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First-time buyers can now get up to 50% off new homes under new government scheme

The scheme will help people who wish to stay in the communities where they live and work

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@photography_by_feaver / Unsplash & @amead97 / Unsplash

The government has launched a new initiative that could see first-time buyers get up to 50% off new-build properties.

It’s no secret that getting on the property ladder is a virtually impossible task these days – the North West alone has raised the average property price from £164,009 to 170,025, new reports show. 

The current average property price in the region is 3.5% more than the previous all-time high of £167,693.

But now, a new scheme could lend a helping hand to buyers struggling to purchase their first home.

@roselyntirado / Unsplash

Launched today, the First Homes scheme will help local first-time buyers – many of whom will be key workers like NHS staff and veterans – onto the property ladder by offering homes at a discount of at least 30% compared to the market price.

This price-cutting can reach up to 40% or 50% though from local authorities if applicants can display a need for this discount level – this could help people save £100,000 or more.

The project launched today in the Bolsover district in the East Midlands, but further sites across the country – the North West included – are set to join in the next few weeks.

The government then plan for a further 1,500 homes to enter the market from autumn, with at least 10,000 homes annually being delivered in the coming years ahead if there is the demand for them.

@photography_by_feaver / Unsplash

Though it is worth noting that there are certain restrictions to who can apply for this scheme – If your household has a combined annual income of more than £80,000, then you are not eligible.

Local councils also have the power to set their own requirements such as what type of people will be prioritised.

Housing Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, said: “Enabling more people to buy their own homes is at the heart of the mission of this government.

“First Homes will also support our fantastic key workers who are looking to get their first foot on the housing ladder – from front-line doctors and nurses to delivery drivers and supermarket staff – by giving many of them the chance to buy a home at a 30% discount.”

You can find out more about the scheme here.

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Woman tragically dies in Manchester petrol station incident

Emergency services attended the scene but the woman was sadly confirmed dead

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An elderly woman has died following a crash at a petrol station in Manchester.

Officers believe the woman, who was in her 70s, suffered a medical episode while at the wheel of her car when she crashed into a small brick wall.

She had been trying to drive the Nissan Micra off the forecourt of the Asda petrol station in Moston Lane, Harpurhey, at approximately 10.45am on Wednesday, March 22nd.

Emergency services attended the scene but the woman was sadly confirmed dead. Greater Manchester Police have appealed for any witnesses to help them.

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A section of stretch of road, near the junction with Rochdale Road, was closed for a number of hours while emergency services dealt with the incident. Paramedics and two air ambulances were seen.

Anyone with information or on the forecourt at the time of the incident should contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting log 1103-22/3/2023.

Information can also be reported online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk. If you can’t report online, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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‘Postbox to heaven’ now installed at Greater Manchester crematorium

Such a lovely idea!

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Howe Bridge Crematorium / Facebook

A postbox allowing people to send letters to their loved ones in heaven has now been installed at a Greater Manchester crematorium.

The white and gold Royal Mail letterbox can be found at Howe Bridge crematorium in Atherton, Wigan Borough. It was the idea of nine-year-old Matilda Handy who wanted to send a letter to her late grandparents to help her cope with the grief of her loss.

The first was set-up at Gedling Crematorium, near Nottingham, and proved a popular concept with over 100 letters and cards posted within its first few weeks. Speaking to Granada Reports, Matilda’s mother Leanne, who is Gedling Crematorium’s Memorial Advisor, said: “She was four when my mum died, and never met my dad.

“Now the postbox is in place, I am so pleased that local people are using it, and taking some comfort from it, as another way of feeling connected to their loved ones.”

Howe Bridge Crematorium / Facebook

UK crematorium and cemetery operator, Westerleigh Group is now rolling out the postboxes across all of its sites.

Lindsey Edwardson, Site Manager at Howe Bridge Crematorium, said: “Feedback has shown that the process of writing a letter, or perhaps a birthday card, to a lost loved one has already brought therapeutic comfort to many people.

“Now, the communities in and around our crematorium can do the same thing. No address or stamps are required on any of the letters or cards. This is just another way in which we can provide emotional support to local families.”

Granada Reports / ITV

A post on the Howe Bridge Crematorium Facebook page read: “We are proud to announce the official opening of our Letters to Heaven Post Box. Our thanks go to Alison Regan Civil Funeral Celebrant for her beautiful service to commemorate its opening.

“For all those who wish, you can post a letter to your loved ones that are no longer with us at the Post Box.”

 

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Woman with undiagnosed brain tumour had to visit doctors nine times to get scan

Doctors told her if she had not had the surgery within a few hours or days then it could have been a different story

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Claudia Laird / ITV

A woman with an undiagnosed brain tumour who was told ‘we don’t give out brain scans to 24-year-olds willy nilly’ is now campaigning for change.

Claudia Laird, from Burnley, went to see a medical professional on nine occasions as she tried to get to the bottom of why she felt so unwell. One week later, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. 

Claudia told ITV Granada Reports: “I think the initial reaction was trusting of the GP. I was in shock after, because I found out I definitely needed that brain scan.

“It was all quite quick – they weren’t sure what was on the brain at first. It was all up in the air.

“I can’t believe I went through that.
We were just waiting for the doctors to tell us the outcome. It was challenging, but more so looking back on it now. At the time, you don’t know the outcome.”

Claudia Laird / ITV

Claudia was experiencing symptoms of confusion, hallucinations and fatigue. But doctors put it down to what they thought to be gastroenteritis. After discovering the tumour, Claudia had to then undergo an eight-hour operation. 

Doctors told her if she had not had the surgery within a few hours or days then it could have been a different story. She said: “I was asleep all the time. My friends would call me lazy. I thought it was because I was working long hours.

“I walked into a window thinking it was a door. I spent a night in bed with my mum and dad because I was hallucinating.”

Claudia is now training to be a paediatrician, to give people the same level of care. After the difficulty she had in getting diagnosed, Claudia has decided she does not want the same mistakes to happen to someone else.

Granada Reports / ITV

Claudia said: “We need everybody to understand the difficulty of getting that diagnosis. It took me over nine times to get that diagnosis. I went to opticians, GP and A&E just to push to say ‘I really don’t think something is right here’.

“I want to see some changes, some research, funding into brain tumours. 1% of cancer research goes into brain tumours.”

The NHS lists the symptoms of a brain tumour as:

  • headaches.
  • seizures (fits)
  • persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness.
  • mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality.
  • progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body.
  • vision or speech problems.

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