KentOnline

Podcast: Sudanese teen found dead after trying to cross the Channel

The body of a 16-year-old boy from Sudan was found washed up on Sangatte beach by French authorities this morning.

 

It is thought he was trying to reach the UK by boat.

 

We have reaction from Clare Moseley from Care4Calais, who is calling for safe and legal ways for people to apply for asylum in the UK.

 

Also in the podcast: First-time buyers in Kent scramble for mortgages as the housing market soars post-lockdown.

Podcast: Border Force to look after asylum-seeking children as council reaches capacity

Any more unaccompanied asylum-seeking children arriving on Kent's shores will be now looked after by Border Force, after Kent County Council admitted they can no longer safely accommodate more children. 

 

It follows years of warnings to the government that it was close to capacity, but now demand has tipped over due to the increase in boats crossing the Channel.

We'll hear from Bridget Chapman from the Kent Refugee Action Network. 

Also in the podcast: more reaction from teachers, students and universities after the government's U-turn in A-Level exam gradings.

 

 

Podcast: Government U-turn after A-Level grade disaster

The government announced a U-turn in A-Level and GCSE grading, following fierce criticism from pupils who lost university places due to downgrading. 

 

We've been speaking to an education law expert on what could happen to those university places now, after one Medway MP predicted admissions 'chaos' following the announcement.

 

Also in the podcast: we hear from a couple who have been offering a home to people seeking asylum in the UK for the past four years. 

Podcast: More lockdown restrictions are eased but quarantine comes in for people returning to the UK from France

The government has eased more lockdown restrictions allowing places like soft play centres and music venues to reopen for the first time since lockdown.

We'll have reaction from the owner of Adventure Kidz in Aylesford.

Also, hear from event consultant Blessing Enakimio as it's also confirmed wedding receptions with up to 30 guests can go ahead.

It's also been confirmed anyone returning to the UK from France after 4am tomorrow will have to quarantine for 14 days - Eurotunnel have spoken out and we've heard from a Kent family who managed to get home a week earlier thank planned.

Also in the podcast - a Kent student is planning a protest in London tomorrow as the row over this year's A-level results continues.

Podcast: A-level results day in Kent like no other

It's been an A-level results day like no other - hugs and sobbing at the school gate replaced with social distanced gatherings, if schools were even open.

Hear from students from across the county as they received their grades which, this year, weren't based on exam results.

Also in the podcast, it's feared Kent is just 'days away' from running out of space to look after unaccompanied children who've crossed the Channel.

And, a petition is launched against plans for a theme park in north Kent, bubbed the UK's answer to Disneyland.

Podcast: Reaction from Kent as the UK falls into its biggest ever recession

The financial cost of lockdown has been revealed today as it's confirmed the UK has fallen into it's biggest ever recession.

The economy shrank by 20% between April and June as shops, pubs, restaurants and factories all closed because of the pandemic.

The Chancellor has warned more jobs could be lost but insists we will get through this.

Also in the podcast, figures show an increase in racially aggravated crime in Kent during the Black Lives Matter protests, and £112m of work gets underway to improve two busy junctions on the A2.

Podcast: Talks take place in Paris on migrant crossings to Kent

Talks have been taking place in Paris on the number of migrants risking their lives by crossing the Channel in small boats to Kent.

Hundreds of people have made the journey in recent days and the Navy has been asked to help patrol the waters.

Also in today's podcast - a man has died in a hit and run in Medway, figures reveal a rise in child sex offences in Kent and cinemas say their futures are being threatened by movies being streamed.

Podcast: Anger as beach party at Greatstone, New Romney leaves coast strewn with litter

There's anger after thousands of people turned up on a beach in Kent for a 'cook out' event which organisers have now admitted 'got out of hand'.

Coaches and minibuses arrived from London for the gathering on Greatstone beach in New Romney after it was banned from happening at nearby Camber.

This morning, the coast was covered in litter and it's emerged a number of police officers were injured.

Also in the podcast - a request is made to the Royal navy to patrol the Channel as migrant crossings continue.

And, why more and more children in Kent are suffering from conditions like eczema.

Podcast: Record number of migrants cross Channel and holidaymakers head to the Kent coast

An inquiry is getting underway after a record number of migrants crossed the English Channel to Kent.

Dover's MP is calling for French authorities to do more to stop people trafficking gangs.

Also on today's podcast - thousands flock to Kent's beaches as temperature soar, but be warned, the sunny weather could come to an abrupt end on Monday.

Podcast: Field fire destroys Airbnb bungalow and narrowly avoids family home in Gillingham

A family say firefighters should have done more after a fire ripped through a field and destroyed part of their property.

The recently built Airbnb bungalow was gutted by the blaze in Gillingham.

Hear from the owners who only just managed to escape.

Also in the podcast - Strood GP Dr Julian Spinks has advice on how to copy with the heatwave and Santus Circus thank residents who donated food during lockdown.