The Sun Newspaper

THERE are many reasons people take time out from their careers – but getting back into the jobs market after an extended time away can prove tricky.

Around 1.5million women and 200,000 men are currently on a career break, according to ONS figures, and helping more of them return to employment could boost the economy by an estimated £1.7billion a year.

With skills shortages costing the nation between £30billion and £39billion every year, hiring staff with previous work experience often means they will need less training and be able to contribute more quickly.

Julianne Miles is co-founder of specialist recruitment platform CareerReturners.com.

She explains: “Targeting career returners is good business sense. Returning workers are a largely hidden, highly skilled and experienced talent pool but they bring maturity, commitment and powerful diversity of thought, experience and age.”

To make the most of all that career returners have to offer, industry body the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has teamed up with Career Returners.com for a new campaign to encourage bosses to hire more back-to-work staff.

Neil Carberry, REC chief executive, said: “With the large baby- boom generation now retiring, our domestic labour force will shrink.

“Employers need to look at career returners and their different needs as a key source of viable candidates. There is no such thing as taking a chance on a returner, because there is a wealth of experience available.”

Here are eight ways to help your firm hire career returners . . . 

1. Learn about returners: Challenge your stereotypes. Talk to people in your networks who are on career breaks, maybe to care for children or the elderly, or for health or relocation reasons.

2. Understand the business case: Educate yourself on the many reasons for hiring returners.

3. Reduce advertising bias: Make sure job ads ask for “current/up-to-date knowledge” or “recent experience” only if it is absolutely essential. Better may be to ask for just relevant skills. Include a line like, “We welcome applications from candidates who have taken a career break”.

4. Remove screening bias: Check that your application process is not ruling out candidates just because of a CV gap.

5. Reduce interview bias: Adapt questions to not ask for “recent work examples”. Focus on skills rather than knowledge.

6. Support returner candidates: Provide them with information on the interview methods.

7. Advocate: Support, including training, mentoring, returner networks and career returners coaching, can help returners to rebuild confidence and more rapidly reintegrate.

8. Champion returner success stories: Break the bias using real-life examples of successful returner hires.

Find out more at careerreturners.com and rec.uk.com.

5

LEIGH SANTAMARIA left her career as a legal PA to care for her daughter with learning disabilities, spending ten years out of the workforce.

After seeking out recruitment platform Career Returners, she is now a train driver with Southern Rail.

5

5

Leigh, 53, from Longfield, Kent, said: “Coming back to work after a ten-year break was a huge change, because I’d been out of the loop for so long.

“However, the support I received through the Returners programme was invaluable.

“My manager was very supportive, and we had regular check-in sessions to see how I was progressing. I was also able to balance my studying and caring thanks to my mum.

“I was thrilled when I passed my final assessment and got my driver’s key at the end of 2024, because all my hard work had finally paid off.

“Now I’m grateful to be in a rewarding career and I can give my daughter the life she deserves.”

Don’t balk at talks

WHETHER it is an argument with a colleague or hard chat with a boss, communication at work can be tough.

People-management coach Vince Sanderson has worked with top managers, to young offenders, and believes putting others first can help.

5

He said: “Tough talks at work can be daunting, but with the right approach they don’t have to be a disaster.”

Here he shares his C.A.L.M.E.R. method . . . 

C = CONNECTION: Build trust before a tough talk. If colleagues trust you, they’ll be open to honest discussions. Instead of asking yourself, “How do I have this difficult conversation?”, ask, “How do I create a culture where tough topics can be tackled openly?”

A = ATTUNEMENT: Read the room. Words matter but so do body language and tone. If others seem anxious, soften your tone. If they’re frustrated, keep your body language open and steady. People don’t just hear words, they feel them.

L = LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND, NOT JUST RESPOND: Show you get others’ perspectives. This means asking curious questions instead of jumping to conclusions, reflecting back their words to show you’ve understood, and resisting the urge to interrupt – even when you think you know the answer.

M = MIND YOUR SIGNALS: In tough talks, emotions run high. A small frown of concentration could be read as judgment, a sigh could signal frustration. So, be mindful. The calmer you look, the calmer others will feel.

E = EMPATHY BEFORE ANALYSIS: Before jumping to solutions, acknowledge how others feel. If a team member is worried about a decision that affects them, don’t hit them with cold logic straight away. Saying, “I can see why this is frustrating”, before moving on to next steps makes them far more likely to accept the outcome – even if they disagree with it.

R = REALIGN TOWARDS A SHARED GOAL: Difficult conversations often happen because of different perspectives. The goal? Realignment. Frame the conversation as problem-solving together. The message should be: “We’re in this together – let’s find a way.”

Sky is the limit

TRAINING to be a pilot can cost over £100,000 but now you can do it for free with British Airways.

Applications are open for the airline’s fully funded Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet scheme.

5

BA has invested £21million to fund up to 200 places, and successful trainees will be offered co-pilot jobs helping to navigate and operate the plane.

Cadet Jasmine Campbell, from York, said: “Becoming a professional pilot was a childhood dream, only made possible by the support I’ve received.

“The people, facilities and training are second to none. The skills will serve me well beyond my training and into my future career.”

See careers.ba.com/speedbird-pilot-academy-preparation.

THE MONKEY

(15) 98mins

★★★☆☆

HE’S the king of horror writing – and so far more than 50 movies have been adapted from Stephen King’s stories.

The latest to get the big- screen treatment is The Monkey, starring The Gentleman’s Theo James.

4

4

It tells the story of twin brothers who find their father’s toy monkey in the attic — before a series of strange deaths happen.

The toy is so creepy it’s a surprise it has taken so long for this creation from 1980 to hit cinemas.

When the ape is wound up it bursts into a disturbing grin before beating its drum with one drumstick and twiddling the other.

Once this moment of devilish percussion begins, someone will die.

And die horribly. Really horribly.

Guts are unravelled or pulped, while rooms are redecorated with flesh, body parts and gallons of blood.

All of this is done with a knowing, comical wink by director Osgood Perkins, who made last year’s hit horror Longlegs.

The Monkey meets what is clearly a strong desire from cinemagoers for very dark humour, judging by the success of recent releases Heart Eyes and Companion.

When these gags are timed correctly, with the audience being in on the means of death before it happens, there are significant laughs.

There is also an amusingly incompetent clergyman who talks about “separation issues” during a victim’s funeral.

But a lot of the comic demises are rushed and The Monkey quickly loses its ability to shock.

The film is better at the start, when the impressive 15-year-old Christian Convery plays both truly fearful twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn.

The tension goes, though, once we get to a grown-up Hal and Bill (both James), because they are largely nonchalant about witnessing “freak accidents”.

A lot of time is also spent on Hal’s relationship issues with his estranged son Petey (Colin O’Brien), which makes the running time feel longer than it is.

There are, however, some fun cameos from Severance’s Adam Scott, Schitt’s Creek star Sarah Levy and Lord Of The Rings’ Elijah Wood.

But The Monkey has little resemblance to the original story and filmmakers might be better off at least trying to ape King’s winning style.

GRANT ROLLING

SEPTEMBER SAYS

(18) 100mins

★★☆☆☆

4

IN this BBC Films drama, September is the domineering sibling of shy and often bullied July.

The super-close teens are dressed in identical clothes by their photographer mum, cycle to school on the same bike and make animal noises while watching reality TV.

But, weirdly, September (Pascale Kann) asks July (Mia Tharia) things like: “If I die, will you?”

Troubles at school come to a head after the quiet sister starts sharing texts with a boy she fancies.

This leads to the family decamping from England to Northern Ireland, where the behaviour just gets odder.

This film doesn’t seem to know whether it wants to be a kitchen-sink drama, a psychological thriller or a surreal horror.

Director Ariane Labed seems to have thrown in a load of ideas, many of them unoriginal, to see what sticks.

Why Mum Sheela (Rakhee Thakrar) has to be in the soulless sex scene, complete with squidgy sound effects, earning this an 18 certificate, is beyond me.

I’d say no matter which month it is, very little about this small-budget movie is worth following.

GRANT ROLLINGS

I’M STILL HERE

(15) 138mins

★★★★☆

4

BRAZILIAN Fernanda Torres won a Golden Globe for her lead performance in this and I wouldn’t bet against an Oscar to follow.

In this subtitled true-life film she plays Eunice Paiva, whose husband Rubens opposed the right-wing dictatorship that ruled Brazil from 1964 until 1985.

The film begins in 1970 with some of the couple’s five children playing happily on the beach at Rio de Janeiro before returning to home.

In the background, dark undercurrents of political unrest build, with military roadblocks, kidnappings and secretive talks between Rubens and his friends.

I won’t give too much away, but Rubens and Eunice are unable to escape the despotic rulers.

Fernanda’s subtle turn from mum to tough campaigner will keep you gripped.

The stoical Eunice didn’t want to be part of the struggle, but won’t turn from the fight.

Fernanda’s mum, Fernanda Montenegro, who was Oscar-nominated in 1998 for hit Central Station, makes a moving cameo as a much older Eunice.

I’m Still Here is a powerful drama which resonates with current events.

GRANT ROLLINGS

“I WATCH people on the way back home,” sings Sam Fender on the soul-bearing title track of his new album.

With its widescreen ambition, driving intensity and visceral lyrics, People Watching can’t fail to draw familiar comparisons to Fender’s “biggest hero”, Bruce Springsteen.

6

6

A few years ago, he noted that Springsteen had “never stopped writing about people” and had “never stopped writing about home”.

The same thing applies to the refreshingly candid, fiercely committed Geordie.

In the case of The Boss, he wrote about his New Jersey stomping ground with its hard-up inhabitants in dead-end jobs who dreamed of better lives (usually involving desperate lovers escaping in fast cars down endless highways.)

On Fender’s radar are the people like him who grew up in terraced houses on the banks of the River Tyne.

People from the old fishing port of North Shields where he was born and people from nearby Newcastle where his beloved Magpies play in the Premier League.

So, in People Watching, he’s “back in the gasworks” and witnessing “everybody on the treadmill running under the billboards out of the heat”.

I contend that this song, and the rest of his dazzling third album, marks Fender’s coming of age as a major artist in his own right.

‘Surrogate mother’

“It’s just a collection of songs about the human experience,” he says with self-deprecating charm in the illuminating album biography.

Clearly the product of a musician on a creative roll, it is the distillation of 70 tracks, of which 50 were recorded to some degree, before Fender selected his best eleven.

And let’s face it, his high, free-flowing tenor bears little resemblance to what he calls Springsteen’s “growl”.

When Fender burst on to the scene in 2019 with his debut album Hypersonic Missiles, he told SFTW: “If anything, I am the s**t version of Bruce.

“I will never be him. I will always be Sam Fender. But I will always nod to my heroes.”

Factor in that People Watching was co-produced in Los Angeles by another Bruce superfan, Adam Granduciel of The War On Drugs, and you’ll understand why that “nod” is present and correct here.

“Not only are The War On Drugs one of my favourite bands but it turned out we love the same stuff,” says Fender.

“You can hear Adam’s touch on everything, particularly the synths, all these layers and little melodies.”

But now just consider the heart-rending narrative that comes with the People Watching song. It is 100 per cent Fender.

In the biog, he opens up about his visit to a palliative care home “understaffed and overruled by callous hands” as his dear friend and mentor, Annie Orwin, passed away.

“She was like a surrogate mother to me,” he says. “She ran a drama group on Saturdays for kids in the community centre and was the first person who ever really believed in me.

“As I grew up, we became friends. We’d share a bottle of wine and just bitch about the world. She was larger than life and I loved her to pieces.

I’ll always end up writing about Newcastle.

“When music started kicking off for me, she’d always be like: ‘Why haven’t you mentioned me in interviews?

“When are you going to thank me in an acceptance speech when you’re winning those awards?!’”

In the song, Fender speaks directly to Annie when he intones, “I stayed all night till you left this life” and later sums up his feelings with “and I hold you in my heart till the day I die”.

It’s personal, devastating but also life-affirming with its reflection on a loved one who had his back long before a successful music career beckoned.

After shooting the video for People Watching, Irish actor Andrew Scott (Ripley, Fleabag, All Of Us Strangers) talked of the song’s profound effect on him.

“Sam’s masterpiece of a song has become a true friend to me,” he admitted.

‘They’re still lunatics’

“Working on it was truly cathartic and I’ll always be grateful to Sam for his extraordinary talent, and for the other artists who made this film, and of course to my mum who I will hold in my heart till the day I die.”

For Fender, who hit 30 last April, the past six years since Hypersonic Missiles have been a one-way trip to rock’s top table.

He’s supported Springsteen and the Stones but now strides stadium stages as a worthy headliner.

In June, he’ll play three nights at Newcastle United’s ground, St James’s Park — which as his website tells us, in his Geordie accent of course, have all “sold oot”.

Fender will come armed with a collection of vibrant new songs to comfortably slot in among favourites from his first two albums.

He’s already been performing People Watching’s four singles — the title track, Wild Long Lie, Arm’s Length and Remember My Name.

Though he divides his time between London and Newcastle, there’s no doubt where inspiration for his latest compositions comes from.

“I’ll always end up writing about Newcastle,” says Fender. “Even though I’ve effectively moved out, I still spend so much time there seeing my mates.

6

6

“We’ve all grown up together. They’re at the point where they’re starting to play house — kids and mortgages, getting their own gaffs and getting married.

“They’re still f***ing lunatics, but we’re at this transitional period.”

Fender says he’ll “always be a part” of that Newcastle scene “because it’s where I’m from but obviously my life has become very different at the same time.”

Second track Nostalgia’s Lie, which starts out with jangly Byrds-like guitar, provides telling insights into Fender’s past and the characters who populated it.

It shows the singer to be conflicted about his pop star status when ranged against harsh realities faced by his old mates.

Homelessness in Newcastle is ten times worse than it was ten years ago, it does make you think — if I hadn’t had the luck I had and been discovered, what would I be doing?

He recalls “the times where we all had nothing”, then admits that “most my friends are still against it” before deciding that “for all I’ve gained, there’s something lost”.

Next song Chin Up deals with those friends having to cope with poverty, unemployment and, as the line “God I hate cocaine” suggests, drug addiction.

Fender says: “It got me thinking about my mate who has really struggled and all these people in the country who have had no support for decades.”

That theme continues on Crumbling Empire, which was inspired by a visit while on tour to America’s Motor City where Fender saw “a Detroit neighbourhood left to ruin”.

That, in turn, got him thinking about his home town. “Homelessness in Newcastle is ten times worse than it was ten years ago,” he affirms.

“It does make you think — if I hadn’t had the luck I had and been discovered, what would I be doing?

“Me and me mam were really skint at that time. It was scary. It only takes a few daft missteps, and you can be out on the streets.”

Fender describes his rapid upward trajectory as “mad”.

“It was too much, too fast,” he muses. “But this is obviously what I signed up for.

“When I was working in a call centre eating Pot Noodle, this is what I would be dreaming of all day long, but sometimes you don’t know what you’re saying yes to.”

After huge acclaim and sales for second album Seventeen Going Under (2021), he decided to put things on pause and recharge the batteries, only to discover that songwriting was the thing he needed to do most.

Fender says: “I thought I needed time off because I was burnt out, but in reality I just needed some time off touring. And too much time off can be dangerous.

“The last time I had any time off I didn’t have any money. If you give me seven months off now with disposable income, I will spend it on nonsense.

“Stopping made me realise stopping wasn’t actually what I needed. I realised that what I need is to be creative.”

Though the People Watching album bears discernible themes, there’s also an unbridled spirit at play — sonically and lyrically.

Fender says: “This time I just went in free as a bird and wrote whatever the f***. It’s much more varied because of that.”

So let’s have a quick trawl through some other songs. The withering TV Dinner takes aim at “toxic” celebrity culture and is described by Fender as “his chip on the shoulder tune”.

Of Arm’s Length, already a fan favourite with its Fleetwood Mac– inspired riff, he says: “It originally came from one of those magic moments where you’re just messing around, and a song literally falls out of the sky in ten minutes.

“It’s about being avoidant and flighty. But also, just a simple pop song, which I love.”

Another song to lighten the load is, despite its title, the airy Something Heavy, which has been likened to Tom Petty meets The Waterboys.

“That’s probably my favourite song right now,” reveals Fender. “It’s about accepting that everyone’s f***ed up and we’re all dealing with something. It’s a plea to look after each other — a pisshead’s anthem for togetherness.”

The final song, Remember My Name, provides the album’s most tender moment. Fender’s soaring vocals have never sounded more pure and effective than here, backed by a colliery brass band.

Of the song about his late grandparents and their lives together, he says: “My mam’s side of the family were all down the pits so I wanted to have a miners’ brass band.

“I went through all these bands and I chose Easington Colliery Band because they were the best ones I’d heard and winners of competitions.

“We recorded them — and f***ing serendipity — there’s a high likelihood some of the maternal side of my family worked in Easington as they were in mines all over County Durham.

“I didn’t know it until me mam told me. That’s the universe at work, right there.”

It’s a moving and mature way to sign off a richly textured album which cuts to the heart of the wildly impressive Sam Fender.

On a personal note, two things about him have struck a chord with me in recent times.

In 2021, he made a heartfelt BBC documentary about another of his heroes and one of the North East’s favourite musical sons — the late great Alan Hull of Lindisfarne, who wrote Fog On The Tyne, Lady Eleanor and Run For Home.

6

As I watched Fender talk to bandmates, family and friends of “Hully” as well as admirers such as another Geordie, Sting, I could tell that he was authentic, knowledgeable and respectful — in other words, the real deal.

Then I attended the Springsteen shindig at London’s Hyde Park in the summer of 2023.

The loudest cheers came early in the evening from a boisterous group of fans just behind the fence separating the main crowd from the privileged few in the “golden circle”.

They were there to see — you guessed it — Sam Fender. Who is the hero now?

6

SAM FENDER

People Watching

★★★★★

LLOYDS BANKING GROUP has had to shift gears and put aside £1.2billion to cover potential claims from drivers for its part in the motor finance scandal.

The sum is £700million more than it expected to be on the hook for a year ago.

3

Lloyds is heavily exposed to the mis-selling scandal through its Black Horse brand.

Millions of Brits could be due compensation after a court last October found car dealerships had broken the law by receiving commission on finance deals without customers being aware.

That landmark ruling quashed the long-held view that consumer duty protections could not be ­applied to the past.

The motor finance scandal has been called PPI 2.0 – following the misselling of payment protection insurance which led to banks paying out £50billion in redress.

Yesterday, credit rating agency Fitch said that the costs associated with the motor finance scandal would exceed £2billion this year, largely due to legal costs.

The situation is being closely watched by the Government, and the Treasury was this week blocked from intervening in the Supreme Court appeal process.

Financial giants have warned the Chancellor that there is a risk of spooking global investors if they believe the UK can change its regulations on a whim.

Lloyds Boss Charlie Nunn yesterday said investors had raised concerns because the ruling “seems to be at odds with 30 years of regulation, and that creates a problem in the minds of investors.

Not just for this sector, not just for the financial services sector, but actually a broader investability question in the UK.”

A director at another firm said there was the risk of being penalised later for following the law “to the letter”.

But another big institution told The Sun that the firms that were now being chased had commission policies in place that “might have been legal, but didn’t pass the smell test.

“They should have known it was wrong.”

Lloyds’ compensation provision has knocked its annual pre-tax profits by a fifth to £6billion.

But its shares rose by five per cent yesterday after it sweetened investors with a 2.1p-a-share dividend and a £1.7billion buyback.

Diamonds no longer Anglo’s best friend?

DIAMOND’S are no longer Anglo American’s best friend after the miner wrote down the value of its De Beers business by $2.9billion (£2.2 billion).

The diamond industry is currently in a crisis caused partly by the rapid rise of cheaper lab-grown diamonds.

3

Natural diamonds have fallen in price by about a quarter in the past two years.

The miner is already trying to find a way to offload De Beers, either in a sale or a stock market listing.

Boss Duncan Wanblad is trying to overhaul Anglo American after a hostile £39billion takeover attempt by miner BHP last year.

At the time Anglo American said it could boost shareholder value by focusing on its more profitable core and iron ore mines instead.

This week it sold off its Brazilian nickel business and is in the process of separating its South African platinum arm.

Layoffs shocker for Quiz

SHOPWORKERS at Quiz have complained they were given just an hour’s notice before being told they were losing their jobs and locks were changed on shuttered stores.

The struggling fast-fashion firm, which employed 722 people across 65 shops, filed for insolvency this week before striking a deal to transfer 531 workers and 42 stores to a business connected to the firm’s family owners.

3

As a result 23 outlets shut from Brighton to Bristol and 191 staff were made redundant.

One worker told The Sun they were informed on a 4.30pm conference call that they faced a job loss before contractors arrived at 5.30pm to change the locks.

Administrators at Teneo advised on the deal to the controlling Ramzan family.

Quiz had already been through one insolvency in 2019 and delisted from the stock market in December.

GOLD has surged to a record high amid fears of a global trade war sparked by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Prices rose by 0.4 per cent to $2,944 yesterday.

Some analysts are betting the precious metal could hit $3,000.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Your secret self is the star focus in the morning, as the moon and Neptune encourage soul searching and allowing yourself to admit mistakes.

Going forward, this makes you not just stronger, but more self-aware. So when a personal challenge reappears, you’ll be ready.

Luck and love link to repeating your name.

Get all the latest Aries horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions.

2

♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

Pluto’s power to keep pushing forward is so strong in your success sector, but beware of trampling on others along the way.

You have the ability to keep everyone involved and engaged, even as you chase your dreams.

Passion might feel hard to pin down, but under a cool ­surface, hot feelings are growing.

♊ GEMINI

The joy of Jupiter is tempered by Mercury’s practical approach, and though this may slow down certain big personal moves, it gives you a chance to be really sure.

Questions you ask yourself today are crucial for your future happiness.

Single? Your smiling soulmate stands alone in a group of people.

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

Creative ideas blossom in the first part of your day and this time, be sure to note them down because they have special value – you just might not recognise this yet.

Later, your planet focus falls on the career sphere, and your ability to lead in ways that may seem unusual, but work well for you.

Luck looks north.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

Maybe you have resisted asking for the reassurance you need in romance, but your chart suggests the time is now.

You need to know where you stand.

The moon and sun’s square-up may tempt you to laugh off deep feelings that deserve to be shared.

But when you speak, you can be taken seriously.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

Talking goes well early in the day, as your ideas are fresh and your confidence high.

Later, although security is attractive to you, it can be your moment to shake some rules and seek a better outcome.

Leadership planet Mars urges you to take charge in a group of family or friends, but do it with tact and kindness.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

You have been so loyal at work, and supported someone you now see might not deserve it.

Today you find the words to tackle this and get to grips with your next actions.

Your love chart is peaceful and calm, but the Pluto part of you may start mischief-making, perhaps via sudden attraction.

Trust your heart.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

The inward reflection power of the moon is strong in the morning, and doubts can arise where you had been certain.

Welcome this chance to double down on promises, ensuring they work for you.

If you feel the need to make waves, you have inner strength to do so in productive ways.

Luck is where numbers spin.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

You have unique mystique that draws all kinds of eyes and hearts to you – tread carefully in any situation where introductions are being made.

You might just encounter the person who will change your destiny.

Simple communication can get more complex thanks to Pluto – just relax and enjoy the challenge.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

A time of going along with others for a quiet life can end today as you finally express what’s deep in your heart and mind.

You are one of the most loyal signs, but history is not enough to keep you stuck in a position that no longer feels a good fit.

Cash changes may seem counter-productive, but can open a rich door.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

2

♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Dreams of getting your words, face or both in front of a wider audience speed forward when you take one practical step today.

This can include filling gaps in a learning or earning record.

But you also have a smart sense of how far you can push your heart.

Single? This links you to a musical Libra.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

Progressing, even slowly, is your key to feeling better about a situation, so take time to work out what step you can take straight away.

You may be surprised at your choices when you closely examine things.

A success moon boosts your ability to read people and sense what they need to see or hear.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

SIR Keir Starmer is less popular than every PM of the last five decades — apart from Liz Truss.

A poll found voters would prefer all but one of his nine predecessors since Margaret Thatcher was in No 10.

2

2

He even scored below Rishi Sunak, who he turfed out of power just eight months ago with a huge majority.

YouGov’s poll put Sir Tony Blair as the most popular followed by Lady Thatcher, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, John Major, Boris Johnson, Mr Sunak and Theresa May.

Ms Truss resigned after a disastrous 49-day stint in 2022.

The survey is a further blow for the PM, who is now polling behind Reform going into May’s local elections.

Another YouGov poll revealed that if an election were held tomorrow, 27 per cent of Brits would vote for Reform, ahead of 25 for Labour and 21 for the Tories. 

A Marmite figure, Mr Farage has a net favourability rating of -30, with 60 per cent of people disliking him compared to 30 per cent who like him.

That is more popular than Sir Keir’s -40 score, with 66 per cent of respondents having an unfavourable view compared to 26 per cent favourable. 

It is also higher than Kemi Badenoch’s -34, from 51 per cent declaring her unfavourable and 17 per cent who like her. 

While most have made their minds up on Mr Farage and Sir Keir, a chunky 31 per cent of respondents replied “don’t know” when asked on the Tory leader.

It suggests she has struggled to make an impression as yet, but still has time to win people round

THERE are more ways than ever to get your hands on luxury-style items without paying astronomical prices.

Big brands are releasing copycat versions of designer clothing, gadgets and toiletries which are often just as good as the real things.

7

Here’s how to get yourself some super dupes . . . 

CLOTHES: Each season, most of the high street stores offer a take on big-name fashion brands.

But if there’s something specific you are looking for, the website dupe.com offers an easy way to find similar styled items at a cheaper price.

Simply put in the URL of the item you like into the tool and it will scan for more affordable options from around the web.

GADGETS: Aldi and Lidl are well known for offering fantastic copycat items of high-end gadgets and other everyday household goods.

The downside is that these items are typically only available for a limited period in store — usually no longer than a week — and sell out can sell out super-fast in the case of popular items.

Both stores tend to bring out new items twice a week. Sign up to mailing lists or you can check online for a list of what’s coming up.

If you spot something you want, it’s best to visit the store on the same day it launches or you will risk missing out.

TOILETRIES: Luxury perfume and make-up comes with big price tags. But you can get similar items without splashing out.

If you have a favourite pricey perfume, check out essencevault.co.uk which offers a range of fragrances inspired by some of the most popular designer versions such as Black Opium by Yves Saint Lauren and Lancome’s La Vie est Belle.

Or for skincare you can try skintoolbeauty.com which will source alternative items with similar ingredients to help you find a similar product at a cheaper price.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of day

7

KEEP your teeth sparkling and clean with the Oral-B Pro1 electric toothbrush, down from £69.99 to £34.99, for members of Superdrug’s free loyalty scheme.

SAVE: £35

Cheap treat

7

SERVE up some top nosh in this cute flower bowl, £3, from Flying Tiger.

Top swap

7

7

YOUR toes will be warm and toasty in these ankle boots, £145 from ugg.com. Or try Asda’s £7 version to save some serious readies.

SAVE: £138

Shop & save

7

TAKE a dip in this crinkle swimsuit, down from £40 to £20, at Accessorize.

SAVE: £20

Hot right now

COSTA is now offering cups of tea in its vending machines found in shops and garages.

Prices start from £x TO COME.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

7

JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

ROCKER Pete Doherty has been warned by doctors he risks having his toes amputated as he struggles with type 2 diabetes.

The Libertines star, 45, has performed from a chair for five dates of a European tour.

3

3

He told fans in Munich, Germany: “I saw the doctor today and he said you need to stay off your feet as much as you can otherwise you’ll lose your toes.”

The Can’t Stand Me Now singer had been wearing slippers or socks on stage but since Friday has been in strip-fastener orthopaedic shoes.

At a show in Cologne, his bandmate Carl Barat was photographed helping him off stage.

Earlier this month, Pete also held a walking stick at a gallery launch in Berlin.

The singer, who dated Kate Moss from 2005-7, said last year he had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

The condition raises the risk of serious foot problems and amputation.

Last spring he said: “I’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. And at the moment, I’m lacking the discipline to tackle cholesterol.”

He is believed to be more at risk because of years of drug abuse.

He said in 2022: “I was pushing the limits. There were close calls.

“I nearly lost my feet and horrible things like that. It was very close, just because of the injecting.

“That’s what happens when you run out of veins.

“It all seems so long ago now though but it was a hell of a ride.”

In November 2023 he said years of addiction had taken their toll.

Months before his diabetes diagnosis, he told Louis Theroux: “You are looking at a very sick man. I’ve battered it, caned it.

“The heroin and crack I surrendered to that. Then it was cocaine, smoking and alcohol.

“Now it’s cheese and the saucisson, and the sugar in the tea… it’s all gotta go.

“They told me a while ago if you don’t change your diet you’re going to have diabetes and cholesterol problems. Death’s lurking.”

Diabetes UK said: “Over time raised blood sugar levels can damage the vessels that supply the nerves in your feet.

“This stops nutrients reaching the nerves. You can lose feeling — peripheral neuropathy — and damage feet without noticing.

“Blood supply to the feet is also reduced. Cuts and sores may struggle to heal. You may get cramps and pain.

“Left untreated, these problems can lead to foot ulcers, infections and, at worst, amputations.”

Pete was approached for comment.

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

3

A SUSPECTED spy was just a naive beautician whose judgment was clouded by love, a court heard yesterday.

Vanya Gaberova, 30, was said to be besotted with Biser Dzhambazov, who admits being part of a Russian spy ring.

2

2

They were found naked in bed together in his Camden flat, in North London, when they were arrested.

But her lawyer, Anthony Metzer, KC, told the jury Dzhambazov, 43, repeatedly lied to her.

He added: “Even highly intelligent people can have their judgment clouded by love.

“She was a guileless, naive beautician from a small town in Bulgaria.”

Bulgarians Dzhambazov and Orlin Roussev, 47, have admitted spying.

Gaberova, her ex-boyfriend Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, and Dzhambazov’s partner, Katrin Ivanova, 33, deny the allegation.

Old Bailey trial continues.

PRINCE Harry bid farewell to his Invictus Games in Canada as he is set to take its next edition to the UK.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, posed for selfies on the final day of the games for wounded soldiers after wife Meghan, 43, flew home early.

2

2

He was joined by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the final hours of its first winter games.

Harry looked tearful while delivering a farewell speech on stage at a closing ceremony, which also included performances by Barenaked Ladies and Jelly Roll.

Harry said: “So long as the challenges around us demand it and require it… the games will go on.

“Bring on Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. You have permission to party.”

Birmingham will be the first time the UK has hosted the games since London in 2014 when Wiliam and the King all attended in a show of support.

But Harry’s family have avoided him in recent years after he moved to the US and blasted the royals on Oprah Winfrey, a six-part Netflix series and his memoir Spare.

Meanwhile, despite his high-profile closing speech, Ex-home office minister Norman Baker claims the Duchess of Sussex, 43, “muscled in”, during her husband’s sporting event for wounded servicemen in Canada.

The pair made numerous appearances at the games – held in Vancouver and Whistler from February 8 – 16 – but some accused Meghan of show-stealing antics.

Prince Harry, 40, and Meghan cosied up to one another showing PDA at the opening ceremony.

Meghan also squealed with fear as she tried tubing down a slope. 

Royal author Norman claimed on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show: “It looked kind of like the Meghan show. 

• Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

BUSINESSES are planning the most brutal round of job cuts in a decade to offset Labour’s tax rises, a survey reveals.

A third of employers are preparing to slash staff through redundancies or reduced hiring, while two in five say they will raise prices.

2

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development said Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ £25billion hike to employers’ National Insurance from April is tanking confidence.

Its analysis of more than 2,000 firms found a “sharp increase in redundancy intentions” since her October Budget.

Chief executive Peter Cheese warned: “These are the most significant downward changes in employer sentiment we’ve seen in the last ten years, outside of the pandemic.

“Employer confidence has been impacted by planned changes to employment costs, and employment indicators are heading in the wrong direction.

“Businesses have had time to digest these impending changes, with many now planning to reduce headcount, raise prices and cut investment in workforce training.”

Labour’s growth mission is also at risk, with a quarter of firms warning they will scrap plans to expand.

But Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Times Radio: “Stick with us, this is the right platform for the UK.”

A Federation of Small Businesses survey found firms’ confidence hit its lowest recorded point outside the pandemic in last year’s fourth quarter.

2

DEAR DEIDRE: I’M deeply in love with my boss’s husband.

We are having a passionate affair and I truly believe I’ve found the man of my dreams.

My relationship doesn’t sit entirely comfortably as my boss is also a good friend.

She’s been so kind to me over the years.

I’m a 34-year-old single woman and she and her husband are nearly a decade older than me.

They got together quite late in life.

My boss has always been ambitious.

She set up her own beauty business after leaving college.

She currently has three salons and plans to open more.

I have been her deputy for around six years.

One night, her husband and I stayed up late at their place, waiting for her to return from a business trip.

But her drive home was delayed because there was a bad accident on her route.

She told us she was stuck in traffic and wouldn’t be home for hours.

So we watched a film, had a takeaway and a few drinks . . . and somehow, we ended up kissing.

He’s gorgeous, but I always thought he was off limits.

But since that kiss we have spent nights together in hotels when his wife is away on business.

He treats me like a princess, always buying me romantic gifts, and we have the best sex I have ever had.

He and his wife have separately confided in me, telling me that they are no longer in love and stay together for the sake of the business.

They describe themselves as being like brother and sister. I have such strong feelings for him and have never felt like this before.

But I don’t want our affair to be exposed because I know I would lose both of them.

DEIDRE SAYS: You’re likely to lose both of them if this affair continues anyway – and your job, too.

Take a step back, otherwise things are very likely to get messy and nasty.

You are likely to end up feeling used, unless he can work things through with his wife and become properly available.

By drawing a line under your affair, you’ll discover his true intentions.

If, as I highly suspect he might, he decides to stay with his wife, you have a stark choice – your job, or move on.

A fresh start could be what’s needed.

My support pack, Your Lover Not Available?, will help.

Hurt by ‘small boobs’ comment

DEAR DEIDRE: WHEN my boyfriend told me that my boobs were too small, he destroyed my confidence.

He said it quite soon after we first met.

I am 24 and he is 25. We have been together for eight months. I have been left feeling as though he is just making do with me.

Recently, I came across his secret stash of big-busted naked women in a file on his mobile, so that’s obviously what he likes.

I have become very self-conscious and it is difficult for me to be intimate when we are together.

All I keep thinking about are the pictures on his phone.

I wish I had a better body and keep thinking about having breast implants to please him, even though it is not something I can afford.

I don’t want to lose him, but don’t think he realises how his comment has affected and hurt me.

DEIDRE SAYS: Your boyfriend’s comment was insensitive at best, cruel at worst, and no doubt he is not perfect.

People who make unkind remarks are often deflecting from how they feel about themselves, but it’s not OK.

Tell him his comments are hurtful.

If he can’t appreciate you as a whole, and convince you he loves you just as you are, he’s the one with the problem.

My support pack, Raising Self-esteem, will help to boost your confidence about yourself.

Well-hung mate gave my girlfriend what I can’t

DEAR DEIDRE: SEX with my pal made my girlfriend scream with pleasure, and she climaxed multiple times when we had a threesome.

I am 28 and she is 26.

My friend is 29. I have been with my girlfriend for two years but have never been able to make her orgasm.

My friend is a lot bigger than me down below and I just know this is the reason my girlfriend got such a thrill.

In fact, I have never managed to make any girl orgasm and have had sex with a fair few women.

I have a small penis, which makes me feel totally inadequate.

I don’t want to let my girlfriend sleep around, but feel the only way she is going to get some satisfaction is by having sex with well-endowed men.

To be fair, she has never made any comment about my size – but I dread the day when she leaves because she isn’t satisfied or enjoying sex with me.

DEIDRE SAYS: It’s important to remember that your girlfriend has chosen to be with you, so you clearly have some of what is important for her.

Focus on helping her to enjoy sex.

Ask her how you can make it more exciting.

Penis size has little to do with whether a woman reaches orgasm.

Most women don’t climax from penetrative sex, but from oral or manual stimulation of the clitoris.

You are doing a lot of guessing without talking. Good communication is key to good sex.

My support pack, Penis Size, can explain more.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Reviving communication channels could really give individuals and groups a chance to connect again more deeply.

This could be your chance to dig out those old numbers and addresses.

You have togetherness moon spirit, so forgiveness and co-operation are the two mainstays of your day.

2

♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

Love has been asking you to look closer at your heart, yet so far you have resisted.

It can be scary to admit you want more or something different, but the time is now.

The answers are all there while Venus is holding your hand.

An ambition linked to “P” may take off in a wrong direction, but this can turn out well.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

All the extra sparkle of Jupiter shines bright in your chart, so you are more sociable than ever.

A scheme to promote events or plan parties can leap forward when you set your imagination free.

As for love, a Leo newcomer enables you to discover pure romance balanced beautifully by absolute trust.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

The sun’s last day in makeover mode urges you to find a fresher, more on-trend version of yourself.

This need not cost money, because so many barriers are in your own mind.

Open yourself up to new looks, faces and locations to lift your confidence.

First glimpse of a new home can happen by moonlight.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

The strongest message you send can happen when you say the least but choose to listen to others, no matter what.

Show them you can be trusted and you will always be there.

Together you can take a scary step.

A shared joke among a set of friends could be the starting point for an on-screen drama or comedy.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

Show you are ready to take control instead of letting someone or something dictate your personal spending budget.

This may include showing willingness to take figures on board and work out the best way forward.

The freedom is well worth any effort.

Luck visits a door with three handles.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

You are the one who knows what you need – no matter what other people may think.

The moon helps you state this in ways that are caring but also clear.

You may need to keep repeating a wish, but this is how it can come true.

Your passion profile is fixed on finding solutions – and by tonight you can see results.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Maybe you are falling out of love with your day-to-day life – but the answer is not to ditch it, but develop it.

Find a little more time for the things and people you love best and focus on those.

Those subtle love signals from “G” that seem so distant can mean something rather special.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

The warm communication skills of the sun are still with you – but only until tonight.

If you have something you need to say, the words will come when the feelings are in line.

Old friends may feel they don’t need proof of respect, but offering it anyway is a smart move.

Luck seeks out “T”.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Everything planet Mercury teaches you is personal and adaptable – you can reset recent information into a form that works well for you, but also includes key people in your life.

Moving forwards does not always mean leaving anything behind.

Love stays stable even if there are ripples underneath.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

2

♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Your sunshine is nearing an end, but this can mean new beginnings when you add your name to a list that’s been around for a while but only now starts to look appealing.

Yes, it has changed, but perhaps you have too.

Luck can come when you start to trust your own judgement rather than relying on other people’s.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

The secret you have held on to can be ready to share.

Supply the information a group needs to make a move.

At work, you may need to reveal some skills you have kept in reserve.

At home, instead of working around a weaker person, you can help them grow. In love, being vulnerable does not mean being wrong.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

NEARLY six pubs were shut every week last year as they were hit by rising business costs.

In total, 289 boozers closed in 2024, resulting in 4,500 job losses.

3

3

The number of English and Welsh pubs fell to 45,345, from 47,613 in 2019.

Industry leaders said closures were avoidable but had been forced by crippling energy bills.

They are calling on ministers to step in when the business rates discount for hospitality businesses is slashed in April.

And with the National Insurance rise and minimum wage boost, the British Beer and Pub Association warned of an additional £650million hit.

The Sun’s Save Our Sups campaign is calling on ministers to throw a lifeline to boozers.

The BBPA’s Emma McClarkin said: “The scale of these closures is completely avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade.

“Consumer demand is there, however, profits are being wiped out with sky high bills and pubs are facing yet more rates and costs come April.”

3

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

YOU can save a lot of dough by making your own loaf.

And with Real Bread Week under way, here’s all you need to know to give it a go.

8

FLOUR POWER: You can make a satisfying loaf with the most basic ingredients.

Strong bread flour, fast-acting yeast and a little salt are the essentials. To find out how to make a simple loaf, head to the Real Bread Campaign, sustainweb.org.

Along with the ingredients, you need a generous dose of patience, as even the most straightforward loaf can take up to half a day to prove.

EASY SPEEDY: You can still enjoy a fresh slice if you’re tight for time. It is easy to turn around a loaf of soda bread in around 45 minutes.

You just need to mix 350g plain flour, a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and a teaspoon of salt.

Add a 285ml tub of buttermilk (or use plain yoghurt instead) and mix to make a dough.

Shape into a loaf, make a deep cross almost all the way through the middle and bake on a floured baking tray for around 30 minutes at 170C.

FLAT BREAD: It’s easy to impress with homemade flatbreads, to serve with dips and curries.

Knead together 350g self-raising flour, a teaspoon of baking powder and 350g natural yoghurt. Divide your mixture into six pieces and flatten with a rolling pin until just a few millimetres thick.

Fry in a hot pan for a few minutes on each side.

OH CRUMBS: We throw away 24 million slices of bread a day.

Use your loaf to create a huge range of delicious dishes from leftovers, from treacle tart to bread and butter pudding, as well as creating crunchy croutons and soothing bread sauce.

Use breadcrumbs to coat chicken or fish, dipped first in flour then beaten eggs, or sprinkle them with cheese to give pasta bakes an instant upgrade.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability

Deal of the day

8

GET set up for work or home admin with an HP 14in Chromebook, down from £249 to £179 at ao.com.

SAVE: £70

Cheap treat

8

TRANSFORM decor for less with the Walplus Azulejo tile stickers, £8.95 for a pack of 24 from Wilko.

What’s new?

IF you know someone who goes above and beyond, tag them on Instagram page @heinz_uk by 9am on World Kindness Day tomorrow and they could win a year’s supply of soup.

Top swap

8

8

TUNE into calls and music with the Street wireless headphones from panasonic.co.uk, £32.99. Or listen up for less with Aldi’s wireless headphones, £12.99.

SAVE: £20

Little helper

FOR a cheap half-term treat, try a low-cost movie trip. Cineworld has selected Movies For Juniors screenings, with tickets £2.50 each for adults and children.

Shop & save

8

FOR an easy mealtime win, a ten-pack of Birds Eye Omega 3 fish fingers is down from £3 to £1.45 with a Tesco Clubcard.

SAVE: £1.55

Hot right now

8

SHARE a stack of eight pancakes, strawberries, chocolate sauce and maple syrup at Morrisons cafés. The £6 offer ends today.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

8

JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

HE is on a mission to help our pets  . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.

Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years.

4

4

Q) POLLY my parrot has started plucking out all her lovely colourful feathers.

It looks awful and I fear she might be hurting herself in the process. Is it painful and how can I stop this?

SALLY ANN STEVENSON, Edgware

A) Sadly, it is likely to be painful if Polly is pulling them right out rather than chewing them off.

Feather plucking always signifies something is wrong.

Several possibilities range from infections, inflammation and nutritional deficiencies to stress, behavioural issues (eg, reward seeking or compulsive disorders) and even psychological or neurological problems.

Without a long, detailed conversation and physical exam it’s hard to give you even my hunch.

Find an avian vet specialist to look into this before it gets out of hand.

Q) WHAT is wrong with my ferret Fergus? He seems to sleep up to 18 hours a day.

Is he sick or depressed? I imagined he would be a much more playful pet and admit I am a bit disappointed.

KIM MAYNARD, Edinburgh

A) This is very normal for ferrets, and one of the reasons they make great pets for busy people. They tend to sleep all day, get active in the evening and then head back to bed. They are marathon snoozers.

I would suggest getting Fergus a ferret friend though, as they are playful and sociable creatures and he may be a little depressed on his own leading to more napping than usual.

Withdrawal or lethargy in pets can be a sign of depression or unhappiness with a lack of social interaction.

Q) I HAVE been saving up for a new aquarium for my tropical fish but I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the options.

Do I really need a special thermostat and artificial lighting and is “cycling” a new tank something that only needs to be done once?

MATTHEW BURNETT, Braintree, Essex

A) Tropical fish need a thermostatically controlled heater — just buy one suited to the size of the tank. Your local aquatics shop can advise.

Artificial lighting on a timer is also good for fish, mimicking natural day and night cycles. It’s critical if you want live plants —  which I recommende as they oxygenate and clean the water plus provide cover for fish. “Cycling” is more tricky but only needs to be done once when you first set up your aquarium.

After that, careful filter maintenance and cleaning will maintain the aquarium’s natural cycle.

Read about the ammonia cycle in fish tanks. Once you understand that you are keeping water quality as much as you are keeping fish, you will find a routine that works.

It’s a delicate ecosystem, and a relationship between the number of fish, the amount you feed and the capacity of your filtration system.

Q) WE have just found out our rabbit Petra is pregnant.

While it is exciting, we are worried as they can have as many as ten baby bunnies. Is this right?

JAMIE COPLEY, Doncaster

A) Rabbit pregnancy lasts about a month, and although the average litter size is five to eight, they can sometimes have 12.

They can also get pregnant again within hours of giving birth so it’s important Petra is separated from whatever companion got her into this.

Once the babies are weaned and active, at about six weeks old, separate them into single-sex groups as they breed at a very young age too.

Before you know it you’ll have an army of rabbits. So I advise neutering after this little family parts ways.

Star of the week

4

COCKAPOO Murphy spent years bringing happiness and joy to his family – until he sadly passed away this week at the age of 12.

The cheeky pooch persuaded the Bell family to give him toast and sausages at breakfast time.

And he barely used his dog bed – preferring to sleep next to his owners Matt and Siobhain or snuggle up on the sofa with their daughters Emily, Lucy and Maisie.

Matt said: “If we went out Murphy loved laying down with his head next to someone’s slippers or shoes and would race to jump up and lick the girls whenever they came through the front door.

“We will miss him, he was loyal and loving. We feel so lucky to have had him in our lives. Farewell Murphy – thank you for all the memories.”

WIN: £275 PET PORTRAIT

PET portrait artist Elaine Murray of Ash2Art.com can transform your favourite pet photo into a beautiful painting.

She can also incorporate the ashes of beloved pets that have passed away into the painting for a lasting keepsake.

One lucky reader can win a painting worth £275 (with or without ashes). For a chance to win this prize, send an email headed Ash2Art to sundaypets @the-sun.co.uk by March 2. See AshtoArt.com.

T&Cs apply.

Sticky issue of clingy ‘velcro dogs’

4

A LEADING UK charity has vowed to reduce rising numbers of “velcro dogs”.

The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals says separation anxiety is rife in 2025, but a new guide can help prevent anxious pets clinging to their owners.

PDSA Vet Nurse Gemma Renwick explains: “These dogs may feel so dependent on their owner, they may suffer psychologically when left alone. It’s important to teach your dog to be comfortable by themselves.”

Changes at home, possibly a pandemic hangover as more owners work remotely, boredom, poor socialisation or a scare, all contribute.

Warning signs include pacing, peeing indoors, barking and whining and destructive chewing.

Walking your dog before you leave and adding a safe space with your scented clothing can help. So do chew toys and pet-safe puzzles to distract them.

Owners can build independence by gradually increasing their dog’s time alone in a separate room and rewarding calm behaviour with healthy treats.

Gemma, from pdsa.org.uk says: “Younger, older or unwell dogs should not be left for too long, while a healthy adult dog shouldn’t be left alone for more than four hours at a time.”

FOUR out of ten couples have tried shower sex but it put a dampener on things for half.

Slips, bumps, scalds or twinges meant their lathery loving was a washout, researchers found.

2

2

Their poll found that 28 per cent of those who had tried the bathroom bonking said they had hurt their back in the throes of shower seduction.

Twenty per cent had slipped, 15 per cent suffered a bruise, while getting the water temperature right was a problem for nine per cent.

Five per cent got soap suds in their eyes.

Dating site illicitencounters.com polled 2,000 of its members.

The website’s ­Jessica Leoni said: “Sex in the shower is on everybody’s fantasy bucket list.

“But it’s a bit like sex on the beach.

“It can get tricky when passions run high and you find yourself grappling with slippery surfaces.”

She added: “Proceed with caution, invest in a non-slip mat.

“And maybe keep the more ambitious moves for drier ground.”

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Secrets are never a good fit for honest Aries, especially this week, as the sun lights up your hidden self.

If you need to share, or set yourself free, you can choose the perfect moment, leaving space for new goals and a strong certainty of finding the right path.

Swoony, moony love chooses surprise togetherness.

2

♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

So much of Jupiter’s new positivity focuses on your money mindset, so tap into it to make cash changes.

Believing you can stay in control is step one towards doing it.

You need loyalty in love – if you sense this is less than complete, act on it. Work-wise, your input stand out, especially around a VIP table.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

You’re the standout sign of the zodiac this week. With Jupiter charm and Pluto mischief, you can do outrageous things!

In love, a thirst for adventure requires careful handling – take a partner along for the thrill, but try not to leave them behind.

Single? Exploring a different friendship path wakes up passion.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

All week, the moon reminds you of what really matters, from security and trust to loyal partnership.

If you’re tempted to stray from these, you have the strength to resist. Look closer at what this may be telling you.

The sun hits your travel zone and talk of a dream trip can become reality. An “L” cash source may play a part.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

Staying as you are is one way through this week, but the sun suggests something different.

As it settles in your transformation zone, it gives you the energy for a big change.

This can be linked to career, fitness or fashion. In love, good enough won’t suffice – you deserve the best. Don’t dismiss cash details.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

This week, you have a gift for drawing people together and tackling heavy issues with a light touch.

Stand by your principles and don’t be drawn into negative or nasty herd mentality.

Adapting a little can be positive in love, but beware of leaving too much of your unique self behind.

Single? Say yes to a sunny Sagittarius.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

With Venus running your happy-ever-after chart and the sun setting a cracking career pace, this is a week to go for gold.

Indecision can fade when you stop looking for easy answers and accept the right moves may ask a lot of you.

You have plenty planet power to push through. Luck prints your name in green.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

You are one of the hardest signs to control.

With the sun sizzling in your impulsive zone, anything can happen, but you maintain an inner peace.

Passion can take an impulsive turn towards a person you don’t expect.

Yet straight away, you see the potential and can work with it. The moon makes numbers dreams lucky.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

You’re a sign of movement, yet standing still can be your star secret this week.

Finding that home for your heart, or your future, is simpler when you relax and take your time.

The perfect option is already there – you just need to recognise it.

Friends who play games together also have potential to build a business.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Maybe you feel you’ve been talking a lot, yet never seem to be heard.

By choosing words carefully and repeating them often, you can get a message through – just make sure it is the right one.

Mars’ influence on your negotiation style can spark unexpected fireworks and speed up a deal that’s been delayed.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

2

♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

It’s not always easy to understand opinions different from your own.

But, this week, Venus opens your eyes, ears, and heart so partners find a solution, plus you can see a flexible way through at work.

If you’re single, your dream date seems at first the total opposite, yet you sense there could be something great there.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

When you welcome the sun into your personal star space, you can feel the warmth and challenge.

No more sitting and waiting – for the next few weeks, you are in charge of your destiny. Send that love message and dust off your CV or fitness plans.

It’s time to share a gift for finding beauty in properties or people.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

PARENTS face spending on average £1,047 to entertain kids at half term – but there are easy and even FREE ways to fill the days.

From supermarket loyalty points and credit card rewards, to meal freebies, there is plenty of help.

6

Ruth Kirby Jackson shares some top tips . . . 

USE LOYALTY POINTS

6

IF you’ve saved up Tesco Clubcard or Nectar points, cash them in.

There is over £1billion worth of unused points sitting in accounts.

Tesco Clubcard points are worth double if redeemed with partner attractions such as Thorpe Park, Legoland and Longleat.

A £12 Tesco Clubcard voucher converts into up to £24 worth of entry tickets.

You can also exchange points for tickets to Cineworld, Activity World and aquariums across the UK — all great for rainy days.

For example, at the Cineworld website, book a family of four to see Mufasa: The Lion King and you pay £50 — or when choosing a payment method, select Tesco Clubcard Partner Code and use a code from the Clubcard app to get those same tickets with £25 worth of Clubcard points.

Apply for a Clubcard and you will earn one point for every £1 spent in a Tesco store or cafe, or on a Tesco mobile. You also get a point for every two litres of fuel bought at a Tesco petrol station.

Every three months your points are automatically converted into a Clubcard voucher you get either on the Tesco app or by post.

Boost your Clubcard points with a Tesco Clubcard Credit card and earn an extra point for every £4 you spend in Tesco, plus extra points on fuel and one point for every £8 you spend outside Tesco.

If you get a Tesco Clubcard Credit Card and regularly shop there, you could rack up £228 of Clubcard points to spend on days out over the year. That’s assuming you spend £300 a month in Tesco and £200 a month elsewhere on the credit card.

Nectar points can also be used to pay entertainment costs.

CREDIT CARD REWARDS

If you shop at Sainsbury’s, an American Express Nectar Credit Card can boost your rewards.

You earn three Nectar points per £1 spent in Sainsburys — up from the one point per £1 you earn with a standard Nectar loyalty card — and two points per £1 spent elsewhere. If you spend £2,000 in the first three months you get 20,000 bonus Nectar points.

Every 500 Nectar points are worth £2.50, and you can redeem them for cinema tickets, dining out or even train fares.

If you have an standard American Express card, you can convert Amex points into Nectar points to use at Sainsbury’s on picnic essentials or games. Every 500 Nectar points are worth £2.50. Scan your Nectar card at the till to pay with points.

TAKE UP FREE ACTIVITIES

6

YOU don’t need a huge loyalty point balance to enjoy free days out — many museums and galleries offer free entry

Lots also put on family-friendly exhibits and kids’ activities in the holidays. For example, The Royal Armouries in Leeds is free to enter and has a Superhero Academy at half term.

In London, the Victoria and Albert Museum is free to visit and has activities at half term including a Makers Club, Family Design Challenge and Salt Dough Statue Workshop.

Local councils and libraries often run free events at half term, from storytelling to arts and crafts workshops. Check online or visit your local community centre to see what’s available.

Outdoor adventures also don’t have to cost you a thing. Just pack a picnic and head to a country park, nature reserve or beach for a free day out.

Many parks have adventure playgrounds, wildlife trails and free guided walks during school holidays. You can find out about what’s on at national park websites such as LakeDistrict.gov.uk or RoyalParks.org.uk.

BAG A FREE MEAL

6

YOU can get complimentary kids’ meals this half term at many big-name restaurants and cafes.

Angus Steakhouses, Asda, Beefeater, Bella Italia, Bill’s, Dunelm, Hungry Horse pubs, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tesco and TGI Fridays all let children eat for free or just £1 if an adult is eating too.

When you are doing your supermarket shop it’s also worth keeping an eye out for deals on days out that are offered by big-name food brands.

For example, Kellogg’s recently ran a deal giving you a free adult ticket for Merlin attractions — which include Alton Towers and Legoland — if you cut out the coupon on your cereal box.

PLAN AHEAD

IF you don’t have loyalty points to help you cover the cost of this half term, start planning for the next one. Applying for a Tesco Clubcard Credit Card or an Amex Nectar Credit Card can help you earn points faster.

Rob Burgess, founder and editor of headforpoints.com, a website for frequent air travellers, says: “You maximise your return from credit cards by maximising sign-up bonuses.”

He suggests couples can get the maximum out of introductory bonuses and fee waivers by applying in one person’s name — then you could cancel at the end of your free first year and reapply via your partner for a new bonus.

After a 24-month gap, you would be able to reapply yourself and get the bonus again.

If you spend £2,000 in the first three months with the Nectar American Express, you’ll receive 20,000 Nectar points worth £100.

Used wisely, these could fund your next school holiday’s activities — or a weekend away.

Just be aware that these deals only work if you can afford to pay off the balance of your credit card in full each month.

Otherwise, the interest charges may wipe out the benefits.

Electricity meter peril

HUNDREDS of homes risk having their electricity cut off, owing to a major switch-off of meters.

Regulator Ofgem is proposing new rules for energy suppliers, to manage the phasing out of old Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters.

6

Around 530,000 customers rely on these meters, which offer cheaper electricity rates at certain times of day, according to Energy UK.

But they will stop working from the end of June this year. There has been concern that this could leave some people stuck on peak rates and paying higher bills.

But Ofgem has now outlined new plans to protect households from a rise in bills.

It has proposed that when a customer with an RTS meter switches suppliers, the new firm must replace the meter within 30 working days.

Providers will also be required to make “all reasonable efforts” to replace the meters, even in challenging circumstances.

And Ofgem is asking that firms offer replacement tariffs that are just as good as existing RTS tariffs. This aims to ensure that consumers are not worse off for having their outdated meters replaced.

The regulator is currently consulting with energy suppliers on these proposals before formally bringing in the changes.

If you’re unsure whether you have this type of meter, call your supplier and ask.

JAMES FLANDERS

£30bn comp has wheels

A MAJOR update has been issued on the car finance commission scandal.

The UK’s industry is currently bracing itself for a potential multi-billion-pound compensation bill following a surge in complaints.

6

It involves a practice in the past where banks allowed car brokers to set their own interest rates on vehicle loans and take commission.

Under this arrangement, brokers had an incentive to charge customers higher interest rates as this increased their commission.

However, many buyers were unaware of the move. A landmark court ruling last year found the practice was unlawful and now customers are claiming.

The Supreme Court is now scheduled to hear an appeal about this ruling in March.

If the original decision is upheld, the bill is expected to exceed £30billion.

According to the FCA, on a typical £10,000 finance agreement, discretionary commission arrangements could have caused customers to pay an additional £1,100 in interest over a four-year term.

Complain directly to your car finance provider if you think you are affected.

You can download an email template from Money Saving Expert by visiting moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/reclaim-car-finance.

JAMES FLANDERS