Money Help

1. StepChange Debt CharityOffers confidential debt advice and free, personalised plans to manage repayments or even pause payments if needed.Visit stepchange.org, external or call 0800 138 1111They can help with things like credit card debt, missed rent, or loan stress — especially if it's keeping you up at night.2. Citizens AdviceYour local Citizens Advice Bureau can help with a wide range of issues — from benefit checks and energy bill support to housing and legal rights.They also offer face-to-face appointments or web chat at citizensadvice.org.uk, external.For example, many people don't realise they could be eligible for Universal Credit top-ups even if they're working.3. Turn2usA brilliant website where you can:Check if you're eligible for benefits.Search for grants — from charities that help with everything from school uniforms to utility bills.Go to turn2us.org.uk, external and try their grants finder or benefits calculator.4. MoneyHelper (by the UK Government)Free advice on budgeting, pensions, credit scores, and coping with money anxiety.Includes budget planners, bill prioritisation tools, and support for major life changes (like job loss or separation).Visit moneyhelper.org.uk, external.

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Daily Mail​

33 minutes ago

• Daily Mail​

EXCLUSIVE Family blast 'jealous' neighbours who reported them to council over 'monstrosity' extension...but their new plans could make locals even angrier

A family has hit back at their 'jealous' neighbours who complained to the council about their 'monstrosity' extension that was built without planning permission. Homeowner Aysha Khanom was made to pay £2,000 after a retrospective planning request for a large porch at the semi-detached property she shares with her family in a desirable area of Oldham was rejected. Neighbours claimed the porch, which featured two 2.4metre high columns and a tiled roof, was 'more in keeping with the Roman pillars of [giant shopping complex] the Trafford Centre', a 'hotel' or a 'mosque'. Other comments in objections lodged with Oldham council claimed it 'sticks out like a sore thumb', was 'very ugly, an eyesore' and was 'harmful to the amenity, character and appearance of the area'. Now Ms Khanom's son, Mohammed, 21, has claimed that some of the neighbours who objected were simply 'jealous' of their large home. 'We moved here from a bad area. We made some money and built the house of our dreams - that's the sum of it,' he said. 'Some people are just jealous because our home makes theirs look small. Personally, I wouldn't even care if my neighbour painted his house yellow. 'There's nine of us living here, so we need a big home for our family. Mohammed also revealed that the family has plans to turn another property they own into an AirBnB - a move that could make some locals even angrier. AirBnBs in residential areas have frequently proved controversial among neighbours due to issues such as increased noise and rows over parking. Mohammed said: 'We've found some land nearby and plan to build an even bigger property because we need more space and we're going to turn this one into an Airbnb.' He added that the family owned other property, a restaurant and a car hire company in Dubai. It is believed the porch at the property on Chadderton Hall Road was the final straw for many long-standing residents who already believed it was being 'overdeveloped'. Planning approval was previously given for a dormer, a two-storey side and rear extension and a 'children's play house' which, they claimed, served no purpose. The council. however. initially refused to grant permission for the porch in December 2022. A report called it an 'overly dominant and incongruous addition to the existing property' which would cause a 'detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the street scene, largely owing to its prominence and unduly conspicuous appearance'. Ms Khanom appealed and submitted revised plans - changing the colour of the pillars from white to black - in March 2023, but they too were refused. A further appeal was dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate and when she defied an enforcement notice - extended to December, last year - to either remove the porch or reduce its size, the council took her to court. She admitted breaching the enforcement notice at Tameside Magistrates' Court last month and was ordered to pay £1,050 costs, a £500 fine and £200 victim surcharge. Alternative plans for the porch, which limit its size, have been approved by the council and the two large pillars have since been removed and replaced with wooden supports. Many disgruntled neighbours believe Ms Khanom should have been prosecuted earlier for her family's 'arrogant' stance and attempts to 'ride roughshod' over planning rules. One man, who didn't wish to be named, said: 'The porch was the final straw for me. 'They'd already had permission for a massive extension to the house, which comes a long way out and is not in keeping with the character of the area or nearby homes, and a children's play house despite no kids living there. 'The original porch had two, massive pillars - people were comparing them to the ones you see at the Trafford Centre. 'It was a monstrosity and everyone from round here was really unhappy with it – 23 objections were submitted to the council. 'But they were really arrogant and refused to take the porch down and the council should have prosecuted them sooner. 'The next step should be for the council to carry out an inspection of the play house and see what that's really being used for.' Another neighbour Ian Rees, 69, said: 'They're not good neighbours. 'They had lovely trees at the back of the house but when they built the huge extension they ripped them all down. 'At the end of the day, you don't want trouble with your neighbours - there's no need for it. 'But the porch they put up was massive. 'It jutted out a long way and the builders left a lot of rubbish piled up on a grassy area of the road.' Another resident said he'd objected to the porch because it 'wasn't it keeping with the rest of the neighbourhood'. He added that there was 'nothing malicious' in neighbours' objections and it was important for the council to 'show consistency' in planning decisions. But not all neighbours were upset by the porch. One woman said she 'didn't get involved' in the objections while one man, who lives next door, said she'd 'never had any issues with Ms Khanom's family. 'I get on well with all of them,' he said. 'There's a good mix of people around here but I think some of the older residents worry about some things too much.'

The Sun

an hour ago

• The Sun

Chelsea asked to explain relationship with controversial ticket website Todd Boehly part-owns after fan fury

CHELSEA have been asked to explain their relationship with ticket resale site Vivid Seats after fan fury towards Todd Boehly. Blues co-owner Boehly is a director and investor in the American firm, which listed some individual Premier League tickets for up to £20,000 last season. 2 2 The Chelsea Supporters' Trust (CST) wrote to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters in March saying they were "dismayed" by the connection. Blues supporters also said Boehly's position felt like a "breach of trust" and a "clear conflict of interest". Vivid Seats, who often sell tickets at inflated rates, is listed on the Premier League website as an unauthorised ticket website. The league has even told fans to "exercise extreme caution" when purchasing from Vivid Seats. Masters met with the Football Supporters Association last month and revealed the Premier League have now contacted Chelsea and that the matter is "ongoing". The minutes from the meeting between the FSA and Masters, which included CST vice-chair Dom Rosso, read: "RM [Masters] confirmed the PL had written to Chelsea to seek clarification on the club's position with the matter ongoing. "RM advised the PL would reply to CST once the PL had concluded its discussions with the club." Chelsea took strong action against ticket touts earlier this season. They told supporters in an email that they had cancelled 1,500 membership accounts where a link to ticket touting had been identified. Chelsea have been contacted for comment.

Sky News

an hour ago

• Sky News

UK and NATO allies agree to boost spending on defence and related areas to 5% of GDP by 2035

The UK and its NATO allies have agreed to increase spending on defence and related areas to 5% of GDP by 2035, two diplomatic sources with knowledge of the deal have told Sky News. Ambassadors of all 32 alliance member states signed off on the new spending pledge ahead of a major summit of leaders, including Donald Trump, this week, they said. The boost - up from a current goal of 2% of GDP - is as much about keeping the US president onside as it is about responding to what is regarded by the allies as a growing threat from Vladimir Putin and the challenge posed by China. The target will be formally rubber stamped when the heads of state and government meet in The Hague on Tuesday and Wednesday. The ambitious spending goal - secured following a huge amount of persuasion by Mark Rutte, the NATO secretary general - is broken down into 3.5% of GDP spent on pure defence and 1.5% of GDP spence on related areas, which can include infrastructure and cyber security. Spain had been the last to agree. The UK had also been slow to sign up but is understood to have been pushing for the 2035 timeframe, which would mean it is pushed beyond the next parliament. Sir Keir Starmer has said he has an ambition to increase UK defence spending to 3% of GDP from 2.3% by 2034. The new 5% spending goal is the kind of level of defence spending invested by NATO allies during the Cold War.