Tributes have been paid to prolific graffiti artist Helch, whose giant roller-painted pieces appeared everywhere from the edge of Windsor Castle to the nation’s motorway bridges and across the world.

Friends paid their respects to Michael Purdy, 34, who enjoyed a successful gallery show in December attended by collectors and had pieces on walls and rooftops in dozens of countries.

Veteran club music DJ Doc Scott was among the chorus of fans to pay tribute to the artist on Saturday, sharing an image of his canvas artwork with the caption ‘RIP Helch’.

Frontline, a renowned graffiti magazine and online platform, shared a photo compilation of Helch’s colourful works on Instagram with the caption: ‘Just heard sad news of Helch passing away. RIP Helch.’

Helch’s works captured the imagination of art fans and commuters alike.

His graffiti on motorway bridges were regarded by some as entertaining sign posts for their travels home from work or the airport, with pieces seen on the M4, M1 and M25.

But not everyone was a fan, with royal sources previously claiming the late Queen Elizabeth II was upset over 60ft high white letters reading Helch near Windsor Castle.

His tags were even the subject of a sold-out show at BSMT Space in trendy Dalston, east London, where his pieces sold for tens of thousands of pounds.

The late Queen was said to be ‘extremely upset’ after 60ft high white letters were daubed on to a railway viaduct near Windsor Castle

Network Rail, which owns the viaduct, removed the graffiti as it was deemed offensive

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In one of his final social media posts he shared a photo of his 224-page photo book, titled Lost But Living.

The glossy publication features his work across 12 countries including America and Thailand during the period of 2022-24.

The circumstances around his death have not been disclosed but friends have been left reeling by his sudden passing.

One graffiti artist told the Daily Mail: ‘Helch was at the top of his game, having smashed it for years and funded the entire thing himself.

‘He lived life on his terms and had in many ways what could be described as total freedom. He did not submit to a life of drudgery.

‘He is a legend and will be greatly missed in London and the UK. It is not for me to say any more about his death.’

Meanwhile Zonk DDS, a notorious graffiti writer in London, shared a tribute online, which read: ‘Iconic British artist gone far too soon. Thoughts are with his family.’

And SMT crew, a nationwide graffiti collective, paid tribute to Helch as ‘a big figure’ within the scene.

Sharing a photo of the artist’s massive vibrant piece on top of a Shoreditch car park, a spokesman wrote online: ‘As a crew we are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Helch.

Friends paid their respects to Mr Purdy, who enjoyed a successful gallery show in December 

The Helch tag seen above the Central Line in London 

‘A big figure in the London and UK scene. RIP Helch.’

Graffiti artist Lord wrote: ‘Sad news man, Helch was a genuine good brother, had good banter I used to give him stick how long they [his roller pieces] take.

‘One of the best roller writers we ever had.’

Bams, an active graffiti writer across London, posted a photo of Helch’s work at Paddington Station with the message: ‘So sad man’.

Another tribute read: ‘Sad news to hear one of, if not London’s biggest writer when it comes to rollers has passed away. What a shame. Got to give credit where credit is due, your work will live on for the rest of all our times.

‘A London king man, prayers are with your friends and family. RIP Helch.’

Other fans of the artist flooded social media with tributes and photos of Helch’s roller pieces, one with the caption ‘sad news. Good guy. Made refreshing cool moves in the scene.’

Another message read: ‘RIP Helch buddy. Admired your dedication to graffiti and showing it to the man, every time.’

One note from an artist who knew Helch contained the words, ‘Take care of yourselves and loved ones before it’s too late’.

Tributes were even paid as far as New York City, with a compilation of his photos shared online with the message: ‘He was known in London for being a legend.

‘He brought some refreshing graff[iti] to NYC a few years ago and I enjoyed going across all these spots as they appeared.’

Terrifying footage shows passengers desperately scrambling to escape from deep inside a sinking ferry off northern Cyprus after it was battered by waves.

At least eight people were killed and 18 remained missing on Monday after the vessel capsized, triggering a major search and rescue operation. 

Survivors have claimed the captain ignored warnings that the ferry was taking on water before abandoning ship as it capsized.

The captain, seven crew members and a shareholder in the company operating the ferry were arrested and appeared in court on Monday.

Filmed from inside the stricken vessel, the chaotic video captures people desperately making their way through its interior as frightened screams and cries ring out around them.

At one point, a man is seen perched on the side of the sharply tilted ferry with a phone pressed to his ear, appearing to call for help as others scramble around him. 

Other harrowing footage captures the aftermath outside, where survivors are seen bobbing in the choppy sea alongside the partially submerged ferry.

Some cling to one another in the water while others are seen trying to pull people from inside the ship. In further footage a rescue helicopter is seen hovering overhead.

The boat was struck by one wave before a second hit as the captain tried to regain control, causing the ferry to begin taking on water, according to northern Cyprus prime minister Ünal Üstel.

Some cling to one another in the water while others are seen trying to pull others from inside the ship

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Other harrowing footage captures the aftermath outside, where survivors are seen bobbing in the choppy sea alongside the partially submerged ferry

Pictured: Passengers try to pull people out who are still trapped inside the ship 

The double-hulled ferry, which had 267 people aboard, took in water and flipped over on Sunday just off the port city of Kyrenia, leaving survivors clinging to the overturned hull

Nearly 20 people were missing on Monday after the ferry capsized off northern Cyprus, as divers joined search teams scouring deep waters for any survivors. 

The double-hulled ferry, which had 267 people aboard, took in water and flipped over on Sunday just off the port city of Kyrenia, leaving survivors clinging to the overturned hull.

They were rescued by passing vessels and coastguard authorities, with officials saying the vast majority of those on board had been rescued.

But the ferry continued towards the Turkish port of Tasucu.

Fearing for their safety as the boat continued out to sea amid poor weather, terrified passengers scrambled to find lifejackets, only to realise they were in short supply.

They then heard a blast from the ship’s bow and the vessel began to capsize, leading to an exodus of passengers who frantically jumped into the sea to escape, many without buoyancy aids.

Among the first to abandon ship, according to survivors, was the captain himself, who was arrested alongside seven of his crew members later on Sunday.

The privately owned ferry had originally been scheduled to travel to Turkey on Saturday, but its journey was delayed because of poor weather conditions, Üstel said.

Separate accounts said the wide-bodied vessel jolted violently before slamming onto the surface of the sea, with part of its bow bursting open on impact.

Naif Ezer, one of those waiting anxiously outside the port for news of passengers through the early hours of Monday, said: ‘We’ve been waiting since the morning, for 12 hours or maybe more.’

Of three friends travelling home to see their families, one had been found but the other two were still missing, he added.

Some of those waiting sat and silently wept, while others scrolled through their mobile phones for updates.

It was unclear whether people remained trapped inside the vessel, which has now sunk and is lying on the seabed at a depth of more than 500 metres (1,640ft).

Divers from Turkey were assisting the search, officials said.

A rescue mission continued into the night after a ferry carrying around 270 passengers capsized shortly after departing from the coast of northern Cyprus on Sunday

Former President of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar meets with families waiting at the port entrance

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Officials gave differing estimates of the number of people still missing, with some saying 19 and others 18.

The ship’s captain and seven crew members were detained as part of an investigation into ‘how this tragedy occurred’, Üstel said.

Authorities are also attempting to recover the ferry’s black box recorder to establish what happened.

Shortly after the doomed vessel departed from Kyrenia just before 12pm on Sunday, passengers realised that there was a problem.

They had discovered that the boat had begun to take on water and warned the captain and crew that they needed to return to port.

Unmoved by their concerns, the ferry continued on towards the Turkish port of Tasucu.

Fearing for their safety as the boat continued out to sea amid a storm, the terrified passengers scrambled to find lifejackets, only to realise they were in short supply.

They heard a blast come from the ship’s bow and the vessel began to capsize, leading to an exodus of passengers who frantically jumped into the sea to escape, many without any buoyancy aids.

Among the first to abandon ship, according to survivors, was the captain himself, who was arrested alongside seven of his crew members later on Sunday.

One rescued passenger said he spent an hour-and-a-half in the water before being rescued.

The man, aged in his 50s and not named, told local Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) television that the front of the boat ‘exploded’ and the side windows ‘blew out’ as the boat took on more and more water.

‘Those who could, got out,’ he said, adding that he saw the captain among the first to abandon ship ‘without organising anything’.

Several rescued passengers told local media that a blast had gone off at the bow before it rolled over.

Another witness, in his 30s, corroborated reports of an explosion. He said he had reported water leaks to the captain.

‘The seats started to float, the captain kept going, and the bow exploded,’ he said.

As the boat went down, elderly people were reportedly left trapped inside the vessel and were unable to escape in time.

Video footage showed chaotic scenes on board, as life jackets were in short supply, leading to some jumping into the water without any buoyancy aids.

Other clips showed some of the survivors sat atop the ship’s overturned hull, as others desperately awaited rescue in the surrounding waters.

By late afternoon, the ship had completely sunk, settling on the seabed at a depth of 514 metres (1,686ft), according to authorities.

They said divers from Turkey would be assisting the search.

The UK Foreign Office says it has raised the detention of a British national in the occupied West Bank with Israeli authorities.

Finn Joughin, a 22-year-old student activist, was arrested in Umm Al-Kheir on Saturday after he was forcibly detained by Israeli settlers who had advanced on the Palestinian village.

There has been a surge in attacks by settlers on Palestinians and their property in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, which was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.

All settlements are illegal under international law. Outposts are also illegal under Israeli law, although they are often supported by state services and funding.

The confrontation on Saturday took place in a town near Hebron that has been recently surrounded by settlers.

According to other activists who witnessed what happened, Palestinian children were playing football when children from settler families started intervening. They then ran to a house and started to dismantle a fence.

Footage posted online by both settlers and activists and seen by the BBC appears to show Joughin standing by the fence and trying to protect it using his body as a child pushes against him.

Settlers removed Joughin forcefully and took the London-based student to an outpost.

Israeli police said a foreign national was detained by security personnel of a settler community who suspected him of an indecent act against a minor.

In a later statement on Sunday, they said: “The suspect was transferred to the police for questioning, which included, among other things, taking statements that raised suspicion of an assault against a minor.

“Following his questioning, the suspect was taken into custody, and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.”

A lawyer for Joughin have since told the BBC that he is being deported back to the UK on a flight scheduled for Monday afternoon.

“So far they have not decided officially on closing the case,” Shaked Vardi said.

Joughin is the only one being investigated and as he is being deported, “it’s safe to assume they won’t continue to pursue charges against him”, she said.

“Police use deportation in order to get what they want – which is to get activists outside of the West Bank while continuing to allow settlers to do what they do”, she added.

Activists who were with Joughin at the time deny there was any inappropriate behaviour.

“In every single instance, it was the settler kids who approached Finn,” fellow activist Matthew, who declined to give his surname, told the BBC.

Emergency services were called to Balmer Hill in Gainford at 8.10pm on Saturday (August 29) after gunshots were fired at the home.

The victim, a 46-year-old man, suffered birdshot injuries to his abdomen and was rushed to hospital.

On Sunday (August 30), police and CSI officers were seen working at the detached home, while a cordon was put in place. The window had been smashed and door damaged by gunfire.

The house on Balmer Hill, Gainford, County Durham (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

This morning (August 31), police have left the scene, and a cordon is no longer in place.

The window has been boarded up to make the home secure.

Police and CSI on the scene on Sunday (August 30) (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

A 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and both remained in custody.

The damaged door at the Balmer Hill house (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The boy has also been arrested on suspicion of theft, failing to stop and driving without a licence, police said.

A spokesperson for Durham Police said on Sunday: “An investigation has been launched after a man was shot in Gainford last night.

A boarded-up window at the Gainford house (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“Emergency services were called to an address in Balmer Hill just after 8.10pm following reports that suspects had driven to a house and fired at it from their car before making off.

“A 46-year-old man suffered birdshot injuries to his abdomen and was taken to hospital. His condition has been described as critical but stable.

A boarded-up window and damaged door at the property (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“No one else at the address was injured and officers remain at the scene today.”

Neighbours, who did not want to be named, told The Northern Echo they heard two loud ‘pops’ around 8.10pm.

“I was just sat watching the TV,” they said. “They were talking about Newcastle on Sky Sports News, then we heard like a pop.

“At first I thought it was a car backfiring. We jumped.

Police have left the scene of the property this morning (August 31) (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“And then there was another pop, and it was a case of ‘What the heck was that?’

“Then the next thing we saw was a red soft-top car go down the road.

“After the pops, I looked along towards next door and we saw all the glass that was outside, and the front windows were gone.

A boarded-up window at the Gainford house (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“It is something you see in movies or television.

“You don’t expect to see it in a little village, in your own of street.”

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We were called to an incident at a private address in Gainford, Darlington at 8.10pm on Saturday, August 29.

“We dispatched one ambulance crew, one duty officer, one clinical team leader and were supported by Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

“One person was taken to hospital by road.”

Vicky Mcloughlin was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in 2024 but has been denied surgery based on her age, her daughter has said

A mum who was told she had stage three bowel cancer after struggling to use the toilet for two weeks has now been refused surgery that her daughter says could ‘cure’ her.

Vicky Mcloughlin, 66, was given the devastating news in November 2024 after her daughter, Chloe, 33, said she “wasn’t herself”.

The mum experienced bleeding and underwent an endoscopy that initially failed to detect anything untoward. But Chloe then took her mother to A&E, where a scan revealed a mass in her cervical area.

A biopsy confirmed cancer, with doctors establishing the tumour had formed in her bowels before spreading to her cervical area.

Yet despite having to make frequent trips to the hospital ever since her diagnosis, Chloe says her mother has been denied surgery twice, Birmingham Live reports.

Infections and a build-up of fluid, caused when the spreading tumour created a tear in both her bowel and cervical area, meant she was deemed unsuitable for surgery. Vicky was instead given two rounds of chemotherapy.

Chloe appealed to medical teams at Solihull Hospital and St Mark’s Hospital in London to perform surgery and remove the tumour, but both refused on the grounds of excessive risk, fears Vicky could lose a leg and a likely deterioration in her quality of life.

In correspondence sent to Vicky, doctors said they had “significant concerns” about how she would cope with the surgery, saying it would not be “in her best interests”.

But her family argued her quality of life was already drastically impacted as she needed hospital visits every fortnight.

Chloe, who owns a dog walking business in Tamworth, said: “It was a lot to process when she was diagnosed.

“We never would have thought where we are now and be in the situation we are now. The only way to cure her is through surgery.

“A hospital in London, and one in Solihull both refused.

“They said it was too major and she could lose her leg and they said with her age they don’t know if she’d survive the surgery.

“They said she’d have a better quality of life without the surgery – but to me that’s not the case.

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“It’s constant – every other week she’s back in hospital. It does nothing – it’s just torture.

“It’s a living nightmare. I don’t know what else to do.”

Vicky’s tumour has so far remained confined to the bladder, bowel and cervical region and has not spread elsewhere. But the infections she contracts can trigger sepsis. Chloe said: “When the tumour broke through it caused a hole in the bowels and cervical area. So infections were caused.

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“She had multiple drains to drain out the fluid collection. She’s had four in the last two years.

“She had to have surgery for a stoma bag too. But the collection of fluid with the last drain didn’t drain out as it was too thick.

“They eventually managed to remove it as it was putting pressure on her kidneys. The urine was going back towards her kidneys, so she had surgery for two tubes to go into her back through her kidneys and they drain out her urine.

“So now she doesn’t go to the toilet at all. She was in such a strong position but now I don’t know how she’s alive today.

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“She has sepsis all the time.”

Vicky has had sepsis five times in the last two years. Her condition means that cannot have any more treatment.

A spokesperson for University Hospitals Birmingham, which runs Solihull Hospital, said: “We have great sympathy for Mrs Mcloughlin and her family at what is clearly a difficult and distressing time.

“Decisions about radical cancer surgery are very complex and are never taken lightly.

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“Any advice given is based on a careful assessment of the potential benefits and risks, and are coordinated by a multi-disciplinary team, with the clinical team’s overriding priority being what is safest, and in the patient’s best interests.”

London North West University Healthcare Trust said it could not comment on individual patients’ circumstances.

Dolly Parton’s sister Freida Parton has shared a heartfelt tribute to the country music icon following her private Nashville funeral, revealing the special role Dolly played in her life and announcing a special project in her honour

Dolly Parton’s sister Freida has spoken out following the country music legend’s private funeral, sharing a heartfelt tribute to the woman she affectionately referred to as her “Dolly Momma”.

Freida, one of Dolly’s 11 siblings, revealed she was finding it difficult to accept the loss of her “big sister” after the iconic singer passed away aged 80 last week following a brief battle with cancer.

The funeral took place in Nashville on Friday, August 28, with only close family members in attendance. Dolly’s niece Lainey Mae Parton announced the news via an emotional Instagram post, accompanied by a collection of photos of the star, expressing how challenging it was to articulate her sorrow.

The singer was interred next to her late husband Carl Dean at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville. Dean passed away in March 2025 after nearly 60 years of marriage to Dolly.

The star had previously expressed her desire for an intimate and private send-off.

Reports suggest she was buried wearing a simple cotton dress and her signature high heels, a nod to the country star’s iconic fashion sense while respecting her preference for a more modest final goodbye. Freida has now posted a deeply moving tribute to her sister, disclosing the unique bond Dolly held in her life, The Mirror reported.

In a Facebook post, Freida wrote: “Thank you all for bearing with me as I mourn the death of my big sister. I know to the entire world, she was a superstar, but to me, she was my Dolly Momma.”

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She continued by recalling childhood moments between them, explaining how Dolly would provide reassurance when they felt scared.

“She was the sister who would climb into bed with me when I was little because we were both afraid of the dark,” Freida wrote.

“She was the woman who stepped up and became my Momma, raising me from ages 13 to 18.”

Freida also recounted a more lighthearted recollection of Dolly attempting to encourage her to wear her wigs during performances at Dollywood.

“She was the one who tried to convince me to wear her wigs at my shows in Dollywood (sorry, sister, but I definitely didn’t listen to you on that one),” she said.

Despite their strong connection, Freida acknowledged that, like any siblings, they had encountered their fair share of disputes over the years.

“Like all sisters, we definitely had our share of arguments and disagreements throughout the years, but even through all the highs and lows, and all the laughter and tears, I never stopped loving her,” she wrote.

She subsequently asked supporters to keep her family in their prayers as they process their heartbreaking loss.

“I asked you all months ago to pray for Dolly, but now I’m going to ask you to please pray for me and my entire family as we navigate this insurmountable loss,” Freida said. The singer’s passing has left her family, friends and countless admirers across the globe grieving one of country music’s most iconic figures.

Dolly was celebrated for hits such as Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You, while her career encompassed acting, business ventures and charitable work.

However, Freida explained that her sister’s impact within their family extended far beyond her celebrity status.

“There will never be anyone who can replace her in our hearts, and I know she holds a special place in many of yours as well,” she wrote.

“I know she would want me to keep going, keep smiling, and keep sharing the love she gave so freely with others. That is what I’m going to try to do, even on the days when it feels impossible.”

Freida also disclosed that she is developing a special tribute project in memory of her late sister.

“I’m working on something very special for all of you in her honour,” she said. “It’s my way of keeping a little piece of my Dolly Momma with me, while sharing her with all of you who loved her, too.”

She concluded her heartfelt message by expressing gratitude to supporters for the affection they had demonstrated towards Dolly throughout her life and since her death.

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“Thank you for loving her, for praying for her, and now, for loving and praying for all of us. All My Love, Freida.”

Dolly had already selected her funeral song Dolly had openly discussed her funeral preferences more than ten years before her passing. During a 2014 conversation with Entertainment Weekly, the legendary performer was questioned about which music she would want played at her funeral.

While she recognised that many would anticipate hearing her timeless classic I Will Always Love You, she disclosed that she had a different piece in mind.

“I’m sure they’ll be playing I Will Always Love You when I die, just like they did with Whitney Houston,” Dolly said.

She remembered watching Houston’s funeral service, where her rendition of the track was performed as the singer’s casket was carried out.

“When they picked her coffin up and started in on that song, I started to cry, and I thought, ‘Oh my lord’, that’s when it hit me that she was really gone.”

However, Dolly revealed the song she truly desired was If We Never Meet Again (This Side Of Heaven), a country-gospel hymn penned by Albert E Brumley in 1945. She shared that the track held particular significance as it had been her father’s most cherished song.

“But there’s a song called If We Never Meet Again, it’s an old country-gospel church song that talks about, ‘if we never meet again this side of heaven, I will meet you on that beautiful shore, where the charming roses bloom forever and where separations come no more’,” she said.

“That was my daddy’s favourite. We did sing it at his funeral, and I would like it to be sung at mine.”

Dolly’s desire for an intimate private ceremony was honoured, with close family members convening in Nashville to bid their final farewell. Her passing was confirmed on 25 August by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who revealed she had asked him years previously to prepare for that moment.

Her publicist subsequently announced that she had passed away after a “brief battle with cancer”.

While admirers across the globe continue to grieve the country music icon’s death, Freida’s heartfelt words have provided insight into the woman behind the fame: not merely an international star, but a cherished sister who helped bring up her younger sibling and remained her “Dolly Momma” until the end.

The mayor met representative of the Astley Warehouses Action group after a walking around the site.

Earlier this summer Logisitics firm Whistl started around the clock operations at the controversial ‘cruise ship’ warehouse complex in Tyldesley.

The development, commissioned by  PLP, has been dogged by controversy for more than year since building work started.

Many residents, some of whom have gardens just 30 metres from the 350,000 sq ft logistics site, have criticised the huge scale and appearance of the “towering warehouses”.

Incidents of flooding on nearby paths and gardens have also occurred last winter with complaints that run off from the construction site was causing the issues.

Bev Craig said : “I was really keen to talk to residents, like everyone else I’ve seen the pictures online and it didn’t sit right with me to build something so big so close to residential properties.

“I heard from residents about the noise and other problems they’ve been experiencing, the flooding and even hearing about the basics such as the quality of the landscaping.

“It’s good to see it first hand and makes it clear.

“I don’t have planning powers but I want to use the role that I’ve got to make residents feel that they are heard.

“I will be writing to Peel to make sure they are taking some ownership and will be in touch with the action group going forward.”

Steve Retford from the action group said: “This meeting was extremely positive.

“This development has affected all our lives in a profound way.

“The mayor was very understanding to our situation and had clearly done some research so she had a good idea of the burning issues we’ve got.

“She was extremely supportive to our concerns.

“We realise she’s no planning powers but we’re hoping their maybe some sympathetic ears to the Greater Manchester mayor in Westminster.

“Something clearly needs to change if the Mayor can’t challenge a planning permission which is clearly wrong. The answer may lay at Westminster”

Whistl said they ‘appreciate the strength of feeling amongst the community over the new business park’ and have had ‘active dialogue’ with the action group representing residents before taking measures to mitigate the impact of operations.

During Ms Craig’s visit, a representative from Whistl was delivering letter to households titled ‘Help Us Understand and Investigate Noise Concerns’.

The letter said: “Have you heard a noise that you believe may be coming from the warehouse? Whistl want to hear from you.

“We understand that residents have experienced noise disruption, particularly overnight. To help us investigate concerns properly, we have created a simple online form where residents can report noise incidents seven days a week, as they happen.

“The information you provide will help us understand when noise is occurring, how often it is happening and whether there are any patterns that need further investigation to remedy the cause.”

A thrilling and, potentially record-breaking, end to the summer window is in store as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham all work on deals before Tuesday night’s deadline. Plenty of movement is expected at Arsenal with Julian Alvarez the priority signing and there has been a significant development regarding that pursuit. Elsewhere, Habeeb Ogunneye, James Scanlon and Igor Tyjon have joined the Premier League champions but Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira are set to depart.

By RUTH SUNDERLAND

Updated: 08:20 BST, 31 August 2026

The idea that young workers are taxed far too much while rich pensioners sit back and gloat is an entrenched grievance for a certain type of Left-leaning economist.

One of Labour’s favourite think-tanks, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), has just put out a paper arguing the tax system is ‘slanted towards the interests of older Britons with large amounts of accrued wealth and away from younger earners’.

The ‘balance of responsibility’ for meeting the nation’s growing fiscal needs, the author adds, must shift. 

This conflation of the old and the rich is a basic logical fallacy. 

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Just because most rich people are old does not mean most old people are rich.

Nearly 2million pensioners are in poverty – or around one in six. Many of those are women, either widowed or divorced. 

Yet the ageist stereotype of the elderly miser, found in the works of Roman playwright Plautus, as well as Moliere and Dickens, is clearly still potent in Leftish economic thinking. 

The bogus assumption, never quite spelt out but lurking just beneath the surface, is that it is somehow unfair for older people to be better off than the young. 

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Entrenched grievance: The idea that young workers are taxed far too much while rich pensioners sit back and gloat is an entrenched grievance for a certain type of Left-leaning economist

The reality – that most older individuals have built any wealth they possess through years of work and investment on which they have already been fulsomely taxed – is ignored. 

One of the IPPR’s ideas is to change the rules where older employees are spared from having to pay any National Insurance Contributions (NIC) after they reach retirement age. 

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The think-tank cites the case of a pensioner versus a graduate at income levels of £45,000 and £70,000, saying the former would pay a marginal rate of 20 per cent and 40 per cent respectively, while a youngster repaying a student loan could face rates of 37 per cent and 51 per cent. 

It floats the idea of imposing NIC only on comparatively well-paid pensioners, which may not seem so unreasonable. 

But if the principle of bringing pension-age people into the net were established, it would probably act as a Trojan Horse, raising the risk that more ageing workers would be pulled in over time. 

Conservative and Labour governments have deployed such ‘fiscal drag’ mercilessly to milk taxpayers over the past few years. 

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If that happened, it would be very harsh. Among the 1.75million over-65s who still work, median monthly earnings are a modest £1,596, lower than every other age group apart from the under 18s. 

We do not know how many want to stay at work and how many are compelled to by financial hardship. 

Women, some ethnic minorities and manual labourers, whose interests the Left purports to defend, are much more likely to find themselves in the ‘forced to’ category, according to the charity Age UK. 

How are they enjoying the fruits of a skewed tax system just because they are older?

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And how insulting to say the old must pay more tax because they are not shouldering their financial responsibility to the young: just look at the multibillion-pound collective generosity of the Bank of Mum and Dad. 

Labour is already undermining this natural impulse through changes to inheritance tax. 

Other suggestions to hit the elderly are higher capital gains tax rates and property levies. 

The IPPR is correct that an ageing population will become an enormous pressure on public finances. Yet to assert that younger workers are suffering an unreasonable burden while rich oldies are ‘protected’ is not a solution: it is simply the peddling of divisive and unpleasant prejudice. 

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Children under five may have been forced into marriage in the UK, Home Office data has revealed.   

At least 100 children aged 12 or younger have been referred to the Government’s forced marriage unit in the past five years, the figures show. 

The total includes 27 children up to the age of five, according to data obtained through a freedom of information request.

One campaigner branded the figures ‘deeply disturbing’, warning ‘there will be missing children’ when schools re-open from the summer holidays. 

Forcing someone to marry is a criminal offence across the UK and in 2023 the legal age of marriage was raised from 16 to 18 in England and Wales.

Referrals can be made to the forced marriage unit (FMU) – which operates across the UK – by police, social services and education professionals, friends, family members, colleagues or victims themselves who might need support and guidance.

The figures obtained from the Home Office cover the five calendar years from 2021 to 2025.

Data for some of the years was not disclosed due to the very small number of individuals involved, which could potentially allow them to be identified.

But the figures show that at least 100 children up to the age of 12 were referred across the five-year period, of which 62 were aged 10 or below, with 27 aged five or under.

The Home Office said a referral means some details have been provided to the unit about an actual, potential or suspected forced marriage, but that not every referral means a forced marriage has or will take place.

Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, who ran away from her home in Derby after being faced with the prospect of a forced marriage aged 14, branded the young ages ‘deeply disturbing’ – but said it can be the case a child is ‘promised to somebody from birth’, with the marriage taking place years later.

‘I know that when schools open in September, there will be missing children,’ she said. 

‘The opportunity to identify them was pre-school holidays. Is somebody going to ask where they are, or are they simply just going to go off school roll?

‘Or children will come back engaged or even married.’

The charity founder, who was given a damehood for services to the victims of child, forced marriage and honour-based abuse, said the number of forced marriages is likely to be higher as there is ‘inevitably going to be a high number of children and adults whose situations never reach statutory services’. 

The Home Office has said forced marriage is ‘not a problem specific to one country, religion or culture; there is no archetypal victim or perpetrator, and no 2 cases are the same’.

Dame Jasvinder warned of perpetrators hiding behind accusations of racism, as she insisted forced marriage is a clear safeguarding issue.

At least 100 children aged 12 or younger have been referred to the Government’s forced marriage unit in the past five years, figures show (Stock photo) 

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She said: ‘The tactics of perpetrators will be to use that. So they will try to put you on the back foot. “This is our culture. This is our religion. You’re being racist” or whatever, to put you on the back foot, to make you look the other way.’ 

She added: ‘Cultural acceptance does not mean accepting the unacceptable.

‘This is abuse. That’s why I’ve always framed it as that, as a safeguarding concern.’

She said teachers and other professionals must have the confidence to report their concerns.

Recalling an experience in recent years, during which she went into a sixth form school to talk about her own life, Dame Jasvinder said some boys walked out while a number of girls approached her afterwards to say they were facing forced marriages.

The Home Office figures also show there were nine referrals in 2022 of children aged 12 or under which had no overseas element, with the potential or actual forced marriage taking place entirely within the UK.

The Home Office did not give data for the other years, as there were between zero and five cases in each age group, meaning there was the risk of individuals being identified.

The department also declined to provide the age of the youngest person referred to the unit in the last five calendar years, saying this could potentially lead them to be identified and that disclosure ‘could potentially deter others coming forward’.

Separate data published by the Home Office in April covering all age groups showed the number of cases with no overseas element has risen in recent years.

Some 58 cases (14 per cent of the total) had no overseas element in 2025, up from 15 cases (6 per cent) in 2024 and 10 cases in 2023 (4 per cent) – which the Home Office said ‘continues to highlight that forced marriages can and do take place in the UK’.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: ‘There is nothing more important than the safety of our children.

‘Our strengthened keeping children safe in education guidance provides staff with robust information to help identify different types of abuse and harm – including abusive behaviour such as forced marriage – and clearly sets out what all school staff should know and do, and how to respond to any concerns about a child.

‘Our new RSHE (relationships, sex and health education) curriculum will also teach pupils from this September about positive relationships, staying safe, recognising and reporting risks and abuse – with different forms of abuse addressed sensitively and clearly at appropriate ages.’