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3 weeks ago | 
bbc.com | Martin Jones
Veteran has 'burning fire' to correct pension 'robbery'Martin JonesCheryl DennisBBCErnest Williams says he feels "bitter" about his treatment by the MOD and will keep fighting to get the pension he feels he deservesTime has not dimmed Ernest Williams' sense of injustice. Despite being 90 years of age, the former Royal Navy veteran says he still has a "burning fire" inside him.
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1 month ago | 
bbc.com | Chloe Harcombe |Martin Jones
Builder stole 'equivalent of lottery win', jury toldChloe Harcombe & Martin JonesSubmittedMark Killick is accused of defrauding 46 customers out of more than £2mA builder has gone on trial accused of defrauding 46 customers in the West Country out of more than £2m after failing to complete work at their homes. Mark Killick, of Shoe Lane in Paulton, Somerset, allegedly charged his customers for building materials and labour after agreeing to complete work, but kept the money for himself.
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Mar 24, 2025 | 
bbc.com | Martin Jones |Kaushal Menon Muralidharan
Teachers in divorce 'limbo' take pension legal actionMartin Jones & Kaushal Menon MuralidharanBBCDavid Quinton waited more than a year for his CETV valuation and said he wants to join a group seeking compensation for the long waitsTeachers unable to get divorced because of delays getting their pensions valued are taking legal action against the government.
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Nov 3, 2024 | 
yahoo.com | Emma Elgee |Martin Jones
Knife crime in Bristol has been described as a scourge. In 2023, there was an average of an incident a week involving knives and stabbings. On Friday two teenagers were jailed for murdering 16-year-old Darrian Williams. Some of those who have been involved in the postcode-driven "gangs" behind the violence now say they are are looking for a way out. "I feel like I won't achieve what I want because you can't leave that life.
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Sep 24, 2024 | 
professionaladviser.com | Martin Jones
Since 2011, pension scheme members have been able to settle annual allowance tax charges via the ‘scheme pays' mechanism. This allows the charge to be paid direct to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) from the pension scheme as opposed to being paid via self-assessment. Clients can use this process to settle a charge that's arisen from contributions or accrual in that particular pension scheme.
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Jan 18, 2024 | 
bbc.co.uk | Martin Jones
The build, demolition and rebuild of three schools declared unsafe shortly after being built could cost taxpayers at least £150m, the BBC has been told. Schools in Somerset, Essex and Northamptonshire were condemned in August shortly after being constructed. Labour have called on the government to be more transparent about the costs and what went wrong with the projects. The Department for Education (DfE) said it is reviewing contracts and taking legal advice on how to recover costs.
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Aug 15, 2023 | 
bbc.co.uk | Emma Elgee |Martin Jones
By Emma Elgee and Martin Jones BBC News The future of Grade-I listed Ashton Court Mansion will be discussed in a 'year of conversations'. Bristol City Council, which owns the building, has agreed to a request from Bristol Civic Society to a year of debates about its future. Two thirds of the mansion is derelict and the repair bill has been estimated to be £20m. Developer Norman Routledge thinks he could do it for £5million and said it should be the "jewel" for Bristol.
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Aug 14, 2023 | 
bbc.co.uk | Martin Jones
A "confrontational and provocative" woman who stabbed her partner in the chest has been jailed for at least 15 years for murder. Sonja Blenkiron, 41, killed Paul Wagland in her flat in Bristol in the early hours of 30 January. She denied murder, claiming she acted in self-defence but was convicted at Bristol Crown Court. Jailing her for life with a minimum of 15 years, Judge Peter Blair KC said she had acted "in a moment of rage".
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Aug 14, 2023 | 
bbc.com | Martin Jones
Image source, Avon and Somerset PoliceImage caption, Sonja Blenkiron was described as having 'little empathy with others'A "confrontational and provocative" woman who stabbed her partner in the chest has been jailed for at least 15 years for murder. Sonja Blenkiron, 41, killed Paul Wagland in her flat in Bristol in the early hours of 30 January. She denied murder, claiming she acted in self-defence but was convicted at Bristol Crown Court.
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Aug 3, 2023 | 
timeshighereducation.com | Martin Jones
It was a Ratner moment. The graphic published by 10 Downing Street showed a hammer smashing down on the words “crackdown on rip-off university degrees”. I can’t think of any other country that would smash up one of its most successful exports. The only way universities can expand and pay their bills is to attract more students domestically and, crucially, internationally. Will the “rip-off” narrative now put them off?
