and her health began to decline, and latterly she was using a wheelchair. A larger than life character who at various times both revelled in and rued her notoriety, her dry sense of humour was on display as she spoke to a Stirling Observer reporter while on day release from prison and sitting in an otherwise packed McDonalds in Stirling - surrounded by empty tables. 'Look at this lot,' she laughed. 'What do they think I'm going to do? I'm a pensioner with cancer and a walking stick...' The six-part series will be available on BBC Sounds from Friday August 8.
The Herald Scotland
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Who does Labour exist to represent in Starmer's Britain?
Contrary to what many people remember the first Thatcher government, elected in 1979, was comparatively benign compared with what was to come – the miners' strike, mass unemployment, the economic vandalism of the 1980s, the Poll Tax – and Kinnock knew that it was simply a warm-up routine. If Thatcher was re-elected, he told the packed hall and a live TV audience on News at Ten, 'I warn you not to be ordinary. I warn you not to be young. I warn you not to fall ill. I warn you not to get old'. Read More: A politician so cruelly misrepresented in the Conservative media, Kinnock was not only the architect of New Labour, and arguably the best Prime Minister his party never had, he was also the greatest platform orator of his generation. Listening to one of his rousing, charismatic and intelligent speeches, was to be reminded of the power of collective ambition and the glorious possibility of change. Above all, he always stressed the importance of not overpromising and of delivering. Neil Kinnock (Image: PA) What is striking about listening to his words today – more than 40 years later – is that under the current leadership, they might equally apply to the Labour government. Labour leaders have always faced a perilous balancing act in appealing simultaneously to the party faithful and the wider electorate. There are those, like Tony Blair and Harold Wilson, who managed the neat trick of speaking effectively to both. Others, like Jeremy Corbyn and Michael Foot didn't even pretend to be interested in engaging with the latter and succumbed, inevitably to the gravitational effects of their own hubris at the polls. The current leadership appears to be the first in the party's history to speak to neither. Sir Keir Starmer's first year as Prime Minister has been marked by a dramatic collapse in public support, with his net approval rating now worse than all post-Thatcher prime ministers, with the exception of Gordon Brown, at the same stage. Key missteps include his controversial decision – alongside Chancellor Rachel Reeves – to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners. This move, justified by a disputed £22billion "black hole", alienated older voters and damaged his reputation, and his inability to deliver on key manifesto pledges accelerated that decline. A recent Public First poll revealed 39% of voters believe he has made no progress on any major promises, including cutting NHS waiting times (24%), restoring order to the asylum system (8%), or improving border security (12%). Tax hikes included in last year's Autumn Statement eroded business confidence, while a prisoner early-release scandal – where a freed inmate thanked Starmer for his "privilege" – deepened the sense of detachment. A disastrous first year was capped with the poor handling of the government's welfare bill, which squeezed through its final Commons stage, only after significant rebellion and concessions. The bill's passage followed weeks of chaos, with ministers forced to scrap PIP cuts for existing claimants and delay changes for new ones. Starmer's low-drama persona, once an asset against Tory turmoil, now appears indecisive, with Reform overtaking Labour in polls and Nigel Farage seen as a stronger leader. The most damaging impact of these failures may well be in the longer term, applied by voters who could be forgiven for wondering who Labour represents and what it stands for. If it is not there to support the 'ordinary, the young, the ill and the old' then what is its purpose? The party is still battling to overcome claims of antisemitism that took root under Corbyn's disastrous, sclerotic leadership. This week Susan Smith, director of the campaign group For Women Scotland claimed the party has an 'ongoing women problem' after Labour MP Tim Roca described gender critical activists as 'swivel-eyed'. While Blair had the benefit of a growing economy when he won a landslide victory in 1997, he also came into office with an identifiable political credo and a sense of purpose. The doctrinal prism through which all policy decisions were refracted, was reform – modernising the party and bringing it more in line with mainstream orthodoxy. While he inevitably alienated parts of Labour's base – not least through his disastrous and, ultimately career-defining, decision to support a US invasion of Iraq – he continued to command popular support. If there's one thing core voters and activists cannot argue against, it's winning elections. The problem for Starmer and his colleagues is that, more than a year into government, voters still have no idea what they stand for. Relying solely on competence for electoral appeal quickly becomes a liability when you make a series of demonstrably incompetent decisions. Before Starmer can begin to address his party's disparity in the opinion polls, he must prioritise reconnecting with its grassroots, to articulate more clearly his values and beliefs, to counter the threat, not only from Farage's snake oil promises, but also from Corbyn's new, and as yet unnamed, party of the far left. He could do worse than start watch another of Kinnock's former speeches, his leader's address to the Labour conference in 1985 when he took on Militant Tendency, the Trotskyist insurgency that threatened to subvert the party from within. His delivery was an object lesson in highlighting the futility of dogmatc obsession and was directed at Militant members who had captured Liverpool City Council, bankrupting it with profligate, illegal spending and then sacking its own employees because it couldn't afford to pay their wages. 'Implausible promises don't win victories,' he told a chastened hall. If Starmer can first convince his party's faithful of that abiding truth, he will be better placed to win over the wider electorate. Carlos Alba is a journalist, author, and PR consultant at Carlos Alba Media. His latest novel, There's a Problem with Dad, explores the issue of undiagnosed autism among older people
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Council tax bills would rise under plan for huge shakeup of the system in Scotland
EXCLUSIVE: The Green proposal for a council tax revaluation aims to overhaul the historic council tax banding system. Wealthy Scots would be hit by massive council tax rises under plans for a massive shake up of the system. The Scottish Greens have tabled proposals for the first revaluation of every property in over thirty years in a bid to make council tax fairer. Green MSP Ross Greer: 'The wealthiest people in the most valuable houses are getting off with an absolute steal. They pay far less than they should, whilst far too many ordinary households pay much more.' Scots households pay council tax according to bands based on the estimated value of homes in 1991. The historic property price system has never been updated and experts believe over half of homes are now in the wrong band. A Scottish Green amendment to housing legislation would require a revaluation to be completed by early 2029. The party believes the status quo shields the wealthiest and they would accompany a revaluation with plans to protect people on modest incomes. Greer said: 'The Council Tax is based on property values from before I was even born and as a result, it is now completely broken. We wouldn't tolerate most people paying the wrong rate of income tax, but that is exactly what has been allowed to happen here after 34 years. 'It may sound dry, but the Council Tax is crucial to funding schools, social care, bin collections and other local services. It should never have been allowed to become this completely broken." He added: 'This system was a quick and dirty replacement for Thatcher's hated Poll Tax. Everyone has agreed for years that it must be replaced completely. Despite this, the Scottish Government has lacked the courage to actually make that change. 'The Scottish Greens have made some important changes recently, including doubling Council Tax for second homes to help tackle the housing crisis. However, we know that total reform is urgently needed. That can't happen without ditching the 1991 property valuations and bringing the system into this century. 'Those with the broadest shoulders and in the biggest houses should be paying more than those less privileged to fund the local services we all rely on.' In March, SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison said she would be 'keen' on moves to create new council tax bands for more expensive homes. She said: 'Creating more bands within the council tax system itself is an inherently progressive thing to do.' She said of a revaluation: 'If you could do something about 1991 property values in a way that is pragmatic, practical and with consensus, then I think that's better. That's progress, rather than nothing.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'We have announced a joint programme of engagement with COSLA to build consensus around reforms to make Council Tax fairer. This will commence this year.'
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How to check if you're one of 400,000 homeowners overpaying council tax
Eight councils facing bankruptcy have asked for permission to raise council tax bills above the maximum limit allowed by law. If they are given the all-clear by central government, around 4.4 million residents could see their council tax bills rise, according to an audit by the Daily Mail, with households in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead facing a hike of 25%. This would be the largest increase in two decades (five times the usual annual increase of 5%) and would see residents in the Berkshire borough paying an additional £451 per year on average. Bradford, North Somerset and Hampshire County Councils have all asked for 15% tax rises from April, while Birmingham City Council is requesting a 9.99% rise for a second year in a row. The London borough of Newham is asking for 10%, Cheshire East is asking for 9.99% and Slough is requesting a rise of 7.99%. Local authorities have long been asking for more financial support from the Westminster government, with councils in England facing a funding gap of £4bn over the next two years, according to the Local Government Association. Cash-strapped councils argue they have no choice but to ask for tax hikes above the normal limit, but according to many residents are already paying more than they should as thousands of homes were put in the wrong bands back in the early 90s. Could your home be one of them? Here, Yahoo News explains how to find out and what you can do about it. Council tax is a taxation system in England, Scotland and Wales and is a tax on domestic property. It was introduced in 1993 following the Local Government Finance Act 1992, and replaced the controversial Poll Tax, which itself replaced domestic rates. Council tax is charged on domestic properties, which are split into different bands, the cheapest being A and the most expensive being H. The bands are based on what the home might have sold for in April 1991: Band A - up to £40,000 Band B - £40,001 to £52,000 Band C - £52,001 to £68,000 Band D - £68,001 to £88,000 Band E - £88,001 to £120,000 Band F - £120,001 to £160,000 Band G - £160,001 to £320,000 Band H - more than £320,000 When you register to pay council tax, your local authority should let you know what band your home is in, but you can also check here on the government's website. According to MoneySavingExpert, as many as 400,000 homes are in the wrong council tax band due to being banded wrongly. When the banding system was introduced in 1991, there weren't enough resources to get detailed information on each individual property in time for the system's launch, the consumer champion website says. The government enlisted the help of estate agents and others, but still there wasn't enough time, prompting many estate agents to drive down whole streets banding properties "at a glance", in what came to be known as "second-gear valuations". MoneySavingExpert told Yahoo News that some people could also be overpaying council tax because they paid in advance and then moved away, or because they aren't claiming the discounts available to them, such as those for single people living alone. Benjamin Elks, grassroots development manager of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Councils should ensure that they're being fair and thorough by collecting the correct amount of council tax." If someone believes their property is in a higher, incorrect band, they should assess their property's 1991 value. You can use this tool on the website to check your band, and crucially, to check if it is different to your neighbours living in similar or identical properties. If your neighbours are in a lower band than you, it could either mean the whole street needs to be rebanded, or that you need to challenge your own home's banding. MoneySavingExpert advises people to check what their homes were worth in 1991. If you bought your home after that time, you can take its price and date of sale and compare it with similar neighbouring properties on websites such as Zoopla, Rightmove and Nethouseprices, which show prices from 2000. Then you can find the most recent sale price of a similar property on your street. Once you have these details, you can use a calculator on MoneySavingExpert's site to find an estimate price for 1991. When using comparable properties to support your Council Tax band challenge, make sure to check that:✅ the properties are on the same street, estate or within the same village 🏘️Learn more about the other details we take into account: — Valuation Office Agency (@VOAgovuk) January 28, 2025 If you've been paying council tax on your property for less than six months, or your band has been changed in the past six months, then you can make a challenge known as a "proposal". This is classified as a formal challenge and means the government is required by law to carry out a review of your band. If you think your band is wrong and you've been paying council tax on your property for more than six months, you can request an "informal" band review. "The same legal rights do not apply, and we'll only take your request forward if you provide strong evidence that your band is wrong," the government says. "This is usually the addresses of up to five comparable properties or sales information." Residents can also challenge their council tax bands if there has been a change that affects their property, for example, if it has been split into multiple homes, or if it's been left in a state of disrepair with structural problems. People living in England and Wales can challenge their council tax bands here on the website. In Scotland, you have to submit your challenge to an assessor based in your local Valuation Joint Board or council, which you can find here, while in Northern Ireland, rates, the equivalent of council tax, you can apply for a domestic valuation review. How often should councils collect rubbish? Have your say (Yahoo News) Older people claiming Attendance Allowance can get back payments using Martin Lewis tip (Daily Record) How much is your council tax going up? London boroughs with biggest bills revealed (The London Standard)
