Martin Lewis says Winter Fuel Payment cut could be delayed until next year

Martin Lewis has explained how the government might not be able to cut Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners this year. Speaking on Radio 5 Live today (Thursday, September 26), the Money Saving Expert founder explained that this morning, a law centre in Scotland launched a case with two pensioners to review Winter Fuel Payments in the country.

This will judicially review the Scottish government's decision to implement the cut, and also challenge the UK government's decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payments in the first place.

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Martin said that the challenge is specifically related to the Equality Act of 2010, where public bodies and lawmakers have a duty to consider how their decisions and actions will affect people with different protected characteristics, including age and disability.

Martin said: "If this were to succeed – and there's quite a track record in Scotland of this type of thing going through to challenge Government decisions – it could mean it forces the Government [...] to do an equality impact assessment, which is not quick.

"That would mean they could not impose the universal cut this year, so it would delay it. This is my interpretation: it wouldn't stop it happening, but it would postpone it for a year."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has scrapped the Winter Fuel Payment for all pensioners, making the extra payments means tested (Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

The Money Saving Expert (MSE) team explained that while the case is being raised in Scotland, its outcome could also apply in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If the court finds that the government didn't fulfil its duties under the Equality Act 2010, or didn’t follow procedural fairness by failing to consult pensioners, then it would make the decision to restrict the payments as unlawful.

In short, it would reverse the government decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Payments in the first place, and they would be reinstated to the level they were in before the cut was announced. And, given that any assessments, or the review itself, will take a significant amount of time to complete, they will not be done before the Winter Fuel Payments are due to be sent out in November and December this year.

The MSE team say this would effectively mean reinstating the payments for all pensioners this winter. But it's very early days, the team warn, as the case is still in its early stages.

A Government spokesperson declined to comment on the legal case, instead reiterating that it was right to "target support to those who need it most" due to the "dire state of public finances we have inherited".

Got a story for us? Email anna.willis@reachplc.com.

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EastEnders viewers point out major Nish Panesar blunder as he makes huge dying wish

EastEnders dropped a bombshell for the Panesar family on Wednesday (September 25) as Nish was rescued from the brink of death, only to alter his will from his hospital bed, dealing a massive blow to his ex-wife.

Nish (Navin Chowdhry) found himself gasping for air after collapsing in agony due to his heart condition. However, instead of lending a hand, Suki (Balvinder Sopal) merely observed her ex-husband's life ebbing away as his wicked schemes were nearing their conclusion.

Her master plan was thwarted when her girlfriend Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) and granddaughter Avani (Aaliyah James) came back home.

Avani promptly intervened to assist her grandfather Nish and dialled for an ambulance, questioning why Suki hadn't aided him. Eve sought the truth from Suki, but she hurried off to the hospital to ensure Avani didn't spill the beans about her intention to let Nish perish.

Nish Panesar made a dying wish in surprise twist following his collapse (Image: BBC)

At the hospital, Suki claimed she was in shock following Nish's collapse, but Avani was convinced that Suki knew exactly what she was doing, reports the Daily Star.

Nish requested a private chat with Suki, despite Avani and Eve's reluctance to leave them alone, and Suki admitted that she would have let him die if she hadn't been interrupted.

Recognising that there was no turning back, Nish asked to make a phone call, and later, his lawyer paid him a visit.

Ravi, Priya and Nugget showed up at the hospital, and Nish revealed to the entire family that he had signed his last will and testament, which had been sealed by his solicitor as the document rested on his legs.

Suki Panesar was left furious with Nish's latest decision (Image: BBC)

In a shocking twist, Nish pushed Suki to reveal the updated will, and she found herself reeling from the revelation that Nish bequeathed his expansive estate, properties, and remaining assets entirely to his grandkids Avani and Nugget (played by Juhaim Rasul Choudhury).

Yet, fans of EastEnders were left scratching their heads over an apparent oversighthas Nish actually forgotten about his other grandson?

Jagvir Panesar (portrayed by Amar Adatia), son of Nish and Suki, fathered a child with Habiba Ahmed (acted by Rukku Nahar) before his tragic demise in prison. This little one seems conspicuously missing from the inheritance plans.

Echoing the thoughts of many, one viewer commented: "Nish seems to have forgotten about the other grandson he has from the 'boy he loved so much' Jagvir."

Jags Panesar fathered a child with Habiba (Image: Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes/ BBC)

Another mused, "Poor forgotten Tyrion", and yet another added, "Has he forgotten Jags has a son, therefore, he has 3 grandchildren? ".

One fan pointed out with indignation, "I like how they invented new grandkids for Nish but he still doesn't care about Jags kid. #EastEnders. The disrespect! ".

Finally, another hinted at a family oversight: "Nish has three grandchildren. So Nish has decided to leave everything to Nugget and Avani, yet he hasn't left anything to Tyrion (Jag's son) #Eastenders".

EastEnders airs Monday - Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer

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More London flood warnings issued including right by Heathrow Airport

Outer London is set to be drenched with more floods, according to the Environment Agency as reported by the Evening Standard. Recent floods left parts of the capital submerged, with sinkholes and chaos on the transport system.

But earlier today (Tuesday, September 24) the agency issued a further 32 warnings covering areas such as Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire. There is also a flood alert for Colne Brook at Iver and Colnbrook, which is right next to Heathrow Airport.

There is no suggestion flights will be affected, but MyLondon has contacted the airport for confirmation. But what many Londoners may find comforting is that the UK’s national forecaster - The Met Office - doesn’t have a single weather warning covering the south this week.

READ MORE: Flooding leaves London in chaos with sinkholes, Tube closures and submerged vehicles

The flood warnings are red while the flood alerts are yellow (Image: Environment Agency)

In fact, its only warning is on Thursday (September 26) and runs from Nottingham to the north of Newcastle. This will be most welcome as London was drenched earlier this week, including South Ruislip, which was left ‘looking like the Lake District’.

Lee Panch, 57, works in VRK Convenience and Post Office on Eastcote Lane, which connects to Field End Road. He said: "It was really high above my feet. Luckily none came inside, but outside was like the Lake District."

Tom Searle, 82, has lived in South Ruislip for 40 years. He says the flooding this morning is the worst he has ever experienced. He said: "I came down this morning, and it was soaking wet outside and inside my backroom. Then my lights didn't work because of the rain, so I'm waiting for someone to come and fix it today. It's the worst it's ever been."

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M&S Christmas food range 2024 including turkey feast lasagne and 'build your own charcuter-tree'

M&S have just unveiled their Christmas food range for 2024. And with over 450 brand new products, this festive season promises to be rich in flavour.

From light-up chocolate boxes to a range of hot honey cheeses and a first-to-market white mulled wine, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Kathryn Turner, Director of Product Development for M&S Food, said: "Forget Santa’s workshop - we all know the true magic of Christmas happens in the kitchen.

"And our chefs have been working for months behind the scenes to bring outstanding quality feasts from our kitchen to yours, relentlessly trialing and testing before landing on the perfect bite across 450 new products! From the exceptional restaurant-quality party food, starters, mains and desserts in our 'Our Best Ever' range – all based on our customers’ Foodhall favourites, to our unique mantlepiece and centrepiece-worthy gifts, and every artisan touch in between."

READ MORE: The West London café with the richest hot chocolate so thick you need a spoon to eat it

"There really is no beating the magic of an M&S Christmas, and this year’s collection – with over 450 new festive additions, including hundreds of returning favourites - is even more spellbinding than ever." And here at MyLondon, we've put together a selection of our top picks from the 2024 Christmas range.

Magical Snowing Forest

Priced at £15 and now available in stores, the Magical Snowing Forest is a world-first light-up chocolate box, featuring fluttering snow. Inside, you'll find crunchy Belgian milk and blond ganache truffles.

Hot Honey Brie Brûlée

The Hot Honey Brie Brûlée consists of a whole creamy brie, drizzled with English Provender hot honey and sprinkled with brown cane sugar. It'll be available in-store from Wednesday, November 27 at £7.

Build Your Own Charcuter-Tree

The Build Your Own Charcuter-Tree (£25) will also make an exciting appearance on November 27. Perfect for a good time with friends and family, the centrepiece comes with salchichón, chorizo, gouda cheese, manzanilla and kalamata olives.

Turkey Feast Lasagne

This Christmas, M&S is offering its take on the traditional turkey. Coming to shops on Wednesday, December 4, the Turkey Feast Lasagne (£10) features layers of turkey, smoked bacon, cranberries, sautéed leeks and a creamy béchamel sauce.

Quattro Chocolate Panettone

The popular Triple Chocolate Panettone, in-store from Friday, November 1, is coming back for 2024 - but with a twist. This year, the light Italian bread is not only studded with milk and dark chocolate chips, it’s also filled with chocolate sauce, coated in rich dark chocolate and scattered with white and blond chocolate chips.

Stay up to date with London's most exciting events, newest restaurants and latest deals with our What's On newsletter, Going Out Out. You can sign up HERE.

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24 Hours in Police Custody: Who is Anthony McGrath, hospital surgeon and fraudster who nicknamed himself 'Paddy Bond'?

An episode of 24 Hours in Police Custody airing on TV tonight (Sunday, September 22) delves into the life of a surgeon who managed to swindle almost £1 million in a complex mortgage fraud scam. Anthony McGrath was an orthopaedic surgeon who styled himself as the Irish James Bond, driving around in a Maserati and calling himself 'Paddy Bond'.

After marrying his wife, GP Anne-Louise McGrath, in 2009, the couple moved to London and had four children, who were all sent to private school. The family also owned a seven-bedroom home, worth £1.1 million, in Hertfordshire, while also paying for a cottage in Bedfordshire costing them £2,400 a month in rent.

But it turned out that not everything was as it seemed. McGrath faked a burglary at his home and told police £180,000 worth of antiques had been stolen in an attempt to get a big insurance payout. According to The Sun, he claimed 95 items, including a £35,000 Persian rug, two clocks, antiques, artworks, jewellery, and a 19th-century red marble fireplace, had been stolen.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Montell Douglas declares 'we're getting married' in surprise announcement

Anthony McGrath is interview by police on 24 Hours in Police Custody (Image: Channel 4)

Some of the items were shipped to another family home in Ireland. Faced with thousands of pounds of debt, he also committed a series of 'well planned and sophisticated' fraudulent mortgage applications where he received nearly a million pounds in loans from Lloyds Bank between 2012 and 2015.

McGrath was jailed in 2019 after a four month trial, where he was found guilty of four counts of an insurance scam fraud, perverting the course of public justice, and three charges of mortgage fraud. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for his actions by a judge at Luton Crown Court.

He was branded 'arrogant and greedy by a judge' who called it a 'very sorry tale', the Daily Mail has reported. Addressing McGrath, Judge Barbara Mensah said: "Through your talents, you rose to be a successful orthopaedic surgeon and fell, through greed and arrogance, to where you sit [in the dock]."

In March 2021, he was given three months to pay back more than £500,000 or he'd have to spend an extra five years in jail. He had to pay £564,518 after a three-day Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation hearing.

Watch 24 Hours in Police Custody at 10pm on Sunday, September 22 on More4.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Montell Douglas declares 'we're getting married' in surprise announcement

Strictly Come Dancing's Montell Douglas had the studio chuckling when she quipped that she's set to wed her professional partner, as the team geared up for their debut performance on the dance floor.

This year's Strictly has officially started for 2024 following a scintillating launch show. The first week is all about introductions, where the celebrity contestants and their pro partners take to the stage for their opening bid to score points and impress on the leaderboard with their dances.

Although the judges will be dishing out their critiques and the stars will receive scores, there won't be any heartbreaking goodbyes just yet no eliminations are scheduled for week one. However, come week two, the pressure mounts, as one celeb will find themselves waltzing off the stage permanently.

Montell and Johannes dressed for their first performance on Strictly (Image: BBC)

Montell, also known as the formidable Gladiator Fire, is teamed with Johannes Radebe. For their first dance routine, they performed a graceful Foxtrot to 'Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby' by Dinah Washington, kicking off their quest to lift the glitterball trophy.

But before they dazzled with their dancing, host Claudia Winkleman couldn't help but note how glamorous the "Mojo" pair looked.

As Montell, from Lewisham, stunned in an exquisite lace and sheer dress and Johannes was the epitome of style in his white shirt, cream waistcoat, paired with pin-stripped trousers, it was a perfect moment for Montell to jest, "Well, we are getting married," prompting laughter from the Strictly family, with Claudia adding, "You're all invited."

Montell looked like she was dressed for a wedding in her first Strictly costume (Image: BBC)

Fans will get their chance to vote starting week two on Saturday, with the season's inaugural elimination round broadcast the following night, reports the Mirror.

The excitement tonight will commence at 7pm on BBC One, but there won't be a results show this weekend.

Currently leading the betting odds are X Factor victor Shayne Ward and JLS celebrity JB Gill though former professional dancer Erin Boag has cautioned that Miranda star Sarah Hadland is also a contender to keep an eye on.

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Suspicious East Croydon package pictured as forensics comb scene after 'bomb scare'

A hammer and wooden block wrapped in a wire were laid out on the steps of Croydon's 50p Building, right outside East Croydon station

Photos show what appear to be the contents of a suspicious package in East Croydon which was detonated in a small controlled explosion this evening. A hammer and wooden block with wires wrapped around it have been seen laid out on the steps of One Croydon, colloquially known as The 50p Building outside East Croydon station.

UK News In Pictures photographer David Nathan snapped Met Police forensic officers taking photos of and inspecting the items which are laid out on a plastic sheet. They are then wrapped in the plastic sheet to be taken away for further examination.

Bomb disposal specialists and the police were called to Addiscombe Road, nearby East Croydon station just after 4pm. They evacuated the road, the nearby station and surrounding areas as a safety measure at about 5pm while experts assessed the suspicious package.

READ MORE: East Croydon 'bomb scare' sees controlled explosion carried out near station

They then blew up what's thought to have been a bag in a controlled explosion 'as a precaution' which marked the end of the incident as officers were told to stand down around 6pm. A Met Police spokesperson said: "At about 16:07hrs on Friday, 20 September, police were made aware of a suspicious package in Addiscombe Road, Croydon. Members of the public were evacuated and safety cordons were put in place while specialist officers assessed the item.

"As a precaution, specialist teams have conducted a controlled explosion at the location. This incident has now been stood down and enquiries remain ongoing."

The Met Police has been asked for more information on the items pictured outside One Croydon.

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