2025CMSBrowserComponents.load({ el: '#vue-1746499144405-665' props: {"url":"http://www.auntminnieeurope.com/imaging-informatics/artificial-intelligence/news/15744728/rcr-survey-finds-brits-unfamiliar-with-ai-use-in-healthcare","printUrl":"http://www.auntminnieeurope.com/print/content/15744728","providers":["print","facebook","linkedin","twitter","pinterest"],"lang":"en"} Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) President Dr Kath Halliday has called for a national conversation on the use of AI in healthcare on the heels of the revelation that more than half of Brits are unfamiliar with its use Partners on behalf of the RCR determined that less than half (46%) of the public have heard of AI being used in healthcare Halliday said that although the public is largely unaware of how AI is being used in the U.K "Our research shows that people trust doctors and want them to oversee the use of AI in healthcare," Halliday noted in an RCR statement AI tools are already used in over 60% of cancer centres and 70% of radiology departments and the public feel confident about AI being used in this way." AI is already being used on a daily basis across the NHS as a tool to support the work of doctors and nowhere more so than across radiology and clinical oncology There is a persistent 30% shortfall in radiologists despite increasing demand for CT and MRI scans every year the RCR called for long-term funding to support the implementation of AI in the NHS further calling for transparent engagement with the public on AI adoption in the NHS and support for health regulators to ensure robust processes for regulation and long-term audits of AI tools.  the RCR highlighted the role of the Sudlow Review to address issues in equipment IT and data (see hdruk.ac.uk/news/independent-review-maps-a-route-to-transform-the-uks-health-data-system/).  Among the questions the survey asked: "How convincing or unconvincing do you find the following arguments in favour of increasing the use of AI in healthcare?" Figure from report by Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) "The Future of AI in Healthcare: Public perceptions of AI in Radiology," April 2025 "Even among those who are generally uncomfortable with AI in healthcare the ability to analyse large datasets is the most convincing argument in favour of increasing AI use in healthcare," the report stated "Respondents cited the potential for incorrect diagnoses that doctors may blindly follow as the most concerning argument against the implementation of AI." Find the 22-page report, titled "The Future of AI in Healthcare: Public perceptions of AI in Radiology," on the RCR website Tazmin Brits struck a magnificent century in a losing cause as India’s women beat South Africa by 15 runs in a dramatic ODI in scorching heat in the R India have now won both their matches and top the tri-table with four points South Africa and Sri Lanka meet for the first time on Thursday in a competition that is part of their buildup for the ICC Women’s World Cup in India in five months’ time commented afterwards: “We'd been set up nice and early It's unfortunate what happened with Tazmin said: "We fielded really well and saved a lot of runs The way we were batting on this pitch we knew we could get close to 270 Maybe 10-15 runs here could have given us a better cushion When Brits left the field we looked at it as an opportunity and if we can get wickets in between that would be great." Chasing a challenging target of 277 for victory South Africa looked in a commanding position when Brits and Wolvaardt put on 140 for the first wicket with Brits the aggressor and Wolvaardt the glue But when Wolvaardt was trapped leg before for 43 in the 28th over the Indian spinners began to apply pressure and South Africa’s problems were compounded when Brits was forced to retire hurt with severe cramp in the 33rd over when she had reached 108 in 105 balls in a wonderful knock that included 13 fours and three sixes the Indian spinners got on top of the South African batters although Sune Luus (28 in 34 balls) Chloe Tryon (18 in 22 balls) and particularly Annerie Dercksen (30 in 20 balls including three fours and a six) did their very best to maintain the momentum required for victory with South Africa requiring 25 for victory in the last three overs It was offspinner Sneh Rana who struck the mortal blows – three wickets in five balls including that of Brits who returned to the crease – that effectively clinched the contest finally finished up with 5-43 in her 10 overs Fellow spinners Deepti Sharma (1-40) and Shree Charani (1-51) also played important supporting roles opener Pratika Rawal struck 78 in 91 balls to lead India’s women to a challenging 276 for six wickets after they had won the toss and chosen to bat first The South Africans had their moments but ultimately struggled to contain the Indian batters at the top and the bottom of the order with India scoring 82 in the last 10 overs provided the main building block of the innings with an opening partnership of 83 in 111 balls with Mandhana (36 in 54 balls) the first to go as she was strangled down the leg side providing debutant wicketkeeper Karabo Meso with her first international catch Rawal and Harleen Deol then added a further 68 in 73 balls for the second wicket with Rawal becoming the fastest woman to 500 runs in women’s ODIs (in eight matches) as she struck her second consecutive half-century (78 off 91 balls 1x6) before she was bowled by left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba Her dismissal signalled a good spell for the South Africans with Mlaba claiming a second wicket in consecutive overs when she yorked Deol After losing two wickets for three runs midway through the innings skipper Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the ship while new batter Jemimah Rodrigues built momentum again with a breezy 41 in 32 balls as the pair added 59 in 58 balls An entertaining cameo of 24 in 14 balls from Richa Ghosh followed while Kaur stayed to the end for a steadying 41 off 48 balls The South Africans were sloppy in the field at times and they didn’t help their cause by bowling 13 wides The most successful bowler was Mlaba with 2/55 in her 10 overs SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN: Laura Woolvardt (capt) Brits and Sebastiaan Jobb were called up to join the squad after the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens where the Blitzboks finished ninth overall They will replace the injured Quewin Nortje and Gino Cupido respectively Where the swop between Jobb - who had to serve a two-match suspension - and Cupido was confirmed before departure to Hong Kong already in order for the latter to join the Junior Springbok training squad Brits was on standby in case of injury and he is ready to add to the squad effort “We continued with our training on this side so I am ready and eager to go,” said Brits shortly before departure from Cape Town to Singapore on Monday Brits has clear objectives for this trip to Singapore his first since joining the Blitzboks: “I will bring some smiles and lots of energy with me The guys will also be happy to see a familiar face or two from home after almost two weeks on tour “Our performances were not the usual standard The Singapore format will be the same as it was in Cape Town in December with the four group winners progressing straight to the semi-finals The Blitzboks face Great Britain and Hong Kong champions Argentina in their pool to be honest - playing only four games is far less taxing on your legs They are playing well at the moment and deservedly won last weekend teams targeted us at the breakdowns and we battled to get decent possession we will start this week with a clean slate and determined to deliver a great result.” Springbok Sevens match schedule in Singapore (SA times): Saturday 5 April:07h26: Great Britain10h44: Argentina Springbok Sevens squad for Singapore: #2 Ryan Oosthuizen – 54 tournaments 230 points (46 tries)#3 Impi Visser (co-captain) – 44 tournaments 225 points (45 tries)#4 Zain Davids – 51 tournaments 225 points (45 tries)#5 Ricardo Duarttee – 17 tournaments 1 penalty goal)#8 Selvyn Davids (co-captain) – 40 tournaments 1 penalty goal)#10 Dewald Human – 30 tournaments 85 conversions)#11 Siviwe Soyizwapi – 58 tournaments 780 points (156 tries)#12 Shilton van Wyk – 25 tournaments 240 points (48 tries)#15 Donavan Don – 8 tournaments 2 conversions)#16 Sebastiaan Jobb – 3 tournaments 15 points (3 tries)#19 David Brits – 7 tournaments 40 points (8 tries)#21 Zander Reynders – 4 tournaments Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has made several rotational changes to his starting line-up and included four players.. Springbok Sevens head coach Philip Snyman heaped praise on his squad after a commanding weekend of sevens rugby displaye.. The Springbok Sevens team saved their best for last to win the final tournament of the season The Springbok Women's Sevens team's hearts were broken with a late defeat against Kenya in their HSBC SVNS Play-off fina.. The race for those coveted four semi-final spots of the SA Cup – and with that qualification to the Carling Currie Cup P.. The Vodacom Bulls shone bright over their South African counterparts in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this past weekend with the Pretoria outfit being the only of the four franchises to come away with a victory as the competition struck round 14 A late try by Siviwe Soyizwapi and successful conversion by Dewald Human saved the Springbok Sevens team more blushes at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens with the converted try moving them past Kenya in the final minute of their playoff at Kai Tak Stadium on Sunday morning (SA time) with a 19-17 victory Suzuki Griquas and the Airlink Pumas continued their winning runs in the SA Cup to remain unbeaten after four rounds while the Toyota Cheetahs and Sanlam Boland Kavaliers secured important victories on Saturday to remain in the race to the semi-finals still believes his squad can beat any other team on the HSBC SVNS so their ninth-place finish in Hong Kong Sevens was a bitter pill to swallow The Bulls Daisies once again proved they have no peers on the provincial scene by beating DHL Western Province 46-31 in a pulsating Women's Premier Division final at Loftus Versfeld that delivered 12 tries with the champions from Pretoria defending the title they’ve held since 2023 Rugby supporters in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape are in for a feast of Test action with the announcement that the Springbok Women will take on Canada in curtain raisers when the Springboks host Italy at Loftus Versfeld and Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 5 and 12 July The splendour of Singapore means it is considered a popular shopping destination but Springbok Sevens co-captain Impi Visser insists that is the very last thing on their minds this week Match official appointments for the next few days have been made with three South African teams in action in the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 Faith Tshauke (utility forward) and Xolelwa Diliza (hooker) have been named in the 32-player Springbok Women squad to travel to France and Spain for a short tour with the Bulls Daisies duo earning first national call-ups What happened in Hong Kong stayed in Hong Kong and the Springbok Sevens squad arrived in Singapore this week with a fresh mind and effort but also with a clear mission – to finish the regular HSBC SVNS season with an performance that will do justice to the team © 2025 SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY | PICTURES © GALLO IMAGES GOAL brings you the latest goings-on with the Britons plying their trade on foreign soil including England's captain and Los Blancos' 'Galactico' There isn't a lot left to play for in the Premier League after Liverpool strolled to the title last week and with three teams already relegated straight back to the Championship The quest for the top five is bubbling away deliciously and the FA Cup final is appearing over the horizon but the most life-changing of races have already been run The same can't be said for many of the competitions in mainland Europe and beyond While those at home on this side of the English Channel are scrounging for continental qualification there have been some major storylines unfolding elsewhere Championships are still to be won in Spain and Italy while one particular person will have been more pleased than anyone else in the knowledge that Germany's Bundesliga has been wrapped up the top-four battle is as close as can realistically be at this stage of the season a relatively low-key Englishman is making waves for a side chasing their first title in generations This week's review of Britons abroad also takes us to Asia to check in with a continental champion So strap in as GOAL brings you the latest on the best Brits strutting their stuff across the globe It's an action-packed one this week.. The majority of UK adults – 79 percent – support national security agencies collecting and processing personal data to investigate terrorism and serious crime That’s according to new research by the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security (CETaS) at The Alan Turing Institute in collaboration with Savanta and Hopkins Van Mil It is the first study of its kind to examine public trust in UK intelligence agencies’ use of data The new study incorporates a representative survey of more than 3,000 UK adults alongside a citizens’ panel and measured public attitudes to national security agencies processing personal data Public support was not universal and varied according to context 28 percent are opposed to personal data being used to train a new automated tool for predicting future behaviors research associate at The Alan Turing Institute commented: “It demonstrates that there is not just one public perspective on privacy and that agencies must continue to seek a nuanced understanding of the factors that shape public preferences in order to ensure that data processing remains proportionate in the eyes of the public.” The research also looked at public support for processing a range of datasets for a “person of interest” to security services or police which includes public posts on social media identifiable medical data and private text messages The research found 75 percent support national security agencies collecting and processing personal data to detect foreign spies But only 52 percent support data collection and processing to shape long-term strategies and policies of national security agencies and 42 percent support its use to create automated tools to predict future behaviors and only 28 percent support it in the context of sharing with commercial organizations It is notable that support varies according to age and demographics Young adults and vulnerable adults tend to be less supportive of national security data processing compared to other groups Only 49 percent of 18-34 year olds support national security agencies processing public posts on social media sites compared to 61 percent amongst those above age 55 Support was 52 percent from vulnerable adults and 62 percent for non-vulnerable said: “I welcome this opportunity to deepen our understanding of public attitudes to UK national security and hope this research will provide a foundation for balanced dialogue and informed decision-making.” A research paper has listed a number of factors that must be considered by governments for the proper conduct of… the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) announced it had received more than 10,000 public… Expressions of interest will be called for a software integrator for MOSIP (Modular Open-Source Identity Platform) The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) – an international organization defending the interest of Uyghur people in and out of China… Indonesia has suspended World (formerly “Worldcoin”) and World ID following public complaints The country’s Ministry of Communication and Digital has… The Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) is seeking international partners as it prepares to install civil aviation security systems —… This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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Continue Reading Learn More Copyright © 2025 Biometrics Research Group Web Design by Studio1337 GOAL provides you with the major takeaways from British stars playing overseas including the current England captain and Los Blancos' star midfielder so the Easter weekend didn't quite bring more twists and turns in the world of European football as it did for the people of Jerusalem when Jesus Christ was said to have returned from the dead but there was still plenty of drama to be feasted upon The title races in Spain and Italy swung to and fro even if those in England and Germany moved one step closer to meeting a finite end while La Liga gaining an extra Champions League qualification place has added more spice to their mid-table scramble as has been the case in the Premier League There's still every chance that Britain's two premier players in Europe end the season as champions of their respective countries on the continent while Scott McTominay has been doing all he can to join them in such a pantheon With the 2024-25 season heading down the home stretch GOAL fills you in on how the home nations' finest exports are doing.. According to Aviva’s recent research of 2,000 Brits with a partner with more than £6,000 on average per person stashed away in secret accounts This is despite almost half (45%) believing they ‘know everything’ about their partner’s finances the average amount saved was £6,495 with those aged 55 and over having almost £12,500 put away Around a quarter[3] of Brits have secret accounts set up to pay for a holiday (27%) or to pay for surprise gifts for their partner (24%) a similar number are likely to squirrel finances away to treat themselves with 22% holding separate accounts to make purchases without their partner knowing Some conceal funds for more serious reasons as 31% of Brits want to keep some control and independence over their finances and 27% keep money aside to avoid feeling stuck or trapped More than a quarter (27%) have secret savings in case their relationship breaks down and 15% are looking to pay off debts without their partner knowing Over a third[4] (35%) of couples find themselves arguing about money more than once a month and one in five (20%) argue once a week or more Spending habits are the most common cause of conflict – 31% argue about being too extravagant with money and one in five (21%) squabble about being too tight one in five (19%) think being tight with money is a red flag and 17% are put off when someone is ‘flashing the cash’ Finances are a topic that many are looking to avoid, as more than a third[5] (34%) say they only talk about money with their partner once a month or less A further 5% say they never discuss money with their partner at all Head of Savings and Retirement at Aviva says “Money can be a tricky topic to bring up with your partner especially if you have savings or debts that your partner isn’t aware of having honest conversations about money is important as our research shows we may not know as much as we think we do about our partner’s finances “It is great that people are saving up to treat their loved ones as a surprise it’s important to be on the same page as your partner.” among a sample of 2,000 general consumers who have a partner - married The data was collected between 07.02.2025-10.02.2025 Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council 1. The inverse of ‘I don’t have any secret accounts / money stashed away that my spouse/partner doesn’t know about’[↑]  2. Stats refer to respondents surveyed who have a partner -  married, relationship, civil partnership[↑]  3. Those who have any secret accounts / money stashed away that their spouse/partner doesn’t know about[↑]  4. Combines ‘Every day’, ‘4-6 days a week’, ‘2-3 days a week’, ‘Once a week’, ‘Once every 2 to 3 weeks’ and ‘Once a month’[↑]  5. Combines ‘Once a month’, ‘Once every 2 months’ Once every 3 to 5 months’, ‘Once every 6 months to 11 months, please specify a time e.g. Christmas, holidays’ and ‘Once a year’[↑]  Aviva’s in-house capital unit that invests in a range of infrastructure and real estate projects and mixed-use developer Socius have unveiled plans for a new £1 billion development to create the world’s leading centre for cancer research and treatment in Sutton Aviva is marking the one-year anniversary of its streamlined service Aviva Clarity - demonstrating its commitment as a whole-of-market provider New research from Aviva reveals a concerning gap between perceived and actual knowledge around pensions in the UK reinforcing the need for greater financial literacy and support A fifth of drivers (20%) do not know what to do after a collision New research by Aviva highlights the strong connection Brits have with their current - and previous – cars with one in eight feeling emotionally attached to their motor Aviva reported a 14% increase in the number of claims it declined due to fraud in 2024 uncovering more than 12,700 suspect claims worth £127m – equivalent to 35 bogus claims a day totaling around £349,000 Aviva’s latest How We Live report finds that 83% of UK adults are planning a holiday this year with both UK and international trips on the horizon Aviva paid out more than £1.89 billion across nearly 62,000 individual and group protection claims in 2024 new research from Aviva highlights a concerning lack of awareness among UK women regarding the symptoms of ovarian cancer Today the Government published its initial report following the discovery phase of its Keep Britain Working Review being led by Sir Charlie Mayfield The Commission for Healthier Working Lives has issued its final report following a nine-month study A quarter (25%) of over 50s wish they had taken their pension more seriously at a younger age The buy-out transaction was completed in January 2025 with the buy-in having taken place in July 2024 Media statement on investing in UK defence Aviva’s latest How We Live report suggests that the average value of household items has increased by 38% in the past five years to more than £58,000 Another year of excellent performance and consistent delivery See the highlights from our Annual Report and Accounts 2024 and download full details Go to Annual Report page facts and more information about our businesses Go to About Aviva We believe everyone at Aviva should be able to be themselves Go to diversity and inclusion page We've updated our road map to becoming a Net Zero company by 2040 Discover more A family fishing trip turned into a nightmare on Friday when a seven-year-old boy’s arm was ripped off by a crocodile near Brits For advertisers Kormorant provides an established product where distribution is guaranteed and you have the upper hand in readership figures Research has shown that our community newspapers reach 75% of our market while any other daily weekly or Sunday newspaper doesn’t exceed 20% Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news You are receiving this pop-up because this is the first time you are visiting our site You are using software which is blocking our advertisements (adblocker) we are relying on revenues from our banners So please disable your adblocker and reload the page to continue using this site.Thanks It's difficult to tell South Africa's summer and winter rainfall areas apart at the moment: since November, the rain has barely ceased over the central parts where a significant amount of South Africa's vegetables are grown, close to the province with the highest population density, Gauteng.When FreshPlaza spoke to Dippenaar at the end of January the rain had already stripped the vegetable supply on the Tshwane municipal market it has become clear that rain has halved the vegetable yield and affected the grain harvest in this area.Some farmers will barely take off a crop this summer One producer told him he had harvested only 200 bags of gem squash off a hectare Many of the vegetable suppliers whom he represents farm within a radius of 150 km around the market A head of broccoli selling for R45 (2.1 euros) at a Pretoria greengrocerBefore Easter weekend: R260 (12 euros) for 1kg of beetrootAround Brits in the North West Province farmers could not get into their fields to fertilise or to harvest – their fertile black turf soil around Brits is infamously impossible to work when wet."Vegetables hit record prices this summer and those prices are going to stick around," he says "That is doubtless going to become your new minimum."For the past two months they've been amazed at the peak in beetroot prices in the run-up to Easter it reached R260 [12 euros] for a one kilogram bag for the market leaders carrots were R180 (8.4 euros) for a 1kg bag especially for the period after Easter.What happened before Easter was that everything was scarce and expensive: tomatoes and it exceeded the purchasing power of consumers whose money ran out.Moreover which similarly dogged their vegetable production Botswana had reopened its border to cabbage so there were more buyers for pre-Easter stock on the Gauteng municipal markets.R100 for 10kg veg "a fair price"Since then but there's no will to buy it at the previous high prices which explains the plummeting price of beetroot FreshPublishers © 2005-2025 FreshPlaza.com BRITAIN partied like it was 1945 yesterday as the nation celebrated the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a proper knees-up Street parties sprung up across the land once again amid happy songs and dance It was a fitting toast to those who gave their today so we could have our tomorrow Wartime music played as people — young and old — helped recreate the greatest day in our nation’s long history Some dressed up in 1940s military uniforms while others paid a heartfelt tribute to the defiant backbone of the Land Army The nationwide party kicked off at Buckingham Palace which hosted a special bash for veterans Among the guests were Second World War veterans Ruth Brook Klauber and Colin Deverell, both aged 101. Bunting was hanging over the tables and draped over the ground floor windows of No 10. Over in Preston, Lancs, six women stole the limelight as Land Army Girls — as they paraded proudly down a party street. around 10,000 turned up for a party in the park said: “Eighty years is a big milestone and it’s important we celebrate it There are not many veterans still with us.” Thirty miles west, in Lytham, a VE street party was in full flow families gathered at a party at Preston Park Museum A late Victorian Street with period shops and cobbles was repurposed into a 1940s theme with wartime music played across the Union Jack festooned tables said: “It’s nice to see something happening that has a real community feel to it.” Meanwhile, London’s East End — flattened by the Nazis during the Blitz — also rejoiced was bombed for 57 consecutive nights during the war said: “It’s important to celebrate it this year — perhaps more now than ever said: “We look after our own in Wapping and we’re doing that today.” Cardiff Castle welcomed hundreds of families to a mass picnic on its giant lawn Performers Polly Kilpatrick and Cathy Peace entertained the crowds as Vera and Lynn In the North Yorks village of Kildwick, locals enjoyed a ration supper before listening to voice recordings of elderly residents who lived through VE Day as kids thousands flocked to East Park in the sunshine Singers in period costume belted out wartime classics Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ Springbok sevens forward David Brits says he’ll be looking to bring a calm and positive energy to the Blitzboks camp after being called up to the squad for this weekend’s Singapore Sevens tournament who was on the standby list of the Blitzboks has been called up to replace the injured Quewin Nortje in one of two changes to last weekend’s squad The other switch sees winger Sebastiaan Jobb come in for Gino Cupido who has left the Blitzboks camp to train with the Junior Springboks The Blitzboks are coming from yet another disappointing showing at the Hong Kong Sevens with a ninth place finish to show for their efforts at a tournament where they still haven’t won a title Ahead of his first ever appearance in Singapore Brits says he’s looking to bring a calm and positive energy to a camp that suffered a massive blow the previous weekend “Everyone knows what happened on the weekend it is all things that we can control and I think that once we fix those things we are going to be back to our winning ways No one in the team is panicking and I just want to come and bring in a calm and positive energy lift the boys up and be a voice for the boys on the training field and try to bring their spirits back up We put last weekend behind us and we can focus on Singapore.” On Air: 0861 596 596Reception: 031 584 5300Whatsapp: 063 839 9959Email: info@gagasi995.co.zaStudio: Cornubia MallMount Edgecombe good news on a male contraceptive – and the restorative nature of a solo trip to Ikea MondayYouGov, which you might have thought would be otherwise occupied as byelection season comes upon us, has released the results of a poll revealing which swearwords people in the UK find most-to-least offensive I shall not go into details here in a family newspaper and “arse” is – ahem – bringing up the rear I am reminded of a post I once saw on social media by a reverent American who’d been here for some time and had become deeply enamoured of and awed by the ability of Brits to express feelings of rage disappointment and other emotions at the negative end of life’s spectrum with the use of “you absolute” plus a “[heavily emphasised] ordinary noun” “you absolute nana” was the first he heard Good news. A new male contraceptive has been shown in trials to be effective for two years so far The contraceptive comprises a hydrogel that is delivered (“via a quick injection” according to its manufacturer’s website) to the vas deferens to block all the little swimmers intent on finding a receptive female and her gametes The sperm back up behind the temporary blockage The hydrogel disperses and is absorbed over the years and fertility is restored I have done some very complicated sums and statistical analysis on the back of an envelope and worked out that the only problem with this is there are roughly three men in existence at any given time who can be trusted You can relax!” Maybe each injection can come with a time and date-stamped video recording that can be presented to a potential mate perhaps in lieu of flowers or ironing a shirt which I already knew I had because I have been alive and a fool for many years now I have not sold … I don’t know – more of the books I have to sit on my hands until the urge to email everyone involved in its making and apologise for not doing better has passed I am told everyone is delighted with the sales figures hissing and spitting at these blatant lies and liars and try to control the suffocating blaze of self-hatred that is spreading from my stomach throughout my system This is literally a “me” problem and I have yet to find a solution to my personality You laugh derisively because you know it only as a hellscape made of marital rowing and tealights Ikea is a sanctuary – as long as you go there alone Then you can gaze in peace at the perfect solutions to every storage need on offer egoless spirit that dwells in and among every well-designed fairly priced item and imagine a world where everything is like this until it is time to get meatballs and apple pie for your solitary lunch shaking out the paper to read to my 82-year-old mother while she re-grouts Catford “that being shouted at by parents can change children’s brains” “But can you not train a child without shouting at it?” “What if by shouting at it you are making the child fearful visceral way that leaves it hypervigilant and anxious for the rest of its life?” “Has it picked up its clothes off the floor and hung them up the right way in the wardrobe in the meantime?” she asks GOAL brings you all the major takeaways from British stars playing overseas There are still a few weeks left in the 2024-25 campaign, but the key narratives have already been wrapped up in England and Scotland. Liverpool moved 13 points clear at the Premier League summit by beating West Ham on Sunday while Ipswich and Leicester both failed to win yet again meaning it's now inevitable they will join doomed Southampton in dropping straight back down to the Championship first-placed Celtic extended their lead over Rangers to 15 points and although their arch-rival's last-gasp draw at Aberdeen forced the Hoops to cancel their title party be deprived of a dramatic end to the campaign as most teams start shuffling their line ups and planning in earnest for next season there is plenty still at stake in Europe's other major leagues and indeed in those on different continents A host of homegrown stars currently plying their trades outside of Britain are being called upon to deliver as their clubs bid to finish on a high and in the cases of England team-mates Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham Kane did himself no favours in that regard on his latest outing for Bayern Munich but Bellingham certainly stepped up for Madrid in their time of need One Scottish star also made a decisive impact in La Liga this week while another managed to do what Kane could not for his Bundesliga employers and GOAL is on hand to shine a light on all of these expats in our latest edition of Brits Abroad.. I ended up one night in a honky-tonk on the edge of the city called Sam’s Town Point With its dusty backyard and pick-up trucks in the parking lot it looked like the kind of joint where a bunch of good old boys could be found chugging Budweiser before having a huge fight Instead there was a denim-clad band playing country classics college-age girls dancing with grizzled old dudes in cowboy hats a more racially mixed crowd than you might expect and the general feeling that this was a happening scene You couldn’t help but wonder if Texas’s most famous daughter hadn’t popped in one night for inspiration before driving to her home town of Houston we're happy to send you some reminders Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications Home> News> UK News Thousands of Brits could face forking out a substantial daily fee if they haven't got all their ducks in a row with the taxman The new tax year began on 6 April last month, but HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are still chasing up money from the last one And those who still haven't settled up with the government are now at risk of being stung with a financial penalty which could quickly snowball into the hundreds if you don't nip it in the bud The final deadline for filing self-assessment tax returns to HMRC was on 31 January, and some people got slapped with a £100 late fee for missing it even just by a day "It's important to get your tax return filed as soon as possible - even if there's nothing to pay," Alastair Douglas, CEO of TotallyMoney "That's because the taxman will be waiting to dish out £100 fines as soon as the clock strikes midnight," he said of the initial deadline at the end of January you'll have three months of breathing space before HMRC issues daily penalties of £10 with fines getting more severe after that." But this breathing space has now expired, meaning penalties of £10 a day will now be sent out in the post to those who still haven't sorted their self-assessment tax returns out Douglas warned that things only get worse from here on out too He told the Mirror: "Although the deadline was back in January it's likely that hundreds of thousands of people still haven't filed their tax returns "And while the initial £100 fine might not have been enough to encourage some to get going HMRC will start charging late filers an extra £10 per day "This is on top of the staggering 8.5% late payment interest rate on outstanding balances." According to the UK government website there is a host of late penalties which Brits could be slapped with - and the severity of them depends on how delayed the tax returns are There's an initial £100 penalty for sending your return late followed by additional daily fines of £10 per day which kick in after the first three months This daily fee can total up to a maximum of £900 a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300 - whichever is greater - will be applied Which is why you should get your self-assessment tax return sent in as soon as possible there are some specific circumstances in which HMRC might waive these fees If you have a 'reasonable excuse' which explains why you failed to sort your taxes out before the deadline, you can appeal against a penalty, the government website explains There's a list of 'valid reasons' which HMRC may accept, including the death of a close relative prior to the cut off date, an unexpected hospital stay or if you were struck down with a serious or life-threatening illness The taxman may also scrap the penalty fees if your computer or software malfunctioned while you were sorting your online return or if there were issues with HMRC's online services flood or theft which prevented you from getting organised unforeseen postal delays and if you were unaware of or misunderstood your legal obligation Those who didn't complete their self-assessment tax returns due to disabilities or mental illness or if you relied on someone else to send your return and they did not difficulty in using the HMRC online system not receiving a reminder and making a mistake on your tax return are not considered valid reasons for missing the deadline Topics: UK News, Money, Business Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary. InstagramXThreadsSnapchatTikTokYouTubeLAD Entertainment Cast your votes for the 2025 DefenseScoop 50 — voting is open through April 18 The United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force conducted a joint operation with U.S military forces Tuesday that targeted “a cluster of buildings” in Yemen where Iran-backed Houthi militants produced drones matching those previously launched to attack ships in and around the Red Sea according to a statement and officials familiar with the operation [Labour Party-led] government — the last time was on 30 May 2024,” a spokesperson with the British Embassy in Washington These strikes also mark the first to be authorized by the Brits during President Donald Trump’s second presidency On Monday, before the U.S.-U.K. joint mission, the Office of the Navy Chief of Information released a statement confirming that a F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet (valued at more than $60 million) was “lost at sea” after falling overboard the USS Harry S. Truman — reportedly as that aircraft carrier made a sharp turn to evade Houthi fire.  “This action was taken in response to a persistent threat from the Houthis to freedom of navigation A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions fuelling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the U.K.,” British Secretary of State for Defence John Healey said in a statement to reporters late Tuesday about the latest joint mission The strikes happened after dark and Houthi facilities targeted were located around fifteen miles south of Sanaa with air refuelling support from Voyager tankers engaged a number of these buildings using Paveway IV precision-guided bombs — once very careful planning had been completed to allow the targets to be prosecuted with minimal risk to civilians or non-military infrastructure,” the British Embassy spokesperson told DefenseScoop forces have also recently supplied routine allied air-to-air refueling support “to aid the self defense of U.S forces” in the region prior to these strikes will not hesitate to take action to protect innocent lives and preserve freedom of navigation,” the official said A Pentagon spokesperson referred DefenseScoop’s questions Wednesday to U.S Spokespersons from the command did not immediately respond to the request the former SA Schools and Junior Springbok representative had good memories of his previous experiences in green and gold but playing for the Blitzboks was “something else” Brits returns to Perth for the HSBC SVNS at HBF Park this time with a clear understanding of the mission at hand and keen to improve on their fifth-place finish in 2024 “It’s exciting indeed – we had a good performance in our last tournament by winning in Cape Town and although we put that behind us we now know what can be done if we apply ourselves properly,” Brits said on Monday after the team enjoyed a solid gym flush-out and field session it is quite hot out here and the support for us is good We are used to training in the heat back home He scored the decisive try in the Cape Town final and for Brits the opportunity to become a permanent starter in the team a broken rib was amongst some niggles that impacted on his regular selection “The season was not the greatest in that regard “I just want to contribute to the team and make sure we represent the Bok logo with the respect it deserves.” The centre berth he had in fifteens has now been traded for a front row position in sevens but that does not bother Brits at all: “It is where the coach wants me to contribute to this side and that is where I am happy and honoured to play and serve my country.” The Blitzboks have an experienced core to their squad with Ryan Oosthuizen and Siviwe Soyizwapi being joined by Zain Davids as players who have played in 50 world series tournaments while Impi Visser (41) and Selvyn Davids (37) are also closing in onto that mark Brits will only play in his sixth event and could be an unknown factor to their opponents this weekend I don't really care what or what not our opponents know about me,” he said “The only ones I am keen to impress are those who know me And they know that I will give everything for them and for this team I just want to add a bit of David to the Blitzboks," he smiled Blitzboks’ leading points scorers this season:37: Tristan Leyds25: Ricardo Duarttee The Springbok Sevens team qualified for the playoffs of the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles with victories o.. It will be a tournament with no second chances of clinical execution and most importantly The Springbok Sevens’ 2025 season had it all: a rare home win in Cape Town The Springbok Sevens team arrived in Perth on Sunday with a positive mindset and determined to raise the bar they have set in South Africa last month The Springbok Women started their Rugby World Cup year on a positive note with a satisfactory training camp held in Stellenbosch this week The Vodacom Bulls are effectively the odd one out on a final weekend of Investec Champions Cup group action in which 23 of the 24 teams stand a chance of advancing to the knock-out phase A governance review by an independent audit firm is being commissioned by SA Rugby to assure stakeholders that governance requirements were adhered to in relation to a proposed equity transaction Zain Davids will reach a well-deserved 50th HSBC SVNS tournament cap in Australia next weekend after the 27-year-old was named in the Springbok Sevens squad for the HSBC SVNS Perth at HBF Park from 24-26 January A thrilling final pool round in the Investec Champions Cup with the three South African teams exiting the competition before the Round of 16 the top French sides delivered a masterclass in what is required to go all the way while some other teams provided heroic performances that inspired the passion and emotion from their supporters that make this competition special The Vodacom United Rugby Championship announced a great line-up of global female leaders who are confirmed for the 2025 Women's Leadership Academy programme and young women interested in working in the sports industry should apply to join this free CV-boosting programme soon When he wore the green and gold for the Springbok Sevens the first time – on 28 January 2017 in Wellington New Zealand – Zain Davids was the proudest man alive and on Friday he will again be on cloud nine when he runs out in his 50th HSBC SVNS tournament for the Blitzboks in Perth Following a tense conclusion to the pool stage last weekend where every point counted and qualification and ranking was decided in the final match the EPCR Challenge Cup last 16 has been decided Hollywoodbets Sharks and Emirates Lions all through to the playoffs The Junior Springbok season will kick off in all earnest with the invitation of a big group of players to the first SA Rugby Under-20 Academy camp which will be held at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport from 26 January to 16 February Schalk Brits couldn’t resist a light-hearted dig at Ireland’s Rugby World Cup failures as he assessed the Springboks’ impressive 2024 campaign South Africa followed up their success at the global tournament with a superb season as they won 11 of their 13 matches and claimed the Rugby Championship title They have battled with Andy Farrell’s men for top spot over the course of the campaign but the Boks eventually ended the year at the summit It was Ireland who spent the build-up to the 2023 World Cup at the top of the World Rugby rankings but they once again succumbed in the quarter-finals Their record of not getting past the last-eight remains, which is in stark contrast to the Springboks including the previous two in 2019 and 2023 “People don’t remember who the number one team is in the world every year, but everyone remembers who wins the World Cup. I would definitely rather win the World Cup,” Brits told SportsBoom The former Boks hooker then added with a smile: “It must be terrible to be Ireland – they’ve been ranked number one Farrell’s charges came so close to ending years of hurt but it ultimately ended in heartbreak as they narrowly went down to the All Blacks England and New Zealand all by one point on their way to lifting the Webb Ellis Cup And Brits credits the genius of Rassie Erasmus for that ability to change losses into victories “There have been amazing Springbok sides before but these players are playing for something much bigger than themselves but the Springboks can transform the country through their diversity being made up of people from all walks of life “Rassie said we could show South Africa that we could work together with our colour we could inspire the next Springbok from our community “We would probably lose a much higher percentage of those one-point games were it not for our ‘why’ being very well determined: It’s not about rugby for us it’s about giving hope to 65 million people.” Planet Rugby Readers’ Awards: Rassie Erasmus and Springboks honoured South Africa have not suffered a lull since the World Cup and went through the northern hemisphere tour unbeaten for the first time since 2013 The Springboks did not face Ireland or France but they got past what was put in front of them relatively comfortably England provided the toughest challenge but Erasmus’ men still claimed a nine-point triumph at Twickenham last month England and Wales on the recent tour is important which puts the players under pressure and gives the team depth,” Brits added READ MORE: ‘The Springboks always comes first’ – Handre Pollard addresses Test fly-half battle ahead of Champions Cup clash with rival Ex-England hooker Brian Moore has published the rejigged British and Irish Lions squad he would like to see picked this Thursday by Andy Farrell Leinster have issued a concerning update on Caelan Doris just three days out from the British and Irish Lions squad announcement General public tickets are still in plentiful supply for Thursday’s British and Irish Lions squad announcement in London Lawrence Dallaglio has named the British and Irish Lions squad he wants to see picked to tour Australia – and it includes the French-based Owen Farrell Mining and Technical Exhibitions (MTE) is back in the western limb chrome and platinum belt for its annual high-impact combo expos on 8 and 10 April 2025 MTE hosted a total of 622 mining professionals and 179 exhibitor stands at its Mooinooi and Rustenburg expos over a three-day period and “this despite the downswing in PGMs in the market,” says Andrew Macnamara This year the company expects operations in the Mooinooi area to visit its Rustenburg expo while a new leg of the tour has been brought in to target the Brits business sector to add more value to the mining ecosystem in the area The Brits expo will be a mining and general industry exhibition while Rustenburg remains a mining specific show the PGMs basket price in Dollar terms declined by more than 40% in 2024: “The ‘good’ news was that the overall PGMs basket prices were relatively stable for most of the year An important factor behind this was the slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) adoption and the realisation that future EV sales would not grow as fast as previously envisaged Unlike vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs) which provide a bridge between ICEs and EVs lower global inflation and interest rates may have also helped to stabilise PGM prices the delayed response in the South African sector to sustained low metal prices affecting profitability with the rightsizing of the labour force as a last resort “South Africa maintained its position as the world’s leading producer of chromite ore in 2024 with output exceeding 22 million tonnes… despite security issues including ongoing incidents of cable theft remaining a critical issue along the chrome rail lines from the North West and Limpopo provinces to Richards Bay and the Port of Durban The lack of visibility and control over high-value ferrochrome during transit has discouraged companies from using rail favouring road transport through Komatipoort instead MTE western limb chrome and platinum belt tour “Chrome exports are expected to continue growing as rail and operational challenges at Transnet persist road transport is approximately 40% more expensive than rail making the profitability of this mode of export highly sensitive to fluctuations in commodity prices recent social unrest and the resultant disruptions to business operations in Mozambique following the disputed October 2024 general election have introduced uncertainty to domestic exporters that use the port of Maputo more than 50% of South Africa’s total export tonnages of chrome went through Maputo Most of South Africa’s chrome demand comes from China which has experienced slower economic growth China’s growth rate is expected to decline from 4.8% in 2024 to 4.5% in 2025 An interesting dynamic in 2024 was sustained strong Chinese import demand for South African chrome despite weaker real GDP growth This may be tied to geopolitics as China builds inventories of strategic minerals as a safeguard against possible future trade or other disruptions the sustainability of Chinese demand is in question if underlying stainless-steel demand does not pick up.”1 “There are both opportunities and challenges in the chrome and PGMs sector of the industry at the moment but after visiting the areas in our marketing preparations it is clear that all the required adjustments have been made in the PGMs and chrome operations specifically to manage tough times and its head down and shoulder to the grindstone right now A ramp up of effective production is expected and the more technical support we can offer the sector Rabboni Christian School is the venue for MTE’s first leg of the combo tour in Brits The event takes place between 13:00 and 17:00 on 8 April 2025 MTE moves on to Rustenburg for the second show For more information contact Andrew on +27 (0) 82 720 0083 or andrew@interactmedia.co.za Click here to send us a message Subscribe to daily business and company news across 19 industries Nearly 2,500 destinations were rated across categories such as food Travel said: "Some cities are one-trick ponies but the standout destinations in this year’s survey have it all – each offering unique cultural sights and even sublime scenery.” And Cape Town with its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant city life This latest accolade builds on Cape Town's recent recognition as Time Out's Best City in the World solidifying its position as not just a top destination Cape Town stands out for its stunning natural beauty Whether you’re sipping sundowners on Signal Hill Cape Town offers world-class experiences without the high price tag of other top global destinations One British traveller shared: “Cape Town is probably the world holiday destination where your pound will go furthest.” said: “Cape Town isn’t just a place – it’s a living "Here’s the secret we Capetonians have been quietly enjoying (but we're ready to let you in on it): Our art scene It’s not just good; it’s world-class and we’ve got galleries and street art that’ll make your Instagram explode Let’s just say Cape Town’s past isn’t something you read in a guidebook – it’s an experience you feel the moment you walk through our streets the only way to get it is to come see for yourself We’ve been keeping the secret long enough!” Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth emphasised how Cape Town’s recognition as a global leader in travel isn’t just about tourism – it’s a vital driver for economic and job growth “What makes Cape Town so special is that it’s not just a place to visit – it’s a place to experience you’re hiking up Lion’s Head; the next you’re sipping award-winning wine in Durbanville; and by evening you’re enjoying fresh seafood with an ocean view It contributes directly to our local economy creating thousands of jobs and stimulating growth You can do it all and still have room in your pocket for more!” Choose a topic below and thereafter view all articles on the topic using the "Next >" button or swiping left Choose a topic below and thereafter view all articles on the topic using the "Next >" button or the keyboard right arrow key In a remarkable display of courage and resilience seven-year-old Johandré Blom is recovering at home after surviving a horrific crocodile attack near Brits in March that claimed his left arm Little Johandré fought for his life in the ICU after a crocodile attacked him while he was playing in shallow water with a friend He was on holiday with his family at the Emanzini Fishing Resort at Roodekopjes Dam at the time The boys were only a few metres away from where their fathers were fishing when a massive crocodile lunged and grabbed Johandré His friend Dylan screamed and tried to pull him back immediately leapt into the water to save him where he was stabilized before being airlifted to a hospital in Alberton Also read: Boy’s (7) arm ripped off by crocodile near Brits He was placed in an induced coma and remained stable although doctors closely monitored his condition His family urgently sought support as he faced a long and difficult road to recovery According to family friend Juan van der Merwe Johandré still faced a long journey of care and rehabilitation “All funds raised will be used to pay the hospital fees and future medical bills,” he said the family has already managed to raise almost half a million rand towards Johandré’s recovery Johandré shared the good news of his recovery at home and thanked everyone for their support Read original story on www.citizen.co.za LONDON — The United States and Canada’s trade negotiators finally agree on something: When it comes to North American beef Speaking to Anne McElvoy on POLITICO’s Power Play podcast, Canada’s top diplomat in the U.K., Ralph Goodale, said Britain’s resistance to opening its borders to hormone-treated beef is “not scientifically justified.” Ottawa is keen to diversify its trade with allies like the U.K following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s stunning victory in Canada’s general election this week But reviving talks for an updated trade deal with London is unlikely a former finance minister who served in the Cabinets of three Liberal prime ministers between 1993 and 2019 “has a series of unscientific nontariff trade barriers in place,” the high commissioner added pointing to British food standards on meat imports Pressure to drop these standards played a central role in Britain’s previous Tory government’s decision to walk away from the negotiating table with Canada in early 2024 with many facing tariffs of 245 per cent on their produce you left your cheese quota in Brussels,” he argued “Now if you've got a problem with the cheese quota go to Brussels and get it because you left it there.” This is not a supply management issue in Canada Former Bank of England Governor Carney’s predecessor Justin Trudeau attempted to get the talks restarted early this year as U.S President Donald Trump prepared to hit Canada with tariffs “There are issues with respect to agriculture,” Carney explained after meeting with Keir Starmer in No Even the Labour government “feels for political reasons it's not able to move on that issue,” Goodale acknowledged noting Canadians “understand that perfectly well.” Successive British governments have set out changes to U.K food standards as a red line — including in talks with both Trump administrations “I don't see that one easily being solved,” Goodale said faced with “a common challenge” in the shape of Trump’s trade war and its massive tariffs sharing its critical minerals and in nuclear technologies like small reactors India’s top trade negotiator had returned to the U.K on Friday for unscheduled negotiations in an attempt to conclude the talks The two countries have entered the final stages of negotiations The two sides have completed an intensive two-day negotiating sprint in London The new rules will lead to around 100 new visas for Indian workers each year The Magalies Water Board did an oversight visit to the Brits Water Treatment Plant last week to assess the progress of the now 10-year-long project Refurbishment and upgrading of the treatment plant started in 2015 and the estimated completion date was initially given as 2022 Representatives of Magalies Water visited the Brits Water Treatment Plant It takes a lot to upset Springboks legend Schalk Brits and even being sent into a water hazard on a golf course could not wipe the smile from the World Cup winner The 43-year-old was playing in the NTT DATA Pro Am 2025 in South Africa this week and appeared to be enjoying the golf as he eyed up a putt on Day Three of the event Brits came up short with his long-distance attempt but then things took a turn for the worst when Selwyn Nathan With the former Springboks hooker approaching the ball Nathan decided to pick it up and throw it way over the former Stormers Saracens and Bulls front-rower’s head The race was then on for Brits as he attempted to retrieve the fast-rolling golf ball before it made its way into the water Duane Vermeulen linked with new role after request from former Springboks team-mate he did not quite have the speed to stop the ball from going into the water and Brits followed it in afterwards and was drenched all the way up to his chest @SchalkBrits going for a dip Lost a yard of pace since retirement… pic.twitter.com/ifPhbEN9hL — Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) February 17, 2025 “How is the cellphone,” one commentator on Supersport said on the broadcast as Brits threw it from his drenched pocket onto the green who is renowned for being a larger than life character always sees the funny side in life and hauled himself out from the water grinning before he was handed a towel he’s playing golf and now trying his hand at swimming too,” the lead commentator said to sum up the moment Brits wasn’t the only Springboks Rugby World Cup winner in action at the event as Steven Kitshoff was also in attendance as he continues to recover from a neck injury The all-action Brits retired from rugby in 2019 at the age of 38 after a stellar career that saw him help Saracens enjoy a period of dominance both in England and Europe READ MORE: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ‘grinding hard’ as Springboks star reveals Stormers targets after a series of concerning injuries Our Team of My Life series continues with former England and London Irish wing Topsy Ojo joining us to pick his Dream XV that he shared a pitch with to pick his brain on the best XV he has played with or against in the Premiership for eToro David Brits is adamant that he will bring positive energy to the Springbok Sevens squad in Singapore where the sixth leg of HSBC SVNS will take place this weekend Squad update: Brits and Jobb to link up with the #Blitzboks in Singapore - more here: https://t.co/Se6yOrNN2z ✈#PoweredByUnity #HSBCSVNS pic.twitter.com/Ene5HTm0cu with the four group winners progressing straight to the semifinals Springbok Sevens pool schedule in Singapore (SA times): #3 Impi Visser (co-captain) – 44 tournaments #8 Selvyn Davids (co-captain) – 40 tournaments GOAL provides you the latest on Britain's stars playing overseas including the England captain and Los Blancos' favourite Galactico We're into week two of GOAL's Brits Abroad series shining a light on the United Kingdom's finest exports playing their football elsewhere in the world With more and more homegrown stars choosing to take their talents across the globe it's proving a tricky challenge trying to whittle them all down into one concise roundup Oli McBurnie scoring his first La Liga goal for Las Palmas - at the 26th time of asking - has been reduced to a mere footnote such has been the busyness of his British compatriots McBurnie's loss is the gain of several others however with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham enduring mixed fortunes with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid respectively while this week we take our first venture outside of Europe to see how an England international striker is getting on there's another Brit shining in La Liga and plenty more going on at AC Milan's house of English expats Brits are wasting a total of £3.88bn per year on new hobbies that they then give up after four months on average one of the UK’s most popular online marketplaces The research shows that six in ten (57%) UK adults have started a new hobby in the last three years* – but half (46%) admit that they gave it up equating to more than a quarter of all UK adults (26%) their new hobby lasted just four months (16.7 weeks) But the lack of commitment comes at a cost Brits are splashing out an average of £833.50 on hobbies that they’ve started and then given up over the last three years There are significant gender differences as men have wasted £1,018 on average on equipment for hobbies they’ve then given up – over 1.5x more than women (£670.40) when quizzed on the cost of the most expensive item they bought for a hobby they later gave up men admitted to spending an average of £460.90 on one item more than twice as much as the average women’s spend of £223.90 Just a third (32%) of hobbyists considered buying their equipment secondhand but this method could have serious savings – with over half (54%) of those who bought second hand doing so for cost reasons those who started sewing spent an average of £300 on a new machine but the median listing price for a second-hand machine on Gumtree is £50-£60 – a discount of up to 80% for bargain buyers** among those who didn’t buy their equipment secondhand three-quarters (74%) said that they would consider doing so in future Fitness and exercise takes the crown as the most common hobby that Brits have taken up and then given up in the past three years** (13% of those who have given up a hobby) The top reason for giving it up was they simply got bored of it (47%) but this comes at a price as those who gave it up spent an average of £307 on gym equipment Those who started golf spent a huge £1,603 – but 47% of those who gave it up did so in less than a month with 73% admitting that it was too expensive for them to maintain Looking more generally at the top reasons why people gave up their new interest 38% said that the hobby was more difficult than they expected (increasing to 67% for guitar and running) and 20% thought they weren’t very good at it Others simply got bored (36%) or were too busy to have time for it (26%) Among those who haven’t been able to continue their hobbies long term 43% said they’ve kept the relevant equipment in the hopes that they’ll one day start the activity up again A further 11% said they sold it immediately after quitting and managed to make back a third (35%) of their original spend while one in ten (11%) said they gave the equipment away to friends or family members “It’s only natural to want to try new things but our research reveals that we can sometimes struggle to commit to a new hobby despite having spent precious time and money in our excitement we’d recommend buying any equipment secondhand – particularly if you’re not sure that you’ll keep at it long term shopping secondhand can help to save you a lot of money when pursuing a new interest “If you find that your latest passion isn’t quite right you can always sell your items to other people exploring the activity This will help you make some money back while providing someone else with the chance to find their new favourite hobby.” Feature Image by Alejandro Cuadro from Pixabay Sign up to get LondonDaily.News delivered to your inbox The Hawks arrested two Brits businessmen for alleged corruption of over R4.9m The Hawks arrested Jan Antonie Van Der Nest (56) and Johan Buitendag (49)