Recent Posts

41

Politics & Current Affairs / Re: National politics

« Last post by SteveH on July 22, 2024, 09:59:11 am »

Three members of the new cabinet have told the BBC that if Labour does not keep its promises, voters will back populists instead.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves suggested it would be an "institutional failure" if they could not get things done.

Interviewed for a Panorama special, the chancellor, foreign secretary and health secretary all warned separately that the public has lost faith in mainstream politics and that if they fail, voters will turn toward the far-left or far-right.

Ms Reeves said that if Labour doesn’t stick to its word, "it will be seen as sort of an institutional failing, that mainstream politics doesn’t deliver.

"And there will be a shift to the populists on the left and right".

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c72vjlgl4j8o

42

Hobbies and Interests / Re: Local Wildlife...What snakes are found in UK gardens and are they dangerous?

« Last post by SteveH on July 22, 2024, 09:55:50 am »

The UK wildlife has a wide range of creatures and animals, from spikey hedgehogs, the nocturnal bats and the wise barn owl.


But away from the often described 'cute' animals are those that tend to scare many like the humble snake.

Typically found in long grassed areas, snakes have for long had the reputation of being mean and deadly creatures.

However, the UK is home to many harmless snakes, albeit one venomous species that originates from the UK.

Find out what snakes are found in gardens in the UK and whether they are dangerous to people................

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24466816.snakes-found-uk-gardens-dangerous/

43

Local News & Discussion / Re: Cafes, Restaurants, Pubs & Takeaways

« Last post by SteveH on July 22, 2024, 09:45:08 am »

New statistics show the food and drink industry in Wales grew by 10 per cent last year. Businesses in the sector had a total turnover of £24.6bn in 2023, compared to £22.3bn in 2022.

The statistics are for the food and drink supply chain, which contains manufacturing and packaging, agriculture and fishing, retail and wholesale, and non-residential catering. The number of businesses increased by 1 per cent, to 28,768 in 2023. The food and drink supply chain employed 228,500 people in Wales in 2023, equivalent to 17 per cent of Wales’ total workforce.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/food-drink-sector-grew-ten-29575742?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

44

Times Past / Re: Old photos....Images of bygone era when trams criss-crossed North Wales

« Last post by SteveH on July 22, 2024, 09:43:21 am »

These evocative images show how trams used to be a vital method of transport through North Wales' towns in the days before there were fleets of buses or mass car ownership. From Pwllheli to Llandudno and Wrexham, these charming images convey a bygone era.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/images-bygone-era-trams-criss-29573745?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

45

Politics & Current Affairs / Re: Financial matters.........Tax Refund?

« Last post by SteveH on July 22, 2024, 09:38:58 am »

HMRC to send 7.5 million letters to Brits who've overpaid tax - what to look out for and how to claim
A huge number of Brits could be in line for a tax refund as HMRC sends out P800 tax calculation letters

 "HMRC's PAYE system is an extraordinary machine of tax collection, but it isn't perfect and millions of mistakes are made every year. However, HMRC's internal check and balances system means that it often spots these mistakes in hindsight and does all it can to ensure people are either refunded, or top up what they owe."

The expert has urged the public to keep an eye on their post for what could be "very good news coming your way". He highlighted that while HMRC can spot the more straightforward cases, those with complex tax affairs might want to consider "appointing some tax refund experts to ensure that they receive every penny that is owed to them".

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/hmrc-to-send-7-5-million-letters-to-brits-whove-overpaid-tax-what-to-look-out-for-and-how-to-claim?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

46

Walks in North Wales / Re: Unthinking Tourists

« Last post by Hugo on July 21, 2024, 09:55:18 am »

It's such a shame that a small minority of irresponsible people spoil it for the others.     If there are laws about parking, wild camping etc then they should be enforced or otherwise what's the point of making laws in the first place

47

Politics & Current Affairs / Re: Financial matters

« Last post by SteveH on July 21, 2024, 09:50:02 am »

The chancellor has hinted that she may give public sector workers above-inflation pay rises this summer.

Rachel Reeves' comments come after independent pay review bodies recommended an increase of 5.5% for teachers and some NHS workers.

In her first interview from No 11 Downing Street, she said: "I really value public service workers, in our schools, in our hospitals, in our police as well...

"There is a cost to not settling, a cost of further industrial action, and a cost in terms of the challenge we face recruiting."

But Ms Reeves told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that "we will do it in a proper way and make sure the sums add up" - emphasising that her spending rules are "non-negotiable".

The new chancellor promised a decision on public pay this month, saying "people won’t have long to wait".

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4ng5n0my0zo

48

Politics & Current Affairs / Re: Points to Ponder

« Last post by SteveH on July 21, 2024, 09:47:45 am »

Car washes and parts of the beauty sector will be targeted by immigration officers as they step up enforcement action over the summer, the home secretary has announced.

Writing in the Sun on Sunday newspaper, external, Yvette Cooper said officials had been redeployed to staffing a "returns and enforcement programme" targeting businesses suspected of employing illegal workers.

Yvette Cooper said she was "shocked to discover" that 1,000 civil servants had been working on a plan to send migrants to Rwanda.

The Rwanda scheme, a flagship policy under the last Conservative government, was axed by Labour within days of Sir Keir Starmer winning the general election.

Ms Cooper wrote in the newspaper: “We have directed Immigration Enforcement to intensify their operations over the summer, with a focus on employers who are fuelling the trade of criminal gangs by exploiting and facilitating illegal working here in the UK – including in car washes and in the beauty sector.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c29d14lwnkro

49

Obits / RIP Ray Reardon

« Last post by SteveH on July 21, 2024, 09:39:07 am »

Snooker has lost one of its greats following the death of six-time world champion Ray Reardon at the age of 91. The popular Welshman, nicknamed “Dracula” because of his distinctive widow’s peak hairstyle, died on Friday night after a battle with cancer, his wife Carol has confirmed.

A former coal miner and police officer, Reardon was at the forefront of the game’s rise to popularity as a televised sport during the 1970s and is credited with influencing the next generation of superstars.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/snooker-mourns-welsh-legend-ray-29580590

50

Walks in North Wales / Re: Unthinking Tourists

« Last post by SteveH on July 21, 2024, 09:30:36 am »

Noise and litter from wild camping parties making life 'hell' at Eryri lake among UK's best for water staycations
Their dogs are also a menace, as one farmer discovered to his horror this week

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/noise-litter-wild-camping-parties-29578426