Latest news with #DeMontfortUniversity
Telegraph
15-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
‘I retired to Spain and live on the state pension. I could never afford it in Britain'
Have you retired abroad? We'd like to hear from you. Get in touch at money@ Diane Tennant and her husband, Dave, sold their holiday home in Alicante, Spain in the late 1990s because they missed travelling to new places. What they didn't realise was that 25 years later, they would be back for good. The couple, from Leicester, always liked the idea of living abroad. In 2005, they moved to Bali after falling in love with the island on holiday. 'We put all of our money into building three villas – one to live in, and two for holiday rentals,' says Tennant, 74. 'It's a magical island.' Then came the Bali bombings. It was the second time in just three years that the province had tragically been targeted by terrorism. 'Tourism dropped drastically, and we just couldn't make a living. We sold up and moved back to the UK,' she says. By 2020, Dave had retired from his job at DeMontfort University, and Diane was ready to leave her job as a mortgage adviser – it was time to try again. 'I'd wanted to move abroad for many years, it wasn't a spur of the moment thing. To live in a place is completely different to going on holiday,' says Tennant. They moved to Spain in September 2020, staying in a hotel in Valencia for the first two months while they searched for a home. After selling their two-bedroom bungalow in England for £237,000, they were able to buy a property in the mountains near Montserrat, close to Barcelona, for €90,000 (£78,000), which they moved into in November 2020. They renovated it, converting the garage into a separate living area, with a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom – but it still wasn't quite right. 'It was too isolated', says Tennant. 'We thought we wanted to be far away from everyone, but it was too much.' They sold the home for €150,000, but had to pay capital gains tax on the profits. For EU residents, this is charged from 19pc for gains of up to €6,000, to a top rate of 30pc for profits above €300,000, according to Blevin Franks, a financial advice service. The couple then bought their current home in Montserrat for €110,000 in August 2021, a three-bedroom casa with a pool, palm trees and mountain views, just a 15-minute walk into town. 'It's the perfect place for us. There is a small English community, but all of our friends are Spanish. Everyone is helpful, cheerful and funny,' says Tennant. Despite the bumpy start, their Spanish retirement is going well. Family members visit regularly – Diane always asks them to bring over her favourite Bisto gravy – and keep in touch with video calls and photos. In the hotter climate, their days usually start with gardening or housework. They meet friends at the nearby social club, spend time learning Spanish, and enjoy people watching at the local bars – plus, their two Spanish rescue cats, Polly and Sam, keep them busy. 'The best bits about living here are the weather and the people,' Tennant says. 'I do miss M&S though.' Making your money go further Spain is the most popular country for European expats to move to, with around 350,000 British people registered as residents – though it's estimated up to one million British people are living in the country, according to the law firm Immigration Advice Service (IAS). Property prices vary across the regions, and living in hotspots like Marbella and Madrid does not come cheap – but prices are generally still much lower than in the UK. The south of the country tends to be more affordable than the north, and living in a rural area can reduce property prices by as much as 40pc, says Lexidy, a law firm. A two-bedroom apartment in Valencia can cost between €150,000-€200,000, according to the property agency, Spain Easy, rising to €200,000-€350,000 in Seville. The cost of living, including groceries and eating out, is also broadly cheaper than in the UK. While the figures are user-generated and should only be taken as rough averages, online database, Numbeo, says you can get a meal at an inexpensive restaurant for about €13, while a pint of beer is €3. You can also get a takeaway coffee for €2. 'Utilities are much cheaper, as the local taxes are nothing at all compared to what you pay in England. The food [shopping] bill is about €50 a week, and you can buy a very decent bottle of wine for €3,' says Tennant. Being able to escape Britain's cold, wet winters, along with a slower pace of life and cheaper cost of living, numerous travel links back to the UK and a time difference of just one hour, make it easy to see the appeal. Pension need-to-knows British expats who retire to Spain and receive the state pension can continue to enjoy the protection of the so-called 'triple lock', the rule which ensures payments increase each year by the highest of inflation, average wage growth or 2.5pc. This is crucial for the Tennants, who have no other retirement savings. 'The state pension is enough to cover our lives here, but it wouldn't be in England,' says Tennant. Moving a private pension over to Spain has become more difficult since Brexit, and setting up an international self-invested personal pension (Sipp) is often the simplest option. Like a standard UK Sipp, it means your money can be left invested and drawn down flexibly, but can be withdrawn in euros to remove the risk of losing out when the exchange rate is poor, says Raquel Plaza, tax adviser at Blevins Franks. She adds: 'Be sure to take your tax-free lump sum before you become a tax resident in Spain, though. There is no exemption for this lump sum in Spain, so if you draw it here, it will be taxed at the usual rates.' Becoming a resident is also more difficult these days – in part, thanks to the axing of Spain's 'golden visa' scheme earlier this year, which had allowed British expats to access renewable residency and work permits by investing €500,000 (£420,000) in Spanish property. For retirees, the best visa option is usually the non-lucrative residence visa, according to IAS. This allows someone to live in the country as long as they do not engage in any work, and can prove they have a reliable source of income or savings to support themselves financially. After getting a visa and securing accommodation, you can apply for a residency permit – but the process isn't quick. 'It took a year for our residency to go through,' says Tennant. This comes with logistical issues – 'You can't change your driving licence until you are a resident, or use the public health service, so you'll need private health insurance.' Tax facts A dual taxation agreement between Spain and the UK means you should not pay tax twice on the same income. Those with Spanish residency usually have to file a tax return each year, where you'll have to pay Spanish tax on worldwide income – watch out as the annual deadline (June 30) is different from that in the UK. There are federal, regional and municipal taxes to take into account, which can vary depending on where you live. In Andalusia, Catalonia and Murcia, the basic rate of federal income tax is 19pc, charged on income up to €12,450, but in Madrid it's 18pc, according to Blevins Franks. The Valencian region charges the highest rate of 54pc, paid on income above €300,000. Tennant recommends using a reputable 'gestor', a local expert who can help manage your tax affairs and will have strong knowledge of local rules and how to file a return. Plaza says: 'It is good to have a local tax adviser to help you, especially if you do not speak Spanish, they can communicate with the local tax authorities for you. Taking ongoing advice and making sure your assets are structured in the best way is a very good idea and is not expensive to have in place.' 'It's complicated and you definitely need an expert to look after your interests and put you on the right path,' adds Tennant. There is also a wealth tax, the rate of which varies between 0.2pc-3.5pc across regions, but is typically paid by those with worldwide assets above €1m (though this threshold also varies). Expats who hold assets outside Spain worth more than €50,000 – such as property, investments and life insurance policies – must report them using a Modelo 720 declaration, which is designed to reduce tax avoidance.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Leicester student's joy after CPR device wins national award
A student who designed a potentially lifesaving device to help a person perform CPR correctly has won a national Wragg created a prototype at Leicester's De Montfort University (DMU), which clicks when the person carrying out compressions on the chest uses the correct amount of 21-year-old said he wanted to design a product to give people confidence to help save a life, adding he was "overwhelmed" to have won this year's Design Innovation in Plastics Awards (DIP).Dr Thomas Weir, who helps raise awareness and skills around cardiac arrest at the university, said Harry's device was a "great invention" and hoped to use it in training sessions at the campus. The small dome-shaped device, named CPR+Aid, is made from plastic with no originally from Portsmouth, who has now graduated in product design from DMU, created three prototypes - each designed for a specific age group and body type."My research had shown a lack of first aid training and lack of defibrillator availability, so I wanted to design something that would give people the confidence to help save a life," he said."People can be scared of breaking the ribs when performing CPR, so don't apply enough pressure for it to be effective."But if they use the device and hear the clicks under each compression, they know they are performing CPR correctly and will know that they have done everything they can to save the person." Harry was selected from six finalists and received first place at an awards ceremony on Friday. "The win hasn't really sunk in; it was quite an overwhelming experience, and I was surprised given the high quality of the competition," he said."Winning has reinforced my confidence in my own ability to create something that can save lives and have an impact on society."The graduate said his dream would be to see the device in first aid to the British Heart Foundation, each minute that passes without CPR can decrease the chance of survival by up to 10%.Dr Weir said: "CPR doesn't need to be perfect - attempting CPR is vastly better than doing nothing. "But a common error is people underestimate how much force needs applying on each compression - that's why Harry's device is particularly great, whether for training or the real thing."If it even saves one life, then Harry can be rightly proud of himself."Richard Brown, chairman of judges at DIP, said: "We were very impressed with the simplicity of the product, the thought which had been given to material selection and how it would be manufactured, including being upscaled to meet demand. "We believe it is a product that challenges the current CPR approach and could save lives."The judges awarded second to Krzysztof Boroniec, from Technological University Dublin, for a chewing device and third to Abbie Williams, from Nottingham Trent University, for a knee-strengthening brace.
India.com
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Happy Birthday Moeen Ali: Meet Wife Firoza Hossain, Bangladeshi-Born Fashion Designer Behind England Star's Success
photoDetails english Moeen Ali, England's celebrated all-rounder and former CSK star, shares a private yet inspiring love story with his wife, Firoza Hossain. Born in Sylhet, Bangladesh, Firoza is a fashion designer based in England and prefers to stay out of the limelight. The couple had an arranged marriage when Moeen was 21 and later welcomed two children, Abu Bakr and Haadiya. Despite Moeen's demanding cricket career, Firoza's unwavering support and shared faith provide a strong foundation for their family life. Her quiet strength, cultural grace, and devotion make her an integral part of Moeen Ali's personal and professional journey. Updated:Jun 18, 2025, 08:34 AM IST 1. Who Is Moeen Ali's Wife, Firoza Hossain? 1 / 15 Firoza Hossain, Moeen Ali's wife, is a Bangladeshi-born fashion designer settled in England. Her quiet presence has long intrigued cricket fans across the world. 2. From Sylhet to England: A Cross-Cultural Love Story 2 / 15 Born in Sylhet, Bangladesh, Firoza moved to the UK and shares a rich South Asian heritage with Moeen, creating a close-knit, faith-rooted family bond. 3. Their Marriage Was Arranged But Strongly Rooted 3 / 15 Moeen Ali and Firoza Hossain's marriage was arranged by their families—adding a traditional twist to a modern love story that blossomed across countries. 4. How Moeen Ali Kept His Marriage a Secret 4 / 15 Moeen married Firoza around the age of 21, but kept their relationship private for years until it was revealed by a cricket correspondent, sparking fan frenzy. 5. Firoza's Low-Key Yet Influential Role in Moeen's Life 5 / 15 Firoza chooses to stay away from the media but is Moeen's anchor. Her behind-the-scenes support is often credited for his calm and focused on-field performance. 6. Fashion Designer With a Global Perspective 6 / 15 Firoza is a professional fashion designer who graduated from De Montfort University, Leicester, and represents modern Bangladeshi diaspora women thriving abroad. 7. A Mother of Two and the Pillar of the Ali Household 7 / 15 The couple shares two children – son Abu Bakr and daughter Haadiya – with Firoza managing the family while Moeen handles the pressures of international cricket. 8. Firoza's Strong Faith Mirrors Moeen's Beliefs 8 / 15 A devout Muslim, Firoza's faith shapes her values and parenting. This shared religious foundation is a key pillar in the couple's harmonious and grounded life. 9. Not Just a Cricketer's Wife – A Partner in His Journey 9 / 15 From attending matches to running the household solo during tours, Firoza's contribution to Moeen's cricket career is both emotional and logistical. 10. Firoza Hossain: The Grace Behind Moeen's Glory 10 / 15 Though she stays away from the spotlight, Firoza is admired for her grace, strength, and cultural pride—making her a beloved figure among Moeen Ali's fans. 11 / 15 12 / 15 13 / 15 14 / 15 15 / 15
BBC News
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Riverside Festival returns to Leicester for 2025
Leicester's free Riverside Festival is returning to the city on Saturday and family-friendly event will take place around the River Soar's mile straight and will include boat rides, kayaking, dragon boat races, live music and performances, craft markets, food and drink and a pop-up art will also take place at Bede Park, Castle Gardens, Western Boulevard, and De Montford University, as well as The Newarke Houses Museum, which will be part of the festival for the first Montford University's Cultural eXchanges Festival, which is organised by students, has also been merged into the festival for the first time and will include dance, performances and workshops. A dedicated family zone will be set up in a tipi in Bede park and will include mini discos, bubble parties and entertainment from noon to 14:00 BST on both days. Live music will also be performed by local artists across both days on the Piazza Stage, with acoustic sessions held in Castle Gardens nearby. A 17th Century living history camp will recreate the Siege of Leicester during the civil war in 1645, with a re-enactment at The Newarke from 14:00 to 15:00 on both Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for leisure and culture, said: "Like all our festivals, the aim of the Riverside Festival is to bring people together."It's also a chance to showcase the diversity of our communities and enjoy the food, music, dance and arts that make Leicester so special."I hope that the weather will be kind to us and we can look forward to a fun-packed Riverside Festival that will offer something for everyone."The event will take place from noon until 18:00 on Saturday and noon until 17:00 on Sunday.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
De Montfort University to cut jobs as financial pressure mounts
Leicester's De Montfort University (DMU) is looking to make redundancies after admitting its current spending is greater than its university has made 94 positions at risk, with 80 roles set to be cut. Bosses say a fall in student numbers, little movement in tuition fee levels and the increase in employer National Insurance payments mean they needed to cut spending by £22m this year - and £5m is still to be found. A spokesman for the university told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "Like almost every university in the country, DMU is dealing with unprecedented financial challenges." 'Severe challenges' "We have acted early and responsibly to ensure DMU remains financially stable, able to continue its vital role as a critical driver of economic growth, productivity and opportunity," the spokesperson added."We are one of Leicester's largest employers and contribute hundreds of millions of pounds to the regional economy annually. "But the immediate challenges the sector faces are severe and fast-growing."In an effort to save money, the university set up a voluntary severance scheme last year, halted some projects and limited operational spending to "essential items only" but it has not closed the gap. Jobs under threat include 63 senior lecturer roles, 17 associate professor jobs, 11 lecturer roles, one research assistant job, one senior research fellow position and one reader, according to documents seen by the leaders have acknowledged part of the financial gap is due to the cost of setting up new campuses in Dubai and London, but have said the two campuses were needed to reduce reliance on undergraduate tuition fees and diversify an email to staff, vice chancellor Katie Normington said: "I can only reiterate how sorry I am that we are having to weather the national higher education storm like this and regret the impact it is having."
