2 weeks agoNewsComments Off on France should ‘take lessons from Belgium in getting tough on illegal migration’
FRANCE should take lessons from Belgium in getting tough on illegal migration, government insiders say.
Senior UK officials want Calais cops to learn from their nextdoor neighbours on how to stop Channel crossings to Britain.
GettyFrance should take lessons from Belgium in getting tough on illegal migration, say government insiders say[/caption]
Borders Minister Angela Eagle and her Belgian counterpart Nicole de Moor agreed closer cooperation on tackling illegal migrationRex
Just one small boat has come from Belgium so far this year following the country’s robust crackdown on smuggling gangs.
It has included bringing migrants back while they are making the journey – while French ships escort vessels into British waters.
The Home Office is currently reviewing a deal with France that sees taxpayers send them £500million for their help stopping migrant launches.
But more boats are currently getting to Britain than are being prevented – the most recent data for the week of October 13 shows 613 migrants arrived, while just 528 were caught.
Last week Borders Minister Angela Eagle and her Belgian counterpart Nicole de Moor agreed closer cooperation on tackling illegal migration.
Our law enforcement will work with their cops to flush out the criminal networks, and work together on deportations.
Ms Eagle said: “We cannot let criminal gangs decide who enters our country, and closer relationships with our bilateral partners is fundamental to disrupting criminal networks and protecting our borders.
“Strengthened partnership overseas is a key priority of our new Border Security Command.
“Providing leadership across the whole system, with enhanced intelligence capabilities and law enforcement cooperation, we are using every tool at our disposal to dismantle people smuggling gangs.”
2 weeks agoNewsComments Off on Rachel Reeves’ Halloween Budget will haunt her and break trust with millions of workers if she hikes key tax
“TRUST matters in politics,” Philip Hammond wrote on this very page in March 2017.
The then Chancellor had just been forced into a humiliating U-turn after attempting a Budget raid on National Insurance contributions.
Rachel Reeves’ Halloween Budget will haunt her and break trust with millions of workers if she hikes key tax
“Since the Budget last week,” he wrote, “Sun readers, members of the public and others have questioned whether the planned increase in National Insurance for the self-employed is consistent with the tax pledges in our last manifesto.”
The public outcry and support for our “White Van Scam” campaign would suggest it was not, despite Tory insistence that their 2015 manifesto was only referencing the main rate of NI.
But hamstrung Hammond knew the game was up, conceding: “It’s not enough simply to stay within the letter of our tax lock law.
“It’s important that we meet the spirit of our commitment as well.”
Sound familiar yet?
Pulled plug
Back then, Labour were quick to twist the knife, with then backbencher Yvette Cooper hitting out: “Did they not actually read their own manifesto?”
And one Rachel Reeves branded it an “extra-ordinary U-turn after a shoddy Budget”.
Eventually it was No10 that pulled the plug on Hammond’s headline measure, kneecapping their neighbour in No11 and souring his relationship with PM Theresa May forever.
She planned to sack him, and would have had the blowback not engulfed her, too.
Despite the furore, May was in her pomp, and a few weeks later would call her disastrous election that almost handed power to the old bearded Commie Corbyn.
The warnings from history could not be clearer; the public do not like to be taken for fools and no amount of linguistic jiggery-pokery will save you if they think you are insulting their intelligence.
Oh, and No10 back their Chancellors . . . until they don’t.
Despite her unenviable task next week, I think Rachel Reeves is making a very dangerous mistake in her insistence that Labour’s very blunt manifesto pledge that “we will not increase National Insurance” was only ever meant to be about employees.
A mealy-mouthed mention that “Labour will not increase taxes on working people” is exactly the sort of “spirit of our commitment” that caught Hammond out.
And it’s going to be a double blow if she extends the freeze on income tax thresholds.
Good luck explaining how dragging millions more low-paid workers into the tax on wages is not “increasing taxes on working people”.
And all the indicators suggest the public are paying attention and do not like what they are hearing.
According to pollsters Opinium, Labour have already squand- ered a 15-point lead on “being the best party to improve the public’s financial situation”, now just one point behind the Conservatives.
What’s worse is Labour know they are playing with fire.
AFPWes Streeting’s health department will be the only one to win cash from the Treasury on October 30[/caption]
AlamyReeves could soften the NICs betrayal by sparing bosses from a direct £18billion raid on employers’ contributions[/caption]
Wes Streeting, whose health department will be the only one to win cash from the Treasury on October 30, despite a backlash led by Deputy PM Angie Rayner, was on the airwaves yesterday already dancing on the head of a very dangerous pin.
He told the BBC: “All of the measures in the manifesto were fully costed, fully funded, promises we could keep. And we were disciplined in that process because we know that if there’s one thing that’s in even shorter supply than money at the moment, it’s trust in politics”.
But he added: “We did not anticipate it being as bad.”
Trust, once out of the genie’s lamp, is almost impossible to regain. Just ask Nick Clegg about breaking his manifesto vow on tuition fees for an idea of how the “we didn’t realise it was this bad” excuse lands.
The Chancellor insists she will throw a “ring of steel” around working people in this Budget, protecting them from the worst mega tax hikes on inheritance, stamp duty and sales of stock and shares.
Bigger betrayal
It seems Reeves could soften the NICs betrayal by sparing bosses from a direct £18billion raid on employers’ contributions, instead eyeing a £9billion hit by applying NICs to employers’ pension contributions.
Yet I still argue it’s a huge gamble to hope that complexity will fudge the promise that “we will not increase National Insurance”.
But nowhere would there be a bigger betrayal of working people than a hike in fuel duty.
Opinium shows almost half of voters say the punishment at the pumps is too high, compared to just one in five who say it’s about right.
Compare that to 28 per cent who think National Insurance is too high, and 42 per cent who say it’s about right.
FairFuelUK surveys show that 70 per cent of journeys are drivers using their cars to get to work.
The quickest and easiest way to break trust with millions of workers is right there.
Careful Chancellor, you don’t want to have to do a Hammond.
But you can’t say you were not warned.
Don peaking
DONALD Trump did not have a great summer.
The Democrats got real and got rid of doddery Joe Biden, leaving Trump, right, struggling to attack his shiny new opponent, Kamala Harris.
And a madman almost blew his head off, leaving the ex-President talking more about God saving him than the economy and immigration.
But despite the years of lawfare, most of the US media doing all it can to stop him, and a second assassin trying to take him out on a golf course, is The Don peaking just at the right time?
The data, both polling and betting, suggests so.
Betfair Exchange punters have him in his strongest position as favourite since Biden got the heave-ho, and Real Clear Politics says he now has a 93.2 per cent chance of winning.
Harris’s lead in the RCP average of polls was down to just 0.9 per cent last night.
For context, at this point in 2020, Biden was ahead by 8.6 and, when Trump won in 2016, Clinton was ahead by 6.4 per cent.
Expect the attacks on Trump to become increasingly wild as the Democrats, and their pals on TV, hit panic stations.
2 weeks agoNewsComments Off on My violent ex-wife nearly drove me to suicide after years of physical abuse, says Corrie legend Charlie Lawson
CORONATION Street’s Charlie Lawson has revealed he was nearly driven to suicide by years of physical abuse at the hands of his ex-wife, admitting: “Life was a living hell.”
In a heartbreaking part two of our interview with the actor, he revealed that while he was playing wife-beater Jim McDonald on screen, at home he was the terrified victim and could see no way out.
PP.Corrie’s Charlie Lawson has revealed he was nearly driven to suicide by years of physical abuse at the hands of his ex-wife[/caption]
The actor with screen wife Liz, played by Bev CallardRex Features
The 65-year-old, who bears a scar from one attack, says: “I was depressed because of what I was going through and I had been prescribed pills.
“All I could think about was finding peace. And I meant it. I would kill myself, end it all. I was in a very scary place.”
Charlie’s tormentor was Corrie make-up artist Lesley Bond, who he married in 1999 and who died aged 55 in 2010.
The Northern Irish actor revealed that even their wedding day at idyllic Lucknam Park, Wilts, was marred by violence.
Lesley accused me of flirting with the bride and slapped me so hard that I nearly fell over…I loved her to pieces but she was very, very ill
Charlie
Speaking ahead of the release of his autobiography, That’s Life, So It Is, Charlie recalls: “We met another couple who were getting married there at the same time.
“Lesley later accused me of flirting with the bride and slapped me so hard that I nearly fell over.
“A few weeks later at home she flew into a rage and attacked me with an empty bottle.
“I loved her to pieces but she was very, very ill, bless her.”
Charlie was 35 and had been married for 12 years when he met Lesley on the cobbles set in early 1994.
It was love at first sight and led to him leaving his first wife Susie, who he shared daughter Laura with.
But her jealousy blighted their relationship from the start.
‘No more pain’
He says: “Once after chatting innocently to a neighbour while putting the bins out, I came inside to find Lesley waiting. She slapped me.
“It took several minutes to calm her down and work out she was convinced I was having an affair.
“I discovered she was seriously addicted to prescription drugs. She had been given Valium years before and had continued to take them. I found a stash of all kinds of pills.
“They made her paranoid, she always thought I was cheating.”
Charlie, who is now happily married to third wife Debbie Stanley, continues: “Once, when I was driving, she punched me on the side of my neck causing me to nearly crash.
“Once she came at me with a pair of scissors.”
It is then that Charlie stops our interview and fights back tears as he shows the scar which, years after the scissors attack, is still visible on his hand.
After that attack he planned to kill himself.
He says: “I knew life could not go on like this. Leaving her would break my heart but if I wasn’t here everything would be solved. She could move on with her life and there would be no more pain.”
But at the last minute Charlie rang his close friend and former colleague Eva Pope, who had played barmaid Tanya Pooley in the soap.
He told her how he felt, and recalls: “She said, ‘Get your a**e over here right now’. While Lesley slept I packed my bag and went.
“Eva saved me that night. She held me in her arms and listened to me, she told me I had to get out before something goes badly wrong.”
Charlie continues: “I did go back but just for a short while. One night she came at me, attacked me and I pushed her to the floor.
AlamyLawson with make-up artist girlfriend Lesley Bond, who physically abused him[/caption]
“And that was it. I thought, ‘If I lose my temper here then there’s only going to be one winner’.”
This fear of turning violent himself was a stark contrast to his brutal TV character Jim, an ex-squaddie who abused wife Liz (Beverley Callard) and their sons Steve and Andy, played by Simon Gregson and Nick Cochrane.
Charlie first played the role from 1989 to 2000 but has been regularly back for stints ever since — his most recent return was in 2018.
He says: “The years I spent on Coronation Street are some of the best of my life. Bev was a huge giggler and we would have so much fun. We got up to all sorts.
“We asked the director and writers if, as a prank, we could make up a fake storyline where Nick, who was only about 15, had to have an affair with a 50-year-old woman.
“An extra agreed to be the woman. Nick was a cocky young lad. We stitched him up something rotten.
“There were several scenes where he meets this woman and kisses her. Nick was in a complete state of terror. As we filmed, Bev and I couldn’t keep it together. Finally, we shouted, ‘Gotcha’. Everyone was in stitches, he was mortified.”
A much more settled life
Off set Charlie developed a reputation as a hellraiser, along with partner-in-crime Phil Middlemiss, who played bookmaker Des Barnes.
They became regulars at Manchester club La Gitane, where they would drink with Manchester United footballers and singer Lisa Stansfield.
Charlie says: “We would be there until breakfast time and straight into Granada [Studios]. We’d grab an hour’s sleep and then film.”
Charlie now lives a much more settled life with Debbie, 60, a business-woman.
She was at his side when he learned Lesley had died in her home in Oxford.
She had fallen and knocked herself out, then died of hypothermia.
Charlie had to identify Lesley’s body and was later given her ashes.
He says: “God rest her. We scattered her ashes on her favourite beach up in the Highlands.”
Charlie married Debbie in October last year after 22 years together.
Now he is looking forward to a new career challenge, hosting a chat show on ITV in Northern Ireland.
He says: “We’re going to shoot a pilot in January. I’ll be like Eamonn Holmes!”
That’s Life, So It Is by Charlie Lawson (£19.99, New Gen-eration Publishing) is out on November 7.
SuppliedThat’s Life, So It Is by Charlie Lawson is out on November 7[/caption]
2 weeks agoNewsComments Off on Great British Bake Off Halloween episode slapped with woke trigger warning for being ‘too spooky’
A GREAT British Bake Off Halloween special was served up with a trigger warning for being spooky.
Channel 4’s streaming service ruled the family show’s first and only “Halloween Week” in 2022 “isn’t suitable for younger viewers”.
C4A Great British Bake Off Halloween special was served up with a trigger warning for being ‘too spooky’[/caption]
INSTAGRAM/ADELEJudges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood with Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding[/caption]
The woke message, under a red “Guidance” symbol, was put on the sixth episode — popping up on the app and website before viewers click play.
Those brave enough to press ahead see comics Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas in the legendary tent decked out with orange and black balloons, fake skeletons and spider webs.
Warning labels are usually applied to shows with strong language, violence or nudity but have also been given to classic comedies due to “language of the time”.
Senior Tory MP Sir John Hayes said: “Most people find these type of trigger warnings very bizarre.
“The idea that Bake Off could be risky or dangerous is for the birds.”
Last night the alert was dropped after The Sun intervened, with bosses insisting it was an error.
2 weeks agoNewsComments Off on Moving obese corpses now a major safety hazard for NHS staff as number of severely overweight Brits soars
MOVING obese corpses has become a safety hazard for hospital morgue staff, says the NHS.
Rising obesity rates mean workers face a greater risk of putting their backs out lifting and shifting heavier bodies.
AlamyHospital morgue staff have been warned that moving big patients’ bodies is now a health and safety hazard[/caption]
Many morgues now have bigger fridges and wider doors, and must keep larger corpses in a special store room to minimise contact.
NHS guidance states “lifting and moving of bodies” is now a health and safety issue owing to a rise in “people with excess weight”.
It says “appropriate refrigerated storage” should be provided with bigger store rooms “to minimise unnecessary handling of the body”.
Workplace accident lawyer Lisa Fairclough said manual handling accidents account for a fifth of all reported workplace incidents.
The NHS said: “It is important the right procedures are in place to manage bodies with respect and in a safe way for staff.
“That is why the NHS has provided up-to-date guidance on lifting and moving of bodies, and trusts are advised to consider the most appropriate refrigerated storage that will minimise unnecessary handling of the body.”
Thirty per cent of Brits are now severely overweight, double the level for 1993.
2 weeks agoNewsComments Off on I tried supermarket Halloween cakes – the winner cost £7 but looked almost too stomach-churning to eat
AS Halloween draws near, planning for the October 31 fright fest goes into overdrive.
But it doesn’t have to be all about pumpkins and lollipops – the supermarkets also have some splendidly spooky cakes.
Olivia WestLynsey Hope gives her verdicts on Halloween cakes[/caption]
Prices are often not too scary either, and they are a great option if you do not have the time to bake.
Lynsey Hope tasted some and gives her verdicts and ratings out of five . . .
Marks & Spencer Mini Halloween Pumpkin Cakes, £4 for four: 4/5
Olivia WestThese cakes are fun and a tasty party treat[/caption]
DESCRIBED as “mini” but these are quite substantial, even for a chocolate lover like me.
The chocolate sponge is moist and delicious and is filled with a sweet orange buttercream which I could not get enough of, though there was plenty of it.
The cakes are then dipped in orange icing so they look like pumpkins.
Not as cheap as some other own brands but delicious.
Fun and tasty party treat.
Iceland Giant Eyeball Dessert, £7: 4/5
Olivia WestThe Iceland Giant Eyeball Dessert is moist and a hit with the kids[/caption]
A REAL showstopper, this stand-out creation is most impressive.
A Victoria sponge with layers of raspberry and white chocolate mousse, it comes frozen and is designed to look like an eyeball – all at a competitive price.
The kids were delighted and it tasted fab. The sponge is moist and the cake is covered in a yummy white chocolate shell.
You need to defrost in the fridge for 12 hours or so before eating.
Sainsbury’s Spooky Tray Bake, £7: 5/5
Olivia WestThis Spooky Tray Bake would go down a storm at any party[/caption]
HALLOWEEN version of one of those rectangular chocolate birthday cakes.
The sponge is really tasty – moist and not too sweet – and it is topped with a creamy chocolate butter- cream, white drizzle and sugar-paste eyeballs.
The design is simple but just the thing for scare season.
The kids scoffed it eagerly and I reckon it would go down a storm at any party.
Fiona Cairns Seasonal Fairy Cakes, £7 for six, Waitrose: 3/5
Olivia WestThese Waitrose cakes are not as sickly as some cakes can be[/caption]
DELICATE-looking delights in pretty pastel colours, these are dainty as can be and not as scary or spooky as other offerings.
They taste lovely, though.
The sponge is light and moreish and the icing is spot on. Also, they were not as sickly as some cakes can be.
A tasty option if you are not too keen on the thought of little ones gobbling ghouls or eyeballs and other scary bakes for their Halloween party tea.
2 weeks agoNewsComments Off on Mike Johnson spars with CNN host over Trump’s rehtoric about Arnold Palmer, ‘enemy from within’ warning
House Speaker Mike Johnson got into a testy exchange with CNN's Jake Tapper over recent rhetoric from former President Donald Trump about the "enemy from within" as well as X-rated insinuations about golfer Arnold Palmer.
2 weeks agoNewsComments Off on Some North Carolina nursing homes still don’t have water weeks after Hurricane Helene: ‘Unable to shower or wash hands’
Some North Carolina nursing homes remain without running water weeks after Hurricane Helene — leaving elderly residents unable to shower, wash their hands or flush the toilet without a bucket.
