For generations, we took social skills for granted. Parents just assumed that, through regular interaction with adults and peers at school and at home, their children would learn how to interact and communicate with others, encompassing everything from empathy and active listening to conflict resolution.
But then came the digital age.
Now, parents and experts alike have noticed that technology may be affecting these critical interpersonal tools and behaviours, with Gen Z and Gen Alpha demonstrating fewer social skills than their predecessors.
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Even adults might need reminders of these useful social skills. But you can give kids a head start by practicing early on.
“I absolutely see a drop-off in kids’ social skills, and phones and social media are a big part of it,” observed JJ Kelly, a licensed clinical psychologist known as the “Punk Rock Doc.”
The issue here is that technology acts as a barrier — instead of a gateway — to better communication. It’s all too tempting for kids (and adults! I’m just as guilty of this behaviour) to hide behind a screen and say (or not say) what they want because the screens serve as a shield from the real world.
Parenting and life coach Randi Crawford believes that phones and other digital devices “replaced the practice of living IRL.” There was a time when kids would figure things out in real time, she says, through awkward conversations, reading the room, making friends, making mistakes and making adjustments. But now, kids and adults alike can “curate everything behind a screen.”
The downside to this behaviour, according to Kelly, is that technology “has taken away infinite numbers of daily opportunities to practice bravery in real life.”
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This includes basic skills like making eye contact, navigating awkward moments, resolving conflict or saying something vulnerable in person. Instead of embracing opportunities for healthy conflict resolution, kids online resort to passive aggression, ghosting and public shaming. Kelly calls this “normalised hiding,” in which, instead of working through discomfort, she says, kids are “retreating behind a screen.”
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Kids aren’t getting worse. They’re just, very simply, getting fewer chances to practice being brave humans.
– JJ Kelly, licensed clinical psychologist known as the “Punk Rock Doc.”
But it’s in discomfort that important social growth happens. “Social skills are built in discomfort,” said Crawford. “It’s not fun, but that’s how we learn.” So while it may feel safer to talk via text or social media, face-to-face interactions are still essential for developing communication skills.
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Rest assured that this problem is solvable. “Kids aren’t getting worse,” Kelly emphasised. “They’re just, very simply, getting fewer chances to practice being brave humans.”
In-person social skills may feel like a relic from the 20th century, but in the right context, they can empower our 21st-century children.
These slightly uncomfortable conversations can have long-term positive effects.
Once you’ve established digital device boundaries with your kids and have provided a welcoming, safe space for them, it’s time to get down to business.
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Kelly Gonderman, a licensed clinical psychologist and the clinical director at We Conquer Together in Orange County, California, suggests having the following five conversations as a family. Not only will these talks teach kids fundamental social skills, but they’ll help them become more well-rounded, empathetic adults.
How To End A Conversation
Wait, who needs to learn how to end a conversation? Young people raised on texting and online chats, that’s who. “Screens have made this [skill] invisible,” observed Gonderman. “You just stop responding, and kids are bringing that habit into face-to-face interactions where it reads as rude or dismissive.”
Why is this skill important? “It’s one of the most underrated social skills because it signals to the other person that the interaction had a natural arc — a beginning, a middle and an end,” said Gonderman. “Without it, people are left wondering where they stand.”
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How can learning this skill empower kids today? “Kids who can end conversations gracefully feel less socially anxious,” said Gonderman. “They’re not trapped in interactions they don’t want to be in and they’re not accidentally leaving people feeling dismissed or confused.”
How can parents approach this subject with their kids? By modelling how to end a conversation themselves. Something like, “‘It was really good to talk to you, I’m going to go check on something,’ suggested Gonderman. “The goal isn’t a perfect exit line, it’s just some kind of signal that the conversation is wrapping up.”
How can they practice these skills at home? Dinnertime chats are a good place to start. “At the end of a family conversation, have your kid practice closing it,” Gonderman said. “‘That was a great talk, I’m going to go do homework now.’ It sounds silly, but doing it in a low-stakes environment makes it automatic in a higher-stakes one.”
How To Disagree Without An Audience
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Trolling. Flame wars. Call it what you will, but “social media rewards public callouts,” Gonderman said. It may sound weird to us olds, but do your kids even know how to disagree with someone without turning it into a public forum? “Real life requires the ability to tell someone directly that something bothered you, without performing it for anyone else,” said Gonderman.
Why is this skill important?Because, according to Gonderman,“social media has turned disagreement into a performance.” Unfortunately, “the real skill, telling someone directly that something bothered you, is being lost. That skill is what keeps relationships intact long term.”
How can learning this skill empower kids today? “A kid who can say, ‘Hey, that hurt my feelings’ one on one, without needing a group to back them up, is going to have fundamentally healthier friendships and eventually healthier adult relationships,” Gonderman said.
How can parents approach this subject with their kids? Gonderman advised parents to model disagreement in front of their kids: “Let your kid see you address something with your partner or a friend directly instead of venting to someone else,” she said. “They’re watching everything.”
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How can they practice these skills at home? Gonderman suggested engaging in role-play: “‘Pretend I said something that bothered you. What would you say to me?’ The more they practice saying it out loud in a safe context, the less terrifying it feels in real life.”
How To Be With Someone Who’s Upset – Without Fixing It
Not only is this a critical skill for kids to learn, but many adults could also benefit from this type of empathy lesson. “A lot of kids default to jokes or distraction when a friend is struggling because sitting with discomfort is a skill nobody taught them,” said Gonderman.
Why is this skill important? According to Gonderman, most conflict in adult relationships comes down to one person feeling unheard: “The ability to sit with someone in discomfort without immediately trying to solve it is one of the highest-value emotional skills a person can have. And almost nobody teaches it explicitly.”
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How can learning this skill empower kids today? “A kid who can just be present with a friend who’s upset is going to be the person everyone trusts,” said Gonderman. “That kind of friendship is rare, and kids who offer it are valued deeply.”
How can parents approach this subject with their kids? Demonstrating curiosity instead of assumption is the key here: Parents can ask their kids, “Do you want me to help you figure it out, or do you just want to vent?” Gonderman says, “That single question does more than almost anything else.” But then make sure to do what they ask; don’t offer help if they just want to vent.
How can they practice these skills at home?Snag a moment when emotions are small, advised Gonderman. “When your kid is mildly frustrated about something, resist the urge to fix it immediately. Just say, ‘That sounds really frustrating.’ Let it sit. You’re modelling that feelings don’t need to be solved, just acknowledged.”
Phones absolutely play a role in kids’ underdeveloped social skills.
How To Be A Good Witness When Something’s Wrong
Whether it’s watching a peer being bullied or someone having problems at home, Gonderman confirms that “the bystander problem is real.” Kids may know what the right thing is, but they don’t know how to get involved without complicating the situation.
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Why is this skill important? Learning how to be a good witness allows you to be a force for change. “Bystanders aren’t bad people; they’re unprepared people,” Gonderman said. “Kids genuinely don’t know how to step in without making things worse, so they don’t step in at all. Teaching them what to actually do changes that.”
How can learning this skill empower kids today? “A kid who knows how to be a good witness has more confidence, more self-respect and stronger relationships,” said Gonderman. “Acting in line with your values feels good. Watching something wrong happen and doing nothing does not.”
How can parents approach this subject with their kids? Gonderman recommended debriefing the actual scenarios that come up with your kids: “When your kid mentions something that happened at school, ask what they did, what they wish they’d done and what they might do next time. No judgment, just reflection.”
How can they practice these skills at home?As with the other conversations, Gonderman advised working through specific scenarios. That means not staying in the abstract: Instead of asking your kids what they would do if someone was being bullied, try this: “What would you say if you saw someone sitting alone at lunch being made fun of by the table next to them?” It’s the specificity that makes it real.
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How To Lose Well
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with participation trophies, Gonderman has observed that kids aren’t learning necessary sportsmanship skills anymore: “Competition, disappointment, not getting what they wanted, these are things kids used to learn through constant low-stakes repetition,” she said. “Less of that is happening now.”
Why is this skill important?Losing well teaches emotional regulation and resilience, explained Gonderman. “A kid who falls apart every time they don’t win is going to struggle with disappointment their whole life, because life involves a lot of it.”
How can learning this skill empower kids today?Gonderman calls this skill a social asset, as much as an emotional one: “Knowing how to lose gracefully makes a kid someone others actually want to play with, compete against, and eventually work with.”
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How can parents approach this subject with their kids? “Don’t rush past the feeling,” said Gonderman. “Let them be disappointed for a minute. Then, when the heat is off, talk about what was hard about it and what they’d do differently. Skipping straight to ‘You’ll do better next time’ teaches them to skip the feeling too.”
How can they practice these skills at home?Gonderman suggested playing games at home where someone has to lose, like board games and card games, anything with a clear winner. “Make losing a regular, normal, low-stakes occurrence so it stops feeling catastrophic when it happens out in the world.”
Straight talk: Awkward conversations are worth the momentary discomfort.
As a mother myself, I appreciate that there are many things we can learn from our children. At the same time, that doesn’t mean we should completely abandon our roles as parents – even if it means voluntarily sitting in the discomfort with our kids.
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Nobody likes this part of the parenting job, and I get why avoidance is so appealing, but Kelly also reminded readers that “courage very rarely backfires.”
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Overcoming the awkward and leaning into these necessary conversations can set both you and your kids up for success for years to come.
Lean into that fear, because it’s a signal that deep down, you know these conversations are the right thing:
“If there is anything you’re afraid to talk to your kid about,” advised Kelly, “it probably means you need to talk to your kid about it — even if they scoff or are awkward, they will remember the conversation and your ability to have it.”
Sometimes, kids need to put the devices away and have a good, old-fashioned chat with their cringe parents. They may not understand the purpose right away, but what’s more important than anything is that you start the discussion.
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What can parents do to help get their kids’ social skills back on track?
Before sitting down to have these important — and occasionally uncomfortable — conversations with your kids about social skills, parents need to take two fundamental steps:
Reassess the role phones/devices play in your child’s universe.
“If you want your kids’ social skills to get back on track, you have to be willing to set real boundaries around technology,” said Kelly. That can mean putting off getting them their own phones for as long as possible, and introducing apps slowly, “like a privilege that’s earned over time, not a right.”
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She also reiterated the importance of parental controls — not as a means of surveillance, but to keep your children safe.
Reassess how you respond when your child brings conflict home.
You can be a safe, empathetic space for your child when they’re dealing with something tough. “That’s where the gold is,” said Kelly. “They’re trusting you.” If your kids can trust you, that’s how they build courage.
She advises parents to start with validation, like, “That sounds really hard.” From there, ask your child whether they want you to listen or help problem-solve.
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“When parents keep the conversation open, instead of dismissing it, kids learn to effectively navigate conflict, align with their personal values, and treat others the way they want to be treated,” said Kelly.
Laura Norton and Mike Parr have helped raise awareness
Emmerdale are marking the UK’s annual Deaf Awareness Week with the help of co-stars Laura Norton and Mike Parr.
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The week runs from May 4-10, and Emmerdale have released four informative videos featuring actor Laura Norton (Kerry Pollard) teaching her co-star Mike Parr (Ross Barton) British Sign Language (BSL).
Laura Norton explains: “I was thrilled when the idea for these videos came up. Deaf Awareness Week is important to us, as both of our children have been diagnosed with hearing loss. And they both wear hearing aids.
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“Every deaf person’s experience is different, but one thing that we wanted to do as they got older was learn sign language and teach them to use it as well.
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“It’s a wonderful skill to have and it’s a beautiful language and Deaf Awareness Week promotes awareness and inclusivity for the deaf community. I’m also hopeful these videos, although a bit of fun, might encourage people to think about learning to sign too.”
Fellow actor Mike Parr was keen to get involved, adding that he was interested in learning after hearing Laura had been taking lessons.
Mike Parr added: “I was only too happy to agree when I was asked to create a video learning how to sign. Laura is one of the nicest, kindest, most warm, and caring people I’ve ever met. I was already aware that her two children had Usher Syndrome, and I know how important this is to her and her partner Mark.
“Laura is a great teacher, and I found our session quite easy to pick up, although I know I’ll have to practice to retain the information. My beautiful little daughter attends baby sensory classes where they are learning Makaton, so my family – myself, Izzy, and Susie will definitely try and keep it up as much as possible.
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“I strongly believe we should learn sign language at school; it would be valuable and as useful as learning French, German, Spanish, or Latin. I’ve loved this experience, and I hope that we could even start a little web series or do a few more instructional videos together. There is a website https://www.british-sign.co.uk/ where you can easily start your BSL journey.”
Both of Laura’s children were diagnosed with Usher syndrome. It causes impairments to hearing and vision, and currently has no cure. Laura and Mark (Jordon) have continuously expressed their dedication to finding a cure, and work closely with the charity Cure Usher, that was founded by Jo Milne.
The actress has previously shared: “In the beginning, it was about our babies. And then you meet other families going through the same thing and it becomes about everyone else.
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“It’s such a rare condition and so many people have never heard of it and this community deserves to have people fighting for them and helping raise funds.”
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
At least three people were killed when a driver lost control and ploughed into spectators at a monster truck event.
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Harrowing footage showed the vehicle bouncing over a line of scrap metal before veering right and hurtling into the crowd.
Screams rang out as it mowed down several spectators who were attempting to scramble out of the way.
The incident happened at a monster truck exhibition in Popayan, Colombia.
The driver is believed to have lost control as the modified vehicle landed from a jump, sending it forward, where it hit a light pole.
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Bystanders rushed to help the injured as emergency crews went to the scene, where a minor was pronounced dead.
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Two others later died in the hospital, and at least 38 people have been injured and taken to hospitals across the city.
The identities of those killed haven’t been revealed yet (Picture: Reuters)
Local media had not reported the identities of those involved at the time of the latest update.
Popayán’s mayor, Juan Carlos Muñoz Bravo, said in a statement: ‘We’re deeply saddened by the accident in the Boulevard Rose area, which has so far left more than 38 people injured and three dead.
‘From the outset as mayor, I’ve made all available resources available to support the victims and their families.
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‘We’re working closely with hospitals, emergency services and the authorities to ensure people receive prompt, compassionate and dignified care at this difficult time.
‘I’ve given clear instructions for a thorough investigation.. This should never have happened, and the facts will be established with full responsibility and transparency.’
The accident prompted a massive rescue effort (Picture: Reuters)
In 2015, a similar incident happened when three people died and 15 more were injured after a monster truck crashed into a crowd of spectators.
Video footage showed the truck breaking through the safety fence just as it was wheeling round and revving its engine in preparation to drive over multiple parked cars.
It took place at a rally in Haaksbergen, a town in the eastern Netherlands.
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Haaksbergen’s mayor, Hans Gerritsen, told local media that one of the fatalities was a child, according to Sky News.
Geerlof Kanis, one of the rally’s organisers, told RTV Oost that the safety fences were placed sufficiently far away from the vehicles to keep the crowd safe.
King Charles is said to be ‘delighted’ over the news
Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank are “very pleased” as Buckingham Palace have announced that the pair are expecting their third child.
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The King is said to be “delighted” over the news that the couple will welcome another child this summer. Their sons August, five, and Ernest, two, are also “very excited” with the announcement of a younger sibling.
Eugenie and Jack married in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in October 2018, and welcomed their first child, August, on February 9 2021. His younger brother Ernest was born on May 30 2023.
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On Monday (May 4), Eugenie shared a photograph of Ernest wearing a Chelsea football kit and August donning a long-sleeved grey t-shirt while holding a picture of a baby scan.
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In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their third child together, due this summer.
“August (aged five) and Ernest (aged two) are also very excited to have another sibling join the family.
“His Majesty The King has been informed and is delighted with the news.”
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The baby will be born 15th in line to the throne, marking them the 15th great-grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II – marking him or her the third to be born since her death in 2022.
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The new arrival will be the fifth grandchild of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, following the birth of Princess Beatrice’s daughter Athena Mapelli Mozzi in January last year.
Mr Brooksbank celebrated his 40th birthday on Sunday, with Eugenie marking the happy occasion of sharing photographs of her husband spending some time relaxing on a beach as she gushed: “happy 40th my love”.
A shooting at a “Sunday Funday” party near Oklahoma City has left at least 12 people in hospital.
Police raced to the scene near Arcadia Lake, a popular spot for camping and water sports, around 9 p.m. after reports shots had been fired.
“This is obviously a very terrifying situation, and we understand the concern from the public and those involved, and we are working extremely hard to find the suspects,” said Emily Ward, a public information officer from the Edmond Police Department said Sunday.
Police have yet to reveal the ages of those attending the Sunday Funday party last night, although Ward described the attendees as “young adults.”
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Police reportedly told Fox 25 that ‘two men in ski masks’ opened fire at a gathering. No suspects have been arrested, and authorities are reviewing footage from Flock license plate reader cameras in order to identify those responsible.
Police raced to a location near Arcadia Lake last night after receiving reports of a shooting at a Sunday Funday party (AP)
“I didn’t see anything, I was in the woods helping a female who said that she got hit,” Armani Kessee, a witness, told News 9.
According to him, the female had been hit by a “stray bullet.”
“We were shining the flashlight on her, trying to check her out,” he said. “It just didn’t work out.”
Kessee added, “It’s very sad to see someone that you know, or that you love just…it’s a very hard thing.”
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At least a dozen people were rushed to nearby hospitals, with Ward describing them as being in “various conditions.”
However, the number of those injured could climb as some victims are understood to have driven themselves to get medical attention.
One victim drove themselves to a nearby OnCue convenience store while seeking help, Fox 25 report.
Police spokesperson Emily Ward described those at the party as ‘young adults’ (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Patients were still being assessed late Sunday night, a hospital system spokesperson told The Associated Press.
Nine patients were taken to Integris Health Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, with three others being taken to Integris Health Edmond Hospital.
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The Edmond Police Department were joined by Oklahoma City Police, the Edmond Fire Department and Oklahoma Highway Patrol at the scene.
Ward told reporters that there was no reason to believe that there was a threat to the public.
Arcadia Lake is located 13 miles north of Oklahoma City and is a hotspot for fishing and boating. The artificial reservoir is located in Edmond, a suburb of Oklahoma City.
The Independent has contacted the Edmond Police Department for comment.
“In football, it is difficult to say that one manager inspires you,” began the 36-year-old Davide. “You take things from different managers.
“Pep Guardiola was cutting edge, a pioneer. You cannot forget Jurgen Klopp in the high pressing, in the triggers. If we speak about superiority, you have to mention Roberto de Zerbi in how to find the third man, the small details that he discovered. I am fascinated by the defensive phase of Diego Simeone, by Unai Emery and, of course, my father.
“My father came from the school of Arrigo Sacchi, the zonal defence, the 4-4-2.
“And all of these ideas have influenced my own identity as a manager. This process of creating my own identity as a manager is always an ongoing one. For some people I am like my father, but in truth, I am not exactly like him. I have a similar character, but I am a different kind of manager.
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“I don’t think a manager has to be one thing or another. There is always a point in the middle. You adapt to the players, and sometimes to the opponent, but you also need clear ideas on what you like as a manager.
“In the end, the team will become what you emphasise and you emphasise the things you like.”
Royal Mail has issued an important notice to households across Wales today. The postal service, which typically delivers letters and parcels to homes and businesses throughout the UK six days a week, has announced a service disruption.
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As of Monday, May 4, Royal Mail has confirmed “no deliveries or collections” will take place today. The suspension of postal services is due to the Early May Bank Holiday.
Royal Mail said: “There will be no deliveries or collections of mail on Monday, 4 May.” The firm operated as normal over the weekend, with its standard service running on Saturday, May 2, while Sunday Parcel deliveries were carried out yesterday.
The company explained: “We deliver and collect your mail on most days of the year, including Saturdays. However, we don’t usually deliver or collect on public or local holidays.”
The postal disruption is for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland today, with regular service resuming from Tuesday, May 5, reports the Mirror.
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Royal Mail has come under fire over delayed deliveries, with its owner facing scrutiny from MPs. Daniel Kretinsky previously said: “Of course I am deeply sorry for any letters that arrive late.”
Appearing before the Commons Business select committee, Mr Kretinsky added: “It is not perfect, but it is not catastrophic.”
Last month, Royal Mail pledged to achieve its letter delivery targets by May 2027 as part of a £500 million transformation plan. Part-time employees will be given the opportunity to increase their working hours to improve service standards.
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The reforms will see Saturday Second Class deliveries scrapped, with postal rounds switching to alternate weekdays — three days one week and two the next.
Royal Mail has stated that the changes, coupled with planned investment, will see First Class Next Day delivery improve to approximately 85% within nine months of the reforms being introduced, before reaching the 90% target set by regulator Ofcom within a year.
The company also pledged to deliver 93% of Second Class letters within three days over a nine-month period, with a commitment to hitting the 95% target by May next year.
Royal Mail was handed a £21 million fine by Ofcom in October for falling short of its targets, having delivered just 77% of First Class post and 92.5% of Second Class post on time in 2024-25.
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From April 1, Ofcom reduced the required delivery targets for First Class post — from 93% to 90% for next-day delivery — and for Second Class post, from 98.5% to 95% for delivery within three days.
Alistair Cochrane, chief executive of Royal Mail, said: “We recognise our service hasn’t always been the standard our customers rightly expect and we’re determined to do better.
“The plan we’ve set out today shows how we’ll make a step change in performance across the UK, backed by £500 million of investment over the next five years.”
John Higgins has endured controversies during his glittering snooker career, including a flare-up with the BBC and a ban from the sport
John Higgins holds a legendary status in snooker history as one of the sport’s all-time icons since turning professional in 1992. With an impressive 33 ranking titles to his name, he sits behind only Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry in the record books.
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The four-time world champion initially entered the top 16 in 1995, maintaining his spot there for over 29 years. Last week he reached the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship but lost to Shaun Murphy in a thrilling 17-15 defeat.
We examine the Scotsman’s lengthy and dramatic career, which includes a six-month suspension and an acrimonious row with the BBC, while also exploring his views on retirement, his net worth, and his family life.
Ban from snooker
In 2010, Higgins encountered a suspension following News of the World allegations that he had consented to deliberately losing specific frames in matches for financial gain. He was eventually exonerated by an independent tribunal, which instead attributed responsibility to his former business partner, Pat Mooney, who received a lifetime ban despite escaping match-fixing charges on a technicality.
While Higgins was cleared of agreeing to accept a bribe and participating in corrupt or fraudulent conduct, he didn’t emerge completely unscathed. The snooker star was deemed guilty of failing to report an illegal approach and intentionally creating the impression that he was prepared to act in breach of betting regulations.
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Consequently, the Scot received a six-month suspension and was fined £75,000, along with additional costs of £10,000. Resolute about returning even “stronger” after his ban, Higgins described the experience as “traumatic” and stated: “It has been made all the more hurtful by the knowledge that I never have, and never would, fix a snooker match.”
Fury with the BBC
Controversy erupted involving Higgins and the BBC after the broadcaster incorrectly identified him as English during a World Snooker Championship encounter in 2022. Throughout a clash with Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, the BBC showed a St George’s Cross next to his name, leaving the passionately proud Scotsman furious.
He raged: “England? Am I allowed to swear? God, they better get that changed pronto. That’s poor isn’t it? That’s really poor from the BBC. Very poor.” The mistake was swiftly corrected the next day, with the Scottish flag displayed during the coverage as Higgins clinched a 10-7 win and advanced to the second round.
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Position on retirement
Higgins, 50, seems to have no plans whatsoever to hang up his cue. After his loss to Kyren Wilson in the 2024 World Snooker Championship, he made clear that walking away from the table wasn’t being considered.
“I’m committing to playing snooker now and I’m committing to trying to get back here,” he explained. “I don’t want that to be my final match at the Crucible, so I’ll still be playing snooker. I think it [retirement] is [a long time away].
“There can be other things happening off the table that can be clouding your decisions, but right now it’s a long way away. The sport will have to retire me before I retire myself, simple as that.”
Impressive net worth
While Higgins may not match the wealth of some of his leading rivals, he still commands a considerable net worth that dwarfs the majority of snooker professionals. Casino.org reported in 2024 that Higgins has amassed approximately £8.8million, positioning him as the eighth-richest player in the sport’s history.
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The website placed him ahead of Mark Williams, who has an estimated net worth of £7.1m, while retired legend Steve Davis leads the rankings with an estimated £26m. Stephen Hendry is close behind with £25.5m, and Ronnie O’Sullivan occupies sixth spot with £11.2m.
Family life
Higgins has been happily married to his wife Denise since 2010, with their relationship beginning when the pair first encountered each other as teenagers at Wishaw High School. Denise predominantly remains away from the spotlight, yet has proved an invaluable source of support throughout Higgins’s career, providing encouragement during times when his passion for the sport has waned.
The couple share three children: sons Pierce and Oliver, and daughter Claudia, who sometimes join their father at snooker competitions, especially during major championships.
Higgins endured the heartbreaking loss of his father to cancer following a six-year struggle in February 2011. He frantically tried to get back from Berlin, where he had been playing in the German Masters, only to learn the tragic news of his father’s death as he stepped onto a flight home to Glasgow.
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He also maintains a close relationship with his in-laws, as demonstrated by his emotional response after his win over O’Connor this week, when he became tearful and needed comforting from presenter Seema Jaswal.
Higgins openly said: “That was the most emotional I have ever been today. I left my wife and I was in tears. Obviously my father-in-law wasn’t great. I was sitting having dinner with my boy last night and I was thinking about sitting here with my dad 25 years ago. I was drained today.
“I had a couple of hours sleep and I came out tonight and felt a lot better and played a lot better. I am still so proud that I am still playing at a good level at this age.”
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This Morning presenter Dermot O’Leary has taken another gastronomic tour of Ireland for his Taste Of Ireland series – and has happened upon what he thinks is one of the greatest towns in the world
With his Taste Of Ireland show now streaming on ITVX, This Morning host Dermot O’Leary has been reminiscing about the family holidays along Ireland’s wild west coast that he enjoyed as a child.
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But he also made some fascinating new discoveries as he drove between the various locations of the show. When it comes to finding the best of a country, Dermot says, the trick is not to rush.
“We have this brilliant producer called Conall, who was our fixer over there,” Dermot told broadcaster Holly Rubenstein on her Travel Diaries podcast. “Conall is amazing, he’s brilliant. It’s always great to have a local fixer.
“But the problem with a local fixer is, they are used to seeing what they’re seeing. So he’d happily drive 70 miles an hour through the most beautiful part of the island. So I kept saying to him, would you just slow down?”
One of the spots that Dermot found, once he had persuaded Conall to take his foot off the gas, was an especially picturesque town in County Antrim.
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Dermot told Holly: “I think my favourite town was a little town called Ballycastle, which is this gorgeous little beach town, almost straight out of New England.
“You know, it’s a real, not clapboard. It was very Irish, but full of lovely independent bakeries and shops.”
He added that Ballycastle, which lies at roughly the midpoint of the Causeway Coastal Route and sits an hour north of Belfast, would be the kind of town that would be great to grow up in.
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Dermot is by no means the first to praise the virtues of the town. Ballycastle has been featured by The Sunday Times on their “Best Places To Live” list, and has been previously crowned the overall regional winner for Northern Ireland.
One of the town’s notable features is a sculpture, sited close to the beach, depicting the legendary Children of Lir.
And Lir is also the name of one of Demot’s all-time favourite restaurant, about half an hour up the road in Coleraine.
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He continues: “They’re sort of nose to tail seafood, which is pretty much my idea of heaven… the dips for the mayo and aioli at the start were like pollock skin or cod skin or something. It’s just like crispy, deep crispy, really salty, really good.”
It’s the quest for great restaurants and local specialities that drives Dermot’s Taste of Ireland, which started its second series on Saturday May 2.
The show’s first episode saw Dermot set off on gastronomic tour of the island of Ireland, beginning at Blackhead Lighthouse in Co Antrim, taking in the sweeping views before taking a tour along the Causeway Coastal Route.
In the Glens of Antrim, he joins a sixth-generation farmer preserving traditional methods on his heritage farm, then continues on to Glenarm Castle, where chef Paula McIntyre fires up the smoker for some world-famous Glenarm beef, paired with a vibrant runner bean salad.
Humber Coastguard says seals like to relax on the beaches in good weather where they are seen by people also enjoying the seaside who think the marine mammals are in trouble and ring 999.
That connects them to the coastguard, the marine emergency service for humans.
“We’ve had a high number of calls recently about seals that turned out to be perfectly fine,” said Michael Niblett from HM Coastguard
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“Seals often come ashore to rest, and approaching them can actually cause them stress or even lead to aggressive behaviour.”
“Please think carefully before calling 999 for the Coastguard about a seal that appears healthy. It can take valuable time away from genuine emergencies.”
Coastguards are not the correct people to ring even if the seal is injured.
“If you do see an injured seal, please contact BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue),” said Mr Niblett.
Wu Yize is sparkling on the biggest stage in snooker (Picture: Getty Images)
Playing Wu Yize is like ‘trying to lasso a stag,’ reckons former Masters champion Alan McManus, as the young star leads Shaun Murphy in the World Snooker Championship final.
The 22-year-old had never won a match at the Crucible before this year but is now just eight frames from becoming world champion as he leads Murphy 10-7 after two sessions.
The attack-minded, free-flowing youngster has been showing off his incredible long-potting ability against the Magician.
He has also displayed great nerve and poise, combining the lot in the final frame of Sunday as he sunk an outrageous long red and cleared up to win a crucial frame from behind.
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The race to 18 is far from over, but former Crucible semi-finalists McManus says Murphy has a ‘big job on his hands’ against the gun-slinger who is proving extremely difficult to contain.
‘The strength of an opponent is making Shaun feel uncomfortable, ‘McManus said on TNT Sports.
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‘Shaun played beautifully to win the final four frames against John [Higgins] last night, but he is playing against someone who…it is like trying to lasso a stag and it just keeps running and you can’t get a hand on it. That’s what it feels like.
Wu is proving very popular with the crowd in Sheffield (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Wu Yize is playing his way, his game, his type of snooker, and Shaun is having no effect on him. Shaun has got a big job on his hands tomorrow.’
The Scot, who was more known for his granite matchplay than his free-wheeling attacking intent, added: ‘It must be a brilliant feeling to feel that free.
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‘Free and easy, fast and loose, and not worry about anything. The other guy knows it as well, and that is difficult to play against.
‘The pressure will bite more tomorrow, but he is in a terrific position.’
Shaun Murphy needs a strong finish to keep up with Wu (Picture: Getty Images)
Stephen Hendry is loving what he has seen from Wu, with the youngster playing a brand of snooker which the Scot revels in.
‘What a player. He’s just brilliant. He plays the game properly and goes for the shots,’ said the seven-time world champion.
‘He’s obviously at a stage of his career when he’s not had many scars and he’s not thinking about the consequences of missing. He’s just having fun.
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‘The important thing is when he’s playing shots, he’s fully committing to them. There are no thoughts of bailing out at any stage.’
He added: ‘He’s having fun out there and that’s the worst kind of opponent you can have, someone who looks as though they’re enjoying themself.’
Murphy will not be surprised by what he is seeing from the Chinese sensation, having been on the wrong end of a 6-2 result against Wu at the Masters in January.
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‘He’s sensational, isn’t he?’ Murphy said ahead of the match. ‘He battered me at the Masters. He is a wonderful, wonderful player, an absolute star.’
On how he was going to approach the game, the Englishman said: ‘I’ve got no idea really. I think in the words of the late, great John Virgo, I think I have to pot as many balls as I can.’
The players return at 1pm on Monday for the third of their four sessions at the Crucible.
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