CRIMINAL prosecutions for failing to pay the BBC licence fee could be scrapped by Labour.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is understood to be “concerned” by the disproportionate number of women being punished.

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And there is agreement between Ms Nandy and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood that taxpayers should not have to fork out for the “administrative burden”.

Almost 1,000 Brits are prosecuted every week for ignoring the £169.50 annual fee.

Seventy per cent are women.

They are more likely to be poorly paid, coping with single families or taking charge of household bills — and also more likely to be at home when investigators call.

But last night an insider said prosecutions will continue until at least 2027, when the BBC’s Royal Charter is due for renewal.

Ministers will then meet Beeb bosses to “explore options” for new funding models.

These are set to include decriminalisation.

Last year half a million people stopped paying as they opted for US-based subscription services instead.

At the same time former Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer branded criminal prosecutions “morally indefensible in modern times”.

A TV Licensing spokesman said: “We have a duty to enforce the law.

“But we have made considerable efforts to help people get licensed and offer help and support.

“Our focus on collecting the licence fee fairly and efficiently.”

A MUNDANE ceramic mug left inside a loft for 20 years has been sold at an auction for a whopping £13,500 because of one unique detail.

The 87-year-old souvenir cup was designed by British artist Eric Ravilious for Wedgwood to mark the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937.

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It is said to be a rare example because of its unique yellow and green detailing which had sat undisturbed in a box in the vendor’s loft since the late 1990s.

Adapted from a previous version intended to mark King Edward VIII taking the throne before his abdication, the design features celebratory fireworks and the royal coat of arms.

The mug was given an estimate of £800 when it went under the hammer at Gildings Auctioneers in Market Harborough, Leics earlier this week.

But it smashed its estimate and sold to a private buyer for £13,500 – more than 16 times its guide price.

Gildings director Will Gilding said: “We’re thrilled to achieve this astonishing result for this very special mug which although highly collectable, is still intrinsically just a mundane household item.

“We were unable to find any other examples of this particular colourway, which also has a slightly differently shaped rim to the other mugs in the sale, so this one may well be unique.

“As a result, we knew it had the potential to soar far beyond its guide price.

“But for the hammer to go down at £13,500 is truly remarkable and just goes to show the magic that can happen when two determined collectors identify a must-have treasure.”

The cup was from a collection of five of Ravilious’s 1937 Wedgwood coronation mugs – and was kept inside an attic for 20 years.

Three of the mugs in more commonly seen but still sought-after turquoise, blue and pink-based colourways sold for £270, £360 and £2,700 respectively.

Another blue version made for the planned coronation of Edward VIII fetched £480.

Born in 1903, Eric Ravilious was a highly regarded Sussex-based painter, designer, book illustrator and wood engraver.

He is best known for his modernist watercolour interpretations of English landscapes and World War II scenes, some of which are displayed in the Imperial War Museum in London.

In December 1939 Ravilious became an official World War Two war artist with the rank of Honorary Captain in the Royal Marines.

On September 2, 1942, he joined one of three aircraft dispatched on a search and rescue mission for a plane that had failed to return to RAF Kaldadarnes in Iceland.

The aircraft he boarded also failed to return, and he and the four-man crew were recorded as lost in action four days later, making him the first of three British war artists to die in active service during World War Two.

Will added: “This vanishingly rare example of a striking design by a renowned artist who suffered a tragic wartime death was sold in very good condition given its age and ceramic nature.

“Such is the power of its scarcity, and the demand for works by Ravilious, this high quality but relatively inexpensive souvenir has taken on a previously unimagined value several decades later.

“When I brought the gavel down, I think everyone in the room felt like we needed a cup of tea to calm us all down – not least the buyer – but in a slightly more affordable mug.”

THERE is a chill in the air and before you know it you will be reaching for a winter coat.

But instead of splurging at the shops for something new, take a look at these creative ideas to breathe new life into your trusty old jacket.

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STEAMY SOLUTION: One way to freshen up your coat at home is to use steam.

Hang your coat in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam should release any creases and revive the fabric, hopefully giving it that just-bought appearance.

If you have a handheld steamer, a quick pass over your coat can make it look polished.

BOBBLE BUSTER: Those pesky fabric bobbles can make even the nicest coat look worn out.

But instead of buying an expensive bobble remover, grab an old razor and gently shave the surface of your coat.

This trick works particularly well on wool and knit fabrics.

BUTTON UP: If your coat’s buttons are looking dirty, mix vinegar with water, then scrub them with an old toothbrush. If the buttons are beyond cleaning, replace them.

You can often find inexpensive buttons at charity shops or thrift stores.

PIT STOP: Worried about sweaty armpit stains on your coat? A simple mixture of lemon juice and baking soda can work wonders.

Test a little on a hidden area of fabric first and check it after five minutes.

If OK, then spray the mixture on the underarm areas of your coat, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe it clean with a damp cloth.

The natural cleaning properties of lemon and baking soda should lift stubborn sweat stains.

SOCK SAVER: If your padded coat has lost some of its puff, there’s an easy fix. Restuff it with old socks to give it back some volume.

For an extra update, try adding a new belt to adjust the fit slightly. Small alterations can make a big difference to your coat.

• All prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

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WHILE it may be tempting to bring one seemingly common item back to the UK from your holidays, it could land you in serious trouble.

Conch shells are large, pinkish, spiral-shaped shells – and packing them in your luggage could get stopped in UK and international airports.

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The shells are famous for making a noise similar to the ocean when you put your ear to them – and can be found in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Florida and the US Virgin Islands.

The conch themselves are similar in taste to clams and often sold in markets and shops for tourists and locals to enjoy.

However, many people may be unaware that conch are in fact an endangered species.

As a result, you would need a permit to import a conch shell into the UK – or risk being stopped at customs.

There are further regulations abroad to stop conch – and their shells – being removed from their country of origin.

In Florida, for example, it is illegal to possess a conch shell with a living conch inside.

It is also illegal to possess one if it has an off-centre hole larger than a sixteenth of an inch in diameter through its spire – as this indicates a conch has been killed, mutilated or removed from its shell.

Failure to comply with these rules could result in jail time.

In the Caribbean, a permit is required to export any conch shell – even if it is part of a souvenir such as an item of jewellery.

In December 2021, Caribbean authorities seized five conch shells from a pair of travellers – among 500 other illegally exported items.

Conch are endangered because they have been overfished for many years, due to their status as a delicacy.

Many conch are also harvested while they are still too young to have reproduced.

The animal is now protected under an international treaty called CITES – the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

This protects endangered species against over-exploitation by regulating international trade.

2002 Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland – £60

In 2002, four different designs of this £2 coin were created to commemorate the Commonwealth games, but the Irish version is the rarest with only 485,500 minted.

We’ve seen this coin listed for as much as £60 on eBay in May with one bid.

There’s more money on the line if you’ve got the complete set though.

One seller proved this right when all four coins went for a whopping £100.

2002 Commonwealth Games England – £35

Another in the 2002 Commonwealth series, the English version is one of the rarest coins in circulation.

Some 650,500 were minted at the time, making the coin rare enough for eBay bidders to happily pay as much as £35 for it.

The edge of this coin also has the inscription “Spirit of Friendship, Manchester 2002″, which adds appeal to collectors too.

One recently went on the market on eBay for £27 with one bid.

2002 Commonwealth Games Wales – £27

With only 588,500 put into circulation, the 2002 Commonwealth Games Wales £2 coin celebrates Wales’ achievements in the event.

The piece features a figure in motion holding a banner, encircling the Welsh flag.

It is the fourth rarest in the Commonwealth set and the fourth rarest in the overall list.

We’ve seen one sell on eBay for £26.97 in May this year with 10 bids.

London 2012 Handover – £35

At the end of each Olympic Games, the next host city of the Games is celebrated with a flag handover ceremony.

In 2012 we gave the flag to Rio to take on the next tournament.

That event was immortalised on the design of a £2 coin, with just 845,000 released into circulation.

We saw one sell for £35 on eBay this month after 10 bids.

Olympic centenary – £37.95

Carrying on the sporting theme, the Olympic centenary £2 marked 100 years of the modern games in 2008.

There are 910,000 in circulation so finding one isn’t such a tough ask.

We’ve seen one version sell on eBay for £37.95 in February.

2002 Commonwealth Games Scotland – £24.97

Out of all of the valuable Commonwealth coins, Scotland’s is the sixth rarest out of all rare £2 coins.

It has a mintage of 771,750 – some 286,250 more than were released in the Irish version.

It features pretty much the same design as the other coins in the series but the Scottish flag is on the design instead.

Bidders on eBay have still paid higher than face value, we’ve seen one version sell on eBay for £24.97 in May.

Olympic handover – £9.99

Still in the top ten is the Olympic Handover coin.

This £2 details Beijing in 2008 handing over the Olympics to London in 2012, and shows the Olympic flag and two hands shaking.

One sold for precisely £9.99 in May on eBay with one bid.

There are 918,000 of these in circulation.

King James Bible – £23.95

Next on the list is a coin showing the King James Bible.

One was for £23.95 in May on eBay with one bid.

According to Change Checker, there are 975,000 in circulation.

Mary Rose – £19.50

A circulated £2 showing the famous Mary Rose ship sold on eBay for £19.50.

There are just over one million in circulation, and it lands ninth on Change Checker’s scarcity index.

2015 First World War (Navy) – £10.50

There were also 650,000 of the First World War Navy £2 coins minted in 2015.

The coin features a battleship design by military artist David Rowlands and the 5th portrait of the Queen.

It’s also the second in a five-coin series remembering the First World War and celebrates the efforts of the Royal Navy and their contribution to the war effort.

One sold on eBay in May for £10.50 with two bids.

Great Fire of London – £14.95

The Great Fire of London £2 coin was first put into circulation in 2016 to mark the 350th anniversary of the historic event.

The reverse side of the piece was designed by Aaron West, depicting the city of London burning.

The coin wasn’t always considered so rare, but it has since transpired its mintage figure was incorrectly published.

A recent auction on eBay saw the piece go for £14.95 with one bid.

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

The victory of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) in Austria’s parliamentary election on Sunday, according to projections, is another landmark moment in the seemingly relentless march of nationalist, anti-immigrant pro-Russian forces across the EU.

It would be the FPÖ’s first ever triumph in a national poll, and caps a year of illiberal gains across the continent, which started with the win of Robert Fico, a eurosceptic, in Slovakia last September, then of Dutch anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders two months later.

This summer France’s Rassemblement National came first in European parliament elections and notched up its highest ever tally in the snap ballot for the National Assembly in July.

In September, Alternative for Germany (AfD) topped the poll in the eastern state of Thuringia, the first win for the far-right in a regional election since the second world war.

The trend is likely to continue in 2025. Czech nationalist Andrej Babiš, whose ANO party is aligned with the FPÖ, is looking to exploit the disarray of the governing coalition in Prague in national elections.

The RN is likely to be the big beneficiary if, as many people suspect, French voters return to the polls next year. And the AfD will attempt to convert its regional successes into national gains in federal elections next autumn.

The advances of far-right and populist forces have tilted the balance of European politics and policymaking to the right on immigration and the green transition, whether at the EU level or in national capitals.

If the FPÖ were to take power in Vienna, albeit in a coalition, it would create another EU government whose support for Ukraine against Russian aggression cannot be fully relied upon.

If Babis also prevailed, it could mean an illiberal alliance spanning the four central European countries that once belonged to the Austro-Hungarian empire. This time its power centre would be Budapest, where Hungarian premier Viktor Orbán has built an autocratic alternative to the liberal democratic pro-EU mainstream.

The FPÖ’s vote share of 29 per cent, according to projections, is a personal triumph for party leader Herbert Kickl.

He has engineered a remarkable comeback for a party that crashed out of government in a corruption scandal in 2019 when its then leader and Austria’s vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache was caught in a bribery scandal offering favours in return for illicit party donations to a woman purporting to be the niece of a Russian oligarch.

Kickl’s victory is also part of a worrying sub-trend to the rise of the far-right and populist right in Europe.

As Wilders in the Netherlands and the AfD in eastern Germany have shown, to win elections, it is no longer necessary to detoxify your brand or moderate your positions, as Giorgia Meloni and, to a lesser extent, Marine Le Pen, have done in Italy and France respectively.

Kickl may not be aligned with the most extreme elements of his party, but he is happy for it to associate with, and borrow ideas from the identitarian movement, including “remigration”: the deportation of people of immigrant origin, including Austrian citizens, to their countries of heritage to create a more “homogenous” society.

He rails against “climate communism” and propagates the wildest conspiracy theories, particularly about Covid. He has found a receptive audience among Austrians who seethed about the country’s tough pandemic rules and remain angry with its political class.

The FPÖ, which was founded by former Nazis in the 1950s, has long been a fixture of Austrian politics and has previously served three times in government. It was normalised long before Europe’s other far-right parties.

One theory is that Austria, by presenting itself as the first foreign victim of National Socialism, lacks the same culture of remembrance and therefore resistance to the far-right as Germany.

Another is that Austrians are simply fed up with the failures of a mainstream establishment that has monopolised power and its spoils since the second world war.

The centre-right, which had dominated Austria’s politics for 80 years but is projected to slip to second place in the election on 26 per cent, will not want to play a junior role in coalition with the FPÖ and has ruled out joining a government that includes Kickl.

It will probably now try to form a government with the social democrats and liberals. Kickl will seek to exploit this as an establishment stitch up.

Still, Austria provides the counterargument to those who say the best antidote to populists is to include them in government, forcing them to share responsibility for it and the compromises it entails. The FPÖ bounced back from its last stint in power. It is now more popular, and more radical.

ben.hall@ft.com