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Rishi Sunak announces the extension of the furlough scheme through to April 2021

The furlough scheme has been extended until the end of April 2021, with the government continuing to contribute 80% towards wages.

The Manc The Manc - 17th December 2020
John Sibley / AFP

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has this afternoon announced the extension of the furlough scheme through to the end of April 2021.

The extension of the scheme will see the UK government continuing to contribute 80% towards wages throughout all Devolved Administrations in a move The Treasury said will “give businesses and employees across the UK certainty into the New Year”.

Mr Sunak also announced that government-backed loan schemes designed to support stricken firms through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – Bounce Back Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme – would also continue until the end of March.

The schemes are believed to have already provided over £68 billion in guaranteed loans, and have “helped to keep afloat business in all sectors of the UK economy” who have been impacted by the pandemic.

The extensions continue to form part of the government’s #PlanForJobs

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The plan includes the Kickstart Scheme, more investment in training and skills, as well as the Self Employment Income Support Scheme grant, with a fourth grant being made available from February to April 2021.

Announcing the scheme extensions, Mr Sunak said: “Our package of support for businesses and workers continues to be one of the most generous and effective in the world – helping our economy to recover and protecting livelihoods across the country.

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“We know the premium businesses place on certainty, so it is right that we enable them to plan ahead regardless of the path the virus takes, which is why we’re providing certainty and clarity by extending this support.”

The Treasury confirmed its decision to announce the extension of the schemes now – ahead of Christmas and further into the New Year – to “ensure that businesses can continue to access the support they need to grow and recover”.

The announcement comes as the Chancellor also revealed that the UK’s next budget would take place on 3rd March, with latest economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility to be published alongside it.

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More information on scheme extensions can be found via the gov.uk website here.

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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.

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Happy ending for pregnant cat who was PLUCKED of her fur by abusive owner

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Luthien the cat was held down and PLUCKED by her owner, the RSPCA has said

A pregnant cat who was forcibly held down and plucked of her fur has got her happy ending.

Beautiful Luthien was found in a Manchester apartment building by the RSPCA at the age of just six months old, with just a tuft of fur left on the top of her tail.

A concerned neighbour had called the animal rescue charity after seeing the cat being pinned down and plucked by her owner on a balcony in the city.

Not only was the poor animal almost completely bald, but she was also pregnant.

She was taken into the care of RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for a veterinary examination, missing fur over the top of her head, neck, back, belly, and down her front legs.

The vet suspected that this abuse had happened in multiple occasions due to the extent of the fur loss.

She was then transferred into the care of the RSPCA’s Crewe and Nantwich District Branch where staff nicknamed her ‘Velcro’ because she was so affectionate to everyone.

Luthien, or Velcro, gave birth to four kittens and was later rehomed by Kathy Miller, 75, in Cheadle.

Luthien was plucked by her owner
Luthien was plucked by her owner
She was just six months old, and pregnant
She was just six months old, and pregnant
Credit: RSPCA

She now looks like a completely different cat, and her fur has fully grown back.

A man was given a 12 month ban on keeping animals by magistrates, ordered to pay a £40 fine and £100 costs when he pleaded guilty to one Animal Welfare offence of failing to ensure that the needs of an animal were met.

RSPCA Inspector Jess Araujo, who investigated, said: “I have been an inspector for eight years but I had not seen anything like this before in terms of cruelty.

“Poor Luthien was only a six month-old kitten and most of her fur had been plucked from her body. This must have been terrifying and painful for her. She was also pregnant at the time so the added stress of this would have been awful.

“She was pinned down screaming in pain while this happened – and we are not sure how many times she was subjected to this treatment. The RSPCA attended the address with the police and the owner agreed to sign her over into our care.”

Rachael Dyer, a trustee at RSPCA’s Crewe and Nantwich District Branch, said: “She was the most lovely cat from the start – she was so loving and kind – it is amazing really when you think about what she had been through. We called her Velcro because she just wanted cuddles so much and would just stick to you.

Luthien now, with new owner Kathy. Credit: RSPCA

“She had four adorable kittens and she was fantastic with them. She was only young herself, but she cared and loved those kittens so much. She stayed with her babies until they were weaned and could be put up for adoption and once the kittens had found homes at around three months old it was her turn to find her forever home.

“I saw how her fur began to grow back and as it did her personality began to shine through too – she was such a friendly little cat in our care, really adorable.

“Once she was advertised for adoption her new owner applied and she came to see her. It really was love at first sight between both of them. There were a couple more follow up visits so they could bond while the kittens were rehomed – and they just got on so well and Luthien loved getting fussed.”

Kathy, Luthien’s new owner, said: “I have always adopted rescues and when I saw a cat advertised called ‘Velcro’ and all her kittens were named after sewing items – with me being a seamstress I just thought, ‘oh, here is a connection’ and I felt it was a sign.

“I arranged to see her at the branch and the first time she met me she was quite shy but I gave her a treat in my hand and she took it willingly and I thought this is another connection.

“When I first saw her I was shocked at her lack of fur. I knew from the website she had very little, but in real life all she had was a tuft at the end of her tail, it was like a pom-pom. I was told what had happened and it just made me sick to think of all the pain and suffering she must have gone through while pregnant too.

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“She is such a lovely-natured girl and very sweet but she still won’t sit on my knee. She will cuddle and sleep on my bed but won’t sit on my knee – so I think it’s still some trauma from what happened.

“I did change her name as I am a Tolkien fan and have a dog called Arwen so I thought Lucien suited her and they are best friends (pictured). Velcro was a cute name when she was at the branch and it was apt because she loved cuddles and fuss and stuck to carers like Velcro – she still does love attention!”

The animal welfare charity is telling Luthien’s story as part of its Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues fundraising campaign – which coincides with the charity’s busiest time as heartbreaking cruelty reports peak over summer.

New figures show that in June, July and August last year the RSPCA received 6,322* cruelty calls to their emergency line last year which is one call every 10 minutes when the line is open. In comparison the charity took 3,852 calls for the same period in 2021 – showing a massive 64% increase over the five years.

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Featured image: RSPCA

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Murder investigation launched after man stabbed to death in Levenshulme over weekend

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant GMP synagogue attack

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a young man in Levenshulme over the weekend.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called to reports of a man who suffered ‘serious stab wounds’ on Chapel Street at around 7:06pm on Saturday evening (15 August), and once they arrived on the scene, the victim was pronounced dead despite the best efforts of emergency services.

The identity of the victim has not yet been announced, but it has been confirmed that he was a 24-year-old man.

Work is ongoing to locate the victim’s next of kin, and several scenes remain in place while the police investigation continues.

According to police, it is believed that this was an ‘isolated incident’ with no wider threat to the public.

While a 27-year-old man has already been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody, GMP have still issued a public appeal for information.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim in this tragic incident,” commented Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson, from GMP’s Major Incident Team.

“Officers acted swiftly to arrest a man, who is in our custody for questioning.

“Our investigation is ongoing and we would like to hear from anyone who may have information that can assist us.”

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Can you help? Anyone in the Chapel Street area around the time of this incident, or who has mobile phone, CCTV, Ring doorbell and dashcam footage, can contact police on 0161 856 9008 quoting the log number 2983 of 15/08/2026.

“Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – GMP

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