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Shoppers are racing to Sainsbury’s for ‘jaw-dropping’ summer dress that looks great on all shapes & sizes
SHOPPERS are racing to Sainsbury’s to snap up a “jaw dropping” summer dress, perfect for beach holidays.
Now that summer is finally upon us, and with temperatures soaring again this week, many of us are likely making plans for trips abroad.
And what better way to get yourself excited for summer than treating yourself to a new dress.
Sainsbury’s Tu is one of the best-loved brands on the high street, and is constantly wowing us with its stylish but affordable fashion.
From cute dresses to on-trend work attire, the supermarket fast-fashion range always hits the mark, and its new summer collection is no exception.
One dress that fashion fans have been raving about in particular is the Yellow Striped Tie Detail Midaxi Tea Dress which is priced at £28.
Taking to TikTok, fashion influencer Christie Mac (@christielouisemac) recently modelled the chic dress in a video that has racked up over 269,000 views.
The fashionista, who uses her social media channels to share plus size friendly buys, looked stunning in the bright yellow dress, which she paired with white sandals and a large wicker beach bag.
Christie modelled a size 20 in the video, but the dress comes in a wide range of sizes, from size 6 to size 24, so there’s something to fit every body.
The Tu dress features puff sleeves and an elasticated waist, so its perfect to wear at the all inclusive buffet on holiday.
It also has a sweet tie detail at the neckline, and is perfect for dressing up for garden parties, or dressing down for the beach.
Sainsbury’s said: “Perfect for summer occasions, our yellow tea dress has been designed with puff sleeves, an elasticated waist with shirred detailing, finished with a tie fastening at the neckline for a touch of elegance.
“Cut to a flattering, midaxi length.
“Wear with suede sandals and golden accessories.”
The dress is available in stores and can also be purchased on the Sainsbury’s website.
Fashion fans flooded the comments section of Christie’s video to share their love for the dress.
One person said: “The yellow dress is stunning!”
A second person said: “That yellow dress made my jaw drop.
“Stunning!”
A third person said: “That yellow dress is beaaaaautiful.”
A fourth added: “You look amazing in the yellow dress.”
Is supermarket fashion the new high street?
DEPUTY Fashion Editor Abby McHale weighs in:
The supermarkets have really upped their game when it comes to their fashion lines. These days, as you head in to do your weekly food shop you can also pick up a selection of purse-friendly, stylish pieces for all the family.
Tesco has just announced a 0.7 per cent increase in the quarter thanks to a ‘strong growth in clothing’ and M&S has earnt the title of the number one destination for womenswear on the high street.
Asda’s clothing line George has made £1.5 million for the supermarket in 2023, 80 per cent of Sainsbury’s clothes sold at full price rather than discounted and Nutmeg at Morrisons sales are also up 2 per cent in the past year.
So what is it about supermarket fashion that is becoming so successful?
Apart from the clothing actually being affordable, it’s good quality too – with many being part of schemes such as the Better Cotton Initiative.
A lot of the time they keep to classic pieces that they know will last the customer year after year.
Plus because they buy so much stock they can turn around pieces quickly and buy for cheaper because of the volumes.
Love Island feud erupts as Meg clashes with new bombshell Malisha as she arrives in the villa after her date with Dejon
A LOVE Island feud has erupted as Meg clashes with new bombshell Malisha as she arrives in the villa after her date with Dejon.
Emily, Malisha and Yasmin crashed the boys’ night in the recent episode, and wasted no time in getting to know the group.
And as they got to know the men, OG Islander Meg has been slammed by Love Island fans for her reaction.
As bombshell Malisha got to know the boys, Meg was heard calling her a “b****,” which has sparked a big reaction on social media.
Now, as Malisha returns to the villa, tensions flare between the two women.
The girls end up watching the dates play out on the big screen, including Dejon and Malisha’s, and talk turns flirty as they toast to new beginnings.
Dejon insists they should look in each other’s eyes when they cheers, as Meg watches on back at the villa.
When he arrives back at the villa, Meg tells Dejon exactly how she’s feeling about watching his date, and tells him: “You failed the test.”
Meg adds: “I’m not here to play games.”
Whilst Dejon takes on board some of Meg’s comments, he’s left feeling some of it wasn’t warranted, and when he’s later seen laughing at the mini Firepit with Malisha, it doesn’t go unnoticed by Meg who notes: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen D laugh so much.”
Things then become tense between Malisha and Meg, as the new bombshell hears her commenting on their chat.
At first, things seem to be OK between the girls, as they clear the air over a firepit chat.
But this doesn’t last long as, during the evening, Malisha and Dejon are interrupted by Meg as they chat on the balcony.
Dejon tells the boys as they’re getting ready for the evening: “If she [Meg] is still coming at me with the same energy then it’s done…”
Meg is keen to clear the air with Dejon, but Malisha gets there first asking Dejon to go into the Hideaway for a chat.
Swerving the Hideaway and the signal that might be sent, Dejon says they should go somewhere else to speak. Choosing instead to go to Terrace, Malisha tells him: “You move like you’re closed off.”
Watching from the garden, Meg then takes matters into her own hands and goes up to interrupt their conversation, and things turn sour between the girls.
Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX
US Open 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Leaderboard latest on final day as Sam Burns leads while McIlroy and Scheffler struggle
THE final day of a thrilling US Open at Oakmont is finally here – and American star Sam Burns is currently top of the leaderboards!
The “hardest course in the world” has fully lived up to its expectations, with the world’s best faltering, including Bryson DeChambeau failing to cut.
All is set for a stunning finale with World No 1 Scottie Scheffler and Masters champ Rory McIlroy enduring a torrid time in Pennsylvania.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
World Cup of Darts 2025: Full schedule, results, start time, live stream, TV as Littler and Humphries CRASH OUT
ENGLAND will be represented by a double dose of Luke this week as Littler and Humphries pair up at the World Cup of Darts 2025 – and the action is unfolding RIGHT NOW!
The men’s England football team failed to bring it home during the Euro 2024, but Luke Humphries and Michael Smith made the nation proud in last year’s World Cup of Darts.
A combination of composure and superb throwing saw Cool Hand and Bully Boy beat their Austrian opponents 10-6 in an epic final.
And it was a result that wrote England’s name in the history books as they now hold the record for the most amount of wins in the iconic competition with five.
Sadly for Smith, his world ranking positioning meant he missed out on the chance to retain back-to-back titles.
And England could have done with him after Luke Littler and Humphries got dumped out by Germany in their opening match.
Welsh stars Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price are now firm favourites to lift the title.
When is the World Cup of Darts 2025?
The World Cup of Darts 2025 got underway on Thursday, June 12.
It will run over four days, concluding on Sunday, June 15.
Eissporthalle am Ratsweg in Frankfurt, Germany is the chosen venue for this iconic tournament.
Group stage matches begin at 6pm BST and then the latter stage fixtures are split in afternoon sessions (11am/12pm) and evening sessions (6pm).
The quarter-finals, semi-final and final will ALL be held on Sunday, June 15.
What TV channel is the World Cup of Darts 2025 on and can it be live streamed?
- The World Cup of Darts 2025 will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports.
- Subscription members can stream the entire four-day event on NOW TV.
- Alternatively, SunSport will be running a live blog providing leg-by-leg coverage of the World Cup of Darts 2025.
What is the World Cup of Darts 2025 format?
There will be 40 different nations taking part at this year’s World Cup of Darts.
The top four seeded nations go straight into the second round, while the remaining 36 nations are split into 12 groups of three.
Each group winner will progress through to the second round, and then the tournament will be knockout from then on.
And each group stage game sees teams compete in a best-of-seven legs match, before the second round, quarter-finals and semi-finals are all best of 15 legs.
The World Cup final will then be best of 19 legs.
All matches are played in the doubles format, with teammates taking turns at the oche.
World Cup of Darts 2025 groups
Group A
Netherlands (Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen)
Italy (Michele Turetta and Massimo Dalla Rosa)
Hungary (Gyorgy Jehirszki and Gergely Lakatos)
Group B
Belgium (Mike de Decker and Dimitri van den Bergh)
Latvia (Madars Razma and Valters Melderis)
Philippines (Lourence Ilagan and Paolo Nebrida)
Group C
Germany (Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko)
Portugal (Jose de Sousa and Bruno Nascimento)
Singapore (Paul Lim and Phuay Wei Tan)
Group D
Republic of Ireland (William O’Connor and Keane Barry)
Gibraltar (Craig Galliano and Justin Hewitt)
China (Xiaochen Zong and Lihao Wen)
Group E
Poland (Krzysztof Ratajski and Radek Szaganski)
South Africa (Cameron Carolissen and Devon Petersen)
Norway (Cor Dekker and Kent Joran Sivertsen)
Group F
Canada (Matt Campbell and Jim Long)
Malaysia (Tengku Shah and Tan Jenn Ming)
Denmark (Denjamin Drue Reus and Andreas Hyllgaardhus)
Group G
Sweden (Jeffrey de Graaf and Oskar Lukasiak)
Lithuania (Darius Labanauskas and Mindaugas Barauskas)
France (Thibault Tricole and Jacques Labre)
Group H
Austria (Mensur Suljovic and Rusty-Jake Rodriguez)
Spain (Daniel Zapata and Ricardo Fernandez)
Australia (Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock)
Group I
United States (Danny Lauby and Jules van Dongen)
Hong Kong (Man Lok Leung and Lok Yin Lee)
Bahrain (Sadeq Mohamed and Hasan Bucheeri)
Group J
Czech Republic (Karel Sedlacek and Petr Krivka)
India (Nitin Kumar and Mohan Goel)
Chinese Taipei (Teng Lieh Pupo and An-Sheng Lu)
Group K
Croatia (Pero Ljubic and Boris Krcmar)
Japan (Ryusei Azemoto and Tomoya Goto)
Switzerland (Stefan Bellmont and Alex Fehlmann)
Group L
Finland (Teemu Harju and Marko Kantele)
New Zealand (Haupai Puha and Mark Cleaver)
Argentina (Jesus Salate and Victor Guillin)
World Cup of Darts 2025 schedule and results
Thursday June 12
From 6pm BST
Group Stage – Opening Matches
- Sweden 4-1 Lithuania
- Czech Republic 4-2 Chinese Taipei
- Croatia 3-4 Japan
- Ireland 4-2 Gibraltar
- Canada 1-4 Malaysia
- USA 1-4 Hong Kong
- Poland 4-3 South Africa
- Belgium 4-1 Latvia
- Netherlands 4-0 Italy
- Germany 4-2 Portugal
- Austria 4-1 Spain
- Finland 0-4 New Zealand
Friday June 13
Afternoon Session
From 11am BST
Group Stage – Second Matches
- Lithuania 4-3 France
- Chinese Taipei 4-2 India
- Croatia 4-3 Switzerland
- Gibraltar 4-2 China
- Canada 1-4 Denmark
- USA 4-1 Bahrain
- South Africa 4-1 Norway
- Latvia 2-4 Philippines
- Italy 4-0 Hungary
- Portugal 2-4 Singapore
- Spain 0-4 Australia
- Finland 1-4 Argentina
Evening Session
From 6pm BST
Group Stage – Final Matches
- Sweden 3-4 France
- Czech Republic 4-2 India
- Japan 1-4 Switzerland
- Ireland 2-4 China
- Malaysia 4-1 Denmark
- Hong Kong 4-0 Bahrain
- Poland 2-4 Norway
- Belgium 3-4 Philippines
- Netherlands 4-0 Hungary
- Germany 4-0 Singapore
- Austria 1-4 Australia
- New Zealand 3-4 Argentina
Saturday June 14
Afternoon Session
From 12pm BST
Second Round
- Malaysia 3-8 Czech Republic
- Hong Kong 8-4 Sweden
- Switzerland 3-8 Ireland
- Northern Ireland 8-2 South Africa
Evening Session
From 6pm BST
Second Round
- Wales 8-2 Philippines
- Scotland 0-8 Netherlands
- England 4-8 Germany
- Argentina 1-8 Australia
Sunday June 15
Afternoon Session
From 12pm BST
- Northern Ireland 8-5 Republic of Ireland
- Germany 8-7 Australia
- Wales vs Hong Kong
- Netherlands vs Czech Republic
Evening Session
From 6pm BST
Semi-Finals
Final
Football could introduce new transfer rule to let players buy out their contracts in radical move that would slash fees
MASSIVE transfer fees could soon become a thing of the past — with players’ chiefs wanting stars to have freedom to break their contracts for a fixed compensation payment.
The international players’ union FifPro has accused Fifa of dragging its feet over new transfer rules after the European Court agreed that ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star Lassana Diarra was illegally “handcuffed” by Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow a decade ago.
Major agents claimed the October ruling was the first step towards a US-style “free agency” for players, with fees becoming a thing of the past and stars only liable to pay the balance of their contracts when they switch clubs.
Top clubs and Fifa are battling to resist such a move, while this summer Prem clubs already splashed out £375million before the full market officially opens tomorrow.
But now FifPro has told stars and their lawyers to be ready to test Fifa’s failure to react and use European law to push for freedom of movement.
FifPro legal chief Alexandra Gomez Bruinewoud said: “Every worker should have the right to end a contractual relationship.
“Knowing how much you will have to pay as compensation is part of that right.
“Also, the fact you leave your job should not prevent you from being hired in another job, which is what was happening in football.”
Even the giants of the game may be forced into a major rethink by the repercussions of a row sparked in Moscow a decade ago.
Former Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder Diarra may not have really impacted the Prem in his four seasons, which brought just 44 top-flight games.
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Yet Diarra’s win at the European Court of Justice looks increasingly likely to significantly change the way the transfer market works.
If FifPro is right, the result will be for all players to have the right to break their contracts.
It would see players worth £100m on the open market suddenly available for a fraction of that sum.
Of course, any new regulations will not be introduced this summer.
Fifa rushed through a series of temporary transfer regulations, with dire warnings of the “collapse” of the transfer market unleashing “chaos”.
But FifPro remains unconvinced the latest moves from Zurich meet the demands of EU law.
One insider explained: “This could be the last few years of the inflated transfer fees we have all seen.
“The European Court has said that football must operate within EU law.
“Football is the outlier. There’s no other industry — other than maybe thoroughbred horses — where you see employees change hands for millions of pounds and it is time for the game to be brought in step.”
Gomez Bruinewoud added: “The judges in the Diarra case explained why the system was against EU law.
“I’m not afraid to say the same Fifa rules are probably also against most national labour laws.”
Top players will benefit from higher wages and longer deals, though with budgets finite, that would mean less cash and shorter deals for players further down the pecking order — and limited job security in the lower tiers.
Prem club bosses also fear the consequences, arguing the effective abolition of fees would blow up the entire footballing pyramid as money would no longer “trickle down”.
It is likely that, as with the Jean-Marc Bosman courtroom saga that turned European football on its head 30 years ago, it will need another player to be the test case to break the current system.
But it seems that challenge is a matter of time from being made. And with the players’ union backing, the most fundamental change the game has ever seen.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE – KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
Tragic homeless crisis gripping UK city as hard-up rough sleepers fend off Spice addicts & fake beggars in £120 trainers
HUDDLED outside a luxury department store, a homeless man puffs on a suspicious-looking cigarette while young families hurry past.
It’s an increasingly common sight on the streets of the northern city – the epicentre of a 53 per cent rise in homelessness in the North East over the past year.
Concerned locals claim the heart of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, once a bustling shopping hotspot, has been “taken over” by beggars high on Spice.
Rough sleepers now camp outside department store Fenwick, famed for its luxurious designer brands, while vagrants on pavements sell friendship bracelets or sit before signs, one of which reads: “I am very hungry. God bless you.”
While many homeless people have fallen on genuine hard times, locals claim a growing number are fraudsters, or so-called ‘professional beggars’, who have homes to go to at the end of the day.
Others are said to be more aggressive, attacking members of the public while high on drugs.
This week the Government announced it is scrapping the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act by spring next year, meaning rough sleeping will no longer be a crime – a decision welcomed by homeless charities across the UK.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner called the act “cruel and outdated” and insisted Labour will instead target organised begging by gangs.
On a busy midweek morning, among shoppers and workers grabbing a coffee, we count up to 10 homeless people on the main high street in Newcastle, a stretch less than a quarter of a mile.
In an underground car park right in the city centre, a stone’s throw from Marks & Spencer, Five Guys, TK Maxx and Flannels, we find a discarded heroin spoon next to a drain.
It sits beside a water bottle, and contains residue which appears to be the class A drug.
Nicole Harry, 40, a retail worker from Gateshead tells us: “I wouldn’t bring my children into Newcastle after dark because of the homeless issue.
“I often offer to buy beggars food from Greggs but if they refuse I don’t give them money, as you don’t know who is genuine.
“I’ve seen one person get off the bus in £120 Nike trainers, put dirty trousers on over their jeans and set up shop begging on the street.
“It’s a tough issue because you want to help those who need it, but you know some are on drugs or are just after cash.
“You can understand why they’re on drugs, I think a lot of people would in their situation. Sometimes you can tell they have taken something.
“My son will often chat to them and give them his lunch and many keep to themselves.”
Violence
Caroline, who didn’t want to give her surname, has lived on the streets for four months after escaping an abusive relationship.
The 40-year-old says narcotics are rife amongst the homeless community with many turning to zombie drug spice and heroin for comfort.
“Spice, heroin and alcohol are the main offenders,” she explains, while curled up in her sleeping bag.
“It’s getting really bad, a lot of people take them and now everyone thinks all homeless people are on drugs, so no one wants to help us.
“They become extremely violent because they’re on drugs. I’ve seen one of them run up to a stranger and punch them in the face.
I’ve seen one person get off the bus in £120 Nike trainers, put dirty trousers on over their jeans and set up shop begging on the street
Nicole Harry, retail worker
“It’s a volatile environment. They always come up to me and ask if I have drugs. Any money they get, they waste getting high.
“I have seen people sitting with a crack pipe, they don’t care.
“I don’t feel safe as a woman on the streets. I have taken so much abuse off strangers, I have been spat on, and people have hurled abuse at me.
“I’m homeless because I left an abusive relationships and I can’t get a home. I don’t take drugs, I’m just trying to get some help.”
According to charity Shelter, the North East had the largest annual increase in homelessness in the country in 2024.
The number rocketed from 1,500 to 2,300 in the space of just one year.
Within the region, the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne contains the highest number of homeless people – an estimated 335 – followed by Sunderland (309) and Durham (306).
Drug poisoning
The North East has also experienced its largest number of drug-poisoning deaths for 11 years.
In 2024, 174 died per million, compared to an average of 91 in England.
Juliet Saunders, CEO of Feeding Families, a food bank in the region, says a “perfect storm” of conditions have led to the sharp rise in homelessness.
She tells us: “We had to put a special provision in place for rough sleepers last year as it was clear there had been a huge increase.
We had to put a special provision in place for rough sleepers last year as it was clear there had been a huge increase
Juliet Saunders, CEO of Feeding Families
“We started getting other charities contacting us because the normal food boxes we provide were no good to people who haven’t got a home.
“People were taking the boxes and throwing away the pasta and sauce because it was no use to them.
“The homeless obviously have no access to cooking facilities, so they’d discard anything that needed a microwave or oven.
“We decided to distribute a rough sleeper’s pack containing foods that do not need to be cooked.
“We gave out 2,000 of these last year. They are essentially survival packs. What people need to survive in extreme circumstances are carbs and sugar.
Violence against rough sleepers
CRISIS reveal people living on the street are nearly 17 times more likely to have been victims of violence
17 times more likely to have been victims of violence
15 times more likely to have suffered verbal abuse in the past year
8 in 10 have suffered some sort of violence or abuse
35 per cent – more than one in three – have been deliberately hit or kicked or experienced a form of violence while homeless
34 per cent – more than a third – have had something thrown at them
9 per cent – nearly a tenth – have been urinated on
Nearly half of homeless people (48 per cent) have been intimidated or threatened with violence
Nearly six out of 10 (59 per cent) have been verbally abused or harrassed while homeless
“The packs contain crisps, chocolate, cereal bars, nuts, pepperoni, noodles and mints. Often the homeless have access to hot water, but nothing more.”
Juliet adds: “A perfect storm has created the huge rise in homelessness. I am not surprised there was a 53 per cent rise last year.
“There is a shortage of housing in this region. If you aren’t in the council housing system and you have to go to a private landlord, there can be competition. You are unlikely to be chosen over someone who has a job.
“I also think more relationships are breaking down. When I was at school, it was quite rare for someone to get divorced, but now that’s very commonplace.
“When a couple separate, another home needs to be found for one partner, and sometimes that partner can end up sleeping rough.
“Mental health is a big issue for all sorts of reasons, which also contributes.
“There’s not enough support available and it’s a vicious circle.
“Once you’re homeless, it’s very difficult to find a job and get out of that situation.”
Back in Newcastle another local, who didn’t want to be named, says there are begging ‘turf wars’ plaguing the streets.
“It’s a massive issue, there are loads where I live in the city centre and they leave needles on the floor after shooting up,” they tell us.
“They all congregate at certain times when they have been moved on from somewhere else.
“There are one or two genuine homeless people but the rest are drug addicts who have taken over.
“There are begging turf wars, I see them take shifts. They can be intimidating, I used to smoke and they will come up and ask for a drag of your cigarette.
There are begging turf wars, I see them take shifts. They can be intimidating, I used to smoke and they will come up and ask for a drag of your cigarette
Local resident
“I have lived here for 40 years and it never goes away.”
Brian Naylor, 70, a retired construction worker from Newcastle says some beggars can be intimidating.
“There are more beggars in the city centre but they’re not necessarily homeless. They just want money,” he says.
“They get right in your face asking for money, it can be intimidating for people.
“There are some beggars who are really hostile. It’s hard to know who is genuine.”
Tom Wilkinson, 18, a sports student at Northumbria University adds: “People can be intimidated by them begging, it just depends on if they are intoxicated.
“I’ve seen homeless people on the high street but it’s a problem across the country. It’s really sad.
“It doesn’t bother me but there should be more help for the homeless in Newcastle.”
Dott, 61, a support worker who didn’t want to give her surname, says she too has noticed a recent increase in the number of rough sleepers in the city.
“There are a lot of homeless on the high street. They often hang around outside of Greggs and it can put people off going in those shops,” she says.
“You can tell that some of them are on drugs. It must be really hard for those who have hit hard times and are genuinely on the streets.”
Property crisis
Christopher Clark, 54, a fundraiser from Newcastle says a lack of available housing is a significant factor contributing to the growing number of homeless.
“I spotted some homeless people on the high street today and did think to myself there had been an increase,” he admits.
“I can understand why they turn to drugs, a lot of them are in pain and have experienced trauma.
“We simply don’t have enough housing in this country, it is an issue with more people coming into the country and mass immigration.
“We don’t have enough homes for the country and now we are housing other people.
Homelessness help
HERE is some useful information if you are homeless or know someone who is experiencing homelessness.
FIRST CONTACT
If you or someone you know is sleeping rough you can use the alert Streelink service to help connect them with outreach services: www.thestreetlink.org.uk/start
FOOD
You can find free food stations via:
The Pavement – for food and soup runs: www.thepavement.org.uk/services
Homeless Link – for day centres: www.homeless.org.uk
The Trussell Trust – for food banks: www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/
Food Cycle – for food services – www.foodcycle.org.uk/free-food-locations/
HOUSING
Councils have a duty to help people who are homeless or facing homelessness. Contact the Housing Options team from the council you have a local connection to and see if they can offer:
- Emergency accommodation – a place in a shelter or a hostel
- Longer-term accommodation including independent or social housing
Visit: www.gov.uk/find-local-council
During times of severe cold or heat, local councils have special accommodation known as Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). Find out more here: www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
For advice, support or legal services related to housing visit www.shelter.co.uk or call 0808 800 4444.
You can also contact Crisis: www.crisis.org.uk/get-help/
For housing advice, call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 or visit: www.shelter.org.uk.
DAY CENTRES
Day centres can help by providing internet access, free or cheap food, shower and laundry facilities, safe storage for belongings, phone charging and clothes, toiletries or sleeping bags.
They can also help with services for benefits or immigration advice; health support; finding work; educational or social activities; hostel, night shelter or outreach referrals.
Centres can be found through Homeless Link: www.homeless.org.uk/
BENEFITS
Normally you can claim Universal Credit if you are sleeping on the streets or staying in a hostel. If you are in a hostel, you can claim Housing Benefit to help with rent. You do not need a fixed address or a bank account.
USEFUL CONTACTS
Crisis – visit: www.crisis.org.uk or call 0300 636 1967.
Shelter – visit: www.shelter.org.uk or call 0808 800 4444.
Centrepoint (for people aged 16-25) – visit: www.centrepoint.org.uk or call 0808 800 0661.
St Mungo’s (Bath, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Christchurch, Leicester, Oxford, Poole and Reading) – visit: www.mungos.org or call 020 3856 6000.
Depaul UK (for young people) – visit: https://www.depaul.org.uk/ or call 0207 939 1220.
Citizen’s Advice (legal advice) – visit: www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call 0345 404 0506.
The Samaritans (health and wellbeing) – www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan or call 116 123.
“There is a property crisis. I spoke to two brothers in Newcastle who were homeless and they said there was a systematic issue because they wanted to be housed together but were separated.
“One of them was put in housing and he turned to drink because he was taken away from his brother.
“We need to have a housing first policy where they are put in homes and then they can work on their addiction.”
‘City Safe’ project
Inspector Karen Madge of Newcastle city centre’s Neighbourhood Policing Team says neighbourhood officers are working tirelessly to ensure Newcastle city centre is a safe place to visit, work and live for everyone.
“The City Safe project, launched last year, brings together Northumbria Police, Newcastle City Council and business improvement district NE1 to work in tandem to prevent crime, reduce anti-social behaviour,” she tells us.
“The project will provide increased access to support services for vulnerable people.
“Working collaboratively with partners allows us to share intelligence and really get to the route of any issues. By identifying these issues early on, we can help prevent further incidents from happening.
“Should anyone find themselves homeless or struggling with drug and alcohol misuse, our officers, support workers and those who can assist with housing issues, will work together.
“We’re committed to being there when the public need us.”
We simply don’t have enough housing in this country, it is an issue with more people coming into the country and mass immigration
Christopher Clark
A Newcastle City Council spokesperson says while the city has a strong record of preventing homelessness, the combination of poverty, the rising cost of living, housing scarcity, increasing housing demand and limited supply presents a significant challenge for its housing system.
“Our anti-poverty strategy sets out our commitment to make the prevention of homelessness everybody’s responsibility through the identification of the triggers to homelessness including households struggling with income and debt,” they tell us.
“We aim to make sure that nobody is evicted into homelessness because they cannot afford to pay their rent.
“Where people are homeless, we commission a range of options for accommodation with additional support to try and ensure that any experience of homelessness is rare, brief and nonrecurring.
“This includes a dedicated multi-disciplinary team to support physical health and substance issues (and access to mental health support) for people who might be homeless or in temporary accommodation.
“This team includes GP support, drug and alcohol workers and mental health social workers.
“We want all of our residents to have a chance to live in a place that meets their needs and we offer a range of outreach support services to assist with this.”
B&Q’s selling a gorgeous summer plant that needs no watering – it blooms all summer & stops cats pooing in your garden
IN the UK, cats are free to roam, and they are said to travel several miles a day when out and about.
Whether it be strolling the streets or visiting your garden to do their business, and if it’s the latter you’re struggling with then there’s a plant or two that can help.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus) are known to ward off felines.
Lemon balm is a relatively easy herb to grow, thriving in various conditions.
With antiviral and antibacterial properties, the leaves of this bushy, perennial herb release a strong lemon fragrance when they are bruised.
It prefers full sun or partial shade with well-drained, moist soil, and can grow quickly, dominating free space.
It’s a perennial which means it returns every year with its deliciously lemon-scented leaves, and produces creamy-white or pale purple flowers in summer which honey bees love.
It can also be used around the house and in cooking – the leaves give a lemony kick to salads, sauces and fish dishes, make a refreshing herb tea, and can be added to summer drinks like Pimms.
The crushed leaves are also said to help keep mosquitoes at bay when they are rubbed onto the skin.
As for deterring cats, the citrus scent and texture of lemon balm are off-putting to cats.
You can plant it in pots around the perimeter of your garden or in areas where cats are likely to visit.
B&Q sells Lemon Balm in a 9cm pot for £13.99.
Lemon thyme is a hardy plant that thrives in a range of conditions, so it is a practical choice for gardeners who are looking for natural ways to keep cats out of their gardens and want a plant that will last for years.
It produces small, tubular flowers in shades of pink or pale lilac, typically appearing in whorls at the stem tips in early to mid-summer.
These flowers are known to be attractive to bees and butterflies.
Similarly to the lemon balm, lemon thyme gives off a citrus scent which cats dislike.
Other fragrant plants to deter cats:
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Rue
- Catnip
- Pennyroyal
- Oregano
- Curry plant
Laws around deterring cats
The RSPCA says: “Cats are protected by law and are free to roam meaning they might go into other people’s gardens or allotments. It is understood that some may wish to deter other people’s cats from those areas.
“But attempting to prevent cats from entering a garden or an allotment, it is important to make sure that any deterrent methods used are non-harmful and don’t cause pain, suffering, injury or distress.”
June gardening jobs
The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you should take this month.
Stake out leggy perennials
With all the dramatic weather we’ve been having, it’s definitely time to stake out your leggy perennials (the ones that come back every year). Heavy rain and growth spurts, can make them collapse and flop.
Picking out the slugs and snails
Hopefully as we move into summer they will do less damage as the plants get bigger. The best way is still to go out at night with a head torch to find them.
Pick elderflower heads
You can use them to make your own cordial, or add to cakes, champagne or even fry them in batter.
Get on top of weeds
It’s around now that weeds really ramp up in the garden, so keep on top of them with hoe-ing – or just the traditional ‘on your knees with a hand fork’. Try and avoid chemicals – remember weeds are just plants in the wrong place.
Up the mowing
You’ll need to mow your lawn weekly now – if you’ve got time, weed it beforehand as once you mow you chop off the leaves and its harder to see them.
Check on your tomatoes
Your tomato plants will need attention – water, feed and regularly and pinch out the sideshoots.
Chelsea Chop
There’s still time for the Chelsea Chop – plants like Rudbeckia’s, Asters, Penstemons, Sedums and other perennials can be cut back by a third to help them get a bit more bushy, and prolong the flowering period.
Sort out your tulips
If you can be bothered and have space – lift and story your tulip bulbs to ensure colour next Spring.
Deadheading your roses
Take them down to the first set of healthy leaves – which will ensure more flowers for longer.
Enjoy your space
Take some time to sit and enjoy your garden or outside space – it’s great for your mental health. Even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
Homeowners are warned that causing unnecessary suffering to a cat is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (AWA).
It may also be an offence to put down snares, poison or an unlicensed deterrent.
The AWA also prohibits poisoning protected animals.
The maximum penalty for anyone found guilty of an offence under the AWA is up to six months imprisonment and/or a £20,000 fine.