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 First-time buyers could be allowed to dip into their retirement savings to get on to the property ladder, the pensions minister has said. Guy Opperman said he is exploring ways pensions could be used to fund deposits in a bid to help young savers locked out of the housing market. But the idea was attacked by industry experts, who said it would undermine efforts to get individuals to save more for their old age – and push up house prices. Guy Opperman said he is exploring ways pensions could be used to fund deposits UK savers cannot currently access defined contribution pensions before the age of 55 without incurring hefty tax penalties. Mr Opperman told an online seminar hosted by Prospect magazine yesterday that he was ‘curious’ to see if young people could borrow money from a workplace pension for a housing deposit.  However, he stressed the idea was not being examined by officials. Mr Opperman  said that he was ‘curious’ to see if young people could borrow money from a workplace pe

For centuries they were focal points for towns and villages, bringing together entire communities under one roof. But last year parish churches held only four funerals and one wedding each on average, shocking figures show. A typical Anglican church also conducted just three christenings. The survey lays bare the decline in the church-going habit – with medium-sized institutions attracting no more than 26 worshippers on an average Sunday. Parish churches only held four funerals and one wedding each on average last year, shocking figures released by the Church of England show (stock photo)  Across England, fewer than 700,000 people turned up for Sunday services – a historic low that has seen congregations fall 14 per cent in a decade and more than halve since 1970. The Church of England figures are based on information supplied by nearly 16,000 congregations before all places of worship were closed with lockdown in March.  They show Sunday services were supported by an average 'wors

A mask-free Donald Trump departed for Florida on Monday for his first campaign rally after his battle with COVID, where hundreds of supporters awaited him with few wearing face coverings or practicing social distancing. The president didn't take questions before he boarded Air Force One for the trip to the Orlando Sanford International Airport, where his mega rally will take place outdoors. It's his first trip on the plane since Thursday, October 1, when he attended a fundraiser at his golf club in Bedminister, New Jersey, the day before the White House announced he and the first lady tested positive for the coronavirus. In Florida, hundreds of supporters waited for the president. They walked in close quarters as they queued up in a line that stretched down the street.  Few were wearing face masks even as COVID cases are on the rise in the state.  Campaign volunteers took temperatures and passed out masks, but the campaign did not require attendees to wear them.  Dr. Anthony Fa

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has defended the platform's decision to stream controversial movie Cuties and complained about 'censoring storytelling' after a Texas grand jury last week criminally indicted the streaming giant for depicting children in a lewd manner. Directed by French-Senegalese director Maimouna Doucoure and released online in early September, the coming- of-age film follows the story of a rebellious 11-year-old Parisian girl called Amy who joins a dance group started by three other girls from her neighborhood. Netflix has said the movie is a 'social commentary against the sexualization of young girls,' and serves as an eye-opener on how social media can enable that wrongdoing. However, a Texas grand jury indicted Netflix under a law that forbids 'the lewd exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of an unclothed, partially clothed, or clothed child' and said the film had 'no serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.' Net

Victoria has recorded 12 new coronavirus cases and one additional death from COVID-19.  Melbourne's 14-day rolling average has risen to 10 cases from 9.9 on Monday - the second day in a row that figure has increased.  A man in his 70s whose infection was linked to the aged care sector has died.    Premier Daniel Andrews said of the 186 active cases in the state, 16 were among healthcare workers, six were in regional areas and 30 were in aged care environments. Mr Andrews said on Monday some social distancing restrictions will be relaxed on Sunday even though Melbourne has been recording about 10 to 15 cases per day.  A couple wearing masks are pictured in St Kilda in Melbourne's inner-city. Victoria has recorded 12 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday He has previously said the city needs to record five cases or fewer on a three-day average before lockdown can be lifted safely.  But he admitted Victoria would struggle to meet that threshold and could open up with a higher number of

An angry cyclist armed with two axes allegedly threatened a man in a horrifying road rage attack.  The rider was travelling along Beamish Street, Campsie, in Sydney's south west, on Sunday when he was almost clipped by a 52-year-old man opening his car door. An argument between the pair broke out before it escalated and became physical.  The cyclist was riding along Beamish Street, Campsie, in Sydney's south west, on Sunday when he was almost clipped by a 52-year-old man opening his car door The cyclist then left the scene and allegedly returned with two axes hidden inside his duffle bag and threatened the elderly man. He then allegedly walked off to a nearby shopping complex and was followed by the victim and two of his relatives. Another argument erupted and turned physical which saw one man's middle finger bitten off.  The cyclist tried to escape before he was arrested and charged with cause grievous bodily harm with intent, affray, armed with intent to commit indictable

Boris Johnson overruled Sage experts two weeks ago when they pressed for an even tougher 'circuit-breaker' before announcing his three-tiered system on Monday. On September 21, the scientific advisory group presented a shortlist of options which included banning all indoor contact between households, closing bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, and hairdressers. At the top of the list was the recommendation for a two or three week lockdown with draconian measures similar to those imposed earlier in the pandemic. 'If this were as strict and well-adhered to as the restrictions in late May, this could put the epidemic back by approximately 28 days or more,' the dossier said.  Labour has accused the Government of ignoring the advice but Downing Street insists it has taken 'robust' action.  Last night, Sage scientist Professor Calum Semple claimed the new restrictions had come too late and a 'circuit-breaker' could be needed within weeks. Asked if the level of res