Local News

Ollie Lee has secured an engineering apprenticeship

South Devon College T Level student secures engineering apprenticeship

As many young people head off to university in the next couple of weeks, apprenticeships remain a popular option.

Government figures for the last academic year show apprenticeship starts increased by 8.8% to 308,770 compared to 284,190 reported the previous year.

Competition for...

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Rail line disruption faces dramatic increase

Rail services to and from the South West of England could be disrupted for more than 10 per cent of each year by 2040 and almost a third by 2100, a new study suggests.

The cost of maintaining tracks and sea defences could also soar as predicted sea level rises, coupled with coastal storms and floods, pose major challenges for rail operators and governments.

The research,...

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sea levels

trains

Railway

rail tracks

Plymouth academic welcomes Defra report on biodegradable plastic bags

In response to a report released today by Defra, which states there is no existing test standard that would qualify biodegradable plastics for exemption from the 5p carrier bag charge, Professor Richard Thompson from Plymouth University said:

“This report helps close a potential loophole and gives a clear message that it is not appropriate for degradable bags to be exempt from the 5p...

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Views sought on school admission arrangements

Plymouth City Council is asking people what they think of its proposed admission arrangements for entry to schools in September 2017.

Anyone with an interest in school admissions is invited to make a response to the consultation.

Comments are needed on:

• admission numbers for all schools • key dates in the admissions process • admission arrangements for all of the...

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MTV Crashes Plymouth tickets go on sale

Dates for next year’s MTV Crashes Plymouth have been confirmed and music fans can get their hands on tickets from Monday 21 December.

The spectacular live music event, organised by MTV in collaboration with Plymouth City Council, will be returning for its third year on Plymouth Hoe on the evenings of Thursday 28 and Friday 29 July 2016.

MTV Crashes Plymouth has grown year-on-...

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Sign up now for Dry January 2016

Plymouth City Council’s Public Health department and Plymouth Community Healthcare’s Livewell team are working in partnership to encourage local people to sign up for Dry January 2016.

Dry January is a national behaviour change public health campaign developed by the charity Alcohol Concern and supported by Public Health England. It seeks to challenge people to give up drinking alcohol...

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Ocean Studios moves to delivery

Plymouth’s innovative Ocean Studios is to receive a Social Enterprise Investment Fund support package to enable it to complete its construction phase and cement its future as a home for artists.

A delegated decision was signed last week giving the go-ahead to a £300,000 grant to cover unforeseen construction costs.

The Ocean Studios opened its doors in the summer and is already...

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ocean studios

Plymouth

council

Campaign tackling seasonal loneliness helps record numbers

Record numbers of older people worried about being alone over Christmas have already contacted older people’s housing and care charity The Abbeyfield Society as its Coping at Christmas campaign gets into full swing.

Since the campaign launch in November, Abbeyfield has handled hundreds of calls from isolated older people who face being alone over the extended Christmas period. As a...

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Superheroes visit Plymouth children’s wards

Last week, Derriford Hospital's children’s wards had a special surprise when eight characters, including Batman, Darth Vader and Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean, visited Level 12 of Derriford Hospital.

The group appealed to friends and family using social media and asked for them to donate new toys and gifts to give to the children currently on our wards. After receiving an...

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Derriford hospital

maternity

Make your home sparkle this Christmas, without the fire sparks

In homes across the UK fairy lights are twinkling and gifts are being wrapped, however millions of us will be taking dangerous chances with our safety this festive season, according to research from Electrical Safety First. To ensure that these risks are reduced, the Charity is highlighting common activities that we may not know are putting our households in danger.

Research recently...

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Avoiding debt before and after Christmas

Plymouth residents are being advised on how to avoid getting into debt before and after Christmas.

Many people struggle financially at Christmas in particular, and Advice Plymouth and Plymouth City Council are offering tips and advice to help people avoid debt and manage their finances.

Figures released this month by the national StepChange Debt Charity show that 804 people in...

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