Football Unites Racism Divides boss Simon Hyacinth expressed his disappointment after three of England’s players were subjected to racist abuse following the Three Lions’ defeat by Italy in the Euro 2020 final. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all missed in the penalty shoot out and were later targetted on social media. England manager Gareth Southgate described the abuse as unforgivable. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Following news of the Brexit deal with the European Union, Sheffield Live! spoke to former Yorkshire and Humber MEP and Sheffield Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed. The UK-EU agreement is to come into effect on 1 January 2021 after the end of the Brexit transition period. The 2000 page document will require ratification by the 27 European Union countries and by the UK Parliament. Azz Mohammed reports.
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.
For information on registering to vote visit:
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.