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.
The Council is giving Mancs £2,500 to move into a ‘more manageable’ home
Emily Sergeant
The Council is now offering financial help to support people moving into a smaller and ‘more manageable’ property.
Ever heard of ‘rightsizing? Well, according Manchester City Council it’s a process where a tenant in a larger social rent, Council, or Housing Association property, that may have more rooms than they need or perhaps are struggling to manage a big house as they get older, can be supported into a smaller property that better suits their needs.
The benefits of this process include cheaper bills, lower rents, and overall, just homes that are easier to clean and manage.
The aim of it is also to free up larger Council properties for families who are on the housing register – of which there are said to be around 20,000 of them currently at this time, with larger homes having some of the most significant wait times.
Are you struggling to look after a big Council or housing association home? We can help!
We are offering £2,500 to help people move into a smaller more manageable home, freeing up larger homes for families that need them.
It’s also estimated, according to the Council, that a third of all social rented family homes are thought to ‘underoccupied’.
This is why financial support and grants are now being offered.
Last year alone, 109 households were helped to ‘rightsize’ and were supported in the process by a dedicated team of Council officers, as well as benefitting from the Rightsizing Incentive Scheme – with a further 432 households having expressed interest doing so in the future.
Residents interested in ‘rightsizing’ could get a cash incentive of £2,500, which can be spent on anything they like, along with moving costs.
The Council is giving Mancs £2,500 to move into a ‘more manageable’ home / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
“Rightsizing could be a brilliant option for older people who are renting a Council home who may have spare rooms they don’t need or would benefit from looking after a smaller property,” explained Cllr Gavin White, who is Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Development.
“Often a barrier to moving is the cost, but the Council will take care of the financial burden to help a resident move into a new home.
“The benefit for the city is that we can free up more larger homes for people who are waiting for a property that properly meets their needs. We think around a third of Council tenants could be under occupying their home, which means they could be paying more than they need to or they could be hit with the bedroom tax.”
Does this sound like you? Are you ready to ‘rightsize’? Find out more and begin the process via Manchester City Council’s website here.
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
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Trailer released for Netflix’s new Lucy Letby documentary with ‘unprecedented access’
Emily Sergeant
The trailer for Netflix’s new documentary about the investigation of Lucy Letby has been released.
The feature-length film about Lucy Letby – the infamous neonatal nurse who was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others under her care at the Countess of Chester Hospital – hears for the first time from the police officers who investigated the case that shook the nation.
It features never-before-seen footage of Letby during her arrests and police questioning, and even includes interviews with experts and lawyers on both sides, as well as with the hospital consultants who initially raised the alarm.
Tragically, it also includes an anonymised interview with a mother of one of the victims, who also speaks for the first time about her experience and involvement in Letby’s trial.
Produced as a result of years of research and relationship-building, the film – simply titled The Investigation of Lucy Letby – is described as being the most ‘comprehensive’ look at one of Britain’s most notorious crimes, and traces developments from her arrest to trial in chronological order.
Viewers will be given ‘unparalleled and exclusive access’ to those central to the story.
“This was an exceptional and demanding project, marked by significant creative and ethical responsibility,” commented director, Dominic Sivyer. “Our aim was to craft a powerful, emotionally resonant depiction of the events surrounding the case.”
Caroline Short, Head of Global TV at ITN Productions – who produced the documentary – added: “The access to all our contributors came with a huge responsibility to present everyone’s perspectives with care and understanding.
“We are grateful to all those people who trusted us to tell their story.”
Danny Jones -
22nd December 2022 
