National News

Voter registration deadline approaches for General Election

Over 1 million people have registered to vote in the last week alone as the 26 November deadline approaches. To vote in a UK general election you must be 18 or over on the day of the election, be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen and resident at an address in the UK (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years), and not be legally excluded from voting. You can only vote once, but if you are a student, you can register at both your university and home address.

Polling station

For information on registering to vote visit:
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

SynthFest returns to Sheffield

The UK’s premier synthesizer festival, SynthFest, has returned to Sheffield for its fourth year with over 1000 delegates attending exhibitions, workshops and performance at the Octagon Centre. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Paul Gilby, festival organiser and digital media director at Sound on Sound.

Pensioners protest TV licence fee charges

BBC studios across the UK, including Sheffield, have been the site of demonstrations as pensioners take action to protest against proposals to end free TV licences for the over 75s. Under proposals from the BBC only those in receipt of pension credit would remain eligible for free TV licences with others required to pay the £154.50 per year fee to watch television. Campaigners are seeking to reverse the decision announced a month ago which is set to come in to affect by 2020 and could affect around 3.7 million pensioners. Sheffield Live spoke to the secretary of Sheffield Pensioners Action Group Jaqui Milner.

Orgreave campaigners mark 35th anniversary

Campaigners marked the 35th anniversary of the Battle of Orgreave with a rally on Orgreave Lane at the site of the former coking plant. Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign are continuing to seek a public enquiry into the events of June 1984 when miners were assaulted and arrested by police on charges that were later dropped as allegations emerged of fabricated evidence and police brutality. The government has refused to grant their request. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

D-Day remembered at Norfolk Park ceremony

Hundreds gathered at Norfolk Heritage Park on Saturday to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. Veterans from Sheffield were joined for the Drumhead Service of Remembrance by others from France and the Commonwealth. The event was also marked with a fly past by a Lancaster Bomber. Veteran Roy Ashton, who took part in the Italian Campaign, spoke to Sheffield Live! about their role in the success of the Normandy landings. Report by Sangita Basudev.

Sheffield vigil remembers Grenfell victims

Community activists held a vigil outside Sheffield Town Hall to mark two years since the Grenfell tower tragedy in London and to remember the victims. Seventy two people lost their lives in the tower block after a fire got out of control in the building. A service of remembrance was also held in London and attended by friends and families of the victims. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

BBC slammed over TV licence fee changes for over 75s

The BBC has been criticised after its decision to scrap free TV licences in a move that will affect the majority of pensioners over the age 75. Following a public consultation, the BBC Board decided that from June 2020 only those households with someone who is both over 75 and in receipt of Pension Credit will be entitled to a free TV licence paid for by the broadcaster. Currently all households with people over 75 are entitled to a free TV licence. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

MPs reject no deal Brexit

Members of Parliament, including all of Sheffield’s MPs, have voted to reject a no deal Brexit, following the second defeat of the Prime Minister’s withdrawal plans. Speaking to Sheffield Live! earlier this week, Sheffield Central MP and Shadow Brexit Minister, Paul Blomfield, said: “the negotiations have been handled catastrophically by the government”. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Hundreds attend People’s Vote rally

Hundreds of people attended a People’s Vote rally at Sheffield’s Victoria Hall, Norfolk Street, to demand a second referendum on whether Britain should leave the European Union. Prime Minister Theresa May has ruled out another referendum as MPs debate government proposals for Brexit. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!