CRIMINAL prosecutions for failing to pay the BBC licence fee could be scrapped by Labour.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is understood to be “concerned” by the disproportionate number of women being punished.

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And there is agreement between Ms Nandy and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood that taxpayers should not have to fork out for the “administrative burden”.

Almost 1,000 Brits are prosecuted every week for ignoring the £169.50 annual fee.

Seventy per cent are women.

They are more likely to be poorly paid, coping with single families or taking charge of household bills — and also more likely to be at home when investigators call.

But last night an insider said prosecutions will continue until at least 2027, when the BBC’s Royal Charter is due for renewal.

Ministers will then meet Beeb bosses to “explore options” for new funding models.

These are set to include decriminalisation.

Last year half a million people stopped paying as they opted for US-based subscription services instead.

At the same time former Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer branded criminal prosecutions “morally indefensible in modern times”.

A TV Licensing spokesman said: “We have a duty to enforce the law.

“But we have made considerable efforts to help people get licensed and offer help and support.

“Our focus on collecting the licence fee fairly and efficiently.”

A MUNDANE ceramic mug left inside a loft for 20 years has been sold at an auction for a whopping £13,500 because of one unique detail.

The 87-year-old souvenir cup was designed by British artist Eric Ravilious for Wedgwood to mark the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937.

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It is said to be a rare example because of its unique yellow and green detailing which had sat undisturbed in a box in the vendor’s loft since the late 1990s.

Adapted from a previous version intended to mark King Edward VIII taking the throne before his abdication, the design features celebratory fireworks and the royal coat of arms.

The mug was given an estimate of £800 when it went under the hammer at Gildings Auctioneers in Market Harborough, Leics earlier this week.

But it smashed its estimate and sold to a private buyer for £13,500 – more than 16 times its guide price.

Gildings director Will Gilding said: “We’re thrilled to achieve this astonishing result for this very special mug which although highly collectable, is still intrinsically just a mundane household item.

“We were unable to find any other examples of this particular colourway, which also has a slightly differently shaped rim to the other mugs in the sale, so this one may well be unique.

“As a result, we knew it had the potential to soar far beyond its guide price.

“But for the hammer to go down at £13,500 is truly remarkable and just goes to show the magic that can happen when two determined collectors identify a must-have treasure.”

The cup was from a collection of five of Ravilious’s 1937 Wedgwood coronation mugs – and was kept inside an attic for 20 years.

Three of the mugs in more commonly seen but still sought-after turquoise, blue and pink-based colourways sold for £270, £360 and £2,700 respectively.

Another blue version made for the planned coronation of Edward VIII fetched £480.

Born in 1903, Eric Ravilious was a highly regarded Sussex-based painter, designer, book illustrator and wood engraver.

He is best known for his modernist watercolour interpretations of English landscapes and World War II scenes, some of which are displayed in the Imperial War Museum in London.

In December 1939 Ravilious became an official World War Two war artist with the rank of Honorary Captain in the Royal Marines.

On September 2, 1942, he joined one of three aircraft dispatched on a search and rescue mission for a plane that had failed to return to RAF Kaldadarnes in Iceland.

The aircraft he boarded also failed to return, and he and the four-man crew were recorded as lost in action four days later, making him the first of three British war artists to die in active service during World War Two.

Will added: “This vanishingly rare example of a striking design by a renowned artist who suffered a tragic wartime death was sold in very good condition given its age and ceramic nature.

“Such is the power of its scarcity, and the demand for works by Ravilious, this high quality but relatively inexpensive souvenir has taken on a previously unimagined value several decades later.

“When I brought the gavel down, I think everyone in the room felt like we needed a cup of tea to calm us all down – not least the buyer – but in a slightly more affordable mug.”

THERE is a chill in the air and before you know it you will be reaching for a winter coat.

But instead of splurging at the shops for something new, take a look at these creative ideas to breathe new life into your trusty old jacket.

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STEAMY SOLUTION: One way to freshen up your coat at home is to use steam.

Hang your coat in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam should release any creases and revive the fabric, hopefully giving it that just-bought appearance.

If you have a handheld steamer, a quick pass over your coat can make it look polished.

BOBBLE BUSTER: Those pesky fabric bobbles can make even the nicest coat look worn out.

But instead of buying an expensive bobble remover, grab an old razor and gently shave the surface of your coat.

This trick works particularly well on wool and knit fabrics.

BUTTON UP: If your coat’s buttons are looking dirty, mix vinegar with water, then scrub them with an old toothbrush. If the buttons are beyond cleaning, replace them.

You can often find inexpensive buttons at charity shops or thrift stores.

PIT STOP: Worried about sweaty armpit stains on your coat? A simple mixture of lemon juice and baking soda can work wonders.

Test a little on a hidden area of fabric first and check it after five minutes.

If OK, then spray the mixture on the underarm areas of your coat, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe it clean with a damp cloth.

The natural cleaning properties of lemon and baking soda should lift stubborn sweat stains.

SOCK SAVER: If your padded coat has lost some of its puff, there’s an easy fix. Restuff it with old socks to give it back some volume.

For an extra update, try adding a new belt to adjust the fit slightly. Small alterations can make a big difference to your coat.

• All prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

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KEEP an eye on other drivers with the Road Angel Halo Go 1080p HD Discreet Dash Cam, previously £99.99, now £79.99 at Halfords.

SAVE: £20

Cheap treat

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FILL your home with a sweet scent when you pick up the Dunelm Boston Pumpkin Pie Multi-wick candle, it was £6, now £4.20.

Top swap

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TRY the delicious Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Pots Of Joy, £1.75 for 4x65g, at Co-op or run to Aldi where the new Dairyfine Pots Of Choc, 4x65g, are £1.35 – in stores only.

SAVE: 40p

Little helper

MUMS-TO-BE should check out the H&M sale section where you can pick items from the Mama maternity range starting at £5.

Shop & save

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SNUGGLE up in a cosy new throw from B&M. This Simply Everyday waffle throw (200 x 200cm) was £15, now £10.

SAVE: £5

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TIME for a new coat of paint? Get 20 per cent off Lick paints and samples at B&Q now.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

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JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

2002 Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland – £60

In 2002, four different designs of this £2 coin were created to commemorate the Commonwealth games, but the Irish version is the rarest with only 485,500 minted.

We’ve seen this coin listed for as much as £60 on eBay in May with one bid.

There’s more money on the line if you’ve got the complete set though.

One seller proved this right when all four coins went for a whopping £100.

2002 Commonwealth Games England – £35

Another in the 2002 Commonwealth series, the English version is one of the rarest coins in circulation.

Some 650,500 were minted at the time, making the coin rare enough for eBay bidders to happily pay as much as £35 for it.

The edge of this coin also has the inscription “Spirit of Friendship, Manchester 2002″, which adds appeal to collectors too.

One recently went on the market on eBay for £27 with one bid.

2002 Commonwealth Games Wales – £27

With only 588,500 put into circulation, the 2002 Commonwealth Games Wales £2 coin celebrates Wales’ achievements in the event.

The piece features a figure in motion holding a banner, encircling the Welsh flag.

It is the fourth rarest in the Commonwealth set and the fourth rarest in the overall list.

We’ve seen one sell on eBay for £26.97 in May this year with 10 bids.

London 2012 Handover – £35

At the end of each Olympic Games, the next host city of the Games is celebrated with a flag handover ceremony.

In 2012 we gave the flag to Rio to take on the next tournament.

That event was immortalised on the design of a £2 coin, with just 845,000 released into circulation.

We saw one sell for £35 on eBay this month after 10 bids.

Olympic centenary – £37.95

Carrying on the sporting theme, the Olympic centenary £2 marked 100 years of the modern games in 2008.

There are 910,000 in circulation so finding one isn’t such a tough ask.

We’ve seen one version sell on eBay for £37.95 in February.

2002 Commonwealth Games Scotland – £24.97

Out of all of the valuable Commonwealth coins, Scotland’s is the sixth rarest out of all rare £2 coins.

It has a mintage of 771,750 – some 286,250 more than were released in the Irish version.

It features pretty much the same design as the other coins in the series but the Scottish flag is on the design instead.

Bidders on eBay have still paid higher than face value, we’ve seen one version sell on eBay for £24.97 in May.

Olympic handover – £9.99

Still in the top ten is the Olympic Handover coin.

This £2 details Beijing in 2008 handing over the Olympics to London in 2012, and shows the Olympic flag and two hands shaking.

One sold for precisely £9.99 in May on eBay with one bid.

There are 918,000 of these in circulation.

King James Bible – £23.95

Next on the list is a coin showing the King James Bible.

One was for £23.95 in May on eBay with one bid.

According to Change Checker, there are 975,000 in circulation.

Mary Rose – £19.50

A circulated £2 showing the famous Mary Rose ship sold on eBay for £19.50.

There are just over one million in circulation, and it lands ninth on Change Checker’s scarcity index.

2015 First World War (Navy) – £10.50

There were also 650,000 of the First World War Navy £2 coins minted in 2015.

The coin features a battleship design by military artist David Rowlands and the 5th portrait of the Queen.

It’s also the second in a five-coin series remembering the First World War and celebrates the efforts of the Royal Navy and their contribution to the war effort.

One sold on eBay in May for £10.50 with two bids.

Great Fire of London – £14.95

The Great Fire of London £2 coin was first put into circulation in 2016 to mark the 350th anniversary of the historic event.

The reverse side of the piece was designed by Aaron West, depicting the city of London burning.

The coin wasn’t always considered so rare, but it has since transpired its mintage figure was incorrectly published.

A recent auction on eBay saw the piece go for £14.95 with one bid.

ONE woman who won £83,000 on the People’s Postcode Lottery refused to believe her luck until she saw the camera crew.

Lucky winner Michaela Jones says she’s in a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Australia for the British & Irish Lions Tour after the jackpot.

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Michaela scored the windfall with 10 neighbours in Nantymoel, Wales, after CF32 7SU won the lottery’s weekly £1M Millionaire Street prize.

Every ticket was worth a whopping £83,333 with one winner doubling their prize to £166,666, thanks to playing with two tickets.

The buzzing winner said: “It’s felt like a dream. I was waiting for the rug to be pulled from underneath me, to be honest.

“Until I saw the camera crew, I didn’t believe it.”

The mum-of-two is now planning a trip next year to see the combined British Isles team take on the Wallabies.

Michaela, who makes parachutes for a living, has fibromyalgia and made the decision to cut her hours to part-time recently leaving the trip in the balance.

She said: “Fibromyalgia affects my whole body and because the parachutes are heavy and I stand most of the day, I cut my hours back. Thankfully, my company have been brilliant with me, I can’t wait to tell them.

“We were planning on going to Australia next year for the rugby, that might be back on the cards.”

Michaela and her groundworker husband Rob are planning on helping their 24-year daughter with house renovations and will all go to a Liverpool FC match.

She’ll also likely be shouting something for her colleagues at the parachute factory.

“My work family at the factory will be over the moon. They’ve been checking on the Postcode Lottery website all week to try and suss out how much I might win.”

Another winner, Grant Williams, hopes to take his first-ever flight in first class after winning his share of the prize.

He said he’s now dreaming of adventures abroad with his wife Katrina as a result.

Born and bred in Nantymoel, Grant has never wandered too far from his beloved home, but now he’s set to see the world.

He said: “I’ve never been abroad, I’ve never been on a plane.

“I’m going to have to sort that out now and first class is even an option now.”

A WOMAN who now lives on a narrowboat to save thousands of pounds each month has given three major warnings to people looking to start living in waterways.

Nesha, who vlogs her life while living on her dream boat, revealed how starting a life on narrowboats may be as easy as it looks.

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The expert, who posts her video on her YouTube channel Driftwood Folk, has now revealed a few tips that could help anyone ditch their homes and start a life on boats.

Nesha said that people should have a good budget before they plan to buy a narrowboat and renovate it as it may not always be cheap.

She then revealed how it could cost a lot of money just to maintain it over time.

Her advice was to be prepared to spend at least £35,000 to start a life on a boat.

Furthermore, Nesha explained why painting boats can cost a fortune.

She said: “Every work that you get done on a boat counts as a specialist job. You’ll be more likely to get work done on the boat at a boatyard.

“The problem is that it tends to be quite pricey, especially if you’re getting work done like welding.”

“And when you live in a metal tube, it’s very likely that you will get some welding done at some point.”

Nesha’s next tip for anyone looking to live on a canal boat was to be prepared to live in a tight space, especially if someone is moving out from a traditional hopping structure.

She advised: “If you are someone who really likes their own space and you live with a partner or you have children, you might find living on a canal boat a bit difficult because space is very limited.”

She also emphasised how maintaining boats can be a difficult job – but an extremely important one.

The expert said: “Even though it’s portrayed as a simple life – which it can be to some degree –  there is a lot of maintenance involved

“It isn’t just a case of living a slow, simple life and never having to do much. There is always something to do on a boat.”

It comes after a woman who lives on a 20ft micro narrowboat said she’s terrified it might tip over, but revealed a hidden compartment that keeps her safe.

Kat, known as Gentil Lentil’s Green Life on YouTube, shared an insight with her viewers about what it’s like to live on a small boat.

The content creator explained that she fears storms could tip over her 20ft micro narrowboat.

Fortunately, in the video, she revealed two compartments designed to help prevent it from tipping.

One of the compartments, located beneath her bed, contains a water pump that removes excess water from the bottom of the hull.

These are found on most boats and are an essential piece of equipment.

It comes after an artist shared what it’s like to live off-grid in a canal boat where she can save £600 a month.

Shannon Lane, 29, ditched her room in Clapham for a 30ft narrowboat which she cruises in with her pug, Gilbert.

She decided to move on the water after learning her landlord was raising the price of her rent to £1,000 a month.

The freelance artist and video producer took out a loan to buy a £24,000 narrowboat and now spends just £300 a month paying it off.

Ever since Shanon moved, her mental health has improved and she no longer suffers from “bad anxiety and depression“.

Nonetheless, the transition from bricks to a floating home takes adjusting to.

She told The Sun: “The first night I moved in I thought what the hell have I done.”

She couldn’t figure out how to get her electrics to work and at one point ended up blindly making her way through a 20-minute tunnel because her headlights didn’t switch on.

She added: “There have been incredibly stressful moments. I moved in in January and I had to learn how to use the stove fire.

“I’d envisioned this amazing life and suddenly everything was actually really hard.”

But Shannon was saving thousands.

She said: “My electricity all comes from solar panels and then everything else is normal household spending like food and toiletries.”