Liverpool Pupil Awarded for Highlighting County Lines Exploitation

A national competition targeted at young people to write a poem or song to highlight the dangers of being exploited by County Lines drugs gangs sees, pupil from Holy Family Catholic High School in Thornton, Liverpool awarded for her creative writing.

Grace, a 13 year old student at the School said:- "I can't believe I got third place out of the entrants, thank you." Headteacher Mr. Symes and Mrs Danielle Moore, Year 9 Progress Leader, said:- "This is such a fantastic achievement, we are very proud of Grace, who truly captured the essence of these important issues, we couldn't be prouder of her creative work that will help to raise awareness about county lines exploitation."

Writer and Honorary Member of the NSPCC Council Christina Gabbitas who organised the initiative commented:- "We had 41 judges, from policing to youth workers. It was rewarding to receive so many entries from all corners of the UK, I've organised initiatives previously, but this has been the most rewarding to date. All entries were amazing and that's why I wanted to showcase the work. Graces' poem was my personal favourite."

Christina has spent years working with Police forces, Schools, and other agencies in educating young people, teachers, parents, and carers to spot the signs of grooming and exploitation which can lead to young people becoming coerced by gangs to transport and deal drugs, and then becoming trapped by falling into debt with their exploiters, who often use threats and violence to control them and force them to do more work, a practise known as debt bondage. The gangs are usually part of larger organised crime groups from major Cities who move into towns and rural areas across county borders and groom young people into transporting, storing, and dealing drugs on their behalf. Deals are carried out using mobile phones, the so-called:- 'County Lines.' Often vulnerable young people and adults may have their properties taken over by the gangs to store drugs, known as:- 'cuckooing.'

Christina said:- "Since I began my work on the issue of County Lines, I have spoken to many people who have had 1st hand experience of how criminals exploit our young people. I have spoken to parents who are in desperation after seeing their child trapped by these gangs. It's vital that we get the message across early and raise awareness with young people of how they can become trapped, and what may seem like a friendship at first, quickly escalates into something more sinister which can take their life down a destructive path."

Anne Rannard, Protect Lead for the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre (NCLCC), who was on the judging panel, said:- "I'm really pleased that Christina created this initiative. This was a fantastic opportunity for young people to project their voice in writing about the destructive nature of county lines criminality. It is not a glamourous lifestyle; in fact the realities are quite a stark contrast. I had the opportunity to read some fantastic poems that portrayed the dark nature and exploitation that occurs. The NCLCC was set up to tackle county lines criminality, by coordinating activity across policing and with partners. It's important that we engage children and their parents and carers, so that they understand the dangers and can be on their guard to prevent exploitation."

The NCLCC plays a pivotal role in policing's approach to county lines. Its mission is to prevent county lines and the associated violence and exploitation of vulnerable adults and children. For more information visit: National County Lines Co-ordination Centre

The competition followed an earlier animated story and video by Christina titled:- "Trapped in County Lines" and asked young people to write a poem or song to highlight all that can be associated with County Lines exploitation.  Entries were judged by a panel of 41 judges from all corners of the UK; from poets, various ranks in policing, young people, and people with lived experience of County Lines.

The top 60 poems/songs will be published in a special book that's to be published on:- 'UNESCO World Poetry Day,' on:- 21 March 2025. Grace and all published authors will receive a free copy of the book that will also be available to purchase, with £2.00 per book sale donated to NSPCC Childline.  More information can be found at:- TrappedInCountyLines.Co.UK. You can view the Trapped in County Lines video online now.

'Family Farm Tax' could leave hard pressed farmers paying tax bills that wipe out their annual profits

PROPOSED inheritance tax changes could place an overwhelming financial burden on UK family farms, according to new modelling from the Country Land and Business Association (CLA). Despite Government assurances that:- "small farms" won't be affected, the CLA's analysis shows tax changes could prove a death sentence for many small and medium-sized farms.

According to the CLA's analysis of model arable farms, a typical 200-acre farm owned by an individual with an expected annual profit of £27,300 would face an IHT liability of £435,000. If spread over a period of 10 years, this would require the farm to allocate 159% of its profit each year to cover the tax bill. To meet this bill, successors could be compelled to sell 20% of their land.

Similarly, a 250-acre arable farm owned between:- a couple in the way the Chancellor expects to be possible with an expected annual profit of £34,130 would face an IHT liability of £267,000, amounting to 78% of its profit each year over a decade.

From April 2026, Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) will be capped at £1m in total per owner. Qualifying assets beyond this level will receive 50% relief from inheritance tax, resulting in an effective tax rate of 20%, after using the nil rate band of £325,000 and residence nil rate band of £175,000.

If a farmer is married, his or her spouse would be able to pass on their relief to their successor, but even farms owned by 2 people will be severely affected.

The CLA's model highlights that family run farms; typically asset rich, but cash poor; would be forced at best into a cycle of stagnation, asset sales, or debt to cover this tax burden, threatening the long-term viability of the UK's rural landscape and food security.

The CLA urges the Government to reconsider these inheritance tax changes, which risk undermining the future of family farming across the country.

This comes ahead of Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed appearing at the CLA's annual Rural Business Conference; which isdue to be held on:- 21 November 2024; where he is expected to address farmers and rural business owners for the 1st time since this announcement.

Gavin Lane, Deputy President of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said:- "Either the Government isn't being honest with the public about the true impact of these reforms, or they don't understand the nature of rural businesses. I'd like to believe it is the latter and that they are prepared to listen to our input rather than continually trying to dismiss it. While they frame this as a tax on the wealthy, the reality is that ordinary family farms will be hit just as hard. Asking farms to use their income to pay a huge capital tax bill over 10 years, if indeed it is possible, will threaten the future of investment and the viability of the business."

This and growing problems with Universal Credit could result in a major crisis in 2025 for the UK. What are your thoughts on this? Please do let us know.... Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter.