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HMRC C19: Households working in Bedford could be eligible for this one-off payment of £ 500 – here’s how to apply Bedford News

The one-off payment of £ 500 was announced as part of the Chancellor's 2021 budget (Shutterstock)
The one-off payment of £ 500 was announced as part of the Chancellor’s 2021 budget (Shutterstock)

Households working across the UK could be eligible for a new one-off payment of £ 500 from HMRC.

People who receive tax credits may be eligible to receive the payment – introduced to provide additional financial support after the temporary increase in the labor tax credit ends – in April.

The payment was announced as part of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s 2021 budget in March.

Tax credit applicants received additional support early last year due to the pandemic, with standard rates increased by £ 20 per week.

So who is eligible for the £ 500 sum and when will it be paid?

Here’s all you need to know.

Who is eligible for payment?

You can qualify for a one-time, tax-free payment of £ 500 if, on March 2, 2021, you received either:

– Child tax credit and were eligible for the tax credit for work, but you did not receive payment because your income is too high.

Do you need to request payment?

Those eligible to receive payment will not need to contact HMRC to apply.

Instead, you’ll receive a text or letter from them in April to confirm your eligibility.

The text message reads: ‘HMRC: One-off payment of £ 500 by April 23 for working households with tax credits – it’s automatic, so no action needed. Look for “one-off payment” on GOV.UK. “

It is important to note that messages sent by HMRC will not include a link and that no action needs to be taken to receive the £ 500.

Eligible people should be aware of scammers, the government warned, who can imitate HMRC messages in a way that appears genuine.

When will the £ 500 be paid?

HMRC said eligible people will receive payment directly to their bank account by April 23, 2021.

It will automatically appear in the same bank account to which your tax credits are usually paid.

The payment will not appear on the online tax credits service.

Instead, applicants should check their bank records for “HMRC C19 Support”.

It is also tax-free and you will not be required to report it as income for self-assessment tax returns or credit applications and renewals.

In addition, the single payment will have no impact on the benefits you already receive, such as housing allowance or universal credit.

If your bank statement does not show payment at the end of April, you should contact HMRC.

What is the tax credit for work?

The work tax credit is a benefit you are entitled to if you already receive the child tax credit and work a specific number of hours per week, according to the government.

For 25 to 59 year olds, it is at least 30 hours per week. And if you’re over 60, disabled, or single-parent, you must work at least 16 hours per week to be eligible.

If you can’t claim the work tax credit, you can claim the universal credit instead.

The core element of operational tax credit payments has been increased from £ 1,045 per year to £ 3,040 from 6 April 2020 to provide additional support during the coronavirus crisis.

However, this increase ended on April 5, 2021.

This is where the new one-off payment of £ 500 comes in – to provide additional support due to the end of the labor tax credit increase.

You can find out if you currently have a working tax credit here.

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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-17 09:42:10

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Laser Hair Removal 2021: Does Philips Lumea IPL Machine Work Even On Facial Hair? Bedford News

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but this does not affect our editorial judgment.

Fed up with smelly hair removal creams, painful waxing, razor burn and looking for hairless skin, I followed both the Philips Lumea Advanced IPL hair removal machine and the Philips Lumea Prestige, to see if they effectively cut body hair and left me. smoother longer. Here’s how I did …

A portable and sleek “ gun ” device, both the Philips Lumea Advanced and the Philips Lumea Prestige Use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – gentle flashes of light that target the hairline, to inhibit the cycle of regular hair growth. With continued use, it claims to give completely smooth legs. The review below is for both models, as they are in essence very similar – I tested both.

With three different attachment heads, the Lumea IPL can be used on the face, body and bikini line. It has five energy settings and a “ smart sensor ” that advises you on the best setting for your skin tone.

The pain thresholds are individual, of course, but I didn’t find it wrong at all – in fact, I kinda enjoyed, a slight clicking sensation and a little warmth. Many compare it to a warm rubber band snapped against your skin, but I think it overestimates the intensity somewhat. Admittedly, it is considerably less painful than an epilator (shiver) or an epilation (the horror).

No, but the skin will appear slightly red for about ten minutes after use.

Facial hair only takes a few minutes, but legs require a bit more dedication – it’s something you’ll want to do in a room that’s warm enough, listening to a podcast, or catching up with Netflix.

Doing both legs took me about 25 minutes. Underarms took 2 minutes for both, and the bikini line can be done in about 2 minutes flat. Over the weeks, while using the machine, I became much faster, especially as I found the hair regrowth to decrease.

Yes. It requires a reasonable investment of time – it will take three months before you are slippery. It took 12 weeks for the hair on my legs to stop growing back – from now on it’s a matter of monthly maintenance, so the big work is done.

Personally, I have found it a revelation on the facial hair. I didn’t feel like cultivating a mustache (no disrespect for those ladies who luckily have one), nor the stiff, pipe-cleaner hairs that sprang up from my chin with alarming rapidity as I walked across the street. thirty.

While taking the mustache with depilatory cream was effective, and tweezing my chin mustache oddly satisfying, I was fed up with the aggressiveness with which the hair grew back.

But the Lumea, after about four weeks of use, much to my delight, broke the spirit of my facial hair. The mustache grows back like a whisper to itself, and much more slowly. The same goes for chin whiskers, which grow much less frequently, are thinner and require a simple, easy pull with tweezers, as opposed to the jerk they once needed.

Philips Lumea Advanced vs Philips Lumea Prestige: which is better?

There are two models of Philips Lumea, the older one Advanced (£ 270), and the most recent Prestige (£ 449).

Both work effectively to reduce hair growth. However, the Prestige has a larger treatment area (which makes it faster to use) and can be used effectively on darker skin tones than the Advanced. If you can stretch all the way to Prestige, you won’t regret it, but you’ll still get your money’s worth with the Advanced.

What’s wrong with the Lumea IPL?

Unfortunately, due to the nature of intense pulsed light, it does not work on very dark skin tones – it must be able to differentiate skin tone from hair color. On a related note, if you are very fair – with blonde, gray, or light red hair – it won’t work.

Both Philips Lumea IPL – Prestige and Advanced are a great way to permanently inhibit hair growth – especially for small areas of hair. It takes a little time to start, but less and less as you go. Simple to use and very efficient.

Philips Lumea Prestige

While both IPL machines make you proud, the Prestige is better at tackling larger areas of the body faster – great if you want smooth legs. It also works on darker skin tones (although if you are very dark it unfortunately won’t). And it looks stylish, sexy and cool too.


Buy now

Philips Lumea Advanced

The main advantage of the Advanced is that it is considerably cheaper than the Prestige and will do a great job of making you hairless, although it works best on smaller sections of skin.


Buy now

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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-16 21:03:05

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Peaky Blinders actress Helen McCrory has died aged 52 Bedford News

Helen McCrory has died aged 52 (Getty Images)
Helen McCrory has died aged 52 (Getty Images)

Helen McCrory, known for her roles in Peaky Blinders and Skyfall, has passed away at the age of 52.

Her husband and fellow actor Damian Lewis broke the news of her death via social media saying that she “passed away peacefully at home”.

She died after “a heroic battle with cancer”.

Lewis paid tribute to his wife by saying that “she was blazing so hard”.

Tirbutes paid to McCrory

Damian Lewis, who married McCrory in 2007, wrote: “I am heartbroken to report that after a heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and powerful woman that is Helen McCrory has passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family.

“She died as she lived. Without fear.

“God, we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blasted so hard. Come on now, Little one, up in the air, and thank you.”

Actor Jim Howick, who worked with Helen McCrory and her husband Damian Lewis on the 2015 comedy film Bill, tweeted: “It’s so shocking and sad. Helen and Damien were both a lot of fun with Bill.

“She was so generous with her time and her performance. I urge everyone to listen to his Desert Island records. What talent we have lost.

Reverend Richard Coles was among those who paid tribute. He wrote on Twitter: “Very sorry to hear of the death of Helen McCrory, such a brilliant actor; our sincere condolences to Damian Lewis, their children and all who loved him.

Actor and director Noel Clarke said, “RIP #HelenMcCrory, you were the best and always lovely to me. It was a pleasure to work with you. I love you. Blessings to Damian and his family.

From Macbeth to the Peaky Blinders

McCrory was born in Paddington, London, to a Welsh mother and father of Scottish descent and was the oldest of three children.

She attended school in Hertfordshire, then spent a year in Italy, before returning to London to study acting at the Drama Center.

Helen McCrory’s career dates back to the early ’90s, gaining recognition for her performance as Rose Trelawny in’ Wells’ Trelawny at the National Theater, while also making stage appearances in Anton’s Macbeth and Uncle Vanya. Chekhov.

It was her performance in the 2010s gangster drama Peaky Blinders that wowed her to a wider audience, playing the fearsome female leader of a ruthless Birmingham gang alongside Cillian Murphy.

She is also well known for her turn as 2006 Oscar winner Cherie Blair The Queen and as Narcissa Malfoy, Draco’s mother, in the Harry Poter series.

Her husband Damian Lewis and her children Gulliver and Manon remember her.

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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-16 16:58:54

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The great-grandmother has reunited with her grandchildren at Bedfordshire care home as lockdown gets easier Bedford News

Residents of an Ampthill nursing home have opened their doors to their families as part of the further easing of government lockdowns.

Former seamstress and playgroup leader June Boyer was the first to greet her guests, her daughter Josie and granddaughter Katie Thompson, when they visited her at the Richmond Manor Care Home.

Although friends and relatives visited their loved ones at the Dunstable Street home using a Covid-secured suite during the lockdown, in March the rules changed and allowed a designated person to visit the interior of home every week.

From left to right, David Farbon (son-in-law), Hamberley's housewife Sharon Murphy, great-granddaughter Izzy, resident Barbara Aggett with daughter Judith Farbon
From left to right, David Farbon (son-in-law), Hamberley’s housewife Sharon Murphy, great-granddaughter Izzy, resident Barbara Aggett with daughter Judith Farbon

And from Monday, further relaxation of the rules means residents can now nominate two guests to visit – and babies and toddlers can be included.

Grandmother of seven, June 84, said: “I haven’t seen them in person for weeks.”

June’s daughter Josie Thompson added: “Over a few weeks, it’s been over a year now. I think it’s really a milestone that we’re actually here. We start to see that

the light at the end of the tunnel. “

From left to right, daughter Josie Thompson, housewife Sharon Murphy, resident June Boyer and granddaughter Katie Thompson

The second resident to receive a special visit was Barbara Aggett, 86, who has four children and eight great-grandchildren.

The former PA welcomed her 20 month old great-granddaughter, Izzy, to visit with her daughter and son-in-law Judith and David Farbon.

Although Barbara has seen Izzy from behind a screen, this is the first time she has been able to be up close since Izzy was newborn.

Barbara said: “It means everything to see them.”

Judith said: “It’s very moving. It is a step forward – it is one with great trepidation because of all that is still going on.

Her son-in-law David added: “And you had your second jab Barbara, which is reassuring for all of us.”

Home Manager, Fiona Smith said: “It has been a very emotional week and the fun on all faces has been incredible.

“It has certainly been a very difficult year, but we can really start to see real joy again for all of our residents and families as they start to connect this way again.

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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-16 10:12:09

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William and Harry to separate at grandfather Philip’s funeral Bedford News

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry (Photo by Toby Melville - WPA Pool / Getty Images)
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry (Photo by Toby Melville – WPA Pool / Getty Images)

William and Harry will not be walking side by side when they join the royals in the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral procession on Saturday.

The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex, whose troubled relationship is well documented, will be separated by their cousin Peter Phillips as they walk in a line behind their grandfather’s coffin.

When the casket is taken to St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, William will be ahead of his brother as the royals arrive in pairs.

Details of Prince Philip’s funeral have been released

Details of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral have now been released by Buckingham Palace.

The Queen – like the 30 guests invited to the service – will wear a face mask.

She will sit alone in the choir of St George’s Chapel, with all mourners following Covid guidelines and remaining socially distant.

Philip was the guiding force behind his funeral arrangements and, reflecting his long-standing association with the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines bugles will sound action stations during service.

It is played on a warship to signal that all hands must go to combat stations and is sometimes featured at funerals of naval men.

A small choir of four singers will be present during the service and guests will follow Covid rules and not sing.

Complete guest list

Here is the full list of guests who will attend the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral:

3. The Duchess of Cornwall

5. The Duchess of Cambridge

13. The Countess of Wessex

17. Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence

27. Bernhard, hereditary prince of Baden

28. Prince Donatus, Landgrave of Hesse

29. Prince Philipp of Hohenlohe-Langenburg

30. Countess Mountbatten of Burma

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that royal men will wear morning coats with their medals and women will wear day dresses.

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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-15 15:00:49

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Update: here’s how many new positive cases were recorded in Bedford in 24 hours Bedford News

To date (April 15), Bedford has only registered two new cases of the coronavirus, with a total of 13,414 people now diagnosed with the virus, according to the latest figures from Public Health England.

There were no deaths in Bedford (485), nor in central Bedfordshire (569) and one was recorded in Luton (497).

Since Friday, Public Health England has changed the way cases are re-reported.

Coronavirus stock image
Coronavirus stock image

Cases that were identified by a positive rapid lateral flow test will be deleted for people who underwent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests within three days that were all negative.

Central Bedfordshire has two new cases of Covid with a total of 15,865, while Luton has recorded 40 with a new total of 20,375.

Meanwhile, Buckinghamshire now has 31,307 cases of Covid, Hertfordshire 76,403 cases and Milton Keynes 20,000 cases.

The new figures are recorded between 5 p.m. the day before and 5 p.m. and unfortunately do not include the number of patients who have recovered from Covid-19.

Nationally, the number of coronavirus cases increased from 2,672 to 4,380,976. The number of deaths increased from 30 to 127,191.

As of April 14, in the UK, 32,444,439 people had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 8,513,864 had received their second dose.

The figures come from the government website which the public can consult here.

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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-15 15:36:31

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Bedford man ‘living on borrowed time’ after brain tumor diagnosis at just 29 supports campaign for more research funding Bedford News

Bedford man Edward Ruggiero, 33, put his weight behind a petition from Brain Tumor Research calling for more investment in a cure.

The Level Up and Stop the Devastation petition report – presented to MPs today (Thursday, April 15) – calls for funding parity with other cancers such as breast and leukemia.

Edward was living in Brighton and was building a career as a drag queen when he was diagnosed with third year anaplastic astrocytoma in 2017 at the age of 29.

Self-portrait of Edward Ruggiero after undergoing surgery to remove a grade three anaplastic astrocytoma, followed by another operation to remove part of his skull
Self-portrait of Edward Ruggiero after undergoing surgery to remove a grade three anaplastic astrocytoma, followed by another operation to remove part of his skull

He was given a prognosis of three to five years and now feels he is living with borrowed time. A life-threatening infection from an awake craniotomy meant further surgery to remove part of his skull, leaving his head deformed.

Edward also has permanent hair loss as a result of the treatment. He chose not to continue with a punitive chemotherapy regimen and created this stunning self portrait capturing his appearance after surgery.

He said: “It sounds so brutal that in a world where we have accomplished so much, the only treatment for brain cancer is to cut it off with surgery, burn it with radiation and poison it with chemotherapy. .

“With such a limited life expectancy, why would I waste some of this precious time undergoing more horrible treatment for a few more months?”

Edward Ruggiero as Eddie OK Adams

“Some days it’s all I can do to wake up and it seems pathetic for a 33 year old man in what should be the prime of my life.

“My brain tumor robbed me of my career, of my prospects, and in the end, it will rob me of my life.”

His mother, Julie Ruggiero, added: “My beloved son Edward took this self portrait about two years after undergoing surgery to remove a grade three anaplastic astrocytoma, followed by another operation to remove part of his. skull from a life-threatening infection.

“I think the picture really shows who he is; a strikingly handsome young man, vulnerable, but courageous. I’m so proud of him and the decisions he made.”

Edward Ruggiero shortly before surgery

A promising career cut short as a drag queen – third in a pilot in what would become Ru Paul’s Drag Race – Edward needed surgery following a seizure.

Julie added, “Edward’s father and I spent the hours while he had the procedure, an awake craniotomy. He was conscious for part of the operation so the surgeon could determine how cognition and motor skills were of Edward were affected as they cut the fabrics.

“Apparently Edward had the theater staff in hysteria, typical.

“Back home with me in Bedfordshire he made a good recovery, but it was a terrible blow to find out that the tumor was actually high grade and the prognosis was only three to five years.

“The worst was yet to come; two weeks after the operation, Edward was severely ill from an infection. He was back in surgery, this time to have a section of bone removed and his brain washed with peroxide. crater in his head and permanent hair loss. “

It was then that Edward decided not to continue the treatment as he preferred to live his life and try his luck.

Julie added: “It seems so unfair that brain tumors kill more people under the age of 40 than any other cancer. How is it that there are so few treatments? They cut them off with surgery, burn them with radiation, and then poison them with chemotherapy. Underneath all of this there is a human being like my son. The treatment is barbaric and brutal and it is so unfair. “

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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-15 09:15:15

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Bedford-based children’s charity partners with illustrator to produce greeting cards Bedford News

The Bedford charity Creating Memories worked with the town’s Sarah Harrison to produce the greeting cards.

Cards were printed by White Hart Press and are available for purchase in the original wall colors and official Creating Memories colors.

Cards cost £ 2 each and all proceeds go directly to Creating Memories – a charity that helps fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses.

Cards are designed to help spread joy to those we care about
Cards are designed to help spread joy to those we care about

They are available for purchase at Issue 13, Made in Bedford, Vanilla Tree, Papillion Coffee House, and The Vardo.

Creating Memories founder Pritti Saggi said: “At the start of this project, I could never have imagined such a brilliant response from the local community.

“From Sarah’s incredible talent in bringing my journey to life, to the brilliant White Hart Press who have been so supportive and turned the cards over in record time and of course to the amazing places that have agreed to sell the cards on our behalf. I am so grateful. “

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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-14 13:56:20

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The Queen returned to work days after the death of her ‘beloved’ husband Bedford News

The Queen returned to work after her husband died (Getty Images)
The Queen returned to work after her husband died (Getty Images)

The Queen has resumed her royal duties, just days after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, to mark the retirement of her household’s top official.

The monarch was back to work on Tuesday to host her first in-person event since Philip’s death on Friday and held a ceremony as Earl Peel formally stepped down as Lord Chamberlain.

The return to her official role so soon after her mourning characterizes the Queen’s deep sense of duty and service.

Read more

Read more

Prince Philip: Prince William says he will be “ missed by my grandfather ” in touching tribute …

“Continue your work”

The Duke of Cambridge has pledged to keep Philip’s wishes and continue to support his grandmother the Queen and ‘do her job’.

It was announced over the weekend that the monarchy and their households would observe two weeks of royal mourning, with family members “continuing to make commitments appropriate to the circumstances,” a royal official said.

The Princess Royal attended her first official event since her father’s death, joining, via video link, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Spring Conference as the organization’s sponsor.

Earl Peel had overseen the arrangements for the Duke’s funeral – known as Operation Forth Bridge – before handing the responsibility over to his successor, former MI5 spy chief Baron Parker, a little over a week before Philip died at Windsor Castle.

The Lord Chamberlain’s office, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Michael Vernon, Comptroller to the Queen, is responsible for the practicality of the day.

But it was Andrew Parker, Baron Parker of Minsmere, who took up his new post on April 1, after Earl Peel retired after more than 14 years in the post.

The Lord Chamberlain oversees all high-level appointments in the house, is the channel of communication between the Sovereign and the House of Lords, and coordinates between Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.

What did the Queen do when she returned to work?

In a ceremony held at Windsor Castle, the Queen accepted the wand and official insignia of her former royal assistant.

The official engagement was recorded in the Court Circular – a daily list of events the Queen and her family attended.

He said: ‘Earl Peel had an audience with the Queen today, presented his wand and insignia of office as Lord Chamberlain and the insignia of Chancellor of the Royal Victorian Order and took leave after relinquishing his appointment as Lord Chamberlain, when His Majesty invested him with the Victorian Royal Chain.

The Queen recently bestowed a prestigious honor on Earl Peel, making him a permanent lord on standby.

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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-13 20:30:27

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Bedford Hockey Club Pictures Bedford News

Normally, the hockey season is heading towards its conclusion right now, after several glorious months of competitive play, writes Jean Fitch.

The teams would fight hard and make a last ditch effort to secure the best possible ranking in their divisions, ideally looking for promotion for next season. Unfortunately, while some games were possible during the 2020-2021 season, the decision in the leagues was to drop all other games.

The Bedford Hockey Club is fortunate to be one of the region’s largest and most successful hockey clubs. This fact, along with the fact that the club has access to great facilities at Queen’s Park, means that unlike many other clubs, the end of the lockdown provides the option to restart the game.

With over 500 members, with seven senior men’s and seven women’s teams, a thriving junior section and Walking Hockey, even the absence of any traveling opposition hasn’t stopped hockey from returning. As soon as the lockdown ended, midweek stick and ball training and Walking Hockey resumed, and weekends again see a full schedule of games, with teams being formed within of the club. Junior training is also restarting. The plan is to continue with games and training beyond what would normally have been the end of the season.

The end of the season marks the start of a mixed summer hockey league each year. Everything is going well, we hope that not only will it continue as usual, but that it will become an ever bigger league of local teams.

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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-13 19:58:05