The seven bills going up this week
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel The seven bills going up this week Banzai Japan Music Video A series of essential bills are rising at the start of what some commentators have described as “awful April”. The exact amount you pay will depend on your individual circumstances, and where you live. Although minimum wages are also increasing, and wages on average have been outpacing inflation, household finances could still come under extra pressure. Here are seven ways in which you could be affected from 1 April. Book Novotel Hotel 1. Water bills Water bills for households are going up in England and Wales by £10 more per month on average, but there’s a lot of variation depending on the company, external. For example, the annual Southern Water bill will jump 47% to £703, while Anglian Water customers will pay 19% more, or £626. Factors including whether households have a meter and how much water used will also impact bills, which are being front-loaded for the next five years, meaning the big increase is coming this year. Water companies in England and Wales have said the increases are needed to invest in creaking infrastructure, including sewage, and to build more reservoirs. In Scotland, water bills are rising by almost 10%. Scottish Water, which is a public body, said spending was needed to cope with periods of “drought and intense rainfall” brought on by climate change. Domestic customers in Northern Ireland are not billed for water, with the system funded by the devolved government. 2. Energy bills The annual energy bill for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity is going up by £111 a year to £1,849 from April. Regulator Ofgem increased the energy price cap because of higher wholesale costs and inflation. The cap is set every three months and limits the amount suppliers can charge for each unit of gas and electricity, but not the total bill, so if you use more, you will pay more. It affects 22 million homes in England, Wales and Scotland. Standing charges – fixed fees to connect to a gas and electricity supply and vary by region – are rising again for gas but dropping for electricity, but it depends on where you live. Ofgem is suggesting households consider a fixed tariff for a bit of stability. Energy price cap: Why are gas and electricity bills going up and can I fix? 3. Council tax It is likely the tax you pay to your local authority is going up. In England, local authorities with responsibility for delivering social care can increase council tax every year by up to 4.99% without triggering a referendum or local vote. Smaller councils without social care duties can increase bills by up to 2.99%. For 2025-26, the government is allowing Bradford, Newham, Birmingham, Somerset, and Windsor and Maidenhead to bypass the 4.99% cap, meaning they could raise council tax by more. Council tax rates in Scotland have been frozen or had limited increases since 2007, but they are are going up, in some cases by as much as 10%. The Scottish government says it is offering local authorities an extra £1bn in 2025-26 to help reduce the scale of any rise. In Wales, council tax rates could jump by as much 15% in some areas. Local authorities were given £253m by the Welsh government in its draft budget, but council leaders say more money needed. Northern Ireland uses a domestic rates system, external instead of council tax. All of Northern Ireland’s councils have reported district rate increases for the next year. What is council tax and how much is it going up? 4. Car tax The standard rate of tax for cars registered after April 2017 is rising £5 to £195 a year. According to the RAC,, external you may pay less or more if your car was first used before 2017. The exact amount for your road tax will depend on the year your car was registered and the type of fuel it uses. One big change is that electric vehicles (EVs) will no longer be tax exempt. EVs registered from April 2025 will pay the lowest rate of £10 in the first year, then move to the standard rate. The standard rate will also apply to EVs first registered after April 2017. Banzai Japan Music Video 5. Broadband, phone and TV licence Rule changes introduced by the telecoms regulator this year mean that mobile and broadband providers must now tell customers “in pounds and pence” about any price rises, as well as when they occur. The new rules typically only apply to new customers, so any price rise will depend on when you took your contract out, but prices ususally increase around now. For instance, under the new rules, someone with a mobile Sim only contract with EE will see their bill go up by £1.50 a month, or £18 a year. But for the majority of EE customers who took their contract out before 10 April 2024, they will face an increase of 6.4%, which is based on the inflation rate last December together with an additional charge. Similarly, most Virgin Media broadband customers will face a 7.5% rise in bills, but for anyone who took out a contract after 9 January this year, their monthly bill will go up by £3.50. The cost of a TV licence is also going up by £5 to £174.50, and for a black and white TV is going up by £1.50 to £58.50. 6. Stamp duty House buyers in England and Northern Ireland will start paying stamp duty on properties over £125,000, instead of over £250,000. First-time buyers currently had paid no stamp duty on homes up to £425,000, but this is dropping to £300,000. A host of homebuyers had been trying to beat the deadline or face paying more. What is stamp duty land tax and how is it changing? 7. Hidden tax rises The government
Rapper to face trial over Tommy Robinson video
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Rapper to face trial over Tommy Robinson video Banzai Japan Music Video A rapper from Birmingham is set to face a trial after posting an allegedly “menacing” video mentioning Tommy Robinson. Omar Abdirizak – known as Twista Cheese – pleaded not guilty to sending a grossly offensive or menacing message via a public communications network at the city’s magistrates’ court on Friday. Book Novotel Hotel A previous charge of conveying false information was dropped. The 30-year-old from Sparkbrook, Birmingham, was granted unconditional bail until the trial on 8 January. Banzai Japan Music Video Mr Abdirizak is alleged to have made the video he posted on social media between 1 and 10 August, before it was then shared by Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, on X. In court, the accused was told a police officer would be the sole witness at the forthcoming trial. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Rapper convicted over Tommy Robinson video
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Rapper convicted over Tommy Robinson video Banzai Japan Music Video A rapper has been found guilty of posting a “menacing” video on social media, aimed at the former English Defence League leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson. In it, he mentioned artillery and made a gun gesture while shouting “pow, pow, pow”. Omar Abdirizak, 31, denied sending a message of a menacing character contrary to the Communications Act 2003. But he was convicted by Birmingham Magistrates Court after a two-hour trial. The video, which attracted more than two million views, was reposted by Yaxley-Lennon alongside a claim that it was a threat to murder him due to “lies” by the media and politicians, the court heard. Book Novotel Hotel Prosecutor Tim Talbot-Webb told the court references to guns and artillery made by the Birmingham-based rapper, known as Twista Cheese, meant it had crossed the line from freedom of speech into criminality. Abdirizak denied making direct threats to Yaxley-Lennon. The drill rapper said he had decided to make the video and publicise his music on YouTube and TikTok to his 20,000 followers “to put Tommy Robinson in his place”. He said he made it after seeing footage of broadcaster Piers Morgan and influencer Andrew Tate discussing issues connected to last summer’s riots. During the minute-long video, Abdirizak, wearing a patterned hoodie and grey jogging bottoms, said he was a Somali pirate. He also said he had a message for Yaxley-Lennon, before adding he had “Muslims in every corner” and “look at the artillery we’ve got”. He told the court: “Even when I say ‘bam, bam, bam’, this is all entertainment.” Banzai Japan Music Video Backdrop of summer riots The singer, of Long Street, Sparkbrook, denied making a gun gesture in the video and said the references to artillery were an encouragement to viewers to seek out a music video made in Somalia which featured rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. But Mr Talbot-Webb reminded the court the video was made during the summer riots, aimed at mosques and other institutions. “The Crown say that by making references to pirates and artillery… any member of the public seeing that could well have been caused apprehension of serious violence,” he said. Abdirizak was granted conditional bail and will be sentenced on 12 February after the court expressed concern at “hidden disabilities” that needed to be explored, including mental health issues. He will also be sentenced for possession of cannabis and a racially aggravated public order offence. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Rapper jailed over Tommy Robinson video
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Rapper jailed over Tommy Robinson video Banzai Japan Music Video A rapper who posted a “menacing” video on social media, aimed at the former English Defence League leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, has been jailed. Omar Abdirizak, known as Twista Cheese, made rifle gestures and imitated firing a gun in the video, which was shared on 10 August last year. During a trial in January, a court heard the video, which attracted more than two million views, was reposted by Yaxley-Lennon alongside a claim that it was a threat to murder him due to “lies” by the media and politicians. Book Novotel Hotel Abdirizak, 31, of Long Street, Sparkbrook, was jailed for 20 weeks at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Friday. During the trial, prosecutors told the court references to guns and artillery made by the Birmingham-based rapper meant it had crossed the line from freedom of speech into criminality. The drill rapper said he had decided to make the video and publicise his music on YouTube and TikTok to his 20,000 followers “to put Tommy Robinson in his place”. He said he made it after seeing footage of broadcaster Piers Morgan and influencer Andrew Tate discussing issues connected to last summer’s riots. Banzai Japan Music Video The artist denied making a gun gesture in the video and said the references to artillery were an encouragement to viewers to seek out a music video made in Somalia, which featured rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. However, he was found guilty of sending an offensive or menacing message on social media. He also admitted possession of cannabis and a racially aggravated public order offence. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Tickets Now on Sale for MCM Birmingham Comic Con
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Tickets Now on Sale for MCM Birmingham Comic Con Banzai Japan Music Video Thursday 06 June, London: ReedPop are excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for MCM Birmingham Comic Con. MCM Birmingham Comic Con is the UK’s largest pop and geek culture event outside of London, bringing people together from across the country to share their passion for all things fandom. Book Novotel Hotel Returning to the NEC Birmingham from 29 November – 1 December, this year’s convention will include all the features visitors love at MCM. From Artist Alley, The Treehouse family area, Side Quest, Pop Asia, Cosplay Central, festive fun, meet and greets, signings, panels and more, attendees can expect a packed show. Children 10 and under also visit MCM Birmingham Comic Con for free, making it easier for families to experience all these fan-favourite features together. Banzai Japan Music Video Keep an eye out for celebrity guest, panel, workshop and performance announcements, which will be revealed as the event approaches. Tickets for MCM Birmingham Comic Con can be purchased here. Photos from last year’s show can be found here. Please visit mcmcomiccon.com or follow MCM Comic Con on X/Instagram/TikTok for the latest updates on the event. — END — Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
MCM Birmingham Comic Con and Memorabilia events open
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel MCM Birmingham Comic Con and Memorabilia events open Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPElmgQJGBo Creatures and characters from the world of sci-fi, comedy and film are gathering in Birmingham this weekend for what is being hailed as “the biggest collectors’ event in Britain”. MCM Birmingham Comic Con and Memorabilia are both at the NEC on Saturday and Sunday. Book Novotel Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJsGZL-zb54 Actors from Red Dwarf, Quadrophenia and EastEnders are among those attending. Fans of Dr Who will also get to meet stars and creators of the show ahead of its 50th anniversary celebrations. Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3syHHGzkF_s A spokesman for the events said: “This weekend in Birmingham wraps up a record-breaking 2013 by bringing a holiday helping of geeky goodness back to the Midlands.” The comic con event has already been staged in London, Manchester and Glasgow this year. This is the first time the two conventions have joined forces in Birmingham. Book Novotel Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR8YYeb4PMk Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol