Latest news with #Hillier
Spectator
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
The Liaison Committee summed up Starmer's woes
If you want a sign of how badly things have gone wrong for this government, compare Keir Starmer's third Liaison Committee grilling with his first. Back in December, it was all stonewalling and smiles, as the Prime Minister gently dead-batted questions in front of a (largely) sympathetic crowd. Seven months on, the audience remains the same: 18 of the 26 select committees in the Commons are chaired by Labour MPs. But now the tone has hardened considerably. Today's session focused on poverty and international affairs. Normally, these might be regarded as areas in which a redistributive social democrat premier would excel. But after the benefits U-turn a fortnight ago, Starmer found himself subjected to some hostile grilling. His worst moment came when Debbie Abrahams, the chair of the welfare panel, said that his ditched reforms were 'so far removed from Labour values of fairness and social justice I have to say I felt ashamed.' In his wearisomely-familiar style, Starmer gave Abrahams a set of stock lines which any No. 10 spokesman could have mustered: he wants more people back in work and has commissioned a review to ensure it. A similar formula was deployed when Florence Eshalomi, the chair of the housing select committee, asked about the Budget's freeze to local housing allowance. Starmer defended the decision – before pledging 'there will be a chance to look again across the board.' As the recent Ashes series has shown, there is often merit in a Geoffrey Boycott-style approach to defence. But refusing to even attempt to score some runs can certainly tire the patience of the crowd. The frustration on the face of Liam Byrne and others was visible as Starmer made his way through the 90-minute grilling, stubbornly refusing to enlighten his assembled colleagues. Challenged multiple times on the detail of an answer, the PM begrudgingly promised to write in due course. A classic case was offered in an exchange with Meg Hillier. 'What other accomodation are you planning to take over to provide temporary accommodation for families?' she asked in a discussion on migrants. 'Oh, there's lots of housing in many local authorities that can be used and we're identifying where it can be used', Starmer gaily replied. 'Have you got any examples you can give us?' retorted Hillier. 'No but I'll write in and give you details', he answered, haltingly. It says something when Gaza offers easier ground for a Labour PM to discuss. Pressed by Andy Slaughter on how the government will 'protect Palestinians from mass killings', Starmer offered the usual line about the need for an immediate ceasefire and aid to enter the region. It was a depressing and predictable note on which to end an underwhelming and angst-ridden first year for Starmer. Asked by Hillier for the highlight of his initial 12 months, the Prime Minister responded 'walking into Downing Street.' Being something, rather than doing something – with this government, the jokes all too often write themselves.
Spectator
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Sausage King Starmer's bad afternoon on the grill
Sir Keir Starmer has a sausage problem. Stop sniggering at the back. Not only was there his infamous slip demanding that Hamas 'return the sausages', but there is also the fact that he increasingly resembles a great British banger: pink-skinned, spitting and whistling when grilled and filled with all kinds of rubbish. Sir Keir has become the Sausage King of Westminster and today – at the House of Commons liaison committee – he was due a spell on the barbecue. Part of the problem for the Sausage King is that he's managed to wind up a fair few of the select committee chairs who make up the grilling committee: quite an achievement given that almost all of them are his own MPs. Emily Thornberry was there, looking extraordinarily jolly for one who'd been passed over for attorney-general in favour of one of Starmer's lawyer mates. Dame Meg Hillier spearheaded the rebellion that forced his humiliating climb-down on welfare, while Florence Esholami led much of the resistance to the assisted suicide legislation, a bill which purports to be the brain-child (which in this case is unfair on both brains and children) of Kim Leadbeater but which Westminster insiders know has the Sausage King's porky fingerprints all over it. There's also the small matter of how badly things are going. The first few minutes were relatively uneventful; not so much a grilling as a quick go on the sunbed. But soon both Dame Meg and Ms Esholami rounded on him over the housing crisis. Eshalomi pointed out that councils were currently being forced to bid for the same housing stock for multiple uses – thus pitching homeless children against asylum seekers. Did the Sausage King plan to do anything about this? 'I'm furious', he said in a voice that betrayed all the emotion of the announcement of a rail replacement bus service. Hillier tried again; 'precisely' what accommodation would the government be taking over to house asylum seekers at the expense of local residents, she asked? The PM replied that there was 'lots of housing' going spare, 'and many local authorities that can be used'. With a look of real exasperation Hillier asked whether he could provide just a single example. 'No, but I'll write in and give you details', came the inevitable reply. Someone who actually was furious was Debbie Abrahams who launched into a remarkable broadside over the government's botched welfare reforms. 'This was poor legislation, so far removed from Labour values that I felt ashamed,' she said, and I promise this is not hyperbole, bristling with contempt. 'We must do better, Prime Minister'. The Sausage King opened his nostrils and shot Mrs Abrahams a look of genuine venom. The grilling was getting hotter. Sizzle sizzle! Even possible allies turned on him; Liam Byrne asked about potential tax cuts. 'No Prime Minister can set a budget six months in advance', stammered the PM. The sausage turned pinker and pinker. Dame Caroline Dinenage asked what the PM was doing to support charities forced to cut their staff due to NIC increases. The Prime Minister belched out an answer of purest word vomit; 'We are looking at what we can do on – sort of, business rates for charities and, sort of, putting in the support they need'. 'That's it?', replied Dame Caroline, raising a quizzical eyebrow. She accused him of 'balancing the books on the backs of charities like children's hospices'. By now, the Banger looked like he was actually going to go bang. Dame Caroline went one further when she asked him why his constituents were so mean when it came to charitable giving. After all, she observed, 'you and your colleagues aren't averse to being on the receiving end of a bit of philanthropic giving yourselves'. Finally, the grilling came to its end. In everything from the economy to migration to welfare it had revealed a litany of failures. Dame Meg ended proceedings with a softer tone: 'What's been your best moment in the last 12 months?' The Sausage King said it was walking into Downing Street. On that it was very hard to take issue with him; it's certainly been downhill from there!
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Daniel Hillier The Open Championship odds, tips and betting trends
Daniel Hillier heads into the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club with +60000 odds. He will look to improve on his 19th-place finish at this tournament in 2024. In his two events during the past year, Hillier has a best finish of 19th and an average finish of 19th, with no top 10s. The 7,381-yard course in Portrush, GBR, playing as a par 71 for this event, will host a field of competitors seeking a share of the $17,000,000.00 purse. Xander Schauffele won the event the last time it was held. Daniel Hillier odds to win The Open Championship PGA odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Tuesday at 10:23 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Hillier's stats and trends Hillier's recent results How to watch The Open Championship ESPN+ is the new home of PGA TOUR LIVE. Sign up now to access 4,300+ hours of live coverage from 35 PGA TOUR tournaments this year.
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I'm a gardening expert – here's the post-heatwave flowers you need to plant now to inject vibrant, seasonal colour
AFTER a scorching weekend, the recent cooler and wetter weather will come as a a welcome relief – especially for keen gardeners. The turn in conditions give us a perfect opportunity to revive outdoor spaces that have been left looking dull, brown and lifeless by the dry conditions. 2 2 And it's the perfect time for gardens to come alive with colour. The experts say with just a few standout plants, even the smallest yards can feel refreshed and full of life. Emma Fell, Head of Horticulture at Hillier Garden Centres, has shared her top picks for injecting vibrant, seasonal colour – from bold dahlias to cheerful rudbeckias. Whether you're working with a small patio or a full garden bed, these low-effort selections are ideal for bringing gardens back to life. Dahlia These pretty flowers are celebrated for their impressive, sculptural blooms that come in an extensive palette of colours and forms. Emma said: "From delicate pastels to fiery reds and oranges, their versatility makes them an excellent choice for creating impact. They thrive best in full sun with well-drained, fertile soil. "Regular watering and deadheading will encourage continuous flowering, often lasting from midsummer right through to the first frost. Their striking presence makes them ideal for borders or large containers.' Garvinea These blooms bring the same joyful daisy-like blooms and vivid colours as traditional gerbera, but with the added benefit of improved hardiness, the experts say. Wake up to a weed-free lawn for months thanks to Aldi's £10 gadget that pulls them out without bending or kneeling down Emma explains: "Unlike typical gerbera, which are often treated as tender bedding or indoor plants, Garvinea are bred to be more robust – able to withstand cooler UK temperatures and even light frosts. "Available in vibrant shades of pink, red, orange and yellow, they flower prolifically from spring through to autumn. "Ideal for borders, containers or cut flower displays, they thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, with regular feeding and watering to keep the blooms coming.' Impatiens Also known as Busy Lizzies, they are a top choice for shaded areas where many flowering plants struggle. The expert says: "Their abundant blooms in shades of pink, red, white and purple provide much-needed vibrancy to darker corners of your garden. "These plants prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil (in full shade they will be reduced in flowering). "Because of their shade tolerance and ease of care, they're perfect for brightening patios, balconies and shaded garden beds.' Geraniums Bedding geraniums are a staple for summer colour due to their robust nature and prolific blooming. Emma says: "Offering bright, cheerful flowers in reds, pinks, whites and purples, these plants are drought-tolerant once established and perform well in full sun to partial shade. "Their versatility makes them ideal for edging beds, containers or hanging baskets, providing reliable colour throughout the warmer months." Rudbeckia These flowers bring warm, golden yellow blooms with dark centres that add a striking contrast to any planting scheme. And they flower from midsummer into autumn. The garden guru added: "They are excellent for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. "Rudbeckias prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them low maintenance yet highly effective plants for summer colour."
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Niece swindled aunt and uncle out of £150k life savings to splash out on 5* hotel stays and swish designer clothes
A NIECE swindled her elderly aunt and uncle out of their £150,000 life savings to fund her lavish lifestyle. Lucy Paginton funded luxury holidays and trips to five star hotels using money she had pilfered from relatives Frank Hillier, 88, and Mary, 90. 4 Lucy Paginton, 28, targeted her uncle Jack Hillier, 88, and aunt Mary, 90 Credit: WNS 4 The mum-of-one spent time at the five-star Celtic Manor resort in Newport Credit: Getty The 28-year-old, of Newport, South Wales, was raised by the couple "like a daughter" since the age of two. Cardiff Crown Court heard they spoiled her throughout her life, forking out on holidays, buying her gifts and leasing cars on her behalf. Pensioner Mrs Hillier told how both her and her husband had become "unwell" dealing with the stress and upset after the shocking betrayal. The mum-of-one spent time at the five-star Read more News In 2017, Paginton asked her aunt and uncle for their help to buy a house. But rather than using the money to put down a deposit, she kept the money they had given her. To continue her deception, Paginton then forged several documents including correspondence from Halifax bank and Redrow house builders. Prosecutor Thomas Stanway told the court: "A plan was agreed that they would pay the deposits for two properties. Most read in The Sun "Paginton would live in one house and her aunt and uncle in the other. "The property the Hilliers lived in would then pass over to her after they had died. "When one considers Miss Paginton's bank statements one can see that in effect the payments were simply made to fund her lifestyle. "There were visits to the Celtic Manor Resort, payments to Flannels, a high-end designer clothing shop. My disabled mum said she was in love with US soldier but she'd actually given conman £169k - she's one of 1,000s of Brits being targeted "There were also payments to various travel companies noted within her bank statements." In a victim impact statement, Mrs Hillier told how the betrayal had hurt more because the couple had showed Paginton "so much love". She said: "It hurts because she lied to us and we showed her so much love, gave her holidays, money and she never went without. "We were willing to buy her a house but she decided to steal from us instead. "It's affected my mental health and my husband's physical and mental health. "Every night going to bed I find it difficult to sleep and we're constantly worried about the case. "The stress of it all has made us unwell." The court heard she had gained £150,555 from her fraud. 4 Following a ruling at Cardiff Crown Court, Paginton was ordered to pay just £1 because she had no available assets Credit: Getty But at a Proceeds of Crime hearing, Paginton was ordered to pay just £1 because she had no available assets. Mrs Hillier explained that the couple made sure their niece didn't get away with her crimes, but insisted they still loved her. She added: "We have lost everything we have worked hard for and family have distanced themselves from us. "We couldn't let her get away with this and can't believe she did this. "We still love the defendant but she hurt us and broke our trust. "We hope to get justice from this case and make Lucy realise the consequences of her actions. She was jailed for four years and eight months in January after pleading guilty to seven counts of fraud at Newport Crown Court. During her sentencing, Judge Carl Harrison said: "Your victims thought highly of you, they trusted you and they loved you. "It was that love and trust that led them to falling victim to your repeated dishonest behaviour. "For four years you cynically and repeatedly abused the trust that Frank and Mary Hillier placed in you to enrich yourself and defraud them. "They described it as being a living hell. They are an elderly couple who should be looking forward to their future . "Their lives have been ruined by your selfish actions." 4 Paginton funded luxury holidays and trips to five star hotels using money she had pilfered from her doting relatives Credit: Alamy
