CIVIL servants were handed nearly 900 extra taxpayer-funded spending cards in just one year, official figures reveal.

The number of Government Procurement Cards in the Foreign Office surged from 4,590 in January 2023 to 5,472 in January 2024.

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The rise, which occurred under the Tories, marks a staggering 19 per cent increase and has been slammed by Reform UK.

Deputy leader Richard Tice hit out: “The Tories took taxpayers for a ride. They talked so about cutting waste and wanting lower taxes yet the reality is that they bloated the civil service and hammered taxpayers.

“No matter what the Tories say now, they are the reason for many of the issues we face today as a country.

“Only Reform UK are serious about cutting waste, cutting taxes and streamlining the civil service.”

The figures were obtained through a parliamentary question and Labour ministers defended the increase.

Foreign Office Minister Catherine West said: “Government Procurement Cards provide an efficient route to enable key staff to procure goods and services, necessary to the promotion of British interests overseas and the maintenance of our embassies and high commissions.

“All purchases are subject to authorisation by managers and audit checks.”

The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.

THE final footsteps of a missing couple who vanished together from a high street have been revealed as cops released CCTV images of their last sighting.

Rebecca Smallcalder, 26, and Louis Bond, 31, were last seen in Brompton, Gillingham, but new evidence shows them walking around a mile away from this location in Kent.

kent police

kent police

The couple, who went missing on Monday, January 6, were last seen at around 3.25pm.

Now, CCTV footage shared by Kent Police on Tuesday, January 7, has provided enough material for a map to be created, outlining the couple’s last movements.

After leaving their home in Gillingham, they were seen in Chatham town centre walking on the high street towards Rochester.

Then they were seen for a second time in Chatham.

Previously, images showed Louis to be wearing a reflective jacket and lugging a black rucksack.

While Rebecca wore a black top, black trousers, black hat and white trainers.

She also carried a grey handbag and pale green plastic carrier-bag.

Earlier on Monday, the day she was reported missing, Rebecca had been wearing a striped scarf, CCTV showed.

However, the new footage shows Louis carrying what seems to be the same plastic bag.

Louis also wears all black clothing and a pale blue woolly hat.

Along with black gloves, thick black shoes and the mysterious pale green carrier bag.

While Rebecca wears a black bomber-jacket, a hat and has a bag slung round her shoulder.

She also wears what seems to be the same white trainers.

In an updated statement, Chief Inspector Garry Cook said: “Our enquiries to locate Louis led us to identify that Rebecca had not been seen after leaving work on the same day.

“We have identified they were together in Gillingham High Street during the afternoon of Monday 6 January and then later that day around Chatham town centre, where they walked in the High Street in the direction of Rochester.

“We are very concerned for their welfare and are urging members of the public to contact us if they see either of them.”

The force is also urging residents and businesses in the area to check for more potential CCTV – and for motorists to check their dashcam footage.

Louis is described as being white, 5ft 5ins and of slim build, with a shaved head.

Rebecca is described as being white, of slim build, and 5ft 11ins with dark hair, which she wears in a ponytail.

kent police

kent police

BLACKPOOL Pleasure Beach Resort in the north of England has been named the best family-owned theme park in the country.

The seaside theme park, which first opened in 1896, has broken records and won prestigious awards.

Alamy

Alamy

And it was recently named one of the best family-run theme parks in the world by Blooloop.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort was the only UK theme park named on the list, making it the best in the country.

Other global theme parks on the list include Europa Park in Germany, Siam Park in Tenerife and IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai.

Popular theme parks in the UK, like Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, weren’t named on the list because they’re owned by larger companies.

Writing about Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort, Blooloop, said: “What makes the Pleasure Beach of today unique among British parks is its surviving collection of vintage rides.

“These include four wooden roller coasters, Sir Hiram Maxim’s Flying Machine, the River Caves and the Steeplechase, one of many attractions installed under the reign of the late Geoffrey Thompson OBE.

“Some of these are the last remaining types of their kind worldwide.”

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort was founded by William George Bean, the current owner’s great grandfather.

Boss and owner of Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE, added: “We’re honoured to be recognised as one of the best family-owned theme parks in the world, and the only UK park to make the list.

“My great grandfather founded Pleasure Beach and it has remained in our family ever since, where we continue to keep his passion for innovation and entertainment at the heart of everything we do.

“As ever, this recognition is a celebration of our incredible team and the loyal visitors who make Pleasure Beach Resort a truly special place, year on year.”

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort is home to the only two rides in the country to have been given a prestigious global award.

Last year, the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) awarded two rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach with Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques – a special recognition reserved for rides of historical significance.

Both the Big Dipper and the Grand National were awarded Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques.

Back in 2023, the Big Dipper, the theme park’s well-known wooden coaster, celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The seaside theme park is also home to The Big One, the UK’s tallest coaster.

Revolution, the country’s first looping roller coaster is also found at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort.

Icon and Infusion are two other roller coasters that are also the first of their kind in the UK too.

Some of these are the last remaining types of their kind worldwide

Meanwhile, younger guests are also very well catered for, with Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-o-matic, the Alice in Wonderland dark ride and Nickelodeon Land all on offer among many others.

Its line-up is set to get better when the seaside theme park reopens a much-loved ride later this year.

Formerly known as Ice Blast, the 210ft tower ride will reopen under the new name of Launch Pad.

It’s been given a new pressure cylinder, meaning the ride is faster than before.

And last year, theme park filed a registration of a charge with Companies House, which stated that the a new feature is set to be located somewhere at the park.

In the descriptions on the charge, it discusses an “Intamin Gyroswing located at Blackpool Pleasure Beach” – although not much else is known about the new ride.

Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort will open for its summer season on March 2, with prices from £28 for kids and £30 for adults.

How to spend a weekend in Blackpool

TRAVEL writer Catherine Lofthouse visited Blackpool last year with her family, here’s what she thought…

Bumbling along the beach in Blackpool, with the iconic tower as a backdrop, it feels like we’ve stepped inside a postcard, capturing the very essence of the great British seaside.

Whether you love a back-to-basics bucket-and-spade beach break, want a thrill a minute at one of the UK’s oldest theme parks or fancy a night on the tiles, there’s everything you need at Blackpool.

As a Strictly fan, I’d wanted to pay homage to the home of ballroom, but didn’t find much else to make me break out in song and dance.

But this summer, it feels like Blackpool is on the up.

Everywhere I look, there’s building work taking place and existing attractions being spruced up.

There’s been investment along the seafront, with Merlin, the company behind Alton Towers and Legoland, recently opening its eighth attraction in the town with the arrival of the Gruffalo Clubhouse for little ones.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is redeveloping some of its big name rides too, like Valhalla, which draws in theme park enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond.

Away from the beach, work is taking place to restore the historic Winter Gardens and their surrounds to their former glory.

At the end of last year, Alton Towers announced it would be closing its oldest ride permanently.

Meanwhile, here’s an exciting new look at the nearly-completed Epic Universe, which will open later this year.

Alamy

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