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Lauren Abbott - labbott@thekmgroup.co.uk

Lauren Abbott was news editor of the Dartford and Gravesend Messenger series until 2011. She then took responsibility for the KM Group's My Kent Family website before also taking on the role of Trending Content Writer across the Iliffe Media group in 2021.

Revealed: The top 10 most popular baby names in England and Wales

20 May 2024
Revealed: The top 10 most popular baby names in England and Wales

Revealed: The top 10 most popular baby names in England and Wales

20 May 2024

Olivia and Noah remain in the top spots, says the ONS, for the most popular baby names in England and Wales, but which others made the top 10?


The children’s meals with the highest salt content revealed

15 May 2024
The children’s meals with the highest salt content revealed

The children’s meals with the highest salt content revealed

15 May 2024

More than a third of children’s meals sold in restaurants exceed Government maximum salt targets says a new report studying more than 20 eateries.


Seven things going up in price from April 1

01 April 2024
Seven things going up in price from April 1

Seven things going up in price from April 1

01 April 2024

April 1 is dubbed National Price Hike Day as bills for council tax, water and TV licence are among those rising.


The once-popular baby names going out of fashion – and those coming in

26 March 2024
The once-popular baby names going out of fashion – and those coming in

The once-popular baby names going out of fashion – and those coming in

26 March 2024

Researchers have picked out the baby names which have become less popular since 2011, as well as those for boys and girls now on the rise.


Passport fees set to rise within weeks

22 March 2024
Passport fees set to rise within weeks

Passport fees set to rise within weeks

22 March 2024

Holidaymakers and other travellers without a passport have until April 11 to apply before an expected 7% hike in fees.


Emotive NHS ads to target parents over measles danger

04 March 2024
Emotive NHS ads to target parents over measles danger

Emotive NHS ads to target parents over measles danger

04 March 2024

With measles cases still rising, adverts will be broadcast across TV, radio and the internet appealing to parents to get their children vaccinated.


AA issues pre-Budget wish list for cash-strapped motorists

27 February 2024
AA issues pre-Budget wish list for cash-strapped motorists

AA issues pre-Budget wish list for cash-strapped motorists

27 February 2024

The breakdown organisation wants Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to extend the freeze on fuel duty and cut taxes for car insurance policies on March 6.


Complete ban on mobile phones in school confirmed – even at break times

19 February 2024
Complete ban on mobile phones in school confirmed – even at break times

Complete ban on mobile phones in school confirmed – even at break times

19 February 2024

Schools have been told they should ban mobile phones completely, but what exactly do the new rules mean for pupils, parents and teachers?


Lucozade and Ribena shortages ‘inevitable’ due to strike action

06 February 2024
Lucozade and Ribena shortages ‘inevitable’ due to strike action

Lucozade and Ribena shortages ‘inevitable’ due to strike action

06 February 2024

A union is warning of shortages of two popular drinks and the possibility of empty shelves because of industrial action by factory workers.


Pharmacy First: 7 illnesses that can now be treated without seeing a GP

31 January 2024
Pharmacy First: 7 illnesses that can now be treated without seeing a GP

Pharmacy First: 7 illnesses that can now be treated without seeing a GP

31 January 2024

Prescriptions for seven common illnesses, including earache and a sore throat, are now available to many patients without the need to see a GP.


Who will get cold weather payments when temperatures plummet?

11 January 2024
Who will get cold weather payments when temperatures plummet?

Who will get cold weather payments when temperatures plummet?

11 January 2024

The weather is about to get bitterly cold, but Government cold weather payments can help cover the cost of extra heating – and here’s how.


RAC calls for investigation after drivers say headlight glare is getting worse

10 January 2024
RAC calls for investigation after drivers say headlight glare is getting worse

RAC calls for investigation after drivers say headlight glare is getting worse

10 January 2024

Question of whether headlights are brighter and dazzling more drivers prompts breakdown organisation to call for urgent Government investigation.


Selling stuff online? Here’s why the taxman now wants to know about it

04 January 2024
Selling stuff online? Here’s why the taxman now wants to know about it

Selling stuff online? Here’s why the taxman now wants to know about it

04 January 2024

People selling unwanted items online through websites such as Vinted, Etsy or eBay could be forced to declare their extra income.


Eligible patients urged to get flu vaccine as cases in England rise

15 December 2023
Eligible patients urged to get flu vaccine as cases in England rise

Eligible patients urged to get flu vaccine as cases in England rise

15 December 2023

An average of 400 patients were in hospital with the infection each day last week – up two-thirds from 240 the previous week.


Tesco recalls stuffing mix because it may contain moths

14 December 2023
Tesco recalls stuffing mix because it may contain moths

Tesco recalls stuffing mix because it may contain moths

14 December 2023

The supermarket giant is recalling packets of its Finest Apple and Cranberry Stuffing Mix over what it says is the ‘possible presence of moths’.


Contraceptive pill to be available over pharmacy counter from December

20 November 2023
Contraceptive pill to be available over pharmacy counter from December

Contraceptive pill to be available over pharmacy counter from December

20 November 2023

Millions of women will be able to get the contraceptive pill from their pharmacy in a change to the rules – and here’s how the scheme will work.


Gas and electricity bills set to rise for millions of households within weeks

20 November 2023
Gas and electricity bills set to rise for millions of households within weeks

Gas and electricity bills set to rise for millions of households within weeks

20 November 2023

Energy regulator Ofgem to announce charges for January price cap, controlling how much suppliers can bill customers on default tariffs.


Six days of December train strikes set to disrupt Christmas build-up

16 November 2023
Six days of December train strikes set to disrupt Christmas build-up

Six days of December train strikes set to disrupt Christmas build-up

16 November 2023

Rolling strikes by union ASLEF will see drivers at different train operating companies walk out on different days in the first week of the month.


Evri invests millions in ‘delivering Christmas’ as Ofcom fines Royal Mail for missing targets

13 November 2023
Evri invests millions in ‘delivering Christmas’ as Ofcom fines Royal Mail for missing targets

Evri invests millions in ‘delivering Christmas’ as Ofcom fines Royal Mail for missing targets

13 November 2023

Courier giant says new automatic callback function via a new dedicated phone line is among £46m planned improvements.


Possession of laughing gas to be illegal in days in crackdown on anti-social behaviour

06 November 2023
Possession of laughing gas to be illegal in days in crackdown on anti-social behaviour

Possession of laughing gas to be illegal in days in crackdown on anti-social behaviour

06 November 2023

Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, is to be classified a class C drug, but what does it mean for communities regularly witnessing its use?


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