KentOnline

The transport secretary has called on the boss of P&O Ferries to step down immediately.
It’s just over a week since sailings between Dover and Calais were suddenly suspended and 800 workers sacked without notice.
Hear what Grant Shapps has had to say.
Also in today’s podcast, a Maidstone based physio has been suspended after having an affair with a patient.
A Canterbury nurse who’s preparing to welcome two Ukrainian refugees to her home, says the process of helping them reach the UK could be made simpler.
The government set up a website earlier this month for anyone willing to offer accommodation to register their interest.
Hear from Heidi Whittaker who’s making her spare room available.
Young people in Kent due to finish school this summer are being encouraged to look at careers in the digital industry.
Figures show over half of 16-24-year-old’s think a job in the sector is complicated and young women in particular reckon that’s the case.
We’ve spoken to the founder of Maidstone based Reflect Digital.
Celeb chef Mark Sargeant has revealed he’s going to be opening a new restaurant in Folkestone.
And, we chat to the Gillingham goalkeeper ahead of their trip to Accrington Stanley this weekend.

A man who was Tasered and punched by police who unlawfully entered his home has spoken about the ordeal.
Bob White was trying to stop his property from being repossessed but was arrested on suspicion of affray.
Hear the moment officers got into the house and how Mr White hopes he now gets a formal apology.
Also in today’s podcast, a week after P&O ferries between Dover and Calais were suspended and nearly 800 workers sacked without notice – the boss of the company has told MPs he would do the same thing again.
Peter Hebblethwaite has been giving evidence to a committee – hear his responses to some of their questions.
£400,000 has been seized by police following raids on a number of homes in Kent.
It follows a lengthy investigation into complex fraud and drug supply.
It’s a month since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and we’ve been getting an update from a Maidstone man who’s been delivering aid.
And, we’ve been inside the world’s first purpose built multi-storey skate park which is due to open in Folkestone next month.
Hear from the team behind it and the architect who came up with the design.

A 5p cut in fuel duty has been announced by the Chancellor in his spring statement in a bid to help with the rising cost of living.Rishi Sunak has announced a range of measures for households.We have analysis from Dr Catherine Robinson from Kent Business School at the university of Kent, Howard Cox from Fair Fuel UK and My Kent Family editor Lauren Abbott.Also in today’s podcast, the Prime Minister’s described the actions of P and O Ferries as callous – after it sacked nearly 800 workers in a pre-recorded video.The company’s sailings between Dover and Calais remain suspended.Boris Johnson says if the firm has gone against the rules then it might have to pay millions of pounds.It’s two years since the first Covid national lockdown and we’ve returned to one Kent high street to see how things have changed.Hear from a business owner who says the pandemic is no longer the problem.A Medway man who fears going to sleep at night because of his epilepsy says people need to be more aware of the condition.David Neale only suffers seizures when he’s asleep and has been speaking frankly about it to Jenni Horn.And you can hear from Olympic sprinter Dina Asher-Smith who has been made an honorary doctor by the University of Kent.The 26-year-old from Orpington has been recognised for her ‘exceptional and inspirational athletic career’.

A driver has been taken to hospital after a bus crashed into houses in Tunbridge Wells.
Emergency crews were called to Greggs Wood Road at about 8pm yesterday.
Hear from our reporter Sean McPolin who’s spoken to a neighbour who heard it happen.
Also in today’s podcast, P&O Ferries have been given until 5pm to explain why 800 workers were sacked without notice.
Hear from some of Kent’s MPs who’ve been debating the issue in the Commons.
A Sittingbourne woman has spoken about the moment her step-son pretended to be asleep as a burglar stood at his bedroom door.
Their home was targeted by so-called creeper burglars who took keys and stole the family’s car.
Businesses on one of Kent’s high streets have signed up to be safe spaces to help women and girls feel safer.
Anyone who’s been a victim of a crime, or is feeling uneasy or lost can go there to be looked after until experts are called if necessary.
Hear from Kent’s police and crime commissioner who bid for funding so it could happen.
And, find out which Olympic star will be getting an honorary degree from the University of Kent at a ceremony this evening.

There’s more today following P&O’s decision last week to sack all 800 of their employees.
Labour are forcing an emergency vote in Parliament and want the government to outlaw the company’s decision. 
Hear today from the shadow work and pensions secretary and also the general secretary of the RMT union who have been campaigning on behalf of the staff made redundant.
Also in today’s podcast, a Whitstable fisherman has taken extreme action to raise awareness of the rising price of red diesel.
Chris Attenborough normally uses it to fill his boat – but says it’s now 70p a litre more expensive.
To prove his point, he’s taken the vessel on the back of a lorry to a petrol station.
A cafe has opened in Tunbridge Wells to help victims of domestic abuse.
Serenity Cafe is based in a secret location and will offer a safe space where survivors can meet and socialise with each-other.
We’ve been speaking to the manager and a domestic abuse survivor.
And, the Gillingham manager has been reacting to their point against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.
The result means they are now out of the league one relegation zone.

In today’s podcast, we get reaction to the news P&O have immediately terminated the contracts of around 800 employees.
Protests have been held in Dover today, our reporter Sam Williams is there. 
We also speak to a solicitor, who says P&O will have some legal questions to answer.
 
Also today, Sarah Everard’s killer Wayne Couzens has been charged with four counts of indecent exposure.
Anti-vaxxers have been accused of ‘ruining’ lampposts in Herne Bay.
And, The Range has opened a new store in Ashford this morning. We hear from excited shoppers who were there.

On todays podcast, we get the latest on P&O Ferries as hundreds of staff are told they’re being made redundant.
Services between Dover and Calais have been cancelled today. We speak to a van driver who was stuck in France this morning.
 
Also today, a Dartford’s MP has withdrawn his support for plans to build a huge theme park on the Swanscombe peninsula.
 
A person’s been treated by paramedics after a boat caught alight in Medway. One man has told the KentOnline podcast it could’ve been avoided.
 
And, an historic steam train has been travelling through Kent today.

Covid cases in Kent have risen by almost 80% in a week.
Figures seen by the KentOnline Podcast show a sharp increase following four weeks of infection rates dropping.
We’ve been speaking to shoppers in Canterbury to find out if they’re still anxious about the virus.
Also in today’s podcast, green campaigners in Kent fear the current conflict in Ukraine is being used as an excuse to re-explore the idea of fracking for gas.
There have been calls to look into new energy sources so we don’t rely on supplies from Russia.
Hear from Tonbridge councillor Mark Hood who’s against the idea of fracking and Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay who reckons it should be explored.
We explain why the skies over Kent have turned orange today.
You might also find your car needs a wash after Saharan dust was blown across the county.
And, hear from the Gillingham manager following their defeat to Charlton last night.
It finished 1-0 at the Valley.

More details have emerged as to why a popular high street butchers in across Kent has collapsed into administration.
JC Rook & Sons announced yesterday is wouldn’t be opening its 11 shops in the county along with two production and service facilities.
We’ve now had a statement from the administrators – hear what they have to say.
Also in today’s podcast, a Kent MP has defended the government’s response to the Ukraine crisis.
There’s been criticism of how quickly they’ve moved to help some of the millions of refugees who’ve fled the country.
Hear from Sittingbourne and Sheppey’s Gordon Henderson. We’ve also been hearing some of your views on calls for people in the UK to make a spare room in their home available to a refugee.
Plus, a Canterbury woman who was born in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol reveals how she hasn’t been able to contact her family for two weeks.
We’ve got a round-up of cases that have been in court in Kent – plus news on a huge theft of pregnant sheep.
The Podcast has also been hearing about the hidden gems behind the doors of Rochester Cathedral.
And our sports reporter Luke Cawdell has caught up with the Gillingham manager ahead of another big game tonight as they travel to take on Charlton.

One of Kent’s oldest and biggest butchery firms has gone into administration.
JC Rook & Sons has 11 stores in the county but none of them are open today after managers were told of the news last night.
We have reaction from our business editor Chris Britcher and we’ve also been speaking to another butcher based in Deal.
Also in today’s podcast, a Kent woman who’s been a victim of cyberflashing has welcomed the news it’s going to become a criminal offence.
It’s when offenders send inappropriate images to people online without consent – often targeting victims via their email or social media.
We’ve been hearing how schools across Kent are joining forces to help with the aid effort in Ukraine.
The CEO of Our Community Multi Academy Trust has been speaking about getting collections of clothes to the border.
It’s dog theft awareness day and we’ve been speaking to a woman whose pet was stolen from her van as it was parked at Bluewater.
She’s thankfully now been reunited with her pet but has described what it was like to have him taken.
And the Gillingham manager has reacted to their huge win at the weekend.
The 1-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers means the Gills are now only in the league one relegation zone on goal difference.