Serious News
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is investing £20million to try and get more people to use buses within the capital.

TfL will put the money for “fares innovation” which may reduce fares at specific times, as well as a free service when they initially launch.

Last year was the first in which bus passenger numbers fell since the pandemic, as there was 1.842 billion journeys made – down from 1.869 billion the year before. The trend has been downward, ever since the peak of 2014 where that year 2.4 billion journeys made.

London’s transport watchdog puts the cause down to the slow bus speeds. Average speeds in 2024-25 fell to 9.17mph, down from 10.27mph in 2022.

Speaking of the announcement of the approval of the annual budget last Thursday, Khan says: “We will be tasking TfL to look into ways we can encourage more people to use, in particular, buses. We're a city with a remarkable public transport system which is getting better all the time”.

£1.26billion of the budget was also spent on policing, while both TfL and London’s Fire Brigade had an increase of £250million each.

Crazy News
Over in America, a county in Ohio lost phone and internet services which also affected government offices.

An outage that occurred all the way back on February 20th was initially blamed on contractors cutting through a fibre cable underground – when the real cause was a squirrel.

Speaking at a commissioner’s meeting, County Administrator Matt Springer exposed the actual reasoning of a squirrel’s nest built within the fibre cabling and chewed through multiple cables.

He says that they are talking to internet service providers as well as the networking team to prevent this from happening again, adding: “It's hard to make this stuff up”.

Happy News
A fire department in Kentucky are turning to TikTok to share fire safety tips to the world.

The Owensboro Fire Department has sprinkled some humour into their skits in a bid to catch attention to those that would have just scrolled straight past.

It has seemed to work, as within days of launching, each of their videos have already racked up thousands of views.

@owensborofiredept

We’re on TikTok! If this is where you are, this is where we’ll be. We’ve got important fire safety information to share, and we’re willing to get creative to make sure you see it! Follow the Owensboro Fire Department on Facebook, Instagram, and now TikTok.

♬ original sound - Owensboro Fire Dept.

Speaking of the page, Fire Chief James Howard says: “We want to make sure we are capturing as much of the demographic as we can”.

Battalion Chief Brian Roberts added: “We are not picky about where people learn fire-prevention habits, as long as the message gets out”.

iPhone 17e, iPad Air, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro...

And now, say hello to the all-new MacBook Neo!

We’re so excited to bring the magic of Mac to even more people around the world. pic.twitter.com/z2w4RmShRO

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 4, 2026

Apple has introduced the new MacBook Neo

- 13” LCD display
- A18 Pro chip
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB/512GB storage
- 16 hours of battery life
- Colors: silver, indigo, blush, and citrus
- Starts at $599 ($499 for students)

Order today. Available on March 11 pic.twitter.com/SlxiXCUvwk

— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) March 4, 2026

the macbook neo *precisely* targets people with an iPhone and a windows laptop:

runs windows apps, built-in antivirus, pairs with your iPhone, designed for first-time mac users

oh, and it's $599 🤯

this is how apple will dominate the laptop market pic.twitter.com/Aa146rZrPc

— juan (@juanbuis) March 4, 2026

TL;DR: The new Macbook is essentially a netbook.

Intel Core M, tiny board, fanless...

A very sexy, expensive, metal netbook.

— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) March 9, 2015

MacBook Neo comes in four beautiful colors:

• Blush 🌸
• Indigo 💜
• Silver 🩶
• Citrus 🍋

Which one are you picking? 👀💻 pic.twitter.com/SYNg8leKBx

— Apple Club (@applesclubs) March 4, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

First, Trevor speaks with Rashanda Mack Kelly, cancer survivor and author of I’m Still Standing: Stories of Survival. After facing the realities of serious illness in the American healthcare system, she turned her experience into a message of resilience, faith and determination — while building a life centred on family and purpose.

Next, entrepreneur Shamille “Shay” Powell, founder of Phi Hair, joins the conversation. Through her beauty brand she is helping women see hair not just as fashion, but as identity, confidence and cultural expression — building a business grounded in empowerment and trust.

Finally, filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir discusses her groundbreaking work after becoming the first woman nominated in the same year for both Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film. Her films — The Perfect Neighbor and The Devil Is Busy — explore justice, reproductive rights and the intersection of art and politics.

Three conversations.
Three journeys.
Survival, identity and the power of storytelling.

🔗 Learn more
@phihair.co| www.phihairllc.com
https://rashandamack.com | @Shanda_Speaks

The Famous Five series is the nation's most loved children's books of all time. First published in 1942, the 21 books follow four adventurous young children, Julian, Dick, Anne and Georgina, and her dog, Timmy. The books have topped a poll of most loved childhood novels, beating the likes of Harry Potter and the Philosopher‘s Stone, which appeared in 17th place.

A study of parents of children found 82% read to their little ones on a regular basis, with one in 5 doing so at least once a day. And many of us employ a host of storytelling techniques to capture the imagination of their little ones. These include using sound effects, dimming the lights, and even embellishing or tweaking the story.

If your kids are dressing up as their favourite characters for World Book Day, a new poll says the average costume is now £19, but more than one in ten parents admit they‘re spending over £50 on a single outfit, with many parents saying they feel this pressure to out‑do each other

What are you reading at the moment?  Do you have any good recommendations?  What are your kids dressing up as today?  Let us know in the comments.

Stay Strong, Live Long is available now on Amazon!

Serious News
London is set to have its first large-scale floating park, as plans have been revealed for the Victoria Dock to feature a lido as well as new homes.

Called Royal Docks Waterways, the space will welcome art installations, cultural events, as well as a focus on swimming, alongside a wellness centre which will also have a sauna and spa.

Built on top of a 12-hectacre area of water, the green space in Newham will be increased by 5% and be a “destination for residents, workers, and visitors alike”.

A spokesperson for the development says that the project goes along with the Mayor of London's Clean and Healthy Waterways plan – a 10-year scheme that aims to improve on water quality, restore waterways while also enhancing access to the public.

The organisation’s managing director, Scott Derben, adds: “This vision represents the biggest step change in the management and development of the Royal Docks since they were closed to commercial shipping at the end of 1981. Now, 45 years later, our goal is that the docks that used to feed London will be used to nurture its inhabitants”.

Crazy News
Some shops have begun locking chocolate bars in security boxes, as one branch of Sainsbury’s within London are “regularly targeted”.

A statement from the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) have said that the sweet treat was “sold on by criminals and is now being targeted more frequently by prolific offenders”.

Following a man being arrested by Cambridgeshire Police after being found with his pockets crammed full of Crème Eggs, the force said that: “Chocolate is one of a number of high-value items thieves often target, along with products such as alcohol, meat and coffee. Retail theft has a real and lasting impact – not just on businesses, but on the staff who have to deal with related abuse and intimidation”.

The British Retail Consortium’s annual crime findings state that there were 5.5 million reported incidents of theft last year, as well as 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse every day on staff – that figure was down by 20% but still the second highest on record.

Happy News
Comedian Paul Elliott (or Paul Chuckle) is set to travel across the UK throughout March, raising money for Marie Curie in the charity’s biggest annual fundraiser – this year in its 40th anniversary.

His target is £40,000 as he sets off on Tuesday 3rd March from John O’Groats in the Scottish Highlands and anticipates arrival at Land’s End in Cornwall eight days later. The journey will be in the iconic Chuckle Bike branded in the charity’s blue and yellow.

Elliott is “incredibly proud” to be the charity’s ambassador, as his brother Barry was in Marie Curie’s end-of-life care.

Speaking of the journey ahead, he says: “I'm really excited to get to travel the route with the Daff Bike, raise lots of money for the charity and meet as many Marie Curie supporters, volunteers and staff as possible to say a huge thank you - from me to you”.

Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces Flex Magic Pixel, bringing the world's first privacy display on a smartphone.#GalaxyS26Ultra #SamsungUnpacked pic.twitter.com/uYVkfZwlVo

— JM. (@Jmadebayo) February 25, 2026

That Privacy Display on the S26 Ultra is a complete game changer . This is next-level innovation. Your screen protects your content, keeping your messages, banking apps, and personal info for your eyes only.#SamsungUnpacked #SamsungS26 @SamsungMobile @SamsungMobileSA pic.twitter.com/QYnHlz3YwV

— Prince Ngwane (@PrinceNgwane) February 25, 2026

I’m still rocking my Galaxy S23, and after seeing the S26 launch, I’m staying put. Aside from a slightly better battery, there is zero reason to upgrade. How can three generations pass with almost no hardware innovation? Samsung is officially coasting. #GalaxyS26 #SamsungUnpacked

— João Dias (@jaodiaas) February 25, 2026

🔋 Battery: Finally, 60W Fast Charging is here.
🤖 AI: The new "all-new" Bixby is actually acting as a true AI agent.

Is the Privacy Display a game-changer for you, or just a cool party trick? Let’s hear it! 👇#S26Ultra #SamsungUnpacked # #Android2026 #GalaxyUnpacked

— Nextgen AI (@Nextgen_En) February 25, 2026

Samsung really just did that.

The entire #GalaxyS26 launch event was filmed on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

​If you ever doubted the 200MP sensor and the new Horizon Lock Super Steady video, just go watch the replay. The quality is cinema-grade. 🎥✨ #SamsungUnpacked pic.twitter.com/SulXULRENS

— We Amplify! (@Amplifiers01) February 25, 2026

Samsung engineers are changing the game as always! We already have end-to-end protection with Samsung Knox, but now Flex Magic Pixel keeps prying eyes away too. Kudos, Samsung! 👏 #SamsungUnpacked pic.twitter.com/CEkLY5qmjk

— CCR (@canercem_) February 25, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

Council Leader Councillor Anthony Okereke, Councillor Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, and the Mayor of Greenwich, Councillor Linda Bird, will attend to cheer on participants alongside organisers and the local community.

Event details

* Date: Saturday 21 February 2026
* Arrival: 8.30am
* Run start: 9.00am
* Location: Tide Square, Cutter Lane, London, SE10 0XX

Serious News
London’s Liverpool Street is set to be redeveloped, even though the plans are controversial.

Network Rail’s £1.2billion project had been given the green light by the City of London on Tuesday.

Similar to London Bridge and The Shard, a mixed-use 97-metre (318ft) tower block will be build on top of the concourse on what is  the United Kingdom’s busiest railway station – while retaining the “unique heritage”.

The plans have come under fire, as actor Griff Rhys Jones (and president of both the Victorian Society and the Liverpool Street Station Campaign or Lissca) says that “A disfiguring billion-pound office block on top of a major heritage asset is not essential to the City's development plans”.

In the plans from Network Rail, concourse capacity will be increased by 76%, passenger flow will be improved as well as step free access from all platforms to street level.

Managing director of Network Rail East says: “This decision represents a key step towards the transformation of Britain's busiest station and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Liverpool Street. With annual passenger numbers forecast to grow to 158 million, this approval ensures the station will be future proofed for decades to come”.

Crazy News
An airport has got a new mascot in Amelia the Airplane.

Sylvia Mejia-Bivens grew up down the road from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and used to watch them – even wanting one day to be close to them.

She has spent the last 10 yeas mastering the role of becoming the costumed airport mascot.

Named after aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, the mascot was created in the mid-2000s by the Airport’s public relations department.

Mijia-Bivens herself has become the longest serving person playing Amelia – before she was an aviation courier and now also works as the administrative aide for the aviation’s technology division. She greets many passengers looking to travel west from Arizona’s largest airport.

The costume is light to wear – fabric is buckled to the staff member who is wearing pilot uniform which looks like they are inside the plane.

Happy News
A museum has opened up an exhibition to celebrate Aardman’s 50th anniversary.

Bethnal Green’s Young V&A hosts some of the clay models and props used in films and television shows from the Bristolian studios.

Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run and Shaun the Sheep are some of the hits that have come from the stop-motion studio.

Alex Newson is the chief curator, and hopes that the exhibit will “inspire creativity” and show that anything is possible with some imagination.

The display began on Thursday 12th February and will run until Sunday 15th November.

Some of the items on display include Lady Tottington, the rocket from Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Day Out as well as early character sketches, concept art, puppets, set models and even optical illusion toys.

This week is National Apprenticeship Week. More than 27,000 people started an NHS apprenticeship in 2024/25, the highest number since data collection began in 2016/17.

Earn, learn and make a difference with an NHS apprenticeship.

Find out more.https://t.co/N6TQgvSlkP pic.twitter.com/7zLs8gO0pZ

— NHS Health Careers (@HealthCareersUK) February 9, 2026

It’s National Apprenticeship Week – an opportunity to celebrate the small employers across the UK that are backing the next generation of talent 👩🏽‍🔧⁰⁰ ✅ Apprenticeships open doors for young people as well as helping small firms to grow and tackle skills gaps.#skillsforlife… pic.twitter.com/vjvClEhFtY

— Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) (@fsb_policy) February 9, 2026

And so it begins! @Apprenticeships and Skills' National Apprenticeship Week.

Listen below to @edfenergy's apprentices, Isabel, Isabella, and Sophie speaking at #NuclearWeek’s Skills and Apprenticeship Fair about why now is a great time to begin an apprenticeship in nuclear.

You… pic.twitter.com/BxFarRkEKQ

— Nuclear Industry Association (@NIAUK) February 9, 2026

It's National Apprenticeship Week and we're recruiting 👷‍♀️👷‍♂️

Today we're opening applications for 34 apprenticeships and 16 graduate roles across HS2 Ltd and our construction partners, with opportunities in Birmingham and London.

Roles include civil engineering, quantity… pic.twitter.com/OKo5w4a9NC

— HS2 Ltd (@HS2ltd) February 9, 2026

It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2026! 🎉

Join our PR and Communications apprentice, Hope, to see what a day in the life of a HMRC apprentice looks like.

Thinking about applying for an apprenticeship? Download the HMRC app to find everything you need for your next application.… pic.twitter.com/d5iS8jiNDq

— HM Revenue & Customs (@HMRCgovuk) February 9, 2026

Today marks the start of National Apprenticeship Week and an opportunity to shine a light on the positive influence that apprenticeships can have within organisations.

As part of Railway 200, there is a carriage in the touring exhibition train, Inspiration, dedicated to careers… pic.twitter.com/uF4LLOJKXq

— railway200 (@railway200) February 9, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

It found that the majority (55%) of Brits cannot confidently determine whether a ticket listing on social media is real or a scam.

In fact, 26% of Brits have bought tickets on social media because they seemed cheap, only for them to turn out to be fake, losing an average of £258.

Trust in purchasing tickets on these platforms is low, with 60% saying they do not trust buying tickets on X, 54% on Instagram and 53% on Facebook. 

However, such is the desire to land tickets, that nearly half (45%) reported they would still risk losing money buying on social media, even if they suspected it might be fake.

With fan demand likely to surge this year for major concerts such as Harry Styles, BTS and Ariana Grande, as well as sporting events like the World Cup, Get Safe Online has appointed Nick Hawe, former cybercrime police officer, as its Ticket Safety Expert to help protect fans from ticket scams.

As part of Safer Internet Day, personal experiences from those who had been hit by fraudsters were also shared… “We thought we were buying Oasis tickets from a family friend - then £700 disappeared and the tickets never came. Seeing how heartbroken my daughter was devastating”.

Another victim said “I spent all my holiday money on tickets for a Leverkusen vs Dortmund game. Standing outside the stadium and realising they were fake was devastating - I had to call my dad just to get through the rest of the trip”.

The research comes at a pivotal time, as the UK government plans to introduce price caps on resale tickets.

 Nick Hawe, Ticket Safety Expert said: “Ahead of a stellar year of live events it’s alarming to see that 55% of Brits aren’t able to spot a ticket scam.

“To make this worse, the Government is proposing the introduction of price caps on resale tickets exposing even more fans to fraud on social media”. 

Data from Ireland where caps exist shows significantly higher risk: fraud rates are 13.6%, nearly four times that of the UK.

This was illustrated by NFL Dublin, where the absence of legal resale options pushed fans to social media, triggering an 80% spike in ticket-scam victims and a 48% rise in losses, with 17–24-year-olds most affected.

Fans can visit the “Safe Ticket Buyer Tools” page on Get Safe Online, offering free tools recommended by Ticket Safety Expert, Nick Hawe, on how to stay protected from online fraud.

Serious News
Greenwich is about to be the location for London’s largest theatre, as plans for a 3,000-seat venue were given the green light.

Troubadour Theatres (who have  similar venues in Wembley Park and Canary Wharf) will operate the event space which will be located on the eastern part of the Greenwich Peninsula.

There will be two auditoriums which will host 1,500 people and is set to overtake the 2,359 London Coliseum found in the West End.

The planning permission was granted for a temporary period of 10 years, which will then see the land follow the Greenwich Peninsula Masterplan and be home to tower blocks for residential use.

Sylvia Williams, of the Greenwich Millennium Village Residents' Association, says the venue will be a “welcome addition” to culture and wants schools to use the theatre too.

Crazy News
A cash point in Manchester was seen with a login screen for an operating software which was first released in 2009.

Unable to enter Windows 7 (which ended support in 2020) due to the account and password details needing to be entered on a numeric keypad, the cash point looked pretty useless at its job.

Even though there are no more security patches, this is a pretty common thing in the technology world – airplanes and trains use floppy disks to update their onboard computers and we all saw what happened globally back in 2024 with the Crowdstrike outage.

Happy News
A London filmmaker has patented a wheelchair camera system.

Believed to be the first of its kind, Chris Lynch from Stratford teamed up with engineers from Tilta – a company specialising in cinematography equipment – which will allow filming to become more accessible. A Steadicam is attached to the wheelchair with a mount, with a control panel then placed on the operator’s lap.

The invention has already been put to the test in productions on both Channel 4 and the BBC, Paralympic Homecoming and In the Driving Seat respectively.

Speaking of the device, Lynch says: “Filming wasn't accessible, so I decided to create a camera system that could be not only be viewed as a gateway to disabled filmmakers, but a product that would add production value to any set. I wanted to make more of these wheelchair operated cameras and show aspiring disabled film-makers that production is possible for them”.

Sending love to everyone in the world affected by cancer…which is all of us. We are all in this together. #WorldCancerDay #Cancer pic.twitter.com/CyZDDorgeI

— All On The Board (@allontheboard) February 4, 2026

Millions of lives are lost to cancer every year — and many more are forever changed.

Yet up to half of all cancers are preventable and many can be cured if detected early.

More from @WHO on Wednesday's #WorldCancerDay: https://t.co/nwxN31SkML pic.twitter.com/3PmC8YVsWc

— United Nations (@UN) February 3, 2026

Today is #WorldCancerDay.

For many people going through cancer treatment, your donations are vital.

Find out how red blood cells, platelets, plasma and stem cells all play a part.

Thank you for helping to save and improve lives. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/GAPjGfvcxF

— NHS Blood Donation 🩸🩹 (@GiveBloodNHS) February 4, 2026

Nearly 1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime. It’s World Cancer Day today- a global day to raise awareness & take action against cancer. 🩷
Whatever your cancer experience, share this post & help us get the word out.#WorldCancerDay #WCD2026 pic.twitter.com/Fb2Ln7Fx8E

— Cancer Research UK in Scotland (@CRUKScotland) February 4, 2026

Today is World Cancer Day.
Cancer affects millions of lives, but early detection, prevention, and access to care can save lives.

At Medsense, we stand for awareness, and hope because cancer is not just a diagnosis, it’s a global fight we must face together.#WorldCancerDay pic.twitter.com/mFgOhhHfoT

— MedSense News (@MedsenseN) February 4, 2026

Millions of lives are lost to #cancer every year.

Yet up to half of all cancers are preventable & many can be cured if detected early.

Volunteers like Abdoul are helping make that knowledge accessible, raising awareness about breast cancer with @WHO in Gabon.#WorldCancerDay pic.twitter.com/kIR2m4fBBb

— UN Volunteers (@UNVolunteers) February 4, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

Serious News
A new study has found that the rate of building in London’s private housing sector has fallen by 84% since 2015. This comes despite the city needing 88,000 new homes every year.

Molior consultants discovered that last year, work began on only 5,547 private-sector residential properties – that is compared to the 33,782 in 2015.

Member of the London Assembly, Lord Bailey, has announced that the capital’s situation has gone from “difficult to devastating” as “ordinary Londoners are suffering the most”.

A figure of 18,326 homes are set to be completed by the end of the year, with a further 14,053 completed either next year or the following year – that is just 8% of government’s 176,000 two-year target.

Construction has also been paused for 5,009 homes throughout 51 developments, due to building contractors “going bust” because of high costs and currently being a weak sales market.

Crazy News
A new epidemic of thefts from car has unfortunately begun to rise.

Cars are being broken into, not for personal belongings or to take the car itself – but for the parcel shelf. Online, they can sell for up to £150.

A neighbourhood in Bounds Green have had so many cars broken into – the replacements for rear windows can take weeks to be fitted due to the backlogs caused by the demand.

Sam Phipps was a victim and decided not to claim on her insurance due to the cost of excess. After some research she realised that the shelf was listed on eBay and the seller was about 20 minutes away: “We looked on eBay and there were hundreds of them available and, strangely, we found one that was our exact model, the exact year, and it had been placed that morning after ours had been stolen the day before”.

Hampstead and Highgate have also been hit, as the Met Police have opened an investigation.

Happy News
A woman who won £250,000 in the Postcode Lottery donated £25,000 to a hospice, with the company running the draw matching the donation themselves.

Linda Styles gave the Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford the donation after it cared for her late husband, Owen, in the final days before his death in March. 

She says: “They've meant so much to me and continue to support me. I've been coming back to the hospice to attend the bereavement groups - it's a safe space for us all to share our emotions”.

Chief executive of the Heart of Kent Hospice, Ann-Marie Kelly, added: “We're delighted to receive this additional award. It will directly support those with a terminal illness under our care now and into the future”.

81 years ago Auschwitz was liberated. More than one million children, women and men were murdered there as part of the Holocaust. A dark lesson of history; humanity owes it to each of the victims to ensure it will never happen again.@AuschwitzMuseum #HolocaustMemorialDay pic.twitter.com/cK6dqLGAyS

— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) January 27, 2026

Once again, I post this @AuschwitzMuseum photo of Istvan Reiner, as I do every year on #HolocaustMemorialDay. The Nazis had given him a ticket punch to play with. Such a radiant, happy little soul, innocent and pure. And then they gassed him, and snuffed him out. #NeverForget🕯️ pic.twitter.com/FiY8nNgmh6

— Adrian Hilton (@Adrian_Hilton) January 27, 2026

81 years ago today the Red Army liberated Auschwitz, freeing over 7,000 prisoners including some 700 children.

We remember the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides across the world.

Never forget where hate and prejudice lead. ¡No pasarán!#HolocaustMemorialDay pic.twitter.com/3VaMuMYtmG

— Irish Unity 🇮🇪🇵🇸 (@IrishUnity) January 27, 2026

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, when we remember the 6 million men, women & children murdered, simply for being Jewish, & mark 81 years since the liberation of Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp.

Light Up The Darkness. #NeverAgain #HolocaustMemorialDay pic.twitter.com/8m8rp5sGaA

— Claire Bear (Sorcha) 🇮🇪 💜🤍💚 🫀 (@claire88424030) January 27, 2026

I can still feel the sadness that I felt when my son & I travelled to Poland & visited Auschwitz… This horror must never be forgotten. I still can’t get my head around how people could be so cruel! #HolocaustMemorialDay pic.twitter.com/nPlb09jUqe

— Lisa (@HelpForMovers) January 27, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

Serious News
A new embassy for China has been approved in central London, right near the Tower of London.

The site was purchased by China’s government back in 2018 for £255million with initial plans rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022 for safety grounds, a new submission was then made in 2024 when the government took over the handlings.

There have been concerns that the site that spans 20,000 square metres could be dangerous as a base for spying and cause security risks, however Security Minister Dan Jarvis has said that intelligence agencies were “integral” and he is “content any risks are being appropriately managed”.

The government have had to balance their desire for closer ties with Beijing and the threat – a further delay in the building could set back diplomatic relations between the countries.

Crazy News
A Swiss Brown cow has surprised scientists in Austria, as she was the first cow to be recorded using tools – specifically a stick to scratch her back.

Veronika is kept as a companion by her organic farmer, Witgar Wiegele, who regards her as part of the family and noticed the bizarre actions over a decade ago.

It has only come into attention when it was sent to scientists, who confirmed that the only animal that has similar actions are chimpanzees.

The movements and end of the brush used change depending on where she is scratching.

A study was conducted by Professor Alice Auersperg, a cognitive biologist, who says: “When I saw the footage, it was immediately clear that this was not accidental. This was a meaningful example of tool use in a species that is rarely considered from a cognitive perspective”.

Happy News
Southwark Council have announced plans to rejuvenate an area of Old Kent Road, which includes a wild swimming pond in a Grade II listed gasholder.

It is still early days for the plans of the park, which is set to be named after the Gasworks founder George Livesey.

Documents say that the facility will be a “unique health offer, with nothing similar in London, the UK or Europe”, adding “What we're proposing is to convert that into an open outdoor wild swimming provision. It would be cold water swimming, filtered naturally through reed beds, so nice and biodiverse. It would be unique, not just in London, but anywhere. There isn't a historic gasholder with a swimming pool in it”.

It would also pay homage to George Livesey, who was “quite the Victorian philanthropist” – he built a library nearby as well as hosting allotments and sporting areas on the gaswork site.

Hey Mr. DJ put that record on! Today is National DJ Day and we wanna recognize and celebrate the crucial role of a DJ through out music history. From radio to clubs and beyond, we appreciate all DJ's!#nationaldjday pic.twitter.com/OjzRvOQX2x

— 19th & 7th (@19th7th) January 20, 2026

It's #NationalDiscJockeyDay 2026
I remember the excitement 1967 as @tonyblackburn launched #BBCRadioOne playing The Move
Flowers In The Rain.The station and #djs took the shape/content of broadcasting to new levels with #discjockeys who had different styles. #NationalDjDay 2026. pic.twitter.com/ZvXE1jo5ni

— Alexander Bisset (@sandymb1956) January 20, 2026

Today is National DJ Day 🎧

Once upon a time — and for the better part of two decades — I was a radio DJ (despite the complete lack of actual “disks”).

Traditional media is a tough industry, and it’s not getting any easier.

Shoutout to everyone still grinding behind the mic. pic.twitter.com/ypHZBUexNB

— vegasvaluations (@vegasvaluations) January 21, 2026

It's National Disc Jockey Day!
Yay to jockin' discs (which most of us don't freaking do anymore)

Here's a couple of Throwbacks for me. pic.twitter.com/ICKAnI7lJq

— LERN (@lernvsradio) January 20, 2026

Today is National Disc Jockey Day.

Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it. To play a small role in a culture that connects people through music, stories and sound is something I never take for granted.

Read more below ⬇️
xoxoxo BamBam pic.twitter.com/wlVdHuAIHo

— Jacky Bambam (@jackybambam933) January 20, 2026

NATIONAL DISC JOCKEY DAY
Each year National Disc Jockey Day recognizes the DJs playing the music and spinning the records. The observance takes place annually on January 20th. pic.twitter.com/yzcmbBFbss

— Duckduckjeep (@duckduckjeep) January 20, 2025

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page!

Serious News
A strike for Met Police staff has been suspended following a vote on a new offer for pay.

The strike was supposed to be go ahead from Monday 19th to 24th January for the 175 members of the Unite union – including call handlers, technicians and office staff.

The regional Unite officer, Keith Henderson, says that there had been a “breakthrough in negotiations” following the earlier offer of an “inferior pay increase” in comparison to the 4.2% increase to other staff and officers from various forces across the United Kingdom.

Crazy News
In a heart-warming video, musician Harriet Cree uplifted the spirits of passengers on board a train which was on its way to Norwich from Liverpool Street.

She was playing the keyboard when an impromptu sing-along and karaoke session from the passengers started to grow, even taking requests from the ticket inspector!

Her dad was also part of the ensemble who sung Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing and Oasis’ Don’t Look Back In Anger.

The caption on her video read: “Excellent use of free will in my opinion”.

It really was a midnight train going anywhere!

Happy News
A couple who are fascinated with trains have spent the last 30 years restoring a former railway station which was left derelict.

Mark and Carol Benson purchased Ebbertson Station in North Yorkshire back in 1996 – 46 years after it originally closed.

The converted ticket office is now a cottage and the three former First Class carriages are also cosy places to rest up too.

The Bensons live in what was the station master’s house, and have since restored the platform and waiting area – with a blue plaque now marking the historic value of the site.

Carol is “Very proud of what has been achieved”, adding: “It has been a lot of hard work”. 

Today’s the day! 📚⚽️

The National Year of Reading 2026 kicked off earlier at The Emirates Stadium – home of @Arsenal. With a host of ambassadors ready to #GoAllIn2026 including @theowalcott, Nadia Shireen and @richardosman.

Read the full story: https://t.co/K0U4Ew3izb pic.twitter.com/CgEA2siVsW

— National Literacy Trust (@Literacy_Trust) January 13, 2026

A host of well-known figures, including footballer @leahcwilliamson and children's authors such as@frankcottrell_b will support The National Year of Reading 2026 to encourage people to read what they love. https://t.co/zXYmBj4M9n

— Lorelli - QE Insights (@Lorelli_Digest) January 13, 2026

Mrs. Phillips has launched our Year of Reading 2026 and we are all in! A special house point has been created which will lead to awards to those who develop their reading through 2026. https://t.co/15R2aR73XZ We will be running various challenges through the year for our pupils. pic.twitter.com/u48LLJUmxx

— Bredon Hill Academy (@BredonHAcademy) January 14, 2026

We’re ready to Go All In to support the National Year of Reading 2026 📚

This year is going to be the greatest celebration of reading the nation has ever seen! Find out more here: https://t.co/viuIaa0Fr5#GoAllIn2026 #NationalYearofReading2026 pic.twitter.com/dNsCfq5O9s

— Headline Books (@headlinepg) January 13, 2026

Proud to support the National Year of Reading 2026. 📚 At the heart of the campaign is a simple but powerful idea: if you're into it, read into it. 📷 #GoAllIn2026 #NationalYearOfReading2026 pic.twitter.com/vQMnjPPcjH

— Eiry Rees Thomas (@EiryReesThomas) January 14, 2026

Our new reading spotlight is New year, New Hero. It’s time to Go All In as part of the National Year of Reading 2026. Our library is full of heroes from cape -wearers to masters of kindness, courage and resilience. #GoAllIn2026 #Wowwednesday @EnglishHubUK @WellspringAT pic.twitter.com/BuQYT1ffRz

— Littlecoates Academy (@LPAcademy16) January 14, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page!

Serious News
This year, there are set to be some changes taking place across the capital’s transport system.

The first is related to the London Underground, as new carriages are set to replace the older fleet from the 1970s on the Picadilly Line. As well as this, the power system, platform edges and peak time frequency are all set to see an improvement too.

Oxford Street is also set to see some changes as the ownership changed hands from Westminster City Council to TfL in September of last year. On the Mayor of London’s agenda is to see a pedestrianised area between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street – this is still a way off, but the motion of events could begin in the latter half of the year.

One final change is to do with the congestion charge. The standard rate has increased from £15 to £18 if paid in advance or on the day of travel, while the payment for the three days after has risen to £21. If you are a Congestion Charge Residents' Discount holder, the 90% reduction will apply and pay the day rate of £1.80.

If you drive an electric car, you will also see a discount of 25% on the daily rate if registered on Auto Pay, a cost of £13.50, while there is also a 50% discount on electric vans, HGVs, and quadricycles on Auto Pay at £9.

Crazy News
Lego have announced Smart Bricks, filled with technology and responsive to its movement and brings your creation to life with lights and sounds.

It was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas, as the Danish company calls it the “most revolutionary innovation” in half a century.

Julia Goldin, Lego’s chief product and marketing officer, says that digital technology would “expand physical play and physical building”, adding “We don't look at the digital world as a threat”.

However, Josh Golin, of Fairplay (a children’s wellbeing group), argues that the technology “undermines what was once great about Lego. Children's Lego creations already do move and make noises through the power of children's imaginations”.

Happy News
A new scheme has been launched in advance for the end of the year to help reduce waste of Christmas trees.

London Christmas Tree Rental is trying to eradicate the waste of seven million Christmas trees ending up in landfill across the UK. Jonathan Mears, founder of the company, explains: “You can rent via our website, pick your dates, come along to one of the hubs to choose your tree, water it, bring it back, and then it grows on”.

There are four hubs across London – Dulwich, Chelsfield Hall Farm, Brentford FC and Thames Ditton.

Advanced mobility at #CES2026 means driving safer roads, smarter transportation and more connection. On the showfloor, we are reshaping how the world moves. pic.twitter.com/qrO8TXeCCe

— CES (@CES) January 7, 2026

LG Electronics has unveiled an AI home robot that cooks, cleans and folds laundry. #CES2026 #CES #CES26 pic.twitter.com/ABPyL0Q9un

— Neetu Khandelwal (@T_Investor_) January 5, 2026

Lenovo unveiled a bunch of concepts for their "Rollable" screens concept at CES today.

This laptop has a screen that grows widescreen at the touch of a button. They have monitors and other configs too. pic.twitter.com/p5OkInGXmn

— Grummz (@Grummz) January 7, 2026

Just a few days into 2026, the tech world already gets exciting.

- Pebble made a new round watch after 10 years
- Clicks (keyboard case maker) made a phone
- Dreame (vacuum cleaner maker) will make an electric supercar
- Dell will revive the XPS laptop line

CES should be fun! pic.twitter.com/9eotGd17Od

— Alvin (@sondesix) January 3, 2026

Boston Dynamics (owned by Hyundai) just unveiled a stationary prototype of the new Atlas humanoid on stage at CES 2026. pic.twitter.com/mDe2QEREAA

— The Humanoid Hub (@TheHumanoidHub) January 5, 2026

HyperX, in partnership with neurotechnology company Neurable, has unveiled a gaming headset at CES 2026 that integrates AI and non-invasive EEG sensors to monitor brainwaves in real time.

The device analyzes neural activity to provide actionable insights, helping gamers enhance… pic.twitter.com/pgnYbMuAKp

— Pirat_Nation 🔴 (@Pirat_Nation) January 6, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page!

Serious News
The new year has been rung in, and 2026 will see local elections take place in May.

It has been four years since the last, and the country and capital has changed a lot since then.#

More than 1,800 councillors will be hoping for a vote across the 32 London Boroughs, in turn then the five mayors will then be elected.

Whoever takes the seat will have an uphill battle of dealing with shortfalls in budgets as well as the ever increasing crime across the streets.

Crazy News
The Oxford Dictionary have announced that the 2025 word of the year is ‘rage bait’ – even though it is two words!

The definition is something “deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage", which increases engagement.

President of Oxford Languages, Casper Grathwohl, says: “The fact that the word rage bait exists and has seen such a dramatic surge in usage means we're increasingly aware of the manipulation tactics we can be drawn into online. Now we've seen a dramatic shift to it hijacking and influencing our emotions, and how we respond.”

Happy News
Thousands of people braved the freezing temperatures to showcase their costumes, dancing and other skills in the New Year’s Day parade.

More than 8,000 performers marched through London’s West End streets to see in the new year – some performing stunts on bikes or others on amazing floats.

Some of those participating included dancing daffodils, super cars, dinosaurs and a trapeze artist strapped to a balloon.

You can watch the full three-and-a-half live stream below.

to the whole party, thank you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Kp6qPXHJyw

— stranger things (@Stranger_Things) January 1, 2026

In this scene, they're not the characters. They're the actors saying goodbye to their childhood.#StrangerThings5 pic.twitter.com/xQtcHz1bhC

— Stranger Things Updates (@Updates_SThings) January 1, 2026

This scene was so emotional, so beautifully done, and so heartbreaking.

It showed how much they each lost, what they went through, and their heartbreak.

Props to the Duffer brothers.

#StrangerThings5 pic.twitter.com/85YDoayxBj

— Elizabeth Weibel (@elfaddis) January 1, 2026

My favorite scene from tonight. I love how the story started with Joyce trying to find her son, and it ended with her being the one to end it all.

God, I love Winona Ryder

#StrangerThings5 pic.twitter.com/7n9iVRvS4M

— Zack✌️ (@omgZack_) January 1, 2026

JAMIE CAMPBELL 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 His performance as Henry Creel was nothing short of legendary. Regardless of how people felt on Season 5, his incredible performance is undeniable. #StrangerThings5 pic.twitter.com/lTufl191k0

— bwf (@BoredroomWyatt) January 1, 2026

What A Beautiful Ending To An Amazing Show. Goodbye Stranger Things. 🥲❤️ #StrangerThings #StrangerThings5 pic.twitter.com/8scg1YR6Tl

— Phys 🤎 (@Physics_Wrestle) January 1, 2026

the ending credits was so cool though #StrangerThings5 pic.twitter.com/63rHUdpFMD

— clueified 🩷 (@clueified) January 1, 2026

I don't have the words but this one scene silently destroyed me. #StrangerThings5pic.twitter.com/5A3jklwrDS

— ǝsɹǝʌlɐǝuʞɔᴉɹʇɐԀ (@Patrick_neal07) January 1, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page!

Here's the finalists - vote now for your favourite.

Serious News
The The Met Police have seized 2,500 e-bikes and e-scooters throughout the calendar year to try and stop robberies and snatching mobile phones from Londoners.

Throughout 2024, more than 80,500 phones were reported as stolen – an increase of more than 15,000 from the year before.

The force’s statistics have described a down turn in offences between 1st April and 22nd October – theft from a person is down by 16.6%, while personal robbery  decreased by 13.5%.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley says that it is a “priority” to tackle phone thefts and a lot of progress has been made, adding: “We're going after the thieves, we've bought specialist bikes that officers do pursuits on, we're going after the handlers and we're going after organised crime”.

Crazy News
In Virginia, a racoon broke into a store and smashed a few bottles of spirits and drunk a bit too much! 

When the police investigated the break in, they were expecting to either find a person, or indeed some evidence – but ended up finding the animal passed out sleeping off the alcohol in the toilet.

Rather than being arrested, Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter took in the animal, and later released it back in the wild, as a spokesperson says: “After a few hours of sleep and zero signs of injury (other than maybe a hangover and poor life choices), he was safely released back to the wild, hopefully having learned that breaking and entering is not the answer”.

Just to make things worse for the owner, the animal entered in through the ceiling – also taking out the CCTV camera. 

Happy News
It has been announced that the first carol service in aid of the London Ambulance Service will take place at 6:30pm on Tuesday at Fleet Street’s St Bride’s Church.

Kez Ogbulafor, one of the cast on BBC One documentary series Ambulance, will give one of the readings, as will the mother of a teenage cardiac arrest survivor throughout Together in Song.

Donna Rosenwould watched her 17-year-old son collapse at their family home and says: “e would not be here today with such a bright future if it wasn’t for the paramedics at London Ambulance Service. They saved his life. I keep replaying it in my head but thank God the ambulance crews were there”.

The carol will raise funds for the Heart Starters Campaign – the goal to put more defibrillators in communities across London.

Statistics show that fewer than one in 10 people survive a cardiac arrest.

Tickets are on sale now but are limited in availability and priced at £5 for children, £10 for adults, or £25 for a family of two adults and two children.

Happy #ChristmasJumperDay! 🎄

The team never misses a chance to dress up and this year they came prepared ✨

All smiles and sparkles - the festive spirit is well and truly here! pic.twitter.com/8B99YqovyE

— Great North Air Ambulance (@GNairambulance) December 11, 2025

Spreading some festive cheer from our UK team on @savethechildren Christmas Jumper Day!

A little colour, a little sparkle and a lot of team spirit - wishing our families and schools a wonderful holiday season. ✨🎄#FeelingFestive #ChristmasJumperDay #HappyHolidays pic.twitter.com/8ddK0gcl6g

— Anderson Education (@An_Education) December 11, 2025

🎄It's #ChristmasJumperDay! 🎄

Today our team came together to spread festive cheer in style – and in some very bold jumpers!

Wishing all our clients, partners and friends a warm and wonderful holiday season from everyone at #HCC💖#TeamHCC #Harrogate #ChristmasinHarrogate pic.twitter.com/4d2RUIYRC4

— Harrogate Convention Centre (@HgtConventions) December 11, 2025

It is Christmas Jumper Day and we are loving every excuse to add a bit more cheer to the week.

It is a simple way to brighten the season and share a smile with the people around you. If you are popping in, feel free to show us your jumper!#YourLeisure #ChristmasJumperDay pic.twitter.com/nFe4cVtx61

— Your Leisure #LiveBetter (@YourLeisureKent) December 11, 2025

Happy #ChristmasJumperDay!🎄Show us pics of you, your family and pets wearing a #Christmas jumper 📸👇#Solihull pic.twitter.com/4KqG1VjCof

— Solihull Updates (@SolihullUpdates) December 11, 2025

It’s Save the Children’s #christmasjumperday! Today I’m wearing my House of Commons Christmas pullover to support @savechildrenuk in creating lasting change for children everywhere. A small action, big impact! pic.twitter.com/57YAt6p1Vj

— Bambos Charalambous (@BambosMP) December 10, 2025

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for the next show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page!

Serious News
The amount of emergency calls for ambulances has risen over the past week, with the London Ambulance Service reporting their three busiest days of the year in succession.

The majority of the increase in calls are to do with breathing difficulties, with the flu and viral infections being some of the causes.

This follows figures from the NHS that signal less than half of eligible people have taken the flu vaccine this season – only 1.7million people, or 46% of those able to. To meet the free jab eligibility, you must be one of the following:

• pregnant women

• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025

• children with certain long-term health conditions (aged 6 months to less than 18 years)

• primary & secondary school aged children (from reception to Year 11)

• all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to under 18 years

• everyone aged 65 years and over

• individuals aged 18 to under 65 with certain long-term health conditions

• care home residents

• carers in receipt of carer's allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person

• those living with people who are immunocompromised

• frontline health and social care workers

Experts believe that this could be the worst flu season in a decade, as a new variant of the virus has been identified.

The rate of calls over the past week have been compared to those “more typically seen on New Year's Eve”.

On a typical busy day, LAS will take approximately 5,500 calls – but have seen 7,356 on Thursday 27th November, 7,608 the day after and even 6,776 on Sunday 30th November to name a few dates.

Crazy News
A woman has had to appear in court, as she was charged with walking the “wrong way” on an escalator within a train station.

Michaela Copeland, aged 32, was spotted at Greenwich station on Thursday November 27th walking in the opposite direction to the way the escalator was travelling.

It is not known in what direction she was travelling (or supposed to be travelling), however railway byelaws makes it an offence which could carry a fine of up to £1,000.

Ms Copeland pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Happy News
Last weekend saw more than 150 rescue dogs participate in a walk for various charities.

This is only the first of different events being organised by Rescue Dogs of London – a Christmas jumper parade for corgis took place on Saturday, and next Sunday will see dachshunds take part in the Christmas Hyde Park sausage dog walk.

Mary Wong, who was one of the team behind the event, rescued George and Lulu from Hungary and China says that many of the dogs had a “terrible start in life”, but have since been “given second chances” and are “blessed to have them in our lives”.

#NationalMuttDay is celebrated on December 2 and July 31 each year to raise awareness about mixed breed dogs and encourage their adoption from shelters. This day highlights the importance of giving loving homes to the many mutts in need.

Here are the two mutts I’ve rescued in… pic.twitter.com/cvrRtW1kqU

— Wick 🥃 (@imUrB00gieman) December 2, 2025

National Mutt Day

Let’s throw this day to the dogs!

Not just any dog, though.

Today, we toast to the mixed breeds of the world, so raise your water bowls high … because this one’s for the mutts!

There’s no ifs, ands, or mutts about it — December 2 is National Mutt Day, &… pic.twitter.com/fwjkhBYTvw

— Chris the🐧 Ambassador of Holidays (@NightGuardian34) December 2, 2025

Happy National Mutt Day to the dogs who keep us guessing 🐾! Part this, part that, one hundred percent adorable. Mutts bring endless variety to our daycare pack, and we love seeing all their different shapes, sizes, & personalities.

Do you have a mutt? What are they mixed with? pic.twitter.com/Sr2h0apZfW

— Cha Cha's Dog Daycare (@FacesofChaChas) December 2, 2025

If it's December 2, it must be National Mutt Day, a day which encourages us to embrace, save and celebrate mixed breed dogs around the world, twice a year: July 31st and December 2nd.

There are estimates of over 150 million mutts worldwide! pic.twitter.com/pP7KoCahSw

— Bill Lucey (@wplucey) December 2, 2025

It’s #NationalMuttDay, and we’re celebrating our favorite lovable, one-of-a-kind #pups! National Mutt Day was created to raise awareness for the amazing mixed-breed #dogs and to celebrate everything that makes them one-of-a-kind. Do you have a lovable #mutt at home? 🐾💛 pic.twitter.com/KGClIgycDX

— HandsOn Shedding/Bathing/Grooming Gloves (@HandsOnOfficial) December 2, 2025

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page!

Serious News
Various London councils have been targeted in what was believed cyber-attacks at the beginning of the week.

IT systems and services had been affected within The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC), Hackney, Westminster, and Hammersmith & Fulham councils.

While it was difficult for residents to contact Westminster Council, Hackney raised their cyber security threat to “critical”.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, about the issue – who was unaware of the events on Tuesday.

However, City Hall are trying to learn from the previous attacks on TfL, Marks & Spencer and Heathrow Airport, as Khan says: “We are trying to encourage councils to have better resilience but the reality is, I'm afraid, those who breach protections are going to try more and more ways to get into those systems. We're going to make sure we're resilient, that means making sure we have the right safeguards in place”.

Crazy News
Another An officer was called to what was classed as a “small, bully type dog” turned out to not be a live animal, but in fact a toy reindeer.

A little early for the festive period, a spokesperson for Derbyshire Police says that he was “resting after a test flight over the [Derbyshire] Dales area”, adding that they gave Santa’s helper some “stern words about being seen in the middle of November” and let him off.

Happy News
A The Mayor of London has celebrated dishing out 100 million free school meals from the scheme first introduced by Sadiq Khan in 2023.

Each child has been given an average of 435 lunches, saving families £500 per child each year.

The arrangement was supposed to be temporary, as it was being paid for by “one-off funding from additional business rates income”, later becoming extended.

The Mayor celebrated the milestone by visiting Shoreditch Park Primary School in Hackney, with a speech saying: “These healthy meals are ensuring children don't go hungry at school, making them ready to learn and giving them the energy to make the most of everything the school day offers, while also taking the financial pressure off their families. I know from personal experience what a difference these meals make, so to be able to ensure that hundreds of thousands of children are receiving them across London every single day brings huge personal pride”.