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Martin Lewis says ‘demon appliance’ is ‘really expensive’ and bad for energy bills

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Daily Mirror

Finance expert Martin Lewis says people should avoid using it where possible

Personal finance expert Martin Lewis says one ‘demon appliance’ is the biggest energy guzzler in the home – and should be avoided to get bills down. Household energy bills in the UK are set to climb by £332 a year in July, experts say.Big increases in wholesale prices due to the conflict in the Middle East are set to feed through into Ofgem’s price cap. Analysts at Cornwall Insight say forecasts for the watchdog’s price cap from July to September have gone up to £1,973 a year for a typical dual fuel households.

That is an increase of £332 – or 20% on April’s cap. In advice shared last year on his BBC Radio 5 podcast – which is still relevant today – Mr Lewis highlighted one key appliance to use as infrequently as possible that might help as bills rise.

The appliance in question is the tumble dryer, which costs £1 per load. He said: “Do you know what the real ‘demon appliance’ is in most people’s houses – the one that you don’t want to use because it’s really expensive? Tumble dryers. You’re typically paying up to a quid per load so dry your clothes on an airer outside, to shorten the amount of time you’re using your tumble dryer, or avoid using it completely. Those who have dehumidifiers can take some of the moisture out of the air. It’s less wattage than a tumble dryer, so it can be more cost-effective.”

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Martin Lewis’ verdict on dehumidifiers

Mr Lewis spoke on the issue after listener Rob said he had noticed that his flat had become damp since he started drying his washing indoors. He asked: “If I were to buy a dehumidifier, would it be cheaper than using the heating to keep the place dry?”

Martin responded: “Dehumidifiers take water out of the air rather than use the heating and they’re much lower wattage appliances than standard heating. So if the dehumidifier works for you, it will definitely have lower electricity bills.”

One of the problems is radiators heating spaces which do nothing to increase the temperature and escape outside rapidly. Speaking previously on his BBC podcast, Mr Lewis said that households should consider using reflective panels behind radiators – to send the heat back into the room rather than through the wall to outside.

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He said: “A tip for you reflective panels behind radiators. Sheets of reflective material can be placed behind radiators. Crucially, this is on external wall radiators, so the heat doesn’t escape. If you don’t want to pay for those, then tin foil can work, although it doesn’t work quite as well.”

Radiator heat reflector foil

Currently a 4 metre long roll of the radiator heat reflector foil can be purchased at Screwfix for £6.39. Mr Lewis also shared other suggestions for radiators. He said: “If you’ve got radiators in rooms that you’re not using, go and turn them off before you turn the heating on so you’re not wasting cash overheating empty spaces.

“Changing the flow rate on your boiler can cut gas bill by over 9% and you won’t notice the change.” He added: “Other general tips included: “Check your TV’s on a low energy setting too and walk around your house. Be a draft detector – what drafts can you spot as you walk around your house? And then try, if you can, to seal them up.”

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Newscast – The Week: The War In Iran Escalates

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Newscast - Epstein Files: New Mandelson and Andrew Allegations

Available for over a year

Today, Adam, Chris and Faisal are joined by Panorama Jane Corbin to discuss the latest strikes in the war in Iran.

They look at a straining relationship between Israel and the US and how the UK is reacting to the shock to the global economy.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

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You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you’re in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Anna Harris with Jem Westgate. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor was Jack Maclaren. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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Alan Shearer says refereeing standards are ‘worst we have seen’ because of VAR

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A graphic of Premier League players from every team in the division in 2025-26 season, with the Premier League trophy in front of them.

At the end of every season the Premier League’s stakeholders – that’s coaches, captains and fans, among others – are asked for their opinion on how the game is refereed.

Last summer the high threshold for VAR intervention was supported by 80%.

Clubs may feel they have been wronged, as Manchester United were at Bournemouth.

But they don’t mention the times they benefited from this high threshold.

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Like the push by Leny Yoro before United scored at Fulham, or the penalty for Jaydee Canvot’s hold on Cunha (which also led to a VAR red card), or Diogo Dalot’s potential red-card challenge on Jeremy Doku.

Clubs have selective memory when decisions go against them.

There have been fewer VAR interventions this season, but the accuracy has remained the same at 94%.

PGMOL would probably say that shows more decisions are being made on the field rather than being left to VAR.

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The independent Key Match Incidents Panel results say that on-field accuracy has remained stable, at 86%, since 2023-24.

Take that on face value and on-field standards have neither improved nor regressed.

English football’s biggest problem is that it doesn’t know what it wants.

It doesn’t like VAR getting involved in games.

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The Premier League has the lowest intervention rate in Europe, but then you get clubs saying it must intervene more when a decision doesn’t go their way.

Clubs are always unhappy when a decision goes against them.

But they are strangely silent when they are the beneficiaries.

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Russian drones kill at least two in Ukraine and cut power to most of a region | World News

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Police officers work at the site of a building hit by a Russian drone strike. Pic: Reuters

Russian drone strikes have killed at least two people in Zaporizhzhia and left most of a northern region without power, Ukrainian officials have said.

The news comes as a Ukrainian delegation makes its way to the US for a meeting on restarting peace talks.

Ivan Fedorov, a regional official in Zaporizhzhia, said a man and a woman were killed in the Russian drone strike on Saturday morning.

Two children were also injured in the attack, which struck a private home.

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Images posted on Mr Fedorov’s official Telegram channel show a house in ruins and a car damaged.

Pics: Ivan Fedorov / Telegram
Image:
Pics: Ivan Fedorov / Telegram

Elsewhere, governor of the Chernihiv region, Viacheslav Chaus, said that most of his region, which borders Belarus and Russia, had been left without power on ​Saturday after a separate ​Russian drone attack.

He ​said repair works ​were underway to fix the damage.

Read more: The ‘hero city’ 30,000 Russians failed to take


From February: How Chernihiv defied Putin

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Talks between US and Ukrainian delegates are expected to take place in Miami later on Saturday, according to Ukrainian state media.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X on Friday that Kyiv wants “clear dates” for a proposed trilateral meeting with US and Russian representatives.

He added: “Dialogue with the American side must continue in close coordination, because the easing of sanctions by the United States on Russian energy creates risks.

“This increases Russia’s revenues and, accordingly, Russian capabilities on the frontline. This is dangerous. Therefore, from this perspective as well, the meeting in the United States is important.”

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Was Zelenskyy’s UK visit a success?

The Trump administration eased sanctions on Russian oil earlier this month as US-Israeli strikes on Iran sent the oil price soaring.

The White House did not confirm any meeting with the Ukrainian delegation, according to the Associated Press news agency.

Read more from Sky News:
Iran fires ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia base, say report
UK forces join military to seize Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested, however, on Friday that a new round of US-mediated negotiations might take place.

“The pause is temporary, we hope it’s temporary regarding the continuation of the trilateral format,” he said.

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Northern Ireland weather latest as snow forecast in parts of UK after sunny weekend

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Belfast Live

“A shift to a cooler north‑westerly flow will bring a drop in temperature and more unsettled weather”

The Met Office has said that parts of the UK could see snow next week after a sunny weekend.

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As Northern Ireland enjoys blue skies and warmer weather on Saturday, the forecaster has said thay from Sunday the weather begins to change.

They explained that a “weakening band of cloud and patchy rain” will move southeast across the UK, followed by sunny spells and scattered showers in the north and that some of these showers may turn wintry over higher ground.

READ MORE: Northern Ireland set for warm and sunny weekend before cooler weather returnsREAD MORE: Seaside town named best place to live in NI by Sunday Times

Met Office Chief Forecaster, Steve Willington, said: “While the early part of the period brings warm sunshine for many, it’s not unusual to see colder spells and even some wintry showers in March.

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“As we head into next week, a shift to a cooler north‑westerly flow will bring a drop in temperature and more unsettled weather, including some hill snow in the north and brisk winds at times.

“This pattern is entirely typical for the time of year.”

By Wednesday, the UK will be in a cooler and more unstable north‑to‑north-westerly flow, bringing frequent showers, some heavy and wintry over higher ground, the Met Office added.

Here is the outlook for the next couple of days across Northern Ireland:

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Saturday night:

Increasingly cloudy with patchy rain across the far west at first, which gradually extends to the rest of the Province overnight. Westerly breezes. Minimum temperature 0 °C.

Sunday:

Cloudy start with some patchy rain. Clearing to brighter spells and showers from around mid-day with the bulk of the outbreaks confined to northern coastal districts. Maximum temperature 12 °C.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Fair start for Monday then rain reaching from west from mid-day. Rain soon clearing to showers Tuesday, these focused in west and turning wintry to quite low levels Wednesday.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Kemi Badenoch dragging Tories ‘further into gutter’ after backing attack on Muslim event

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Daily Mirror

The Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has been facing calls to sack Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy after he claimed an Open Iftar event in Trafalgar Square was ‘not welcome’

Kemi Badenoch has been accused of dragging the Tories “further into the gutter” after agreeing with her frontbencher who claimed Muslim prayers was an act of “domination”.

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The Tory leader has been facing calls to sack Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy after he claimed an Open Iftar event in Trafalgar Square was “not welcome”.

The London landmark regularly holds events for worshippers of all faiths, and has been hosting the Eid event since 2006. Despite this, Mr Timothy branded the public Muslim prayer as an “act of domination and division”.

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READ MORE: Reform MP blasted after saying she would wear a ‘tartan burka’READ MORE: Kemi Badenoch accused of cowardice over backing vile Tory attack on Muslim event

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Having previously described her under-pressure colleague as “fantastic”, Ms Badenoch has now told Times Radio she agrees with him. She said: “I do think that specific event was a domination of a public space in a way that I’m not sure is acceptable. Some people might agree or disagree. Trafalgar Square has been host to all religions having lots of festivities but they need to be done in an inclusive way and this is really not about religion, it’s about culture. Islam is celebrated in many different ways in many different countries. I think we need to start explaining what we think the rules should be about public prayer.

“I think people are confused they don’t know when they agree or disagree they don’t know when the public prayer is fine and when it’s, you know, troublemakers using it as a way to send a signal and this is where we need to have a debate, and I want the Conservative Party to lead that debate. If there are people who disagree, they should say so. He is a Member of Parliament, he has a right to express his opinion, and that’s why I support him. He’s a great shadow justice Secretary.”

Responding, Anna Turley MP, Chair of the Labour Party, claimed the Tory leader should be “ashamed”. She said: “Kemi Badenoch is dragging the Conservative Party further and further into the gutter. Instead of doing the right thing and sacking her Shadow Justice Secretary, she’s now pushing his abhorrent views as her own. The Tories have now joined Reform by adopting Tommy Robinson endorsed views over Muslims peacefully praying in London. The majority of Brits – including many Conservatives – will rightly be appalled by it. They should be ashamed.”

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Sharing a video of Monday’s prayers, which featured Sir Sadiq Khan, Mr Timothy had said: “Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions.” Similar religious gatherings have long taken place in the capital, such as the Jewish celebration of Chanukah and Easter Sunday processions.

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Brighton vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League latest score, match stream, goal updates and fan reaction

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Brighton vs Liverpool FC LIVE: Premier League match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

Liverpool begin the weekend in fifth place, which will be enough for a Champions League spot next season despite a disastrous week for teams at Europe’s top table, but with Aston Villa two points ahead, and more importantly, Chelsea one point behind – the pressure to pick up points is paramount for all involved.

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The Cambridgeshire village with a wildlife park where house prices have dropped in last three years

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Cambridgeshire Live

The village is a great place to live for commuters since it has a railway station with direct trains into Cambridge and the capital

Nestled halfway between Royston and Cambridge, there is a beautiful village with a unique attraction perfect for animal lovers. The village of Shepreth, has a name meaning ‘the brook of the sheep’, referring to the river where sheep used to rest along the route to Cambridge.

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If you have have a love for animals, and are looking for a new place to call home, then this village may be the one for you – especially since house prices have fallen over the last few years.

According to Rightmove, the historical sold prices in Shepreth over the last year were 10% down on the previous year and 44% down on the 2023 peak of £984,250. Over the last year, house prices in this rural village have an average price of £549,208.

You may be wondering what else Shepreth has to offer that would convince you to make the move. Well, good transport links, beloved pubs, and a family-friendly day out are three reasons why Shepreth is an attractive place to live.

The village is home to a wildlife park that has been open since 1984 as a refuge for injured and orphaned animals. Since then, it has become a much-loved destination, making for the perfect family day out. There are over 100 species of animals to meet, with keeper talks and demonstrations throughout the day, so that everyone can learn something new. The wildlife park also has a Hedgehog Hospital that rescues and takes care of hedgehogs.

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Shepreth also has a railway station right on its doorstep that makes commuting to cities like Cambridge and the capital that much easier. This is especially ideal for those who want to bring up a family in the countryside, but still be able to access big cities for work.

It is also ideal for those who do not drive and rely on public transport to get around. Shepreth railway station has direct trains into Cambridge taking around 15 minutes and direct trains to London Kings Cross taking just over an hour.

The picturesque village is home to two pubs beloved by locals and visitors alike. The Green Man is a food‑led village pub featuring a garden with a children’s play area to keep the little ones entertained.

The Plough often has live performances by musicians from Cambridgeshire and beyond, along with hosting a number of local food trucks. One happy diner at The Plough wrote on Tripadvisor: “A great local pub with excellent customer service, locally sourced food, a chef with a passion to create great dishes and front of house staff that make the customer experience seamless.”

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Police appeal to public over car stuck in River Ure

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Police appeal to public over car stuck in River Ure

Officers say it’s been there for months, they’ve known about it for months and they are not responsible for moving it.

“We’re always grateful for your vigilance, and the information you provide us,” a spokesman said. “However, in this particular instance, there’s no need to call us or tell us about it!”

The car in the river off Sharow Lane, Sharow, Ripon, was first spotted by a member of the public on Christmas Eve.

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Specialist water rescue units from Selby and Skipton and fire crews from Ripon and Harrogate carried out extensive searches in the river and on the bankside without finding anyone.

Police then confirmed separately that everyone in the car when it went into the river had got out safely and passed the incident to the Environment Agency to arrange for the car to be got back onto dry land..

The car has been in the river ever since – and people are still telling the police it is there.

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The charming farm shop near Malham that’s winning hearts (and awards)

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The charming farm shop near Malham that’s winning hearts (and awards)

Town End Farm Shop, in Airton, near Malham, has built up a loyal following among locals and tourists alike, earning a 4.6-star rating from more than 1,000 Google reviews, and 4.3 stars on TripAdvisor.

Located close to open countryside, the business combines a farm shop, tearoom, post office and online store, offering everything from breakfast and lunch to Yorkshire hampers, farmhouse cheeses and award-winning charcuterie.

The Town End Farm Shop sign (Image: TRIPADVISOR)

It has also attracted wider recognition beyond the Dales.

Town End Farm Shop featured on the BBC programme Top of the Shop with Tom Kerridge, which was filmed there over eight weeks, and was named best in the region for Yorkshire and the North East at the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards.

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Judges at those awards praised the business as a “small yet super dynamic farm shop”, highlighting its range of strengths and standout eco-credentials.

Visitors have been equally enthusiastic.

One reviewer said: “Amazing little Farm Shop and Tea Room, super friendly and helpful staff, dogs welcome in both the shop and tea room.

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“Food in the Tea Room was of amazing quality and reasonably priced. Well worth a visit.”

Another described having a “wonderful experience”, praising the “warm and friendly” welcome and the owner’s passion for the business.

A third said the farm shop was “just fantastic”, while others have singled out the “excellent food and atmosphere”, “great location” and “plenty of parking”.

The tearoom appears to be a particular draw for customers, serving breakfast until 11.45am, lunch from 11.45am to 3pm, and tea and cake later in the afternoon.

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Town End Farm Shop in North Yorkshire (Image: TRIPADVISOR)

It is also dog-friendly, adding to its appeal for walkers and day-trippers exploring nearby beauty spots such as Malham Cove and Malham Tarn.

Reviews frequently mention the quality of the food on offer.

One customer praised the “high quality ingredients” in what they called “one of the best full English breakfasts around”, while another said the carrot cake was “by far the best” they had ever tasted.

Others have highlighted the deli counter, handmade pies, local produce and selection of gifts, as well as the surrounding views across the Dales.

Town End Farm Shop has carved out a niche for championing Yorkshire produce, with hampers, cheese and charcuterie boxes available to buy online as well as in store.

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Its butchery and charcuterie courses have also become a popular offering, marketed as ideal gifts for food lovers.

Among the products promoted by the business are Longhorn bresaola, Yorkshire chorizo, Yorkshire gin coppa and a range of farmhouse cheeses, helping reinforce its reputation as a destination for regional food and drink.

The farm shop has also picked up recognition through other awards, including success at the Deliciouslyorkshire Taste Awards and the British Charcuterie Awards.

Located in Airton, Town End Farm Shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm and on Sundays from 10am to 5pm, with the post office also operating on selected days.

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It is closed on Mondays, apart from bank holidays.

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Liverpool lose Hugo Ekitike to early injury after James Milner challenge

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Liverpool lose Hugo Ekitike to early injury after James Milner challenge

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike was forced off just seven minutes into the Premier League trip to Brighton to deal Arne Slot another injury blow after losing Mohamed Salah and goalkeeper Alisson this week.

Ekitike suffered what appeared to be a dead leg following a late challenge from the Brighton veteran, and Liverpool great, James Milner, inside the opening few minutes of the Premier League clash on the south coast.

Ekitike was left banging the turf in pain but was able to hobble to the sidelines. After despite a brief attempt to play on, Ekitike went down again and was replaced by Curtis Jones before heading straight down the tunnel.

The France international has been called up for the friendlies against Brazil and Colombia next week, but could be a doubt depending on the severity of the injury. Salah and Alisson have withdrawn from Egypt and Brazil’s squads, respectively, after both missing the trip to Brighton.

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Salah, who was forced off late on in the 4-0 win over Galatasaray on Wednesday, faces a race to be fit for the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City following the international break, while Liverpool are hopeful that Alexander Isak could return for the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

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