The World Cup winner was informed by the Chelsea head coach on Friday morning that he has been dropped for upcoming games against Port Vale, in the FA Cup on Saturday, and Manchester City, in the Premier League next Sunday, as a punishment for bombshell comments made during the international break.

HMRC has outlined key tax rules for state pension payments after a query about deductions

HMRC has clarified the tax rules surrounding state pension payments, following an enquiry about deductions applied to those payments.

A state pensioner contacted the tax authority through social media with a question, asking: “Where can I find a monthly statement of my state pension showing the payment and deductions?” With upcoming changes on the horizon, now is an opportune moment to review your state pension arrangements.

The state pension is set to rise by 4.8 per cent from April, boosting the full new state pension from £230.25 per week to £241.30 per week. In response to the query, HMRC outlined the key rules to bear in mind, telling the taxpayer: “State pension is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and no tax is deducted at source.

“Your pension payments do appear only on your bank statements – DWP pays the same amount every four weeks.”

This means those receiving the full new state pension will receive £965.20 each payment period under the new rates, reports the Mirror. Those on the full basic state pension will receive £184.90 per week, or £739.60 every four-week payment period, with payments typically issued in arrears.

The day your state pension is paid depends on the final two digits of your National Insurance (NI) number.

Those preparing for retirement should also take note of another significant change coming into effect from April 2026, when the state pension age will begin rising from 66, gradually increasing to reach 67 between April 2026 and April 2028.

Laws have also been passed to implement a further increase to 68, set to take place between 2044 and 2046. You can check your projected state pension entitlement by using the forecast tool available on the Government website.

The decision was made in a Westhoughton Town Council meeting on March 30, as members expressed confusion over some aspects of the scheme, including a planned £70m for a new link road.

Councillors also wanted to know what made the Metro Mayor so confident the Ryder Cup was going to come to Bolton, despite the number of other – already completed – golf courses vying for the same rights.

Cllr Arthur Price and Cllr Neil Maher at the plot of land in Westhoughton (Image: MyWesthoughton)

Cllr Arthur Price said: “We couldn’t have a crossing on Manchester Road because there was no money, but now Peel want a golf course they’ve managed to find £70m.

“I want to see confirmation that we have actually been shortlisted for the Ryder Cup – do they have it in writing?

“How is he guaranteeing £70m for something nobody knows anything about?

“It will never happen, it’s just a red herring.”

Councillors also expressed concern that, despite previous indications that a plan for the Ryder Cup golf course would be submitted in January, nothing no plans have yet been made public.

Cllr David Wilkinson said: “As far as I’m concerned, the golf course plans are dead in the water until Peel submit something.

The road is long and straight, which increases the likelihood of speeding, according to Cllr Price (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“And why should the taxpayer fund £70m for a road for Peel which hasn’t been confirmed?

“We need to speak to the mayor to ask him what he was doing when he backed the plans.

“If the new roads and trains he has promised for the Ryder Cup are good enough for those three days, why aren’t they good enough for the people who currently use those lines to commute?”

On the topic of Westhoughton’s rail lines, town councillor Jack Speight said: “We’d need to upgrade the line first, it’s not even electrified.

“Where is that money going to come from?”

The impact of the Ryder Cup on Westhoughton’s roads and amenities was also discussed, alongside the potential impact of the Platt Lane Development and the Lee Hall development.

(Image: NQ)

Cllr Martin Tighe said: “Park Avenue, near the development, is an avenue in the truest sense of the word.

“There’s nothing in the plans about widening it – it’ll cause more congestion in what is already one of the most congested areas.”

Tighe also expressed concern that the new course would harm the golf courses that already exist in the area, Westhoughton Golf Course being one.

Westhoughton Mayor Gillian Wroe, alongside the councillors, decided to write to Mr Burnham to invite him to a meeting during which they could discuss the plans.

​A motion calling for better water quality has been passed by Scarborough town councillors, while references to climate change were removed in a row over “focus and delivery”.

​​Issues with Scarborough’s bathing water quality have continued to persist and last year’s ratings saw the South Bay still classed as ‘poor’ and the North Bay’s bathing water quality classed as ‘sufficient’.

​At a full meeting of Scarborough Town Council on Wednesday, April 2, members clashed over how to approach the issue.

​A motion proposed by Cllr Rich Maw, Independent, proposed that the town council “recognises that scientific evidence demonstrates climate change impacts coastal water quality and marine ecosystems, and that residents and regular beach users are increasingly concerned about bathing water quality in both bays”.

​It called for the council to also recognise “its powers do not extend to regulating water quality, which remains the responsibility of the Environment Agency”.

​However, an amendment by Reform’s Cllr William Stuart saw a “focussed” motion tabled after he raised concerns about high workloads that the original proposal would have entailed for council staff.

Stc Amended And Approved Water Quality Motion Proposed By Cllr William Stuart.

​Cllr Stuart’s motion, which was approved by the Reform-led authority, recognised “the importance of bathing water quality in South Bay and North Bay to residents, visitors, and the local economy”.

​Both motions set out to engage with Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency to seek “clear information on causes of water quality issues affecting Scarborough’s beaches”.

​The amended motion also requested “periodic written updates to be presented to the council, subject to available officer capacity”.

Original Stc Water Quality Motion Proposed By Cllr Rich Maw.

​Speaking at the meeting, Cllr William Stuart said: “I agree that the coastline is one of our greatest assets and water quality is important to our residents and they do deserve us to speak on their behalf.”

​He added: “Regarding climate change and anthropogenic climate change, no one would argue we have climate change.”

​The amended motion, which was approved with the support of Reform councillors while Independent and Labour councillors voted against it, concluded: “Prioritise engagement activities to ensure they are proportionate to council resources, and that officer time is used efficiently and effectively.”

Scarborough Town Council Full Meeting 02.04.26

​Cllr Maw said: “It’s an inescapable fact that climate change is linked to this, and there’s absolutely no way that we can talk about a subject such as combined sewer outlets, surface water mixing in combined sewers, without understanding why we’re in this position.”

​He added: “To amend this motion without understanding that would be a failure for us to recognise the importance of understanding climate science. So it’s not abstract, and it’s not theoretical because it’s actually already affecting our coastline.”

President Trump signed an executive order aimed at fixing college sports Friday that would give federal agencies authority to cut funding at schools that don’t comply with mandates covering transfers, eligibility and pay-for-play in the rapidly changing industry.

The order is a laundry list of proposed fixes, many of which lawmakers and college leaders have been pushing for since the approval of a $2.8 billion settlement changed the face of games that were once played by pure amateurs.

Among the notable parts of the order was a call to establish “clear, consistent and fair eligibility limits, including a five-year participation window” — an element that could fend off the dozens of lawsuits the NCAA has faced of late.

It also calls for “structured transfer rules,” but offered no specifics for a system that allows players to move around freely, sometimes in the middle of the season, which adds uncertainty to roster building that many consider unsustainable.

As much as the changes he directs, Trump’s call for the Education Department, the Federal Trade Commission and the attorney general’s office to evaluate “whether violations of such rules render a university unfit for Federal grants and contracts” stands out as a proactive way to force change.

Several universities across the country have made policy changes related to diversity, equity and inclusion, transgender rights and even the sorts of courses they teach to comply with federal orders and avoid funding-related showdowns with the government.

At a college sports roundtable last month, Trump said he anticipated any order he signed would trigger litigation. Attorney Mit Winter, who follows college sports law, agreed, saying the order “appears to direct the NCAA to create rules that would likely violate” court orders.

NCAA President Charlie Baker, however, did not signal any intent to litigate, saying Trump’s order “reinforces many of our mandatory protections — including guaranteed health care coverage, mental health services and scholarship protections.”

“This action is a significant step forward, and we appreciate the administration’s interest and attention to these issues,” Baker said. “Stabilizing college athletics for student-athletes still requires a permanent, bipartisan federal legislative solution.”

Trump, in the order, also called on Congress to “quickly pass legislation,” the likes of which has stalled multiple times.

The president’s mandate is likely to set up a situation where the NCAA and schools have to decide whether to follow a federal court order or an executive order, Winter said.

“Federal court orders prohibit the NCAA from making athletes sit out a season if they transfer more than once and prohibit the NCAA from enforcing rules that limit collectives from being involved in recruiting,” he said. “The EO appears to direct the NCAA to create rules that would likely violate both of these court orders. Will the NCAA create rules that do that? And if they do, will schools follow them?

“Either way, we’re likely going to see litigation challenging the EO by athletes and third parties.”

Winter added that the order also appears to urge schools to pay new revenue share amounts.

“Most schools are paying 90-95% of their rev-share funds to men’s basketball and football players,” he said. “And those funds are already promised via contracts signed with those athletes. Will the order purport to make schools not adhere to those contracts?”

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AP Sports Writer Maura Carey contributed.

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Ethan Towers, 27, was jailed for life for raping a baby five times while John Watson, 28, was also jailed for life for encouraging the abuse at Cambridge Crown Court

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Two men have been handed life sentences after a baby was subjected to rape on five occasions last summer.

Ethan Towers, 27, and John Watson, 28, were branded “dangerous and a risk to the public” by a judge before receiving their custodial terms.

Cambridge Crown Court was told that Towers, from St Ives, Cambridgeshire, carried out five rapes against the infant while Watson, from Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, incited him to commit the abuse. Judge Mark Bishop remarked that the “youth of the baby was extreme”.

Towers received a minimum term of 12 years and five months while Watson was sentenced to 13 years and four months imprisonment on Wednesday (April 1).

The court was informed that Towers transmitted indecent photographs of children to Watson. Watson, who was already subject to a sexual harm prevention order due to prior convictions, also exchanged explicit material with another minor under the age of 16.

Towers entered guilty pleas to five counts of rape while Watson admitted two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The 28 year old also pleaded guilty to multiple offences relating to indecent images of children and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

In addition to their life terms, both men were made subject to restraining orders. They were also required to pay a victim surcharge of £228, reports the Express.

The judge presented a victim impact statement from the baby’s mother during proceedings. She expressed that the trauma has left her feeling “more isolated and fearful than ever”.

A victim statement from a child contacted by both men on social media was also read aloud by the judge. The young person described feeling “set free” after Towers and Watson were convicted.

The judge stated he was “satisfied” that both defendants were “dangerous and a risk to the public”. Cambridgeshire Police confirmed it had referred the matter to the relevant safeguarding authorities.

In an interview with The Times, Lord Walker, who is also the Government’s cost-of-living tsar, said he agreed with his fellow high street giant boss and said: “We call it shoplifting, which sounds like a cheeky bit of pilfering, but actually we should just call it out for what it is, which is violent crime.

The Tory leader said the people who have moved over to Reform and are “his problem now” on a visit to Wilton in Redcar on Thursday (April 2).

It comes after the former UKIP leader launched a campaign in Houghton-le-Spring last week ahead of the local elections, saying Britain was broken.

In a speech at Sunderland Live Arena, the Clacton MP said the May 7 polls were a “referendum on our entire political class”.

In recent months, several high profile Tories have jumped ship to Reform, including former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, former shadow minister Robert Jenrick, and former home secretary Suella Braverman.

But during her visit to Redcar, where she announced that a Conservative Government would axe carbon tax, Ms Badenoch criticised some of the defectors. 

She said: “I think I’ve been very clear that Nigel Farage has been doing my spring cleaning. These are people who were causing problems in the Conservative Party. 


“They’re his problem now.” 

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch in Sunderland (Image: owen humphreys)

Ms Badenoch made the comments responding to a question about former Reform housing spokesman Simon Dudley, who was sacked this week after he said the Grenfell Tower fire in London was a “tragedy” but that “everyone dies in the end”.

The Tory leader said: “The fact is, it is quite inappropriate to say everyone dies in response to a tragedy. 

“That’s the sort of chaos you get from Reform, they are full of people who are in politics, not for public service, but for self service, and we are well shot of them.” 

During the launch in Sunderland, Nigel Farage said the party would campaign on “local policies” and on seeking to control council tax levels, but that the local elections would also be a “vital stepping stone” to changing the Westminster Government.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in Sunderland (Image: NORTH NEWS AND PICTURES)

He said: “This effectively will be a referendum on our entire political class and our message is simple.

“If you want real change, if you want different people, if you want those with the courage, who are prepared to stand up and put the interests of British people first, not international treaties or bogus organisations, if you want people who will make sure that it’s British people that go to the top of social housing lists, and not young men who’ve just arrived by boat, if you want change on May 7, you’ve got a chance to vote for change.”

He added: “Something remarkable is happening out there, and it’s because people understand that the two-party system has broken Britain.”

“We’ll begin on May 7, with that campaign, and indeed for the general election, May 7 is an essential, vital stepping stone.

“While local government matters, it’s winning national government ultimately that we have to achieve to change things and turn this country around, change attitudes, and get out of the negativity of managed decline.

“Let’s start believing in Britain and believing in ourselves.”

Stormont’s Economy Minister has called for fuel duty to be slashed amid rising costs

The cost of petrol and diesel is continuing to rise across Northern Ireland with some forecourts closing to customers due to fuel shortages. The Consumer Council’s Fuel Price Checker, which is updated weekly, shows that the current average price of petrol in Northern Ireland is 149.1p per litre, while diesel is 177.8p.

Compared to last week, the cost of petrol has risen by 4.5p while diesel has increased by 8.1p. Since March 5, soon after the US-Israel war with Iran began, the average price of petrol has increased by 22.9p per litre, while diesel has risen by 44p.

The price of fuel varies depending on where you are in Northern Ireland, with some areas coming in below the regional average. Fuel prices here are set by independent retailers based on global oil costs, exchange rates, and local competition at forecourts.

READ MORE: Stormont Minister calls for ‘immediate reduction’ in fuel dutyREAD MORE: Minister says ‘fuel continues to be delivered as normal’ amid concerns of shortages

This week, the cheapest place locally to buy petrol is the Dungannon area, where prices are 6.7p below average at 142.4p per litre. Magherafelt is the most expensive area to fill up on petrol, with prices 7.8p above average at 156.9p.

For diesel, Coleraine is the cheapest area to buy this week, with prices 7p below average at 170.8p per litre. Armagh is currently the most expensive area to buy diesel in, with prices 8.1p above average at 185.9p.

The continually rising prices have led to Stormont’s Economy Minister urging the UK Government to immediately slash fuel duty. Minister Archibald said she raised concerns over the impact of petrol and diesel prices during discussions with the Cabinet Office on Thursday morning, and also in a letter to Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle.

She pointed to action which has been taken by the Irish government to temporarily reduce excise duty for motor fuels as the impact of the war in the Gulf continues.

“Fuel duty must be reduced as a matter of urgency,” she said. “Petrol and diesel prices across the north have risen by between 20% and 40% in just a matter of days, creating sudden and unmanageable costs for households and businesses.

“The Irish government has already acted by reducing Mineral Oil Tax across petrol, diesel and marked gas oil. That action has been widely welcomed by consumers and businesses in the south.”

Ms Archibald said the UK Government “must now act with the same urgency.”

“Alongside an immediate reduction in fuel duty, the planned fuel duty increases due to come into effect from September must be withdrawn if fuel prices remain elevated,” she said.

A spokesperson for the Treasury said: “We have the right economic plan for a more volatile world, taking a responsible approach to supporting working people in the national interest.

“Fuel duty is frozen until September and we’re enabling targeted support for those facing higher heating oil costs. We’re also acting to protect people from unfair price rises if they occur and to bring down food prices at the till.”

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