Latest news with #Reduction
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Households on benefits including Universal Credit urged to apply for free £200 cash NOW
We reveal below what to do if you're not eligible for one of the £200 payments BANK BOOST Households on benefits including Universal Credit urged to apply for free £200 cash NOW Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOUSEHOLDS on benefits including Universal Credit are being urged to apply for £200 in free cash NOW. The help comes via the Household Support Fund (HSF) which is worth £742million and has been shared between councils in England. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Households have been urged to apply for £200 free cash payments Credit: Getty Councils are currently in the process of distributing their share of the fund - but what support you can get varies depending on where you live. Wealden District Council has opened applications for residents - and free cash worth £200 is up for grabs. To qualify, you need to be aged 18 or older, living in the Wealden District Council Local Authority area and be receiving one of four benefits: Universal Credit (that also includes the Housing Costs element) Housing Benefit Council Tax Reduction an SMI (severe mental impairment) exemption and would therefore otherwise be entitled to a Council Tax Reduction You can only apply for one of the £200 payments now if you meet the criteria above and did not receive help through the previous round of HSF, which ran from October 2024 to March this year. Only one application can be made per household and will be paid into your bank account within 14 days of a successful claim. Further details on how to apply can be found via This funding comes as part of phase one of Wealden District Council's allotment of its share of the current round of HSF. The second phase will be held between October 1 and March 31, 2026, when anyone who received help in the previous round of HSF can apply for a £200 payment. The same eligibility criteria for phase one will apply to phase two. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence What about if I don't live in Wealden? You may be eligible to get support through the HSF if you don't live in Wealden. However, it depends on where you live. This is because each council sets it own eligibility criteria. However, the Household Support Fund, which was first established in 2021, is designed to help those on low incomes, benefits or classed as vulnerable. So, if you fit into any of these three categories, the chances are you will qualify for support. The best thing to do is visit your local council's website where most have a page dedicated to the Household Support Fund. Or, you can contact your local council's customer service helpline to inquire. The latest round of Household Support Fund runs until March 31, 2026, and some councils have already opened up for applications. Households in Birmingham are being urged to apply for £200 payments. Meanwhile, low income households in North Northamptonshire can apply for supermarket vouchers worth up to £320. Other help if you're on a low income It's worth checking if you're eligible for benefits if you haven't already - it could boost your bank balance by thousands of pounds a year. If you're struggling with the cost of food, check where your nearest food bank is. The Trussell Trust has hundreds of food banks across the UK, and you can find your nearest one here - The Trust's food banks issue emergency parcels to people who cannot afford to cover costs themselves. Meanwhile, if you have fallen behind on your energy bills, you might be able to get a grant to wipe any debt. British Gas and Octopus Energy, the UK's two biggest energy firms, both run schemes offering customers grants worth up to £2,000.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ghatampur thermal power project a landmark achievement: PM
1 2 Kanpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dedicated Unit-1 (660MW) of Ghatampur Thermal Power Project and termed it as a landmark achievement. The project is a flagship initiative by Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Ltd (NUPPL), a collaboration of NLC India Limited (51%) and UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) (49%). Chairman, MD NUPPL Prasanna Kumar Motupalli stated that the project has three units of 660 MW each of which, the first operating unit, commissioned in Dec 2024, was dedicated on Friday. Remaining two units are likely to be commissioned by Dec 2025. The power purchase agreement (PPA) has been made for 1487.28 MW, i.e. 75.12% of the power generated with Uttar Pradesh and 492.72 MW, i.e. 24.88% with Assam subject to actual transfer of 20% equity share of UPRVUNL in NUPPL in favour of Assam govt. With advanced technologies like Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) for reducing NOx and (SOx) emissions, respectively and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) system, the plant would play a significant role in power production in the state, he said. It also has sophisticated monitoring devices, including Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AAQMS) and Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS), he added. CEO NUPPL S Durai Kumar and chief financial officer Ashok Kumar Mani were also present.
The South African
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
MAJOR changes for Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix
The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix will feature several significant rule changes aimed at enhancing competitiveness and excitement on the iconic street circuit. The race, the eighth of 24 on this season's calendar, will take place on Sunday, 25 May. For the first time, drivers will be required to make two mandatory pit stops during the race, irrespective of weather conditions. This change mandates the use of at least three sets of tyres, with a minimum of two different compounds in dry conditions. The FIA implemented this rule to encourage varied strategies and increase overtaking opportunities on a track known for its limited passing chances. To improve safety and performance, several sections of the Circuit de Monaco have been resurfaced: From the exit of Turn 4 to the entry of Turn 6 From the exit of Turn 6 to the entry of Turn 10 From the exit of Turn 19 to the exit of Turn 1 Additionally, the FIA has upgraded the fencing between Turns 13 and 15 on the left-hand side, incorporating a 45-degree angled upper section to enhance driver safety. The Drag Reduction System (DRS) zone remains unchanged, with the detection point located 80 metres after Turn 16 and activation 18 metres after Turn 19. Regarding track limits, drivers using the escape road at Turns 10-11 must rejoin the track only when signaled by green lights operated by marshals, ensuring safe re-entry. Given Monaco's unique logistical challenges, the FIA has adjusted team curfew regulations for the event. Specific details on these adjustments have been communicated directly to the teams to accommodate the tight scheduling constraints typical of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. These changes reflect the FIA's commitment to enhancing the spectacle of the Monaco Grand Prix while maintaining the safety and integrity of the sport. All times SA Friday, 23 May Practice 1: 13:30 – 14:30 Practice 2: 17:00 – 18:00 Saturday, 24 May Practice 3: 12:30 – 13:30 Qualifying: 16:00 – 17:00 Sunday, 25 May Main race: 15:00 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
RTÉ News
13-05-2025
- RTÉ News
15 people arrested in connection with retail theft in Dublin 7
Fifteen people have been arrested in connection with investigations targeting retail theft in the Dublin 7 area. The 12 men and three women, aged from their 20's to their 40's are due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice tomorrow. Gardaí say the arrests were made in the lead up to an Operation Táirge Day of Action which takes place tomorrow. Operation Táirge is part of An Garda Síochána's Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy supporting activity aimed at detecting and preventing Organised Retail Crime. The investigations relate to thefts from multi-national retailers, local chain stores as well as local independent retailers within the Dublin 7 community. As part of the day of action, gardaí from the Bridewell Community Engagement Area have engaged with over 60 retail outlets, to raise awareness around crime prevention. Gardaí say 26 charges are being brought against those arrested in this phase of the investigation.
South Wales Guardian
04-05-2025
- South Wales Guardian
7 speed camera myths that drivers need to know about
Welsh transport minister, Ken Skates, revealed on Tuesday (April 23) that the government would be revising its guidance to councils on the new 20mph speed limit. Since the controversial limit was introduced, many people found themselves being caught out by speed cameras. Back in 2019, North Wales Live attempted to separate fact from fiction and spent the day on a road in Denbighshire with Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer Gareth Thomas, to dispel any myths. He told the Daily Post: "I decided after retiring that I wanted to make the roads as safe as they can be in this area. "The aim of cameras is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads. Go Safe prefers to educate drivers rather than punish them with fines and penalty points." RECOMMENDED READING: How much will it cost to revert speed limit in Wales from 20mph back to 30mph? Enforcement of new 20mph speed limit in Wales to start this month - see when Welsh Government minister behind 20mph limit to step down from transport role Here are 7 speed camera myths you may want to consider: Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times? No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don't often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right. Gareth, said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away." It is true that the 10% rule exists? Yes. You will not get a ticket provided your speed does not exceed the limit by more than 10%, Gareth says. So for example, travelling at 35mph or above in a 30mph zone will be recorded as a speeding offence (this will change from Sunday). However, thresholds vary and can change without notice. Officially, any speeding offence occurs at 1mph above the limit, but most forces will allow a variance. Are officers revenue collectors for the Government? No. Gareth, explained: "We're not here to get figures or to make money. We're just here to catch the people who are speeding. "If I get a day where I don't get any drivers speeding, then I know I've done my job. If I've been working an eight-hour shift, I just hope at least one person that day has escaped injury or a crash has been avoided." 🚙 | On Monday the default national speed limit will fall from 30mph to 20mph on restricted roads in Wales. 📊 The latest poll from ITV Wales shows that 61% of people in Wales oppose it. The Labour Party war on the car continues - no doubt to more of England under Starmer. Do officers enforce anything other than speeding? Yes. Officers are there to make sure you are wearing a seatbelt and are not using your mobile phones behind the wheel. Anyone caught breaking these laws will be prosecuted. Is it illegal to eat behind the wheel? No, it's not. However, if you get distracted while snacking behind the wheel, the police could prosecute you for careless driving. Gareth, said: "It is endorsable. I had one lady in view once and she was looking in the mirror and putting lipstick on. "She was riding on the cats eyes in the centre of the road and veering. I recommended that she was prosecuted for driving without due care and attention." Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a GoSafe speed van? If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to "wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty". However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent." What happens if I am caught speeding? It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a £100 fine. But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: "An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer. "Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the 'notices' and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit." So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don't have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.
