News reports located on this page = 4.

Pop up self service library box in Formby

OVER the last few weeks, readers have spotted a very colourful converted postbox that has appeared in Formby, on Raven Meols Lane, Formby.  This box contains a self survive book lending scheme. We are not 100% when it appeared and still can not confirm who installed it or why... But as many readers have commented, it makes a interesting taking point and should prove to be an asset for the community.  If you have any information about it, please do contact us by emailing our news room to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Next steps announced to boost road safety and close mobile phone loophole

PEOPLE using a hand held mobile phone in all circumstances while driving will be breaking the law, under new Government plans unveiled by Roads Minister Baroness Vere on Saturday, 17 October 2020, to close a legislation loophole and improve road safety. It's already a criminal offence to use a hand held mobile phone to call or text while driving, but not for other actions such as taking photos. While still distracting, drivers have escaped punishment due to a legal loophole where such actions are not seen as 'interactive communication,' and therefore do not fit the current definition of the offence.  Now, following a review of the offence, a consultation has been launched on bringing the law into line with modern technology; meaning drivers caught taking photos, playing games or scrolling through a playlist behind the wheel will be clearly breaking the law on mobile phone use. Recognising that mobile phones are commonly used as a method of payment; such as:- at drive through; an exemption will apply under the new proposals set out by Government to contactless payments, if a vehicle is stationary, and if goods or services; such as a takeaway meal; are delivered immediately.

Roads Minister Baroness Vere said:- "Our roads are some of the safest in the world, but we want to make sure they're safer still by bringing the law into the 21st century. That's why we're looking to strengthen the law to make using a hand held phone while driving illegal in a wider range of circumstances it's distracting and dangerous and for too long risky drivers have been able to escape punishment, but this update will mean those doing the wrong thing will face the full force of the law."

Ministers have rejected calls to go further by banning the use of hands free functions; drivers will still be able to continue safely using devices 'hands free' while driving, such as a Sat-Nav secured in a cradle. The proposals come as new research published today gives a further snapshot into driver behaviour in the UK. The project, commissioned by DfT and carried out by the University of Leeds, looked at footage of 51 drivers and found over 765 trips, 662 mobile phone interactions were observed with only 38 completely hands free. At 30mph, a car travels 100 feet in 2.3 seconds; meaning even a split second lapse from changing a song on a playlist or checking an app could result in a crash. By updating the law, Police powers will be bolstered to tackle this behaviour even further; ensuring they can take immediate action if they see a driver holding and using their phone at the wheel. The penalties in place for using a hand held mobile phone while driving are 6 penalty points and a ₤200 fine.

National Police Chiefs' Council lead for Roads Policing, Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, said:- "Using a mobile phone while driving is incredibly dangerous and being distracted at the wheel can change lives forever. Police will take robust action against those using a hand held mobile phone illegally and proposals to make the law clearer are welcome."

The Government is also tackling phone use behind the wheel through a review of road traffic policing and wider traffic enforcement; to look at how roads policing currently works, its effectiveness, and where improvements could be made. As well as this, the Department runs dedicated THINK! campaigns to show drivers the risk they are taking and the potentially devastating impact of using a hand held mobile phone while driving. In addition, the Road Safety Action Plan sets out over 70 measures to reduce the number of people killed or injured on roads around the country. 

Public consultation into changes proposed for the Highway Code

THE current public consultation into changes proposed for the Highway Code to introduce a hierarchy of road users is closing at the end of October, but a new study by Admiral MultiCover has already revealed that 63% of road users disagree with the proposed hierarchy, and believe all road users should be ranked equally. The new proposal would prioritise cyclists and pedestrians over cars and other vehicles.  Admiral's study found that only 30% of motorists agree that more vulnerable road users should be prioritised, in comparison to 60% of cyclists who agree with the proposals. The findings come as it's revealed that 44% of road users haven't looked at the Highway Code for over 20 years, even though it has been updated 15 times since 2015 alone. Admiral warns many road users may not truly understand the rules of the road and could be putting themselves and others in danger, especially as more people turn to alternative modes of travel and more people take up cycling.   The insurer is urging all road users to make sure they understand the Highway Code to keep roads safe and reduce the number of accidents involving cyclists, as analysis of their own claims data reveals that just 9% of road accidents involving cyclists take place in October 2020.

54,800 customers claim tax relief for working from home

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has received more than 54,800 claims from customers using a new online portal which allows workers to claim tax relief for working at home. Launched on 1 October 2020, the online portal is simple to use and has been set up to process tax relief on additional expenses for employed workers who have been told to work from home by their employer to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. From 6 April 2020, employers have been able to pay employees up to ₤6 a week tax free to cover additional costs if they have had to work from home. Employees who have not received the working from home expenses payment direct from their employer can apply to receive the tax relief from HMRC. Eligible taxpayers can claim tax relief based on the rate at which they pay tax. For example, if an employed worker pays the 20% basic rate of tax and claims tax relief on ₤6 a week, they would receive ₤1.20 a week in tax relief (20% of ₤6 a week) towards the cost of their household bills. Higher rate taxpayers would therefore receive ₤2.40 a week (40% of ₤6 a week). Over the course of the year, this could mean taxpayers can reduce the tax they pay by ₤62.40 or ₤124.80 respectively. HMRC's Interim Director General of Customer Services, Karl Khan, said:- "We want everyone to get the money that they are entitled to, so we've made the online service as easy to use as we can; it takes just a few minutes to make a claim."

Once the application has been approved, the online portal will adjust an individual's tax code for the 2020 to 2021 tax year. The employee will receive the tax relief directly through their salary and will continue to receive the adjustment until March 2021. HMRC is also reminding employed workers, for example healthcare workers and care home staff, that they can also claim tax relief on work-related expenses, including cleaning their work uniforms. The extra money can help thousands of critical workers whose efforts are helping save lives during the Coronavirus pandemic.  Employees who clean, replace or repair uniform or tools, or pay fees and subscriptions for their work can apply online directly to HMRC and see instantly if they are eligible for tax relief on work expenses. In 2018 to 2019, more than 500,000 customers (66% of total expense claims) applied for the tax relief using an agent rather than directly from HMRC and will have had to pay fees or commission. But those who are paid through Pay As You Earn (PAYE) can claim directly to HMRC and keep all of the money which they are entitled to. HMRC is encouraging customers claiming tax relief for working from home to apply directly via:- Gov.UK. Agents will not be able to use the new service to apply for the relief on a customer's behalf. This means customers will receive 100% of the tax relief that is due.