The proposal relates to the building at 14-16 Hardman Street, which most recently operated as a photography studio but has stood empty in recent years.

Previous applications to convert the property into flats and a house in multiple occupation (HMO) were refused.

Under the new plans, the two-storey red-brick building would be remodelled to provide accommodation for up to 15 residents, including an end-of-life care room.

Communal facilities would include a lounge, dining room and TV lounge, alongside administrative and support areas.

Four bedrooms would have en-suite facilities, with assisted bathrooms and toilets serving the remaining rooms.

The scheme would remain within the existing building footprint, with original window openings reinstated and alterations made to improve natural light and outlook for residents.

A lift, new staircases and wheelchair-accessible entrance ramp are also proposed.

Outdoor space would be created for residents on land to the side of the building, while secure waste and storage facilities would be provided to the rear.

Developers say the care home would be well served by nearby public transport links and local amenities, including Bradford Street Recreation Ground.

Bolton Council will decide the application at a later date.

I remind our central MP of her words at the time: “With the Conservative Party so divided and at war with itself, it is too late for a new Prime Minister, we need a new Government.”

Well exactly that same situation exists today; only more so. It is not just the Labour Party that is divided and at war with itself but the whole country is in turmoil and changing the captain of a sinking ship isn’t going to keep it afloat.

If Ms Maskell thinks Labour is doing a good job then she has no fear of a General Election or the distinct possibility of losing her safe seat.

But I won’t be holding my breath waiting for Rachael Maskell to demonstrate any consistency.

Matthew Laverack

Lord Mayors Walk

York

___

Absolute tripe…

Why, oh why, has it taken so long for you to finally realise that as Prime Minister you have been absolute tripe? And that is not an insult to tripe because it isn’t that bad, so apologies to tripe and tripe lovers for that.

M Horsman

Moorland Road

York

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Starmer a disaster

Listening to Starmer giving his resignation speech outside No. 10 Downing Steet I didn’t realise we were all living in a country which, under his leadership, was achieving greatness in all aspects of life.

In reality, he leaves office having been an utter disaster, a shocking Prime Minister, nothing more than a committed fantasist.

Peter Rickaby

Moat Way

Brayton

North Yorkshire

___

Starmer goes

Usually, when a PM announces they are leaving Downing Street, they actually leave Downing Street. Starmer has created such chaos, the King would not know whether to summon the awful David Lammy or the excellent Lucy Powell or the unfortunate Bell Ribeiro-Addy to form an interim government – if Starmer did actually leave.

As Starmer stays on and spends the summer stuffing the House of Lords with more unworthy appointments, you have to say the manner of his going is quite like everything he has done in office. He has eventually had to abandon the self serving policies Jenny Chapman and Alan Milburn have encouraged him to promote and turn to the Lib Dem policy on just about everything – as more compassionate, more sensible, more practical & less costly.

Starmer announced he was abolishing Police and Crime Commissioners. That is a Lib Dem policy. The Commissoners are still in office. For that reason and that reason only Andy Burnham is now forced to resign as Manchester Mayor, causing a by-election.

Starmer’s current defence secretary, Dan Jarvis, was both an MP and a Metro Mayor simultaneously for many years.

Nigel Boddy

Address supplied

___

Thank you

To the lovely lady who came to my help when I fell in Carr Lane on Wednesday 17 June, your care and kindness was much appreciated. Thank you.

M Hill

Priors Walk

York

What do you think?

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Kayley Turner and Laura Wallis, crewmembers at Hartlepool RNLI, recently achieved their Tier 2 qualification after months of rigorous training.

This assessment certifies them as fully operational crew members on the all-weather lifeboat, ready to take part in emergency launches and lifesaving missions.

Ms Turner, who works as an executive assistant to a chief executive, said: “Laura and I proved to the assessor that all the training has been paying off to successfully pass our ALB Tier 2 crew assessments.

“For anyone outside the lifeboat world, Tier 2 is a pretty big milestone.

“It’s the point where months of training ashore and at sea all come together—covering everything from seamanship, helming, towing and anchoring, to a bit of navigation, emergency procedures and working effectively as a crew when things get busy.

“Basically, proving you can stay calm while the sea does its best to make life difficult.”

She thanked the team at the station for their support.

Ms Turner said: “Massive thanks to everyone at the station who’s helped along the way and shared knowledge.”

Her fellow crewmember, Laura Wallis, is a business owner who also spoke about the dedication required to complete the training.

Ms Wallis said: “We have both dedicated a lot of time and energy into our training especially over the past few months.

“It has been an extremely rewarding process knowing that we get to be a part of saving lives at sea.

“The training incorporates many aspects of maritime knowledge and skills.

“The navigation aspect of the training has definitely been my favourite so far.”

Hartlepool RNLI coxswain Matt Adams praised the pair for their commitment.

Mr Adams said: “Well done, with the amount of time and effort Laura and Kayley have put in to their training it was no surprise that they successfully completed their Tier 2 plans.

“Laura and Kayley are both great examples of our dedicated crew at the lifeboat station.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them both put these skills in to action saving lives at sea.”

Miami’s official fan zone for the World Cup was forced to temporarily stop people from entering as temperatures in the city exceeded 40C.

The Tartan Army are being warned to be prepared for the extreme Miami heat after organisers temporarily paused entry to the city’s fan zone last night.

Football fans, including Tartan Army foot soldiers who have descended on the Sunshine State, at the fan park were urged to seek shade immediately after a heat warning for temperatures of 110F (40C) was issued on Monday, June 22.

Entry to the site was paused at 3pm local time – 8pm Scotland time – as supporters gathered to take in the France v Iraq match after Argentina had defeated Austria 2-0 earlier in the day.

Officially known as the FIFA Fan Festival Miami, the fan zone is located at Bayfront Park in the heart of Downtown Miami along Biscayne Bay.

The warning is a reminder for travelling Scots to be aware of the extreme Florida heat over the next few days with temperatures expected to remain in the mid-30s.

Supporters could face being denied entry to the fan zone because of the weather if further heat warnings are issued. Thousands of members of the Tartan Army have descended on the city and many are expected to take in Scotland‘s final group stage match against Brazil on Wednesday, June 24, at the fan zone.

In a statement released on social media, officials from the Miami 26 organising committee said: “Due to a heat index of 110F, we are currently encouraging all guests at the FIFA Fan Festival Miami at Bayfront Park to seek shade and stay hydrated immediately for their own safety.

“In addition, we are temporarily pausing entry into the park and will not allow additional guests to enter until public safety authorities determine that conditions are safe.

“The safety and well being of our fans is our top priority. We appreciate your cooperation, patience and understanding.”

Steve Clarke‘s men are set to take on Brazil at the Hard Rock Stadium in the city on Wednesday, knowing that a win would guarantee a place in the last 32 while a draw – or even a low-scoring loss – could still be enough to sneak through as one of the lucky third-placed sides.

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Manchester United are in the market for a new midfielder this summer and have reportedly made significant progress in their pursuit of one particular star

The World Cup may be commanding football’s attention this summer but Manchester United aren’t allowing it to disrupt their transfer plans. That much is evident following the latest series of updates suggesting activity in both directions at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick’s squad are already closing in on their first major acquisition being confirmed as Ederson moves nearer to finalising his £39million transfer. Yet there are suggestions indicating United have made significant headway in their pursuit of another star midfielder.

The World Cup has somewhat complicated proceedings regarding the extent of progress United can expect while certain targets are otherwise occupied. Nevertheless, that hasn’t prevented the club from remaining active as the Manchester Evening News rounds up Tuesday’s most significant United transfer stories.

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Tottenham want Rashford

The race for Marcus Rashford‘s services is reportedly intensifying, with Tottenham expressing interest in the forward. The England international is away on World Cup duty but remains a constant fixture in the headlines as speculation surrounding his future continues.

Following an extremely fruitful loan stint at Barcelona, the Catalan giants opted against activating the buy clause in his agreement. Nevertheless, their decision could prove beneficial for Spurs as The i Paper revealed the north London outfit are eager to strike a deal for Rashford.

Spurs have bolstered their backline considerably after securing the signatures of Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi. Nevertheless, Roberto De Zerbi is yet to strengthen his attacking options.

England’s 2026 World Cup kits

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England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code DEAL.

It stands to reason Tottenham would be targeting new forward talent following Dejan Kulusevski’s absence throughout the entire 2025/26 season due to injury. Dominic Solanke and Mohammed Kudus also spent lengthy spells on the treatment table last season, while Xavi Simons was ruled out of the World Cup after picking up an injury late in the campaign.

Rashford’s current £300,000-a-week salary is reportedly the primary obstacle, although he did accept reduced wages when joining Barca last summer. Should he be willing to take another financial hit to secure a permanent move, Spurs could extend their busy summer by launching a bid for the Three Lions forward.

Fernandes ‘agrees personal terms’ with United

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In a breakthrough many at the Theatre of Dreams have been anticipating, Mateus Fernandes has reportedly reached an agreement with United over personal terms. Recent reports have indicated United are frontrunners in the race for the Portugal international, with Spurs also understood to be keen.

Now arrives the challenge of settling on a fee with West Ham, who are believed to be seeking in excess of £80m for the midfielder. United, though, are said to be reluctant to go near that valuation.

According to talkSPORT, Fernandes is satisfied with the contract proposal put forward by United in the wake of West Ham’s drop into the Championship. Should those claims prove accurate, the 21-year-old has essentially signalled his approval to join United and is prepared to allow the two clubs to negotiate the finer details.

While United may have moved swiftly to register their interest, that speed could count for little unless they can satisfy West Ham’s demands. New Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is also believed to admire Fernandes, although Los Blancos have already invested heavily during this transfer window.

Fernandes now boasts two campaigns of top-flight English football following his £25m switch from Southampton last summer. It appears almost inevitable the player will not be featuring in England’s second tier next season, though the Hammers retain significant leverage as their star seeks a departure from the London Stadium.

The former Manchester United striker is one of the BBC’s headline pundits for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney never enjoyed much luck at the FIFA World Cup, scoring just once in 11 appearances for England across three tournaments. But the former Three Lions captain has seamlessly slipped into his new role on football’s biggest stage, becoming one of the BBC’s go-to pundits for big games in North America this summer.

After hanging up his boots in 2021, Rooney tried his hand at management with Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle before turning his attention to a career in broadcasting. The 40-year-old impressed during his punditry debut at Euro 2024 and was later handed a bumper deal to become a regular fixture on Match of the Day and the BBC’s coverage of major tournaments.

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Since then, Rooney has won plenty of admirers for his straight-talking analysis and sharp tactical insight.

Friendship with Ghana boss

England’s World Cup clash against Ghana on Tuesday will provide a blast from the past for Rooney, with a very familiar face set to occupy the opposite dugout. Black Stars boss Carlos Queiroz served as assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson during two spells at Manchester United, the latter coinciding with Rooney’s £25 million arrival from boyhood club Everton in 2004.

The pair worked closely together for four years before Queiroz departed Old Trafford to take charge of the Portugal national team. During that time, the highly-rated coach regularly lavished praise on Rooney and played a key role in helping the young striker develop into one of the Premier League ’s most feared forwards.

Eye-watering BBC salary

During the peak of his powers at Manchester United, Rooney reportedly earned more than £300,000 per week. While his broadcasting career has not quite reached those dizzying financial heights, the ex-Everton striker has continued to rake in the cash.

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Last year, Rooney signed a two-year deal with the BBC worth a reported £800,000, making him one of the broadcaster’s highest-paid pundits. The lucrative agreement has helped to bolster his already sizeable bank balance, with Rooney’s net worth estimated at around £130 million.

Fans praise new look

Dozens of BBC viewers took to social media to praise Rooney’s appearance last week after he made his first television appearance for this summer’s World Cup from the broadcaster’s studio in Salford. Wearing a smart black polo shirt, fans remarked that ‘Wazza’ looked noticeably more toned as he dissected France ’s opening group win against Senegal alongside fellow pundits Olivier Giroud and Gael Clichy.

Others pointed out that Rooney had ditched the grey beard he has regularly sported in recent years in favour of a clean-shaven look. The refreshed appearance came just days after he enjoyed a relaxing holiday with wife Coleen to celebrate the couple’s 18th wedding anniversary.

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Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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The labels Leave and Remain need little introduction to anyone with even a fleeting interest in British politics. The terms do not simply refer to someone’s position on UK-EU relations, they can also provide a shorthand for their broader beliefs and values.

The terms emerged as group identities and, to the opposing sides, often as pejorative shorthand for the other camp. That these labels retain potency ten years after the Brexit referendum suggests that identity is the default prism through which many people in the UK now view politics.

À lire aussi :
Ten years after the referendum, how Brexit could have been done differently

My research focuses on continuity and change in political insults, and I try to understand if modern politics is more divided and uncivil than it was in the past. I am particularly interested in how politicians use Aristotle’s key modes of persuasion: ethos (appeals based on the character of the speaker); pathos (appeals to emotion); and logos (appeals to logic).

The “Brexit effect” on the rhetoric of British politics is one of the most damaging legacies of the referendum. It has seemingly resulted in a rhetorical culture in which ethos and pathos are of far more value, and so far more prevalent, than logos. This affects you whether you’re a Leaver or Remainer.

Uncivil rhetoric was often highlighted throughout the Brexit debate. This was the case both during the referendum campaign and then the battles in parliament between 2016 and 2019 over delivering the result. Journalists at the time even questioned why the discourse felt so toxic. Often, the debate was framed as “the elite” versus “the people”, where the two sides represented irreconcilable identities.

The people versus the powerful

The Leave victory was widely attributed to that side telling the more emotionally resonant story and, in the process, owning the narrative of who the elite really were. Populism is a contested term, but research has found a common feature of this kind of politics is creating a divide between “elites” and “the people”.

In this rhetoric, the elite – however they are defined – are always greedy, corrupt, incompetent or just plain evil. On the other hand, “the people” are virtuous, but exploited by the elite. Politics then becomes a contest between these opposing sides where for one to gain the other must lose. And, in this environment, successful politicians are those who can frame themselves as being on the side of the people rather than the elite.

The 2020 book Brexitland argued that leaving the EU represented the first time a major political decision was based not on rational economic self-interest but on feelings of identity. The authors explain that the referendum did not create the divides between those identifying as Leavers and those as Remainers. But, once exposed, those divides could not be unseen.

The decisive issue in politics no longer appears to be “the economy, stupid”, but rather “if you’re not one of the people, you are the elite, stupid”.

The unpopularity of outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer and his government might be seen as a product of this kind of politics. Much has been said about the Starmer government’s inability to tell its own story, to define its ethos and connect emotionally with the nation. The “loveless landslide” that Starmer’s Labour party won in 2024 is not just a result of the “politics of nothing” that it has been accused of, although this surely has not helped.

The 2024 result was a symptom of Labour’s inability to reconcile (perhaps irreconcilable) identity groups, born of a misunderstanding of politics after Brexit. Dislike of Starmer and his government appears to have killed the notion that sober technocratic deliverism is the route to political success.

Now, ten years on, the popularity of Reform UK and the Green party can be explained in part by the unifying power of grievance politics. Brexit itself was also a result of this. But rather than Brexit removing the source of the people’s unhappiness, it has simply framed politics as a zero-sum battle between identity groups.

Despite their vagaries, Leave and Remain still provide the most comprehensive faultline across the UK in 2026. Any politician who wants to change the terms of the debate will need to have great rhetorical skills. The fact that the terms have not been replaced after ten years illustrates how rare such skills are and how challenging reconciliation remains.

Paying tribute to his fantastic rock of a wife, Victoria, and his beautiful teenage children “who are my pride and my joy”, there was a catch in Keir Starmer’s voice and perhaps a tear – not quite the full sob of a departing Theresa May but definitely supercharged emotion.

This was a reminder that while this was a profound moment for the country, it was a very human one for Mr Starmer.

It was a public humiliation: a man forced to admit to his failings, and to acknowledge that he was not leaving on his own terms, or because the British public had had enough but because his own party – the MPs who are supposed to support him – had told him he had run out of road.

With an approval rating of minus 56, he is the most unpopular PM in British history.

Yet he has now risen to the top in two professions – the law and politics. As PM, he made some poor decisions on U-turns and Mandelson, but he showed real backbone in keeping Britain out of Donald Trump’s war. He even had a home and car firebombed by the Russians.

Yet still he has suffered horrific abuse, especially online, particularly from anonymous posters, often from his own countrymen.

Perhaps it is because we live in the brutal age of social media where the phrase “I respectfully disagree” is never written, but this hate will drive people out of politics and so the whole country will suffer.

Keir Starmer is a decent man. He does not deserve to be vilified. He deserves our thanks for being brave enough to give the cruel job of being Prime Minister a go, even if he did come up a little short.

The Harry Potter author backed For Women Scotland, whose emphatic legal victories should mean safe spaces for women should be immediately accured

After a long and often divisive debate one clear winner has emerged in the struggle between trans rights and those of biological women. And it has to be Harry Potter author JK Rowling – who has funded, argued and won battle after battle to protect women’s safety and dignity in the face of a virtual onslaught by the Scottish Government.

Rowling had no need for a magic wand like the heroes of her books. Her formidable voice, most often on social media platform X, has undoubtedly been the most powerful and consistent one in the debate that led to two thumping court victories for her close associates, the For Women Scotland group.

The author’s position has remained rock solid, despite death threats and concerted global moves to “cancel” her, amid mass book burnings and thousands of vitriolic direct messages decrying her as a traitor, a TERF, and a transphobe.

Rowling refused to be bowed and her financial support of FWS – a group of equally resolute Scottish women – led to the UK’s Supreme Court last April enshrining in law that biology defines a woman. The group’s second big legal victory, just last week, means it is now, categorically, illegal for trans women to be held in women’s jails in Scotland.

And this week the multi-millionaire author has doubled down on her promise to put her money where her mouth is. She has invited any woman who might have been subject to unlawful treatment by the Scottish Government or Scottish Prison Service to join a class action, in which she’ll foot the hefty legal costs.

The J.K. Rowling Women’s Fund (JKRWF), according to the author, “stands ready to fund such an action” – and several women who have served time in Scottish prisons are already thought to be on board, arguing that they were put in danger by the presence of men.

Rowling’s focus now seems to be making sure that the legal victories she has been a big part of do not get shoved to the side – and that quick changes must be seen in the way women’s safe spaces are assured.

To understand how far we have moved, we need to remember that in 2022 the then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon declared simply that ‘trans women and women’ and her followers were keen on the phrase “no debate”.

The big change was perhaps the case of Isla Bryson, who was known as Adam Graham when he raped two vulnerable women in 2016 and 2019. In January 2023, Bryson was set to serve an extended sentence of 11 years in a women’s jail.

But an outcry erupted after he turned up at court in a blonde wig and tight pink leggings, revealing his full male biology. That picture told a thousand words.

Prior to that, disturbed Tiffany Scott was another who was earmarked for a women’s jail, despite his crimes including stalking a 13-year-old girl. Scott, previously Andrew Burns, died in HMP Grampian in February 2024 after a long history of self harming.

The presence of Sophie Eastwood in a women’s jail also caused alarm, given the fact the lifer had strangled a cellmate, Paul Algie, to death with shoelaces in 2004, for little apparent reason. Eastwood was another to be quietly re-assigned to the male estate but has spent a substantial time in hospital.

The biggest recent focal point for campaigners has been the case of murderer Alexandria Stewart – formerly Alan Baker – who was able to conduct a relationship with child killer Nyomi Fee inside HMP Greenock for several years.

Stewart was recently charged with an alleged sexual crime against a woman in the jail – but is still being held in the women’s wing, in segregation.

Despite the legal success of the “gender critical” lobby, that includes Rowling, the SPS is pausing to consider its position, meaning there are still biological men held among women in the female estate.

That means the organisation is still holding a position that Ms Sturgeon defended to the hilt, prior to mentally unravelling when she was asked to simply state what defined a woman in 2022. Recent history shows that anyone caught in the sights of Rowling over a moral – or legal – issue she has committed to would have a right to feel uneasy.

The SPS and Scottish Government would do well to wave the white flag on this one – and immediately move all biological men to the male estate, where they legally belong.

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Almost nine in ten coffee shops in the area – more specifically 87.5% – are run and owned by local firms, data from Manchester-based digital marketing agency Dark Horse has revealed.

Middlesbrough comes a close second in the region with 87.1% being independently run, followed by Northumberland’s 87.0%.

The analysis, based on food hygiene rating data, looked at how many coffee shops in each authority are independents and chains, and how densely they feature in the wider food scene.

In Redcar and Cleveland, 56 of 761 food-service premises are coffee shops – 7.4% of the total – with only a handful run by major brands. 

Across the North East, more than three-quarters of coffee shops, or 78.1%, are independently owned, exceeding the UK average of 77.1%.

Even in areas with the highest concentration of chains, such as Newcastle and Stockton, independent cafés still dominate the local coffee landscape.

Libby Mayfield, head of marketing at Dark Horse, said: “There’s something incredibly comforting about these findings; it feels like a real celebration of the UK’s love of a local café.

“The numbers prove we’re choosing cosy corners, familiar faces and a flat white from a barista who agrees that syrups are for wimps. 

“It really goes to show that while convenience has its place, nothing quite beats the warmth of a passionately run local spot.”