Good evening and welcome to Friday's Daily Record headline briefing. The rundown keeps you up to date with the latest news from Scotland and beyond.
Today's top headlines include: Robbie Coltrane dead as Scots Harry Potter actor passes away aged 72, Liz Truss to hold press conference as Kwasi Kwarteng sacked for mini-budget disaster and family fury as axe killer who murdered wife as she phoned her mum gets out of jail early
Here's everything you need to know to keep up to date.
Robbie Coltrane dead as Scots Harry Potter actor passes away aged 72
Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane has died at the age of 72. His agent Belinda Wright said the Harry Potter star died on Friday.
In a statement, she said: "My client and friend Robbie Coltrane OBE passed away on Friday October 14. Robbie was a unique talent, sharing the Guinness Book of Records' Award for winning three consecutive Best Actor Baftas for his portrayal of Fitz in Granada TV's series Cracker in 1994, 1995 and 1996 with Sir Michael Gambon.
"He will probably be best remembered for decades to come as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, a role which brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world, prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years."
Liz Truss holds press conference as Kwasi Kwarteng sacked for mini-budget disaster
Liz Truss held a press conference today after she sacked Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor over the mini-budget disaster that tanked the pound.
Kwarteng went straight to Downing Street to learn his fate today after flying back to London from a trip to Washington DC.
It follows days of turmoil in the markets amid concerns about the impact of his £43 billion tax giveaway on the public finances.
Family fury as axe killer who murdered wife as she phoned her mum gets out of jail early
A man who killed his wife with an axe as she spoke to her mum on the phone has been freed after serving 14 years of a life sentence.
Emrys Taylor, 79, was released on parole last month but his victim’s furious family say he should have been kept behind bars for the horrific crime. Taylor told a 999 operator minutes after killing Lillian: “I’ve just killed my wife. I’ll go to prison for the rest of my life. It doesn’t matter.
“I’ve f***ing bashed her head in. There’s no need for an ambulance. Take her straight to the morgue.”
Vile Scots paedophiles exchanged sick letters discussing murder of children
Two convicted paedophiles who exchanged sick letters from behind bars discussing how they could rape and murder children received life sentences today.
Paul Hannah, 37, and Robert Aitman, 35, had previously been cellmates before ending up in separate prisons. The duo were subject to strict Sexual Offences Prevention Orders (SOPO) due to earlier crimes.
But, they flouted it by repeatedly secretly writing to one another during almost seven months in 2020. Some of what was penned - much too graphic to explain in detail - was read during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.
DWP shares new update for people of State Pension age due £300 on top of Winter Fuel Payment
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has given a new indication of when over eight million pensioner households across the UK will receive a £300 cost of living payment this winter. The one-off lump sum will be added to the annual Winter Fuel Payment to help people of State Pension age with higher energy bills.
Unlike the £150 Warm Home Discount Scheme and £400 energy rebate, this will be paid directly to claimants and not the energy supplier. Winter Fuel Payments, including the £300 top-up, will give eligible pensioner households up to £600 this year to help with the rising cost of living.
Previous guidance from DWP said that payments will arrive over November and December, but Minister for Work and Welfare, Victoria Prentis, said this week: “Cost of Living payments are being paid automatically alongside the Winter Fuel Payments from mid-November and should be paid by 13 January 2023.”
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