Benefits reform is like fight for women's equality, says Liz Kendall
The work and pensions secretary has told Labour rebels she will press ahead with contentious benefit cuts, likening her reforms to get the long-term sick back to work to the battle for women's equality.
Liz Kendall said she was 'listening' to concerns raised by backbenchers, hinting she was open to concessions on the implementation of reforms. But she refused to back down on the principle of cost-cutting, saying Britain could not afford a system where one in ten working age adults is on at least one sickness benefits and spending is still rising.
Kendall argued there was 'nothing Labour' about ducking what she described as an economic and social crisis, pointing out that sickness benefit spending has risen by £20 billion a year since the
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BBC News
15 minutes ago
- BBC News
Cardiff University defends job cuts process amid crisis claims
Cardiff University bosses have defended the way a process to cut hundreds of jobs and axe some departments has been evidence to a Senedd Committee, Vice Chancellor Prof Wendy Larner said it had been "difficult" but they had taken "the right approach".Prof Larner was asked whether announcing plans to close some departments, including nursing and then "backtracking" had been wise in view of the impact on staff morale and the institution's comes after a union claimed the process had led to a "severe and urgent mental health crisis" among staff. Proposals initially included cutting 400 jobs and closing some subject areas including music, modern languages and nursing, which will now be during the consultation period and more than 150 staff leaving voluntarily also led to a reduction in the number of posts to be cut - currently down to 69 by 2029-30 Prof Larner told MSs. She said she was "delighted by the quality of the alternative proposals" which enabled them to change the initial plans "quite significantly".But she confirmed the business case going to the university council for sign off on 17 June would still mean stopping ancient history and religion and asked whether she had any regrets about the process, she said she regretted that some members of staff had learnt their jobs were at risk through media coverage after a "leak" of also expressed regret that the university had received an "undue share of attention" for the cuts despite many other universities facing similar challenges."Our intention all the way through has been to ensure that Cardiff University is successful for the future," she said. Prof Larner and chairman of the University Council Patrick Younge's appearance in front of MSs follows the University and College Union's (UCU) claim there was a "total health and safety crisis" at the said there had been a "comprehensive breakdown of trust and morale" between university bosses and staff."I think we've worked really hard to do what we can to ensure that staff have been adequately supported", said Prof Younge said the university had been "blindsided" by the UCU referring it to the Health and Safety Executive when it was due to agree a strategy to address the union's to the union's move, he said he was "deeply disappointed in some of the behaviours." Mr Younge outlined the financial challenges facing the university and said its reserves had to be spent on securing the university's future - including improving halls of residence which, he said, required a spend of £300m to £ about the university's new campus in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, Prof Larner said the university had spent money on "due diligence" but the campus, which opens in September, was paid for by partners in said so far there had been 186 application for the two foundation courses initially offered on the site which was part of a "slow rollout".In response, Cardiff UCU said it remained "deeply concerned" about the proposed added the changes risked affecting the university's "ability to contribute" to teaching, research and training in Wales.
BreakingNews.ie
16 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Public Services Card database of millions of Irish people's faces declared illegal
The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has found that the collection of facial (biometric) data for the Public Services Card (PSC) is unlawful. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) said it partially welcomes the findings, but said the decision is "more than a decade late and inadequate". Advertisement The Government had previously claimed that the facial records were not biometric data. On Thursday, the DPC found that the Department of Social Protection (DSP) unlawfully collected facial records (biometric data) from 70 per cent of the population of Ireland over 15 years. In addition, the ICCL said the department failed to tell people why it was collecting their facial records and whether it was legal. In light of the infringements discovered by the DPC, it reprimanded the Department of Social Protection by issuing administrative fines totalling €550,000. It also issued an order to the department requiring it to cease processing of biometric data in connection with SAFE 2 registration within nine months of this decision if the department cannot identify a valid lawful basis. Advertisement Deputy commissioner, Graham Doyle, said: 'It is important to note that none of the findings of infringement identified, nor the corrective powers exercised by the DPC, pertain to the rollout of SAFE 2 registration by the DSP as a matter of principle. "The DPC did not find any evidence of inadequate technical and organisational security measures deployed by the DSP in connection with SAFE 2 registration in the context of this inquiry. "This inquiry was concerned with assessing whether the legislative framework presently in place for SAFE 2 registration complies with the requirements of data protection law and whether the DSP operates SAFE 2 registration in a data protection-compliant manner, and the findings announced today identify a number of deficiencies in this regard.' 'Illegal facial database' The ICCL said the Data Protection Commission failed to take decisive action on Thursday and said that, after 15 years, its actions are not enough. Advertisement The ICCL is insisting on the immediate deletion of the illegal facial data database. It has also called for the department and the DPC to explain to the Oireachtas and the public how this system was permitted to operate unlawfully for so long. Executive Director of ICCL, Joe O'Brien, said: 'For many years, ICCL and our colleagues at Digital Rights Ireland, have argued that the PSC's mandatory use of facial recognition technology is unlawful. 'This is a partial win for the privacy and data protection rights of people living in Ireland. It confirms what we have advocated for, for many years - that the Public Services Card, which was estimated to have cost the State €100 million, trespassed upon human rights and infringed EU and Irish law. 'The DPC decision is over a decade late and does not go far enough. The Department effectively created a de facto national biometric ID system by stealth over 15-plus years without a proper legal foundation. This illegal database of millions of Irish people's biometric data must be deleted.'
The Sun
20 minutes ago
- The Sun
Half of new parents believed pregnancy myths that turned out to be FALSE – which ones do you think are right?
FOOD cravings and bump size are among the most common myths expectant parents believe. But half of parents believed myths during pregnancy that turned out to be false, according to new research. 1 By just looking at the bump and analysing pregnancy cravings, the challenge is to decide if it's a boy or a girl. According to these commonly believed myths, carrying the baby high in the womb means it's a girl, while lower means a boy. And salty or sour cravings point towards a boy whereas those craving sweet things are carrying a girl. It comes after research, commissioned by Vitabiotics Pregnacare, found 47 per cent of new parents originally believed well-known myths during pregnancy that they later realised weren't all true. A poll of 1,000 parents of children aged 0-10 found 11 per cent of those believed having sour cravings during the first trimester indicated you were expecting a boy. While the same percentage (11 per cent) thought carrying the baby high up in the womb meant you would be welcoming a little girl to the world. And 12 per cent believed that experiencing an influx of spots on your skin also indicated a female. But 79 per cent feel at least a few of the superstitions about pregnancy that they'd heard about and believed in ended up coming true. As a result, 51 per cent of those who had heard of a superstition used this to try and predict their baby's gender. With 44 per cent of these trying the 'swinging ring test' - where you tie a ring to a string and swing it over the belly to see which way it moves. Carly Sandland, doula and founder of The Doula Club, which matches pregnant women with doulas to provide support to families during pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum, said: 'As a doula, I've heard every pregnancy myth going. 'Carrying high? Must be a boy. Bad skin? Definitely a girl. Craving savoury food? That's obviously a boy. 'It's amazing how confidently people will make these calls - even from complete strangers in the supermarket. 'What this research shows is how common these myths still are - and how many people believe them, even just a little. 'But why not enjoy the guessing games? Have a laugh at the wild ones, and let people guess if they must. But don't let any of it carry more weight than it deserves. 'Myths aren't facts. And they definitely aren't a substitute for understanding your own body and the right professional advice. 'If something feels off, ask questions. If it doesn't sit right, trust yourself.' Parents-to-be who have heard about pregnancy myths also believed severe morning sickness would suggest a female baby, while mild sickness pointed towards a boy (14 per cent). While 10 per cent thought jumping up and down vigorously after sex would stop conception happening. It also emerged 30 per cent of those who tried to use a superstition to guess the baby's gender had a go at the 'key test', where the expectant parent is observed picking up a key and if they opt to grab it by the narrow end, it means a girl is due. And while 53 per cent of new parents asked friends and family for advice about their baby's arrival, 42 per cent turned to Google – and 23 per cent searched social media. But 13 per cent of parents who had heard about myths or superstitions claim they influenced their expectations of pregnancy 'a lot', according to the figures. A spokesperson for Vitabiotics Pregnacare added: 'Of course, not all of these tales are rooted in fact - but they can still be surprisingly persuasive. 'While these stories are usually fairly harmless, it's always best to check anything that may be concerning or unusual with a midwife or medical professional.' Top 20 myths expectant parents believed 1. Severe morning sickness means it's a girl/ mild or no morning sickness means it's a boy 2. Eating spicy food can induce labour 3. Having clear skin means it's a boy/ having bad skin means it's a girl 4. In your third trimester, if you're carrying high it's a girl and low for a boy 5. Craving sweets means it's a girl/ salty or sour foods means it's a boy 6. A round belly means it's a girl/a pointed belly means it's a boy 7. If you gain weight in your face, it's a girl/ if you gain weight in your hips and thighs, it's a boy 8. Avoiding spicy foods will prevent colic in the baby 9. A baby's heart rate above 140 bpm indicates it's a girl/ below indicates it's a boy 10. You shouldn't breast feed if you're ill 11. Jumping up and down immediately after intercourse will prevent conception 12. After intercourse, a hot bath or a heating pad on the stomach prevents conception 13. If the dark belly line extends above the belly button it means it's a boy/if it stays below the belly button it means it's a girl 14. Using the missionary position helps to conceive a girl 15. Eating yams increases fertility 16. You should only eat plain food while breastfeeding 17. If you're moodier, it's a girl/ if you're more relaxed, it's a boy 18. Dreaming about having a boy means you're having a girl, and vice versa 19. If when you swing a ring over your belly it moves in a circle it's a girl/ if moves back and forth it's a boy 20. Expectant parents will deliver babies similarly to the way their mothers did
