Experts propose allowing people to claim state pension earlier as age rises to 67 by 2028

Experts have outlined a proposal for a scheme that would enable individuals to claim their state pension at an earlier age. This follows recent remarks from a senior DWP minister, who informed MPs that the matter is a key priority going forward.

The state pension age is set to rise gradually from April 2026, climbing from 66 in phases until it reaches 67 by April 2028. The full new state pension currently stands at £241.30 per week, following a 4.8 per cent increase under the triple lock.

The triple lock guarantees annual April increases based on whichever is highest among three measures: average earnings growth, inflation or 2.5 per cent. DWP minister Torsten Bell was recently questioned by the Work and Pensions Committee about proposals to allow early access for specific groups.

He told the MPs: “It is a very good question, and I think we should take that seriously.” He went on to highlight that there are certain “inequality challenges” within the state pension system, reports the Mirror.

The minister said: “You want there to be a state that is supporting people who are too ill to work, whether they are 25, 45 or 66. That is important to have in mind.

“You want a system that means people are getting help. We have chosen, for good reasons, to have a big difference in the level of income support provided to people over the state pension age and under it, in big-picture terms, because the work incentive issues are different and all the rest.”

Wealth management firm Aegon is amongst those who have long advocated for early access to the DWP benefit. Kate Smith, head of Pensions at the group, said: “We welcome the Government’s willingness to explore how the system can better reflect the fact that not everyone is able to work right up to an ever‐rising state pension age, with lower income groups more adversely impacted.

“On average people are living longer but not necessarily healthier.” She went on to outline the reasoning behind an early access scheme: “At Aegon we have long made the case that a single fixed minimum state pension age increasingly fails to recognise differences in people’s health, job demands and caring responsibilities.

“Greater flexibility would give individuals more choice over when they access the state pension, rather than forcing a one‐size‐fits‐all approach.”

When questioned about how such a system might function, Ms Smith said: “Any reform must continue to be based on individual need and capability, while offering practical options and support for people who simply can’t stay in work for longer. Exploring a more flexible framework is a sensible and pragmatic step, and one we believe is worth serious consideration.”

GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes spoke out about his next potential career move, following the release of his ex‑wife Ruth Langsford’s book

Advertisement

Eamonn Holmes has revealed he is considering writing a new book, 20 years after releasing his first autobiography. The broadcaster published This Is My Life back in 2006, in which he opened up about growing up in Belfast, his journey to becoming a presenter and shared insights into his family life.

Fast forward two decades and the 66-year-old has added several more chapters to his life, one of which shocked fans in 2024 following his split from Ruth Langsford.

Recently hinting that he could reflect on the past 20 years in a new book, he told Bella Magazine: “It is a lot of trouble [to write it].

“When I wrote the original, it was thick and when the lawyers finished with it, it was thin. So there is a lot of pain.”

Eamonn went on to say: “Nobody wants me to write a nice story. They want the truth and to be given it straight.

Advertisement

“People can’t handle the truth, they don’t want to know the truth. I have learnt people want their own version of the truth.”

Some of the major developments in Eamonn’s life in recent years include him leaving This Morning, dealing with multiple health issues and beginning a new relationship following his split from Ruth.

The former couple, who share a 23-year-old son, were together for 27 years, including 14 years of marriage.

In February, Ruth released her new book, Feeling Fabulous, which mixes personal stories from her life with advice on resilience and self-confidence.

While promoting the publication, the Loose Women star spoke about her marriage ending unexpectedly.

Ruth has suggested it was Eamonn who ended their relationship, a move that left her blindsided.

She told the Daily Mail: “In my opinion, I had a very happy marriage. Of course you question yourself, did I miss something, was I not aware, was I too busy? But there’s no point playing the blame game.”

Advertisement

She went on to say: “I just didn’t think I’d find myself here, and I wasn’t strong at the start.

“I was broken. Broken heart. Broken dreams. We all have an image of how we think our life and future is going to be. This wasn’t mine.”

Ruth has, however, refrained from discussing the reason for their split out of respect for their son. She also recently confirmed that she is single and, although she isn’t actively looking for a partner, she hasn’t ruled it out.

As for Eamonn, he went public with his new partner Katie Alexander in late 2024, and the pair have remained together ever since.

Addressing his split from Ruth in the same year, he told The Mirror: “I’m not OK. This is not a good time at all.”

When asked about whether the pair will continue to have a relationship of any sort, he added: “It’s too early to say but I hope we can still be friends.”

Using an electric barbecue is simple: plug it in, heat it up and you’re cooking in no time. Even the best charcoal barbecues take a while to get going and the best gas barbecues can still run out of fuel (I’ve been caught out mid-garden party by bad planning before). So, electric barbecues are growing in popularity and have the advantage of precise temperature control and fitting in smaller spaces where flames or smoke may otherwise be a concern.

The best electric BBQs range from around £80 for a basic model with no lid up to around £900 for sophisticated models, with grill and appliance brands like Char-Broil, Weber and Ninja all entering the market. You can cook on grill plates or griddles and choose portable models small enough to sit on a table or big enough to feed the whole family, like a traditional charcoal one. Some even provide woodchips to get that smoky barbecue taste.

The best electric BBQs: At a glance

How to choose the best electric BBQ

Electric barbecues come in all shapes and sizes: which is best for you depends on what you want to cook. Some offer straightforward heating so you cook on a grill plate, while others offer a wider range of functions like air frying and smoking. Some models let you swap the cooking surface, too: for example, by adding a pizza stone.

I spoke to Taylor Hawkins, outdoor barbecue buyer at John Lewis, who says: “Electric barbecues offer convenience with no need for charcoal or gas, faster start-up times, easy temperature control and lower running costs, meaning they’re energy efficient and great for everyday use.”

“Opt for a model with at least 1,500 to 2,000 Watts for efficient heating and quicker cooking. Temperature control is essential for versatility, while portability is key for those with smaller outdoor spaces,” adds Taylor.

I’ve tested a range of models, from large to portable, with a full range of options to choose from. “Searches for electric BBQs have doubled in comparison to this time last year, showing the increase in popularity among customers,” says Taylor.

How I test electric BBQs

You don’t have permission to access “http://news.sky.com/story/greece-to-ban-under-15s-from-social-media-from-next-year-13529181” on this server.

Reference #18.cfb31402.1775637853.10d6e2e4

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.cfb31402.1775637853.10d6e2e4

Netflix’s true crime series follows the actions of a cult’s new self-proclaimed “prophet”

Advertisement

Trust Me: The False Prophet arrived on Netflix today, Wednesday, April 8, a four-part series made possible by cult researcher Christine Marie and her husband and videographer Tolga Katas. The pair relocated to the Utah-Arizona border community, also known as Short Creek.

This was following the 2011 life imprisonment of Warren Jeffs, the former FLDS (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) leader, who remains behind bars for child sex abuse. What they soon uncovered was that Samuel Bateman had emerged as the leader of a breakaway faction of the FLDS, declaring himself the new radical “prophet” in 2019.

Christine and Tolga managed to earn Bateman’s trust and began capturing his deeply troubling behaviour on camera, documenting abuse involving underage “spiritual wives”. After watching the documentary, viewers want to know where Bateman is now.

Where is Samuel Bateman now?

Samuel Rappylee Bateman was handed a 50-year prison sentence in 2024 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to transport a minor for sex and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

Federal investigators revealed that Bateman had more than 20 “spiritual wives”, including minors, some of them as young as nine-years-old.

In an FBI affidavit obtained by People, he coerced girls into sexual activities with him as well as other men. The BBC reported that the FBI disclosed how Bateman claimed it was “God’s will” for him to engage in sexual acts with his “wives”.

Authorities had previously removed nine children from his home into protective custody, but eight of them subsequently vanished from foster care.

They were later discovered hundreds of miles away in Washington state in a vehicle driven by one of his adult “wives”, with Bateman admitting his involvement in the abduction.

Advertisement

During sentencing, US District Judge Susan Brnovich told him: “The amount of harm you caused is nothing short of unmeasurable.”

Having gathered evidence of Bateman’s abuse, Christine handed her footage over to law enforcement, which ultimately led to his imprisonment.”

Despite achieving justice, Christine did voice some misgivings about infiltrating the group in the Netflix trailer, sharing: “I was so trusted.

“I wanted to help them before they found out I was a mole. I’m not betraying them – I’m helping them, right?”

Trust Me: The False Prophet is available to watch on Netflix.

With a musical backdrop from the Wingates Band, Westhoughton’s Carnegie Library turned 120 on March 24, with local residents, councillors, and Bolton Mayor David Chadwick on hand to celebrate.

The incredible birthday cake was baked to look like a selection of books balanced on top of a recreation of the Westhoughton town hall façade.

The Wingates Band (Image: Gillian Wroe)

Westhoughton Mayor Gillian Wroe said: “It was an honour to attend the 120th birthday of our library, alongside my Mayoress, Cllr Deirdre McGeown and the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton, Cllr David and Mrs Val Chadwick.

“Cllr Chadwick and I have often attended the same functions but this occasion was the first time that we’ve performed a duty together – the cutting of the stunning birthday cake.

“We were treated to a performance by the wonderful Wingates Band.

“Please do go and look at the exhibitions.

Westhoughton Mayor Gillian Wroe at the birthday clebrations (Image: Gillian Wroe)

“Thank you to the library staff and the Westhoughton Local History Group for a very enjoyable day.”

Opened on March 24 1906, the Carnegie Library is named after Andrew Carnegie, a rich American industrialist and philanthropist from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The son of a weaver from Dumfermline, Scotland, at the age of 12 he emigrated with his family to America.

Westhoughton local history board at the celebrations (Image: Gillian Wroe)

He made his money in steel and later in life became one of the world’s eminent philanthropists, donating huge amounts of money to build libraries all over the world.

Westhoughton was fortunate to be one of the recipients of his generosity.

Bolton Mayor David Chadwick, who cut the cake with Cllr Wroe, is himself a councillor for Westhoughton South.

In a surprising turn of events, the Westhoughton Local History Group (WLHG) recently discovered the long-lost ceremonial key that was given to George Grundy – chairman of the Westhoughton Urban District Council – when he opened the Westhoughton Carnegie Library on 24 March 1906.

The WLHG has returned the key to the library, where it is on permanent display in the museum space on the upper floor of the building to help mark the 120-year commemorations.

Westhoughton Library is one of more than 3,000 public libraries built across the English speaking world thanks, wholly or partly, to the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie.

Proposals to convert the three-storey Hopper House building on Atherton Street in Durham City were approved by Durham County Council’s planning committee. 

Ward Group, the applicant, said it will transform the disused site into 45 self-contained units. 

It is hoped that the new accommodation will ease the ongoing pressure on the private rental market throughout the city. 

Proposals to convert the three-storey Hopper House building on Atherton Street in Dur (Image: The Northern Echo)

The new facility will include communal areas including desks for studying, a shared kitchen, living area, gym, and outdoor space. 

An independent office space and mezzanine meeting room is also proposed for the ground and first floors. 

Ward Group said: “The building is in a prominent location within Durham City Centre overlooking the North Road Roundabout. It has been vacant for a significant period and is in need of significant investment to improve its appearance and make it suitable to provide modern accommodation for residents and businesses. 

“The development will ease the pressure on the existing private rental market, providing purpose-built, self-contained, private accommodation for some of those currently sharing space in Homes of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the city.

Adrian Schulman, Reform UK member for Crook, welcomed the plans to breathe new life into the building, which has been empty for 12 years. 

“I go around the north Road roundabout on an almost daily basis and the unattractiveness of the current building always jars with me,” he said. 

Councillors also hope the new facility will reduce the need for properties throughout Durham City to be converted into HMOs. 

However, objections from the City of Durham Trust and Crossgate Community Partnership questioned the need for new purpose-built student flats. 

Councillor David Freeman, of Elvet, Gilesgate and Shincliffe ward, added: “Aesthetically, I don’t think it will look a whole lot better, but the building will have a use. 

“I don’t actually see that there is a need for new student accommodation across Durham City. 

“We have empty HMOs across the city and university numbers are not increasing in the foreseeable future, but I understand that we cannot refuse this application because of that.”

Work is expected to start on the site in due course. 

Police Scotland have launched a major search for Richard Massey, 46, last seen in Luncarty near Perth, as concern grows after his rucksack was discovered by the River Tay.

A desperate search has been launched for a vulnerable man who has been missing for over three days after his rucksack was found near the River Tay.

Richard Massey, 46, was last seen at around 11am on Saturday, April 4, at a bus shelter on Main Road opposite Kirkhill Drive in Luncarty. A number 34 bus passed shortly afterwards, but it is not known if he boarded the service.

Officers from Police Scotland say there has been no confirmed sighting of Richard since, and fears for his safety are increasing.

On Monday, police discovered a rucksack containing his belongings near the River Tay at Willowgate, prompting further searches in the area.

Richard is described as a white man with very short dark hair. When last seen, he was wearing a white hooded puffer-style jacket with black shoulder patches, dark-coloured trousers, white trainers, a dark baseball cap and reflective sunglasses.

Images released by police show him inside a shop wearing the same distinctive outfit, as well as a separate head-and-shoulders photograph.

Police Scotland confirmed that extensive enquiries are ongoing, with officers reviewing CCTV footage and carrying out searches to establish his movements.

Inspector Mark Craig said: “If anyone has seen Richard or has any information on where he may be, please do get in touch. I would also ask people to check any sheds or outbuildings in case Richard is seeking shelter within.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101.

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE