Liverpool Pride 2025 cancelled following funding and planning struggles
The LCR Pride Foundation, the charity behind the annual event, announced the cancellation of the celebration, which had been scheduled for Saturday 26 July.
In a statement, the organisation said it had become impossible to deliver the event after reverting to a mainly volunteer-led model and struggling to secure both local and national funding.
Rising costs and tight planning timescales also played a major part.
The decision was further complicated by the cutting of ties with long-term sponsor Barclays, the charity said, a move which was made after 'listening to the community.'
While the Foundation says it stands by the decision, it acknowledged it caused further delays during an already challenging period.
"We are devastated that we will not be able to march together this year, at a time when coming together to stand in solidarity, protest and celebration is needed more than ever,' the LCR Pride Foundation said.
'However, we strongly believe that this is the right decision to secure the future of Pride in Liverpool, and to enable a return in 2026.' they continued.
The Foundation added that planning discussions with Liverpool City Council and city-based sponsors are already underway to ensure the event can return stronger in 2026.
Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, called the news 'hugely disappointing' but said it was a decision the organisers had 'tried valiantly to avoid.'
'Its absence will be keenly felt,' he said, 'particularly given the ever-growing need to support our community and promote unity. The Council will continue to support the Foundation in their long-term efforts.'
In the meantime, the LCR Pride Foundation says it will support regional Pride events and look at alternative ways to bring the LGBTQ+ community together later in the year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Daily Record
Special Bannockburn rugby fundraiser aims to spread message of inclusivity
The match between the local women's team and an Edinburgh opponent will raise money for Stirling Pride as well as promoting the role of sport and equality. Bannockburn Rugby Club will host an extra special match on Sunday with the aim of spreading the message of inclusivity in sport and raising money for Stirling's Pride celebrations. The match will take place between local side Bannockburn Valkyries and the Thebans from Edinburgh, with a day of live entertainment and vendors also in place to make it a day to remember for those in attendance. The occasion came about after members of the rugby club helped with the setting up and take down of the inaugral Pride celebration in the city last year - with a desire to do more this time around. Second-row player Hilary Ball - who has been with the Valkyries for around two-and-a-half years - has been one of those working hard in the background to make Sunday's match happen. She told the Observer: 'We wanted to do something more this time around to put ourselves on the map as a welcoming community. 'We wanted to make our message of inclusivity loud and clear, as it's one of our core values that anyone in Stirling and the surrounding area who is looking for a way to get fit, or a way to make friends, should see us as a community who welcome anyone and everyone. 'Rugby is the perfect sport for that because it can welcome 'every body' as well as everybody. 'Alongside being a club player for our teams, we also offer 'social memberships' which give people the chance to just come along, enjoy the atmosphere and get fit along the way. 'We have teams for all ages, and also we're home to the Forth Valley Clan team which is focused on opening doors for all, of any ability especially ambulant disabilities. 'Our men's and women's teams are transgender inclusive so there's a seat and a place on the pitch for everyone.' Stirling Pride will receive all money made from the event and since getting in touch with the charity, the team of volunteers at Bannockburn RFC have been working around their own jobs to pull things together. But during moments where they thought it wouldn't be possible, a nasty message of division offered a stark reminder of the need for the weekend's match - and the importance of the core message behind it. 'A player for the Valkyries team, Anna Crisp, who was one of the first players to join the Valkyries when formed almost five years ago, has been a real catalyst for us getting organised and making this event happen', Hilary continued. 'She couldn't do it alone so the club pulled together a committee to make it a reality, squeezing whatever spare time we each had, to volunteer our time to make this happen. 'One of the players who is involved with the club received a really malicious and cruel homophobic attack related to her place in the women's team and I think that made us even more determined not to pull things and get this over the line. 'Everyone was making free time, calling in favours from businesses and people they knew to make it happen.' The schedule gets underway at the club from 12pm, with the match ticking off at 2pm. A banner will also be available to be decorated for the Pride celebrations and festivities will continue through the night, including a karaoke organised after the boots have been cleaned and the final whistle sounded. Hilary added: 'The Thebans are a fantastic team who are in our own league and they are a club who exemplify the message of rugby being for everyone and anyone. 'We didn't just want this to be in our own bubble here at Bannockburn but to echo across the country, so this game gives us a chance to celebrate an important message, make money for a great cause - and do what we do best on the pitch.'
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Heartbreak for Jeff Bezos as his mother Jackie dies aged 78 following dementia battle just weeks after Venice wedding
Jackie was remembered for her 'grit and determination, kindness and service to others' BEZOS HEARTBREAK Heartbreak for Jeff Bezos as his mother Jackie dies aged 78 following dementia battle just weeks after Venice wedding Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JEFF Bezos is mourning the loss of his mother, Jacklyn 'Jackie' Bezos, who has died at the age of 78. The Bezos Family Foundation announced the news, revealing she passed away peacefully at her Miami home today. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos poses on the red carpet with his parents Mike and Jackie in 2016 Credit: AFP 2 Jackie Bezos has died at the age of 78 Credit: Getty While no cause of death was given, the Foundation said she was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2020. In an emotional post, Jeff reflected on how his mom's life as an adult began early, becoming a mother at just 17. He said she 'pounced on the job of loving me with ferocity,' later bringing his stepfather Mike into the family and expanding her love to his siblings Christina and Mark. Bezos said her 'list of people to love never stopped growing' and that she 'always gave so much more than she ever asked for.' He shared that after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia, Jackie died surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and Mike. 'I know she felt our love in those final moments. We were all so lucky to be in her life,' he wrote, adding: 'I hold her safe in my heart forever… I love you, mom.' In a heartfelt tribute, the Foundation described Jackie as 'the true meaning of grit and determination, kindness and service to others' — values she passed on to her children and grandchildren. It praised her husband, Mike Bezos, for staying by her side 'at every step' of her illness and thanked the healthcare team who cared for her. Born December 29, 1946, in Washington, D.C., Jackie had Jeff at 17 with her first husband, Ted Jorgensen, before the couple split when Jeff was a toddler. She later married Cuban immigrant Miguel 'Mike' Bezos in 1968 — a lifelong partnership that lasted nearly six decades. In 1995, the couple famously invested just under $250,000 into Jeff's then-new venture, Amazon. A devoted mother to Jeff, Christina, and Mark, Jackie juggled work, night school, and family life — making countless trips to Radio Shack for Jeff, supervising cheerleading practice for Christina, and hauling drums in the family station wagon for Mark. She later earned her psychology degree at 45, proving, as the Foundation put it, 'it's never too late to follow your dreams.' In 2000, she and Mike founded the Bezos Family Foundation, spearheading initiatives such as Vroom, which supports early childhood development, and the Bezos Scholars Program for students in the US and Africa. She also played a major role in funding groundbreaking cancer research at Seattle's Fred Hutch Cancer Center. Her greatest joy, however, was family — particularly her 11 grandchildren, for whom she created 'Camp Marmie,' a summer tradition of adventures, problem-solving, and laughter. Jeff's wife, Lauren Sánchez, re-shared the tribute on Instagram Stories with a broken heart emoji. Jackie is survived by Mike, her children Jeff, Christina, and Mark, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. The family is asking people to honor her memory by supporting a meaningful nonprofit or performing a simple act of kindness. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
September 2025 bank holiday payment dates for benefits and pensions plus cost of living support
Approaching the end of the school holidays, a few of the financial pressures of the last few weeks may start to ease up for families in the UK. But for millions in the country, managing the cost of living remains a daily struggle as prices continue to rise faster than 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 September and key dates for benefit and state pension recipients to look out for: Benefit payment dates in September Benefit payments will be going out as normal in September as there are no bank holidays to be aware of. These include: Universal Credit State pension Pension credit Child benefit Disability living allowance Personal independence payment (PIP) Attendance allowance Carer's allowance Employment support allowance Income support Jobseeker's allowance 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 September 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 (this is sometimes called council tax support). 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. Up to 30 hours of free childcare 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 figure for October to December will be announced at the end of August. 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.
