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The State of Us

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The State of Us
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  • Familiar faces return to count The State of the Budget
    Taxes, child benefits, electric cars and milkshakes - yes, we’re talking the Budget and how it could affect you.To help us along we invited some past guests of the programme back on to better understand what it all means. These guests all come from different circumstances – factory worker and new homeowner Jamie Jennings; single mum Louise McCullough; full-time worker Marc McKee who has a side-business as a content creator; plus libel lawyer Paul Tweed. And while everyone’s financial picture is different, a lot of their concerns – from home ownership to childcare and tax hikes – will feel familiar. So they kindly called in, while Ulster University professor Jodie Carson joined Tara and Declan on the pink sofa to help make sense of how people could see the benefits, and drawbacks, of this Budget. Boil the kettle or grab a milkshake if you like…How is the Budget affecting you? Get in touch: [email protected]
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  • Jim Browning: Meet the mystery hacker scamming the scammer
    Jim Browning has more than four million followers on YouTube, is a star of the BBC’s Scam Interceptors programme and makes his living uncovering and exposing people trying to grift their way to your money – but no-one knows who he really is.Once a Northern Ireland-based engineer with a curiosity about who was behind those annoying phone calls, now he’s a ‘scam-baiter’ who looks to turn the tables on scammers.But moving in such dangerous territory means, for his safety, he uses a fake name and keeps his face hidden. He agreed to speak to Tara and Declan for today’s episode of The State of Us while wearing a hoodie and mask. We’re glad he did though as he talks everything scam, from pig butchering and helping the police to what you should do when you get a scam call, email or text.For more information on scams and what to do (and not to do), visit the BBC Scam Safe 2025 site: https://www.bbc.co.uk/topics/cz0x47klllztGet in touch: [email protected]
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  • EXTRA: Religious education in schools – Supreme Court ruling explained
    The Christian religious education (RE) taught in schools in Northern Ireland is unlawful, the UK Supreme Court has ruled.In a unanimous judgement the UK's highest court allowed an appeal by an unnamed father and daughter from Northern Ireland.BBC News NI education correspondent Robbie Meredith joins Tara Mills and Declan Harvey to explain what it will mean for schools and pupils going forward. From nativities and assemblies to RE and sex ed – what is going to change?Get in touch: [email protected]
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  • Cookstown hotel crush: The ‘open wound’ of Greenvale
    Earlier this week, Tara and Declan spoke to two fathers who lost their sons in a crush outside a County Tyrone hotel almost seven years ago – and during the conversation were struck by the fact that many young people were caught up in chaos outside the Greenvale Hotel.So in this episode they spoke to two of them – Jack McCullagh and Darragh Dalton, close friends of two of three teenagers who died that night, Morgan Barnard and Connor Currie.Jack and Darragh are now young men who since that night have done GCSEs, A-levels, degrees and set themselves up for careers – but who are still waiting for the day when they could be called to give evidence in court about that night.They told Tara and Declan about how their lives have moved on since Greenvale, the lingering trauma they still cope with and how closure is so important to them and the victims’ families.Meanwhile, Declan also speaks about talking to Mary Bullock, mother of the crush’s third victim Lauren Bullock, who has, until now, not spoken publicly about what happened. And we also have an update on where the criminal case is at as its long delay through the court system continues.Get in touch: [email protected]
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  • Greenvale Hotel Crush: 'Our loved ones died - the years of legal wait is more trauma'
    It is almost seven years since three teenagers went to a St Patrick's night disco in County Tyrone and did not come home.Morgan Barnard, 17, Connor Currie, 16 and Lauren Bullock, 17, died in a crowd crush involving hundreds of young people outside the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown in March 2019. Their families say that delays in the legal system have been like a ‘second trauma’. Morgan's dad Jimmy, and Connor's dad Eamonn have been speaking to Tara and Declan for today's episode of The State of Us.For help and support: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline Get in touch: [email protected]
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About The State of Us

From BBC News NI. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey react and reflect on the stories that impact all our lives and speak to those who can help us understand why we’re in the state we’re in. This podcast is a new way of talking and learning about the news in Northern Ireland. There’ll be lots of candid conversations, special guests, with wisdom, informality and some fun along the way.Nothing will be off the table on “The State of Us”. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. Contact [email protected]
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