Thursday 3rd April

Thursday, 3 April 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Two-thirds of employers in Somerset say the hike in employers' National Insurance will mean cutting staff. Police are investigating incidents of repeated damage at Somerton recreation ground. A man has been arrested in Chard on suspicion of indecent exposure. The story of the Monmouth Rebellion is being told in a new exhibition...and more

Two-thirds of employers in Somerset say the hike in employers' National Insurance will mean cutting staff. From next week, employers' NI contributions increase from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent. NI will now be paid on earnings of £5000 a year instead of paying it on wages of £9,000 per annum Employers have told Somerset Chamber of Commerce they will pass the extra costs to customers but charities and nurseries, who are funded by government vouchers, say they will have to find other ways to cover the increases.

Police are investigating incidents of repeated damage at Somerton recreation ground. They say young people have been seen starting fires, littering, and vandalising play equipment. Police have stepped up patrols at Somerton recreation ground, as their investigations continue.

A man has been arrested in Chard on suspicion of indecent exposure. The alleged incident happened on a cycle path between Touches Lane and Great Western Road at around 9 am on Tuesday, March 25th. Police ask that anyone who saw a man acting suspiciously around Chard Skate Park and Great Western Road to Henson Park in Chard early in the morning on Tuesday, March 25th to call the non-emergency number 101.

Somerset's domestic abuse service says it has been receiving calls from parents to report abuse by their children at home. It comes as the government makes the Netflix drama ‘Adolescence’ available to all schools free of charge. The mini-series highlights the dangers of extreme misogyny content online.

Visitors to Somerset's nature reserves are being reminded to stick to pathways and keep dogs on leads during the current breeding season for ground-nesting Skylarks.

The story of the Monmouth Rebellion is being told in a new exhibition to mark its 340th anniversary. The display, being held at the Museum of Somerset until July, will look at the consequences of the failed uprising.

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Monday 27th July

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Friday 24th July

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