STEPHEN POLLARD: Labour's created an atmosphere where the hard working middle class are now fair game for bigotry
That an eight-year-old can be refused healthcare on the NHS because of the school he attends is deeply troubling. It shows that the service once described by Margaret Thatcher 's Chancellor Nigel Lawson as 'the closest thing the English people have to a religion,' has become a battleground for class war where children seeking treatment are seen as the enemy of the proletariat.
That includes my children. I am lucky enough to be able to pay for them to attend private schools. I pay the fees on top of my taxes, of course. Now it seems the NHS regards my kids as non-citizens to be shunned.
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The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
I have to tuck my belly into my pants after fat jabs made me tiny but other crazy side effects will cost me £9K to fix
FINISHING an eight-mile run, Tracy Hughes walks into her bathroom and turns on the shower. Wearing her form-fitting exercise kit, the mum-of-four has a svelte size 10 body that women half her age would be envious of. 8 8 8 But as Tracy, 47, peels off her leggings, she reveals a secret - her jelly belly - five pounds of loose and wobbly skin. 'I have lost seven stone in just eight months using fat jabs, ' she says. 'I used to weigh 20st and now I tip the scales at just 13st.' However, while Tracy is thrilled with her new physique, she admits her weight loss has come with plenty of unwanted side effects. 'Topping the list is my jelly belly and it has to be packed into my knickers and trousers every day,' she says. 'I have learnt no amount of exercise will make your body's skin shrink and ping back to normal. 'Now I have five pounds of loose skin on my stomach. The top of my thighs is also covered in flabby folds despite running eight miles a day, three days a week and working out at the gym.' But it isn't just her loose skin that is causing an issue for Tracy. 'I've also seen my feet and hands shrink dramatically and I now have a turkey neck, ' she adds. 'To fix these side effects, I'm planning on forking out more than £9,000 on plastic surgery, including a tummy tuck, face lift, liposuction, as well as filler and Botox. 'No one tells you about these side effects.' Regional childcare manager Tracy is married to Ian, 50, a postman and lives in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. The pair have four daughters aged 30, 25, 21 and 14 and three grandchildren aged between three and five months old. Growing up, Tracy was slim but after she had her first child in 1995 she saw her weight creep up. 'I went from a svelte size 12 to an uncomfortable size 20,' she admits. 'I ballooned during pregnancy and couldn't shift the weight. 'After each child, I'd diet and exercise, but the weight never seemed to shift. 'If I did lose a few pounds, I'd pile it back on again. 'The food noise in my head was overwhelming, and I couldn't find an eating plan that worked for me,' she says. 8 8 Over the past 25 years, Tracy tried milkshake diets, low-fat eating, calorie counting, soup diets, juicing, even the Atkins eating plan and Keto diets to lose weight. 'I managed to lose five stone on the Cambridge Diet, but I couldn't control the food noise long enough and the weight piled back on again,' she says. 'I have been on a diet, or thinking about what diet to try next, for the past 25 years. It's been overwhelming.' At her biggest, Tracy was a size 20, tipping the scales at 20st and had a BMI of 45.4, making her obese and at risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 'My family and I would spend £350 a month on greasy takeaways, I loved kebabs, burgers and curries,' she says. 'But I was covered in stretch marks and hated myself and my body.' Tracy admits her weight gain was also worsening her menopause symptoms. 'I couldn't sleep properly or get comfortable. I was constantly turning in bed. 'My husband made me sleep in another room, complaining that I was so hot it was like sleeping next to a radiator. 'Whenever I felt down, I was stuffing my face with McDonald's takeaways, Chinese and kebabs.' However, last September when the couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a vow renewal and a second honeymoon in Cyprus, it was breaking point. 'I looked back at the vow renewal photos and burst into tears. 'I just sobbed. I thought I looked like a whale. 'It was what I needed to make me determined to lose weight.' That was when Tracy decided to take the advice of a friend who'd attended her vow renewal. She recalls: 'When she arrived, I almost didn't recognise her. My pal had lost a huge amount of weight and was glowing. 'When I asked her what her secret was, she told me it was Mounjaro. 'So instead of relaxing on break in Cyprus, I ordered the weight loss jabs with a private prescription. 'The injections cost £170 a month and the month's supply arrived before we got home from our second honeymoon.' Tracy started taking Mounjaro in September last year and says within 24 hours she felt the food noise in her head stop for the first time in almost three decades. 'I woke up and wasn't wanting to eat or obsessing about food,' she says. 'I went for a walk that day and signed up to a gym.' 'I was thriving' Tracy lost a stone in the first month on Mounjaro and then each month after that the weight continued to drop off. 'Within a month, I was back running, slowly building up the distance day by day,' she says. 'I started going to the gym and training for a half marathon, my energy levels were through the roof. 'I was thriving, exercising. I was eating smaller portions. I no longer wanted a glass of wine, and I was only craving healthy foods like lean protein and vegetables.' However, in the last two months, Tracy admits she started noticing the unusual side effects while using the jab. 'As I lost the weight and was rapidly dropping dress sizes, I noticed my stomach was still flabby and floppy,' she says. 'It's when I hit the five-stone weight loss mark, I realised the skin wasn't going to ping back into shape even though I was running 24 miles a week and working out. 'Since then, the more I shrink, the more flab folds develop on my so-called 'Ozempic jelly belly'. 'It has to be packed into my tummy control knickers.' Tracy admits that her loose skin has put a stop to her wearing certain items of clothing. 'I can't wear a bikini until I have my 'Mounjaro plastic surgery makeover',' she says. 'I will have to wear a full swimsuit with tummy control pants to keep my belly folded into place.' Tracy is now planning on spending more than £9,000 on plastic surgery to iron out the side effects of her fat jabs. 'I know I need a tummy tuck liposuction, a breast uplift, and a thigh lift to deal with the loose skin left from the jabs,' she says. 'I tell people losing weight is only half the journey you have to start saving now for plastic surgery.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. One side effect which shocked Tracy was just how much her feet changed on the fat jabs. 'I went to put on my work sandals a month ago and they are too big,' she explains. 'I thought I was seeing things, so I pulled out a similar pair and my feet were too small for them as well. 'The weight loss jabs caused my feet to shrink and go down a shoe size. 'In the past my old shoes were tight due to my feet swelling but to realise my feet have actually shrunk from size nine to a size seven-and-a-half is jaw dropping.' Tracy says she has had to spend hundreds replacing all of her old shoes. 'I knew I'd be buying new clothes because I was losing weight but buying new shoes because you have gone down a shoe size is unheard of,' she says. 'I sold my old plus-size clothes on Vinted and have made £800. I was going to use that for a weekend away. Now I have had to use it for new shoes.' Tracy has had to have all her rings resized due to her shrinking fingers too. 'My engagement ring pinged off in the shower and I thought I'd lost it,' she says. 'Now after a seven-stone weight loss my husband has bought me a new wedding ring and engagement ring, and they are an entire size smaller. 'I didn't think the jab would mean I'd have to get new wedding rings, but it happened.' Tracy is now experiencing turkey neck – another side effect of the jabs. 'I noticed a month ago my neck skin stretches out and my under-chin skin is floppier,' she says. 'I have added that to my list of cosmetic surgery makeovers.' But even with the various side effects, Tracy says it was all worth it. "I feel amazing as thin Tracy,' she says. "I am more in control. I am addicted to Mounjaro. I don't want to stop the jabs as I know they are helping me so much," she says. "I know many people would complain about these weird effects. "For me it was a shock initially. "But I'd rather experience the odd shrinking foot and jelly belly to be half the woman I was.' 8 8 8
BBC News
32 minutes ago
- BBC News
Volunteers create mental health wellbeing garden in Maidstone
Volunteers have created a garden for NHS mental health patients and staff in Kent to Nature Recovery Garden in Maidstone has been officially inaugurated with a tree-planting took nine weeks for the team of volunteer gardeners to transform a neglected area into "a beautiful sensory garden" that "supports patients in their recovery journeys", the team Stenson, Kent & Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust chief executive, said the garden was "a remarkable sensory experience". She added: "This official opening not only celebrates our sensory garden, but also showcases the extraordinary spirit of our community and the commitment of our volunteers."The trust collaborated with Kent Wildlife Trust to conduct thorough wildlife surveys, revealing the area's ecological garden is a "mosaic of textures, vibrant colours, soothing sounds, and serene wellness spaces, all designed to promote healing and recovery", according to the from Mid Kent College also joined the volunteering team with the McInnes, charity and volunteers manager, said: "The feedback we've received has been overwhelmingly positive."Many patients and their loved ones find this space calming and enjoyable."
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Has your body secretly entered ‘fat storage mode'? The 6 sneaky signs to look out for
IF you're on a mission to lose weight, seemingly doing everything 'by the book', then you might be at a loss as to why you just can't seem to shift your unwanted fat. Unfortunately, you can eat 'right' and fit exercise into your busy schedule and still not see the results you're after as various hormones might be sneakily causing you to cling onto flab. 7 Dr Bryony Henderson, a GP, obesity management expert and medical director at Numan, tells Sun Health: 'Successful weight control requires more than simply lowering calories. 'Years of overeating can dull the brain's response to leptin, the 'I'm full' hormone, so appetite remains higher than it should be. 'Plus, poor sleep or constant stress raises cortisol, a survival hormone that tells the body to store spare energy around the waist. 'Together these hormonal shifts can slow or even stop fat loss in people who feel they are 'doing everything right'.' Not sure if your body is secretly storing fat? Look out for these signs… 1. YOU'VE GOT A BIG TUMMY AND THIGHS 7 HIGH levels of the hormone oestrogen can cause women to store fat around their hips and thighs, according to registered nutritionist Karen Preece Smith. 'In men, low testosterone can lead to increased body fat, especially in the abdominal area,' she adds. 'This is partly due to the conversion of testosterone to oestrogen by fat cells, which can contribute to hormonal imbalances and fat storage.' You can combat this by boosting testosterone levels with a diet full of lean proteins (chicken, turkey), healthy fats (olive oil, avocado), complex carbohydrates (whole grains such as oats, brown rice), zinc (found in lean red meat, beans, nuts) magnesium (from dark green leafy vegetables) and vitamin D (in eggs, oily fish). 'Weight training, with a focus on multi-joint compound movements such as squats and lunges, can also stimulate testosterone production for men,' Karen adds. I was size 22 eating FIVE takeaways a week - now I'm told I look like Gemma Owen after 8st weight loss without jabs Women can keep oestrogen levels under control by supporting 'liver detoxification'. Dominika Blonska, a personal trainer, nutrition coach and founder of DEFINE BY DOM, says: 'Your liver is responsible for breaking down excess oestrogen. 'To help it out, limit alcohol, drink at least two litres of water per day and eat cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower. 'Improving your gut health will also help with oestrogen elimination. 'You can do this by avoiding inflammatory foods, such as processed products, sugar and seed oils, and eating fibre-rich food, like vegetables, chia and flax seeds.' Tuck into healthy fats too - think avocado, coconut oil, nuts and sardines. 2. YOUR HANDS AND FEET ARE ALWAYS COLD 7 COLD hands and feet can indicate an underactive thyroid or poor circulation in the body. 'Your thyroid, an endocrine gland in your neck which makes and releases hormones, controls your metabolism,' Dominika says. 'So, if your thyroid is slow, so is your metabolism. 'This has an impact on your weight, making it difficult to burn calories and therefore shed the pounds.' It can also cause other symptoms like fatigue and low energy levels which can contribute to weight gain. Dominika recommends getting a blood test to check your thyroid hormones. Book an appointment with your GP who can advise on next steps, which might involve medication. 3. YOU KEEP WAKING UP IN THE NIGHT 7 IF you're regularly waking up between 2am and 4am, this could be a sign of unbalanced hormones, which can interfere with your weight loss efforts. Your levels of cortisol, the body's main stress hormone, might be high due to stress or blood sugar dysregulation, Dominika warns. 'Cortisol usually spikes in the morning between 6am and 8am to help you wake up, however if you're stressed, this natural rhythm is disrupted so you may end up waking earlier,' she adds. Research published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology suggests that 50 to 60 per cent of our daily cortisol is released within 30 to 40 minutes of waking. It means if you stir in the early hours, it can be difficult to nod off again. Dominika adds that although your blood sugar should remain relatively stable during sleep, if it drops due to not eating enough, eating junk food or even stress, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol to bring it back up. A lack of sleep can then lead to an imbalance of ghrelin and leptin, making you hungrier so you eat more food - often the wrong kinds of food! Dr Henderson adds: 'Regularly sleeping fewer than six hours also raises evening levels of cortisol, encouraging fat to collect around the abdomen and increasing late‑night hunger. 'Improving your sleep hygiene by going to bed at the same time, keeping the bedroom cool and dark, switching off screens an hour before lights out and limiting caffeine to the morning quickly lowers cortisol and helps the body resume normal fat‑burning.' 4. YOU'VE BEEN DIETING FOR YEARS 7 FOLLOWING a diet that puts your calorie intake too low will make you feel hungrier than usual. But if you've been undereating for a while, you might face other problems too. 'A diet that is too strict can backfire,' says Dr Henderson. 'When daily calories fall too much, the body senses a famine, thyroid and sex‑hormone levels drop and cortisol rises, all of which slow the metabolism and protect fat stores.' How many calories should I be eating? THE key to a healthy diet is eating the right amount for your body. This will depend on several factors, including your size, age, gender and activity levels. If you eat or drink more than your body needs, you will put on weight. If you consume less, you will lose it. The NHS recommended daily calorie intake for men in the UK is 2,500, while women should have around 2,000. When trying to lose weight, the average person should aim to reduce their daily intake by about 600 calories, according to the health service. Personal trainer Monty Simmons says: 'If I was going to calculate how many calories someone needs to lose weight, I'd either: Download a fitness app like MyFitnessPal, set a fat loss target in there, and track calories; or Go to click the health and fitness section, and use the calorie calculator. You enter your age, height, weight, and activity level and it'll give you an approximate daily calorie burn. 'To lose 0.5kg (1lb) per week, you need to be in a 500-calorie deficit daily. 'To lose 1kg per week, you need to be in a 1,000-calorie deficit. 'Without a calorie deficit, you will not lose weight and if you don't lose the fat, you won't see your abs. It's that simple.' She adds: 'A safer approach is a moderate deficit combined with adequate protein and strength training. 'This gives the body enough reassurance to release stored fat while preserving muscle and long‑term health.' Plus, Dr Henderson suggests a planned diet break of one to two weeks at maintenance calories, 'which can lift the hormones that drive fat‑burning before the deficit is re‑introduced'. To find out how much you should be eating to hit your goals, you can use an online calorie calculator. 5. YOU'RE CONSTANTLY STRESSED 7 THE stress hormone cortisol can play a big part in your slimming success. Research published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology found a link between elevated cortisol levels and an increase in appetite, which could make weight loss tricky. Plus, research in the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders even connected a higher cortisol response with more belly fat, which suggests that higher cortisol may lead to overeating. Karen says: 'When we release cortisol, it activates our sympathetic nervous system response, which in turn lowers the release of insulin and increases blood sugar levels in the body. 'This increases inflammation and makes us metabolically less active and therefore more likely to develop insulin resistance and prone to weight gain.' To slash stress levels and kickstart your weight loss, focus on three key areas. 'Prioritise seven to nine hours of sleep a night, reduce screen time (which blocks the sleep hormone melatonin) a couple of hours before bed, and enjoy daily walks in nature,' Karen adds. A study in the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening found that being outside in nature helped to lower participants' stress levels, heart rate and blood pressure. 6. YOU KEEP CRAVING SUGAR 7 CAN'T stay away from the biscuit tin? 'Craving sugar could be a sign that you are in fat storage mode,' says Dominika. 'It can indicate low leptin or high ghrelin levels, or that you have been in a calorie deficit for a little too long.' 'Refeed days' can help to negate the negative effects of a low calorie diet. This is a temporary break from calorie restriction which involves a controlled day of overeating carbs. But even with these scheduled pauses, it can be hard to maintain willpower when you're hungry and your body is screaming out for sugar and salt. That's where protein and fibre come in. Dr Henderson says that a sudden urge for sweets often follows a meal low in protein or fibre, when blood sugar is already dipping, while a craving for salty foods can kick in after heavy sweating when sodium losses are higher or when carbohydrate intake is extremely low. 'Matching the craving to its cause, such as adding lean protein and vegetables to curb sweet impulses or replacing electrolytes after exercise (with an electrolyte drink, for example), works better than relying on willpower alone,' she adds. The mineral chromium may also help manage cravings too. Evidence is limited, but research published in the journal Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics found that taking chromium daily reduced hunger, cravings and food intake in healthy overweight women. It's found in products like Neuaura's Bloatburn and Hunger Killa.
