KentOnline

KentOnline’s been told the cost of deliberate fires on farms in Kent has hit its highest level in four years.A new report says the price tag of all blazes in the south east increased to almost 6 million pounds last year – that’s up 43% with more than a quarter thought to have been started on purpose.Also in today’s episode, we’ve been looking at what Kent would be like if it wasn’t for charities, and we hear from Gillingham manager Steve Evans after their game at the weekend.
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This week we were joined by Josephine McCartney, chief executive of the Kent Community Foundation, to discuss then significance of the charity sector in Kent. 
She explains how integral they are, and why the county would be on its knees without them.

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield has spoken out in Parliament about being the victim of domestic abuse.She shared her experience during a debate on a new law, and receieved a standing ovation from her colleagues.Also in today’s episode, a Medway mum is calling for more support for families who lose a baby, we hear from the writer of the new David Copperfield film, and Dina-Asher Smith tells us what it’s like to be the 200m world champion.
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No new hospital for Canterbury despite Boris Johnson’s promise to build oneBoris Johnson’s coming in for criticism in Kent after the Department of Health confirmed there are ‘no immediate plans’ for a new hospital in Canterbury – despite the Prime Minister saying one would be built there.His surprise announcement at the Conservative party conference led to confusion yesterday.The government’s now confirmed Canterbury is not on a list of 40 new hospitals planned for the country.Also in today’s episode, a man’s on trial accused of murdering his former partner Sarah Wellgreen who’s been missing for almost a year, Dartford sprinter Adam Gemili narrowly misses out on a medal in the 200m at the World Athletics Championships, and more children are being encouraged to take up Futsal.

There’s confusion today over an announcement by the Prime Minister that a new hospital will be built in Kent.
Speaking at a fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, Boris Johnson said it would be built in Canterbury.
But that’s come as a surprise to people in the city after it wasn’t included in an original list published by the government at the weekend.
Also in today’s podcast: murder investigation underway in Dover, attacks on prison staff rise and volunteers help police in missing people searches.

Clean-ups have been taking place in parts of Kent following flooding overnight.Alerts and warnings have been in force along the River Medway, River Thames, The Swale and round the coast from Ramsgate to Romney Marsh.The Environment Agency sent staff out to man defences and are closely monitoring the situation.Also in today’s podcast: 10 months of roadworks start on a busy stretch of the A2, Kent’s Dina Asher-Smith claims silver at the World Athletics Championships and reaction from Gillingham’s defeat to Oxford United at the weekend.

Two men have been jailed for a total of 33 years after detonating explosives inside several cash machines, including one near Ashford.The 27 and 30 year-olds were arrested trying to flee the country with thousands of pounds after targeting the ATM outside a co-op in Kennington in February.Also in today’s episode, Nigel Farage has held a Brexit Party rally in Maidstone, a World War two bomb has been detonated in Kings Hill, the work nominated for this year’s Turner Prize has been unveiled in Ashford, a campaign’s underway to save a 1,800-year-old painting near Dartford, and we look ahead to Gillingham’s game against Oxford United this weekend.
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Figures seen by KentOnline show GP surgeries in Kent received seven written complaints every day over the past year.
Issues over communication, receptionists, doctors and the attitude of staff were among the things being complained about.
Surgeries in West Kent – including Maidstone, Malling, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells – received more complaints than any other part of the county – with 590 in 12 months.

A transgender man from Deal has lost his High Court fight to not be named as “mother” on his child’s birth certificate…
Freddy McConnell gave birth in 2018, but has been legally living as a man for four years.
The 32 year-old wants to be listed as “father” or “parent”.
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The Supreme Court has ruled Boris Johnson acted unlawfully in suspending Parliament.
The unanimous ruling was made this morning and has led to calls for the Prime Minister to resign.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says he misled the country – the Lib Dems and SNP are also demanding he step down.
And there are also questions facing the attorney general about the advice he gave the government.