
Migrant black market work crackdown is a welcome start but ministers cannot afford to take their eyes off the ball
ONE of the biggest draws for Channel migrants — along with the chance later to claim benefits — is the ability to work in Britain on the black market.
Voters were furious at the sight of some blatantly operating illegally as delivery riders while being housed for free in taxpayer-funded hotels.
1
So it's good news the Government has followed a Sun investigation by now agreeing to share locations of those hotels with food delivery companies like Deliveroo and Just Eat.
It means riders can have their accounts frozen if they are found to be living there.
Bitter experience tells us that if there's one takeaway from the migrant crisis, it's that criminal gangs will always find a way round the rules.
Ministers cannot afford to take their eyes off the ball on this one.
In the red
WHAT a sad and sorry mess Britain's economy is currently in.
Borrowing costs are the highest since 1998 — with more borrowed in June than at any time since records began, except during Covid.
Our national debt interest is now so huge that it's annually twice what is spent on defence.
Shamefully, it also out-strips money allocated for our kids' education.
Such an unsustainable debt mountain is likely to spark an avalanche of chaos.
Undercover delivery driver investigation
Meanwhile, Angela Rayner wants to kill growth — the key to getting us out of this debt nightmare — by whacking taxes on everything.
That apparently now includes suggesting punishing levies on tourism despite fears it will drive away overseas visitors.
Nevermind that it's one of the UK's soaring success stories.
Why do the Left see success and immediately want to stamp it out?
RIP, prince
HEAVY metal never felt heavier in our hearts than it does today.
Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, has left us.
It's no exaggeration to say that the Brummie hell-raiser was one of the most iconic rock frontmen of all time.
Ozzy's wasn't a carefully crafted image — he lived and breathed every moment of wild excess.
But the working class hero was also a music pioneer who went from playing Birmingham pub The Crown to becoming one of Britain's best-loved sons.
One final hurrah on stage this month gave him the most fitting ending of all.
Belting out Paranoid in front of 40,000 adoring fans in his home city.
It really was the last song ever.
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Cooper wipes away tears over murder victim as ninja sword ban takes effect
Yvette Cooper shed tears as she became emotional discussing the victim of a ninja sword stabbing in Wolverhampton. As a ban on the weapons came into effect, the home secretary described the mother of Ronan Kanda, 16, showing her the last moment she shared with her son before he was murdered. 'His mother, Pooja, showed me the CCTV from outside her house. [It was] the last time she saw her son. It was the honour of her showing me their affectionate goodbye … then he goes off and she doesn't see him again,' Ms Cooper told The Times as she wiped away tears. Ronan was stabbed through the heart with a ninja sword in a case of mistaken identity in Wolverhampton in 2022. CCTV of the attack showed Ronan smiling at his phone with his headphones in when he was attacked with the weapon that two 16-year-olds had bought online. Pooja went on to launch a campaign urging ministers to ban ninja swords and knives with blades longer than 14 inches, with a single, straight cutting edge and a tanto-style point. She was awarded an OBE in the King's birthday honours for services to knife crime prevention. Ms Cooper unveiled the ban shortly after Labour came into power last July under a package titled Ronan's Law. Speaking as it came into effect, she said: 'I can talk you through all the targeted policing we're doing but in the end it is about what [victims'] families are experiencing and the change they want to see.' Those caught with ninja swords now face up to six months in prison, a sentence which will rise to two years under Labour's Crime and Policing Bill. 'Since day one, we have acted with urgency to turn the tide on knife crime, which destroys lives and devastates communities,' Ms Cooper told The Times. Reacting to the ban when it was tabled in parliament, Ms Kanda said: 'Since losing our beautiful boy Ronan, we have relentlessly campaigned for a ban on ninja swords – the lethal weapon which took his life. 'We believe ninja swords have no place in our society other than to seriously harm and kill. Each step towards tackling knife crime is a step towards getting justice for our boy Ronan.' Ninja swords can be handed over in knife-surrender bins or local police stations under a surrender scheme running in July. Under Ronan's Law, the Home Office has also announced a raft of measures, including making retailers report bulk or suspicious sales to police, and increasing the jail sentence for selling weapons to children, or illegal blades such as zombie knives, to two years.


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
August 2025 payments dates for benefits and pensions plus cost of living support
For millions across the UK, managing the cost of living remains a daily struggle as rising prices continue to outpace household incomes. Recent research from the Resolution Foundation found that the cost of essentials in the UK has remained stubbornly high, long past the 'peak' of the cost of living crisis in 2022. Despite inflation returning to pre-pandemic levels, the cost of goods has remained persistently high in the face of stagnant wages. At the same time, exorbitant household bills mean millions are grappling with debts to afford the essentials. Around 7.3 million adults (13.9 per cent of households) experienced food insecurity in January 2025, figures from The Food Foundation reveal, showing no signs of returning to pre-2022 levels. Meanwhile, energy arrears have more than doubled over the past five years, rising to £3.9 billion at the end of 2024. Against this difficult economic backdrop, it's important that households are claiming all the support the they entitled to. There are now around 24 million people in the country claiming some combination of DWP-administered benefits, representing around one in three people. Yet research by Policy in Practice shows that £23 billion worth of benefits goes unclaimed every year – you can use their helpful calculator to work out what you might be entitled to. Here is an overview of the financial support available to households this August and key dates for benefit and state pension recipients to look out for: Benefit payments will be going out as normal for the most part in August, although there is one bank holiday to be aware of. These include: Due to the Summer bank holiday on Monday 25 August, anyone expecting a payment on that date should instead receive on the previous working day – Friday 22 August. This also applies to state pension payments. For more information on how and when state benefits are paid, visit the government's website. The DWP is aiming to complete the migration of all 'legacy benefits' to Universal Credit by January 2026. Those receiving tax credits, income support, jobseeker's allowance, and housing benefit should have received a notice about moving to Universal Credit already. Are you having issues with PIP, Universal Credit, or any other benefit? Get in touch via email: Pension payment dates in August The basic state pension is paid straight into bank accounts similar to how benefits are paid. It is usually paid every four weeks, with the exact day you receive it corresponding to the last two digits of your national insurance (NI) number. Here's when you should be paid based on those numbers: 00 to 19: Monday 20 to 39: Tuesday 40 to 59: Wednesday 60 to 79: Thursday 80 to 99: Friday When will benefit rates go up? In April, all benefits were uprated by 1.7 per cent, matching the September 2024 inflation figure. The increase applied to all working-age benefits, including universal credit, PIP, DLA, attendance allowance, carer's allowance, ESA and more. Meanwhile, in line with the triple lock, the state pension has risen by 4.1 per cent – up £472 a year – matching wage growth in 2024. In April 2026, all Universal Credit claimants will receive an above-inflation increase to their income following the passage of Labour's controversial welfare bill. These extra-inflationary increases will continue yearly until 2029, with the first being a rise of at least 2.3 per cent. However, at the same time, the monthly payment rate for the health-related element of Universal Credit for new claimants will be cut from £105 to £50. This rate will also be frozen until 2029. This is a reduction of over £200 a month, cutting the additional rate by around half. This means it is advisable for anyone who thinks they might be eligible to apply as soon as they can. Other help available Budgeting advance loans The government offers a 'budgeting advance loan' for people on Universal Credit who face an emergency lack of money. The loan has a maximum repayment period of two years. These loans are interest-free, and automatically deducted from Universal Credit payments. You can borrow an 'advance' of up to: £348 if you're single £464 if you're part of a couple £812 if you or your partner claim Child Benefit Following the Labour Budget in October, a new cap has been introduced on the amount the DWP can deduct from benefit payments to repay loans and debts, including budgeting advance loans. From April 2025, deductions from universal credit will be capped at 15 per cent of the standard allowance, down from 25 per cent. Discretionary Housing Payment Households can apply to their council for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP), which offers financial support to go towards rent or housing costs. You can only get a DHP if you are in receipt of Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit. It can cover housing costs for a rent shortfall, rent deposits and rent in advance if you need to move home. Exact eligibility and the funds available are decided on a council-by-council basis, so you will need to get in touch with your local authority to find out more. Household Support Fund The Household Support Fund (HSF), distributed by local councils, offers vital assistance to those facing financial hardship, complementing standard benefits and grants. As part of this government initiative, eligible households throughout the UK can access support such as essential appliances, contributions towards utility bills, and direct cash payments reaching up to £300. Local authorities are free to decide how to allocate their HSF funding to suit households in their area, so exactly what is available will vary. To apply, households need to contact their council (most offer an online form). This nationwide program is set to run until March 2026. The government has committed £1 billion in funding to transition it into a 'Crisis and Resilience Fund', which will also replace the DHP. Charitable grants If you are struggling financially, you may be eligible for certain charitable grants. There are a wide range of grants available depending on your circumstances. However, these grants will typically require you to meet specific criteria and only be able to offer limited funds. Charitable grants are available for people who are disabled or ill, carers, bereaved, unemployed, students – and many more. The charity Turn2us has an online tool to search for grants which may be available to you. Energy provider help A number of energy suppliers offer help for those struggling with their energy bills. These include British Gas, Scottish Power, EDF, and Octopus. It is worth contacting your energy provider to find out if you are eligible. Council tax reduction If you meet certain criteria or are on certain benefits, you may be able to apply for a discount on your council tax discount of up to 100 per cent. Your local council may still be able to offer you a discretionary reduction if you are able to demonstrate you are facing severe hardship and can't afford to pay your council tax. To apply for a council tax reduction, you can contact your local council via the government's website. All working parents in the UK are currently entitled to 30 hours of free childcare for children aged 3 to 4. From 1 April 2024, this entitlement expanded to include 15 hours of free childcare for 2-year-olds. From 1 September, it was expanded again to include all children from the age of nine months. You must apply online and reconfirm your eligibility every three months, in time for each school term. Working parents can also apply for tax-free childcare, giving back 20p for every 80p you put towards childcare, up to a maximum of £500 a year. The final expansion to free childcare, coming in September 2025, will see all children under five eligible for 30 hours. Energy Price Cap: Is it going up? Ofgem's energy price cap has be decreased from £1,849 to £1,720 for July to September – a drop of 7 per cent. The welcome fall follows three consecutive rises. The energy price cap is the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of energy if you're on a standard variable tariff. That includes most households. It is expressed as an annual bill for an average home. Will there be another Cost of Living Payment in 2025? The DWP have not announced any continuation of the Cost of Living Payment scheme that ran between 2022 and 2024. The final payment should have been made to eligible households between 6 February and 22 February 2024. Mental health support In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@ or visit to find your nearest branch. Mind runs a support line on 0300 102 1234 which provides a safe and confidential place to talk about how you're feeling. There is also an information line on 0300 123 3393 for nearby support, and a welfare benefits line on 0300 222 5782 to support the mental health of those navigating the benefits system. Disability charity Scope has a forum where people can have supportive chats to others going through the same experiences. NHS England offers an online mental health triage service.


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Bring back early years scheme Sure Start to fend off Reform, Labour urged
Labour has been urged to launch a massive expansion of family centres under the Sure Start brand to fend off Nigel Farage 's Reform UK. A commission backed by Labour peer Hilary Armstrong has said a reintroduction of Sure Start family centres could rebuild faith in neighbourhoods blighted by Tory austerity. Her Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods found the reinstatement of Sure Start would be backed across the political spectrum, with two-thirds of potential Reform voters supporting the move. Bridget Phillipson has ploughed £500m into family hubs offering parenting support and youth services across every council in England. The education secretary is targeting disadvantaged communities with what are called 'Best Start' hubs, which she has said will 'give a lifeline' to families. Officials anticipate the network will grow to include up to 1,000 hubs by the end of 2028. Government sources told The Guardian the Best Start brand was tested and came out as a clear winner among voters, with parents viewing it as aimed at parents' ambitions. But Baroness Armstrong's commission found that 62 per cent of people recognise the Sure Start brand, while 72 per cent of voters want to see it revived. More than 1,400 Sure Start centres have been closed since 2010 amid the Conservatives' austerity drive. At its peak under Gordon Brown, the programme had more than 3,600 centres, with Labour ministers repeatedly describing Sure Start as one of the party's biggest achievements in government. Jo White, a Labour MP who chairs the 'red wall' grouping in parliament, told The Guardian: 'Labour's reconnection with left-behind communities, including in the 'red wall' constituencies, has to be tangible. People need to see and experience change, and the reopening of Sure Start centres is a very good start.' Baroness Armstrong added: 'On our visits across the country we have heard time and again how Sure Start made a positive difference to the lives of people in ways that few other policy initiatives have done. 'Our work has shown that bringing back Sure Start centres through upgrading existing services in the most disadvantaged places would not only be good value for money but would also start to rebuild trust in neighbourhoods which saw services taken away due to austerity.' Labour is hoping to see off the rise of Reform, which has consistently topped the polls after Sir Keir Starmer 's shaky start in Downing Street. Mr Farage's party is currently backed by 30 per cent of voters, with Labour on 22 per cent and the Conservatives in third on 17 per cent. Department for Education spokesperson said: 'Giving children growing up in our country the best start in life is central to our mission to break the unfair link between background and success. 'This government is revitalising family services, rolling out up to 1,000 Best Start family hubs in every local area, relieving pressure on parents and building on the successful legacy of Sure Start. 'Through our Plan for Change, our Best Start services will deliver 30 hours of government-funded childcare, expand school-based nurseries, and roll out free breakfast clubs in every primary school to support working parents.'