The UK looks to be set for colder weather and even the possibility of snow for the remainder of December as weather experts suggest a white Christmas could be on its way.
With the country still feeling the effects of the cold snap earlier this month — you only needed to look around Manchester‘s canals to guess how low the thermometer has been — meteorologists are predicting that we haven’t seen the last of it.
According to the Met Office, “cold air and wintry conditions” are on their way in time for Christmas Day and while regions towards the Midlands and the south of England are mainly due for rain and blustery winds, the prospective snow will likely be confined to the north of the UK.
To meet the official criteria of a ‘white Christmas’, just one single snowflake needs to be spotted during the 24-hour period on 25 December, but just how likely is it?
A mild and green #Christmas is on the cards for many this year 🎄 but cold air will be pushing southwards late on Christmas Day into Boxing Day 👇 pic.twitter.com/xTCbp0wbfw
The Met Office has informed various news outlets that while it remains uncertain and less probable that we will see “significant snowfall” on the way, people in elevated areas can expect ‘dustings’ of snow due to the altitude.
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Speaking to the MEN on the chances of the North West and Greater Manchester, specifically, getting a similar treatment, a spokesperson said that the current forecast for Sunday “is likely to contain a mix of rain, sleet and snow with the wintry elements most likely over higher ground.”
At the moment, given that the milder air is dominating more southern regions compared to a colder blast in the north, they are now trying to ascertain “the exact location for the boundary between these two air masses.”
Still, at present, the long-range forecast from Boxing Day to Wednesday, 4 January, includes “a fairly windy and changeable period of weather, with rain, and some snow at times, interspersed with colder, brighter spells”, as well as “more widely colder conditions, overnight frost and crisp but sunny days.”
We technically had a white Christmas in 2021, though there was technically less than 1% of snowfall reported; however, the last widespread white Christmas is generally considered to have taken place over a decade ago in 2010.
Nevertheless, with millions of Brits struggling to heat their homes this winter, there will no doubt be many hoping that we narrowly avoid snowy and icy conditions altogether.
Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
Millions of UK workers to get pay rises from today as National Living and Minimum Wage increases
Emily Sergeant
Millions of workers across the UK are set to begin receiving substantial pay rises from today.
After the Government announced back in November that it would take the recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission, and increase both the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, those changes have now come into force in a bid to ensure people on lower incomes are ‘properly rewarded’ for their work.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Low Pay Commission, it’s an independent body made up of employers, trade unions, and experts whose role is to advise the Government on the minimum wage.
As mentioned, the rate recommendations introduced today were agreed unanimously by the Commission.
This means that the living wage, for eligible workers who are aged 21 and over, has now risen by 4.1% from today to £12.71 an hour.
For a full-time worker, that means a pay increase of £900 a year.
Millions of workers in the UK are getting pay rises from today / Credit: John Kakuk (via Unsplash) | Pexels
The National Minimum Wage rate for workers aged 18 to 20-year-olds has also increased today by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour, and then for 16 to 17-year-olds, and those on apprenticeships, the rate has increased by 6% to £8 an hour.
“The recommendations we made last autumn sought to balance the need to protect the economy and labour market, whilst providing a real-terms increase for the lowest-paid members of society,” commented Baroness Philippa Stroud, who is Chair of the Low Pay Commission.
“A lot has changed since we gave our advice to the Government last autumn, and we are now beginning to gather evidence for recommendations later this year.
“The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations.
Workers aged 21 and over are now legally entitled to the National Living Wage after the age threshold for the highest rate was lowered from 23 in 2024.
National Minimum Wage rates are available to workers aged 16 upwards.
Danny Jones -
22nd December 2022 
