2 weeks agoNews PlusComments Off on Civil servants handed 900 MORE taxpayer-funded credit cards in just one year, reveal figures
CIVIL servants were handed nearly 900 extra taxpayer-funded spending cards in just one year, official figures reveal.
The number of Government Procurement Cards in the Foreign Office surged from 4,590 in January 2023 to 5,472 in January 2024.
GettyReform Deputy Leader Richard Tice[/caption]
The rise, which occurred under the Tories, marks a staggering 19 per cent increase and has been slammed by Reform UK.
Deputy leader Richard Tice hit out: “The Tories took taxpayers for a ride. They talked so about cutting waste and wanting lower taxes yet the reality is that they bloated the civil service and hammered taxpayers.
“No matter what the Tories say now, they are the reason for many of the issues we face today as a country.
“Only Reform UK are serious about cutting waste, cutting taxes and streamlining the civil service.”
The figures were obtained through a parliamentary question and Labour ministers defended the increase.
Foreign Office Minister Catherine West said: “Government Procurement Cards provide an efficient route to enable key staff to procure goods and services, necessary to the promotion of British interests overseas and the maintenance of our embassies and high commissions.
“All purchases are subject to authorisation by managers and audit checks.”
The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.
2 weeks agoNews PlusComments Off on Final footsteps of missing couple, 31 & 26, who vanished together from high street as cops release CCTV
THE final footsteps of a missing couple who vanished together from a high street have been revealed as cops released CCTV images of their last sighting.
Rebecca Smallcalder, 26, and Louis Bond, 31, were last seen in Brompton, Gillingham, but new evidence shows them walking around a mile away from this location in Kent.
Louis Bond, 31, has been missing since Mondaykent policeRebecca Smallcalder, 26, was last seen in the Brompton area of Gillinghamkent police
Now, CCTV footage shared by KentPolice on Tuesday, January 7, has provided enough material for a map to be created, outlining the couple’s last movements.
After leaving their home in Gillingham, they were seen in Chatham town centre walking on the high street towards Rochester.
Then they were seen for a second time in Chatham.
Previously, images showed Louis to be wearing a reflective jacket and lugging a black rucksack.
While Rebecca wore a black top, black trousers, black hat and white trainers.
She also carried a grey handbag and pale green plastic carrier-bag.
Earlier on Monday, the day she was reported missing, Rebecca had been wearing a striped scarf, CCTV showed.
However, the new footage shows Louis carrying what seems to be the same plastic bag.
Louis also wears all black clothing and a pale blue woolly hat.
Along with black gloves, thick black shoes and the mysterious pale green carrier bag.
While Rebecca wears a black bomber-jacket, a hat and has a bag slung round her shoulder.
She also wears what seems to be the same white trainers.
In an updated statement, Chief Inspector Garry Cook said: “Our enquiries to locate Louis led us to identify that Rebecca had not been seen after leaving work on the same day.
“We have identified they were together in Gillingham High Street during the afternoon of Monday 6 January and then later that day around Chatham town centre, where they walked in the High Street in the direction of Rochester.
“We are very concerned for their welfare and are urging members of the public to contact us if they see either of them.”
The force is also urging residents and businesses in the area to check for more potential CCTV – and for motorists to check their dashcam footage.
Louis is described as being white, 5ft 5ins and of slim build, with a shaved head.
Rebecca is described as being white, of slim build, and 5ft 11ins with dark hair, which she wears in a ponytail.
New CCTV image of the missing Louis and Rebecca, spotted in Chatham, Kentkent policePrevious CCTV showing Rebecca on the day she was reported missingkent police
2 weeks agoNews PlusComments Off on Small UK seaside theme park named one of the best in the world with record-breaking coasters and new rides
BLACKPOOL Pleasure Beach Resort in the north of England has been named the best family-owned theme park in the country.
The seaside theme park, which first opened in 1896, has broken records and won prestigious awards.
AlamyBlackpool Pleasure Beach Resort in the north of England has been named as one of the world’s best family-owned theme park[/caption]
AlamyThe theme park was praised of its vintage rides, including the Big Dipper[/caption]
And it was recently named one of the best family-run theme parks in the world by Blooloop.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort was the only UK theme park named on the list, making it the best in the country.
Other global theme parks on the list include Europa Park in Germany, Siam Park in Tenerife and IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai.
Popular theme parks in the UK, like Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, weren’t named on the list because they’re owned by larger companies.
Writing about Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort, Blooloop, said: “What makes thePleasure Beachof today unique among British parks is its surviving collection of vintage rides.
“These include four wooden roller coasters, Sir Hiram Maxim’s Flying Machine, the River Caves and the Steeplechase, one of many attractions installed under the reign of the late Geoffrey Thompson OBE.
“Some of these are the last remaining types of their kind worldwide.”
Boss and owner of Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE, added: “We’re honoured to be recognised as one of the best family-owned theme parks in the world, and the only UK park to make the list.
“My great grandfather founded Pleasure Beach and it has remained in our family ever since, where we continue to keep his passion for innovation and entertainment at the heart of everything we do.
“As ever, this recognition is a celebration of our incredible team and the loyal visitors who make Pleasure Beach Resort a truly special place, year on year.”
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort is home to the only two rides in the country to have been given a prestigious global award.
Last year, the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) awarded two rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach with Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques – a special recognition reserved for rides of historical significance.
Both the Big Dipper and the Grand National were awarded Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques.
Back in 2023, the Big Dipper, the theme park’s well-known wooden coaster, celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The seaside theme park is also home to The Big One, the UK’s tallest coaster.
Revolution, the country’s first looping roller coaster is also found at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort.
Icon and Infusion are two other roller coasters that are also the first of their kind in the UK too.
Some of these are the last remaining types of their kind worldwide
Meanwhile, younger guests are also very well catered for, with Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-o-matic, the Alice in Wonderland dark ride and Nickelodeon Land all on offer among many others.
Formerly known as Ice Blast, the 210ft tower ride will reopen under the new name of Launch Pad.
It’s been given a new pressure cylinder, meaning the ride is faster than before.
And last year, theme park filed a registration of a charge withCompanies House, which stated that the a new feature is set to be located somewhere at the park.
In the descriptions on the charge, it discusses an “Intamin Gyroswing located atBlackpoolPleasure Beach” – although not much else is known about the new ride.
Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort will open for its summer season on March 2, with prices from £28 for kids and £30 for adults.
How to spend a weekend in Blackpool
TRAVEL writer Catherine Lofthouse visited Blackpool last year with her family, here’s what she thought…
Bumbling along the beach in Blackpool, with the iconic tower as a backdrop, it feels like we’ve stepped inside a postcard, capturing the very essence of the great British seaside.
Whether you love a back-to-basics bucket-and-spade beach break, want a thrill a minute at one of the UK’s oldest theme parks or fancy a night on the tiles, there’s everything you need at Blackpool.
As a Strictly fan, I’d wanted to pay homage to the home of ballroom, but didn’t find much else to make me break out in song and dance.
But this summer, it feels like Blackpool is on the up.
Everywhere I look, there’s building work taking place and existing attractions being spruced up.
There’s been investment along the seafront, with Merlin, the company behind Alton Towers and Legoland, recently opening its eighth attraction in the town with the arrival of the Gruffalo Clubhouse for little ones.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is redeveloping some of its big name rides too, like Valhalla, which draws in theme park enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond.
Away from the beach, work is taking place to restore the historic Winter Gardens and their surrounds to their former glory.
At the end of last year, Alton Towers announced it would be closing its oldest ride permanently.
2 weeks agoNews PlusComments Off on Warning over rule change to hated 20mph speed limits that could see MORE drivers fined in plans branded ‘utter madness’
WELSH drivers have been warned of a change to the hated 20mph speed limit that could see even more fines.
Plans to slash the threshold for drivers being fined on 20mph roads have been branded “utter madness” as the Welsh Labour Government continues to develop the controversial policy.
GettyWelsh drivers have been warned of a slight tweak to the 20mph speed limit zones that could see even more fines[/caption]
GettyCurrently, drivers get a little bit of leeway as they adjust to the new policy[/caption]
Motorists across Wales are still getting used to the 20mph speed limits on restricted roads as the Government works with local authorities to make necessary changes.
Following the heavily criticised rollout, Labour announced it would look to amend the policy so it was more focused on roads that actually need it – instead of it being a blanket measure.
To that end, the standard threshold for drivers to be slapped with a speeding fine is 10 per cent plus two miles per hour.
This was changed to four miles per hour for the new 20mph roads, as requested by GoSafe, who called on chief police officers to be more lenient on drivers as they adjust to the nationwide proposal.
This means that if a driver is caught speeding at 24mph in the 20mph zone, they will not be fined.
However, a penalty charge notice could be issued if they’re caught at 26mph.
But reports now suggest changes could be introduced to amend this threshold and could see drivers fined if they’re travelling at 24mph.
According to Wales Online, chief police officers are set to review the policy in March.
The former leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies MS, Senedd Member for South Wales Central, said: “Dropping this threshold would be utter madness.
“The 20mph policy is crackers enough without implementing a low threshold which is hard to match at low speeds.
“Labour’s failed 20mph experiment should be dropped.”
In 2024, 48,203 offences were recorded in Mid and South Wales, while 36,710 were given out in North Wales.
In total, 84,913 offences were recorded across the country.
Average offence speeds peaked in April for Mid and South Wales at 30.4mph, while North Wales saw the average offence speed peak at 32.7mph in May.
Throughout 2024, the GoSafe road safety partnership revealed that 13,443 engagement sessions had taken place in which the Welsh Fire and Rescue Services delivered a 10-minute presentation about the speed limit changes.
A spokesperson for GoSafe said: “While the public get used to the change in default limit, chief police officers have allowed us to increase this to 10 per cent plus 4mph in 20mph only, meaning we start to prosecute at 26mph in a 20mph limit.
“This allows us to concentrate on offences more significantly over the speed limit.
“The increased enforcement threshold is scheduled to be reviewed by Chief Officers in March 2025, however, they will continue to monitor it and may review it before this date. Any change will be communicated in advance through official sources.”
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LONGSHOT
BLACK SMOKE (6.30 Chelmsford)
He sees out this trip well and was a decent fourth at Wolverhampton last time out.
THIEF
BROSAY (1.58 Lingfield)
He did well to win over an inadequate 5f on debut for his new trainer last time and should improve for this step up in distance.
DUBAI HARBOUR (3.07 Lingfield)
He was a winner on his last visit here in December and has every chance from just 2lb higher in the weights.
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2 weeks agoNews PlusComments Off on Unite Against Modern Slavery This January and Beyond
Lassen Family Services want to remind everyone that January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Did you know that human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises globally, generating a staggering $150 billion a year? It is a modern form of slavery and affects vulnerable […]
2 weeks agoNews PlusComments Off on “He was going to say something very, very, very serious”: The 1 Advice from James Spader That Made ‘Blacklist’ a Breeze for Megan Boone
The Blacklist has raged on as one of the finest entries in the crime-drama genre, with James Spader leading it as Raymond Reddington alongside Megan Boone’s Elizabeth Keen, and continues to do so even after getting off the air with its tenth season. However, as loved as the show was, shooting it wasn’t all that […]
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