Scheme includes incubator‐style environment with reduced stall rates and access to experienced business mentors

A unique training programme at Fleetwood Market is giving aspiring entrepreneurs in Wyre the opportunity to develop real-world business skills. The programme offers priceless hands-on experience in running, marketing, and managing a market stall, key factors in helping a business thrive.

The initiative, supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), forms part of wider investment allocated to Wyre Council, which, alongside other projects, has helped establish the scheme.

Julian Brent, market manager, said: “This was an idea I’ve carried for many years, and seeing it finally come to fruition is incredibly rewarding.

” With the support of UKSPF funding, we’ve been able to successfully establish and grow the scheme, something I’ve envisioned for many years creating real opportunities for people.

“To now see it operating, supporting individuals into self-employment and bringing new life into Fleetwood Market, is something I’m genuinely proud of.

“The whole market team have helped to grow this idea and turn it into a reality and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

The programme is delivered in partnership with Wyre Council and offers recipients the opportunity to run their own business within Fleetwood Market.

Participants receive support through an incubator‐style environment that includes reduced stall rates, access to experienced business mentors, and structured guidance designed to build skills and confidence.

This development initiative helps unemployed individuals gain the practical experience, knowledge, and self‐belief needed to become self‐employed market traders.

Through hands‐on training in a live retail setting, participants work toward the opportunity to take over a fully stocked market unit at Fleetwood Market.

Among the latest to join is Rebekah Morris, who was selected from multiple applicants to run the new pet-themed stall, New Leash of Life, located in the main hall at Fleetwood Market.

Animal lover Rebekah, 31, who moved to Fleetwood from Blackburn nearly four years ago, said: “This opportunity has really given me the chance to build my experience and create a career for myself. I’m excited to see how the future looks for me now.

“I’ve had loads of pets over the years, including dogs, a horse and even lizards, so it’s right up my street.”

Councillor Lynne Bowen, portfolio holder for leisure, health and community engagement, added: “Fleetwood Market has always been a vital part of our community, and this programme is a fantastic way to help local people turn their ideas into real businesses.

“By giving aspiring entrepreneurs, the support, space and confidence to grow, we’re investing not only in their future but in the future of our town centres. I’m delighted to see Rebekah take this opportunity, and I look forward to watching her business flourish.”

At the end of her probationary period Rebekah will have the opportunity to continue operating her stall on a permanent basis. The project reflects Wyre Council’s ongoing commitment to supporting local people, strengthening business skills, and revitalising town centre markets as thriving community spaces.

Three Mile Island is preparing for a return to service, underscoring how America’s fast-growing digital economy is reshaping the nation’s energy priorities.

FOX Business’ Darren Botelho joined Maria Bartiromo on “Mornings with Maria” to report on the planned restart of Three Mile Island and what it signals for America’s energy future.

Constellation Energy’s agreement with Microsoft to purchase power from the Pennsylvania facility marks a notable shift in how major technology companies are securing long-term electricity supply. As artificial intelligence and cloud computing expand, demand for always-on, carbon-free power has intensified, pushing nuclear energy back into the spotlight after years of stagnation.

TRUMP ADMIN PROVIDES $1B FEDERAL LOAN TO RESTART THREE MILE ISLAND NUCLEAR REACTOR

Constellation Energy’s senior vice president of Finance and Data Economy, Dan Eggers, pointed to federal support as a catalyst for the plant’s revival.

“Secretary Wright, Secretary Burgum, incredible supporters of nuclear — we really appreciate the relationship we’ve been able to build with them. The president has been a vocal advocate and I think that’s opened up opportunities through government support and really strong advocacy for bringing new megawatts on, which is going to help lead to the nuclear renaissance we’re all really excited about,” Eggers said.

The reopening also reflects broader concerns about grid reliability as extreme weather and surging electricity use test infrastructure nationwide. Nuclear plants, designed to operate continuously at high output, are increasingly viewed as a stabilizing force in that equation.

TRUMP ADMIN RAMPS UP EFFORT TO REVIVE COAL INDUSTRY AS POWER DEMAND SURGES

Energy Secretary Christopher Wright emphasized the stakes for grid design.

“When you design an electricity grid, there’s two major criteria.. You must keep the lights on… Heat running, or people die. Hospitals shut down, factories close. This is an enormous asset of a modern society to have an electricity grid. You must design it for peak demand,” Wright said.

Aerial view of Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Middletown, Pennsylvania (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Three Mile Island’s planned 2027 restart would restore nuclear generation capacity to Pennsylvania’s grid as electricity demand increases.

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The two new campuses in the Vale of Glamorgan are part of a £119m investment

Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) has officially marked start of construction work on two campuses in a £119m investment with a groundbreaking ceremony.

The investment will see a new waterfront campus for 900 students close to the college’s existing ageing Colcot Road building in Barry and a new Centre for Aerospace Training for 2,000 learners and more than 100 staff, at Cardiff Airport – adjacent to its international Centre for Aerospace Training.

The campuses will mainly be financed through the Welsh Government’s mutual investment model (MIM) – via the Welsh Education Partnership Company (WEPCo)- with construction costs repaid over a 25-year period.

The college’s committed financial contribution to both projects is around 19%, which will include proceeds from the sale of its existing Colcot Road campus site. It is the first time the Welsh Government has used MIM to fund a college project. Both campuses have been net zero designed.

Funding is being provided by Aviva following a competitive process. Both campuses are expected to be completed in the summer of next year ahead of start of the 2027/28 academic year.

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Education Secretary Lynne Neagle said: “We are really pleased to support Cardiff and Vale College’s twin-campus project as part of our sustainable communities for learning programme through our innovative mutual investment model. This demonstrates our commitment to further education in Wales, and I look forward to seeing learners thrive and flourish in these exciting new facilities.”

Cardiff and Vale College Group chief executive Mike James said: “We are delighted to mark this important milestone for two new campuses that will make a real difference to the communities of the Vale of Glamorgan. These developments reflect our commitment to creating high-quality learning environments for our community and employers, as well as our drive to invest in skills for the future.

“As the builds progress, we look forward to engaging with young people, families, community groups and employers, ensuring all are part of the journey as these campuses take shape. When the doors open in September 2027, these spaces will belong to the communities they serve, delivering long-term educational, social and economic benefits for the Vale.”

Christian Stanbury, WEPCo CEO said of the starting of construction work: “This moment is the result of outstanding collaboration and commitment across the partnership, including WEPCo, Cardiff and Vale College, Bouygues UK, Meridiam, the Development Bank of Wales, our funders, and the many individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes to make it possible.

“Both the Barry waterfront campus and the Advanced Technology Centre campuses will play a transformative role in their communities, creating exceptional spaces for student learning, teaching, and wider community engagement for many years to come.”

UK managing director for Wales and the south west of England for construction firm Bouygues, Mark Cesenek, said: “Breaking ground on these exciting and innovative builds marks the start of something truly special. Although today marks our official ground-breaking, we are proud to already be well under way, with significant progress achieved including site accommodation, ground remediation, concrete piling, and foundation and drainage works. In the coming weeks, the steel frames will begin to rise from the ground, bringing this development to life.”

Some New York City residents argue Mayor Zohran Mamdani is reneging on his affordable housing campaign promises by floating potentially hiking property taxes to balance the city budget. 

In rolling out a preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget, Mamdani said hiking property taxes would be a “last resort” if Albany does not cooperate by raising taxes on the wealthy.

“I don’t plan to move. It’s my home. I’m not leaving,” Vivian Campbell, who bought his two-story single-family home in Cambria Heights, Queens, in the 1990s, reportedly told WABC. 

The outlet reported that the retired man is on a fixed income and recently spent nearly $35,000 on a new front porch and roof.

“He lied,” Campbell said, referring to the mayor’s affordable housing messaging on the campaign trail. “It’s obvious.”

REAL ESTATE EXPERTS BLAST MAMDANI’S MATH-DEFYING TAX PLAN, WARN OF HIGHER RENTS AND FLIGHT

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a Bloomberg Television interview at City Hall in New York on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026.  (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Another man, identified by the outlet as homeowner James Johnson, declared, “Mayor Zohran Mamdani, you are out your god—- mind.”

“You are giving only two options. You’re saying if we don’t tax the rich then I gotta increase property taxes,” Johnson added. “We are not a pawn in Southeast Queens. We are not part of your negotiation tactics.”

“To the mayor, with the greatest respect, and every campaign speech and every debate where you engaged, we opened our ears to listen,” another homeowner, Pierry Benjamin, told WABC. “Now today, accept the words echoing from us now, do your job as mayor and leave our taxes out.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor’s press office for comment.

Mamdani, a self-described Democratic socialist, has called for the Empire State to hike “taxes on the richest New Yorkers and the most profitable corporations” to address the Big Apple’s budget deficit. 

HUNDREDS OF NYC ROLES REPORTEDLY INCLUDED IN AMAZON’S JOB REDUCTION PLAN

A helicopter flies past One World Trade Center behind the Statue of Liberty as the sun sets in New York City on Aug. 7, 2025, as seen from Jersey City, N.J.  (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images / Getty Images)

But he warned that the alternative path to achieve a balanced budget, which is required, would be to hike property taxes and dip into the city’s reserves, a scenario that he characterized as a “last resort.” 

“This would effectively be a tax on working and middle class New Yorkers, who have a median income of $122,000,” he said, regarding the prospect of an increase in property taxes.

MAMDANI PROPOSES RAISING NYC PROPERTY TAXES IF STATE DOESN’T APPROVE TAX HIKE ON WEALTHY

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks at a press conference at Deno’s Wonder Wheel on Coney Island in Brooklyn on Feb. 15, 2026. ( Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images / Getty Images)

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The city council has to green-light city budgets, according to the New York Times.

The Supreme Court on Friday struck down a significant portion of the Trump administration’s tariffs that the justices found the tariffs were imposed illegally under an emergency economic powers law.

The Court issued a 6-3 ruling that held President Donald Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) was illegal as the law “does not authorize the President to impose tariffs. The cases – Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump and Trump v. V.O.S. Selections – were brought by a pair of small businesses: an educational toy manufacturer and a family-owned wine and spirits importer.

Chief Justice John Roberts authored the majority opinion, which did not discuss the issue of tariff refunds. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, one of the three dissenters, noted in his dissent that the issue of distributing tariff refunds was described during oral arguments as “likely to be a ‘mess’.”

“The United States may be required to refund billions of dollars to importers who paid the IEEPA tariffs, even though some importers may have already passed on costs to consumers or others” Kavanaugh wrote. “Refunds of billions of dollars would have significant consequences for the U.S. Treasury. The Court says nothing today about whether, and if so how, the Government should go about returning the billions of dollars that it has collected from importers.”

SUPREME COURT DEALS BLOW TO TRUMP’S TRADE AGENDA IN LANDMARK TARIFF CASE

The Supreme Court’s ruling didn’t outline a process for how tariff refunds may proceed. (Sam Wolfe/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

While the Court’s ruling doesn’t explicitly outline a process for refunds and the Trump administration hasn’t specified how it would handle refunds, importers who paid IEEPA tariffs will be able to bring litigation to pursue those refunds.

That could play out through claims made via the U.S. Court of International Trade or through appeals made to Customs and Border Protection, which collects tariffs and duties on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security and remits them to the Treasury Department. Importers typically have 180 days after goods are “liquidated” to file a protest and request refunds from CBP, which could factor into what importers are eligible to receive refunds.

KEVIN HASSETT SAYS FED ECONOMISTS SHOULD BE ‘DISCIPLINED’ OVER TARIFF STUDY

The nonpartisan Penn-Wharton Budget Model estimated that the reversal of the IEEPA tariffs will generate up to $175 billion in refunds.

A similar analysis by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation estimated that more than $160 billion of tariffs were illegally collected under IEEPA through Feb. 20 of this year. It said that, “If the IEEPA tariffs are fully refunded to U.S. importers, it would erase nearly three-fourths of the new revenues from President Trump’s tariffs. The U.S. government should make the process for importers to receive their refunds as simple and transparent as possible.”

President Donald Trump said the issue of tariff refunds will play out in court. (Denis Balibouse/Reuters)

What the Trump admin is saying about tariff refunds

Trump said at a press conference that the ruling was “deeply disappointing” and that he is “ashamed of certain members of the Court” for “not having the courage to do what’s right for our country.” 

The president went on to criticize the Supreme Court for not addressing tariff refunds in the decision and said that the issue will play out in court, and declined to say whether the administration would provide refunds.

“I guess it has to get litigated for the next two years. So they write this terrible defective decision, totally defective. It’s almost like not written by smart people. And what they do, they don’t even talk about that,” Trump said.

BATTLEGROUND STATES SHOULDER BURDEN OF TRUMP’S TARIFFS AS MIDTERM MESSAGING RAMPS UP

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a January interview with Reuters that, “It won’t be a problem if we have to do it, but I can tell you that if it happens – which I don’t think it’s going to – it’s just a corporate boondoggle. Costco, who’s suing the U.S. government, are they going to give the money back to their clients?”

Bessent added that the process for issuing tariff refunds could take a significant amount of time, saying that, “We’re not talking about the money all goes out in a day. Probably over weeks, months, may take over a year, right?”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last month that the Treasury has the funds to issue tariff refunds, but warned the process may be time-consuming. (John Lamparski/Getty Images)

What experts are saying

Tim Brightbill, co-chair of Wiley International Trade Practice Group, said that the Supreme Court ruling “could lead to the refund of hundreds of billions of dollars in tariff revenue – so the question of whether there will be a refund process and what it will look like is extremely important.” 

“More than 1,000 lawsuits have already been filed at the U.S. Court of International Trade in an effort to secure tariff refunds in the event of a Supreme Court decision against the IEEPA tariffs,” Brightbill noted.

David McGarry, research director at the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, said that the decision “does not make clear how this money will be returned to its rightful owners, but litigation on behalf of many illegally tariffed businesses is already commencing.” 

“The Supreme Court has ruled, and it is now the obligation of the Trump administration to ensure that this process carries on at minimal cost to American businesses – especially small businesses. Uncertainty is anathema to economic growth. Businesses ought to be confident that the money they were improperly compelled to hand over to the federal government will soon be returned,” McGarry added.

TARIFFS MAY HAVE COST US ECONOMY THOUSANDS OF JOBS MONTHLY, FED ANALYSIS FINDS

Trump’s IEEPA tariffs were ruled illegal, as the underlying law doesn’t authorize the president to impose tariffs. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Scott Lincicome, vice president of general economics at the Cato Institute’s Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies, said that, “Most immediately, the federal government must refund the tens of billions of dollars in customs duties that it illegally collected from American companies pursuant to an ‘IEEPA tariff authority’ it never actually had.”

“That refund process could be easy, but it appears more likely that more litigation and paperwork will be required – a particularly unfair burden for smaller importers that lack the resources to litigate tariff refund claims yet never did anything wrong,” Lincicome added.

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Nixon Peabody partner Joseph Maher, who served as the principal deputy general counsel of the Department of Homeland Security between 2011 and 2024, said that “there will be further litigation in the Court of International Trade to determine the remedies available for tariffs already paid,” adding that “U.S. importers should be vigilant to protect their interests in the payments demanded over the past year.”

JPMorgan chief economist Michael Feroli said that tariff rebates could pose an upside risk to the economy, though he noted “we won’t know the full amount or timing of any such rebates.” 

“While the official data from CBP is a bit stale, we estimate the amount at stake to be around $150-200 billion. If the rebates were passed on to consumers, the boost to activity would be significant. In the more likely event that businesses keep the cash, the boost to activity would be smaller, as estimates of the fiscal multiplier from windfall transfers to businesses are usually quite small,” Feroli wrote.

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Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, noted that “small firms may struggle to get any money back from the U.S. Treasury,” and said that it’s “likely the White House will fight against issuing refunds at all.”