7 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Labour’s tax hit on family firms could wipe out 125k jobs – the population of Blackburn – Kemi warns
LABOUR’S tax grab on family firms risks wiping out 125,000 jobs — equivalent to Blackburn’s population, Kemi Badenoch has warned.
The Tory leader said Rachel Reeves’ “tractor tax” does not just threaten farms but tens of thousands of family businesses.
She cited research that the changes may drain £9.4billion from the economy within three years and lead to a net loss of £1.25billion for the Treasury, with 125,000 job losses.
Ms Badenoch took aim at Labour’s plans to scrap 100 per cent Business Property Relief on assets over £1million.
Family businesses and farms will face hefty inheritance taxbills when passed down.
At the Business Property Relief summit yesterday, Ms Badenoch said: “It’s no good grabbing money you see if you damage the business underneath, it will not create more growth, more profit, more taxes for the next year.”
The Tory leader pointed to research by CBI Economics which shows Labour’s changes could wipe out 125,000 jobs.
She added: “That figure is equivalent to the entire population of Blackburn. That’s a lot of people. Where are they going to go afterwards?”
It came as the Builders Merchants Federation signed an open letter to the Chancellor, warning against the changes.
Yesterday S&P Global’s composite purchasing managers’ index showed that UK growth stalled — at a reading of 50.5.
Employment slumped in December at the fastest rate since the 2009 financial crisis — excluding the pandemic — as firms reacted to a rise in staffing costs after the Budget.
Chris Williamson, at S&P Global, said the cuts were coming on the back of a “triple whammy of gloomy news”.
A Treasury spokesman said: “We had to make difficult choices to fix the foundations of the country.”
PALabour’s tax grab on family firms risks wiping out 125,000 jobs, Kemi Badenoch has warned[/caption]
7 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Darts ace Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler, 17, to get his own waxwork at Madame Tussauds after phenomenal year
DARTS star Luke “The Nuke” Littler is to get his own waxwork at Madame Tussauds.
The 17-year-old was approached earlier this year and his figure is set to go on display in 2025.
GettyLuke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is to get his own waxwork at Madame Tussauds[/caption]
RexThe darts star was approached earlier this year and his figure is set to go on display in 2025[/caption]
A source said: “Talks are underway with Luke’s team and Madame Tussauds are thrilled that he’s keen to join their ranks.
“In the past year, he won over the nation and they want to celebrate that — and his promising future.
“They’ll launch his figure exclusively at Blackpool’s attraction before bringing it to London.
“He has been joking he doesn’t want his model to look rubbish like some of the dodgy rip-offs, but Madame Tussauds have assured him they will do him justice.”
7 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on I tested the best Christmas liqueurs – the winner cost less than £20 and comes with its own gift box
WHEN it comes to festive tipples this December, there’s a whole host of Christmas liqueurs on offer in supermarkets aimed squarely at the seasonal drinker.
Here expert Helena Nicklin rates this year’s once-a-year splurges out of five.
Helena Nicklin rates this year’s Christmas liqueurs out of fiveOliver Dixon
M&S Mince Pie liqueur, 70cl, £18 on offer, M&S/Ocado – 3/5
JUST in case you haven’t had your fill of mince pies yet, you can now enjoy all the flavours of this treat in booze form, too.
When it comes to spreading joy on the tipples front, M&S usually has it nailed, and this offering is particularly fun, as the bottle lights up when you touch it.
PAM&S Mince Pie liqueur is subtle and sweet so glug it chilled[/caption]
The liqueur has an authentic flavour, and you can taste the spice and aromatic fruit.
It’s subtle and sweet so glug it chilled, along with scoffing its tasty namesake.
ON the nose, this gin-based tipple is an aromatic delight, with classic spiced notes of cinnamon, clove and juniper.
In the glass, however, it doesn’t quite live up to the promise.
The Best mulled gin is an excellent cocktail ingredient and makes an epic Christmas Corpse Reviver cocktail
When you sip this spirit, it jars a little and there is not much about it that is recognisably gin-like, so it will certainly be different with your tonic mixer.
Having said that, it’s an excellent cocktail ingredient and makes an epic Christmas Corpse Reviver cocktail.
SOME gin liqueurs get the balance just right and others, I’m afraid, get it all wrong.
As a huge fan of gin with rhubarb, I wanted to love this drink –especially given its price, but the flavours in this own-brand Asda tipple feel too fake, sweet and syrupy.
The Distiller Rhubarb & Ginger flavoured gin liqueur scored 2 out of 5
It’s not too bad mixed into a cocktail, but you need other things to balance it, so getting it just right might require other ingredients.
Not quite up to the Distiller’s normal decent standard.
WITH its snazzy gift box, this glittery clementine liqueur has had a fairy lights-style upgrade, which makes it the perfect bottle to take to a party or pop under the tree.
It tastes good, too.
M&S Clementine gin liqueur snow globe scored full marks
Less overpowering than some citrus flavours can be, the festive drink has some seriously moreish, tangy flavours.
Definitely one for a cheeky post-dinner tipple with pals, and it’s fabulous in cocktails.
Gets extra points for being innovative and fun too.
A FESTIVE treat from royal grocer Fortnum & Mason, this is a real splurge for a festive tipple, but worth it for a really special gift or a luxury treat for yourself.
Made by posh gin liqueur makers Reverend Hubert, a sip of this tastes smooth, rich and oh-so-moreish.
Toasted Panettone & Saffron liqueur would get full marks if it wasn’t so expensive
It’s like a boozy, lightly toasted slice of sweet panettone with melted butter, raisins and even subtle saffron.
Would get full marks if it wasn’t so expensive, but the taste does justify the steep price tag.
Christmas Snow Globe mince pie liqueur, 70cl, £12 on offer, Threshers – 2/5
WHILE drinks with edible glitter don’t scream “health conscious” they can be quite fun – especially for a Crimbo party.
The fruity, cinnamon-scented number comes in a blue-tinged bottle and has a really cosy cocktail vibe.
SuppliedChristmas Snow Globe mince pie liqueur would go down great at a Christmas party.[/caption]
It’s good value for money, though the taste is quite synthetic and doesn’t have much finesse.
It’ll work fine in warm cocktails with apple juice and brandy, however, and would go down great at a Christmas party.
7 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on I’m plagued by agonising mouth ulcers all the time – I can’t eat and they’re taking their toll mentally
WITH Christmas around the corner, don’t let a nasty bug ruin your festive fun. If you are eligible, get winter vaccines as soon as possible.
There are just two days left to book appointments online or via NHS 119 . . . Thursday is the last day of the autumn vaccination programme.
Olivia WestSun columnist Dr Zoe helps a reader who has been suffering from mouth ulcers[/caption]
From Friday, you can only visit a Covid-19 walk-in vaccination site or find a pharmacy offering the flu vaccine.
In a bid to make it easier for people, the NHS is offering jabs at some football grounds, supermarkets, Christmas markets and fire stations.
It comes as fears grow of a “quad-demic”, with flu, RSV, Covid and norovirus cases all now reaching record levels.
Visit the NHS website to check if you are eligible.
Meanwhile, here’s a selection of what readers have asked me this week.
MOUTH ULCER MISERY
Q) I’M a 72-year-old man and have suffered with mouth ulcers since I was a child. I have exhausted every avenue, and currently use Anbesol.
My oral hygiene is good – regular dentist visits, flossing, mouthwash etc. But my last ulcers were debilitating.
They were on the side of my tongue, and mucked up my nervous system. I’ve had severe headaches, painful ears and a blocked nose.
It’s next to impossible to eat and drink, and it brings me down mentally. My daughter suffers the same pain but not my son.
Can it be genetic? I would appreciate advice on what food and drink to avoid, and a decent tincture if there is one?
A) What you describe is recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Aphthous ulcers tend to appear in crops of up to five ulcers, last ten to 14 days and heal without scarring.
It’s important that any single ulcer that is not healing after three weeks is examined by a doctor or dentist, who may refer you for an urgent biopsy to rule out cancer.
The cause of RAS is unknown and there are likely multiple factors, one of which is thought to be abnormal functioning of the immune system.
Sometimes there is an underlying cause that can be treated – anaemia, nutritional deficiency or stress, for example.
There is believed to be a hereditary link – nearly half of people who suffer also have a close relative who does.
Good dental hygiene is vital, as sharp or broken teeth can damage the soft tissues of the mouth and this can cause ulcers.
There are also some diseases that can cause mouth ulcers, such as Crohn’s, coeliac, lupus and Behcet’s.
There is no cure for RAS, and treatment aims just to alleviate the pain and support healing. Spicy, acidic, abrasive or salty foods and fizzy, caffeinated or very hot drinks can trigger ulcers.
Some studies have found tomatoes, oranges, lemons, and pineapple can trigger an inflammatory process, leading to RAS.
Topical corticosteroids, anaesthetics and antiseptics come as gels, mouthwashes, sprays or lozenges and I’m sure you’ve tried many of them.
There are pastes, too, that create a protective barrier layer over the ulcer.
In very severe cases, a short course of oral steroid tablets can be used, or other medicines which alter the immune system’s function, but there can be long-term side-effects.
Finally, use a toothpaste that does not contain SLS – an additive to make it foam – because this can cause ulcers too.
Q) I’M a very active, 54-year-old woman and for the last 12 months have been suffering from agonising lower back pain.
After several requests to my GP to send me for an MRI scan, I finally got one and the results revealed L4 and L5 slipped vertebrae – known as spondylolisthesis.
AlamyDr Zoe also helps a reader who has been suffering from agonising lower back pain[/caption]
My back consultant suggested a medial branch block to ascertain whether the pain was coming from the facet joint.
This worked for six days, confirming the latter.
I was then referred to the pain management team for RF ablation, which I had done.
I am four weeks post-procedure and the pain is still as intense as ever. It would appear that the treatment has not been successful.
I am still taking strong medication just to go about my daily activity.
My consultant has suggested the RF ablation procedure once more, but this time with a higher frequency.
Is this likely to work? And is there a more guaranteed option to end the misery of my pain?
A) I’M so sorry to hear that you’ve been in such pain for so long.
I can empathise as I have experienced back issues myself over the past year and a half and have also had all the procedures that you have described here.
Spondylolisthesis is when one of the spinal bones (vertebrae) has slipped forward from its correct position.
It is different to a herniated disc – or slipped disc – but can cause similar symptoms.
The radiofrequency ablation (RF) procedure uses electrical heat to block nerves that carry the pain signals from the affected area – in your case the facet joints. It is much less invasive than surgery.
It sounds as though you may benefit from a discussion with your back consultant to better understand why a further ablation is being recommended and the chances of it working.
You could also ask about the pros and cons of this versus surgery.
Types of surgery sometimes carried out for spondylolisthesis include fusing the slipped bone to the bone below, or lumbar decompression to alleviate pressure if nerves are being compressed.
Legs keep cramping, often in bed
Q) I GET occasional cramps, mostly in my legs, usually at the back of my thigh and often when I am in bed. I am a man of 76.
The other morning I got up to feel a pain in my left knee and noticed quite a large swelling.
GettyAnother reader gets cramps in his legs when in bed[/caption]
I didn’t twist my knee or anything but it was quite painful, and I found it difficult to get in and out of my car.
The following night I was in bed and I got a cramp in my right leg, again in the rear of my thigh.
I got out of bed quickly and walked around for about ten minutes, rubbing the affected area. It eased the cramp and I went back to bed. Could the cramps have caused the swelling in my knee?
I would appreciate any thoughts that you might have.
A) AN acutely swollen knee would usually indicate a build-up of fluid in the knee joint and I can’t really see why a short bout of cramp would cause that to happen.
It may well be that the cramps you experience, and this sudden swelling of the knee joint are unrelated.
However, it’s important to see your GP to rule out something serious like a DVT, and to find out what the underlying cause of the swelling might be.
There are a number of conditions that can cause the knee to swell up, ranging from gout to rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis or bursitis, which is inflammation of the fluid-filled cushions in the knee.
There are lots of other causes of cramp – straining or overusing a muscle can cause it, as can dehydration and low electrolyte levels which can be caused by excessive sweating.
Nerve compression and even certain medications can cause cramps, so it’s definitely worth chatting with your GP.
You’re right to move about more, as exercise can be a treatment for cramps.
When you feel it coming on or if you’re woken by it, moving around is one of the best things you can do.
Tip of the week
SEARCH online using the words “Calculate your heart age” and the NHS page will pop up.
Its calculator can compare your real age to your heart age by asking you some questions.
You will then be given tips on what you can to improve things going forward.
7 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on England facing tricky Women’s Euros test with France and the Netherlands among their group stage rivals along with Wales
Getty
ENGLAND are set for a Battle of Britain clash with Wales at next year’s Women’s Euros, with both drawn in the same group for the contest.
The defending champions will face a serious challenge for a knockout stage spot with France and 2017 winners the Netherlands among their rivals.
ReutersEngland boss Sarina Wiegman is set for a Euros group stage reunion with the Netherlands, whom she led to glory in the contest in 2017[/caption]
GettyWiegman’s Lionesses will play France, the Netherlands and Wales when they begin the quest to retain their Euros crown[/caption]
APWiegman and her Lionesses will take on France on July 5 in their opening game at the tournament next year[/caption]
The draw earlier held today in Switzerland, where the tournament will be held next summer, saw England named in Group D alongside contest debutants Wales.
Their Welsh opponents sealed qualification via a dramatic play-off defeat of the Republic of Ireland earlier this month.
A 3-2 aggregate victory led to them making history by reaching a major women’s football tournament for the first time.
Wiegman’s England stars, who won the contest two years ago, will begin their push for back-to-back Euros wins by battling on France on July 5.
Meanwhile underdogs Wales will face the Netherlands, who won the 2017 tournament under Wiegman four years before the start of her Lionesses reign.
And the home nations’ rivals will face off in the final round of Group D fixtures on Sunday July 13 in St Gallen.
Yesterday’s draw was preceded by major announcements concerning the contest’s prize pot and balls specially designed to improve VAR use.
Prize money for next summer’s tournament has more than doubled for the tournament, with the total now standing at £34m – a 156% increase from Euro 2022.
Wiegman’s holders will see matches played with chip in ball technology to speed up VAR offside calls.
Uefa confirmed it had worked with ball provider Adidas to unveil the most up to date ball product for the Euros.
The “KONEKTIS” ball – similar to the one used at last summer’s men’s Euros and by Fifa at the recent World Cups – sends ball data to video officials in real time.
Uefa say this can help them determine when the last touch was by an attacking player in tight offside decisions.
And with limb-tracking cameras also in operation, VARs are able to come to quicker decisions on potential handball and penalty claims.
Should England top their group they could be on course for a difficult path to reach the final.
AlamyThe Lionesses could potentially face Spain in the Euros semi-finals should they progress to the contest’s last eight stage next summer[/caption]
If they finish first, a quarter-final duel with Sweden, or eight-time contest winners Germany could await them on Saturday 19 July.
And a mammoth last four clash with Spain could be on the cards, if the latter claims first spot in Group B.
The last time the two sides went toe-to-toe was in last year’s World Cup final in Australia with Spain the victors after a 1-0 win.
7 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on When is BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024? Start time and FULL shortlist ahead of iconic event
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 will take place TOMORROW NIGHT!
Last year, England goalkeeper Mary Earps claimed the top prize to make it back-to-back SPOTY wins for the Lionesses after team-mate Beth Mead took home the award in 2022.
PAMary Earps was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023[/caption]
The Atherton native also claimed the European title in Rome – two months before competing in France.
Hodgkinson dominated the 800m scene in 2024, breaking the British national record and becoming the sixth fastest woman in history.
Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler is also in the running for Sports Personality of the Year after finishing runner-up at the World Darts Championship in January catapulted him into stardom and one of the sport’s leading competitors.
Since his stunning performance at Alexandra Palace, Littler has won ten PDC titles in his first year on the professional circuit.
The 17-year-old is looking to become the youngest winner of the prestigious accolade for more than 60 years.
England and Real Madrid footballer Jude Bellingham is also amongst the star-studded names in contention to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
SunSport brings you the full shortlist and all the details you need ahead of this year’s blockbuster event.
When is BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024?
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 will take place on Tuesday, December 17.
Coverage will begin from 7pm GMT.
The event will be held from the home of BBC Sport in MediaCity, Salford.
What TV channel is BBC Sports Personality of the Year on and can it be live streamed FREE?
BBC Sports Personality of the Year will be broadcast live on BBC One.
You can live stream the event for free via the BBC iPlayer app/website.
Alternatively, you can stay up to date with all the latest from the MediaCity by following SunSport’s live blog.
Who are the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 nominees?
Here are the six nominees for the iconic award:
Keely Hodgkinson
Joe Root
Jude Bellingham
Sarah Storey
Alex Yee
Luke Littler
What other awards can be won on the night?
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year award is one of eight awards that can be won on the night.
7 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Cops called to ‘huge “drifter” car meet’ moments before boy, 2, killed by stolen Porsche in hit-and-run
THIS is the moment cops arrived at a “huge drift meet” before a two-year-old boy was killed in a hit-and-run.
The toddler was travelling in a Toyota when it was hit by a stolen Porsche Cayenne and the driver fled the scene.
The car meet took place on Saturday nightPeople gathered at the side of the road to watchA police car arrives at the sceneEmergency service personnel at the scene after the crash
Video footage shows dozens of cars at the event in Smethwick, West Midlands, on Saturday night – with engines heard revving and horns beeping.
The suspect fled the scene, with a manhunt then launched.
The force confirmed tonight a 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
CONTACT
Police were reportedly contacted about the drifters gathering less than an hour before the fatal collision at 11pm.
Russell George, 53, a safety consultant, said he’d been campaigning for over a decade to end the dangerous and anti-social gatherings of petrol heads.
“I rang the police at 10.20 on Saturday night because the racers were arriving.
“I went out in my car and the smell of burning was in the air from where they were doing their donuts and breaking.
“It’s been a serious problem for a long time now. I was devastated to hear what had happened but not surprised.
“It’s just really, really sad that it has involved a young child.”
Russell said up to 200 cars gather near blocks of flats off Kenrick Way most weekends for their unofficial “races”.
The issue was raised last month in the House of Commons by local MP Sarah Coombes.
“Sometimes the police do turn up and the cars all skulk away,” he said, “but they chose times, typically after 10pm on a weekend, when they know police resources are stretched.
“You have other people who come along to watch. I have seen them bringing kids with them.
“It is so selfish because they are doing this in a residential area.
“Hundreds of people live in the flats and the noise is terrible. I have cats and they are terrified.
‘Most people think it is just anti-social behaviour but it is more than that. It has always been an accidents waiting to happen.’
Russell said he believed the high performance cars go on a circuit which takes them down Kenrick Way, onto the M5 and back around.
“They are very organised,” he said. “You don’t quite have a chequered flag waiting at the finish but there are people there waiting for them to finish.
Cars were seen driving close to the spectatorsAn ambulance and police cars on the roadDozens of cars were seen in attendanceHorns were beeped as drivers tried to manoeuvre the ‘drifters’
“The police need to get a get in amongst them, and target their cars. That’s the way to hurt them.”
West Midlands Police said the car which carried out the hit and run, a grey Porsche Cayenne, reported as stolen earlier this month, had come from the roundabout on Kenrick Way.
The accident took place near a railway bridge on Dartmouth Road which runs through an industrial estate.
A teddy bear and a bunch of flowers were attached to railings next to leftover police accident tape.
The two-year-old was travelling in a Toyota with four adults at the time of the collision.
All four were taken to hospital and police said a 29-year-old woman and 30-year-old man remain in a serious condition.
Another man and woman, both 30, are both said to be stable.
Tributes have poured in for the youngster.
One woman said: “How tragic. My heart goes out to the poor family who lost their little one. Just heartbreaking.”
Another added: “That little boy has a family, presents for Christmas, a bedroom.
“I feel so sorry for the family and hope the person responsible does the right thing and hands themself in.”
Local MP Sarah Coombes said: “My heart goes out to the family of the little boy killed in Saturday night’s hit and run.
“The area has had a long term problem with late night car racers which cause misery for those living nearby and this must be tackled.
“I don’t wish to pre-empt the police investigation as the racing may be entirely unrelated to this incident but local people tell me that the racing of cars is a danger and must be stopped.”
Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of the little boy at this extremely difficult time.
“I would urge the driver of the Porsche to do the right thing and come and talk to us.
“They made the wrong decision to run away and I’m asking them now to make the right one.
“I also want to appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision and hasn’t already spoken to us, or has CCTV or dash-cam footage to get in touch.”
Anyone with information can contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on email at SCIU@westmidlands.police.uk.
Or, call 101 quoting log 4421 14 December.
SWNSA teddy bear was pinned to the fence today[/caption]
BPMPolice tape left at the scene[/caption]
BPMA police car passes tape near where the crash happened[/caption]
7 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Axed This Morning star hits out at ‘bullying’ producer and says bosses ‘ignored complaints’
A SACKED This Morning star has spoken out against her treatment on a TV show – and how it left her mental health in tatters.
The ITV regular has opened up about how she was axed from a programme after coming forward about a ‘bullying’ producer – but said her her claims were ignored.
Holly Jay-Smith was in hospital last year undergoing an operation on her legThe star used to regularly appear on This Morning with her money-saving dealsHolly has been off This Morning for over a year
The money-savvy star has revealed the sacking from a show left her ‘mentally ill’.
Money-saving expert, Holly Jay-Smith, otherwise known as Holly Vlogs, was a frequent face on the show and known as the ‘coupon queen’.
But the heartbroken star replied: “I offered but they replied saying they had moved on (which is perfectly fine). Would have loved to have a last show tho.”
Now, Holly has taken to social media to speak on her mystery show axe.
She said: “Let me set the record straight: I wasn’t axed from a certain TV show because of my bone tumours.
“I was bullied by a newly promoted producer for asking for autistic adaptions, she tried to trick me into signing out of my contract early, and my complaints were ignored.
“The therapist they provided was pure damage control.
“Some might not believe me or wonder why I’m speaking out now.
“I’m now in possession of recordings that will reveal the truth if they try and take me to court.
“So for now this is the Coupon Queen over and out. Not associated with any coupon expert on TV.”
She continued: “I will say no more on this matter on my socials.
“This experience left me mentally ill for months, especially when they came after my brand.
“The saddest part is that what started as a dream come true ended up as a nightmare.
“This kind of mistreatment is happening on MANY shows, not just one, and it’s completely unacceptable.”
Hours later, Holly wrote to her fans: “My inbox is flooded right now, so just want to thank everyone for their kind words.
“I thought I’d be a emotional mess but it’s a weight of my chest. See you in 2025”
The Sun has approached ITV for comment.
Holly previously spoke out earlier this year about leaving the show.
She penned on her Instagram story: “The fact that I haven’t been on This Morning for over a year and people still tag me and say they miss me means so much.
“But please be king to anyone else doing the ‘money-saving’ segments on the show – it’s not fair to compare us or pit us against each other. Much love x.”
Holly, who has autism, added in another lengthy post: “Over the past few months, I’ve been feeling down about something that ‘was,’ instead of remembering how great it was.
“As an autistic person, it’s hard to move on from something when you never received closure.
“It also has a habit of making you replay one negative experience over and over in your head, causing you to forget the hours upon hours of amazing times, the people you met, and the friends you made.
“ITV’s Morning rescued me from a dark place and allowed me to share my special interest with millions of people every single Friday for nearly two years.
“So… to the presenters who I spent every week with, thank you for taking the time to understand my disability, for helping me get through the weeks where I was struggling and just for being amazing people.
“To the floor managers, hosts, producers, assistant producers, the makeup team, the art department, the cameramen and women (and everyone else behind the scenes) you are the glue that holds the show together. I thank you for putting a smile on my face every week.”
What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an incurable, lifelong developmental condition that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.
It affects around one in 100 people in the UK and is three to four times more common in boys than in girls.
Many people with ASD find it hard to understand other people’s feelings and emotions, and they may have difficulty holding conversations.
When they are young, their language development may take longer and they can struggle to use facial expressions, using gestures to communicate instead.
They may also find it hard to connect with other people and to hold eye contact with unfamiliar individuals.
Many children with ASD like to follow a routine, and changes to this can cause distress.
High functioning autism is an informal term some people use to describe those on the autism spectrum disorder.
7 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Major supermarket with 1,400 branches across the UK to close store in a matter of months
A MAJOR UK supermarket has confirmed they are shutting down a popular store in a matter of months.
Devastated shoppers say it will be “sad to see” the branch disappear after a number of other closures in the area in recent months.
GettyA major UK supermarket has confirmed they are shutting down a popular store in a matter of months.[/caption]
GettyThe Sainsbury’s at Stamford Hill, London is set to close for good on February 1, 2025[/caption]
The Sainsbury’s at Stamford Hill, London is set to close for good on February 1, 2025.
The supermarket chain, which has 1,400 branches, is one of the most popular stores in the UK.
Sainsbury’s confirmed they are closing down the store due to the landlord looking to redevelop the site after the lease expires.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson told The Sun: “Earlier this year, we shared the difficult news with colleagues at our Stamford Hill supermarket that the landlord intends to redevelop the site.
“The store will remain open and our colleagues will continue to serve the local community as usual between now and the 1st of February, when our lease expires.
“We appreciate this will be an unsettling time for everyone this affects and we are doing everything we can to support them, including exploring opportunities for our colleagues to redeploy to alternative roles within Sainsbury’s.”
Dozens of local shoppers were left saddened by the news as they took to social media to speak on the closure.
Many said the decision is a confusing one as a nearby Asda had only closed down recently.
One posted an image of the shopfront alongside the caption: “Will be sad to see them go and I shudder at what will replace them given what’s happening at another local closed supermarket.
“But times and neighbourhoods do change and such is life.”
Another said: “Damm that’s such a handy supermarket.”
A third voiced their concerns over what the closure may mean for people who used the Sainsbury’s as their local shop.
They said: “Wow that’s a needed supermarket… why should people have to travel far away to get shopping!!!
“So very sad for a lot of people who will struggle.”
You can find your nearest Sainsbury’s using its Store Locator tool on its website – just put in your postcode or nearest town.
Many other supermarkets offer a similar feature to help you always know where to shop.
Why are retailers closing shops?
EMPTY shops have become an eyesore on many British high streets and are often symbolic of a town centre’s decline.
The Sun’s business editor Ashley Armstrong explains why so many retailers are shutting their doors.
In many cases, retailers are shutting stores because they are no longer the money-makers they once were because of the rise of online shopping.
Falling store sales and rising staff costs have made it even more expensive for shops to stay open. In some cases, retailers are shutting a store and reopening a new shop at the other end of a high street to reflect how a town has changed.
The problem is that when a big shop closes, footfall falls across the local high street, which puts more shops at risk of closing.
Retail parks are increasingly popular with shoppers, who want to be able to get easy, free parking at a time when local councils have hiked parking charges in towns.
Many retailers including Next and Marks & Spencer have been shutting stores on the high street and taking bigger stores in better-performing retail parks instead.
Boss Stuart Machin recently said that when it relocated a tired store in Chesterfield to a new big store in a retail park half a mile away, its sales in the area rose by 103 per cent.
In some cases, stores have been shut when a retailer goes bust, as in the case of Wilko, Debenhams Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Paperchase to name a few.
What’s increasingly common is when a chain goes bust a rival retailer or private equity firm snaps up the intellectual property rights so they can own the brand and sell it online.
They may go on to open a handful of stores if there is customer demand, but there are rarely ever as many stores or in the same places.
What is happening to the British high street?
The news comes amid a challenging time for the whole of the UK’s retail sector.
High inflation coupled with a squeeze on consumers’ finances has meant people have less money to spend in the shops.
Also the rising popularity in online shopping has meant people are favouring digital ordering over visiting a physical store.
Unseasonably wet weather has also deterred shoppers from hitting the high street.
This ongoing issue has seen brands such as Paperchase, and The Body Shop all lose dozens of stores this year.
Figures from the Centre for Retail Research revealed8,543 stores closed and more than 130,000 retail jobswere lost in 2024.
Supermarkets are also rapidly closing across the UK with Lidl confirming this week one of its city centre branches is shutting for good after trading for over two decades.
The discount supermarket said an outlet in Aberdeen will shut up shop around the time of its 25th anniversary.
But the bargain supermarket are also set to open up 10 more UK stores before Christmas as it targets festive shoppers.
The discounter currently has about 960 stores but previously said it wants to operate more than 1,100 across England, Wales and Scotland.
The locations it wants to open branches before the end of the year includes: Berwick Green in Bristol, Bovey Tracy in Devon, Stirchley in Birmingham and Hoxton, Forest Gate and Caterham in London.
Stores opening in December 2024
Toys R Us
The iconic 90s toys retailer is to rapidly launch 23 new shops following the successful opening of dozens in the last year.
The stores will all be open by Christmas, with the first welcoming customers at the end of last month.
The outdoor clothes retailer has revealed it will open 50 new stores in the UK.
The brand has already opened 20 new stores in the UK in the past six months – and now plans to expand to new locations, including at retail parks.
The exact list of locations where Mountain Warehouse will be opening is yet to be revealed.
Lidl
Lidl has said it wants to open 10 more UK stores before Christmas as it targets festive shoppers.
The discounter currently has about 960 stores but previously said it wants to operate more than 1,100 across England, Wales and Scotland.
The locations it wants to open branches before the end of the year includes: Berwick Green in Bristol, Bovey Tracy in Devon, Stirchley in Birmingham and Hoxton, Forest Gate and Caterham in London.
7 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Best Buy changes return policy just weeks ahead of Christmas – and shoppers must watch for ‘restocking fees’
SHOPPERS need to keep an eye on Best Buy’s new return policy as it changes just weeks ahead of Christmas.
The store has made the change and customers should get familiar with the restocking fees on electronic items.
GettyBest Buy’s restocking fee targets electronics in a pre-Christmas shake-up to policy[/caption]
AFPActivatable devices, excluding prepaid phones, will carry a $45 return fee[/caption]
Best Buy is adding the cost to electronic items this Christmas, making purchasing them riskier if they don’t work and have to be returned.
Some of the items with the fee include: drones, digital cameras, camera lenses and electric bikes.
According to their website, the fee will be 15 per cent of the item purchase price, according to the store’s website.
This means paying that portion on top of what you already paid for the item if you choose to return it.
Activatable devices, excluding prepaid phones, will carry a $45 return fee.
The full list of items this will apply to is not clear.
The Best Buy website also states: “There is no restocking fee if the product is unopened, or if the purchase occurs in: AL, CO, HI, IA, MS, OH, OK, SC and where prohibited by law.
“The restocking fee will be taxed in select states.”
Best Buy has said that some items are unreturnable once purchased, meaning that you cannot bring them back to the store even if they are unopened.
These apply to custom or personalised orders, which can’t be sold on once returned.
These include oils, fuel, filters, cleaners,healthsupplements, health test kits, ink and 3D printer filament.
Other items are non-returnable once opened, particularly ones that become damaged or depleted once used.
BEST BUY RETURNS
To return an item to Best Buy, you may return any item purchased on BestBuy.com at any of their stores.
For faster return processing, you should bring your packing slip (if you received one), your receipt, the credit card used to make your purchase, and a valid photo ID.
The website directs you to find your nearest Best Buy to make this process easier.
Top 10 Christmas Gift Ideas
At Sun Shopping, we've rounded up our 10 favorite gift ideas for 2023, including must-have tech, beauty, fashion, toys and more.
*If you click on one of these links, we may earn affiliate revenue.
Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones, $179.99 $99 from Walmart – buy here
Soundcore by Anker P25i True Wireless In-Ear Headphones, $29.99 $17.99 from Best Buy – buy here
Purl Embellished Cardholder, $88 $44 from Kate Spade – buy here
