NEW YORK (AP) — As his daughter Olivia was born, Marlon White felt his wife’s hand slacken as she fainted. The baby, born at 29 weeks and weighing about 2 pounds, wasn’t making a sound as she was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit. Terrified, he waited in the hall while the doctors stabilized his newborn and wife.

The next day, White, a welder, was back at work. Two days later, his wife, Farra Lanzer-White, was also back on the job, setting up a work station at the Denver hospital. For two months, first at one hospital then another, she kept up with emails and meetings as alarm bells went off each time Olivia stopped breathing, as she herself prepared for open-heart surgery for a condition discovered during her difficult pregnancy.

The Fort Collins, Colorado couple made a choice familiar to many parents with newborns in intensive care: Keep working while the baby is in the NICU to save any parental leave they might have for when the baby comes home. They are now part of a growing movement advocating for the adoption of NICU leave in the country’s patchwork of family leave policies, which differ between states, cities and companies.

In recent years, a smattering of companies have adopted dedicated paid NICU leave, including Morgan Stanley, Pinterest and the organic baby formula company Bobbie, while others have extended the length of parental leave or added policies like caregiving leave, which could also help NICU parents.

But mostly, the plight of NICU parents has been a blind spot, said Sahra Cahoon, executive director Love for Lily, a Colorado-based organization that supports NICU families and advocated for Colorado’s new law.

Cahoon launched the organization after her daughter Lily, born at 24 weeks and five days, died after three-and-a-half months in the NICU. Cahoon, who owned a jewelry-making business at the time, said she worked, believing her daughter would survive.

“It’s probably one of my biggest regrets,” Cahoon said, though at the time she felt lucky to be able to work remotely from the hospital and didn’t feel she could afford to give up her income. “We did not know that our story was going to end that way.”

Feeling unprepared

When Rebeca Herrera-Moreno learned about Colorado’s NICU leave law last year, it brought her back to her son’s time in the NICU six years earlier and she decided to leap into advocacy for a similar provision in her home state of California.

When her son Nico was born at 32 weeks in 2020, Herrera-Moreno was already on disability leave, having entered preterm labor weeks earlier. Her husband, Martin Moreno, was entitled to six weeks of paid parental leave under California law at the time, but they decided he would save that time for when Nico could come home, which ended up being three weeks later.

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She struggled to enjoy moments with her tiny son while holding him surrounded by machines, monitors and nurses. She would say “I love you” every day before leaving him while guilt swelled inside her that she hadn’t developed that feeling yet. Weeks later at home, she opened to up to her husband, Martin Moreno, who confessed that he had felt the same way.

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Moreno, a health director for a labor union, said he was consumed at the time with his job, which suddenly intensified as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the country. To this day, his most vivid memory of the period isn’t with his son in the NICU, but of a video he helped produce to show workers how to properly wash their hands.

When he came home, he felt unprepared to care for Nico, who had to be fed on his side to prevent choking. He had been oblivious to his wife’s emotional turmoil.

“I wish I would have had more preparation with the medical staff to really feel like I had everything set. And that’s speaking to the medical piece of it — not even addressing being absent for Becky during so much of this,” Moreno said.

Being present

Nearly 800 people have applied for neonatal care leave since Colorado’s policy took effect in January, according to Tracy Marshall, director of Colorado’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance Division.

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Among the first were Chris and Stevie Madden, whose son was born almost eight weeks early on Jan. 11.

Stevie Madden, a mental health professional who had been rushed to the hospital after her blood pressure spiked and she began bleeding, said she panicked about how to handle the crisis and work when she realized she had planned to start her maternity leave much later.

A nurse at the hospital, however, told Chris Madden about the new NICU leave, which they both applied for.

Madden, an oil field mechanic, said he wouldn’t have been able to keep him mind on his risky job while his son was fighting for his life. He said he learned how to handle his baby’s delicate skin — press gently, don’t rub — and gained the confidence he needed when Roczen stopped breathing once after returning home and had to be rushed the hospital.

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He told every parent he met at hospital about NICU leave.

“It was life changing not to have to think about money and stress and just be present with your baby,” Madden said.

___ This story has corrected that the woman in the first paragraph lost consciousness during birth, not after, and has corrected the spelling of Rebeca Herrera-Moreno’s first name. ___

The Associated Press’ women in the workforce coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

The 57-year-old shared how it’s been good for her to make this series

Kylie Minoque will open up about her life and career in her brand new tell-all series on Netflix, including her battle with cancer.

Australian popstar Kylie Minogue has a new three-part Netflix series coming out this week, made by the same team who worked on Sir David Beckham’s hit documentary.

It features footage from her childhood and time in Australian soap Neighbours, as well interviews with friends and family including her former co-star Jason Donovan, sister Dannii and musician Nick Cave.

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Speaking at a Q&A in central London ahead of the documentary’s release, Kylie admitted that it had been “good” to make the series. “There’s light and shade for sure,” she said of the film, adding: “We’re all human.”

When asked by host broadcaster Clara Amfo what the singer hoped her fans would understand about her after watching the film, she said: “I can imagine that fans and maybe even broader than that… maybe that’s one of the reasons that I have this relationship with my fans and the broader audience, is they can see, don’t know if I tried to do this, again it’s very weird to say this about myself, but I’m not invincible.

“I can get the job done and I can shine, hopefully. But I think that, I don’t know, that they understand that you could be me, we could co-exist.”

Kylie was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in May 2005 aged 36. She underwent a lumpectomy and chemotherapy in Paris, and was given the all-clear in 2006. News coverage of her cancer diagnosis caused an unprecedented increase in bookings for mammograms, referred to as the ‘Kylie effect’.

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The singer opens up about her battle in the new documentary alongside sister Dannii. Speaking in the trailer, Kylie says: “I felt removed from my body, I was so scared of what was ahead of me.”

Dannii adds: “We didn’t know if she’s ever gonna be well again. I just wanted to be with my sister.”

On some of the public scrutiny and misogyny she has faced during her career, which is featured in the film, the star added: “There’s always a lot of talk about how much I’ve changed.

“”We all change through life, and grown and developed, and certainly that’s evident, as an artist, like I was famous before I knew what I was doing, so you know, and there came a lot of the criticism and the hardship with that, but what’s illuminating to me is, in so many ways, I haven’t changed.

“Like, the way of dealing with stuff from that time that you’re talking about is kind of how I do it now, like I read the room, do what I have to do, feel the fear and do it anyway.”

Vets are said to be already seeing a rise in avoidable cases linked to toxic plants and grass seeds, hazards that many pet owners don’t realise are right on their doorstep.

Many popular plants can be harmful if pets chew, lick, or dig them up.

Some of the most common include lilies, rhododendron, tulips, hydrangea, and bluebells.

Dogs may nibble leaves or bulbs, while cats can be affected simply by brushing past certain plants and grooming themselves afterwards. Some plants cause mild tummy upsets, but others can lead to serious illness.

Flowers (Image: CVS Vets)

Signs of plant poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, lethargy, loss of appetite, excessive drinking, or collapse. Symptoms don’t always appear straight away, so pet owners should contact their vet immediately if they spot their pet eating a plant they are unsure of.

Owners should check plants are safe for pets before adding them to the garden or bringing them into the home. Bulbs and seeds should also be stored out of reach of pets before planting.

Grass seeds are another seasonal risk, particularly for dogs, and can lead to pain, infection, and complex veterinary treatment. These small, sharp seeds can become lodged in paws, ears, eyes, noses, or under the skin. Common warning signs that owners should look out for include persistent licking of a paw, head shaking, limping, or a sore, weepy eye.

Owners are advised to check dogs thoroughly after walks, especially between toes, around ears and armpits, as removing grass seeds early can prevent big problems later on.

Ellen Coker, Clinical Director at Regans Bury Road Veterinary Clinic, says “Our pets love exploring the garden as much as we do, but they don’t know what’s safe and what isn’t. Every spring and summer we see cases linked to toxic plants and grass seeds. Supervision and regular checks can make a huge difference to your pet’s health and comfort.

Dog (Image: CVS Vets)

“At Regans Bury Road Veterinary Clinic, we’re always happy to offer advice and reassurance.”

Pamela Illingworth, Practice Director at Pennine Vets Harwood, says “Supervision and regular checks can make a huge difference to your pet’s health and comfort.

“At Pennine Vets Harwood, we’re always happy to offer advice and reassurance. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, behaviour, or something they may have encountered outdoors, please get in touch.”

My worst parenting moment to date happened last year when my daughter, exhausted after her swimming lesson, threw an epic tantrum in the middle of a Pizza Express.

It started with crying. Then she stood on a chair and tried to shake the railing on the side.

When we tried to get her to calm down, she threw herself to the floor and screamed her head off.

Eventually, embarrassed, I flung her over my shoulder in a fireman’s carry and hurried out of the restaurant.

As I waited in the cold, dark, winter evening for the rest of my family to emerge – my husband was hastily paying the £91 bill and bundling the other children into their jackets – a Deliveroo driver stared in disapproval at my still distraught daughter, and a woman who was walking past stopped to stare.

That’s when it hit me: eating out with children is no longer worth it and I will not be doing it again.

I’ve always seen eating out as a treat. I love not having to figure out what to cook that night or deal with the clean-up afterwards. My husband and I ate out at least once a week before we had children. 

I used to be a restaurant reviewer and I once reviewed nine restaurants in three days. I love food and eating out was always one of life’s greatest joys.

Before having children I never minded them in restaurants as long as they behaved. A crying baby did not annoy me, but little children running around without supervision made me raise an eyebrow. 

Looking back, I wish I had been more understanding then that parents were just exhausted – I would never say anything, however. 

After giving birth, I wanted our son to have the privilege of eating out and to learn how to behave in society.

However, I quickly learned not all restaurant-goers are a fan of junior diners.

Even though I always used a scarf, I still remember the judgemental stares I’d get for breastfeeding my baby at the table. It was clear some people deemed it inappropriate and I can’t tell you how many hours I spent feeding them in the loo as a result.

Things only got harder as the kids got bigger too. 

After travelling for hours to a hotel, my husband and I took the kids for dinner. It was 7pm and the restaurant was abuzz with plenty of other patrons, yet the two women on the table next to us saw our presence as a problem.

Throughout the meal they complained loudly several times about how irresponsible we were for keeping our baby up late or saying how ‘they should be in bed’. It had been a long journey and the comments upset me. I had to bite my lip to stop from crying – it felt unfair and I wish I had said something, instead of ignoring them. 

I think they felt guilty though as, after their meal, they made a point of coming over to say that they could tell we were ‘good parents’. The hypocrisy was astounding.

Because of these interactions and many more, I’ve always tried to be considerate of other diners. I always take a bag of toys and crayons with me to entertain them and the phone only comes out if that doesn’t work.

But even that isn’t enough to please some people. The disapproving looks if you let your children have screen time, if they dare to make a loud noise, or make a mess on the floor and the table is enough to make your blood run cold.

Not all our family dining experiences have been bad though. Our local Italian is incredibly family-friendly and on some occasions the waitress there has even taken our son while we were eating and walked him around the restaurant  – that was an act of kindness I will never forget.

I also know that it will get easier for the children as they get older. Our oldest is ten and now sits and behaves for an entire meal, that’s partly because he has a better understanding of the behaviour that’s expected of him, but also because he doesn’t tire or bore as easily.

Even so, I won’t be eating out in restaurants now until the kids are all older. While I don’t mind paying money for a treat, spending often three-figures for an experience that leaves me more stressed than before is just not worth it.

Instead, we order from Deliveroo. Same food, less stress.

It’s a shame it’s come to this but I think it’s society that is to blame – not my children.

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There is a growing intolerance towards children in public spaces and while I don’t think children should be allowed to behave badly in restaurants – it’s up to parents to make sure their children don’t throw food, shout or run around – we do have to accept that, sometimes, they have a moment.

Yes, children have tantrums and sometimes these can happen in the most unexpected places (like Pizza Express). But they also learn by watching as much as by being told what to do.

The more children are respected and welcomed into society, the more they will become functioning members of it. 

As for the rest of us, a little bit of understanding can go a long way.

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Originally published February 17th, 2026

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jessica.aureli@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.

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Joseph Fiennes has shed light on the ‘nerve-wracking’ experience of playing Gareth Southgate in a new BBC drama.

Created and written by James Graham, Dear England chronicles the former England player’s journey as manager of the national team from 2016 to 2024.

Starring Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who) as Pippa Grange, the team’s psychologist and Jason Watkins (The Crown) as former FA chairman Greg Dyke, the four-part series is adapted from James’ Olivier award-winning stage play of the same name.

However, despite Joseph reprising his role as Gareth for the BBC series, the Handmaid’s Tale star told Metro how the process of switching the stage for the screen brought an entirely different challenge.

‘The play is fictitious,’ he tells me, sitting next to James and Jodie inside a BBC studio.

‘There’s a disclaimer on the tin that says, at the very top of our show, that these are events that happen, but this is the interpretation of these events, done with absolute examination and detail.

‘There is a nervousness about taking what we did in the play and putting it on a lens… If you’re in the middle of a theatre as an audience member if you squint a little bit… [I could] very possibly be Gareth Southgate.

‘But it’s a different thing when the lens is banged [right there in front of me]. So I was very, very nervous about the conceit of playing Gareth.’

Discussing the ‘ride’ he wants audiences to take, Joseph adds: ‘You want them to accept it and then move to the much more exciting things beyond waistcoats, mannerisms and these very famous people.

‘[Dear England] goes beyond football and I think the beauty of the series is that through the lens of the beautiful game we get to examine trickier conversations.’

Directed in part by Rupert Goold and Paul Whittington, the series sees Gareth open his mind up to ‘face up to the years of hurt to take England back to the promised land’.

Central to this effort is Pippa, who Jodie described as being a ‘fascinating’ character to play.

‘The biggest takeaway for me is how at an international level fear is seen as something that you need to pretend you are immune to,’ she says.

‘In James’s writing, it’s so beautiful, but then also in Pippa’s own words and her own explanation – fear should not be a vulnerability.

‘And it’s so simple what she articulates that you can’t quite believe you don’t know it until you’ve been told it, and then you feel gobsmacked that it’s not still being implemented.’

For James, however, the show’s creator – who has also written the acclaimed BBC series Sherwood and ITV’s Quiz – this series was about asking ‘some of the biggest existential questions England faces as a country’.

‘This isn’t endorsed by Gareth, it’s not endorsed by the FA,’ he tells me.

‘But I want to defend him. It’s quite clear my admiration for the people involved, including Pippa and Gareth.

‘They identified that that one of the hugest problems in the England dressing room… was that no one had ever sat them down and gone and what is England to you? What is your country? And they just didn’t feel connected.’

With the first two episodes of Dear England arriving on Sunday May 24, viewers can expect to see the psychological rebuilding of the England men’s football team and how they overcame their penalty-shootout trauma while transforming their team culture.

Dear England is available to watch on BBC One and iPlayer at 9pm on Sunday 24th May.

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If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

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Nyomi Fee and long-time partner Alexandra Stewart smiled for the picture inside HMP Greenock.

Scotland’s most controversial jail couple posed for a gay Pride celebration behind bars.

Child killer Nyomi Fee and long-time partner Alexandra Stewart – a biological male who murdered a man in 2013 – smiled for the camera inside Darroch Hall at HMP Greenock.

The photo was taken in happier times for the pair, as the Daily Record revealed recently that they have broken off their engagement.

Fee, who is dwarfed by her hulking fiancee in the photo, is said to still be on “good friends” terms with Stewart, who was formerly known as Alan Baker but chose to live as a woman before being jailed for the murder of John Weir, who he met via a gay dating app.

Last month, the Daily Record revealed that Stewart, 38, had been charged with the alleged sexual assault of a female prisoner in the hairdresser at HMP Greenock.

We cannot show Stewart’s face for legal reasons but one former prisoner said: “This photo will speak 1000 words about the reality facing women in jails, who are forced to live ­alongside men. Alex is not just a man but a very large and strong one at that.”

The source added: “Women are told that these trans prisoners are women and they are told they have to refer to them as women and they have to address them by their women’s name or they will be in trouble over hate crimes. It’s stark raving mad.

“The madness of it all is only compounded by the fact they were celebrating a Pride event. Women prisoners have been gaslit for years, forced to acknowledge the supposedly gay relationship between Nyomi and Alex.

“We know ­sexuality can be complex but plenty of people were asking how exactly a sexual ­relationship between a man and a woman could be a gay one.”

The presence of Stewart in a women’s prison has been a thorny issue for years, leading to a focus on the policy of the Scottish Prison Service, which allows people who declare themselves to be trans female to be regarded as such after a risk ­assessment.

A UK Supreme Court ruling last year backed the contention of the For Women Scotland group, which argued that a woman is defined by biology.

FWS director Susan Smith said the photo of Stewart will be jarring for many, as they believe it clearly displays a large man in a women’s jail.

The group claims the visual impact is similar to another photo of Isla Bryson, who turned up to the High Court in Glasgow wearing tight leggings that clearly revealed his biological gender to be male.

Bryson, born Adam Graham, opted to declare himself a woman after being accused of two rapes, for which he was convicted in 2023, leading to an eight-year jail sentence. The case made world news and a decision to house the rapist in a women’s jail, HMP Stirling, was reversed.

FWS’s Smith said of the Stewart-Fee picture: “This photo shows the reality faced by women inside HMP Greenock and other establishments, where they have been forced to say a man is a woman just because the Scottish Government said that was the case.

“Looking at that picture, it would seem quite obvious that this is a man – and a very large man at that. And when someone like that is around women who often have backgrounds of trauma and abuse, they are going to feel unnerved and frightened.

“That will be compounded if the women are being forced to pretend that this is a woman just like them. We know from previous reports that women were being punished for supposedly misgendering prisoners, and one case featured a woman who was put on trial for not using the right pronouns and names and making comments about somebody being male.

“So not only are these women then going to be intimidated by someone like this, they’re going to be ­frightened that anything they say out of that upsets them or that they think is out of order will end up with them being punished – it’s quite ­outrageous.”

Smith said 70 per cent of women in prisons have suffered head trauma and the majority of them are the victims of domestic violence.

She said: “They’re often in prison because of issues around addiction or due to abusive relationships. They deserve to be protected and to be given a proper chance of ­rehabilitation.

“They can’t just be used for some mad expert social experiment and Scotland should stop this mixing of men and women in jails immediately.”

The Record revealed last month that Stewart was being held in segregation in the female wing of HMP Greenock since being accused of a sexual attack there, which led to their arrest and subsequent charge. A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal.

Scissors killer Jayney Sutherley, 52, was accused last year at Greenock Sheriff Court of waging a transphobic hate campaign against Stewart and “misgendering” him.

The case was found not proven but evidence presented to court included claims that Fee and Stewart had a sexual relationship behind bars. In that case, Sheriff Thomas Millar stated that referring to trans women as men is not transphobia.

In the Supreme Court case last year, three senior judges ruled that when the term “woman” is used in the Equality Act it means a biological woman, and “sex” means biological sex.

The Scottish Government said it respected the ruling but argued it did not override the upholding of ­protections set out in the European ­Convention on Human Rights.

There were a total of 19 transgender inmates in Scotland’s jails last June. It is believed only two trans women remain in the female estate. Fee is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of her two-and-a-half year old stepson Liam at his home in Thornton, near ­Glenrothes, in 2014, as is her then partner Rachel Fee, or Trelfa.

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North Yorkshire Police are appealing for information after a burglary from a barn on the main road in Temple Hirst, near Selby, that took place over the weekend.

It took place between 9pm on Friday, May 15, and 12.30pm on Saturday, May 16, and saw ‘a number of high-value items’ stolen – including two bikes and power tools.

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“We are particularly interested in any footage that may show two unidentified males in the area during the stated times,” said a spokesperson for the force.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage, or who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, to come forward.

If you have any information, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference 12260088860.

The Sun’s world famous Mystic Meg horoscope column has entertained readers for decades with predictions for their love lives, money and careers.

Read on to see what Mystic Meg with Maggie Innes has written in the stars for you today. 

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

You say goodbye to the Mars side of you that never wants to wait – and there’s a new peace that’s possible as a result, right through your chart.

MYSTIC MEG

You will start, and stay, in control if you remember what and who you value most

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MYSTIC MEG

Single? Your soulmate walks with such a confident style

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So if you need more time for a decision or a date, you can ask for it now.

Your communication sector thrives on the unusual – find your unique way to express ideas.

Get all the latest Aries horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

You can be so patient and strong – but sometimes, you need to say: “Enough!” This could be one of those days.

If someone has been pushing your buttons, now you can push back.

At work, step forward for a role you may not be 100 per cent qualified for, yet.

A time of waiting in the wings is over – your spotlight awaits.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

As Mercury takes the reins in your personal affairs, you start to see ways through cash and communication barriers.

Nothing is out of your reach when you turn panic into logic and work through the options.

In love, feelings are the foundation of a bond, but it’s shared honesty and generosity that shelters them.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

There’s a real sense of nostalgia in your chart today – so it’s worth looking back at dates and faces from the past and checking if there’s anything you’ve missed.

Your heart could be hinting at a second chance.

If you feel forced into a community or career role, you do have the planet support to refuse.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

Your success sector is red- hot with potential – so how will you use this for the next few weeks?

First up, refocus on a work dream you have shelved lately – as the perfect moment can be coming.

You also have the ability to start, or restart, special love connections. But this time, do match a partner’s passion pace.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

If the future has felt muddled for a while, your Mercury-based clarity helps you see a clear path ahead.

This may mean swapping around some goals, and trying a new timetable.

But the moment you make a plan, it can feel so right. As for love, there’s one more day of Venus ambition – so will you make a move by tonight?

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

You could be surprised by deep feelings that show themselves under your usual sunny exterior, but they do demand your attention.

Mars is stirring up all kinds of things, from ambition and lust, to risk-taking – your whole attitude can be up for reinvention.

So be ready to make some big choices.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Tune into the emotional depths of the moon today – and find the final energy you need to push a change forward.

Yes, you may worry about how your actions affect others, but this should not stop you doing what is right for you.

Family plans may twist and turn, but judge only what people do, not who they are.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

It’s so tempting to make a big gesture, at work or at home. But long-term, it’s better to stick to dull talks than try exciting action.

You are much closer to an agreement than you may imagine.

In love, however, let your imagination fly free – make those couple suggestions, or give an unlikely date a chance.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Everything that’s spontaneous in your chart is suddenly on high alert – not always comfortable for such a plan-ahead sign as yourself.

But the planets are clear on one thing today – whatever comes your way, you can cope.

Even better, you can triumph. So face the future with a confident smile.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Instead of looking the other way in a family, face any differences head on today – and seek a shared solution.

You need to know you have tried. You have such a creative moon chart, ideas may surprise you, both in their subject matter and their strength.

Today can be a turning point for love, as you break from the past.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

Your Mars-inspired direct approach can be a gift – but it’s one to use carefully.

Saying exactly what you think, at work or at home, may not be the best way to keep discussions going, so do keep some of that special Pisces understanding in the mix.

A sexy whisper with “P” can turn into something wild.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

• Our much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column has been kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

BRITAIN’S cheapest locations for first-time buyers have been revealed – with average house prices from just £147,353.

The average age of first-time buyers in some of the most affordable spots in the UK is as low as 27, according to a new research by Lloyds bank.

East Ayrshire in Scotland was identified as the least expensive location, looking at the average price paid by people buying their first home.

The average price for first-time buyers there is £147,353, Lloyds said, adding that the area is well connected to Scotland’s central belt, with routes into Glasgow and nearby employment hubs.

It was followed by another Scottish location – Iverclyde – with average prices at £149,929.

Blackpool came in third place, with the average first-time buyer paying £150,780 for a property.

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These are the most affordable areas for first-time buyers in each UK region:

• East Midlands, Bolsover, £191,564
• East of England, Great Yarmouth, £236,447
• London, Barking and Dagenham, £363,748
• North East, South Tyneside, £157,551
• North West, Blackpool, £150,780
• Northern Ireland, Mid and East Antrim, £175,308
• Scotland, East Ayrshire, £147,353
• South East, Gosport, £228,617
• South West, Plymouth, £216,166
• Wales, Merthyr Tydfil, £156,498
• West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, £171,569
• Yorkshire and the Humber, Kingston upon Hull, £151,171

Lloyds also looked at the places with the youngest first-time buyers in the country, where Gen-Z are getting on the property ladder.

The Ribble Valley in Lancashire came out on top, with an average first-time buyer age of 27 – five years younger than the average age across the UK of 32.

Homes here cost an average of £219,980.

South Staffordshire in the West Midlands also has an average first-time buyer age of 27 (with homes costing £259,678 on average) as well as Pendle in the North West of the country (at £188,136 for an average home).

Thee are the top 10 areas with the youngest average UK first-time buyer ages:

• Ribble Valley, North West; average age: 27.0; average first-time buyer house price: £219,980
• South Staffordshire, West Midlands, 27.8, £259,678
• Pendle, North West, 27.9, £188,136
• Rutland, East Midlands, 28.1, £281,130
• Cannock Chase, West Midlands, 28.3, £213,399
• North Norfolk, Eastern England, 28.4, £242,318
• Staffordshire Moorlands, West Midlands, 28.5, £219,616
• Chorley, North West, 28.7, £221,232
• Mid Suffolk, Eastern England, 28.7, £289,372
• Westmorland and Furness, North West, 28.8, £212,848

Lloyds head of mortgages Amanda Bryden said: “Our research shows there are still genuine pockets of value for first‑time buyers, particularly for those with an open‑mind who are willing to be flexible on location and property type.

“With ongoing cost of living pressures and wider economic uncertainty, it’s completely understandable that some people are feeling cautious.

“But there are opportunities out there, and for many buyers, that flexibility can make a real difference.”

The research is based on Lloyds Banking Group’s housing statistics database, drawing on mortgage approval data from customers of Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland.

Average house prices were calculated covering the 12 months to February.

It comes after Lloyds announced it is launching a new low-deposit mortgage today that could help first-time buyers get on the property ladder with a deposit as low as £5,000.