birminghammail--2020-08-09--Pundit claims Villa target is a Premier League player in waiting

Aston Villa transfer target Said Benrahma is a Premier League player in waiting - the one player from the Championship who top flight clubs should take a punt on .
That ’ s the view of pundit and former pro Don Hutchison , who believes that the Brentford star is more than capable of making the step up to the top flight this summer .
Benrahma is widely expected to leave the Bees in the window after a sterling season on an individual level , and Villa are right in the mix when it comes to his next club .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ too , though the latter appear to be putting their efforts into bringing Kai Havertz to Stamford Bridge .
Benrahma , though , will look at home at English football ’ s top table , Hutchison believes - despite the fact that the winger had one of his more forgettable games in the narrow defeat to rivals Fulham in the play-off final .
“ I think he is [ a Premier League player ] , ” Hutchison told ESPN .
“ I think Thomas Frank at Brentford has done a terrific job in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not seen him play before he came to Brentford and he looks a fantastic player .
He was quite anonymous in the play-off final .
He didn ’ t have a good game .
“ But you can still see little flashes when he plays on that left-hand side .
He goes to the byline , once he chops inside onto his right foot , he ’ s got that shot where he whips it into the top corner .
“ It would be a shame for Brentford moving into their stadium if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
But when I looked at the majority of their players , he was the one who stood out for me .
`` If someone from the Premier League wants to take a chance on someone from the Championship then Benrahma would be the one .
”

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Aston Villa transfer target Said Benrahma is a Premier League player in waiting - the one player from the Championship who top flight clubs should take a punt on.
That’s the view of pundit and former pro Don Hutchison, who believes that the Brentford star is more than capable of making the step up to the top flight this summer.
Benrahma is widely expected to leave the Bees in the window after a sterling season on an individual level, and Villa are right in the mix when it comes to his next club.
Leeds United and Chelsea both like Benrahma too, though the latter appear to be putting their efforts into bringing Kai Havertz to Stamford Bridge.
Benrahma, though, will look at home at English football’s top table, Hutchison believes - despite the fact that the winger had one of his more forgettable games in the narrow defeat to rivals Fulham in the play-off final.
“I think he is [a Premier League player],” Hutchison told ESPN. “I think Thomas Frank at Brentford has done a terrific job in bringing him on.
“I had not seen him play before he came to Brentford and he looks a fantastic player. He was quite anonymous in the play-off final. He didn’t have a good game.
“But you can still see little flashes when he plays on that left-hand side. He goes to the byline, once he chops inside onto his right foot, he’s got that shot where he whips it into the top corner.
“It would be a shame for Brentford moving into their stadium if they don’t keep hold of him. But when I looked at the majority of their players, he was the one who stood out for me.
"If someone from the Premier League wants to take a chance on someone from the Championship then Benrahma would be the one.”


birminghammail--2020-08-09--Bologna beat Aston Villa to Aaron Hickey signing - report

Aston Villa and Celtic are set to be beaten to the signing of talented Scottish full-back Aaron Hickey according to reports by the Italian media .
The highly-rated Heart of Midlothian full-back emerged as a target for a number of teams , including Villa , Sheffield Wednesday , Bayern Munich , Celtic and Bologna .
It was Bologna who put the first reported offer forwards , with Bayern Munich inviting Hickey to their training ground ahead of a bid , and they were also set to complete a transfer for Celtic whizzkid Barry Hepburn in the coming days .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either if the latest reports are accurate .
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here Reports in Italy picked up by EdinburghLive originally suggested Hickey has been offered a five-year deal with a number of salary increases after Bologna 's offer was accepted .
That offer has now been revealed by Corriere dello Sport as a loan with an obligation to buy in June 2021 for two million euros , with Hickey apparently convinced of a move to Serie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Casteldebole training complex - choosing the Italian side as his destination this summer .
Hickey played 22 times for Hearts last season as the side was relegated , but the full-back 's performances and ability had placed him onto the transfer wishlist of a number of teams .

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Aston Villa and Celtic are set to be beaten to the signing of talented Scottish full-back Aaron Hickey according to reports by the Italian media.
The highly-rated Heart of Midlothian full-back emerged as a target for a number of teams, including Villa, Sheffield Wednesday, Bayern Munich, Celtic and Bologna.
It was Bologna who put the first reported offer forwards, with Bayern Munich inviting Hickey to their training ground ahead of a bid, and they were also set to complete a transfer for Celtic whizzkid Barry Hepburn in the coming days.
But they likely won't land their man either if the latest reports are accurate.
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Reports in Italy picked up by EdinburghLive originally suggested Hickey has been offered a five-year deal with a number of salary increases after Bologna's offer was accepted.
That offer has now been revealed by Corriere dello Sport as a loan with an obligation to buy in June 2021 for two million euros, with Hickey apparently convinced of a move to Serie A following a visit to Bologna's Casteldebole training complex - choosing the Italian side as his destination this summer.
Hickey played 22 times for Hearts last season as the side was relegated, but the full-back's performances and ability had placed him onto the transfer wishlist of a number of teams.


birminghammail--2020-08-09--Wolves and Liverpool learn huge price-tag for transfer target - reports

Ismaila Sarr , the Watford winger who is tipped to join Wolves this summer , will cost any interested parties in the region of £40m .
Sarr , 22 , is expected to leave Watford after their relegation to the Championship - his exit from Vicarage Road would be after only a single season at the club , having become the Hornets ’ record signing last summer when he arrived from French outfit Rennes .
The Senegalese playmaker scored six goals in 30 appearances , including a brace in that surprise 3-0 win over champions Liverpool over the festive period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after that , and the Reds had been tipped to move for Sarr on the back of Watford ’ s drop - but Wolves have been identified as viable contenders for Sarr ’ s signature .
But despite them heading for the second tier , Watford aren ’ t interested in letting go of Sarr for anything less than they feel he is worth in today ’ s market , according to reports .
That ’ s said to be in the region of £40m , a fee that would mean Wolves smashing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow up their interest with a sufficient offer .
Crystal Palace are also interested in Sarr , particularly if key man Wilfried Zaha was to depart Selhurst Park this summer ; the winger has been a wanted man among the Premier League ’ s biggest clubs for some time .
Wolves are looking for reinforcements once again this summer , and are in the market for a new centre back option and a challenger to centre forward Raul Jimenez .
The news that emerged on Saturday that left wing-back Jonny Otto had suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to search for an addition in that area of his squad .

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Ismaila Sarr, the Watford winger who is tipped to join Wolves this summer, will cost any interested parties in the region of £40m.
Sarr, 22, is expected to leave Watford after their relegation to the Championship - his exit from Vicarage Road would be after only a single season at the club, having become the Hornets’ record signing last summer when he arrived from French outfit Rennes.
The Senegalese playmaker scored six goals in 30 appearances, including a brace in that surprise 3-0 win over champions Liverpool over the festive period.
Sarr attracted interest from Jurgen Klopp after that, and the Reds had been tipped to move for Sarr on the back of Watford’s drop - but Wolves have been identified as viable contenders for Sarr’s signature.
But despite them heading for the second tier, Watford aren’t interested in letting go of Sarr for anything less than they feel he is worth in today’s market, according to reports.
That’s said to be in the region of £40m, a fee that would mean Wolves smashing their transfer record if they were to follow up their interest with a sufficient offer.
Crystal Palace are also interested in Sarr, particularly if key man Wilfried Zaha was to depart Selhurst Park this summer; the winger has been a wanted man among the Premier League’s biggest clubs for some time.
Wolves are looking for reinforcements once again this summer, and are in the market for a new centre back option and a challenger to centre forward Raul Jimenez.
The news that emerged on Saturday that left wing-back Jonny Otto had suffered an ACL injury could also prompt Nuno to search for an addition in that area of his squad.


birminghammail--2020-08-09--Villa line up Callum Wilson swap-deal that is perfect for both clubs - report

Aston Villa are said to be interested in using AFC Bournemouth 's interest in one of their strikers to land a transfer target .
Both clubs are looking for striking reinforcements , with Villa seeking upgrades to their front three while Bournemouth will look to complete deals to occupy the places left behind by Callum Wilson and Josh King - who are tipped to leave the club this summer .
Both remain as good fits for Villa - but the former has piqued their interest , especially with Bournemouth 's own request to bring in a Villa forward .
Sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email in the box at the top of the page or click here According to the Telegraph , Bournemouth want to add Scott Hogan to their ranks ahead of the new Championship season to provide experience and attacking options , with Villa reportedly planning to use Hogan to lower the transfer value of Callum Wilson .
Wilson scored nine goals for Eddie Howe 's Bournemouth side last year , with the Cherries ending up in the relegation zone and dropping to the second tier on the final day of the season .
Howe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it is likely that Wilson will want to continue playing top flight football .
Hogan has proven himself to be adept at Championship level - and will want a fresh start following a fairly positive loan spell at Birmingham City last season .

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Aston Villa are said to be interested in using AFC Bournemouth's interest in one of their strikers to land a transfer target.
Both clubs are looking for striking reinforcements, with Villa seeking upgrades to their front three while Bournemouth will look to complete deals to occupy the places left behind by Callum Wilson and Josh King - who are tipped to leave the club this summer.
Both remain as good fits for Villa - but the former has piqued their interest, especially with Bournemouth's own request to bring in a Villa forward.
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According to the Telegraph, Bournemouth want to add Scott Hogan to their ranks ahead of the new Championship season to provide experience and attacking options, with Villa reportedly planning to use Hogan to lower the transfer value of Callum Wilson.
Wilson scored nine goals for Eddie Howe's Bournemouth side last year, with the Cherries ending up in the relegation zone and dropping to the second tier on the final day of the season. Howe departed shortly after by mutual consent - and it is likely that Wilson will want to continue playing top flight football.
Hogan has proven himself to be adept at Championship level - and will want a fresh start following a fairly positive loan spell at Birmingham City last season.


birminghammail--2020-08-09--Phil Neville comments on Jack Grealish to Man United transfer

Phil Neville believes Manchester United no longer need to sign Jack Grealish .
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a known admirer of 24-year-old Aston Villa captain Grealish and the Red Devils have been linked with him throughout 2020 .
Grealish netted eight times and assisted a further six goals in 36 Premier League games last season - a tally very few players operating for struggling sides can match up to .
However , ex-United defender Neville thinks Bruno Fernandes ' impact since arriving in England in January means Solskjaer can focus his funds elsewhere .
He reckons Jadon Sancho @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by United - is a better fit than the Villa man .
Neville told Webby & O'Neill : `` People talk about Grealish , now with Bruno Fernandes in there do we need another number ten ?
`` I think the right-hand side is the biggest area where we need to improve .
We need an out and out right-sided winger .
That 's the one big hole in the squad .
`` Sancho can play out there and can play it really , really well .
He is someone that fits the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rashford , ( Mason ) Greenwood , British players .
And he is young and hungry .
He fits into that . ''
Grealish 's future is expected to be decided this month with Manchester City and Arsenal also linked with a move in recent weeks .

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Phil Neville believes Manchester United no longer need to sign Jack Grealish.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a known admirer of 24-year-old Aston Villa captain Grealish and the Red Devils have been linked with him throughout 2020.
Grealish netted eight times and assisted a further six goals in 36 Premier League games last season - a tally very few players operating for struggling sides can match up to.
However, ex-United defender Neville thinks Bruno Fernandes' impact since arriving in England in January means Solskjaer can focus his funds elsewhere.
He reckons Jadon Sancho - who is another player being coveted by United - is a better fit than the Villa man.
Neville told Webby & O'Neill: "People talk about Grealish, now with Bruno Fernandes in there do we need another number ten?
"I think the right-hand side is the biggest area where we need to improve. We need an out and out right-sided winger. That's the one big hole in the squad.
"Sancho can play out there and can play it really, really well. He is someone that fits the profile. You think (Marcus) Rashford, (Mason) Greenwood, British players. And he is young and hungry. He fits into that."
Grealish's future is expected to be decided this month with Manchester City and Arsenal also linked with a move in recent weeks.


birminghammail--2020-08-09--Latest stats reveal worst streets for crime in Redditch

A tiny cul-de-sac blighted by trouble on average once a DAY can be revealed as the worst street for crime @ @ @ @ @ total of 39 crimes - predominantly anti-social behaviour - were recorded in trouble-hit Lygon Close @ @ @ @ @ Despite the coronavirus lockdown , a concerning 38 offences were also reported in April in @ @ @ @ @ .
Latest available stats showing ten crimes - including three violent and sexual offences - @ @ @ @ @ make the street the worst hit in the town .
Dixon Close , well-known Unicorn @ @ @ @ @ among the most crime-hit streets in the town , according to the latest police data @ @ @ @ @ roads which suffered six or more offences in May below .
*Stats taken from Abbey @ @ @ @ @ Redditch and Winyates and Matchborough as listed on police.uk in May 2020 .

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A tiny cul-de-sac blighted by trouble on average once a DAY can be revealed as the worst street for crime in Redditch.
A worrying total of 39 crimes - predominantly anti-social behaviour - were recorded in trouble-hit Lygon Close in March this year.
Despite the coronavirus lockdown, a concerning 38 offences were also reported in April in the small residential parking area.
Latest available stats showing ten crimes - including three violent and sexual offences - recorded in May would still make the street the worst hit in the town.
Dixon Close, well-known Unicorn Hill and Spetchley Close were among the most crime-hit streets in the town, according to the latest police data.
WorcestershireLive has revealed the roads which suffered six or more offences in May below.
Lygon Close - 10
Violence and sexual offences - 3
Anti-social behaviour - 7
Birmingham Road - 8
Violence and sexual offences - 5
Anti-social behaviour - 2
Dixon Close - 8
Violence and sexual offences - 3
Drugs - 2
Anti-social behaviour - 2
Other crime - 1
Spetchley Close - 8
Anti-social behaviour - 6
Public order - 2
Winslow Close - 8
Violence and sexual offences - 3
Anti-social behaviour - 4
Robbery - 1
Unicorn Hill - 7
Violence and sexual offences - 2
Robbery - 1
Anti-social behaviour - 4
Herbert Street - 7
Violence and sexual offences - 3
Anti-social behaviour - 2
Public order - 2
Binton Close - 7
Violence and sexual offences - 3
Anti-social behaviour - 3
Public order - 1
Leysters Close - 6
Violence and sexual offences - 2
Anti-social behaviour - 4
Little Acre - 6
Violence and sexual offences - 1
Anti-social behaviour - 4
Public order - 1
*Stats taken from Abbey, South West and Rural Redditch and Winyates and Matchborough as listed on police.uk in May 2020.


birminghammail--2020-08-09--MP slams Kashmir protest outside council HQ for 'Covid failings'

A Birmingham MP has criticised a Kashmir rally outside the council 's HQ which he said may have increased Covid-19 risks to residents .
And Khalid Mahmood has slammed the city council for not opposing the gathering which , he said , flouted its own lockdown regulations .
He has also slated Councillor Waseem Zaffar for speaking unmasked at Wednesday 's `` freedom for Kashmir '' gathering .
His comments have been dubbed `` ridiculous '' and politically motivated by Cllr Zaffar .
A coordinator for the Labour Friends of Kashmir movement , the Birmingham council cabinet member stressed he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing and only removed his mask to speak when satisfied the crowd were more than 3m away .
Cllr Zaffar also pointed out he was not the only councillor present .
Our reporter on the scene said 600 were present .
Mr Mahmood , whose family is from Kashmir , says the number is closer to 1,000 .
Our video of the event shows some are wearing protective masks , some are not .
Some are social distancing , some are not .
The footage does capture organisers urging those present to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , MP for Perry Barr , said : `` The ( Kashmir ) issue is extremely important and extremely important to me and I have been fighting this cause for a long time .
I have explained my views .
`` I did not think it would be necessary to attend a rally because I felt it would be putting the people of Kashmiri origin at risk .
With the infection increasing again , I 'd be putting myself at risk . ''
The 49-year-old has undergone a kidney transplant and suffers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a difficult period for all of us - a lot of people have made huge sacrifices to ensure they do not infect people and get the infection .
`` The council has certain regulations it must follow , there must be people from the council there to ensure things are going on satisfactorily .
`` The guidelines say there should be no more than 30 people at a rally .
If there are , there has to be markings .
`` There was none of that .
This could cause significant infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you track the people who were there ?
`` It was wrong for the event to take place the way it did and Cllr Zaffar , who has said he himself has underlying health issues , was wrong to attend and make a speech .
He is a person people look up to and Lozells ( the councillor 's ward ) has a high infection rate .
`` There were a lot of failings , failings at a time when we are facing the possibility of another total lockdown .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have apologised for it .
They have said they were wrong . ''
Birmingham City Council has stated it does not have the power to pull the plug on rallies - that is a matter for the police .
`` Ultimately , they are the ones with the power to disperse gatherings under Covid-19 , '' explained a spokesperson .
The MP 's comments have been greeted with an angry rebuttal by Cllr Zaffar .
He said : `` I had absolutely nothing to do with the organisation of this event .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlying health issues , but I decided I had to do something .
I had to show solidarity .
`` The event was pretty well organised .
They ( organisers ) had put down chalk markings in Victoria Square .
`` And I told the crowd - it 's on the video , ' I will only speak if you step back ' .
When I was n't speaking I found a space where the next person was three metres away - and I wore a mask .
I went above and beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when an organiser came too close , I physically pushed him away .
I did n't shake hands with anyone .
I was not the only councillor present .
`` When the Black Lives Matter demonstration took place , there were councillors and MPs present and no one said anything .
`` When a Kashmiri councillor turns up to a Kashmir demonstration , suddenly there 's a problem .
`` It 's ridiculous , it 's nuts .
This attack on me is just politics and I 'm not going to stand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents of Kashmiri origin in the Birmingham area .
At Wednesday 's gathering , one speaker said : `` As long as the repression of the Kashmiri people remains , we will always stand in our masses , in our millions . ''
*KASHMIR is an 86,000-square mile region in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent .
It has been a source of tension and animosity been India and Pakistan since both countries gained independence .
A presidential decree , issued in August , 2019 , revoked Article 370 of India 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
That robbed Kashmir of the right to make laws on all matters except defence , communications and foreign affairs .
Its autonomy was removed .
Since then , India has imposed a security crackdown by sending thousands of troops into Kashmir , imposing a curfew , and allegedly shutting down telecommunications and internet access .

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A Birmingham MP has criticised a Kashmir rally outside the council's HQ which he said may have increased Covid-19 risks to residents.
And Khalid Mahmood has slammed the city council for not opposing the gathering which, he said, flouted its own lockdown regulations.
He has also slated Councillor Waseem Zaffar for speaking unmasked at Wednesday's "freedom for Kashmir" gathering.
(Image: NICK WILKINSON/BIRMINGHAM LIVE)
His comments have been dubbed "ridiculous" and politically motivated by Cllr Zaffar.
A coordinator for the Labour Friends of Kashmir movement, the Birmingham council cabinet member stressed he did not organise the event, maintained social distancing and only removed his mask to speak when satisfied the crowd were more than 3m away.
Cllr Zaffar also pointed out he was not the only councillor present.
Our reporter on the scene said 600 were present. Mr Mahmood, whose family is from Kashmir, says the number is closer to 1,000.
Our video of the event shows some are wearing protective masks, some are not. Some are social distancing, some are not.
The footage does capture organisers urging those present to stay two metres apart.
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
Mr Mahmood, MP for Perry Barr, said: "The (Kashmir) issue is extremely important and extremely important to me and I have been fighting this cause for a long time. I have explained my views.
"I did not think it would be necessary to attend a rally because I felt it would be putting the people of Kashmiri origin at risk. With the infection increasing again, I'd be putting myself at risk."
The 49-year-old has undergone a kidney transplant and suffers from diabetes.
(Image: NICK WILKINSON/BIRMINGHAM LIVE)
He added: "This is a difficult period for all of us - a lot of people have made huge sacrifices to ensure they do not infect people and get the infection.
"The council has certain regulations it must follow, there must be people from the council there to ensure things are going on satisfactorily.
"The guidelines say there should be no more than 30 people at a rally. If there are, there has to be markings.
"There was none of that. This could cause significant infection and, if it does, how do you track the people who were there?
"It was wrong for the event to take place the way it did and Cllr Zaffar, who has said he himself has underlying health issues, was wrong to attend and make a speech. He is a person people look up to and Lozells (the councillor's ward) has a high infection rate.
"There were a lot of failings, failings at a time when we are facing the possibility of another total lockdown.
"This has happened with other authorities and they have apologised for it. They have said they were wrong."
(Image: NICK WILKINSON/BIRMINGHAM LIVE)
Birmingham City Council has stated it does not have the power to pull the plug on rallies - that is a matter for the police.
"Ultimately, they are the ones with the power to disperse gatherings under Covid-19," explained a spokesperson.
The MP's comments have been greeted with an angry rebuttal by Cllr Zaffar.
He said: "I had absolutely nothing to do with the organisation of this event. I had reservations about going because I have underlying health issues, but I decided I had to do something. I had to show solidarity.
"The event was pretty well organised. They (organisers) had put down chalk markings in Victoria Square.
"And I told the crowd - it's on the video, 'I will only speak if you step back'. When I wasn't speaking I found a space where the next person was three metres away - and I wore a mask. I went above and beyond the guidelines.
"In fact, when an organiser came too close, I physically pushed him away. I didn't shake hands with anyone. I was not the only councillor present.
"When the Black Lives Matter demonstration took place, there were councillors and MPs present and no one said anything.
"When a Kashmiri councillor turns up to a Kashmir demonstration, suddenly there's a problem.
"It's ridiculous, it's nuts. This attack on me is just politics and I'm not going to stand for it."
There are around 150,000 residents of Kashmiri origin in the Birmingham area.
At Wednesday's gathering, one speaker said: "As long as the repression of the Kashmiri people remains, we will always stand in our masses, in our millions."
(Image: NICK WILKINSON/BIRMINGHAM LIVE)
*KASHMIR is an 86,000-square mile region in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent.
It has been a source of tension and animosity been India and Pakistan since both countries gained independence.
A presidential decree, issued in August, 2019, revoked Article 370 of India's constitution guaranteeing special rights to the Muslim-majority state.
That robbed Kashmir of the right to make laws on all matters except defence, communications and foreign affairs. Its autonomy was removed.
Since then, India has imposed a security crackdown by sending thousands of troops into Kashmir, imposing a curfew, and allegedly shutting down telecommunications and internet access.


birminghammail--2020-08-09--Ex-West Brom coach to raid former club for winger - reports

New Trabzonspor manager Eddie Newton is eyeing up a move for unsettled West Bromwich Albion winger Oliver Burke , according to reports .
The newly-promoted Baggies are prepared to let Burke leave this summer and the Scottish wideman has no shortage of potential suitors .
According to media in Turkey , Newton is keen on adding Burke to his squad having just been appointed manager on a permanent basis , following a successful stint as caretaker .
Burke has failed to meet lofty expectations at the Baggies and was loaned out to Celtic and Alaves in recent seasons .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be `` investigating the conditions '' that could see him join the club with sources suggesting it could be another loan move .
The 23-year-old still has another two years left on his deal having signed a five-year contract in 2017 when the Baggies paid £15 million for his services .
But he has struggled to make any kind of impression at the Hawthorns and has made just 20 league appearances for the club .
Last year , Baggies boss Slaven Bilic sent Burke on a season-long loan to Alaves where he made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Roberto Di Matteo 's number two at The Hawthorns between 2009 and 2011 , hopes to give Burke a platform to shine next term .
Burke , recently pictured on holiday with Nottingham Forest star Matty Cash , played in the Europa League during his loan at Celtic in 2018/19 .
Another European campaign would not be on the cards at Trabzonspor , despite their Turkish Cup win last month and second-placed league finish .
The club were banned from European competition for the 2020/21 season after breaching UEFA 's Financial Fair @ @ @

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New Trabzonspor manager Eddie Newton is eyeing up a move for unsettled West Bromwich Albion winger Oliver Burke, according to reports.
The newly-promoted Baggies are prepared to let Burke leave this summer and the Scottish wideman has no shortage of potential suitors.
According to media in Turkey, Newton is keen on adding Burke to his squad having just been appointed manager on a permanent basis, following a successful stint as caretaker.
Burke has failed to meet lofty expectations at the Baggies and was loaned out to Celtic and Alaves in recent seasons.
But the Turkish side are now said to be "investigating the conditions" that could see him join the club with sources suggesting it could be another loan move.
The 23-year-old still has another two years left on his deal having signed a five-year contract in 2017 when the Baggies paid £15 million for his services.
But he has struggled to make any kind of impression at the Hawthorns and has made just 20 league appearances for the club.
Last year, Baggies boss Slaven Bilic sent Burke on a season-long loan to Alaves where he made 32 appearances.
And Newton, who was Roberto Di Matteo's number two at The Hawthorns between 2009 and 2011, hopes to give Burke a platform to shine next term.
Burke, recently pictured on holiday with Nottingham Forest star Matty Cash, played in the Europa League during his loan at Celtic in 2018/19.
Another European campaign would not be on the cards at Trabzonspor, despite their Turkish Cup win last month and second-placed league finish.
The club were banned from European competition for the 2020/21 season after breaching UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.


birminghammail--2020-08-09--'Top dollar' - Pundit approves Celtic's valuation of Aston Villa target

Clubs eager to sign Celtic hotshot Odsonne Edouard should be prepared to part with ‘ £40 million plus ’ , pundit John Hartson warned .
Aston Villa , Crystal Palace and Leeds United are believed to be keen on the Frenchman , who scored 28 goals in all competitions last term .
Celtic are understood to have put a £40 million price tag on the 22-year-old , who bagged a hat-trick in the first game of the Hoops ' title defence last weekend .
And Hartson believes his former club have every right to demand that sort of money .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Hartson told Sky Sports .
`` Celtic ’ s manager wants him to stay .
The Celtic board probably want him to stay .
`` Again , Celtic have been known to sell players when the right offer comes in at the right price .
What would you price him at now ?
[ Moussa ] Dembele went the season before [ to Lyon ] for £20 million .
`` Chelsea were looking to pay £70 million for Dembele from Lyon , so why let him go for cheap ?
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have to get top dollar for him and I am talking £40 million plus . ''
Edouard , who has two more years on his contract at Parkhead , would land a bumper pay rise if he moved south of the border such is the financial clout of most , if not all , Premier League teams thanks to the huge sums they earn from TV rights .
But Hartson does not believe that should be a factor for the Frenchman when he decides what next for his burgeoning career .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s about money for Edouard , personally , '' the ex-Wales international added .
`` He is still very young , he will earn money and he will earn lots and lots of money during his career .
`` It ’ s just a case of what he wants to do .
Whether he is willing to stay for the fight this year and stay at Celtic .
Whether or not his head gets turned in terms of a European club or a big club down in England in the Premier League .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ day of the campaign and head coach Dean Smith knows he needs to add to what was a pretty blunt attack .
Club-record signing Wesley struggled for consistency before a cruciate ligament injury in January ended his season prematurely .
Mbwana Samatta only scored two goals in 16 games after completing a move from Belgian side Genk in January .
While promising , Keinan Davis , 22 , is still learning his trade and ca n't be relied upon to produce a bucket load of goals .
Smith also has Scott Hogan at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland international spent last season on loan at Stoke City and then Birmingham City .
But Hogan could be moved on this summer , with St Andrew 's a possible destination having thrived there a few months ago .

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Clubs eager to sign Celtic hotshot Odsonne Edouard should be prepared to part with ‘£40 million plus’, pundit John Hartson warned.
Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Leeds United are believed to be keen on the Frenchman, who scored 28 goals in all competitions last term.
Celtic are understood to have put a £40 million price tag on the 22-year-old, who bagged a hat-trick in the first game of the Hoops' title defence last weekend.
And Hartson believes his former club have every right to demand that sort of money.
"We all want him to stay," Hartson told Sky Sports. "Celtic’s manager wants him to stay. The Celtic board probably want him to stay.
"Again, Celtic have been known to sell players when the right offer comes in at the right price. What would you price him at now? [Moussa] Dembele went the season before [to Lyon] for £20 million.
"Chelsea were looking to pay £70 million for Dembele from Lyon, so why let him go for cheap? If you are going to sell Edouard, you have to get top dollar for him and I am talking £40 million plus."
Edouard, who has two more years on his contract at Parkhead, would land a bumper pay rise if he moved south of the border such is the financial clout of most, if not all, Premier League teams thanks to the huge sums they earn from TV rights.
But Hartson does not believe that should be a factor for the Frenchman when he decides what next for his burgeoning career.
"I don’t think it’s about money for Edouard, personally," the ex-Wales international added.
"He is still very young, he will earn money and he will earn lots and lots of money during his career.
"It’s just a case of what he wants to do. Whether he is willing to stay for the fight this year and stay at Celtic. Whether or not his head gets turned in terms of a European club or a big club down in England in the Premier League."
Villa survived relegation on the last day of the campaign and head coach Dean Smith knows he needs to add to what was a pretty blunt attack.
Club-record signing Wesley struggled for consistency before a cruciate ligament injury in January ended his season prematurely.
Mbwana Samatta only scored two goals in 16 games after completing a move from Belgian side Genk in January.
While promising, Keinan Davis, 22, is still learning his trade and can't be relied upon to produce a bucket load of goals.
Smith also has Scott Hogan at his disposal, after the Republic of Ireland international spent last season on loan at Stoke City and then Birmingham City.
But Hogan could be moved on this summer, with St Andrew's a possible destination having thrived there a few months ago.


birminghammail--2020-08-09--Villa reportedly face transfer battle for £40m Edouard

French striker Edouard , 22 , is attracting plenty of interest from the Premier League and Aston Villa were linked @ @ @ @ @ this week .
Arsenal and Leicester City , who are managed by former Celtic boss @ @ @ @ @ said to be interested in Edouard .
Edouard has scored a staggering 49 goals in @ @ @ @ @ since joining Celtic and he boasts an impressive tally of 11 in six appearances for @ @ @ @ @ .
Villa are in need of attacking reinforcements after record-signing Wesley and January arrival Mbwana @ @ @ @ @ net in the Premier League last season .
Dean Smith and new sporting director Johan @ @ @ @ @ funds by owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens to strengthen Villa 's attack and Edouard @ @ @ @ @ their radar .
However , our sister title the Daily Express claims Leeds head coach @ @ @ @ @ add Edouard to his squad following their return to the Premier League .
Edouard will @ @ @ @ @ £40million with Celtic hoping to hang onto him .

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Leeds United have reportedly made Odsonne Edouard their top summer transfer target.
French striker Edouard, 22, is attracting plenty of interest from the Premier League and Aston Villa were linked with the Celtic star earlier this week.
Arsenal and Leicester City, who are managed by former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, are also said to be interested in Edouard.
Edouard has scored a staggering 49 goals in 60 Scottish Premier League starts since joining Celtic and he boasts an impressive tally of 11 in six appearances for France's highly-rated under-21 side.
Villa are in need of attacking reinforcements after record-signing Wesley and January arrival Mbwana Samatta struggled to find the net in the Premier League last season.
Dean Smith and new sporting director Johan Lange have been given extra funds by owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens to strengthen Villa's attack and Edouard is said to be on their radar.
However, our sister title the Daily Express claims Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa is determined to add Edouard to his squad following their return to the Premier League.
Edouard will reportedly cost suitors up to £40million with Celtic hoping to hang onto him.


birminghammail--2020-08-09--Chelsea and Liverpool involved as West Brom's defender chase takes a twist

West Bromwich Albion 's chances of landing Brighton defender Shane Duffy appear to have taken a major setback .
The clubs have launched talks about a proposed move to The Hawthorns .
Brighton are currently open to offers for the Republic of Ireland international , but that stance is likely to change if the club are forced to part ways with coveted central defender Ben White .
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bilelsa wants the 22-year-old back at Elland Road , after excelling on loan last term , and has already had two bids rejected .
Premier League champions Liverpool have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White , widely considered the best defender in the Championship last term .
And now Chelsea are said to have thrown their hat in the ring for the former Southampton trainee .
The Sun claim Frank Lampard is also a huge fan and that the Blues will make it a three-way battle for White 's signature .
Not only that , they say Chelsea are prepared to splash in the region of £40 million to land White , almost double the £22 million second offer from Leeds .
Brighton have an abundance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complimenting Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster , Graham Potter 's first-choice pairing last term .
But Potter , who made 47 appearances for the Baggies between 1997 and 2000 , will not allow both Duffy and White to leave , unless he can line up another centre-back to take his tally to four .
Baggies boss Slaven Bilic believes Duffy can add the aggression and Premier League experience his backline will need next season .
But if a replacement for Duffy , who is also attracting interest from West Ham , does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bilic might have to look elsewhere .

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West Bromwich Albion's chances of landing Brighton defender Shane Duffy appear to have taken a major setback.
The clubs have launched talks about a proposed move to The Hawthorns.
Brighton are currently open to offers for the Republic of Ireland international, but that stance is likely to change if the club are forced to part ways with coveted central defender Ben White.
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bilelsa wants the 22-year-old back at Elland Road, after excelling on loan last term, and has already had two bids rejected.
Premier League champions Liverpool have been credited with a strong interest in White, widely considered the best defender in the Championship last term.
And now Chelsea are said to have thrown their hat in the ring for the former Southampton trainee.
The Sun claim Frank Lampard is also a huge fan and that the Blues will make it a three-way battle for White's signature.
Not only that, they say Chelsea are prepared to splash in the region of £40 million to land White, almost double the £22 million second offer from Leeds.
Brighton have an abundance of centre-back options with new signing Joel Veltman complimenting Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster, Graham Potter's first-choice pairing last term.
But Potter, who made 47 appearances for the Baggies between 1997 and 2000, will not allow both Duffy and White to leave, unless he can line up another centre-back to take his tally to four.
Baggies boss Slaven Bilic believes Duffy can add the aggression and Premier League experience his backline will need next season.
But if a replacement for Duffy, who is also attracting interest from West Ham, does not emerge and White almost inevitably leaves, Bilic might have to look elsewhere.


birminghammail--2020-08-09--What happened to police officer mown down by criminal and left for dead

PC Gareth Phillips has been through hell in the past 12 months - and somehow lived to tell the tale .
From having been run over by a police car driven by a criminal and left with a pelvis he was told resembled `` a Polo mint hit with a hammer , '' his recovery to date has been nothing short of remarkable .
`` I ca n't complain too much because I 'm doing better than I anticipated and it 's nice to be back at work even though it 's not out on the streets where I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's still doing something constructive and being able to make a difference . ''
His beloved first dog Diesel visited him several times in hospital to speed his recovery , but the chocolate Labrador sadly died from old age in the lockdown month of March .
By then , 6ft 5in PC Phillips had already been given police pup Kensi and the eager Labrador is now teaching him how to walk again .
On August 10 , 2019 PC was mercilessly mowed down by Mubashar Hussain who had seemingly been Tasered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the driving seat of an unmarked BMW police car ready to do anything to escape .
A police helicopter above filmed the sickening moment PC Phillips was left for dead when Hussain put his foot down in a bid to escape and drove over the stricken officer in what police later called `` a deliberate act of grotesque violence . ''
Other colleagues were injured in the line of duty , too and Hussain put many more lives at risk by reaching speeds of almost 100mph .
The date was just five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was killed when he was dragged behind a car in Berkshire on August 15 .
Treated by teams of brilliant surgeons , doctors , nurses and military medics at the QE Hospital , PC Phillips finally went home four weeks later .
And then , in October , he went to court on crutches when Hussain was jailed for 12 years .
One year on from the day of a quite horrific series of incidents that left several colleagues injured , PC Phillips has found a heartwarming way to raise £1,500 for NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can see in the above video .
`` While I was in hospital I managed to get the artist who drew the motorway police mascot to change him slightly so that he was a bit broken , like I was , '' says Gaz .
`` And through the sales of that we 've raised £1,500 which been donated back to the ITU ( Intensive Therapy Unit ) . ''
Last autumn , for the second year running , the officer had also secured 100 poppies to go on the bonnets of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Group officers .
A month ago , Gaz miraculously went back to work to start a new kind of job for now - and managed three hours helping the intelligence arm of the motorway police in their control room .
He is still part-time and behind a desk , but certainly has n't give up on his dream of returning to be a traffic cop - he has already been cleared to drive in everyday life .
And if Covid-19 has got in the way of his planned physiotherapy treatment , PC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back-up .
His new four-legged personal trainer Kensi has literally helped to pull him back on to his feet .
Having left home at 7am that day on Saturday , August 10 , 2019 , PC Phillips was nearing the end of his shift when he was called to a report of a stolen Range Rover in the Moseley area .
Hussain was in the driver 's seat and fellow car thief Ahsan Ghafoor was in the front passenger seat .
Ghafoor was swiftly arrested but Hussain - who had been banned from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 - fought back .
Despite being Tasered , he forced his way past officers and jumped into a BMW police traffic car that still had the keys inside .
An officer since 2001 , PC Phillips clung onto the driver ’ s door but was flung to the floor when Hussain slammed the car into reverse .
He was defenceless on the ground when Hussain accelerated away and drove over him with both sets of wheels .
Hussain , of no fixed address , was jailed for 12 years .
Originally charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the wounding of PC Phillips as well as two charges of thefts of Range Rovers , dangerous driving , and two charges of disqualified driving , assaulting three further police officers , and aggravated vehicle taking and driving without insurance or licence .
Ghafoor , of Sparkhill , pleaded guilty to the thefts of the Ranger Rovers , as well dangerous driving and driving without insurance or licence .
and was jailed for 28 months .
Speaking on the cusp of the first anniversary of that life-changing day , Gaz explains in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
`` I do n't think about what happened , '' he says .
`` It 's more about getting better .
`` I would n't do anything I did that day any different .
`` You have to enjoy ( life ) while you are here because you just never know ... you have just got to make the most of it . ''
PC Phillips says his life now is one of recurring pain , but it 's something he has learned to master .
Injuries to his bowel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him from bleeding to death .
But his pelvis had also shattered to the point that it had detached from his spine .
`` It was described like ' a Polo mint having been hit with a hammer ' , '' explains Gaz .
`` My spine and pelvis were not attached - that was a bit sore .
`` They are now held in place by a piece of metal work .
`` For me , the ( NHS ) were extra amazing last year when they saved my life .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the military staff who looked after me - I ca n't say enough good things about them , it 's the best hospital in the country as far as I 'm concerned . ''
Gaz is currently waiting for a scan to determine if that is now permanent or will have to be removed .
He also suffered a broken hand , bumps and bruises and what he describes as `` a hole in my head '' which thankfully did n't require a plate .
`` I am in a level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got used to it , '' says Gaz .
`` If I bend down it might not hurt the first time , but if do it in a slightly different way it might hurt the second time . ''
PC Phillips spent a month in the QE Hospital but , remarkably , was able to leave hospital on September 10 - a date that is now profoundly important in retrospect .
Resolute in his determination to walk again , Gaz made headlines when his beloved chocolate Labrador called Diesel came to visit him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known that you can do that , '' says Gaz .
`` Three dogs came in to the intensive care unit while I was there . ''
How is Diesel now , I ask ?
`` Do n't ask , '' says Gaz , preparing himself to take that extra step in his mind .
`` He died in March aged 13 .
Would have been 14 in June .
`` I 'd had him from ten weeks and he was the first dog I 'd ever had .
`` It was amazing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did n't know you could do something like that and he was more popular than me !
`` When I was on the wards , Diesel came to see me as well and brought a smile to my face for the first time when I was in there .
`` My wife , Lisa , is a dog handler with West Midlands Police ...
I 've now got a female Labrador called Kensi .
`` It can be hard when she pulls me in a different direction , but I 've not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown .
`` I 've never told anyone this before , but Kensi was born on September 10 .
`` It was the day I came out of hospital . ''
It 's one thing to bear the brunt of such physical damage , quite another to get back to work .
PC Phillips ' journey will have required enormous mental strength that perhaps we can all learn from .
Gaz thinks that being in the force herself might have helped his wife to cope with the situation , but there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story .
`` Lisa had to listen to it on the ( police ) radio while she was herself coming to the scene , '' he says .
`` I think it was worse for my family in the first week - I was on a ventilator for three or four days .
`` Several colleagues were injured as well .
`` They saw what happened to me and had to deal with what happened to them and try to arrest the bloke .
`` West Midlands Police have supported me and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Work has been great . ''
Diesel 's passing in the month of the coronavirus lockdown in March could not have come at a worse time for PC Phillips .
And not just because lockdown prevented him from having the kind of regular physio that he would otherwise have had .
`` It felt like I had already done a lockdown , '' he says of the experience he had had before the nationwide shutdown ordered by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on March 20 and 23 .
`` That was just at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back out and doing things like meeting people for breakfast .
`` You could go out for an hour ... and then there was nothing .
`` No gym , or stuff like that .
`` I had an op in February and could n't lean on my front to get physio on my back .
`` I came back to work a month ago and it was nice to be back .
In a way it did n't feel like I had not been here - that was really strange . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ excuse not to be vacuuming the house for Lisa 's benefit , Gaz offers another illustration of the human steel within , adding : `` Yes , but there are lots of things I should n't be doing , that I try to do . ''
What next for the police ... ?
On the back of the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter campaign , policing is no less challenging than it ever was .
And there 's no doubt that the police and other emergency service personnel are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then they were many years ago .
`` There is a lack of deterrent and there are less police officers , '' says Gaz .
`` Sentencing just needs to be more consistent , that 's the biggest thing - and harsher penalties for anyone who injured emergency workers .
`` Consistency is probably the key .
`` It 's only a very small proportion of people ( who have evil intent ) , the amount of get well cards and messages I received told me that .
`` We needed Blu Tak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still did n't have room to display them all .
I wish I 'd taken a photograph of them all , there was n't a wall that did n't have cards on them and some had to be kept under the bed . ''
Some people say how much they 've struggled with the sense of confinement that lockdown has brought even when it 's been under their own roof .
With that in mind , where does that leave our expectation that you can lock a prisoner up for however many years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reformed and ready to take part in society again ?
Is there anything Gaz can do personally to help in instance ?
PC Phillips stands his ground and does n't duck the issue regardless of whether the answer is the one you may or may not want him to say .
Either way , I doubt if anyone would not understand why he gives the answer he does .
`` It 's not going to happen , '' he says .
And with that , you know this brave officer has done his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his metal plate .
West Midlands Police chief constable Dave Thompson said after sentencing : `` A horrific incident .
Important to share the footage so the public understand and see what officers face .
Policing is difficult , dangerous , complex and messy .
Thank god we have officers who put themselves in harms way to tackle dangerous people . ''

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PC Gareth Phillips has been through hell in the past 12 months - and somehow lived to tell the tale.
From having been run over by a police car driven by a criminal and left with a pelvis he was told resembled "a Polo mint hit with a hammer," his recovery to date has been nothing short of remarkable.
"I can't complain too much because I'm doing better than I anticipated and it's nice to be back at work even though it's not out on the streets where I want to be," he says.
"It's still doing something constructive and being able to make a difference."
His beloved first dog Diesel visited him several times in hospital to speed his recovery, but the chocolate Labrador sadly died from old age in the lockdown month of March.
By then, 6ft 5in PC Phillips had already been given police pup Kensi and the eager Labrador is now teaching him how to walk again.
On August 10, 2019 PC was mercilessly mowed down by Mubashar Hussain who had seemingly been Tasered while defying arrest.
Hussain then jumped into the driving seat of an unmarked BMW police car ready to do anything to escape.
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
A police helicopter above filmed the sickening moment PC Phillips was left for dead when Hussain put his foot down in a bid to escape and drove over the stricken officer in what police later called "a deliberate act of grotesque violence."
Other colleagues were injured in the line of duty, too and Hussain put many more lives at risk by reaching speeds of almost 100mph.
The date was just five days before the newly-married PC Andrew Harper was killed when he was dragged behind a car in Berkshire on August 15.
Treated by teams of brilliant surgeons, doctors, nurses and military medics at the QE Hospital, PC Phillips finally went home four weeks later.
(Image: BirminghamLive)
And then, in October, he went to court on crutches when Hussain was jailed for 12 years.
One year on from the day of a quite horrific series of incidents that left several colleagues injured, PC Phillips has found a heartwarming way to raise £1,500 for NHS unit that treated him - as you can see in the above video.
"While I was in hospital I managed to get the artist who drew the motorway police mascot to change him slightly so that he was a bit broken, like I was," says Gaz.
"And through the sales of that we've raised £1,500 which been donated back to the ITU (Intensive Therapy Unit)."
Last autumn, for the second year running, the officer had also secured 100 poppies to go on the bonnets of the marked cars of his fellow Central Motorway Police Group officers.
A month ago, Gaz miraculously went back to work to start a new kind of job for now - and managed three hours helping the intelligence arm of the motorway police in their control room.
He is still part-time and behind a desk, but certainly hasn't give up on his dream of returning to be a traffic cop - he has already been cleared to drive in everyday life.
And if Covid-19 has got in the way of his planned physiotherapy treatment, PC Phillips is thrilled that he was given back-up.
His new four-legged personal trainer Kensi has literally helped to pull him back on to his feet.
(Image: WMP)
The incident
Having left home at 7am that day on Saturday, August 10, 2019, PC Phillips was nearing the end of his shift when he was called to a report of a stolen Range Rover in the Moseley area.
Hussain was in the driver's seat and fellow car thief Ahsan Ghafoor was in the front passenger seat.
Ghafoor was swiftly arrested but Hussain - who had been banned from driving for four years in May, 2018 - fought back.
Despite being Tasered, he forced his way past officers and jumped into a BMW police traffic car that still had the keys inside.
An officer since 2001, PC Phillips clung onto the driver’s door but was flung to the floor when Hussain slammed the car into reverse.
He was defenceless on the ground when Hussain accelerated away and drove over him with both sets of wheels.
(Image: WMP)
Hussain, of no fixed address, was jailed for 12 years. Originally charged with attempted murder, he pleaded guilty to the wounding of PC Phillips as well as two charges of thefts of Range Rovers, dangerous driving, and two charges of disqualified driving, assaulting three further police officers, and aggravated vehicle taking and driving without insurance or licence.
Ghafoor, of Sparkhill, pleaded guilty to the thefts of the Ranger Rovers, as well dangerous driving and driving without insurance or licence. and was jailed for 28 months.
Speaking on the cusp of the first anniversary of that life-changing day, Gaz explains in a single sentence why he's talking now.
"I don't think about what happened," he says. "It's more about getting better.
"I wouldn't do anything I did that day any different.
"What happened, happened.
"You have to enjoy (life) while you are here because you just never know... you have just got to make the most of it."
(Image: WMP)
The injuries
PC Phillips says his life now is one of recurring pain, but it's something he has learned to master.
Injuries to his bowel and stomach required an emergency operation to prevent him from bleeding to death.
But his pelvis had also shattered to the point that it had detached from his spine.
"It was described like 'a Polo mint having been hit with a hammer'," explains Gaz.
"My spine and pelvis were not attached - that was a bit sore.
"They are now held in place by a piece of metal work.
"For me, the (NHS) were extra amazing last year when they saved my life. The QE were brilliant, both the NHS and the military staff who looked after me - I can't say enough good things about them, it's the best hospital in the country as far as I'm concerned."
Gaz is currently waiting for a scan to determine if that is now permanent or will have to be removed.
He also suffered a broken hand, bumps and bruises and what he describes as "a hole in my head" which thankfully didn't require a plate.
"I am in a level of pain now, but I've just got used to it," says Gaz.
"If I bend down it might not hurt the first time, but if do it in a slightly different way it might hurt the second time."
(Image: Courtesy of West Midlands Police)
The recovery
PC Phillips spent a month in the QE Hospital but, remarkably, was able to leave hospital on September 10 - a date that is now profoundly important in retrospect.
Resolute in his determination to walk again, Gaz made headlines when his beloved chocolate Labrador called Diesel came to visit him.
"It's not very well known that you can do that," says Gaz. "Three dogs came in to the intensive care unit while I was there."
How is Diesel now, I ask?
"Don't ask," says Gaz, preparing himself to take that extra step in his mind.
"He died in March aged 13. Would have been 14 in June.
"I'd had him from ten weeks and he was the first dog I'd ever had.
"It was amazing when he came to see me, I didn't know you could do something like that and he was more popular than me!
"When I was on the wards, Diesel came to see me as well and brought a smile to my face for the first time when I was in there.
(Image: Courtesy of West Midlands Police)
"My wife, Lisa, is a dog handler with West Midlands Police... I've now got a female Labrador called Kensi.
"It can be hard when she pulls me in a different direction, but I've not been able to have any physio since the lockdown.
"I've never told anyone this before, but Kensi was born on September 10.
"It was the day I came out of hospital."
(Image: Jason Skarratt / BirminghamLive)
The mental challenges
It's one thing to bear the brunt of such physical damage, quite another to get back to work.
PC Phillips' journey will have required enormous mental strength that perhaps we can all learn from.
Gaz thinks that being in the force herself might have helped his wife to cope with the situation, but there is one more extraordinarily painful twist in the story.
(Image: Jason Skarratt / BirminghamLive)
"Lisa had to listen to it on the (police) radio while she was herself coming to the scene," he says.
"I think it was worse for my family in the first week - I was on a ventilator for three or four days.
"Several colleagues were injured as well.
"They saw what happened to me and had to deal with what happened to them and try to arrest the bloke.
"West Midlands Police have supported me and you get offered stuff through the hospital. Work has been great."
(Image: WMP)
In lockdown before lockdown
Diesel's passing in the month of the coronavirus lockdown in March could not have come at a worse time for PC Phillips.
And not just because lockdown prevented him from having the kind of regular physio that he would otherwise have had.
"It felt like I had already done a lockdown," he says of the experience he had had before the nationwide shutdown ordered by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on March 20 and 23.
"That was just at the point that I was starting to go back out and doing things like meeting people for breakfast.
(Image: WMP)
"You could go out for an hour... and then there was nothing.
"No gym, or stuff like that.
"I had an op in February and couldn't lean on my front to get physio on my back.
"I came back to work a month ago and it was nice to be back. In a way it didn't feel like I had not been here - that was really strange."
And if he has had the perfect excuse not to be vacuuming the house for Lisa's benefit, Gaz offers another illustration of the human steel within, adding: "Yes, but there are lots of things I shouldn't be doing, that I try to do."
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What next for the police...?
On the back of the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter campaign, policing is no less challenging than it ever was.
And there's no doubt that the police and other emergency service personnel are regrettably now more likely to be attacked then they were many years ago.
"There is a lack of deterrent and there are less police officers," says Gaz.
"Sentencing just needs to be more consistent, that's the biggest thing - and harsher penalties for anyone who injured emergency workers.
"Consistency is probably the key.
"It's only a very small proportion of people (who have evil intent), the amount of get well cards and messages I received told me that.
"We needed Blu Tak to put them up in hospital and still didn't have room to display them all. I wish I'd taken a photograph of them all, there wasn't a wall that didn't have cards on them and some had to be kept under the bed."
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... and for Hussain?
Some people say how much they've struggled with the sense of confinement that lockdown has brought even when it's been under their own roof.
With that in mind, where does that leave our expectation that you can lock a prisoner up for however many years and then expect them to come out reformed and ready to take part in society again?
Is there anything Gaz can do personally to help in instance?
PC Phillips stands his ground and doesn't duck the issue regardless of whether the answer is the one you may or may not want him to say.
Either way, I doubt if anyone would not understand why he gives the answer he does.
"It's not going to happen," he says.
And with that, you know this brave officer has done his bit and still has more than enough on his metal plate.
West Midlands Police chief constable Dave Thompson said after sentencing: "A horrific incident. Important to share the footage so the public understand and see what officers face. Policing is difficult, dangerous, complex and messy. Thank god we have officers who put themselves in harms way to tackle dangerous people."


birminghammail--2020-08-09--Kelly Osbourne looks unrecognisable after dramatic four stone weight loss

Reality starlet Kelly Osbourne is now sporting a dramatically different look after losing weight .
Kelly , daughter of Aston born rocker Ozzy and former X Factor judge Sharon , has shed a staggering four stone reports The Mirror .
The 33-year-old has slowly transformed her appearance in recent years and shocked fans with her new look on Instagram .
Taking to the social media site on Tuesday ( August 4 ) , followers said she looked unrecognisable .
While sitting in the back of a cab , Kelly can be seen posing and showing off her new look .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do a double take .
She looks unrecognisable , almost like a different person ! ''
.
Another gushed : `` Oh my goodness she has lost so much weight , what a skinny legend '' '' Sorry , but when did Kelly Osbourne lose so much weight ?
She 's the new Adele ! ''
a third remarked .
However unlike Adele , who is said to have lost seven stone over a two year period after separating from her husband Simon Konecki , Kelly started her weight loss journey much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US reality show , Dancing with the Stars in 2009 .
She lost 30lbs - but the pounds soon piled back on after the series ended .
A year later she started regularly hiking in the Hollywood Hills near her home - later combining the hikes with a vegan diet .
Posting on her social media account at the time she said : “ I really miss eating cheese so today I tried ‘ vegan shell pasta and creamy sauce ’ aka Mac & cheese and you can not tell the difference.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said : `` Once I learned how to work out right and eat right , it ’ s one of those things that you just have to commit to a life change rather than being on a diet.
” And in another interview with Self magazine the same year the former Fashion Police host let slip one of her favourite diet tips , revealing : `` I eat my fattiest meal in the a.m .
If I 'm craving pizza , I 'll have it for breakfast , salad for lunch , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past few years Kelly has kept a relatively low profile in the UK .
In 2018 she joined her Brummie dad and brother Jack in a televised global tour that is documented in the series Ozzy & Jack 's World Detour .
And last year Kelly was a contestant on season two of the US version of The Masked Singer .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Susan Knox, Sanjeeta Bains)

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Reality starlet Kelly Osbourne is now sporting a dramatically different look after losing weight.
Kelly, daughter of Aston born rocker Ozzy and former X Factor judge Sharon, has shed a staggering four stone reports The Mirror.
The 33-year-old has slowly transformed her appearance in recent years and shocked fans with her new look on Instagram.
Taking to the social media site on Tuesday (August 4), followers said she looked unrecognisable.
While sitting in the back of a cab, Kelly can be seen posing and showing off her new look.
One fan posted: "I had to do a double take. She looks unrecognisable, almost like a different person!".
(Image: Kelly Osbourne Instagram)
Another gushed: "Oh my goodness she has lost so much weight, what a skinny legend"
"Sorry, but when did Kelly Osbourne lose so much weight? She's the new Adele!" a third remarked.
However unlike Adele, who is said to have lost seven stone over a two year period after separating from her husband Simon Konecki, Kelly started her weight loss journey much earlier.
Kelly initially lost weight on US reality show, Dancing with the Stars in 2009.
She lost 30lbs - but the pounds soon piled back on after the series ended.
(Image: Kelly Osbourne Instagram)
A year later she started regularly hiking in the Hollywood Hills near her home - later combining the hikes with a vegan diet.
Posting on her social media account at the time she said: “I really miss eating cheese so today I tried ‘vegan shell pasta and creamy sauce’ aka Mac & cheese and you can not tell the difference.”
In a 2013 interview with Huff Post she said: "Once I learned how to work out right and eat right, it’s one of those things that you just have to commit to a life change rather than being on a diet.”
And in another interview with Self magazine the same year the former Fashion Police host let slip one of her favourite diet tips, revealing: "I eat my fattiest meal in the a.m. If I'm craving pizza, I'll have it for breakfast, salad for lunch, and oatmeal for dinner."
For the past few years Kelly has kept a relatively low profile in the UK.
In 2018 she joined her Brummie dad and brother Jack in a televised global tour that is documented in the series Ozzy & Jack's World Detour.
And last year Kelly was a contestant on season two of the US version of The Masked Singer.


birminghammail--2020-08-09--Steven Gerrard issues an Alfredo Morelos update Aston Villa fans will hate

Steven Gerrard reckons Alfredo Morelos has put all the transfer speculation behind him after watching the Aston Villa target bag a brace in Rangers ' 3-0 Scottish Premier League win over St Mirren .
Gerrard said the transfer market rumours that have followed Morelos , who has also been linked with Leeds , Brighton , Lille and Sevilla , were to blame for his poor performance on Thursday night , when Rangers crashed out of the Europa League to Bayer Leverkusen .
`` Everyone knows he ’ s had his head turned , for sure .
There ’ s no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and England midfielder said after the Colombian turned in a tepid display in Germany .
But Gerrard was far more complimentary after Morelos scored two and made one to help Rangers maintain their perfect start to the new league season north of the border .
`` He 's a top player , '' Gerrard told Sky Sports .
`` I was very pleased by his performance ( in the first league game ) at Aberdeen .
I thought he could have been a little bit sharper around the box .
`` I questioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about his performance midweek .
But today he 's been fantastic .
`` I thought his all-round game was strong .
Normally when you 've got his talent and you 're playing well the numbers are going to come .
`` Today he got an assist and a couple of goals and he thoroughly deserved that . ''
Quite remarkably , it 's the first time Morelos has scored at Ibrox since a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock on Boxing Day and his first goal of any description since early February .
`` With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spells , '' Gerrard added .
`` Even the best ones go through that and goals help .
It brings back belief and confidence and I 'm sure those goals will do him the world of good .
`` He just needs to recover now and get himself ready for Wednesday . ''
Gerrard 's comments will not be well-received by any of the clubs chasing the 24-year-old , Villa included .
Dean Smith has been monitoring Morelos for some time and had considered a move back in January before the club signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a big hit in Scotland , scoring 79 goals in 140 games since joining Rangers in 2017 .

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Steven Gerrard reckons Alfredo Morelos has put all the transfer speculation behind him after watching the Aston Villa target bag a brace in Rangers' 3-0 Scottish Premier League win over St Mirren.
Gerrard said the transfer market rumours that have followed Morelos, who has also been linked with Leeds, Brighton, Lille and Sevilla, were to blame for his poor performance on Thursday night, when Rangers crashed out of the Europa League to Bayer Leverkusen.
"Everyone knows he’s had his head turned, for sure. There’s no denying that,” the former Liverpool and England midfielder said after the Colombian turned in a tepid display in Germany.
But Gerrard was far more complimentary after Morelos scored two and made one to help Rangers maintain their perfect start to the new league season north of the border.
"He's a top player," Gerrard told Sky Sports. "I was very pleased by his performance (in the first league game) at Aberdeen. I thought he could have been a little bit sharper around the box.
"I questioned his performance midweek and spoke to him about his performance midweek. But today he's been fantastic.
"I thought his all-round game was strong. Normally when you've got his talent and you're playing well the numbers are going to come.
"Today he got an assist and a couple of goals and he thoroughly deserved that."
Quite remarkably, it's the first time Morelos has scored at Ibrox since a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock on Boxing Day and his first goal of any description since early February.
(Image: 2019 SNS Group)
"With strikers, they all go through barren spells," Gerrard added. "Even the best ones go through that and goals help. It brings back belief and confidence and I'm sure those goals will do him the world of good.
"He just needs to recover now and get himself ready for Wednesday."
Gerrard's comments will not be well-received by any of the clubs chasing the 24-year-old, Villa included.
Dean Smith has been monitoring Morelos for some time and had considered a move back in January before the club signed Mbwana Samatta from Genk.
Morelos has been a big hit in Scotland, scoring 79 goals in 140 games since joining Rangers in 2017.


birminghammail--2020-08-09--Trespasser sparks major M5 shutdown

Trespasser sparks major M5 shutdown

Police were forced to halt traffic on a busy stretch motorway after a 'trespass incident ' on a nearby railway track .
Huge tailbacks were sparked when the M5 was forced to close in both directions between J2 and J3 on Sunday afternoon , August 9 .
Motorists were stopped for an hour between Dudley and Halesowen at around 2.30pm .
The lengthy queues of motorway traffic came after a trespasser got onto the tracks at Rowley Regis station close-by , British Transport Police said .
The officers were called initially to the station following reports of a male on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely escorted off the railway line , they added .
A spokesman for the force said : `` BTP officers were called to Rowley Regis station at 13:39 on Sunday , August 9 , following reports of trespass .
Officers attended and located a male who was safely escorted off the tracks . ''
Motorists on the M5 were told to avoid the area and seek an alternative route amid the major disruption .
Speaking as they manned the M5 closure , West Midlands Police said : `` The M5 is currently closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 whilst we deal with an ongoing incident .
`` Please use an alternate route . ''
The carriageway reopened in both directions at around 3.45pm , with drivers thanked for their patience as part of the update .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Stephanie Balloo, Jordan Coussins)

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Police were forced to halt traffic on a busy stretch motorway after a 'trespass incident' on a nearby railway track.
Huge tailbacks were sparked when the M5 was forced to close in both directions between J2 and J3 on Sunday afternoon, August 9.
Motorists were stopped for an hour between Dudley and Halesowen at around 2.30pm.
The lengthy queues of motorway traffic came after a trespasser got onto the tracks at Rowley Regis station close-by, British Transport Police said.
The officers were called initially to the station following reports of a male on the tracks around 1.40pm.
He was safely escorted off the railway line, they added.
A spokesman for the force said: "BTP officers were called to Rowley Regis station at 13:39 on Sunday, August 9, following reports of trespass. Officers attended and located a male who was safely escorted off the tracks."
Motorists on the M5 were told to avoid the area and seek an alternative route amid the major disruption.
Speaking as they manned the M5 closure, West Midlands Police said: "The M5 is currently closed in both directions between junctions 2 and 3 whilst we deal with an ongoing incident.
"Please use an alternate route."
The carriageway reopened in both directions at around 3.45pm, with drivers thanked for their patience as part of the update.


birminghammail--2020-08-09--BBC apologies for use of racist N word after thousands of complaints

The director-general of the BBC Tony Hall has apologised after receiving thousands of complaints about a racist term used in a news report .
The organisation was flooded with more than 18,000 complaints after social affairs correspondent Fiona Lamdin repeated a racial slur allegedly used in a suspected racially-motivated attack in Bristol .
The broadcaster initially defended the report , but Lord Hall has now issued a statement that the BBC `` accepts that we should have taken a different approach at the time of broadcast and we are very sorry for that '' .
He said the report had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding : `` Every organisation should be able to acknowledge when it has made a mistake .
We made one here .
`` It is important for us to listen - and also to learn .
And that is what we will continue to do . ''
He said the BBC would change future guidance on offensive language in its output .
The story ran on the BBC News Channel and local news programme Points West on July 29 , but the broadcaster stopped running the report which featured the offensive language later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that the BBC 's intention was to highlight an alleged racist attack , '' the outgoing director-general said .
`` This is important journalism which the BBC should be reporting on and we will continue to do so .
`` Yet despite these good intentions , I recognise that we have ended up creating distress amongst many people . ''
The statement came a day after BBC Radio 1xtra presenter Sideman announced he was quitting because of the broadcast saying it was an `` error of judgement '' , and `` feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our community '' .
After Sideman , real name David Whitely , announced his decision , a BBC spokesman said on Saturday that while they were `` aware that [ the report ] would cause offence '' it was important to explain the alleged context of the incident .
The broadcaster has also previously revealed that the decision was taken by a team of people which included senior editorial figures .
June Sarpong , the BBC 's director of creative diversity , welcomed the decision , saying she is `` glad '' that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unequivocally apologise '' .
Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy added : `` But once again it has taken a direct intervention by the DG to overturn a mistake on race previously defended by the BBC 's editorial policy managers . ''

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Tom Horton, PA, Sarah Probert, Sarah Probert)

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The director-general of the BBC Tony Hall has apologised after receiving thousands of complaints about a racist term used in a news report.
The organisation was flooded with more than 18,000 complaints after social affairs correspondent Fiona Lamdin repeated a racial slur allegedly used in a suspected racially-motivated attack in Bristol.
The broadcaster initially defended the report, but Lord Hall has now issued a statement that the BBC " accepts that we should have taken a different approach at the time of broadcast and we are very sorry for that".
He said the report had caused "distress" to many, adding: "Every organisation should be able to acknowledge when it has made a mistake. We made one here.
"It is important for us to listen - and also to learn. And that is what we will continue to do."
He said the BBC would change future guidance on offensive language in its output.
The story ran on the BBC News Channel and local news programme Points West on July 29, but the broadcaster stopped running the report which featured the offensive language later that day.
(Image: PA)
"It should be clear that the BBC's intention was to highlight an alleged racist attack," the outgoing director-general said.
"This is important journalism which the BBC should be reporting on and we will continue to do so.
"Yet despite these good intentions, I recognise that we have ended up creating distress amongst many people."
The statement came a day after BBC Radio 1xtra presenter Sideman announced he was quitting because of the broadcast saying it was an "error of judgement", and "feels like a slap in the face to our community".
After Sideman, real name David Whitely, announced his decision, a BBC spokesman said on Saturday that while they were "aware that [the report] would cause offence" it was important to explain the alleged context of the incident.
The broadcaster has also previously revealed that the decision was taken by a team of people which included senior editorial figures.
June Sarpong, the BBC's director of creative diversity, welcomed the decision, saying she is "glad" that Lord Hall has "personally intervened to unequivocally apologise".
Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy added: "But once again it has taken a direct intervention by the DG to overturn a mistake on race previously defended by the BBC's editorial policy managers."


birminghammail--2020-08-09--MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis' issues alert on TV licence fee changes

Martin Lewis 's MoneySavingExpert website has issued a new warning regarding free TV licences , urging people to check whether they need to pay or not .
The TV Licence fee changed on April 1 2020 but new rules have come into effect from this month .
A colour licence costs £157.50 , an increase of £3 on the previous fee , while a black and white licence costs £53 , an increase of £1 .
The money saving site urged people to check whether they 're eligible for a free TV licence as the new rules came in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , any household watching or recording live television transmissions as they are being broadcast , whether that 's terrestrial , satellite , cable , or via the Internet , is required to pay for a television licence .
Businesses , hospitals , schools and a range of other organisations are also required to hold television licences to watch and record live TV broadcasts .
It 's also a requirement to pay for a television licence if you use video on demand programme services provided by the BBC on iPlayer .
If you do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re being shown on TV on any channel , or stream programmes live on an online TV service like ITV Hub , All 4 , YouTube , Amazon Prime Video , Now TV or Sky Go .
And you do n't download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer , then you do n't need one .
To opt out , click here .
But free over 75 TV Licences are now available to households that receive Pension Credit , from this month .
BBC chairman Sir David Clementi said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August has not been easy , but implementation of the new scheme will be Covid-19 safe .
`` The BBC could not continue delaying the scheme without impacting on programmes and services .
`` Around 1.5 million households could get free TV licences if someone is over 75 and receives Pension Credit , and 450,000 of them have already applied .
And critically it is not the BBC making that judgment about poverty .
It is the Government who sets and controls that measure . ''
On the Lovemoney.com website it states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receives Pension Credit , then you will still be eligible for a free licence , paid for the BBC .
`` What ’ s more , it doesn ’ t have to be the licence holder who is receiving the credit ‒ you just need to be a couple , living at the same address , to qualify .
`` You don ’ t need to receive both parts of the Pension Credit ‒ either the Guarantee or Savings credit ( or both ) will do .
TV Licencing don ’ t automatically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so you will have to apply for your free licence . ''

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Jess Flaherty, Sanjeeta Bains)

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Martin Lewis's MoneySavingExpert website has issued a new warning regarding free TV licences, urging people to check whether they need to pay or not.
The TV Licence fee changed on April 1 2020 but new rules have come into effect from this month.
A colour licence costs £157.50, an increase of £3 on the previous fee, while a black and white licence costs £53, an increase of £1.
The money saving site urged people to check whether they're eligible for a free TV licence as the new rules came in, Liverpool Echo reports.
In the UK, any household watching or recording live television transmissions as they are being broadcast, whether that's terrestrial, satellite, cable, or via the Internet, is required to pay for a television licence.
Businesses, hospitals, schools and a range of other organisations are also required to hold television licences to watch and record live TV broadcasts.
(Image: PA)
It's also a requirement to pay for a television licence if you use video on demand programme services provided by the BBC on iPlayer.
If you don't watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV on any channel, or stream programmes live on an online TV service like ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV or Sky Go.
And you don't download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer, then you don't need one.
To opt out, click here.
But free over 75 TV Licences are now available to households that receive Pension Credit, from this month.
BBC chairman Sir David Clementi said: "The decision to commence the new scheme in August has not been easy, but implementation of the new scheme will be Covid-19 safe.
"The BBC could not continue delaying the scheme without impacting on programmes and services.
"Around 1.5 million households could get free TV licences if someone is over 75 and receives Pension Credit, and 450,000 of them have already applied. And critically it is not the BBC making that judgment about poverty. It is the Government who sets and controls that measure."
Do you claim Pension Credit?
On the Lovemoney.com website it states:
"If you or your partner receives Pension Credit, then you will still be eligible for a free licence, paid for the BBC.
"What’s more, it doesn’t have to be the licence holder who is receiving the credit ‒ you just need to be a couple, living at the same address, to qualify.
"You don’t need to receive both parts of the Pension Credit ‒ either the Guarantee or Savings credit (or both) will do.
TV Licencing don’t automatically know whether you receive this benefit however, so you will have to apply for your free licence."