Beaconn (2024)

15/07/2022

🔵 Boris Johnson to launch confidence vote in his own government on Monday

🔵 It comes hours after Boris Johnson blocked a no confidence vote in his leadership with his allies accusing Labour of not tabling a proper vote.

The Conservatives have tabled a no confidence in their own Government as Boris Johnson continues clings on to his crumbled premiership.

Mr Johnson's successor will be confirmed on September 5, and he is expected to leave Downing Street the following day.

But Labour leader Keir Starmer has been determined to push the outgoing PM out of office sooner - as the "the Tory party has at last concluded that the Prime Minister is unfit for office".

There was a row yesterday when Boris Johnson blocked Labour's bid to hold a no confidence vote in the government - because the issue of his own personal conduct was tacked on the end.

Now, the government has confirmed it has tabled its own confidence vote in the government. It is expected to be debated on Monday and introduced by Boris Johnson himself.

Mr Starmer's spokesman said it would be "brazen hypocrisy" if Tory MPs who had written no confidence letters to Mr Johnson then voted the other way.

He suggested Labour will still try to amend the Government's motion so that the Commons had the chance to vote specifically on whether it had faith in the PM.

"The motion that we tabled was in order, the clerks ruled it in order, it had precedent based on the 1965 vote of no confidence there was with Ted Heath and Harold Wilson," he said.

"If the Government wants to table a different motion that's obviously up to them. What's clear is that the Government was concerned it would lose the vote on the motion we put forward, otherwise why are they putting forward this alternative motion on Monday.

"We look forward to the dozens of Conservative MPs who have already expressed no confidence in Boris Johnson in writing to vote accordingly next week.

"To do anything else would be brazen hypocrisy."

The Lib Dems are set to put down a similar amendment.

The Prime Minister's Press Secretary said of the previous Labour motion "it's clearly just playing politics and wasting Parliamentary time".

The Labour party attempted to stage a Commons no confidence vote in Boris Johnson and his administration on Tuesday, but it was blocked by the PM.

Instead of being solely in the government, the no confidence motion was in “Her Majesty’s Government while [Boris Johnson] remains Prime Minister”.

A Government spokesman accused Labour of “playing politics” by tabling a motion of no confidence in not just in the Government but also the Prime Minister when he had already resigned.

But a Labour source hit back that Parliamentary clerks had ruled the motion in order and it had precedent.

Now, the vote of no confidence in Mr Johnson's caretaker Government will be held on Monday.

Labour sources pointed out that in 1965, a no confidence motion was worded: “That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty’s Government and deplores the Prime Minister’s conduct of the nation’s affairs.”

A senior Labour source told the Mirror last night: "The Government is refusing to give us time for a vote of no confidence in the Commons despite all the conventions that this should be granted.

15/07/2022

🔵 Tributes paid to Wales' longest serving university vice chancellor

🔵 Professor Antony Chapman represented Cardiff Met from 1998 until his retirement in 2016

Tributes have been paid to Tony Chapman OBE, who was Wales' longest-serving vice chancellor. Professor Chapman was vice chancellor of Cardiff Metropolitan University for 18 years.

Professor Antony Chapman represented the university from 1998 to his retirement in September 2016. He was Wales’ longest serving Vice-Chancellor. He died on Friday, July 1, surrounded by his family. Originally from Canterbury, Professor Chapman held a number of academic and leadership roles at the Universities of Cardiff, Leeds and Wales throughout his career and, among other achievements, is a former President of the British Psychological Society.

In a piece to mark his retirement, then WalesOnline education editor Gareth Evans described him as someone who was mild-mannered but "stuck two fingers up at the Welsh Government". You can read that piece here.

A Mathematics and Psychology graduate, his academic work has been published widely and he is acknowledged to have made exceptional and substantial contributions to the Social Sciences.

During his time at Cardiff Met, Professor Chapman successfully fought off the threat of mergers, oversaw the University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC) becoming Cardiff Met, celebrated the 150th anniversary and received our Queen’s Anniversary prize in 2015. Professor Chapman was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by Cardiff Met in 2016 and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Leicester University in 2008. He was awarded an OBE in January 2018 for his services to education.

15/07/2022

🔵 Senedd members vote to keep remote working for themselves

🔵 The vote passed with Labour and Plaid support

Senedd members will today vote on whether they should be allowed to continue working from home. During the pandemic, sessions moved online but MSs have returned to Cardiff Bay - at least part of the time - since restrictions have lifted.

A vote was held on July 13 about whether they will still be able to work between their homes or Senedd. The motion allowing hybrid working passed with 38 votes in favour and 14 against. There were no abstentions.

The UK Government has told staff they need to return to offices as the provisions that allowed MPs to participate virtually in the House of Commons chamber and select committees lapsed on July 22, 2021 and have not been renewed.

There is backing for the Senedd to remain as a hybrid workspace. In plenary on Tuesday, a number of MSs took advantage of hybrid working including Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell, Labour's John Griffiths and Conservative Paul Davies.

15/07/2022

🔵 Annual cost of repairing CalMac ferries triples in 10 years - reaching over £28m last year

🔵 The total spending on repairing the fleet has gone beyond £200million since 2007.

The annual cost of repairing CalMac 's fleet of ferries has tripled in 10 years - reaching more than £28million last year. In 2011, repair costs stood at £9.5million but rose to £28.6million in 2021 with total spending going beyond £200million since 2007.

The ferry network has been stretched as the aging fleet of vessels is withdrawn for repairs, with island communities warning MSPs last month that the service was in an "all-time critical situation". CalMac's oldest large ferry, MV Isle of Arran, is 39 years old.

More than a third of the fleet have exceeded their 30-year design life. The two new vessels being built at Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow are several years late and more than double their original budget.

The figures were released by the Scottish Government through a Freedom of Information request made by the Scottish Tories.

Conservative MSP Graham Simpson said: "The age and decline of Scotland's ferry fleet is taking an ever heavier toll on island communities and the public purse. More than a third of CalMac's ships are working beyond their design life, and the operator's head engineer has admitted that breakdowns will become more frequent as time goes on. It is no wonder that the cost of repairs has soared.

"The SNP have utterly failed to deliver their promised ferry replacement programme, which has forced them to fork out a fortune of public money on ships which should rightly have been retired years ago."

He continued: "Meanwhile, two unfinished vessels in (the) nationalised Ferguson shipyard are several years late and still months away from completion, having racked up costs of more than £250million so far. The SNP is letting down Scottish taxpayers and abandoning island residents who rely on these lifeline routes. They must urgently deliver the new ferries we desperately need or the breakdowns and delays will only get worse."

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "The Scottish Government has invested around £2billion in our ferry services since 2007. It has also established a Resilience Fund to ensure future reliability and availability of vessels, which is over and above the annual expenditure for maintenance and repairs.

"The allocation for 2021-2022 is £4million for each of the lifeline fleets. Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (Cmal) are responsible for governance of this funding with CalMac Ferries Ltd leading on implementation. Since 2007, we have also increased frequency significantly on a number of services as well as bringing in new routes."

The spokesperson continued: "We have long acknowledged the need to address delays in ferry infrastructure, which is why we have committed to investing a further £580million in the Infrastructure Investment Plan. We have recently issued the contract to build two new ferries for the Islay routes and we look forward to the recently acquired MV Loch Frisa entering service.

"We continue to charge CalMac and Cmal with seeking potential second-hand tonnage to improve operational resilience on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry routes. The previous charters of MV Arrow are further evidence of this ongoing commitment to improve and support the existing fleet in this way."

15/07/2022

🔵 Ian Blackford claims 'Scotland loses' no matter who wins Tory leadership contest to replace Boris Johnson

🔵 The SNP leader at Westminster faced a dig at PMQs from Boris Johnson who quipped "he's going or I'm going"

Ian Blackford has claimed "Scotland loses" no matter who wins the race to become the next leader of the Conservative party.

The SNP leader at Westminster clashed with Boris Johnson in the Commons today one week after the Prime Minister announced he would stand down later this summer.

Blackford accused the MPs bidding to become the next Tory leader of entering a "toxic race to the right" focused on slashing taxes and cutting public spending.

But the Nationalist faced a dig from the departing PM when Johnson quipped "he's going or I'm going" following speculating that Blackford could be ousted as leader of the SNP Westminster group.

The Lochaber MP has faced pressure over his handling of the Patrick Grady case.

Speaking at PMQs, Blackford said: "The Tory leadership contest is quickly descending into a toxic race to the right. And it's clear whoever wins that race, Scotland loses.

"The former chancellor has pledged to govern like Margaret Thatcher. The current chancellor is threatening 20 per cent cuts to the NHS and public services.

"And they are all trying to out do each other on an extreme Brexit costing the economy billions.

"Is the real reason that the Prime Minister won't endorse any of these awful candidates because whoever becomes the next Tory leader will make Genghis Khan look like a moderate?"

Johnson fired back: "I feel a real twinge that this will virtually be the last time to have the opportunity to answer a question.. because he's going or I'm going, I don't know.

"All I would say to him is, I think the next leader of my party will want to make sure that we do everything that we can to work with the Scottish Government, in the way that I have been able to in the last few years, to protect and secure our Union."

15/07/2022

🔵 Demand for foodbanks in Scotland soars as Tory leadership contenders debate tax cuts for the wealthy

🔹 EXCLUSIVE: The number of Scots asking for advice on local food banks has risen by almost a third in the last year

Tory leadership contenders have been blasted after shock figures showed soaring demand for advice on food banks in Scotland.

Conservative candidates bidding to be Prime Minister have promised tax cuts for the wealthy while saying nothing about reversing the £20 a week cut to Universal Credit.

They have also been silent on scrapping benefit sanctions which new figures show more Scots are seeking advice over.

SNP MSP Elena Whitham said: “It is utterly shameful to see this increase in foodbank use in a place as wealthy as the UK.

"Yet, sadly, it’s not surprising that every single Tory leadership candidate is silent on the matter of child poverty and the cost of living crisis - instead fighting to cut taxes for the rich and cut public spending.”

Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy said: “The Tories are busy arguing amongst themselves and not one of their leadership candidates has shown any real interest in tackling the emergency facing people across the country. They are shamelessly putting their own political interests ahead of anything else and leaving people to suffer.”

Six Tory MPs - Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt, Liz Truss, Tom Tugendhat, Suella Braverman and Kemi Badenoch - are still in the race to become the next party leader and Prime Minister.

Despite inflation running at 9 per cent and sky high poverty levels, the candidates have chosen to outbid each other on tax cuts for individuals and corporations.

Sunak has promised to lower the tax burden after inflation has been tamed, Mordaunt has promised to change income tax thresholds and Truss has promised tax cuts from “day one”

A new report by Citizens Advice Scotland has laid bare the real challenges facing Scots families struggling on Universal Credit. Around 447,600 people across Scotland claim UC, but the Tory Government slashed the all-in-one benefit last year during the cost of living crisis.

New CAS data reveals that the advice given about food banks has grown by 31 per cent since September, and by 23 per cent for other charitable support. The food bank advice figure is 20 per cent higher than before the pandemic in February 2020.

Advice on UC sanctions, which have been described as heartless by critics, has risen by 53 per cent over 2021-22 and by 25 per cent in relation to UC cash advances. CAS has made five demands for putting extra cash into the pockets of those on low incomes, including uprating UC and legacy benefits in line with inflation.

The charity wants the suspension of sanctions until the cost of living crisis is over, an end to the benefit cap and the two-child limit, and a pause on the collection of DWP and HMRC debts. CAS also wants the abolition of the five week wait for UC by converting advance payments into non-repayable grants.

CAS Social Justice spokesperson David Scott said: “Low social security payments place people at risk of housing arrears and the devastating effects of homelessness, not to mention the health impacts of starvation, poor or insufficient diets, and cold, unheated homes. The marks of that hardship can hold people back for years.

“We need to see investment in social security, to reach adequate levels to support people in need and offer them the chance to live with dignity. This report shows that the current system is failing to do that.”

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “People want a just and compassionate society, but these figures show that our social security system is failing to deliver that.

“The present crisis is pulling more people into hardship – as witnessed by these new figures from Citizens Advice. More people needing help from foodbanks and advice on reductions to their Universal Credit is evidence of deliberate changes and choice to the ways that we provide support to people who need it.”

Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain said: “The Conservatives' decision to end the Universal Credit uplift and rip support from millions of families across the country showed how completely out of touch his party is.

“They claim that they want people to live by their own efforts rather than welfare. Either they don't know that almost half of those receiving Universal Credit are already in work or they don't care.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “We recognise people are struggling with rising prices which is why we are protecting the eight million most vulnerable families with at least £1,200 of direct payments, starting this week. All households will receive the £400 energy payments and 80% will get a £150 Council Tax rebate.”

15/07/2022

🔵 Tennis star trolls Celtic as Rangers fan Gordon Reid delivers 10 in a row quip after Australian Open glory

🔵 The Scot has now won an incredible ninth consecutive Grand Slam titles.

Massive Rangers fan Gordon Reid immediately targeted 10-in-a-row after winning a ninth consecutive Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

The Scot and Alfie Hewett defeated Argentina's Gustavo Fernandez and Shingo Kunieda of Japan 6-2 4-6 (10-7) in the final of the wheelchair men's doubles at Melbourne Park.

The title saw them break the tie they held with Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver, who won eight consecutive women's doubles titles between Wimbledon in 1983 and the French Open in 1985.

Englishman Hewett said: “That's the first thing he said after the match, he's like, I'm so desperate for 10."

In a reference to Rangers romping to the title last season to leave C eltic shocked in their historic bid, Reid added: “Ten in a row is not for everybody but hopefully we can get there (smiling).

"These kind of records, I think we always take them with a pinch of salt because it's a little bit different for us to win a Grand Slam title than it may be for people in the other draw.

"It's always nice to hear them, but at the same time, we just focus on what we're doing and we're just enjoying each one as it comes.”

Hewett and Reid have not been beaten in doubles at a Slam since W imbledon in 2019.

15/07/2022

🔵 Monkeypox latest symptoms as new study finds links to STIs

🔵 More symptoms of monkeypox have been reported as cases rise worldwide

The monkeypox outbreak has shown no sign of slowing down, as case numbers have risen to 7,600 in more than 50 countries. With a growing infection rate, new symptoms of the disease have been reported, ones are not typically associated with monkeypox.

As of July 8, the UK reported 1,552 confirmed cases, including 1,482 in England, 41 in Scotland, 11 in Northern Ireland and 18 in Wales. Its most recent strain is mutating faster than expected, as scientists warn it may have been circulating since 2018.

Since then, experts say monkeypox has mutated 12 times more than the expected rate. With the relaxing of coronavirus restrictions, as well as multiple summer festivals due to take place, case numbers are predicted to rise further as people mix through the season.

According to the study, unusual symptoms of monkeypox may include:

-- Fatigue or lethargy (reported by 67%)
-- Fever (18%)
-- Skin lesions (94%)
-- Swelling lymph nodes (55%)

According to the NHS, it takes about five to 21 days for the first monkeypox signs to appear. When it comes to the characteristic rash, it usually crops up between one to five days after the initial symptoms.

The rash might often begin on your face, spreading to other parts of the body as well as your ge****ls. Being similar to chickenpox, the rash starts with raised spots which turn into small blisters filled with fluid. These blisters eventually fall off.

🔹 Where did monkeypox come from?

Historically, human monkeypox virus cases in the UK have been limited to imported infections from west Africa. Currently, the UK and several other countries are reporting a rapid increase in monkeypox cases among individuals attending s*xual health clinics.

In a study published in the Lancet, symptoms and clinical characteristics of monkeypox virus cases in individuals attending a s*xual health centre in London were further investigated.

In the study, patients with confirmed monkeypox virus infection via PCR detection attending open-access s*xual health clinics in London between May 14 and May 25 2022 were analysed.

Monkeypox virus infection was confirmed in 54 individuals, all identifying as men who have s*x with men (MSM), with a median age of 41 years.

The study found that 38 (70%) of 54 individuals were white, 26 (48%) were born in the UK, and 13 (24%) were living with HIV. One in four patients had a concurrent STI.

🔹 How long does monkeypox last?

Monkeypox usually does not require intervention or treatment, with most people remaining in isolation during their illness. The disease spreads via bodily fluids, including liquid from ruptured pox, blood and mucus.

Mild infections should subside after a few weeks without treatment, but severe cases may warrant intervention like hospitalisation.

15/07/2022

🔵 Former Subway employee shares 'monstrosity' sandwich order that 'haunts their nightmares'

🔵 A former Sunway employee has gone viral after sharing a customer's sandwich order that they claim to still think about it regularly as it 'haunts their nightmares'.

When working in hospitality, employees are bound to have been given some weird and wonderful orders while on duty. One person, who claims that they used to work in Subway in their early 20s, has shared their most memorable order , which ended up being "questionable".

The tale about a "ranch sandwich" was recently shared on Twitter by a user named , who is thought to be from the US - and the thread quickly went viral.

They continued: "A group of high school-aged kids came in. I served the second girl in the group. She wanted a footlong on white bread, cool. Double provolone and double American cheese, I can respect that. Does she want it toasted? No. Veggies? No. Sauce? Yes, ranch please."

The Twitter user goes on to recall how they had to put the usual two lines on ranch on top which is an American salad dressing typically containing buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, mustard, herbs, and spices mixed with mayonnaise.

However, this amount clearly wasn't enough sauce for the girl who was ordering, who quickly asked for more and more and more - until the worker had used up an entire bottle of the dressing. And even then they claim the customer still wasn't satisfied.

The thread goes on: "I continue. I am in disbelief. After a few more passes with the bottle, the dressing is beginning to run off the side of the bread. I look up at her. She does a 'go ahead' motion.

"My soul exits my body as I continue to sq**rt ranch dressing onto her 'sandwich'. It's more of an open-face soup at this point. I look up at her, expecting her to tell me to stop. She doesn't. She wants more."

"I don't know how I wrapped that thing. I must have blacked out. I just remember how wet it was.

"She paid for that monstrosity and then sat down and ate with her friends, seemingly without incident. I don't know how. I will never understand how, if I think about it too long my mind will collapse in on itself imagining the eldritch horror of the worst sandwich I ever made.

"I forgot to add she did this without a trace of irony on her face. She didn't crack a smile. She didn't laugh like 'I know this seems crazy'. She was stone-faced. Serious. Deada**." Wow.

15/07/2022

🔵 Who is Penny Mordaunt? The Tory leadership candidate who appeared on ITV reality show

🔵 Penny Mordaunt announced her bid after former health secretaries Jeremy Hunt and Sajid Javid both pledged to slash corporation tax as they announced separate leadership bids.

Penny Mordaunt has thrown her name into the Conservative leadership contest after Boris Johnson announced he was quitting as Prime Minister.

The Tory joins a number of colleagues to pitch her ideas to her fellow MPs and the party in what is expected to be a short and heated race.

She announced her bid after former health secretary Jeremy Hunt pledged to slash corporation tax as he announced his leadership bids.

READ MORE: Tory leadership candidates to refuse Scottish independence referendum for next 10 years

The contenders' timescales for the change are different, with Hunt planning to cut the tax to 15p in his first autumn Budget.

Meanwhile, outsider candidate Tom Tugendhat pledged to back the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill if elected leader. Mordaunt released a slick three-minute video to announce her campaign to run.

15/07/2022

🔵 Spotify issues response after some users are given access to 'karaoke mode'

🔵 A number of users were reportedly given access to a 'test' feature, which saw users get scores out of 100 on their singing skills.

Spotify has issued a response after a number of users were reportedly chosen to try out a new ‘ karaoke mode ’ feature.

Some Spotify listeners were given the opportunity to sample the new feature, which allows users to sing along to their favourite songs, according to the Independent.

It offers the user the lyrics to their chosen song and quietens the original vocals to add their own spin on the piece of music.

READ MORE: Google issues warning over new spyware targeting Android and Apple users

READ MORE: Nine red flag signs a phone could be hacked - from overheating to mystery calls

Punters are then given a score out of 100 on their performance.

One screenshot that emerged on social media showed one person given a 80 rating for accuracy, with the user being told that they were ‘on the road to becoming famous’.

Some have been given access to the feature while the majority have not. And the speculation from those unable to sample it drove them mad.

One person wrote: “Me checking Spotify every two minutes to see if they gave me the karaoke feature yet.”

Another added: “Can Spotify hurry and roll out the karaoke function for everyone.”

Spotify has said that the feature is as part of ‘tests’ to ‘improve the user experience’ in response to the speculation.

They added that there is so far no further news to share on the future plans of the karaoke feature.

15/07/2022

🔵 Martin Lewis calls for change to Universal Credit in line with inflation

🔵 The money-saving expert predicts a bleak winter for homeowners due to ‘colossus’ energy bills

Martin Lewis called for Universal Credit payment amounts to be increased in line with inflation at a conference on Thursday.

The personal finance guru had some stark warnings for households over the coming months after outlining a forecasted timetable of energy bills during his appearance at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change conference. He said he had 'run out of options' to offer to people.

The broadcaster said: “I get to the point where I can no longer do what I’ve always done and say here’s how you play the system because there’s no system playing left. So what else is left?"

Read more: Martin Lewis shares new energy fix deals and 'magic number' which could help households beat next price cap

Concluding his speech, when asked for one simple change he’d like to see any government implement to combat the cost of living crisis, Lewis responded: “Move the inflationary increase to universal credit.”

Universal Credit payments went up by 3.1% in April of this year. Inflation is currently at a 40-year high of 9%.

Martin Lewis went on to say that average energy bills could touch £3,000 before the year is out.

This would be a remarkable increase of £2,200 in just 18 months. The broadcaster showcased this exponential rise by stipulating how much people have had to fork out on energy during this spell, and how much more it is set to increase by.

Travelling back 18 months would see someone on a typical use be able to get a cheap energy deal for £800 a year. About a year ago, prices started to rise and the cheapest deal was now available between around £800 and £1,000.

Last October, the price cap rose to £1,277 and cheap deals duly fell by the wayside. April this year saw the biggest price increase, as it rose by a further 54% to £1,971.

The current prediction from market analysts Cornwall Insight, who Lewis relies on, states the October price cap will go to £2,980 in a 51% increase. Then in January 2023, prices are set to rise by a further percentage point, finally reaching the huge £3,000 yearly figure.

He also stated that, although much less certain and more likely to change, the following April is currently forecast to see the first drop. However, the extent of the drop is far less than the rate it has been rising by, only reducing to around £2,800, which remains vastly more than the current expenses.

14/07/2022

🔵 Adem Zorgane Rangers transfer offer 'insufficient' as Charleroi midfielder in Ibrox link

🔵 Reports in France claim the Ibrox side made a move for the Algerian midfielder but it was kicked out by Belgian side Charleroi.

Rangers have reportedly had a bid for Charleroi’s Algerian midfielder Adem Zorgane rejected due to an “insufficient” offer for the 22-year-old with French side Toulouse also said to have been short in their quest to land the player.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has stepped up his summer recruitment drive with four new faces arriving at the club’s pre-season training camp in Portugal. And now it has been claimed that the Ibrox side are interested in Zorgane - capped once for the Algerian national side - with France Football journalist Nabil Djellit claiming Gers had an offer turned down.

He initially reported Celtic had the bid rejected before correcting himself and saying it was Rangers who had in fact joined Ligue 1 side Toulouse in trying to sign Zorgane but he wrote: “Offers deemed insufficient. The midfielder has extended until 2027.' Zorgane moved to Charleroi from Algerian side Paradou last year and scored three times in the Belgian top flight and, with Ryan Jack entering the final year of his deal at Ibrox, van Bronckhorst could be looking at long term midfield options. Wolves and Nottingham Forest have also been linked.

14/07/2022

🔵 Mum thought she was avoided because of tattoos - but it was actually her Fitbit

🔵 The confused mum took to TikTok to discuss why her gadget was putting off other parents at kids' events.

Nobody likes to be avoided, and that's especially the case when you don't know why people are ignoring you.

This happened to an American mum, who thought others were keeping their distance from her because of her tattoos.

Little did she know, the real reason was a whole lot stranger, report the Mirror.

She explained that her funky ankle Fitbit seems to have raised some red flags for other parents.

The mum, who posts on TikTok as , explained how her Fitbit was weirding the other parents out when she went to events with her tots.

She said in the now-viral TikTok : "I'm sitting at my kids' soccer game and the two mums that I sit with are talking about closing the rings on their Apple watches.

"I said, 'Oh, I don't really ever pay attention to that because I've realised how inconsistent the numbers on that are with the Fitbit on my ankle and so I go with that one because it's supposed to be more accurate.

"And they were like... 'That's a Fitbit?'"

They responded and admitted that they thought the fitbit was an ankle monitor, which is an electronic device that courts use to keep track of offenders.

The devices ensure the person doesn’t travel outside of a boundary established by the court. The offender must wear these devices for a determined amount of time and cannot tamper with them.

The mum was horrified to learn the truth.

She continued: “Everyone thinks it's an ankle monitor.

"I thought the parents didn't talk to me because of all my tattoos, but really it was that they thought that I was on house arrest.

"I found out later that one time a cop showed up, he pulled up to the soccer field and he was just there to watch his kids play, but everyone thought he was there for me... so good times."

The TikTok has been viewed millions of times and people are agreeing this is a valuable insight into human behaviour.

One commented: "I’ll take ankle monitor mom over mom who gossips about ankle monitor mom."

Another added: "Put Fitbit on ankle to avoid human interaction... Got it! Thank you!"

"How do people confuse tiny Fitbits with clunky ankle monitors?" asked another. "And also, that’s 100 percent not a reason to not talk to someone."

Beaconn

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