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Thousands of state pensioners face ‘huge and unwelcome’ tax bill after April change

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Cambridgeshire Live

Chancellor Rachel Reeves provided an update about state pension changes

State pensioners could suddenly find themselves liable for a new tax bill. An MP has voiced concerns that some claimants may have “no idea” they will soon be required to complete an HMRC form to pay a tax bill.

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The update follows Dr Luke Evans, MP for Bosworth, asking Chancellor Rachel Reeves about the issue of increasing numbers of state pensioners becoming income tax payers. After the Chancellor delivered her Spring Statement, Mr Evans asked: “I want to raise the issue of the freezing of thresholds and the effect on the state pension.

“When the Chancellor did it in her Budget, she told Martin Lewis that some people would be pulled into paying tax and won’t have to pay small amounts of tax and won’t have to do a tax return. The updated [OBR] forecast now says this year 600,000 pensioners will be drawn into paying tax, and going up to a one million by the end of this Parliament.

“Could she set out what the definition is of small amounts of tax and what the mechanism is she will use to make sure they don’t have to do a tax return?”

This question pertains to a new policy announced in the Autumn Budget 2025. The Government has announced plans to implement reforms to ensure individuals “whose sole income is the basic or new state pension without any increments…do not have to pay small amounts of tax via simple assessment from 2027-28 if the new or basic state pension exceeds the personal allowance from that point”.

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From April 2027, the full new state pension will consume the entire ÂŁ12,570 personal allowance and tip over the threshold that triggers a tax liability. The allowance allows you to earn up to ÂŁ12,570 annually tax-free, with the full new state pension currently paying ÂŁ230.25 weekly, equivalent to ÂŁ11,973 per year.

With state pension payments rising by 4.8 per cent this April due to the triple lock, an increasing number of people with additional income streams such as a private pension will breach the income tax threshold, reports the Mirror.

Those on the full new state pension alone also face paying income tax from April 2027. Ms Reeves responded to Dr Evans’ enquiry: “As I said after the Budget last year, if you just get the basic state pension you will not be paying tax. We will be setting out more details of that in the coming months.”

Dr Evans has now issued a renewed appeal for the Government to set out how these tax changes will work. The Conservative MP warned: “Many pensioners simply do not realise they could soon be paying tax on their state pension. For some, being dragged into filling out tax returns will come as a huge and unwelcome shock. The Chancellor needs to urgently explain how she plans to prevent this.”

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He said he has spoken with people in his Leicestershire constituency about the issue. The MP stated: “I’ve spoken to pensioners in my constituency who understand the impact of freezing the threshold, but I fear many others, including some of the most vulnerable, have no idea this is coming. Worst still, with all the policy kite flying before the Budget, many took out their pension as a lump sum to avoid a tax which never materialised.

“Rachel Reeves herself has said she does not want pensioners who rely solely on the state pension paying ‘tiny amounts of tax’ and that the Government is ‘working on a solution’. Yet that was in November – it is now March, and the Government’s own analysis shows 600,000 pensioners are on the hook. It’s time the Treasury set out exactly what that solution is, urgently.”

Senior officials from HMRC were questioned by the Treasury Committee in January 2026 regarding how the proposed tax changes will work. Cerys McDonald, director of Individuals Policy at HMRC, said there are between 800,000 and a million pensioners whose sole income is the state pension.

She informed the committee that new legislation would need to be introduced to effect the change. Ms McDonald stated: “We would expect this to go through the next finance bill in the Autumn but we have mobilised a project team already in anticipation of having to make this change.

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“The mitigation that we would normally use to recover this tax is simple assessment, normally we wouldn’t be processing that for 2027/2028 until after the 2028 tax year, so we’ve got a decent run in here.”

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Igor Tudor’s position untenable as Tottenham humiliated

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Igor Tudor’s position untenable as Tottenham humiliated

Diego Simeone has made six changes from their league win over Real Sociedad on the weekend. Johnny Cardoso, Antoine Griezmann, Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Julian Alvarez and Robin Le Normand come into the starting XI.

Atlético Madrid: Oblak, Pubill, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri, Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Lookman, Alvarez, Griezmann.
Substitutes: Musso, Gimenez, Koke, Barrios, Sorloth, Baena, Almada, Lenglet, Molina, Vargas, Gonzalez, Diaz.

Tottenham have made four changes their loss to Crystal Palace. Igor Tudor has made a change in goal, with Antonin Kinsky replacing Guglielmo Vicario. Cristian Romero, Djed Spence and Richarlison also come into the starting XI.

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Tottenham: Kinsky, Romero, Danso, Van de Ven, Porro, Sarr, Gray, Spence, Tel, Richarlison, Kolo Muani.
Substitutes: Vicario, Austin, Dragusin, Palhinha, Simons, Solanke, Gallagher, Olusesi, Rowswell.

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Two men stabbed in fight as police arrest four in connection

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Police are appealing for information

Four people have been arrested after two men were stabbed in a fight. Suffolk Police were called to an address in Pipers Close in Haverhill at around 5pm on Sunday, March 8 to a fight involving several people.

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Two men were reported to have suffered stab wounds, with one of them taken to hospital on Sunday, before being discharged. The other man couldn’t be located at the time, leaving officers concerned that he sustained serious injuries.

However, the man went to police on Monday (March 9) and went to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not thought to be serious.

Officers have since arrested four people in connection with the incident. A police spokesperson said: “A 35-year-old man on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm and a 28-year-old woman on suspicion of affray. They have both been released on bail until May 18 pending further enquiries.

“A 36-year-old woman on suspicion of aggravated burglary who has been released on bail until May 19 pending further enquiries. A 53-year-old man on suspicion of aggravated burglary who currently remains in police custody for questioning.

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“Officers understand that the parties involved are known to each other and so do not believe there is any threat to the wider community.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call 101 or report it online and quote reference 37/13517/26.

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Tottenham ratings vs Atletico Madrid: Antonin Kinsky wastes opportunity as Micky van de Ven disappoints

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Tottenham ratings vs Atletico Madrid: Antonin Kinsky wastes opportunity as Micky van de Ven disappoints

Pape Matar Sarr 5: Saw his header back towards his own goal expertly saved by Vicario, and it was his pass that Van de Ven failed to get under control as Griezmann raced through to double Atletico’s lead. Made the most tackles of any Spurs player on the pitch, but he looked completely overwhelmed in the first-half.

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North Yorkshire MPs call for investigation into heating oil prices

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North Yorkshire MPs call for investigation into heating oil prices

Skipton and Ripon MP Sir Julian Smith, Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake and Sir Alec Shelbrooke, who represents Wetherby and Easingwold, are among 50 Conservative MPs who have signed a joint letter to the Competition and Markets Authority.

The MPs are urging the regulator to examine pricing practices within the heating oil supply market.

Heating oil is widely used across North Yorkshire, particularly in rural communities where many homes are not connected to the gas grid and rely on oil deliveries to heat their homes.

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Mr Hollinrake said: “I have been extremely concerned to hear reports from across the country of customers having existing delivery bookings cancelled, only to be called back the same day and offered the same delivery again at nearly double the original price.

“With typical minimum orders of around 500 litres, families are facing sudden bills of hundreds of pounds simply to keep their homes warm.”

The letter argues that such behaviour raises questions about fairness, transparency and competition in the market.

Sir Julian added: “Many rural households in our area rely on heating oil, and they deserve to know they are being treated fairly.

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 “I have joined colleagues in calling on the Competition and Markets Authority to launch an urgent investigation into the heating oil supply market after reports of price gouging, cancelled deliveries being reoffered at higher prices, and elderly customers being overcharged.

“Rural families should not be left vulnerable to unfair practices simply because they have fewer options for heating their homes.”

The letter notes that in many rural areas, households may only be served by a single local supplier and prices are often not published publicly, making it difficult for customers to compare costs or shop around.

There are also concerns that some customers, particularly elderly residents, may have been overcharged through automatic top-up schemes, where suppliers deliver oil without first confirming the price.

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Coastguard rescue man after fall on Whitby Cliff path

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Coastguard rescue man after fall on Whitby Cliff path

The Whitby Coastguard Rescue Team said that it was dispatched to help the man, who was found partway down the slope with a suspected hip injury, after falling from his scooter.


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After an initial assessment, the team say it ‘became clear the situation was time critical’ and they began to give care and provided blankets to keep the man warm until Yorkshire Ambulance Service arrived on scene.

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Once the crew reached the site, Coastguard officers assisted in transporting equipment down the steep path to the scene.

Following further assessment and pain relief administered by the paramedics, the teams carried out a stretcher evacuation up the cliff path before transferring the injured man safely into an awaiting ambulance.

“Steep coastal paths can be challenging terrain, particularly when using mobility aids. If you ever see someone in difficulty along the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard,” said Whitby Coastguard Rescue Team.

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‘Unsustainable’ plan for almost 20 houses in Filey rejected by council

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‘Unsustainable’ plan for almost 20 houses in Filey rejected by council

​David Pinder Contractors’ application to build 19 new homes next to a railway line in Hunmanby near Filey has been refused after North Yorkshire Council said that numerous issues could not be overcome.

​The project proposed a range of designs from two to five-bed dwellings, but did not include any provision of affordable housing.

​The developer argued that the development would be unviable if affordable housing, NHS, education, and open space contributions were required.

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​However, planning officers dismissed the viability argument and highlighted that there is a “relatively high need for affordable housing in the area, with a need for 27 affordable homes a year”.

​A report states that “the applicant’s refusal to provide affordable housing and contributions towards healthcare and open space are considered to be three separate reasons for refusal”.

​Officers said it was “unreasonable that, as a result of not providing NHS and open space contributions, this would reduce the access to health care facilities for the rest of the village and surrounding area and the expectation that taxpayers fund the increased use of neighbouring green spaces resulting from the proposed development”.

​If the plan had been approved, a healthcare contribution of £11,755 would have been required, as well as £44,000 towards parks and gardens, children’s play, and amenity open space.

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​Planners said that the proposed development’s proximity to the railway raised “significant concerns regarding quality of spaces, noise pollution, and visual impact on the health and well-being” of future residents.

​Officers also said that a proposed retaining wall with an acoustic fence, which would have demarcated the boundary with the railway embankment, “would result in a dominant and monolithic feature”

​The proposed designated open space was described as “inadequate in both function and quality, appearing as residual space rather than a purposeful design” in a council planning report, which added that the site’s overall layout was “overengineered with excessive road coverage that is disproportionate” to the size of plots.

​Planning officers concluded that the reasons for refusal could not be overcome by negotiation or through planning conditions, and the application was refused on Wednesday, March 4.

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Timelapse shows fall in shipping traffic since start of Iran war

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Timelapse shows fall in shipping traffic since start of Iran war

The passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz – the world’s busiest oil shipping canal – has been severely disrupted amid the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Timelapse footage shows a fall in the flow of ships passing through the narrow shipping lane since the US-military offensive began on 28 February.

Usually, around 20% of global oil and gas passes through the strait in the Gulf.

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Eight storey “Best in Class” office block approved for Lanyon Place

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Local councillor asks if there was “demand” in the area for new office blocks

A ÂŁ36million plan by a Translink-related company to develop an eight-storey office building at the Lanyon Place Station car park site has been approved.

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Elected representatives at the March meeting of the Belfast City Council Planning Committee (March 10) unanimously approved an application for the erection of an eight storey building, comprising seven floors of grade A office accommodation, and ground floor retail and business units, on the surface level car park at lands to the east of Lanyon Place Station, Mays Meadow, BT1.

While the plan means the end of the station car park, the application involves 15 car parking spaces for the new building, with new cycle parking and plant areas. The plan also involves public realm improvements, including a dedicated drop-off area to the front of the proposed building.

READ MORE: Petition to stop Botanic Gardens being dug up for pitch amasses hundreds of signatures in 48 hours

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The applicant name and address is Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, 22 Great Victoria Street.

While the council received no third party objections after neighbour notification, last year there were reports from some media outlets that a survey had revealed 80 percent of respondents were against the Translink plan. The reports added Stormont officials at the Department for Infrastructure also expressed reservations, saying the plans didn’t have enough detail.

Locals reportedly expressed fears that with only 15 car spaces for an eight storey office block, the new workforce would use their residential area as a car park. Council planning officers however recommended the application for approval.

The officer Planning report states: “The site is within the city centre and is a highly sustainable location for new office development. The proposal would provide office, retail and business accommodation which would have a positive impact in terms of investment and economic activity.

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“NI Water offered an objection to the proposal indicating network capacity issues. However, it is considered unreasonable to withhold planning permission on those grounds as an appropriate planning condition can be imposed restricting development until a satisfactory agreement is reached with NIW.

“The council’s Environmental Health service and Urban Design Officer raise no objections. There is an outstanding response from DfI Road Services, however it is considered that the remaining issues will be overcome. Shared Environmental Services and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency have offered no objection to the proposal subject to planning conditions.”

At the council meeting DUP Councillor Sammy Douglas asked representatives for the applicant if there was “a major demand for officer space in the area” when in cities like London “they were converting offices into apartments.”

An agent replied: “At present, there has been an issue in the market generally with all the sectors. The “Best in Class” high quality offices cover about 300,000 square feet in Belfast.”

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He added: “In terms of Best in Class buildings, where major investors are looking to invest, this scheme is to catch those requirements in the future. Those high quality buildings are proven to attract more investors, attract more occupiers in the buildings, which are healthier buildings, healthier buildings to live in and are more productive. It retains staff.

“It will be one we will look at for the future, with a five year period of planning permission. When the economic conditions and the demand is right, we will then review the options on the scheme.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Two new residential developments approved for East Belfast

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Private housing was agreed for the Cabin Hill site, while social housing for over 55’s was agreed for the Mount Masonic Hall site

Belfast City Council has given the green light to two new residential developments in east Belfast, on the sites of a former school and masonic lodge.

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At the March meeting of the council’s Planning Committee (March 10) elected representatives unanimously approved 35 social housing units over two blocks on land at 45 Park Avenue, on the site of the former Mount Masonic Hall, which was recently demolished

Councillors also approved 53 residential units, that is 43 houses and 10 apartments, on land at the former Cabin Hill site on the Upper Newtownards Road. The decision on Cabin Hill was supposed to be heard last month, but was pushed back after a fire at a building on the site.

READ MORE: Petition to stop Botanic Gardens being dug up for pitch amasses hundreds of signatures in 48 hours

READ MORE: DUP councillor warns about “overuse” of Ormeau Park, and singles out Fleadh campsite

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The site is the grounds of the former prep school Cabin Hill, and is partly occupied by several derelict school buildings, including a listed building. The application also involves plans for the creation of access, internal roads, landscaping and associated works. The applicant is Fermac Properties and Tealstone Developments Limited.

It appears that the fire damage was limited to a small area to the rear of the auditorium and did not result in any structural damage to the building.

Council officers recommended the application for approval. The council planning report states: “There is a listed building within the application site boundary (red line), but which is excluded from this proposal. The proposal would result in a loss of a small area of open space, but additional open space is to be provided as part of the scheme.

“As such, the principle of housing at this location is acceptable. The density of the proposal is less than the guidance band but taking account the low density of the surrounding area and the previous permission for conversion of the Listed Building to apartments this is on balance acceptable.

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“The overall design, height, scale, massing, layout, and road configuration is considered to be acceptable and compliant with planning policy. There is a Tree Preservation Order on the site, but adequate mitigation measures would be in place to ensure no trees are lost or damaged during the construction phase if planning permission is granted. No affordable housing is proposed on the grounds of viability.”

There were no objections to the proposal from statutory or non-statutory consultees.

Two new social housing blocks for over 55’s were agreed for the site of the former Mount Masonic Hall on land at 45 Park Avenue, off Holywood Road.

The plan involves the erection of 35 social housing units, proposals for associated private, shared, communal, and public space, 29 private car parking spaces, new vehicle and pedestrian access from Park Avenue, improvements to pedestrian steps linking Strandburn Drive to Sydenham Park, and demolition of a garage. The application is by Newpark Homes (NI) Ltd.

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Founded in the first century of the 20th century, the building was originally a freemason’s lodge, and originally situated in open space. It was transformed into the “Tree Tops Hotel” in the 1960s before becoming a Masonic hall again in the late 1980s. The building was recently demolished.

Following advertisement in the local press as well as neighbour notification, three letters of objection were received by the council from local residents.

Locals submitted objections to the original plan, stating the design had “an overbearing scale,” and argued there would be a loss of privacy and daylight as well as overshadowing. Objectors raised concerns about a loss of existing views and visual amenity, inappropriate density and overdevelopment. Issues of noise, disruption, and construction impact were also raised.

The applicant forwarded amended plans after engaging with objectors.

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The council officer’s Planning report states: “The site is considered a suitable and sustainable location for housing; the proposal would make effective use of previously developed land for residential use in an accessible location.

“The provision of 35 social housing units that respond to local housing needs is welcomed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The proposed access and parking arrangements are acceptable. NI Water objects to the proposal on grounds of insufficient network capacity.”

It adds: “NIHE advises that the surrounding area is predominantly owner occupied, with market housing, and there is a lack of existing social housing in the vicinity, which means the ability to address social housing is limited.

“Due to high need and a lack of available housing sites in this location we believe that this site could provide 100 percent social housing. This would help to address the current imbalance of housing tenures in the locality and would increase the ability to address the housing needs of all.”

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Inquest opens into death of Cambridgeshire woman killed in A10 bus crash

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A 34-year-old Cambridgeshire woman died days after Christmas in a crash involving a bus

A Cambridgeshire woman’s car crossed the carriageway for an “unknown reason” before causing a fatal crash, an inquest opening has heard. Emergency services were called to a crash involving a Fiat Punto and single decker bus on the A10 near Ely on Sunday, December 28, 2025, just after midday.

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The driver of the Fiat, Karen Marks, 34, from Littleport, died. The inquest into her death was opened by Coroner David Heming at Vantage House in Huntingdon on Tuesday (March 10).

The inquest heard Karen was travelling north on the A10 at around 12.25pm on December 28. Coroner Heming said that for an “unknown reason”, she “crossed the carriageway” in her car, colliding with the bus.

As a result, Karen died of the “injuries sustained in the incident”. A provisional cause of death has not yet been determined due to pending toxicology reports.

The coroner adjourned the inquest for a pre-inquest review hearing on August 5 at Vantage House. Coroner Heming told the inquest there will be a “lot more information to emerge by way of police investigation”.

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After her death, Karen’s family paid tribute to her and described her as a “firework”. A family statement said: “Once you met Karen, you would never forget her. She was a very much-loved daughter, mother and sister and touched so many people’s lives.”

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