Industry

Vandals damage 1980s train in 'mindless attack'

by Lily
written by Lily

Vandals have caused up to £30,000 in damage to a "beloved" train, a heritage railway in Kent has said.

The Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells said the "mindless attack" on its Class 207 DEMU 1317 happened on Sunday.

General manager Jonnie Pay told the BBC fixing the historic train, which will need completely stripping and repainting, was something volunteers at the railway "really didn't need to do".

"It is very demoralising," he said, adding that they had preserved the train in 2004 after it went out of service in 1985.

Spa Valley Railway
Kent Police said it would visit the site on Wednesday as part of an investigation

Mr Pay said the train was "only one of this type left" and had a "huge historic connection" to the town.

The Spa Valley Railway operates steam and heritage diesel trains between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge, with stops at High Rocks and Groombridge.

It hosts various days out and educational events. which Mr Pay warned could be cancelled now the train was being repaired.

He said the vandalism was a "sheer disappointment".

"We've not only put thousands of volunteer hours, but thousands of pounds into restoring that train."

Kent Police confirmed the vandalism had been reported.

It said it would visit the site on Wednesday as part of an investigation.

No arrests have been made, it added.

Global Trade

Ban on disposable vapes welcomed by NHS body

by Leo
written by Leo

The ban on the sale of single-use disposable vapes has been welcomed by a health body.

The ban is aimed at protecting children's health and the environment and it means shops and supermarkets will no longer be able to stock them.

Claire Parker, director of strategy and development at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: "It's a really good opportunity to raise the discussion about vaping and smoking and quitting."

She said she would urge the government to go further though, and "think about more restrictions around things like flavours".

Disposable vapes have been cited as a key driver in the rise in youth vaping and Ms Parker said her colleagues in Shropshire "regularly see an increase in children and young people vaping".

"Many children try it once or twice and don't stick with it, but many children do," she said.

The impact of the disposable vape ban

The flavours of vapes were a concern to her, because she said they were "often marketed to target younger people".

The ban on disposable vapes will not affect rechargeable or refillable devices, so she added she did not expect it to affect people moving to vapes as a means of quitting cigarettes.

Ms Parker said the health service would continue trying to move tobacco smokers on to vapes, because they do not produce carbon monoxide or tar.

But she said it was still unclear what the full effects of vaping were, so encouraged people not to start vaping if they did not already smoke.

Retailers in England breaching the ban face a £200 fine for the first offence with potentially unlimited fines or jail for those who repeatedly re-offend.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have introduced their own bans, timed to coincide with England's ban.

Economy

Four men charged with woman's 2022 shooting murder

by James
written by James

Four men have been charged with murdering a woman who was shot to death in her own home two and a half years ago.

Jacqueline Rutter, 53, was shot in the chest on Meadowbrook Road, Moreton, Wirral, on 30 October 2022.

Simon Allen, 54, James Byrne, 23, Barrie Glynn, 46, and David Harrison, 58, are due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with her murder.

They are also charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

A fifth person – Anna McGinn, 25, of Birkenhead – has been charged with assisting an offender.

Merseyside Police warned the public that criminal proceedings against all five were now active so it was "extremely important" there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice proceedings.

Detectives urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.

The charges in full:

  • Simon Allen, 54, of no fixed abode, is charged with murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life or enable another to do so
  • James Byrne, 23, of no fixed abode, is charged with murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life or enable another to do so
  • Barrie Glynn, 46, of Westway in Heswall, is charged with murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life or enable another to do so
  • David Harrison, 58, of Old Meadow Road in Pensby, is charged with murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life or enable another to do so
  • Anna McGinn, 25, of Frankby Stiles, in Birkenhead is charged with two counts of assisting an offender
Business

'I finished last in the 2024 London Marathon. I can't do any worse this year'

by Stephanie
written by Stephanie

"I can't do any worse than last year."

These are the words of the man who finished last in the 2024 London Marathon and hopes to avoid the same fate this year – despite not being able to train.

Fred Tomlinson, from Doncaster, made headlines when he crossed the line in 13 hours and 23 minutes, finishing after midnight.

The 76-year-old will take on his 33rd consecutive London Marathon on 27 April to raise money for the Rainbow Trust Children's Charity in memory of his daughter Claire, who died just before her 15th birthday.

Discussing his race strategy, Mr Tomlinson said he planned to "just put my head down", adding: "I can't do any worse than last year."

The former police officer said his marathon preparations had been hampered by knee replacement surgery in November.

With one week to go, his training had so far consisted of "just walking up and down" but he hoped any pain on the day would be temporary.

"When you are in the hospital ward and there's children dying it hits home – it still does now," said Mr Tomlinson.

"What you do is over and done with in a few hours, they just carry on and can't have a day off."

Fred Tomlinson crosses the alternative finish line in 2024 with support from a team of tailwalkers

The repeat marathon runner has raised thousands for the Rainbow Trust, which supports families that have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness.

His main goal remains fundraising for the organisation but he also hopes to finish this year's event in under eight hours – and avoid the alternative finish line for slower runners.

"Helping the families and the children, that's my motivation," said the grandfather of six.

"I'll be doing it until [the Rainbow Trust] get fed up of me."

The charity's chief executive Zillah Bingley said Mr Tomlinson's dedication was "truly remarkable".

"[It] reflects his deep, personal understanding of the challenges families face when a child is seriously ill," she said.

Mr Tomlinson has run the London marathon in a variety of fancy dress outfits over the last 32 years, cheered on by his wife, Vanessa.

"It's a brilliant event and it seems to get better every year," said Mr Tomlinson. "The crowds are phenomenal."

He said he planned to take a bath after crossing the finish line, adding: "I might get a breakfast because it will be breakfast by the time I have done."

South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

Global Trade

Céline Dion sends message to Eurovision as favourites Sweden qualify

by Austin
written by Austin

Céline Dion made a rare appearance during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest with a brief, pre-recorded message.

The star won the contest for Switzerland in 1988, and it had been rumoured she would take the stage as the ceremony returns to the country this year.

"I'd love nothing more than to be with you," she said in a video, apparently ruling out that possibility. "Switzerland will forever hold a special place in my heart. It's the country that believed in me and gave me the chance to be part of something so extraordinary."

The semi-final saw 10 acts qualify for Saturday's grand finale, including Swedish entrants KAJ, whose song Bara Bada Bastu is the runaway favourite.

Sarah Louise Bennett
KAJ – whose name is an acronym for their first names, Kevin, Axel and Jakob – are favourites to win the 2025 contest

Their song, an accordion-led comedy number whose title translates to "let's take a sauna", has a 40% chance of winning, according to bookmakers.

If the prediction comes true, it would be Sweden's eighth Eurovision title – making them the most victorious country in the contest's history (they are currently tied with Ireland, on seven wins each).

Fifteen acts performed at Tuesday's semi-final in Basel's St Jakobshalle. These are the ones who made the cut.

  • Norway: Kyle Alessandro – Lighter
  • Albania: Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm
  • Sweden: KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu
  • Iceland: VÆB – RÓA
  • Netherlands: Claude – C'est La Vie
  • Poland: Justyna Steczkowska – GAJA
  • San Marino: Gabry Ponte – Tutta L'Italia
  • Estonia: Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato
  • Portugal: NAPA – Deslocado
  • Ukraine: Ziferblat – Bird of Pray

That means that the Eurovision dreams of Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia and Slovenia have all ended for 2025.

Of those, the biggest surprise was Belgium's Red Sebastian, whose rave anthem Strobe Lights had been predicted to finish among the top five.

His disqualification came on the day of his 26th birthday.

Ten more acts will progress to the main competition after Thursday's second semi-final.

The "Big Five" countries, who contribute the most financially to the competition (France, Germany, Spain, the UK and Italy) qualify automatically, as do last year's winners, Switzerland.

Global Trade

Cycling in City of London rises by more than 50%

by Jennifer
written by Jennifer

Cycling in the City of London has increased by more than 50% in the past two years, according to official counts.

October 2024 saw a record 139,000 people cycling a day across 30 locations – up from 89,000 in 2022.

The City of London Corporation said the more than 50% increase was the largest jump since recording started in 1999.

London's walking and cycling commissioner, Will Norman, said he was excited about the increase of cycling in the Square Mile.

'Air quality improving'

According to the corporation, people cycling now make up 56% of all traffic in the peak commuting hours.

And dockless bicycles now account for one in six bikes on City streets.

The changes in traffic mean the City of London Corporation has hit three key targets six years ahead of schedule.

Since 2017 cycling has increased by 70% – the target was 50% by 2030.

Over the same timeframe motor traffic has reduced by 34% – the target was 25% by 2030. And freight traffic is also down 21% – the target was 15% by 2030.

Chairman of the planning and transportation committee at the corporation, Shravan Joshi, said air quality was improving.

"When we first published our strategy in 2019, 15 locations across the City exceeded our air quality objective for toxic nitrogen dioxide," he said. "Last year this figure was down to two."

Innovation

Council spends £4.56m on agency workers

by Amelia
written by Amelia

A council has spent £4.56m on 66 agency workers in the 2024/25 financial year with many needed to work in social care.

The figures were shared at a Wiltshire Council committee and were lower than the previous financial year, with a high of £8m in 2018/19 according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Wiltshire Council said they spent less compared to similar local authorities and without the agency workers there would be impacts on service users and the wider Wiltshire community.

The council has just approved a new three-year contract for agency workers too, with the option to extend for a further 12 months, at an estimated cost of £20m over four years.

The £4.65m equates to around £75,000 per agency worker, which would be well above the average council pay of £35,000.

However, the council said when it comes to agency hiring "a simple average does not accurately reflect the true cost of these roles."

Innovation

'We have more in common with America than the rest of Canada'

by Charles
written by Charles

Even those within the separatist movement have different ideas on how best to achieve their goals.

Lorna Guitton, a born-and-bred Albertan and a volunteer with the Alberta Prosperity Project, told the BBC in Lethbridge that her aim was for the province to have a better relationship with the rest of Canada.

She described the current union as "broken", and believes a referendum, or the threat of it, will give Albertans "leverage" in future negotiations with Ottawa.

But Ms Guitton also dismissed any notion of it becoming a 51st US state.

"They've got enough of their own problems. Why would I want to be part of that?" she said. "I would rather be my own independent, sovereign province, or a province with a better deal in Canada."

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At his ranch outside of Calgary in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Mr Rath has a different view.

As he tended to his race horses, he spoke of the political and social attitudes of free enterprise and small government that are shared by Albertans and many Americans.

"From that perspective, I would see Alberta as being a good fit within the United States," he said.

He is currently putting together a "fact-finding" delegation to travel to Washington DC and bring the movement directly to the Trump administration.

Many voters in Alberta, however, dismiss the notion of independence altogether, even if they agree that the province has been overlooked.

Steve Lachlan from Lethbridge agrees the West lacks representation in Ottawa but said: "We already have separation, and we need to come together."

And the Liberals are not entirely shut out from the province. Polls suggest that Alberta may send more Liberal MPs to Ottawa than in 2021, partly due to changing demographics that led to the creation of new ridings in urban Edmonton and Calgary.

James Forrester, who lives in the battleground Calgary Centre district, told the BBC he had traditionally voted Conservative but has leaned left in recent years. This time, he will vote Liberal because of the "Carney factor".

"I feel he's the best guy to deal with Trump," he said. As for the separation sentiment: "I'm not worried about it."

Economy

Council calls for asylum seekers' housing support

by Jose
written by Jose

A west London council is calling for more government funding to support asylum seekers, as it struggles to accommodate more than double the national threshold.

Hillingdon has a much higher number than average partly because of the large number of hotels near Heathrow Airport.

Once asylum seekers are evicted from this accommodation by the Home Office, the responsibility for them passes to the local council.

The Home Office has said it "remains committed to working closely with local authorities to work towards a fair and equitable spread of accommodation".

Work is taking place in a block in Hillingdon to provide temporary accommodation

The borough said it was proud of its work in providing sanctuary, but it needed more money for asylum seekers.

Councillors have estimated a funding shortfall of approximately £5m over the past financial year, leaving residents to foot the bill.

Steve Tuckwell, cabinet member for planning, housing and growth, showed BBC London a newly refurbished temporary accommodation block in the borough.

He said the numbers of people it needed to house was "a huge burden and comes at a cost to the Hillingdon tax payer".

Steve Tuckwell, Hillingdon Council's cabinet member for Planning, Housing and Growth
Susanne Carter-Penrose is head of housing needs at Hillingdon Council

Some asylum seekers are deemed ineligible for housing support after leaving hotel accommodation – and as a result the council said there had been "a significant increase" in rough sleeping.

The number of referrals to Street Link has grown, with "tented communities" that have sprung up at several locations, including under bridges.

Susanne Carter-Penrose, Hillingdon Council's head of housing needs, said: "Our rough sleeping numbers are increasing because they're impacted upon by the Home Office's evictions from hotels."

She added: "We can't help everybody…and [some] end up rough sleeping, unfortunately."

Joe Devine from the homeless charity Thames Reach

Not far from the newly-repurposed temporary accommodation block, BBC London met Joe Devine from Thames Reach, a London-based charity which helps those experiencing homelessness.

He and his colleagues were doing outreach work at a park in Hillingdon, where an encampment of asylum seekers were living in tents.

He said they come out to engage with people who are sleeping rough, and try to help them into temporary – or other appropriate – accommodation.

He added: "We can then work to address whatever support needs they might have."

London Councils, the body representing London's boroughs, said asylum accommodation pressures "are felt by boroughs across the capital and are especially acute in port authorities like Hillingdon".

The group said it welcomed the government's recent announcement of asylum grant funding for boroughs this financial year.

The payment will see each local authority accommodating asylum seekers on 30 March 2025 receive a £1,200 payment per asylum seeker in all accommodation types.

An encampment of tents in a Hillingdon park where asylum seekers are living

However, London Councils has said more funding is needed – especially considering high housing costs in the capital.

The group added it "hoped to work with the government" to develop a multi-year funding package for asylum and resettlement.

Any solution would have to "take account of London's rising homelessness pressures… in the context of extreme pressures facing London boroughs' finances".

It said it estimated a funding shortfall "of at least £500m this year, across all services".

A Home Office spokesperson said: "This government inherited a broken asylum system, with tens of thousands stuck in a backlog and claims not being processed, wasting millions in taxpayer money.

"We are immediately speeding up decisions and increasing returns so we can end the use of hotels and save the taxpayer £4bn by 2026."

Industry

Bat hurdle for man seeking to demolish 'flood' home

by Kimberly
written by Kimberly

A man is seeking permission to demolish his own cottage in Wellington, near Hereford, because repeated flooding has made it a liability.

However, a Herefordshire Council ecology officer has opposed the bid to take down the former stable near the village's brook.

In his application, homeowner Nick Jones said he had spent 10 years maintaining and repairing his home, including installing flood defences, but Vinery Cottage in Mill Lane was uninsurable, uninhabitable and could not be rented.

Ecology officer James Bisset said the building offered potential features for bat roosting which "has previously been recorded in the locality".

Storm damage costs

Papers said Mr Jones was not able to insure the building or contents, and maintenance and repair costs after successive floods exceeded any realistic rental value.

He said: "I spent 10 years converting it at considerable cost. Then we had the storm damage, which has cost me about £40,000 each time to repair."

He fitted flood gates and reinforced walls after Storm Dennis in 2020, but they weren't enough to keep out two floods last winter, Mr Jones said, adding: "If someone can think of another option I'd jump at it."

The building is not listed and has no adjacent properties or trees that would be affected, the application said.

The closest building is the Vinery, also owned by Mr Jones.

Comments on the plans can be made until 13 June.