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Sherwood MP defends her vote on cuts to pensioners’ winter fuel payments

Emily Sanchez
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Sherwood MP defends her vote on cuts to pensioners’ winter fuel payments

The MP for Sherwood has defended her decision to vote against an attempt to block plans to cut winter fuel payments to pensioners.

Michelle Welsh MP was one of 348 MPs to vote against a Conservative motion on Tuesday.

Winter fuel payments of either £200 or £200 are normally paid in November and December.

But under plans by the new Labour government, they will now only be paid to pensioners claiming a pension credit to top up low income or other means-tested benefits, meaning millions over the age of 66 will lose out.

The Government said the cut will save £1.4bn and will go towards covering a £22bn black hole they inherited from the previous Tory administration.

In an open letter to constituents, the MP wrote: “I will be holding pension credit support sessions, where myself and my team working with a local charity will help constituents one to one with applications and advice.

PICTURED: Labour MPs Michelle Welsh, left and Michael Payne, right both voted against the Conservative motion on Tuesday

“There are thousands of pensioners in the area who are currently not claiming. I have absolute confidence the Government will get our country back in track, and like the previous Labour Government, will lift over one million pensioners out of poverty.

“I will not take lectures from a Conservative Party which destroyed our public services, placed millions of children in poverty and left behind a legacy of chaos.

“Under the last Tory government, over 800,000 eligible pensioners did not get the benefits to which they were entitled. While they failed on Pension Credit, we are determined to make a difference and ensure thousands of pensioners claim Pension Credit which will unlock winter fuel payments and other benefits.

“I encourage you, your friends, family and neighbours to check if you or they are eligible by visiting the following link: www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility or by calling the Pension Credit claim line at 0800 99 1234.

Gedling Conservatives called the move a ‘kick in the teeth’ for pensioners.

They said: “There are 22,271 pensioners across Gedling Borough who do not quite qualify for Pension Credit and needed that Winter Fuel Allowance to help with keeping warm this winter with fuel bills expected to rise in the coming months.”

Renters in borough to get more security as Labour reveals plans to finally ban ‘no-fault evictions

David Bratton
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Renters in borough to get more security as Labour reveals plans to finally ban ‘no-fault evictions

Labour have revealed that no-fault evictions will finally be banned under plans to “protect” renters from bad landlords across the borough.

The last Tory government repeatedly promised to end so-called “Section 21” evictions, but failed to do so because of opposition from their own MPs.

26,000 households had their tenancies scrapped last year alone

The new Renters’ Rights Bill is to be introduced by the Government to parliament today (11)

Thanks to Labour’s huge Commons majority, the Bill is certain to become law.

As well as banning no-fault evictions the legislation will ban landlords from increasing rents more than once a year and introduce a new “decent homes standards” for private sector properties.

Rental bidding wars will also be banned, as will blanket bans on tenants with children or those who claim benefits.

Rent due
The legislation will ban landlords from increasing rents more than once a year

Awaab’s Law – which would force landlords to urgently address mould and damp problems in their properties – will also come into force at last.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said: “Renters have been let down for too long and too many are stuck in disgraceful conditions, powerless to act because of the threat of a retaliatory eviction hanging over them.

“Most landlords act in a responsible way but a small number of unscrupulous ones are tarnishing the reputation of the whole sector by making the most of the housing crisis and forcing tenants into bidding wars.

“There can be no more dither and delay. We must overhaul renting and rebalance the relationship between tenant and landlord. This bill will do just that and tenants can be reassured this government will protect them.”

A Conservative spokesperson said they members hoped the new proposals were ‘coherent and thought through’.

He said: “Conservatives believe in ensuring choice and freedom, whatever home they live in.

“But new regulation must be necessary and proportionate. Otherwise, as it has in Scotland, badly drafted laws will cut supply, forcing up rents and reducing choice for renters.

“We await to see the details of Labour’s proposals and hope they are more coherent and thought-through than their interventions in other policy areas so far.”

How did Gedling borough’s MPs vote in debate on winter fuel payments?

Gedling Eye
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How did Gedling borough’s MPs vote in debate on winter fuel payments?

Attempts by the opposition to block the cutting of the Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners have been defeated.

The Conservatives put forward a proposal to block the cutting of the payment, which was voted on by MPs at the Houses of Parliament, but that was defeated by a majority of 120.

MPs voted 348 to 228 against the motion with opposition parties like the SNP and Greens joining the Conservatives voting for the block.

After the result was announced, shouts of “shame” could be heard across the House of Commons chamber.

The move is set to save the government around £1.4billion this year.

So, this winter only people claiming pension credit or other means-tested benefits, over the age of 66, will get help with fuel bills.

We have two MPs on patch, our Gedling representative Michael Payne and Sherwood MP, Michelle Welsh. Both are, as you will know, Labour MPs who were elected to their constituencies in May this year.

MPs voted 348 to 228 against the motion with opposition parties like the SNP and Greens joining the Conservatives voting for the block.

Both Labour MPs supported the government.

Gedling Borough’s Conservative Councillors expressed their dismay at Payne and Welsh both voting to scrap the Winter Fuel Payments for 22,271 pensioners across Gedling Borough.

They said “a number of their Labour colleagues abstained and some even voted against the Labour Government’s cut, but Michael Payne and Michelle Welsh chose to vote to scrap the Winter Fuel Payments.  This is a real kick in the teeth to 22,271 pensioners across Gedling Borough who do not quite qualify for Pension Credit and needed that Winter Fuel Allowance to help with keeping warm this winter with fuel bills expected to rise in the coming months.”

Older people’s organisations were also disappointed and said it was unfair to take away the payment from millions of people when bills are rising.

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK said: “We’re deeply disappointed, but not surprised, that the vote to brutally means-test WFP was passed today.

“As soon as the Government announced it was instructing its MPs to support it this was the inevitable result, but we would like to thank all those in every party who voted against the policy or abstained.”

 “There’s been a lot of discussion about the Government’s decision, but at heart Age UK’s critique of their policy is really simple: we just don’t think it’s fair to remove the payment from the 2.5 million pensioners on low incomes who badly need it, and to do it so quickly this winter, at the same time as energy bills are rising by 10%.”

Gedling man carried out ‘unprovoked’ assault on woman at pub – leaving her needing 23 stitches before going on run to Skegness

Gedling Eye
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Gedling man carried out ‘unprovoked’ assault on woman at pub – leaving her needing 23 stitches before going on run to Skegness

A Gedling man glassed a woman in a pub beer garden, leaving her with serious facial injuries before fleeing to Skegness.

The woman was knocked unconscious and needed 23 stitches following the savage attack.

Officers arrested and then charged Luke Williamson for the ‘unprovoked’ assault.

Nottinghamshire Police said the attack took place seconds after an altercation started outside a pub near Colwick.

Police said that despite the altercation having nothing to do with him, Williamson rushed across the beer garden with a glass in his hand.

The 36-year-old then – without hesitating – went up behind an unsuspecting woman and smashed the glass he was carrying into her face.

Not content with this, Williamson then kicked his victim in the head as she lay unconscious on the ground, before fleeing from the scene.

She was left with severe facial injuries, including two deep gashes to her forehead.   

The attack happened on July 10, 2024, shortly after England beat the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the European Championships.

PICTURED: Luke Williamson (PHOTO: Notts Police)

Williamson left the pub following the assault, before selling his car three days later and going on the run to Skegness.

He returned to Nottinghamshire soon after however. Once there, police conducted an arrest attempt, with officers catching up with him in the Carlton area on July 23.

After trying to make a run for it, Williamson didn’t get far before police found him hiding in a bush, where he was arrested.

Williamson, of St Michaels Avenue, Gedling, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent – something he pleaded guilty to.

He was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (6).

Detective Constable Madeline Flint-Foster, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Williamson’s actions that night showed him to be a violent and dangerous individual.

“Having gathered at the pub to watch the football, he should’ve been celebrating England’s victory that night and having a good time.

“Instead, he chose to get involved in an altercation that had nothing to do with him and strike an unsuspecting woman in the face with a glass.

“Not content with the damage he’d already caused, Williamson then decided to kick the same woman in the head, as she lay unconscious on the ground.

“As the judge rightly summed up in their sentencing remarks, this was a disgusting and cowardly attack that has absolutely no place in our society.

“We are therefore pleased to see Williamson put behind bars where he belongs, which we hope will provide his victim with some small degree of comfort.”

Royal Mail considers launching ‘bin collection’ style website in bid to cut services

David Bratton
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Royal Mail considers launching ‘bin collection’ style website in bid to cut services

Royal Mail is reportedly planning to set up a new “bin-collection” type website so that householders can track which day they will receive their mail in a bid to cut back on services.

The Guardian is reporting that the 507-year-old company has proposed creating an online service where customers can input their postcode to discover when their letters and packages are due.

It would be similar to the dedicated government webpage that allows consumers in England and Wales to look up their bin collection days.

The regulator Ofcom is said to be studying the proposals along with plans to scrap second-class letter deliveries on Saturdays.

Plans on the table suggest that second-class post wouldn’t be delivered on Saturdays and would instead operate on alternate weekdays.

Since January, Ofcom has been discussing the future of the postal service as it aims to maintain a six-day-a-week deliveries for first-class mail.

The regulator recently fined Royal Mail £5.6m last year for missing delivery targets. In the three months to June 30 it has been revealed they delivered less than 80 per cent of first-class post on time.

A senior industry source told The Guardian that: “The idea is that this new site would work in the same way as the bin collection one. Anything Royal Mail can do to show that cuts can be done smoothly and the service can be more predictable and reliable could convince Ofcom.”

The industry source added: “Those who rely on the service the most will be those, typically older, people who are not connected to the internet to check when their deliveries are due.

“Also, if this lists when the post is supposed to be delivered – that’s not a guarantee the delivery will happen given the current state of the service. Royal Mail must not allowed to reduce the service without improving reliability.”

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Ahead of any potential reform of the universal service, Royal Mail is exploring a range of options to ensure customers have the information they need about their local postal services.”

MAPPERLEY: Nottinghamshire Hospice stars shine in new recruitment advertising campaign

Emily Sanchez
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MAPPERLEY: Nottinghamshire Hospice stars shine in new recruitment advertising campaign

Dedicated staff from Nottinghamshire Hospice in Mapperley are the stars of a unique new advertising campaign being launched in a bid to attract more people to its care team.

A wave of new posters, blogs and social media will be drawing attention to what it’s like caring for people who are dying.

In the campaign they are highlighting the unique type of care Nottinghamshire Hospice provides, and the benefits of working for the charity.

It’s hoped this will attract new nurses and healthcare assistants to join their Hospice In Your Home team, enabling them to deliver even more care to people who need it.

Be Jackson, a Nottinghamshire Hospice Nurse, is one of the stars of the new campaign.

Be Jackson is one of the stars of the new Hospice recruitment campaign
In the campaign they are highlighting the unique type of care Nottinghamshire Hospice provides, and the benefits of working for the charity

She said: “The more I did the hospice work, the more I could feel like this is where my heart is. It fits a lot more with my personal values and how I want to nurse. I don’t want nursing to be a conveyor belt. I don’t want to be surviving a shift thinking ‘I wish I had more time to support that family.’”

Rachel Hucknall, CEO at Nottinghamshire Hospice, said: “Our team of compassionate care staff are at the beating heart of everything we do at the Hospice. Their dedication to providing people with a good death, surrounded by home comforts and loved ones, is truly wonderful.”

Kathy Page, Lead Nurse for Nottinghamshire Hospice’s Hospice In Your Home service added: “We’re all trying to bring comfort to patients and families… it’s nice to be able to come in and find that people are smiling and laughing. It’s a real pleasure to do.”

There are a variety of paid roles being recruited by the Hospice, and the charity is eager to receive new applicants.

The posters for the campaign can be seen at tram stops and on buses for all of September, and full stories from their staff are on their website. 

To find out more about working for the Hospice, head to their website: Hospice In Your Home Roles – Nottinghamshire Hospice (nottshospice.org)

The planned roadworks and road changes in Gedling borough

Gedling Eye Reporter
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The planned roadworks and road changes in Gedling borough

A number of roadworks, and changes to the roads, are set to take place on Gedling borough’s roads during the next few weeks.

The roadworks and road changes include things such as speed alterations, repair works and changing the layout of the roads. 

Most of the roadworks are being undertaken by Nottinghamshire County Council while a couple are being led by Severn Trent Water, National Grid and OpenReach

These are the roadworks and closures you need to know about…

Arnold Lane, Gedling
13 September – 17 September
Roadworks, Delays likely
Responsibility for works: National Grid

Carlton Hill, Carlton
12 September – 16 September
Roadworks, Delays likely
Responsibility for works: National Grid

Florence Road, Mapperley
16 September – 23 September
Roadworks, Delays likely due to road closure for patching repairs from junction area with Porchester Road and junction area with Hill View Road.
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Mansfield Road, Arnold
12 September – 13 September
Delays likely due to lane closure
Responsibility for works: Vodafone

Nottingham Road, Burton Joyce
16 September – 20 September
Roadworks, Delays likely
Responsibility for works: Openreach

Ollerton Road, Calverton
16 September – 21 September
Delays likely road closure for resurfacing of the carriageway at the junction of the B6386 Oxton Road.
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Oxton Road, Arnold
16 September – 21 September
Delays likely due to road closure to facilitate resurfacing works on the A614 Ollerton Road.
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

St Albans Road, Arnold
11 September
Delays likely due to road closure
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Woodthorpe Drive, Woodthorpe
16 September – 19 September
Roadworks, Delays likely
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Acton Road, Arnold
16 September – 18 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Allwood Drive, Carlton
13 September – 16 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Avon Road, Gedling
11 September – 13 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Bennett Road, Mapperley
16 September – 17 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Bestwood Lodge Drive, Arnold
11 September – 13 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Openreach

Buntings Lane, Carlton
11 September – 13 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: National Grid

Carmel Gardens, Arnold
11 September – 17 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Global Utility Connections

Colliery Way, Gedling
16 September – 27 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: National Grid

Deep Furrow Avenue, Carlton
12 September – 16 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

First Avenue, Colwick
12 September – 13 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Foxhill Road East, Carlton
12 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Openreach

High Street, Arnold
10 September – 12 September
Delays possible due to lane closure from Cross Street to Arnot Hill Road junction.
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Hucknall Road, Newstead
10 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: National Grid

Lambley Lane, Gedling
10 September – 13 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Longdale Lane, Ravenshead
11 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Lorimer Avenue, Gedling
13 September – 16 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Main Street, Burton Joyce
16 September – 17 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Openreach

Main Street, Lambley
16 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Mansfield Road, Woodthorpe
11 September – 12 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Nether Pasture, Netherfield
12 September – 13 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Nottingham Road, Arnold
10 September – 12 September
Delays possible due to lane closure from St. Albans Road/Arnot Hill Road junction to Cross Street.
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Oxclose Lane, Arnold
16 September – 27 September
Delays possible due to lane closure for painting of footbridge
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Regina Crescent, Ravenshead
12 September – 13 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Saltford Close, Gedling
10 September – 12 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Station Road, Carlton
11 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Thackerays Lane, Woodthorpe
10 September – 12 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Valley Road, Carlton
12 September – 13 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Westdale Lane East, Gedling
13 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Wighay Road, Linby
11 September – 12 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Willow Wong, Burton Joyce
16 September
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Openreach

Two teenage boys arrested as knife and drugs seized in Arnold town centre

David Bratton
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Two teenage boys arrested as knife and drugs seized in Arnold town centre

Two teenage boys have been arrested after two knives and cannabis were found in Arnold.

Officers swooped on the duo in the town centre on Thursday, September 5.

Officers from the Gedling Neighbourhood Policing team chased down and arrested the two teenagers after they’d seen them acting suspiciously on Front Street.

Searches were carried out which led to a small dagger being seized and another knife being recovered from a bin. A quantity of cannabis was also seized.

The two suspects – a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy – were both taken into custody.

The 17-year-old, who can’t be named for legal reasons, was subsequently charged with possessing a knife in a public place.

Front Street Arnold
They were seen acting suspiciously on Front Street Arnold

He was later released, with strict bail conditions, and is next due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on September 18.

The 15-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possessing a knife in a public place and possession of cannabis. He was released, with strict bail conditions, while inquiries continue.

Sergeant James Carrington, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Thanks to the instincts and awareness of the officers involved in this incident, we were able to take two knives off the streets while detaining two suspects.

“We are committed to doing everything we can to keep our communities safe.

“We will not tolerate people carrying knives and those who do will be appropriately dealt with.

“There is no excuse, and people should know they are more likely to become a victim of knife crime themselves if they choose to carry a knife.

“As shown on this occasion, by being out on proactive patrols and having eyes on the ground in targeted areas, our neighbourhood officers are able to spot suspicious behaviour that might otherwise be missed, which does also often lead us to other offending too.”

Community day of action planned to help improve Daybrook

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Community day of action planned to help improve Daybrook

Local residents in Daybrook are being invited to sign up to an event that organisers hope will make a difference in the community.

The Love Daybrook event is being held on Saturday, October 12 and is being organised by St Paul’s Church Daybrook.

Those taking part can spend a few hours working together to make a difference in their neighbourhood, and then enjoy a catered lunch while they share how the projects have gone. 

Litter-pick
Teams will be clearing, litter picking and gardening to help tidy up areas in need

Jo Jones, kids and youth leader at St Paul’s Daybook said: “Love Daybrook is a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to make friends and have fun together.

“We have a range of kids, teenagers, adults and seniors already booked on. Our teams are going into Coppice Lodge and Seagrave Court to lead a singalong with residents, as well as a kids’ team running football and face-painting on Shelley Road playground.

“There are also teams set up for creating furniture from pallets for an eco garden, and others will be clearing, litter picking and gardening to help tidy up areas in need.

“Everyone gets a free t-shirt to wear and if you see us out and about please come and say hello.”

“Thanks to Jigsaw Homes and Local Councillors for their contributions to this event.”

Sign up is open now and more information can be found at https://www.stpaulsdaybrook.co.uk/lovedaybrook.

All the scams people across Gedling borough should know about this week

Emily Sanchez
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All the scams people across Gedling borough should know about this week

People across Gedling borough are being urged to be careful as more new scams emerge.

Action Fraud, Which? and Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards constantly issue scam warnings to make people aware of the latest attempts by fraudsters to get them to part with their cash or personal details.

Here are the most recent scam warnings it has issued to people across the borough.

Parking fine text scam

A new scam text about an unpaid parking fine is doing the rounds and leads to a copycat government website.

The text from a random number tells you: ‘an unpaid parking fine was found on your vehicle,’ and that you need to ‘pay immediately.’

It includes a dodgy link hosted by ‘qrco.de’, which is a QR code generator.

Reporters from Which? magazine put random characters into the ‘vehicle registration’ box and each time where given a bogus PCN (penalty charge) number and told they owed a £25 fine.

After this page, you’re asked for more personal and payment data including your name, email, phone number and home address to pay the fine.

The only sign indicating that this website was fraudulent was the URL. All official government pages start with gov.uk.

You can report scam websites to the National Cyber Security Centre and texts can be forwarded to 7726.

NatWest credit card email scam

A scam email claiming to be from NatWest is being circulated and tells you that your ‘NatWest credit card account’ hasn’t been updated and that you will lose access to your account in 48 hours.

To stop this, the email provides a malicious link to ‘update’ your account.

Scam callers claiming to be from BT and Virgin Media

Which? have posted an alert following recent reports on Who Called Me about scam callers claiming to be from BT or Virgin Media.

Callers ask the recipient for information about their internet routers and others said they were calling to talk about issues with their internet connection.

The scam callers then come up with reasons to get your personal and financial details.

You can report scam calls by forwarding the number to 7726.

Microsoft malware email scam

An email claiming to be from Microsoft customer services claims that the tech giant has received ’62 complaints about your email account from Google Drive.’

It then claims your account has been spreading malware and viruses via spam emails sent from your email address.

It includes a link to ‘run and scan for viruses.’ However, this leads to a malicious site that will either download malware to your device or take you to a phishing website.

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