margie oconnell

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

Christmas gift giving is a zero sum game. Too much tit-for-tat ends up in tat, that wastes money and fills landfills.

Time for my annual ‘no unnecessary presents’ Christmas message (courtesy @itvMLshow)

[Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder]

Rest in peace, Patricia Routledge 🙏🏻

In memory of her, I encourage everyone to read these words of hers from February last year.

Whether young or old, you're bound to get something out of it.

*****

"I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. In my younger years, I was often filled with worry — worry that I wasn’t quite good enough, that no one would cast me again, that I wouldn’t live up to my mother’s hopes. But these days begin in peace, and end in gratitude.

My life didn’t quite take shape until my forties. I had worked steadily — on provincial stages, in radio plays, in West End productions — but I often felt adrift, as though I was searching for a home within myself that I hadn’t quite found.

At 50, I accepted a television role that many would later associate me with — Hyacinth Bucket, of Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would be a small part in a little series. I never imagined that it would take me into people’s living rooms and hearts around the world. And truthfully, that role taught me to accept my own quirks. It healed something in me.

At 60, I began learning Italian — not for work, but so I could sing opera in its native language. I also learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. I read poetry aloud each evening, not to perfect my diction, but to quiet my soul.

At 70, I returned to the Shakespearean stage — something I once believed I had aged out of. But this time, I had nothing to prove. I stood on those boards with stillness, and audiences felt that. I was no longer performing. I was simply being.

At 80, I took up watercolour painting. I painted flowers from my garden, old hats from my youth, and faces I remembered from the London Underground. Each painting was a quiet memory made visible.

Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning to bake rye bread. I still breathe deeply every morning. I still adore laughter — though I no longer try to make anyone laugh. I love the quiet more than ever.

I’m writing this to tell you something simple:

Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter — if you let yourself bloom again.

Let these years ahead be your TREASURE YEARS.

You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be flawless.

You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours.

With love and gentleness,

Patricia Routledge

*****

Once more, rest in peace. 🤍

[Priya Samuel @PriyaSamuel1]

Congratulations to everyone involved with @BBCOne #Reunion An excellent drama. Such a fantastic story that was acted, filmed and shared with the nation in a compelling way.

[BBC Writers @bbcwritersroom]

"A game-changing watch", "Ambitious and timely", "Devastating". Just some of the great reviews for new drama #Reunion which launches today @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer

The show's creator and writer William Majer introduces the drama and explains his inspiration in his own experience as part of the deaf community over on our blog >>>https://t.co/80CK8DdWTT

[SUNRISE ☆ @_watchsunrise]

For anyone who loved #Adolescence, I beg you go watch #Reunion on BBC iplayer

It’s from the same producers and is a thriller set in the deaf community. It’s absolutely brilliant

[Juan @timbre_dionisio]

🔴🐧🇺🇲 BREAKING: The PM of Hearth and McDonald Islands is negotiating the lifting of tariffs at the White House right now.

[MarshFamilySongs @MarshSongs]

Here’s a song about #Signalgate – the flamboyant US security breach – adapted from one of our all-time fave @BeeGeesOfficial songs, titled “You Were Not Supposed to Message it Through!”

A quick turnaround, but only 5 of us as Alfie (really our best fake Bee Gee) away 🔥👊💪🙏🎶

[Helen Bevan @HelenBevan]

Do you want to rock the boat & stay in it? Today is the official launch of the new & refreshed version of the School for Change Agents @Sch4Change.
It's a 5 module virtual programme that is free & open to EVERYONE, anywhere in the world. More than 100,000 people have been through the school over the last decade.
The formal evaluation of the school demonstrates that it benefits individuals AND their organisations & it has thousands of positive testimonies.
The modules include:
- change starts with me
- energy for change
- finding your own power for change
- building collective leadership for change
If you work for the NHS or a partner organisation, you can get a free upgrade which gives you CPD certification and limitless access to the materials. Sign up today & join a community of thousands of learners seeking to further develop their skills to make a positive difference in the world: https://t.co/WfEsReReBr #S4CA. Brought to you by @HorizonsNHS.

[Marcella Woodcock @cellawoody1]

Awe inspiring to hear someone facing a terminal illness with such strength and utter courage. What a man ❤️#chrishoy

[Smile❤️ @Smilja77]

True😂😂😂

[Stephen Gibbons @Gibboanxious]

Denzel Washington on the lasting impact of information overload

[. @jdpoc]

Apparently at WH Smith station bookshop at Milton Keynes Central ...

Fine work, people. Fine work.

[Paul Watson @paul_c_watson]

Man sits by me on train.
MAN: Loads of psychopaths around here
ME: Really?
MAN: Loads mate
ME: How'd you know?
MAN: There's signs aren't there?
ME: I guess?
MAN: I love them
(47 minutes of awkward silence.)
Man leaves train, he has a bike. I realise he was saying 'cycle paths'.

[The Figen @TheFigen_]

Vivaldi's “The Four Seasons”
performed by the children of the Goede Hoop Marimba Band, South Africa.

[Carla @Carlee3091]

Chris feeling a bit left out 🥹 it really does put things into perspective, it’s such a strange concept but he’s doing so SO well 🙌🙌🙌 click on tweet for part 2.
Chris McCausland Dianne Buswell #chrismccausland #diannebuswell #StrictlyComeDancing

[Janey Godley @JaneyGodley]

I’m now at end of life care - palliative care-and will be going into a hospice for the foreseeable - thanks to everyone who sends me love and support- you’ve been amazing

[Saul Staniforth @SaulStaniforth]

Last year on #GMB Dr Amir Khan brilliantly explained in just over a minute how using the private sector undermines the NHS & hastens its demise.

[James Lucas @JamesLucasIT]

Thread of satisfying photos for perfectionists

1. Moon bridge

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

NEWS. ENERGY PRICE CAP TO RISE 10% on 1 OCT. (pls share). Here's my instant briefing incl who it'll hit hardest, why govt needs change winter fuel payments, standing charges & WHAT TO DO NOW. First, here's the average Direct Debit Cap (it varies by region)

ELEC
- Standing charge 60.99p daily (from 60.12p) UP 1.4%
- Unit charge: 24.5p per KwH (from 22.36p) UP 9.6%
GAS
- Standing charge: 31.66p daily (from 31.41p) UP 0.8%
- Unit charge: 6.24p per KwH (from 5.48p) UP 14%

Prices nearly double pre-crisis: This rise means this winter many will still be paying nearly double what they were pre-crisis. From 1 October, the vast majority of homes in England, Scotland & Wales will see costs jump 10% – so for every £100 you pay today, you’ll typically pay £110.

To be more accurate, as most of the rise is on the unit rate not standing charge, higher users especially those with gas, will overall see their costs rise by more than 10% rise, lower users less.

Govt must rethink Winter Fuel Payments or almost ALL pensioners will need to find £100s more than last winter. While energy will cost less than during last winter’s crisis time, the reduction in rates only equates to a drop of roughly £100 over the six winter months for a household with typical usage. Yet specific pensioner energy support has dropped by far more...

Last year pensioner homes got up to £300 extra per household cost of living support - that’s gone, and its loss alone is far bigger than the saving made by slightly lower rates.

Piling on top of that is the governments new decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments, that will leave all except usually those who claim Pension Credit missing out on a further £200 - £300.

While there's a strong argument for ending the universality of Winter Fuel payments, eligibility is being squeezed to too narrow a group. Those just above the thresholds will be hardest hit. I'm due to meet the Chancellor in a couple of weeks, and will then be urging her to look at methods to widen eligibility – such as to homes in council tax bands A to D – an imperfect but workable proxy for lower household incomes.

People can and should save by switching: The cheapest year-long fixes on the market right now are about 7% LESS than the new October price cap, but they mightn’t be around long, That looks a good deal, as its currently predicted once rates go up they won’t come down. Don’t just jump on any fix though, if you’re going to lock-in you want to grab the cheapest for your use and location, so use a whole-of-market comparison, like MSE’s Cheap Energy Club, and find out who will let you fix for less.

Alternatively deals like E.on Next’s Pledge, or EDF Ensure are effectively discounted trackers, where they move with the price cap, but the unit rates or standing charges are guaranteed to be lower. And for more sophisticated energy users the Octopus Agile and Tracker tariffs where prices move rapidly can be far cheaper.

Consultation to reduce Standing Charges launched: The Standing Charge is a daily poll tax that means everyone with gas & electricity pays a minimum £338 a year even if they don’t use it. This moral hazard penalises lower users, often many who are vulnerable, and means they will face a proportionately larger rise.

I've long called for change, so welcome today's long promised consultation on reducing standing charges today - though I'm slightly disappointed even the maximum proposed reduction is only £100/yr - but I'll hold judgement until I've read the consultation in full.

[The RCN @theRCN]

Today, thousands of students were accepted onto nursing courses, starting their journey towards an incredible career

But numbers are down 20% in just three years, showing nurse recruitment is failing.

We need urgent action from govt.

Our response: https://t.co/HqwYDjxUWb