National News

Veteran Bafta winning actor Sir John Hurt has died

Tributes have poured in for the Chesterfield born actor, known for his roles in Alien and The Elephant Man, who has died at the age of seventy-seven. Hurt, who had been undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer since 2015, was describe by US director Mel Brooks as “cinematic immortality”. He recently starred as Father Richard McSorley in Jackie, the biopic of the wife of President John F Kennedy’s. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Martin Carter, lecturer in stage and screen at Sheffield Hallam University and presenter of the Film Show on Sheffield Live! about the loss to the film community.

Sheffield veterans receive France’s highest military honour

Four Second World War veterans from Sheffield have been presented with the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest military distinction, in a ceremony at Sheffield Town Hall. The four veterans, in their early 90s and all still living in Sheffield, are Roy Stout, Graham Bell, Donald Walker and George Young .The medal ceremony follows a number of similar events that have taken place around the UK since the 70th anniversary of D-Day in June 2014, when French President François Hollande pledged to honour British veterans who had served in France during the war. France has so far decorated more than 4,300 D-Day veterans across the UK. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

HS2 parkway sites shortlist revealed

A shortlist of eight sites for a potential HS2 parkway station to serve South Yorkshire has been revealed including a potential park-and-ride facility with 1700 parking spaces. The eight sites, revealed at a Doncaster Council meeting, include three sites in Rotherham, at Bramley, Hooton Roberts and Wales, three sites in Doncaster, at Clayton, Mexborough and Hickleton, and two sites in Wakefield, at Fitzwilliam and Hemsworth. The new high-speed rail network is planned to run from London to Birmingham, with branches onward to Manchester and Leeds. Government ministers say it will improve the transport network and boost the economy, but there has been controversy about the route of the line and its effect on those living nearby. Opponents living in some of the rural locations affected have said it is unlikely to benefit Yorkshire. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield MP Paul Blomfield challenges Government on NHS crisis

Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield has been out on the streets campaigning and meeting with residents in Manor Park and Highfield as part of a day of action on the crisis in the NHS. The Labour MP, a fierce critic of Government health policies, has accused Prime Minister Theresa May of cynical disregard of the crisis in mental health services for young people. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Rural schools out of reach due to poor public transport

Three out of five young people in rural areas of England do not have adequate public transport to get to their secondary school, research from Rural England concludes. The State of Rural Services report says lack of public transport is harming opportunities in education. There are also concerns about gaps in access to broadband in rural areas. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Schools “risk cuts” under new funding formula

Government plans designed to address “unfair” and “inconsistent” funding in England’s education system risk cuts in most schools, say teachers’ unions. Campaigners say that 98 per cent of schools will be worse off because rising prices and cost pressures will cancel out any increase if ministers introduce the new National Funding Formula. Figures released by organisations representing school staff, teachers and leaders show that schools in Sheffield could lose up to £362 per pupil. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Toby Mallinson of the National Union of Teachers.

Sheffield MP slams government over Post Office closures

Sheffield MP Gill Furniss, the shadow minister for steel, postal services and consumer protection, has condemned government plans for the closure and franchising of a further 37 Crown Post Offices. The Labour MP for Hillsborough and Brightside has asked the government to look instead at how it can expand Post Office services and make them sustainable rather than managing a slow decline.The latest round of closures was announced while the government is still analysing feedback from tens of thousands of people responding to recent public consultation on the future of the Post Office network. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Gill Furniss.

Charity worker, “people need action not only words”

Prime Minister, Teresa May has outlined plans to tackle what she described as the “hidden injustice” and stigma of mental illness. The PM said there will be additional training for teachers, an extra £15m for community care, and a £67.7m investment into online services such as self-checks to help diagnose mental health in its early stages so surferers can get the help they need. Mrs May’s speech comes as she outlined her plans to use the state to create a “shared society”. Tim Jones is the founder of Sheffield mental health action group, a charity organisation where mental health surferers meet to socialise.

 

Rail commuters protest against fare increases

Sheffield rail users voiced their anger at the latest rise in train fares at a demonstration outside Sheffield station. The protest was part of a countrywide action by commuters and other passengers following the announcement of fare rises averaging 2.3% for a single fare journey. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Arise our Jess!

Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill has been made a dame in the New Year Honours list. The thirty year old heptathlete received the award for her services to athletics. Dame Jessica, who won gold at London 2012 Olympics and silver four years later in the Rio Olympics announced her retirement from the sport in October. In her brilliant career she has been a three-time world champion three times, as well as European champion and Commonwealth champion. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake takes a look back at her golden career.