A derogation was granted to allow the continuation of some trials, including that of Stephen McCullagh who was jailed for 31 years for the 2022 murder of Natalie McNally.

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Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister will accept all the recommendations of a review into legal aid fees and will implement increases to rates and fees.

Criminal barristers in Northern Ireland have been involved in a long-running dispute over fees for legal aid and have been engaged in legal action, which has effectively halted crown court cases involving those who require legal aid.

A derogation was granted to allow the continuation of some trials, including that of Stephen McCullagh who was jailed for 31 years for the 2022 murder of Natalie McNally.

In February, Naomi Long agreed to start an accelerated review into the matter and it was concluded on April 27.

In a written statement on Wednesday, Ms Long said she would “take the necessary steps” to implement its proposals.

They include a 8.66% increase to all criminal legal aid fees and counsel fees for preparing and submitting skeleton arguments on sentencing in the crown court.

There will also be a 26.05% increase to hourly rates for Exceptional Preparation in the crown court.

Ms Long said she is also looking into additional changes to Exceptional Preparation hourly rates and criteria and other associated fees and said she is also extending the 8.66% uplift to civil and family proceedings.

In her statement, Ms Long said these measures will cost an additional £5.4 million a year and said she is “making that investment in the interests of the system, the victims, witnesses and defendants who have been affected by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) action.”

In a statement, the Bar of Northern Ireland said members of the CBA have been intensively engaging with the Department of Justice on the matter since 2024 and participated in the review.

They said the CBA Committee met Ms Long on Wednesday where she outlined her department’s position in relation to the review’s recommendations, adding: “The wider CBA membership will meet to consider its response as soon as possible.”

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Tata Steel carried out a controlled demolition of a gas holder at the Port Talbot site earlier on Wednesday evening.

There is no suggestion the demolition, which the company said was carried out safely, is linked to the ongoing incident at the steelworks. Local residents reported their homes “shook” when the gas holder was brought down.

Shortly after the demolition, the company said: “People working and living in the Port Talbot area may have just heard a loud noise emanating from the Port Talbot steelworks.

“This was the result of the planned demolition of the empty, redundant coke ovens gas holder, which has been completed safely as part of the ongoing engineering works on the site. The gas holder ceased operation with the closure of the site’s heavy-end in September 2024.

“This demolition was required to make space for future raw materials handling areas for the new three million tonne per year capacity electric arc furnace.

“Our thanks goes to the whole team involved from Tata Steel and our contractor partners Thompson of Prudhoe and PDC, in what was a complex programme of work. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

“My grandma said: ‘Sunday best everyday– what are you saving it for?’.” – Dom, Sussex, England

“When in doubt about what to do, ask yourself: what would you do if you were fearless?” – Aniek, Delft, Netherlands

“I met my husband aged 17. Before we married, we worked in a residential home. One of the lovely residents, Mrs Belcher, advised us to ‘never go to bed on an argument’. We took that advice and it’s served our marriage well for 45 years and counting.” – Trudie, Norfolk, England

“‘Nothing new happens in your comfort zone – don’t be scared’.” – Short, Wales

“‘If you go into a room full of smokers, you’re going to come out smelling like smoke’. Essentially: be careful who you associate with.”– Rachel, Florida, US 

“My grandma and parents shared the same piece of wisdom: ‘You’ll always want more in life. Better bicycle, newer toys, more money, bigger house, faster car. Learn to enjoy what you have, not what you don’t’.” – Dorian, London, England

“Our mother, Sylvia’s, sage advice: ‘It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice’. It’s no coincidence that my sister Christine and I followed in Mum’s footsteps working in community, arts and wellness.”– Susan, Brighton, England

“My father is a deeply loving man, but a man of few words. The only piece of advice he has imparted so far is: ‘The only thing you need to do is keep moving forward’. He repeated this advice at life’s large junctures: leaving school, after break-ups, even after bereavements. It has stayed with me because it doesn’t attach any judgements or values, simply acknowledges the value of putting one foot in front of the other, no matter how impossible that might seem at the time.” – Emily, Devon, England

“‘Every person you meet has something to teach you’. It’s so true. You meet people from all walks of life and everyone has different experiences you can learn from. It’s always encouraged me to view people with an open mind. This was from my neighbour, Gary, who was my dad’s best friend.”– Leah, Wirral, England 

“My dad said: ‘Start a job and finish it’. It’s served me very well.”– Heidi, Hertfordshire, England

“‘Don’t follow fashions, start them’.” – Adela, UK

“My parents would say: ‘Don’t assume’. I think they were largely referring to making assumptions about how two people, close to each other, too often mistakenly assume what the other’s feelings are, or what actions they have taken (or plan to take).” – Bill, Seattle, US

“‘If you want something, you have to work for it’. So I got a job delivering newspapers.”– Yvonne, Norway

“‘Two wrongs don’t make a right’.” – Christine, Surrey, England

The only thing you need to do is keep moving forward

“My nan used to say: ‘For every negative there is always a positive’. I suppose it’s similar to ‘every cloud has a silver lining’. She explained that sometimes it’s not possible to see straight away, but that positive can always be found if you look hard enough. It helps me to put challenges and obstacles into perspective.” – Molly, Bristol, England

“‘Love is the answer’. No matter what, if you do things with love, you can’t go wrong. I’m talking about the kind of love that lifts up, that considers others, that demonstrates respect, that keeps hope, that shows kindness, that helps, that serves, that opens hearts, that doesn’t need a megaphone. That kind of love can move mountains.” – Christine, British Columbia, Canada

“‘Compassion begins with an open ear’. My father told me to be a good listener. I have since realised the importance of listening as it brings me closer to understanding another’s perspective.” – Christopher, Granada

“‘If somebody angers you, wait for that emotion to fade before you respond to the situation’. It has helped prevent me from responding in a way that I will regret later. Often my opinion on something softens when the feeling of anger calms down.” – Tara, Netherlands

You’ll always want more in life. Better bicycle, newer toys, more money, bigger house, faster car. Learn to enjoy what you have, not what you don’t

“‘Nobody can steal your knowledge’.” – Yumi, Brazil

“‘When in conversation, be curious about the other person, ask questions’. This came from a larger-than-life family friend who did not follow his own advice.” – Rosie, Australia

“My father said: ‘never buy cheap tools’. I have occasionally disobeyed his advice and always regretted it.”– Gavin, York, England

“‘Always take time to stop and smell the flowers’.” – David, Alberta, Canada

“‘If you want to be a boy, make excuses. If you want to be a man, take responsibility. If you want to be a leader, positively impact people’s lives’.” – David, Lagos, Nigeria

“‘Don’t live for the weekend. Live each day to the fullest.’(From my dad).” – Beth, Florida, US

Main image: : Jacob Wackerhausen

Mark took to social media to pay a sweet tribute to his wife on her birthday as she heads towards a milestone

Mark Wright has appeared to have shared previously unseen snaps of himself and Michelle Keegan as he took to social media to pay a sweet tribute to his wife on her birthday.

The loved-up couple tied the knot more than 11 years ago in a stunning ceremony at St Mary’s Church in Bury St Edmunds after meeting three years earlier in Dubai – or so it was thought.

Former The Only Way is Essex star Mark previously revealed that they actually met backstage at The X Factor one year before bumping into each other at numerous other events. “I chased her for a while,” he previously admitted on the Private Parts podcast, formerly hosted by Jamie Laing.

He and Stockport-born Michelle did eventually walk down the aisle and it was last year that they welcomed their first child, Palma Elizabeth, into the world. But on Wednesday (June 3), it was all about Michelle as she marked her 39th birthday.

Taking to Instagram, Mark, also 39, shared a string of photos of himself and the former Coronation Street star, some from earlier in their relationship, as well as a photo of Michelle with their daughter, one-year-old Palma, during a recent Disney Cruise break.

Alongside the post, the Heart Radio host gushed: “It’s your day Baby. A year away from the big 4.0 but don’t look a day over 21. You’re too modest to realise how much of a special person you are, but what you do for us and everyone around you is is more than you’ll ever realise. Love you Darling M&P.”

And more birthday wishes came flooding in. @gabrielle_abrahams said: “Happy birthday beautiful girl @michkeegan.” @georgiaal98 commented: “Happy birthday beautiful! Hope you have a lovely day.” @nannynetty56 replied: “Happy Birthday Michelle. You are so lucky to have found each other.” @alwaysmsg added: “Beautiful couple! Happy birthday Michelle.”

As mentioned, Mark and Michelle recently enjoyed a Disney Cruise with their daughter. Describing the trip as ‘pure magic’ on Instagram, it looks like the trio had a wonderful time.

Michelle shared images of the family out at sea, with little Palma looking in awe at Mickey Mouse and taking in the décor on board the ship. There were also snaps of Michelle posing inside the vessel and snaps of Mark holding his child as they gaze at the Disney castle.

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People who start planning at 50 could pass on thousands more

Families could be losing thousands in ‘preventable’ Inheritance Tax costs according to money experts after a new report found that delay one single decision by a few years could have a much higher cost than people expect.

With unused pensions due to be included in Inheritance Tax calculations from next year, millions of families who never expected to pay inheritance tax could find themselves caught up in the 40% bill. This comes after new figures showed nine in 10 UK postcodes have more estates that will trigger IHT bills than they did five years ago.

New Octopus Investments research found that when you start your estate planning could have a significant impact on how much your able to leave to your loved ones. Modelling affluent families who start the process at the age of 50, it found they could pass on £397,000 more to their loved ones compared to those who make the “quiet” decision, or indecision, to not start planning until they hit 70.

Outside of the financial hit late planning can take, the research also found emotional costs of the delay as nearly seven in 10 financial advisors say they’ve seen tax or family conflict because estate planning was started too late. Advisors added that many clients delay starting the process because they think they are ‘too young’ or struggle to have conversations about death and their legacy.

Kristy Barr, Head of Retail Investments at Octopus Investments said: “The biggest threat to a family’s legacy isn’t tax – it’s the conversation that gets postponed. Most of the wealth lost to inheritance tax isn’t lost to bad planning.

“It’s lost to no planning, by families who genuinely meant to get round to it or people who simply didn’t realise they had an inheritance tax problem.”

The new research focused on affluent families in the top decile of UK wealth after the pension changes begin next year, noting that actual outcomes will depend on each household’s individual circumstances. It found these wealthy families could lose an estimated £12.3billion in ‘preventable Inheritance Tax’ once pensions enter Inheritance Tax liabilities next April.

The controversial change will see unused pension funds included in the value of your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. It is meant to prevent pension pots from being used as a way to transfer wealth generationally without facing Inheritance Tax as it’s currently exempt.

Even without this change in tax policy, the research showed families that passively wait to start estate planning may be passing on £258,000 less on average than those who start estate planning early.

Inheritance Tax is paid at a flat rate of 40% on estates valued at over the threshold of £325,000. However, there are some exemptions that can stop your estate over this value from being taxed and acting on these strategies sooner rather than later could add up to thousands according to the research commissioned by Octopus Investments.

The report, 50nomics: the evidence behind earlier estate planning, also discovered that many people are mistaken about when they actually start estate planning. UK adults said on average that it should start around 44 years of age, while financial advisors say clients usually start around 61 years old.

86% of those in their late 40s admitted they hadn’t done any estate planning at all and this only dropped to 70% for those in their 50s.

Kristy added: “Our research indicated the difference between affluent families starting their planning at 50 and starting at 70 is, on average, nearly £400,000. Multiplied across the country, that is billions of pounds in legacies left on the table.

“For most families, the decision to wait feels like the safer one. 50nomics puts a price on that quiet decision — and a value, for those who act, on starting the conversation sooner.”

England will be aiming to end 60 years of hurt this summer at the World Cup but Three Lions fans are set to get the chance to relive the side’s past glory

Channel 4 are bringing the 1966 World Cup final back to life – with a little help from Harry Kane. England captain Kane is taking part in a special colour broadcast of English football’s greatest moment to raise awareness for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst is also making a contribution to pay tribute to his teammates who developed dementia which is the UK’s biggest killer.

Alzheimer’s Society ambassador, comedian David Baddiel, will introduce the show with special contributions before the match – England’s 4-2 win over Germany – is shown in all its glory.

The special broadcast, in partnership with SunLife and MediaLab, is designed to raise awareness and also help raise funds for the disease which has had a devastating effect on footballers.

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Kane is also one of several current and former England stars taking part in the show ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

Michelle Dyson, chief executive officer of the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We are so grateful to be part of this collaboration, which will allow people to experience the historic 1966 World Cup final in full colour, while also raising vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society.

“It’s heartbreaking that many former players – and indeed fans – of the legendary 1966 World Cup team have been affected by dementia.

“Their stories are a powerful reminder of why we must keep raising awareness and the funds needed to support people living with this devastating condition today while also working towards a better future.”

Neil Canetty-Clarke, Executive Producer, said: “60 years ago, 32 million people, the largest ever audience in UK history, watched England win the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final in black and white.

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“We hope millions more will watch it in colour on Channel 4 on June 6th to celebrate the anniversary and support Alzheimer’s Society.”

Channel 4 partners with SunLife to broadcast a special edition of the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final In Colour, in aid of Alzheimer’s Society at 4.45pm on Saturday, 6 June.

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