Northern teams up with BAFTA winning Actor and Writer Phil Mealey to send a message to fare dodgers on National Poetry Day

TRAIN operator, Northern has teamed up with the BAFTA winning Actor and Writer, Phil Mealey, to send a message to:- 'fare dodgers' on National Poetry Day, on Thursday, 6 October 2022.Mealey, well known for his work on The Royle Family, Early Doors and Sunshine, has penned a poem called:- 'The Dodger' that highlights the tactics and pitfalls of a fare dodger on the operator's 550 station network. It is hoped the light hearted limerick will make people think twice about travelling without a ticket, for which they can prosecuted...

The Dodger, by Phil Mealey...

"I am a dodgy geezer
Dodging all my rail fares
Dodging the conductors
And their suspicious stares

Dodging the collectors
When they come walking through
Dodging into the next carriage
Or even dodging in the loo

But these days of being a dodger
Aren't like dodging days gone by
I see it's others who must pay
For every time I don't comply

So now my dodging days are over
It's not artful it's a crime
And it doesn't pay to be dodger
When you've got a twenty pound fine!"

Mark Powles, Customer and Commercial Director at Northern, said:- "Phil's poem has perfectly captured the effort to which some people will go to avoid buying a ticket. Our conductors and revenue protection teams encounter these; as Phil would call:- 'dodgy geezers' on a daily basis and their belief that they have the right to travel for free when those around them have paid is unacceptable. Northern is investing in the largest network of digital ticket infrastructure of any train operator in the country; making it easier than ever for customers to buy a ticket via our app, website or 1 of more than 600 ticket machines across the network. There is no excuse."

Mealey, whose latest work Making A Murderer - The Musical has just premiered at this year's Edinburgh Fringe to rave reviews, added:- "I've spotted my fair share of:- 'dodgy geezers' on the train. Never thought I'd be writing a poem about them!"

National Poetry Day is the UK's annual celebration that encourages everyone to make, experience and share poetry with family and friends. Northern is the 2nd largest train operator in the country, with nearly 2,000 services a day to more than 550 Stations across the North of England. Fare evaders are prosecuted under the provisions of the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 and the Railway Byelaws made pursuant to the Transport Act 2000.

Natasha's Law - 1 year on

A year on from the introduction of Natasha's Law, which requires food businesses to include full ingredients labelling on prepacked for direct sale foods, new research from online training provider High Speed Training has found that only 47% of people trust that the manufacturer or premises serving the food has correctly identified all of the allergens in the product. Natasha's Law, which came into force on the 1 October 2021, was proposed after the tragic death of Natasha Ednan Laperouse, a 15 year old who died in 2016 after suffering an allergic reaction to sesame seeds that were baked into the dough of a baguette.

The sandwich did not have any allergen advice on its wrapper as it was prepared on the premises. At the time, this was not required by law. Natasha's Law requires food businesses to include full ingredient labelling on prepacked for direct sale foods; products packed on the same premises from which they are being sold. Common foods that can fall into this category include:- sandwiches, salads and pies sold from the premises in which they are made.

A year on from the Law coming into effect, High Speed Training has conducted a survey exploring the impact the changes in legislation have made. The survey of over 1000 UK adults found that 47% of respondents trust that the manufacturer or premises serving the food has correctly identified all of the allergens in the product, highlighting the need for food businesses to do more to reassure their customers.

The survey also found that only 37% of respondents felt that they are more aware of food based allergens now than they were a year ago, demonstrating that overall knowledge of allergens is still relatively low. When asked if they could name any of the 14 allergens that food businesses must declare under UK law, a huge 53% said they wouldn't be able to name any, with a further 20% only being able to name between:- 1 and 3.

Tash Blythe, Food and Drink Learning Designer at High Speed Training, said:- "Since Natasha's Law was introduced, we have seen high numbers of businesses and individuals taking our Allergens Awareness course, as premises worked to ensure that they were compliant with the new regulations. However, these results clearly show that there is still work to be done to educate both businesses and the general public on the importance of allergens and their clear labelling, and to help build the trust of customers and consumers. In the UK, an estimated 2 million people are living with a diagnosed food allergy, so it is vital that everyone is aware of the potential dangers of mislabelled products. We would urge all businesses and consumers to increase their knowledge of allergens and understand how to safely label and identify their presence in products."

To find out more about allergens and Natasha's Law, visit:- HighSpeedTraining.Co.UK.

Teenagers could be missing out on a stash of cash

TENS of thousands of teenagers in the UK who have not yet claimed their matured Child Trust Funds savings could have thousands of pounds waiting for them, reminds HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Child Trust Funds are long term savings accounts set up for every child born between:- 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. To encourage future saving and start the account, the Government provided an initial deposit of at least £250.

The savings accounts mature when the child turns 18 years old. Eligible teenagers, who are aged 18 or over and have yet to access their Child Trust Fund account, could have savings waiting for them worth an average of £2,100.

If teenagers or their parents and guardians already know who their Child Trust Fund provider is, they can contact them directly. This might be a bank, building society or other savings provider.

Alternatively, they can visit GOV.UK and complete an online form to find out where their Child Trust Fund is held.

Many eligible teenagers who have yet to claim their savings might be starting university, apprenticeships or their 1st job. The lump-sum amount could offer a financial boost at a time when they need it most.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC's Second Permanent Secretary and Deputy Chief Executive, said:- "Teenagers could have a pot of money waiting for them worth thousands of pounds and not even realise it. We want to help you access your savings and the money you're entitled to. To find out more search:- 'Child Trust Fund' on GOV.UK."

An estimated 6.3 million Child Trust Fund accounts were set up throughout the duration of the scheme, containing about £9 billion. If a parent or guardian was not able to set up an account for their child, HMRC opened a savings account on the child's behalf.

Teenagers aged 16 or over can take control of their own Child Trust Fund if they wish, although the funds can only be withdrawn once they turn 18 years old.

Where children have a Child Trust Fund, families can still pay in up to £9,000 a year tax free. The account matures once the child turns 18 years old and no further money can be deposited. They can either withdraw the funds from the matured Child Trust Fund account or reinvest it into another savings account.

Until the child withdraws or transfers the money, it stays in an account that no-one else has access to.

The Child Trust Fund scheme closed in January 2011 and was replaced with Junior Individual Savings Accounts (ISA).