Latest news with #PeterKyle
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Blow for millions of Brit holidaymakers as price of passports set to rise again to plug growing black hole
PASS IT ON Blow for millions of Brit holidaymakers as price of passports set to rise again to plug growing black hole THE price of passports is set to rise again in a massive blow to thousands of Brit holidaymakers. Ministers have been urged to increase the £95 renewal fee once more in a bid to fill a "growing black hole" in the Passport Office's budget. Advertisement 1 Fee hikes could see travellers charged another £32 per application Credit: Alamy Higher costs will affect millions of sun-seekers, with almost seven million passports issued to Brits last year. An adult passport is valid for 10 years while a children's passport is valid for five. An increase in fees could see travellers charged £32 more per application, according to The Telegraph. This comes as the Passport Office recorded a budget deficit of almost £230million last year and £916million over the past five years. Advertisement The National Audit Office (NAO) said the increased fees will fill a "black hole" currently being paid for by taxpayer funds. Adults currently pay £94.50 for a new passport or £222 for a one-day renewal. Passport renewal fees have already seen a hike of £6 this year. In April, the cost of applying for a new passport online increased from £88.50 to £94.50 for adults, and from £69 to £74 for kids. Advertisement Postal applications hiked from £100 to £107 for adults and from £69 to £74 for under-16s. The premium one-day-turnaround service for those in desperate need of a new passport went up to £222 from £207.50, and to £189 from £176.50 for children. The Sun's Jack Elsom talks to Tech Secretary Peter Kyle about the introduction of the digital passport The above-inflation rise marks the third time the price of passports have gone up in just over two years. Last April the cost of the holiday booklet rose by 7 per cent, following a hefty 9 per cent rise in February 2023. Advertisement Most UK passports last for 10 years, although for many countries including the EU people need at least six months left to travel. The Home Office has long maintained it does not profit from passport sales and increase prices solely to offset higher manufacturing and processing costs. Holidays are getting more expensive anyway with airlines pushing up prices to keep pace with increased fuel costs. Jet-setters have also been braced for anti-tourist protests in party towns like Ibiza where the locals are sick of their areas being trashed. Advertisement
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Blow for millions of Brit holidaymakers as price of passports set to rise again to plug growing black hole
THE price of passports is set to rise again in a massive blow to thousands of Brit holidaymakers. Ministers have been urged to increase the £95 renewal fee once more in a bid to fill a "growing black hole" in the 1 Fee hikes could see travellers charged another £32 per application Credit: Alamy Higher costs will affect millions of An adult passport is valid for 10 years while a children's passport is valid for five. An increase in fees could see travellers charged £32 more per application, according to This comes as the Passport Office recorded a budget deficit of almost £230million last year and £916million over the past five years. Read more on Travel The National Audit Office (NAO) said the increased fees will fill a "black hole" currently being paid for by taxpayer funds. Adults currently pay £94.50 for a new passport or £222 for a one-day renewal. In April, the cost of applying for a new passport online increased from £88.50 to £94.50 for adults, and from £69 to £74 for kids. Most read in News Travel Postal The premium one-day-turnaround service for those in desperate need of a The Sun's Jack Elsom talks to Tech Secretary Peter Kyle about the introduction of the digital passport The above-inflation rise marks the third time the Last April the cost of the holiday booklet rose by 7 per cent, following a hefty 9 per cent rise in February 2023. Most UK passports last for 10 years, although for many countries including the EU people need at least six months left to travel. The Home Office has long maintained it does not profit from passport sales and increase prices solely to offset higher manufacturing and processing costs. Holidays are getting more expensive anyway with airlines pushing up prices to keep pace with increased fuel costs. Jet-setters have also been braced for anti-tourist protests in party towns like Ibiza where the locals are sick of their areas being trashed. Latest passport renewal rises HOW much each passport renewal increase by: Standard adult online: £88.50 to £94.50 Standard child online: £57.50 to £61.50 Standard adult postal: £100 to £107 Standard child postal: £69 to £74 Premium adult: £207.50 to £222 Premium child: £176.50 to £189 Online adult from overseas: £101 to £108 Online child from overseas: £65.50 to £70 Postal adult from overseas: £112.50 to £120.50 Postal child from overseas: £77 to £82.50
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Who is on Question Time? Full BBC line-up for tonight
Question Time has confirmed the line-up for this week's episode - see who 📺 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Question Time is back with another episode this week. Fiona Bruce will host another topical debate. But who will be on the panel this time? Question Time will be tackling the challenges of 'growing up in the 21st Century' this week. The BBC has confirmed the line-up for its flagship debate programme. Debuting back in 1979, it has been a firm weekly fixture of the Beeb's TV schedule in the decades following. The latest episode will feature a YouTube star as well as political stalwarts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But who exactly is on the Question Time panel this week? Here's all you need to know: What to expect from Question Time this week? Fiona Bruce, the host of Question Time | BBC Fiona Bruce will once again be hosting the latest episode of the topical debate show. It will be broadcast from Greenford in north-west London this week, according to Radio Times . It is set to be a 'special programme on the challenges of growing up in the 21st Century'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who is on Question Time this week? The line-up for the latest episode of the long-running BBC show has been revealed. It includes the following: Peter Kyle MP David Willetts Katharine Birbalsingh Jack Thorne TommyInnit What are the Question Time panellists known for? This week's edition of Question Time, features a mix of politicians and other public figures. If the name Jack Thorne rings a bell it is because he was one of the minds behind 2025's blockbuster hit Adolescence. Thorne is also known for writing the Harry Potter stage play - the Cursed Child. He also penned another Netflix series this year in Toxic Town - starring Jodie Whittaker. Peter Kyle is a current member of Sir Keir Starmer's cabinet and holds the position of Secretary of State for Science and Technology. He is the MP for Hove and Portslade (formerly just Hove) and was first elected at the 2015 general election. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad From the other side of the political aisle is David Willetts. He was Minister of State for Universities and Science under David Cameron between 2010 and 2014 - and is now a Conservative Peer. Willetts is the president of the Resolution Foundation - which is a think-thank aiming to improve the standard of living of low- to middle-income families. He served as an MP from 1992 to 2015, when he was made a peer. Britain's so-called strictest headmistress Katharine Birbalsingh is the co-founder of the Michaela Community School in Wembley, London. She was also appointed as the chair of the Social Mobility Commission in 2021 and received a CBE in 2020. TommyInnit is a YouTuber, Twitch streamer, comedian and author - he started uploading streams online in 2013 and has had billions of views since. The internet star, real name Tom Simons, made his name with his Minecraft streams but is now also known for his stand-up comedy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He will also be the only member on the panel born in the 21st century - and is just 21 years old. Which contrasts with the more mature ages of the other panelists this week. How to watch Question Time tonight? The latest episode will be first broadcast on BBC News and iPlayer at 9pm, it has been confirmed. It will be repeated on BBC One and 10.40pm and is set to run for approximately an hour. Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at . It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Who is on Question Time? Full BBC line-up for tonight
Question Time has confirmed the line-up for this week's episode - see who 📺 Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Question Time is back with another episode this week. Fiona Bruce will host another topical debate. But who will be on the panel this time? Question Time will be tackling the challenges of 'growing up in the 21st Century' this week. The BBC has confirmed the line-up for its flagship debate programme. Debuting back in 1979, it has been a firm weekly fixture of the Beeb's TV schedule in the decades following. The latest episode will feature a YouTube star as well as political stalwarts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But who exactly is on the Question Time panel this week? Here's all you need to know: What to expect from Question Time this week? Fiona Bruce, the host of Question Time | BBC Fiona Bruce will once again be hosting the latest episode of the topical debate show. It will be broadcast from Greenford in north-west London this week, according to Radio Times . It is set to be a 'special programme on the challenges of growing up in the 21st Century'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who is on Question Time this week? The line-up for the latest episode of the long-running BBC show has been revealed. It includes the following: Peter Kyle MP David Willetts Katharine Birbalsingh Jack Thorne TommyInnit What are the Question Time panellists known for? This week's edition of Question Time, features a mix of politicians and other public figures. If the name Jack Thorne rings a bell it is because he was one of the minds behind 2025's blockbuster hit Adolescence. Thorne is also known for writing the Harry Potter stage play - the Cursed Child. He also penned another Netflix series this year in Toxic Town - starring Jodie Whittaker. Peter Kyle is a current member of Sir Keir Starmer's cabinet and holds the position of Secretary of State for Science and Technology. He is the MP for Hove and Portslade (formerly just Hove) and was first elected at the 2015 general election. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad From the other side of the political aisle is David Willetts. He was Minister of State for Universities and Science under David Cameron between 2010 and 2014 - and is now a Conservative Peer. Willetts is the president of the Resolution Foundation - which is a think-thank aiming to improve the standard of living of low- to middle-income families. He served as an MP from 1992 to 2015, when he was made a peer. Britain's so-called strictest headmistress Katharine Birbalsingh is the co-founder of the Michaela Community School in Wembley, London. She was also appointed as the chair of the Social Mobility Commission in 2021 and received a CBE in 2020. TommyInnit is a YouTuber, Twitch streamer, comedian and author - he started uploading streams online in 2013 and has had billions of views since. The internet star, real name Tom Simons, made his name with his Minecraft streams but is now also known for his stand-up comedy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He will also be the only member on the panel born in the 21st century - and is just 21 years old. Which contrasts with the more mature ages of the other panelists this week. How to watch Question Time tonight? The latest episode will be first broadcast on BBC News and iPlayer at 9pm, it has been confirmed. It will be repeated on BBC One and 10.40pm and is set to run for approximately an hour.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
How five teens who spend up to eight hours a DAY on their phones coped without their gadgets revealed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEENS who ditched their phones for a 48-hour 'digital detox' have revealed they felt happier, healthier and more harmonious when they stopped scrolling. The Sun On Sunday issued the challenge after a Bristol school banned smartphones when staff found a pupil's mobile had received more than 9,000 WhatsApp messages in a single night. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Peter Kyle is considering imposing a daily two-hour 'app cap' for kids as well as a possible 10pm social media curfew Credit: Alamy Child and educational psychologist Dr Jennifer Wills Lamacq says parents worried about kids' screen time should 'model good behaviour'. She explained: 'Adults often have unhelpful habits themselves and their children see it. ' Social media isn't the root of all evil. It just needs to be balanced with other forms of play.' As Technology Secretary Peter Kyle considers imposing a daily two-hour 'app cap' for kids as well as a possible 10pm social media curfew, here we reveal how five youngsters fared without their gadgets. LOLA ARCHBOLD - 4 HOURS A DAY WHEN she is not playing football, Lola Archbold, 15, mainly scrolls through TikTok and Instagram on her iPhone and watches Netflix on her iPad. The Portsmouth youngster averages four hours of screen time per day. 6 Lola Archbold, 15, mainly scrolls through TikTok and Instagram on her iPhone and watches Netflix on her iPad Credit: Solent But after stepping away from her devices, Lola said: 'I definitely feel more awake and engaged. Yesterday, I spent over three hours doing my art homework. "I'm doing my mock GCSEs so I've had a lot of revision. And we've all been for a walk with our dog, Rubble, which was nice.' Mum Claire, 35, said: 'Lola's got an 11-year-old brother, Finn, and I've already noticed they are getting on better. "Before, he might come into the room when Lola's on her phone and they'd annoy each other. "She also seems a lot less distracted, which is amazing. She spent so long on her art without breaking off for messages.' Stop blaming social media billionaires and MPs for kids' mobile phone habits - just be a better parent MAX YULE - 6 HOURS A NIGHT MAX YULE, 15, spends about six hours a night gaming. He uses the Discord online service to chat to other gaming pals and often watches YouTube. He's now on his iPhone far less. 6 Max Yule, 15, spends about six hours a night gaming Credit: Glen Minikin - Commissioned by The Sun Max, from Leeds, says: 'It has been good to have a break from the computer. I had to listen to my Dad's old Nineties dance tunes on vinyl because I couldn't use Spotify on my computer or phone. 'The biggest change is that I've been outside on the bike with my brother, Rufus, 12, and I've even sat in the garden with the cat. "I fixed my broken remote control car. It has been quite a productive time. I missed speaking to my mates, but I reckon I slept better.' Mortgage adviser dad Scott, 50, said: 'It has been nice because we've seen Max a lot more. "We thought it was being a moody teenager that kept him away from us but it turns out it was the computer.' POPPY HILLS - 8 HOURS A DAY SUFFOLK'S Poppy Hills, 13, loves scrolling through TikTok and messaging on Snapchat and WhatsApp. She averaged eight hours a day of screen time on her phone last week, before her digital detox. 6 Poppy Hills, 13, averaged eight hours a day of screen time on her phone last week Credit: John McLellan She says: 'I found myself looking at the time a lot when I couldn't use my devices. It was a bit dull. 'The evenings felt very long because I would usually spend my time messaging friends. "Actually, though, it wasn't that bad. I used my netball hoop in the back garden, I did lots of revision and I've read a fair amount of my book.' Poppy's mum Em Wiseman, 48, says: 'Not having her phone meant we had a proper chat. "When Poppy is on her phone, I just get grunts. I found things out about her school day and that felt really good.' PEDRO AND DAVI SILVA - 2 HOURS A DAY PEDRO SILVA, 13, and his brother Davi, 15, from Croydon, use Instagram, WhatsApp, Discord and YouTube. Both have Samsung Galaxy phones and Davi has a computer. 6 Pedro Silva, 13, uses Instagram, WhatsApp, Discord and YouTube Credit: John McLellan 6 Brother Davi said: 'I used to play the piano a lot, but times have changed, so it was nice to try that again in this experiment' Credit: John McLellan At the weekends, they'll each spend six or seven hours on devices but during weekend days it's just a few hours. Pedro said of his time away from tech: 'I got to do some drawing, which I love. As a family, we played Monopoly on one night and Uno on another. 'Usually, I'd be on my XBox and looking at YouTube. The only downside was my brother and I annoyed each other a bit more than normal!' Davi added: 'I used to play the piano a lot, but times have changed, so it was nice to try that again in this experiment. 'It's hard to go without devices because even our homework is on them.' Mum Karlla Silva, 49, said: 'It's been funny because the house has started to get very noisy. 'Now, they're chatting a lot more, but also fighting a bit more, too. 'Playing the games has brought us together even better as a family.'
