Parents take council to court in SEN funding row
The number of children in Devon with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) - a legal document that outlines a child's special educational needs - more than doubled in six years from just over 3,700 in January 2017 to 8,400 in January 2023.Watkins Solicitors are representing the families from Devon and a family from Bristol in the Judicial Review being heard at Bristol High Court.The legal firm said it was a "pivotal" case which marked a "critical moment for SEN families across the UK".Beverley Watkins, managing partner, said: "This case is about ensuring that the voices of parents and children with SEN are heard."Decisions that impact such critical areas of support must be made transparently and with a full understanding of their consequences."The Judicial Review is due to last two to three days and a judgement could be handed down at the end of the hearing or at a later date.
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Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Jewellery chain Claire's UK business set for administration, 2,150 jobs at risk
LONDON, Aug 13 (Reuters) - The UK business of jewellery chain Claire's is set to enter administration, threatening more than 2,150 jobs, it said on Wednesday. Claire's Accessories UK Ltd, the operator of Claire's 306 stores across the UK and Ireland, said it had filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators at the High Court, a process which precedes a formal insolvency process. The move comes a week after its parent filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States. Claire's is known for its trend-led accessories and as a destination for ear piercing. "This decision, while difficult, is part of our broader effort to protect the long-term value of Claire's across all markets," CEO Chris Cramer said. The UK company said insolvency practitioners Interpath were expected to be formally appointed as joint administrators in the coming days. Claire's UK stores will remain open and continue to trade. Store employees will remain in their positions. "Over the coming weeks, we will endeavour to continue to operate all stores as a going concern for as long as we can, while we assess options for the company," Will Wright, Interpath's UK CEO, said. "This includes exploring the possibility of a sale which would secure a future for this well-loved brand.'
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Scotsman
7 hours ago
- Scotsman
River Island UK: retailer to cut jobs and reduce shop rents
The retailer's restructuring could drastically change the high street experience 🛍️ Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... River Island plans to cut over 200 jobs this year, including 110 at head office The retailer has gained High Court approval for a wider restructuring plan 33 UK stores are set to close, while 62 stores will see rent reductions or zero rent Rent cuts aim to reduce costs, keep stores open, and allow for potential promotions Shoppers may see closures at some locations, but many stores will remain operational An ailing fashion retailer is set to reduce its workforce by more than 200 roles this year, as it navigates a major restructuring plan aimed at cutting costs and shoring up its high street presence. The latest round of redundancies at River Island, reported by Drapers, involves 110 head office employees, though details on which departments are affected remain unclear. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It follows an earlier wave of job cuts in January, when roughly 100 staff across buying, merchandising, and HR roles were let go. The changes come as River Island gains High Court approval for its wider restructuring, which includes the closure of 33 UK stores and significant rent reductions across many others. (Photo: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images The retailer plans to slash rents for 62 stores - 38 will receive discounts ranging from 25% to 75% for the next three years, and 24 will benefit from zero rent. Nine stores will retain their full rent. But what exactly do the rent reductions mean for shoppers, and will they lead to full store closures in the long run? Here is everything you need to know about it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What are rent reductions? Retail landlords and tenants often renegotiate leases when stores are underperforming or when the market is tough. The goal for the retailer is simple: reduce fixed costs so stores can stay open and generate enough profit to justify their presence on the high street. A rent reduction can take several forms. In River Island's case, 25–75% rent discounts will be applied on certain stores for 36 months. These stores will continue operating as normal, paying the reduced rent during that period. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Other River Island stores will pay nothing in rent for a set time. In this situation, the landlord effectively absorbs the cost, hoping the store will recover and remain a viable tenant. Which stores are affected? Locations benefiting from rent reductions include Liverpool Church Street, Llandudno, Milton Keynes, Reading, Southampton, and Worcester. Zero-rent stores include Barnsley Cortonwood, Bristol Longwell Green, Bromley, Edinburgh Gyle, Swansea Oxford Street, Wigan, and Wolverhampton. 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Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
DWP Universal Credit claimants could be owed around £5,000
DWP has confirmed it will allocate compensation to around 57,000 people Disabled benefit claimants affected by a transition error to Universal Credit could be entitled to compensation exceeding £5,000 each, according to legal experts. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it will allocate £452 million to compensate approximately 57,000 people who lost the Severe Disability Premium (SDP) during the transfer from legacy benefits like Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to Universal Credit. The issue was highlighted following two High Court rulings between 2018 and 2019, which found that the DWP failed to protect claimants' incomes during the transition. As a result, many people experienced a reduction in their benefit payments. To date, the DWP has compensated approximately 44,000 claimants. However, around 13,000 complex cases remain unresolved. The department has committed to settling these outstanding claims by September 2025. Ryan Bradshaw, a solicitor at Leigh Day who represented the claimants, expressed concerns about the compensation process. He said: 'While we welcome the announcement of back payments, there are questions that need to be answered. There needs to be an agreed lawful calculation method in place which can be easily checked by benefits claimants who have missed out to the tune of up to £180 a month before 2019.' Mr Bradshaw also criticised the DWP's approach, telling the Independent: 'It is regrettable that the DWP has pressed ahead with making compensation payments without notice to us in circumstances where our legitimate concerns are yet to be addressed.' He added: 'I am glad to have settled this claim on behalf of my clients. However, there are thousands of others who have been similarly affected who have not been in a position to bring a claim like this. "They too will have suffered unnecessary stress. "A suitable scheme, compensating all the people who have endured discrimination at the hands of the DWP, ought to be urgently put in place. The mistakes made here should never be repeated.' The DWP said: 'We are fully committed to identifying and paying eligible claimants who have already moved to Universal Credit following a change in their circumstances. This is a complex undertaking and the majority of claimants affected by the court judgment have now been paid, and work is ongoing to pay all other eligible claimants as soon as possible.' Eligibility and payment details To qualify for compensation, claimants must have been receiving Universal Credit that included a transitional SDP or would have been entitled to one had it not been eroded. Additionally, they must have met one of the following conditions immediately before their transition to Universal Credit: Entitlement to an income-based legacy benefit that included an Enhanced Disability Premium. Entitlement to an income-based legacy benefit that included the Disability Premium. Entitlement to an income-based legacy benefit that included the Disabled Child Premium, or Child Tax Credit which included the Disabled Child Element (non-severely disabled category). The compensation is calculated based on the monthly value of the lost premium between the claimant's transition to Universal Credit and the introduction of new income protection regulations in February 2024. The potential monthly rates are: Enhanced Disability Premium (single): £84 Enhanced Disability Premium (couple): £120 Disability Premium (single): £172 Disability Premium (couple): £246 Disabled child (per child): £177 Given the number of affected claimants and the monthly compensation rates, individual payouts could exceed £5,000, depending on the duration of the underpayment.
