Farage’s party got aid cash
FURLOUGH: Nigel Farage
NIGEL Farage’s Brexit Party, a firm run by ex-commons speaker John Bercow and the Queen’s grandson have all claimed taxpayer cash during the pandemic.
A list of companies that took furlough payments reveals Mr Farage and Mr Bercow’s organisations benefited, along with several owned by Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips and his wife, Autumn.
The Brexit Party – which has 47 employees, according to its accounts – received just over £17million in donations and spent just over £18m in its most recent accounting period.
Fedhead, run by John and Sally Bercow, employs just two people but still claimed.
Mr Farage’s wealth is estimated at close to £3m, while Mr Bercow’s firm earned £547,000 in the last accounting year.
Earnings
Mr Bercow had been Westminster’s highest-paid politician, earning more than £152,000 a year until he retired in 2019.
John O’connell, chief of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “Some businesses have repaid the support offered.
“They should serve as an example for others that have come through the past year in rude health.
“Taxpayers have long memories of those that helped in the national effort and those that didn’t.”
Mr Farage has criticised lockdowns and last year applied to change his party name to Reform UK, vowing to focus on the Government response to Covid-19.
Peter Phillips’ companies SEL (UK) and City Racing also appear on the list of firms that claimed.
He and Autumn said last year they plan to divorce.
Autumn’s companies, APP Consultancy and SCGB, have also used taxpayer cash to prop themselves up.
A BAN on evictions by bailiffs is to run for a further six weeks.
Renters faced being hauled out of their homes from February 22, but they can breathe a sigh of relief until March 31 at least.
It means squatters, persistent neighbourhood pests and tenants in six months rent arrears or more are the only ones who can be thrown out.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “We have taken unprecedented action to support renters during the pandemic.”
Landlords are also required to give six months notice before starting possession proceedings.
It means renters are certain to stay in their homes until at least the end of August. The ban saw evictions drop nearly 70% and home repossessions fall 90%.
GORDON Ramsay has revealed his mum told him The Chase star Bradley Walsh would be a better host for his new game show.
The celebrity chef was so excited when the BBC bought the Bank Balance quiz his own production firm developed, he phoned Helen to share the news.
Gordon said: “She said, ‘So are you going to get Bradley Walsh to present it?’ I said, ‘No, Mum, I’m going to do it. We’re in lockdown. I’m not doing anything else.”
“She said, ‘But you aren’t a quiz show host’. I said, ‘Mum, are you kidding?’.”
But Gordon, 54, admitted: “I was nervous doing it. There might be a few critics but those will pale in comparison to the millions watching it. I’m fine to take a kicking, trust me.”
Bank Balance starts on February 24, airing three nights a week on BBC1.
TEACHER Zane Powles has delivered 10,000 free school meals to vulnerable children in lockdown.
The assistant head of Western Primary in Grimsby, Lincs, reckons he has trudged a total of 750 miles to distribute the dinners since last March.
Zane, 48, insists on walking with a trailer load rather than using his car because he meets other families who are desperate for food.
The dad of three, who needs a knee op, said: “They pop out as I pass.”