News
Rishi Sunak confirms 5p cut in fuel duty as part of spring statement
The basic rate of income tax will also be cut from 20p to 19p in the pound
Rishi Sunak has delivered his spring statement, which included a 5p cut in fuel duty, a raise in the national insurance threshold and a doubled household support fund.
Addressing MPs at today’s PMQs, the Chancellor began by talking about the UK’s support of Ukraine and it’s many sanctions of Russian businesses and individuals, actions he warned are not ‘cost-free’ and present a ‘risk to our recovery’.
From there, he announced the numerous measures that will be taken by the government to help the British public with the looming cost of living crisis.
Here’s everything you need to know about the spring statement delivery:
Fuel Duty cut by 5p
Opening his spring statement with the topic of rising petrol and diesel costs, Sunak began by announcing that from 6pm tonight, there will be a 5p cut to fuel duty, which he called ‘the biggest cut to all fuel duty rates ever’.
This discount will remain in place until March next year.
0% VAT on energy saving materials
It was announced that homeowners will pay 0% VAT on energy saving materials, such as solar panels, heat pumps and insulation. Sunak pointed out that installing solar panels will save £1,000 worth of taxes a year and more than £300 in annual energy bills.
Crediting the move to Brexit, he said: “We’ll also reverse the EU’s decision to take wind and water turbines out of scope – and zero rate them as well.”
Household support fund doubled
Also as part of the spring statement delivery was the doubling in household support fund, which will be distributed to vulnerable households by local councils.
These councils will receive £5bn of new funding from April.
National Insurance threshold increased
The chancellor announced that the government will be raising the threshold for the amount people earn before they pay National Insurance.
He said: “From this July, people will be able to earn £12,570 a year without paying a single penny of income tax or National Insurance.
“That’s a £6bn personal tax cut for 30 million people across the United Kingdom… A tax cut for employees worth over £330 a year.”
He added that this is the largest increase in a basic rate threshold ever, and the largest single personal tax cut in a decade.
Employment allowance increased
The chancellor also announced an increase in employment allowance to £5,000 for small businesses.
He explained: “From April, the Employment Allowance will increase to £5,000. That’s a new tax cut worth up to £1,000 for half a million small businesses – starting in just two weeks’ time.”
Basic rate of income tax to be cut
The basic rate of income tax will be cut from 20p to 19p in the pound. This will come in before the end of this parliamentary term in 2024.
Sunak said: “£5bn tax cut for over 30 million people. Let me be clear with the House: It is fully costed and fully paid for in the plans announced today.”
In his statement, Sunak issued a tough warning for the public, saying the economy and public finances will likely worsen, ‘potentially significantly’.
He says the cost of borrowing is continuing to rise and more borrowing ‘is not cost or risk-free’.
The chancellor said he will today publish a new tax plan which will ‘help families with the cost of living, create the conditions for higher growth, and share the proceeds of growth fairly’.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
News
More human remains discovered in Greater Manchester as police identify victim
All the latest updates
Detectives investigating the discovery of a torso in Kersal Dale have found more human remains around Greater Manchester.
GMP released a statement on the weekend, revealing they had opened four scenes for extensive searches – one of them at a warehouse in Bury, and three in Salford.
Searches took place at Blackleach reservoir, where human remains were found, and a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood.
Officers believe they have now identified the man, who they believe to be a man in his 60s that lived in Salford, and his family have been informed.
Two suspects have already been arrested in connection with the murder probe, with officers saying they are thought to have lived with the victim.
Greater Manchester Police / Facebook
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, Senior Investigating Officer for this investigation, said in a statement at Blackleach reservoir yesterday, Sunday April 28th: “We have continued to make significant progress in our investigation into human remains being found in Kersal earlier this month.
“From day one, our priority has been to identify the man and his family so that we can give them the support and the answers that they need.
“Thanks to meticulous forensic work, we are now confident we have identified the man. Formal identification hasn’t yet taken place, but we believe he is a man in his 60s and lived in Salford.
“Specially-trained family liaison officers have met with his family this afternoon to give them the devastating news, and we will do all that we can to support them at this awful time.
“We believe he is known to the two suspects we have in custody. They have remained in custody for questioning over the weekend, as we work to establish how the victim met this tragic outcome.”
He continued: “We have painstakingly worked to follow up every line of inquiry in this investigation. Over the last couple of days, we have acted on information and had four scenes in place for extensive searches – one of them is at a warehouse in Bury, and three of them are in Salford, including here at Blackleach reservoir.
“Today, we have found some human remains at the reservoir here, and last night a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood. Forensic tests will continue to establish whose remains these are, but we are very confident that this is also the victim in our investigation.
“We have also been searching a house in Winton where we believe the victim and the two suspects lived. We have found evidence that the victim is likely to have died there – most likely in late March.
“While this is significant progress, we know there is still some way to go to complete this investigation. I also recognise details of this case will have been distressing for the people of Salford and beyond – including the officers that are diligently working on this investigation, and most importantly the man’s heartbroken family.
“Local officers will continue to patrol the affected areas, and we will provide updates when we have more information.”
Find something to do in Manchester
Powered by 
Huge beer festival with more than 500 different varieties coming to Manchester
New makers market with everything from dog accessories to house plants and jewellery coming to Manchester
New apartment development with huge gardens and outdoor space opening this year
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Manchester Flower Festival returns with tributes to Sarah Harding and Caroline Aherne
