April is around the corner, and with it a new financial year that promises to bring lots of change to households across the UK.
Cost of living concerns have grown as conflict in the Middle East suddenly threatens to hit Britain’s economy. The situation has severely disrupted the global oil trade, bringing knock-on effects to the price of essentials like energy and food.
Economists say that the worst impacts can be avoided should the conflict end soon, but uncertainty remains as the exchange of fire continues.
In positive news for household finances, inflation saw a steep drop in January to 3 per cent, marking a 10 month low. Some analysts now predict the rate could hit the Bank of England’s target of 2 per cent by April, which was last seen briefly in 2024.
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The downward trend means prices are rising less quickly, but for many the cost of living still remains too high.
Meanwhile, 55 per cent of households living in poverty now contain at least one working person, according to the Resolution Foundation think tank, which revealed the scale of the issue.
The state pension is expected to rise by 4.8 per cent from next April in line with annual earnings growth (PA)
Against this difficult economic backdrop, households should claim all the support they are entitled to. There are now around 24 million people in the country claiming some combination of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) administered benefits, which include those drawing a state pension, representing around one in three people.
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Yet research by Policy in Practice shows that £24bn worth of benefits goes unclaimed every year – you can use its helpful calculator to work out what you might be entitled to.
Are you struggling with the DWP or the cost of living? Share your story: albert.toth@independent.co.uk
Here is an overview of the financial support available to households this April and key dates for benefit and state pension recipients to look out for:
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Benefit payment dates in April
Benefit payments will go out as usual in April, except on two key dates. Anyone due a benefit payment on Friday 3 April (Good Friday) or Monday 6 April (Easter Monday), should instead receive this on Thursday 2 April.
The DWP is aiming to complete the migration of all “legacy benefits” to universal credit by the end of March 2026. Those receiving tax credits, income support, jobseeker’s allowance, and housing benefit should have received a notice about moving to universal credit already.
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Are you having issues with universal credit, PIP, or any other benefit? Get in touch via email: albert.toth@independent.co.uk
Pension payment dates in April
The basic state pension is paid straight into bank accounts, similar to how benefits are paid. It is usually paid every four weeks, with the exact day you receive it corresponding to the last two digits of your national insurance (NI) number.
Here’s when you should be paid based on those numbers:
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00 to 19: Monday
20 to 39: Tuesday
40 to 59: Wednesday
60 to 79: Thursday
80 to 99: Friday
The same bank holiday payment date changes that apply to most benefits will also apply to state pension payments.
When will benefit rates go up?
In April 2026, all universal credit claimants will receive an above-inflation income boost of around 6.2 per cent to the standard allowance. For a single person over 25, this will be a £6 per week increase, rising from £92 to £98.
For couples with one or both partners over 25, it will be an increase of £9 per week, rising from £145 to £154.
Most other benefits should be uprated by September’s inflation rate alone, increasing by 3.8 per cent. This includes PIP, DLA, attendance allowance, carer’s allowance, ESA and more.
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However, at the same time, the monthly payment rate for the health-related element of universal credit for new claimants will be cut from £105 to £50. The rate for existing claimants will also be frozen until 2029.
This is a reduction of more than £200 a month, cutting the additional rate by around half. This means it is advisable for anyone who thinks they might be eligible to apply as soon as they can.
The state pension will rise by 4.8 per cent from next April in line with annual earnings growth, the government has confirmed. This will bring the weekly amount to £241.05.
From April, councils will be able to administer Labour’s new ‘Crisis and Resilience Fund’, designed to support low-income households at times when affording the essentials becomes a struggle.
It will replace both the household support fund and discretionary housing payments.
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Crisis payment
The first part of the new scheme will be a ‘crisis payment’ to to support low-income households that have experienced a financial shock, or are at risk of entering crisis.
Like the Household Support Fund, councils will continue to have discretion over the exact eligibility criteria. However, the government’s guidance says it should not be limited just to those in receipt of benefits.
The DWP has asked that councils take a ‘cash-first’ approach to the crisis payment, meaning cash payments should be awarded unless there is a fair reason not to do so.
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Housing payment
A new ‘housing payment’ will also be introduced across the UK, aimed at providing financial support towards housing costs for those in need.
This will usually be related to rent, such as needing rent in advance, a rental deposit, or shortfall. It could also cover a lump sum associated with housing, like the cost of moving.
Unlike the crisis payment, the housing payment will be restricted to those in receipt of certain benefits. These are either housing benefit, or universal credit with the housing element for rental costs. However, DWP says those who do not qualify but are still in need could be considered for a crisis payment instead.
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Budgeting advance loans
The government offers a “budgeting advance loan” for people on universal credit who face an emergency lack of money. The loan has a maximum repayment period of two years.
These loans are interest-free and are automatically deducted from universal credit payments. You can borrow an ‘advance’ of up to:
£348 if you’re single
£464 if you’re part of a couple
£812 if you or your partner claims child benefit
Following Labour’s 2024 Budget, a new cap was introduced on the amount the DWP can deduct from benefit payments to repay loans and debts, including budgeting advance loans.
Beginning in April 2025, deductions from universal credit have been capped at 15 per cent of the standard allowance, down from 25 per cent.
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Charitable grants
If you are struggling financially, you may be eligible for certain charitable grants. There is a wide range of grants available depending on your circumstances.
However, these grants will typically require you to meet specific criteria and will only be able to offer limited funds.
Charitable grants are available for people who are disabled or ill, carers, bereaved, unemployed, students, and for many other reasons. The charity Turn2us has an online tool to search for grants which may be available to some.
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Some energy suppliers offer assistance to those who aren’t able to afford their bills, including Octopus and British Gas (PA)
Energy provider help
A number of energy suppliers offer help for those struggling with their energy bills. These include British Gas, Scottish Power, EDF, E.ON, OVO and Octopus. It is worth contacting your energy provider to find out if you are eligible.
For those struggling with household costs, social tariffs are available for both broadband and water bills. This will mean a reduced rate for certain eligible households.
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For water, every company operating in the UK has a social tariff by law. However, the amount on offer can vary between regions and, because water providers can’t be chosen like energy providers, the support has been criticised as a “postcode lottery”.
For instance, some offer as much as 90 per cent off bills, while others cap support at a 20 per cent reduction.
To find out what support your water company offers, it is worth checking on its website or contacting the helpline. In all cases, households will need to be deemed to be on a low income and/or in receipt of certain benefits.
Similarly, many broadband providers offer social tariffs to those on certain benefits like universal credit or pension credit.
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Council tax reduction
If you meet certain criteria or are on certain benefits, you may be able to apply for a discount on your council tax of up to 100 per cent (this is sometimes called council tax support).
Your local council may still be able to offer you a discretionary reduction if you can demonstrate you are facing severe hardship and can’t afford to pay your council tax.
To apply for a council tax reduction, contact your local council via the government’s website.
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Up to 30 hours of free childcare
From 1 September 2025, all working parents in the UK became entitled to 30 hours of free childcare for children up to the age of four. This concluded a gradual set of expansions that began in April 2024.
Parents must apply online and reconfirm their eligibility every three months, in time for each school term. Working parents can also apply for tax-free childcare, giving back 20p for every 80p you put towards childcare, up to a maximum of £500 a year.
Energy price cap: Is it going up?
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Ofgem’s energy price cap will drop to £1,641 for 1 April to 31 June 2026 – decreasing by around seven per cent, or £117. It will remain at £1,758 until 31 March.
The energy price cap is the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of energy if you’re on a standard variable tariff. That includes most households. It is expressed as an annual bill for an average home.
Many experts – including Ofgem itself – are recommending households consider a fixed tariff energy deal, with many on the market offering lower than the price cap rate.
Ofgem will announce its cap for July to September by 27 May. This could be a steep increase of as much as 10 per cent, or £160, increase due to the situation in the Middle East, energy consultancy Cornwall Insight has warned.
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Will there be another cost of living payment in 2026?
The DWP has not announced any continuation of the cost of living payment scheme that ran between 2022 and 2024. The final payment should have been made to eligible households between 6 February and 22 February 2024.
Mental health support
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch
Mind runs a support line on 0300 102 1234 which provides a safe and confidential place to talk about how you’re feeling. There is also an information line on 0300 123 3393 for nearby support, and a welfare benefits line on 0300 222 5782 to support the mental health of those navigating the benefits system
Disability charity Scope has a forum where people can have supportive chats with others going through the same experiences
The NHS offers an online mental health triage service
Daizen Maeda scored a double, including a stunning overhead kick, as Celtic came from behind to defeat Rangers in the Old Firm derby
Martin O’Neill reckons Daizen Maeda’s stunning Old Firm heroics were right up there with Henrik Larsson’s iconic derby chip.
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The Celtic legend crushed Rangers’ title ambitions – and propelled his side to within just ONE point of league leaders Hearts heading into the final week of a thrilling campaign.
Maeda netted twice – with his second an outrageous bicycle kick. The striker spearheaded the fightback as the Hoops recovered from going behind, and the Premiership trophy is now firmly within their grasp following Hearts’ draw at Fir Park on Saturday evening.
O’Neill has witnessed plenty of derby triumphs and countless unforgettable occasions – including Larsson’s exquisite lob in the 6-2 thrashing back in 2000.
And O’Neill said: “Was it up there? Yeah, it is very much so. Henrik will disagree of course, but it was great goal. He was super today. Honestly. Which goal was better? I’m going to take him out tonight.”, reports the Daily Record.
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“He was terrific, really terrific. I don’t know where he gets the energy from. Sensational, really sensational. His second goal was out of this world. Big his whole performance… he starts off with his closing down and the negative part of the game. It galvanises the side because he’s so good about it. Then his own performance, with the ball and scoring the goals, was magnificent.”
O’Neill relished the strike – but even more so the crucial victory that has thrust Celtic right into contention for Five-in-a-Row. He said: “Yeah. It was obviously really important to win the game. It was a great fightback from the players and lovely to win. We played some great stuff, strange enough, so did Rangers. The first half was really hectic. It was one of those, you have it, no you have it. Coming from behind was great for us.”
Celtic are set to travel to Fir Park on Wednesday evening to take on Motherwell, while Hearts welcome Falkirk ahead of Saturday’s crucial clash between the two sides in Glasgow.
O’Neill is aware that back-to-back wins would guarantee success, stating: “If we win the matches it’s true, it’s in our own hands. If you look at the result on Saturday night, it’s what you would have wanted. I said before, even if Hearts had won it was very much in their hands as the goal difference would be too great. But at least, yeah, it’s in our hands.
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“We have to try and do something about it. If Hearts had won, it’s a long way back for you. And it might have been, particularly having conceded the goal. But it gives a bit of a boost as well too. So, ready to go. We have to win. We have no grounds for dropping points. We can’t afford to do it. I expect Hearts to win their game and we have a really difficult match at Motherwell. I can’t even think about the following match until it’s played.”
O’Neill was delighted to secure victory over Rangers during a dramatic afternoon in Glasgow’s East End. Mikey Moore opened the scoring, but Yang Hyun-jun equalised before half-time, and Maeda proved decisive with two goals in a frantic four-minute spell during the second half.
O’Neill said: “The players are delighted with their own performance and the comeback. They could have wilted but they didn’t do that. But in the dressing room there are only thoughts about Wednesday.
“I’ve never been confident, never! People talk to me about momentum, but it can shift quickly. We’re doing fine in the game and it’s about finding a way to win. Its obviously special against Rangers. But in the scheme of things it’s just three points and we can look no further than Wednesday.”
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With the Grand Final taking place in a week, the general public has been provided with a first glimpse of what the live version of the techno-pop song will look like.
And the 37-year-old music artist is fully leaning into the electronic aesthetic with a set design of wirey-button machine and a group of dancers with furry computers for heads, with the ‘experimental’ singer executing a mad scientist look as he pulls various fake levers.
Of course, aside from a rare exception in 2022 when UK entrant Sam Ryder landed second place with Space Man, it has been decades since our little island has done well in the final rankings.
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The UK is all too used to being at the bottom of the lot. In 2025, girl group Remember Monday finished in 19th place out of 26 with 88 points from the professional jury and a brutal zero points from the public vote.
The performance hasn’t inspired hope in fans (Picture: Getty)
However, after seeing Look Mum No Computer’s offerings, viewers are worried this could be the worst year yet.
‘So the zero points streak continues…’ X user ka_morian0121 shared.
‘Great Britain receives NIL POINTS,’ M predicted.
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‘Safe to say, were not winning it this year,’ Joe shared.
‘This is a complete mess. Nil pwahhhhh,’ J declared.
‘Let’s get ready for last place again!’ S lamented. ‘Another year at the bottom of the leaderboard,’ Lily W echoed.
‘A serious contender… for the last place,’ Crashgrana brutally declared.
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Some have come to Look Mum No Computer’s defence, attempting to give it the benefit of the doubt.
‘I love the song. Was not keen on it [at] first but now I love it,’ StuartIbertson added.
‘Shame the “machines” look pretty fake and I did expect more from the UK. Still a unique and catchy song though, but I think it’s bottom five again for us,’ DougnutDoney wrote.
Others are trying to see the silver lining (Picture: BBC)
‘It does make you wonder why everything new gets so much negativity, whether it be songs, new programmes, anything!’ Debs reflected.
‘The UK actually did something interesting for their Eurovision entry,’ LDN48 posted.
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This is the first song in the contest’s 70-year-run where the UK song will not be sung entirely in English, already making it stand out. And it’s all about the mundanity of the nine-to-five.
Speaking about the song when it was first released in March, he said: ‘That is 123, in German, for people who aren’t aware.
‘It felt right to write a song that included a bunch of different European things – the whole thing is about going on holiday, and feeling I’m gonna have some pizza, maybe in Italy.
‘I’m tired of eating this [jam] roly poly, which I love eating for most of the year, but I just want a little bit of a break from it.’
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As proceedings kick off in Vienna, the contest is also preparing for controversy after several countries announced they were boycotting this year’s competition over Israel’s inclusion – including the Big Five nation, Spain.
Just this week, the Israeli broadcaster KAN was issued a formal warning for violating the competition rules over promotional videos of their entrant.
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We want to hear your thoughts on whether Stormont should be reformed so that no single party can collapse the Executive
17:29, 10 May 2026Updated 17:30, 10 May 2026
Earlier this week, the Alliance Party published their 18 point plan for political reform in Northern Ireland.
Among the proposals was a suggestion to reform the Northern Ireland Act so that the next-largest party can nominate a First or deputy First Minister if the first eligible party refuses to do so.
They also propose that the titles of First and deputy First Minister be equalised to reflect the joint nature of the office.
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Defending the party’s proposals to change how First Ministers are nominated and to expand the use of weighted majority voting, the party’s deputy leader, Eóin Tennyson, rejected suggestions that such reforms would undermine the Good Friday Agreement.
“In 1998, people were promised a stable power-sharing government that would deliver for them and improve people’s lives, and instead, what we’ve had over the past nearly three decades is Stormont being suspended for almost half of that time,” he said.
“Then, when it is up and running, it is beset by deadlock, by delay, by veto, and is vulnerable to vested interests and dark money. So this document is actually about renewing and re-energising Stormont to restore public confidence.
“We have been very clear with the UK and Irish governments that to argue for reform is not to undermine the Good Friday Agreement at all. It’s actually to recognise that if we fail to reform, then we are condemning its institutions either to death by 1000 collapses or death by a slow bleed of public confidence in their ability to deliver.”
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Alliance’s 18 proposals for political reform
Reform the Northern Ireland Act so the next largest party can nominate a First or deputy First Minister if the first eligible party refuses to do so.
Implement a weighted majority system (approximately two-thirds) to determine cross-community support for the election of the Speaker and other key decisions, rather than using parallel consent.
Restrict Executive cross-community votes and the Petition of Concern strictly to matters relating to national identity, the legacy of the Troubles, or the constitutional structures established under the Good Friday Agreement.
Put the ‘three meeting rule’ on a statutory footing so items cannot be blocked from the Executive agenda, and publish all Executive meeting agendas.
Scrap the ‘anti-democratic’ system of Assembly designations.
Change the First and deputy First Minister titles to ‘Joint First Ministers’ to reflect their equal status, and include these posts in the D’Hondt calculation along with every other Ministry.
Establish a statutory Commission in the long term, sponsored by the Executive and the UK and Irish governments, to design a plan for implementing a voluntary coalition in Stormont.
Conduct all cross-community votes on Ministerial sanctions on a weighted majority basis.
Empower the Standards Commissioner to recommend the level of sanction that should apply for breaches of the Ministerial Code, which would then be reviewed and verified by an independent lay panel.
Introduce an annual cap on donations from single private sources, applying to both individuals and companies, as well as foreign and domestic donors.
Lower the reporting threshold for political donations from £11,180 to £500.
Publish all donations to local political parties retroactively from 2014.
Support more rigorous donor checks as outlined in the UK Government’s Representation of the People Bill.
Provide better funding to the Electoral Commission, so it is equipped to investigate and sanction breaches of third-party campaigning rules.
Establish a Lobbying Register in the Assembly to ensure greater transparency around who is seeking to influence politics and how much money they are spending.
Implement a fairer electoral system for Westminster elections, preferably the multi-member Single Transferable Vote (STV) system already used for Assembly and Council elections in Northern Ireland.
Transition to a directly elected House of Lords using a Proportional Representation (PR) system to represent the 12 regions of the UK, and implement maximum term limits to avoid politicisation.
Convene a UK-wide constitutional convention to develop a fully codified UK constitution
Tom Wills, 27, who grew up in Chorley and attended Southlands High School, has released ‘Laid’, a dance-pop and melodic house reinterpretation of James’ iconic 1993 track.
The single dropped on May 8 and has already begun climbing the UK iTunes Dance Chart within hours of release.
The track follows the success of Tom’s previous single, ‘Mid-Night Moves’, which reached four on the UK iTunes Dance Chart and 40 across all genres, while racking up more than 5,000 radio plays across the UK and Europe.
Produced by Preston-based Sholz-Y, winner of this year’s Dance Division/Label Radar competition, the new release transforms the original’s indie melancholy into a club-ready anthem, combining driving basslines, synth-led production and soaring vocals.
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For Tom, the song carries personal significance.
He first discovered ‘Laid’ as a child through a free CD included with a Sunday newspaper, playing it repeatedly alongside other James tracks.
Years later, seeing the band live at Lytham Festival reignited his connection to the song, this time with a deeper understanding of its themes.
Tom said: “As a kid, it was just a song I loved.
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“But growing up, especially as a queer artist, the lyrics took on a whole new meaning.
“It was ahead of its time in how it played with identity and gender. I wanted to bring that energy to today’s dancefloors.”
Now based in Manchester and signed to Swedish label The Dance Division, Tom has been building a name for himself at the intersection of commercial dance and pop.
His new track Laid is available to stream (Image: Tom Wills)
His performances have included Pride events and festivals across the UK, playing to audiences of up to 40,000.
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He is set to debut ‘Laid’ live at Pride in Trafford (HomoGrown) this month, marking another milestone in what he describes as a “rebuild” following the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I lost momentum during Covid, like so many artists,” he said.
“But coming back in 2025 and seeing the response to my music has been incredible. ‘Laid’ feels like the next step.”
With early radio support ranging from Manchester stations to international outlets and confirmed coverage from music publications including Plastic Magazine and Earmilk, the track is already gaining traction beyond the North West.
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Rooted in Manchester’s rich musical heritage, from indie to club culture, Tom reimagining of ‘Laid’ reflects both his upbringing and the city’s enduring influence on UK music.
He added: “Manchester shaped how I hear music.
“It’s always been about bringing people together on the dancefloor.”
Arsenal are in Premier League action as they take on West Ham United at the London Stadium, with Man City watching closely.
Arsenal defender Ben White sustained a knee injury during the opening period of the Premier League encounter with West Ham. The 28-year-old picked up the problem after a collision with Crysencio Summerville, and was forced to withdraw from the action.
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While being assessed by medical staff on the pitch, White indicated towards his left knee. The England international, who earned a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March, appeared to be struggling as he hobbled off at the London Stadium.
The injury could be significant news for Manchester City as they keep a close eye on proceedings. City trail Arsenal by two points at the top of the Premier League table going into the Gunners’ clash at West Ham.
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Pep Guardiola’s side put more pressure on Arsenal thanks to their 3-0 win over Brentford on Saturday afternoon. It means that they could watch the game between West Ham and Arsenal with interest.
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With the scoreline at 0-0 in the first half, White picked up the injury. It forced Mikel Arteta into a reshuffle which saw influential midfielder Declan Rice moved to right-back.
If Arsenal fail to pick up all three points from the match, it puts the title race back in City’s hand with them having a game in hand over their rivals. City play that game on Wednesday night when they host Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium.
They finish their season with an away trip to Bournemouth and a home game against Aston Villa. Arsenal, meanwhile, host Burnley at the Emirates Stadium before travelling to take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the final day.
Guardiola made his feelings clear on who he will be supporting at the London Stadium at the end of his press conference. After talking about the win over Brentford, he crossed his arms above his head and said: “Come on you Irons!”
Speaking about the title race, he said: “We are fighting with a team quite similar to Liverpool in the past, in the final of the Champions League without losing a game and have been top of the league almost all season,” he said.
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“It’s not in our hands now so it depends on them dropping points but all we can do is Wednesday win again, play the final of the FA Cup and go to Bournemouth – I’d say that is not the best one to go to – and Aston Villa. The calendar is demanding but it’s simple. It’s just two weeks and the season will be over.
“I love to be here again. Finish second again minimum so I love it. I didn’t enjoy last season and the moment to fight to qualify for the Champions League was difficult but the Carabao Cup is in our pocket, the FA Cup final at Wembley is the most beautiful day of the season and I love it.
“When you arrive and have the feeling that the job can be done, well done. When you arrive fighting against Arsenal, with many changes, seeing how they help each other in every training sessions, it is a joy.”
Ms Sturgeon said: “The problems of the country are real and big, but the idea that they are caused by immigrants is an absolute falsehood, fallacy, and it suits people like Nigel Farage to make people believe that, because actually the problems of the country are caused by people like him, the proponents of Brexit.”
‘She’s one of the most vulnerable children in society, all of these children are, and it’s just like nobody cares about them at all. They’re just a number on a piece of paper’
Trafford parents have been left worrying for months over where their kids will be learning in September after the council ran out of school places.
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Constant delays and a ‘stressful’ lack of communication from the town hall to families with children with special needs has compounded the issue, one mum said. Laura Ashton’s daughter Lucy, 6, will be moving from infant school to junior school in September.
Mrs Ashton, a nursery worker, said she expected to be told by the authority in January which setting Lucy had been allocated. The email finally came through at 7pm on Friday, May 1. It followed months of emails and exhaustion for the Sale family.
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Mrs Ashton, 41, said: “I’ve been told by the head of the EHCP (education, health and care plan) department, that there aren’t enough places for these children, and there’s a huge dilemma.
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“They must have had the foresight to know that this was going to happen. The fact that nothing has been done about it in the run-up to this period of time is absolutely atrocious.
“From January, [there has been] very few communications from the coordinator and the head of the EHC team, letting parents know what’s going on. No one heard anything.”
“I chased it up continually,” Mrs Ashton added. “I made it my mission. I would email every single week asking […] ‘where’s this correspondence? What’s going on?
“‘There’s a shortage of spaces. How are we going to school all these children?’ No response to that question.”
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By the end of March, the family still had no answers, with Mrs Ashton claiming there had been ‘no emails, no telephone calls, nothing’ from the council, ‘not even a ‘sorry, there’s been a delay’’. In April, the authority finally told parents it planned to create additional SEND places at two local schools – Moorlands and Broomwood – and these would be allocated in May.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has seen emails from council officers acknowledging the lack of correspondence with parents, saying ‘no communication is not good at all’ and admitting they ‘should have communicated something’. Officers added in an email in mid-April they had not wanted to ‘cause any unnecessary uncertainty or stress to families’ by ‘sending communication to parents when the situation [around the lack of school places was] not yet clear’.
However, Mrs Ashton argued the lack of information from the council does not reduce uncertainty but ‘amplifies it’. She added: “Being left without any update for months has caused far more stress than a transparent acknowledgement that decisions were still in progress ever would have.”
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The delays mean that families like the Ashtons now have just one term to prepare their children – many of whom will find change difficult – for the transitions.
Mrs Ashton said: “I don’t sleep. I’ve been constantly replaying emails and wondering where this correspondence is, why they can’t do their job properly, and worrying for Lucy’s future.
“She’s one of the most vulnerable children in society, all of these children are, and it’s just like nobody cares about them at all. They’re just a number on a piece of paper.”
She added: “It’s impacted Lucy because she’s well aware, so we will talk about the fact that her siblings are moving on to different settings, and she will ask constantly where she will be, what school uniform will she be wearing, will the lovely Karen still be making her school dinners.
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“We can’t even say ‘yes’ or ‘no’, so we can’t prepare her for anything. Impact wise, it’s just been absolutely awful.”
Even now that the family has been told where Lucy will be going in September, the struggle is not over. Lucy currently attends Wellfield Infants School, in Sale. However, the lack of places in the special needs groups means she will not be able to move up to Wellfield Junior with her friends in the school’s mainstream classes.
She has instead been allocated a place at Moorlands. This is despite, Mrs Ashton claims, Wellfield saying it could ‘perfectly’ meet Lucy’s needs. The family intends to appeal, but this again prolongs the uncertainty for Lucy.
Mrs Ashton said: “She has this lovely group of friends who she actually, for once in her life, belongs with, and they accept her for who she is. Now she’s going to be taken away from that, and she’s going to have to start that process all over again.
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“I think it’ll have a huge, huge impact on her socially, which again, will have a knock-on effect on her education and how she views life and school.”
“She’s an absolute dream of a child, she is lovely, she just likes to know what’s going on. She needs to know where she’s going to be. So the whole moving from infants is a massive thing for her anyway.”
A spokeswoman for Trafford council said: “While we are unable to comment on individual cases, we understand that not being allocated a first choice of school place can be disappointing and upsetting for families.
“As a Council we are committed to ensuring we have sufficient school places, and we have clear strategies and approaches for school place planning, including for children with special educational needs.
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“Part of our approach includes the creation and use of small specialist classes (SSCs) for children with SEND needs. This year Trafford took the decision to consult with all families of Year 2 children currently attending SSCs so that everyone would go through a full and fair process together, with the aim of confirming school places by the end of March 2026. This deadline needed to be extended as a result of some delays in the completion of some building works that were supporting the creation of additional SSC places. Once these works were completed, we were able to progress the allocation of school places.
“As part of the national SEND reforms we are continuing to develop our approach to SEND provision within Trafford schools and SSCs are a vital part of that.”
Kevin Pringle became increasingly furious after cars left ‘muddy trenches’ along his grass in the quiet cul-de-sac
An ex-prison officer has created an innocent-looking garden fence designed to stop nightmare parking – with tiny spikes hidden inside to deflate tyres. Kevin Pringle, 64, patented his own simple but effective product to keep cars from mounting and damaging grass verges after a series of terrible driving outside his home.
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He installed the fence, which costs around £40 for half a metre, on his front garden measuring four-foot-wide outside his semi-detached home. Kevin said he had been repeatedly relaying the ground with top soil and grass seed after cars left “muddy trenches” along his grass in the quiet cul-de-sac.
The fence has secret spikes which activate when a car hits and slowly deflate its tyres, acting the same way as a police-used stinger. The retiree said the barrier could be used by councils to stop illegal traveller encampments from setting up on grassland and cricket pitches – or by estates, schools and hotels.
Kevin, who lives in Milton Keynes, said: “The quality of driving and parking has without a doubt gotten worse in recent years. Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act says its an offence to drive anywhere other a designated carriageway but you see illegal parking everywhere.
“Because nothing is done about it, people don’t care and I don’t understand why they don’t realise the effect they’re having. When I searched for solutions, the only suggestion I found was to place big boulders around the edge.
“While this does deter vandals, since they know they’ll risk damaging their vehicle, it creates two new problems – it makes lawn care much harder and the boulders themselves are not very attractive.
“I became determined to find an answer that would both keep the verge tidy and make maintenance easier.”
His picket-style Smart Fence, tried and tested outside Kevin’s own home, has secret spikes that activate when a car hits and slowly deflate its tyres. The former prison officer said he had been plagued by illegal parking tearing up his own lawn which led to his “lightbulb moment”.
He said: “When I first bought the house, the grass verge that goes to the road was in a bit of a mess.
“I cut the grass and trimmed the hedge. Once I’d made it neat and tidy, I found people were using it as an extension to the carriageway.
“I’d seen people parking on it, mounting it and using it as part of the turning space, leaving out the soil and leaving a muddy trench. I had to go out there multiple times with a topsoil and grass seed.”
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Kevin spent three years researching different designs as he wanted to make sure his fence was not susceptible to accidental damage such as “hurting little Johnny on his bicycle”.
While research how to make the spikes “disappear”, he realised they needed protecting. He explained: “The plastic fence covers the spikes and the only way to expose the spikes is with enough weight on top of them to break the plastic fencing.
“The plastic will break along the perforations exposing the fence supports which are hollow tubes with a chamfered top edge.
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“This means if an attempt is made to use a motor vehicle to vandalize a lawn or verge the driver will no longer be able to just drive away leaving the damage for the land owner to repair.
“Because you can lift the spikes and fence out of the ground, you can then cut the grass as only the base plate which is at ground level.”
Kevin believes his patented design would be significant in preventing unauthorised encampments and would love to see local authorities and councils put it into use.
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He pointed out his own council, Milton Keynes, had invested £250,000 over the last five years to protect sites with barriers such as concrete blocks or mounds of earth.
He said: “I read news articles almost daily about where this product could be used. Its use for stopping unauthorised encampments would be phenomenal – and it would be cheaper.”
Kevin had bought a Hyundai Getz on its last legs to test the fence’s ability to puncture tyres and hopes to see his prototype rolled out widely in future.
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He said his Smart Fence would protect homeowners from bad drivers absconding the scene and had sought advice around if the user could be held liable.
Kevin added: “If I try and jimmy your backdoor with a screwdriver and it breaks, you don’t have to pay me for damages.
“Tearing up a garden is criminal damage. If you’re committing criminal damage and you damage your tools such as a car, it is your responsibility.”
A Milton Keynes highways spokesperson said: “Under the law, items can’t be placed on public highway land without the proper authorisation.
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“Items may only be placed on the highway where the appropriate permissions have been granted and suitable safety measures are in place to protect all road users.”
‘Fabulous well-made top, feels and looks quality, true to size, appropriate for all ages’
Shawna Healey Senior fashion, beauty and home affiliate writer
17:05, 10 May 2026
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Summer is just around the corner and fashion enthusiasts will be eagerly anticipating dusting off their warm-weather wardrobes. Of course, the notoriously unpredictable British climate means a versatile top that can be layered over a vest or camisole is an absolute must-have.
At Roman, shoppers are clamouring for a layering piece that fits the bill perfectly. Customers report receiving ‘lots of compliments’ on the Ivory Crochet Tie Front V-Neck Tunic Top, and it’s not difficult to understand why.
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The Ivory Crochet Tie Front V-Neck Tunic Top is priced at £38, however those who enter the discount code SUN can secure a 10% reduction. This brings the cost down to a reasonable £34.20, and it also comes with complimentary express delivery.
Available in sizes 10 to 20, the crochet top is made from a lightweight knitted fabric. It showcases a flattering round neckline and full-length fluted sleeves that carry a 70s-inspired feel while remaining contemporary and firmly on-trend.
The top boasts a tunic silhouette and is complemented by tassels on the tie detail. Thanks to its adaptable design, the Ivory Crochet Tie Front V-Neck Tunic Top can be styled in a multitude of ways, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Roman’s boho-inspired summer top available for £34.20
The Ivory Crochet Tie Front V-Neck Tunic Top costs £38 but those who apply the discount code SUN can pick it up with a 10% saving. This brings the price down to a modest £34.20 and it comes with free express delivery too.
It pairs beautifully with white jeans or linen trousers for an effortlessly polished look, ideal for the office or weekend outings. While on holiday, team the piece with shorts or a floaty skirt for a laid-back coastal aesthetic.
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Meanwhile, Marks and Spencer’s Cotton Blend Crochet Look Collared Cardigan is priced at £30. It’s designed with a regular fit, featuring an attractive tie fastening at the v-shaped neckline and a ruffled trim that provides a polished finish.
Alternatively, Next’s Ecru Cotton Mesh Knit Lace-Up Polo Top is available for £49. A striking addition to your seasonal collection, it showcases a breathable mesh knit construction adorned with delightful faux shells scattered throughout the fabric.
The design is completed with a traditional collar and a nautical-inspired lace-up front featuring gold-tone eyelets, delivering a distinctive, artisanal aesthetic that’s ideal for summer layering. It’s also available in blue and pink.
Back at Roman, the Ivory Crochet Tie Front V-Neck Tunic Top has achieved an impressive overall star-rating of 4.9 out of five from 35 reviews. One delighted customer commented: “Love it. Perfect to cover up over a vest top on cooler evenings.”
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Another remarked: “Bought this crochet top for my holiday and to wear in the summer. Goes great with my white trousers and jeans. I’m a 14 and the size is accurate and fits perfectly. Very pleased with my purchase and for the good service I always get from Roman.
“Goes with anything,” a third noted.
“Fabulous well-made top, feels and looks quality. True to size, appropriate for all ages. I wore a small vest top under mine.”
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While the Ivory Crochet Tie Front V-Neck Tunic Top has received largely positive feedback, one customer deducted a star due to the colour differing from expectations.
The four-star review states: “Nice top but the colour wasn’t like the picture it was darker and didn’t suit me.”
It’s also worth noting that the top is constructed from 100% acrylic. Although this material offers warmth without bulk, it can be susceptible to static electricity and pilling, creating irritating bobbles that compromise the garment’s appearance over time.
Despite this, another customer was delighted with their recent Roman acquisition, commenting: “Got lots of compliments wearing this. Not as see through as you would imagine. Washes well though I did wash this in a delicates bag so it didn’t get caught on zips or buttons.”
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A separate five-star review states: “I absolutely love this top, it’s well made, comfortable and very pretty when on, I put it with silk wide leg pants for an evening, had loads of lovely compliments.”
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