Latest news with #AccessAll
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Adolescence writer says benefit cuts 'punching down' on disabled people
The screenwriter behind hit TV drama Adolescence has told the BBC the government's planned benefit changes are "punching down" on disabled people. Jack Thorne, who is autistic and won critical acclaim for the Netflix drama, said the plans were "wrong and dangerous and that we need to be challenging them as a society". The government announced plans in March to make £5bn welfare cuts amid increasing demand and to encourage people back into work. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said: "We are determined to support people in all parts of the country by tackling poverty and creating secure, well-paid jobs." Thorne told the BBC's Access All podcast that the plans were going to cause "severe hardship" for thousands of disabled people and "enough is enough". He said: "It is very expensive being a disabled person. And the extra payments are required for people to have any quality of life." According to the charity Scope, disabled households face an average of £1,010 extra costs per month. "I'm aware of friends of mine that are really struggling right now, and it makes me incredibly angry that talented, brilliant people are being denied the support that they need in order to lead a reasonable quality of life," Thorne said. "I don't understand why I live in a country now where we punch down quite as much as we do and it worries me about the future direction of travel." Changes to benefits include freezing the "health element" of Universal Credit for existing claimants at £97 per week and reducing the amount for new claimants to £50 from 2026. Parliament is also set to vote on plans to tighten eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments (Pip), which is used to cover the additional costs of being disabled, whether you work or not. Thorne was one of more than 100 influential disabled people to sign an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which said of the cuts: "This is not reform; it is cruelty by policy." The letter, published as part of the new #TakeThePIP campaign, was signed by actors Liz Carr and Doctor Who star Ruth Madeley, as well as comedians Rosie Jones and 2018's Britain's Got Talent winner Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy. They say the changes to the way Pip will be awarded is a "radical departure from the current system". Currently those receiving the benefit must score 12 points across various activities in the assessment, but from 2026 four of the 12 points must come from one single activity for the applicant to receive the highest rate. The signatories said these changes mean those who "can't wash below the waist, for example, could now not qualify and lose vital benefits", "For us, Pip is not a benefit - it is access to life. Without it, people are left housebound and isolated." What are the Pip and universal credit changes and who is affected? Thorne, who has written dramas including His Dark Materials, Toxic Town and the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child said: "They're [the government] worried about all these different things, but the answer to that is not [to target] the people who are suffering the most. "Talented, brilliant people are being denied the support that they need in order to lead a reasonable quality of life." Thorne was diagnosed autistic as an adult and lived with an intense skin condition called cholinergic urticaria in his 20s, meaning he was allergic to heat and his own body movements. He spent six months in bed "because every time I moved, I was having an allergic reaction". He says he has been passionate about supporting and representing the disabled community ever since. "They [the government] just got this one so wrong, and I don't think it's been done with enough consultation with the disabled community. And I think if they did consult meaningfully, they would discover what they need to do here. And it's not this." A consultation on some of the planned changes to benefits is available to fill in online until 30 June. The DWP added: "Pip is a part of the way that we support disabled people and people with long term health conditions. "But with the number of people claiming Pip doubling since the pandemic, it's right that we rebalance the system to ensure support is targeted to those who need it most. "Alongside this, as part of our Plan for Change, we've increased the 'national living wage', uprated benefits, and are helping over one million households by introducing a fair repayment rate on Universal Credit deductions." Thorne received critical acclaim earlier this year for his Netflix drama Adolescence, which he co-wrote with actor Stephen Graham and told the story of a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a girl in his class. The show sparked national debates about the impact of social media and "manosphere" influencers, particularly on boys, and led to a meeting with the prime minister to talk about protecting people online. "It's been amazing, Adolescence having the impact it has had. We're still all reeling from it." He said since the meeting the Women and Equalities Select Committee had started an investigation into the manosphere and a group of Labour MPs are "pushing very hard" for legislative changes to protect people using the internet. Thorne says Starmer was "very sincere and he was very interested in Adolescence and I'm really grateful for that". "And I think he needs to be as interested in this," he added. Adolescence hard to watch as a dad, Starmer tells creators
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Adolescence writer says benefit cuts 'punching down' on disabled people
The screenwriter behind hit TV drama Adolescence has told the BBC the government's planned benefit changes are "punching down" on disabled Thorne, who is autistic and won critical acclaim for the Netflix drama, said the plans were "wrong and dangerous and that we need to be challenging them as a society".The government announced plans in March to make £5bn welfare cuts amid increasing demand and to encourage people back into Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said: "We are determined to support people in all parts of the country by tackling poverty and creating secure, well-paid jobs." Thorne told the BBC's Access All podcast that the plans were going to cause "severe hardship" for thousands of disabled people and "enough is enough".He said: "It is very expensive being a disabled person. And the extra payments are required for people to have any quality of life."According to the charity Scope, disabled households face an average of £1,010 extra costs per month."I'm aware of friends of mine that are really struggling right now, and it makes me incredibly angry that talented, brilliant people are being denied the support that they need in order to lead a reasonable quality of life," Thorne said."I don't understand why I live in a country now where we punch down quite as much as we do and it worries me about the future direction of travel."Changes to benefits include freezing the "health element" of Universal Credit for existing claimants at £97 per week and reducing the amount for new claimants to £50 from is also set to vote on plans to tighten eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments (Pip), which is used to cover the additional costs of being disabled, whether you work or not. Thorne was one of more than 100 influential disabled people to sign an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which said of the cuts: "This is not reform; it is cruelty by policy."The letter, published as part of the new #TakeThePIP campaign, was signed by actors Liz Carr and Doctor Who star Ruth Madeley, as well as comedians Rosie Jones and 2018's Britain's Got Talent winner Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice say the changes to the way Pip will be awarded is a "radical departure from the current system".Currently those receiving the benefit must score 12 points across various activities in the assessment, but from 2026 four of the 12 points must come from one single activity for the applicant to receive the highest signatories said these changes mean those who "can't wash below the waist, for example, could now not qualify and lose vital benefits", "For us, Pip is not a benefit - it is access to life. Without it, people are left housebound and isolated."Thorne, who has written dramas including His Dark Materials, Toxic Town and the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child said: "They're [the government] worried about all these different things, but the answer to that is not [to target] the people who are suffering the most."Talented, brilliant people are being denied the support that they need in order to lead a reasonable quality of life."Thorne was diagnosed autistic as an adult and lived with an intense skin condition called cholinergic urticaria in his 20s, meaning he was allergic to heat and his own body movements. He spent six months in bed "because every time I moved, I was having an allergic reaction".He says he has been passionate about supporting and representing the disabled community ever since."They [the government] just got this one so wrong, and I don't think it's been done with enough consultation with the disabled community. And I think if they did consult meaningfully, they would discover what they need to do here. And it's not this."A consultation on some of the planned changes to benefits is available to fill in online until 30 DWP added: "Pip is a part of the way that we support disabled people and people with long term health conditions. "But with the number of people claiming Pip doubling since the pandemic, it's right that we rebalance the system to ensure support is targeted to those who need it most."Alongside this, as part of our Plan for Change, we've increased the 'national living wage', uprated benefits, and are helping over one million households by introducing a fair repayment rate on Universal Credit deductions." Thorne received critical acclaim earlier this year for his Netflix drama, Adolescence, which he co-wrote with actor Stephen Graham and told the story of a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a girl in his show sparked national debates about the impact of social media and "manosphere" influencers, particularly on boys, and led to a meeting with the prime inister to talk about protecting people online."It's been amazing, Adolescence having the impact it has had. We're still all reeling from it."He said since the meeting the Women and Equalities Select Committee had started an investigation into the manosphere and a group of Labour MPs are "pushing very hard" for legislative changes to protect people using the says Starmer was "very sincere and he was very interested in Adolescence and I'm really grateful for that". "And I think he needs to be as interested in this," he added.
News18
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
When Tim Pierce Opened For The Eagles And Later Got Banned From Concert
Last Updated: Tim Pierce shared how a friend helped him stay at a venue where he opened the night for The Eagles and was later asked to leave. Renowned session guitarist Tim Pierce has recently shared a bizarre incident when he got banned backstage sometime after he opened for The Eagles concert. Pierce worked with several heavyweights in the music industry, including pop sensations like Michael Jackson, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato to name a few. Recently, he posted a video on his YouTube channel where he opened up about the turn of events that got him open and banned backstage during The Eagles' concert on the same day. Sharing the story with his more than 5.67 lakh subscribers, Pierce called it the 'biggest night for musicians" in history during that time. The incident took place during the New Year's Eve at the turn of the millennium, while Pierce remained a member of Linda Ronstadt's band, Guitar World magazine reported. The Eagles as well as Jackson Browne were set to perform at the event that took place at Los Angeles-based Staples Center (now known as Arena). The tickets for the concert started at $50 and went up to $1,000 apiece. Talking about the events that took place after Ronstadt's set, Pierce said that this is the 'reality of big-time show business". This was the time when musicians and artists were performing mega gigs 'for great fees," he added. Amid tight security, the group went to perform warm-up shows in the run up to the big event. Pierce said that the security at the event was beefed up and even Don Henley faced 'trouble" with the guards. 'There was some sort of kerfuffle. Some angry words were exchanged," he mentioned. As the venue started filling with 'New Year's Eve revelers," Pierce decided to watch the event after his gig from the side of the stage. For the same, he was even provided with an Access All Areas pass. However, things soon turned ugly for him as halfway through Jackson Browne's performance, Pierce and his wife were told 'all of a sudden" that their backstage access was being revoked. They were informed that after Browne's set, they were 'no longer welcome in the building." After hearing this, Pierce's mind 'went into overdrive". Soon after, he started investigating the matter and realised that the crew members of The Eagles had a yellow sticker attached to their photo IDs — something that remained missing from their credentials. While Pierce started thinking what could be done to stay in the concert and was 'about to give up," he realised that his friend, audio engineer Dave Covelli, served as the Staples Center manager. Both of them earlier worked together for four years. Pierce did not waste any time and got in touch with Covelli and things worked out in his favour. He was later allowed to sit with his 'unimpeachable" Staples Center-issued pass. The side of the stage turned into a 'ghost town" for them as the staff members of The Eagles walked around with 'daggers in their eyes". Sharing another 'moment of awkwardness," Pierce shared that his family decided to leave the venue early to beat the traffic. But when he went backstage to get his guitar, he was stopped by a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) official. '…it was a forbidden zone to go back into the dressing rooms," said Pierce, adding that the 'nice officer" then allowed him to walk down the 'hallowed halls of Eagledom." First Published:
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
The Traitors' Mollie Pearce dating huge popstar after heartbreaking split with ex – and they met through Dancing On Ice
She and her boyfriend broke up after three years ahead of her time on Dancing On Ice moving on The Traitors' Mollie Pearce dating huge popstar after heartbreaking split with ex – and they met through Dancing On Ice Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Traitors star Mollie Pearce is dating a huge pop star after splitting from her ex-boyfriend last year. Mollie, 23, took to Instagram to share a snap from a recent trip to Amsterdam with Connor Ball from The Vamps. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Mollie reposted Connor's snap of them taken during a recent trip to Amsterdam Credit: Instagram 6 Connor is a member of boyband The Vamps Credit: Getty 6 Mollie split from boyfriend Max in October after three years together Credit: Instagram And The Sun can reveal they are together after meeting on the set of Dancing On Ice earlier this year. Mollie took part in the most recent series, while Connor, 29, starred on the show in 2022. An insider said: "Mollie met Connor when he came to Dancing On Ice during her series - they chatted as he was on the 2022 series and things went from there. "They've been secretly dating for a few weeks and are on their first holiday together. It's early stages but it's going really well." Mollie, who came runner-up during series two of The Traitors in 2024, confirmed in October last year that she and boyfriend Max Backwell had split after three years. She told the Mail: "After a number of happy years together Max and I have decided to part ways. "It was amicable and we're both still friends." Mollie became a fan favourite on The Traitors when she told on Claudia Winkleman's murder mystery how she was born with one hand. In her late teens she began working as a disability model. Mollie also lives with a stoma after surgery to remove her colon at the age of 18 following a decade with ulcerative colitis. The Traitors finalist Mollie Pearce reveals how she was 'betrayed twice' in gripping BBC show Speaking to BBC's Access All podcast, she said: "I call my stoma Sid. "I'm very proud of Sid. He's helped me in a lot of ways.' 6 Mollie shot to fame after taking part in series two of The Traitors Credit: Instagram 6 She took part in Dancing On Ice earlier this year Credit: Shutterstock
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Disabled organisers refusing to meet ministers over DWP benefits cuts
A number of disabled people's organisations working with the government have stopped meeting with ministers, over plans to cut disability benefits. Charities like Inclusion London have told Yahoo News they are "considering" whether they will still speak to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to inform its upcoming policies on improving employment outcomes and the benefits system for disabled people. The charity told Yahoo News it is considering its position because the government "is not consulting on the most significant cuts" in its Get Britain Working green paper, accusing the DWP of leaving disabled voices "ignored and silenced". Another member of a disabled consortium in the West Midlands that works with the government has already resigned over the government enacting the cuts, Yahoo News understands. The resignation letter, from a man who has worked for disabled organisations for 40 years, said that Starmer's government "has such little regard and respect for the rights and welfare of the disabled community of this country". Disablities minister Sir Stephen Timms has urged these groups to keep in conversation with the government, telling the BBC's Access All podcast that he "very much hopes" the organisations will continue talking to him. When asked about working with disability charities on Tuesday, Keir Starmer said he wants to continue to work with disabled people's organisations and "bring people together" to improve outcomes for disabled people. The government's proposals to cut disability benefits have sparked outrage among campaigners and charities, who warned that the "draconian" policies could push up to 340,000 people into poverty. The cuts, announced by Liz Kendall and Rachel Reeves last month — such as limiting the number of people eligible for PIP and freezing and halving incapacity benefits for new claimants — will not go to consultation and will be voted on in Parliament. On Tuesday, however, the government launched the Get Britain Working consultation, asking for groups and individuals to express their views on some measures like scrapping work capability assessments for universal credit claimants, and enhancing the Access to Work programme, a grant system for disabled workers which is beset with delays. Inclusion London, which supports deaf and disabled people's organisations in London, said it does not think the government has done anywhere near enough. Svetlana Kotova, director of campaigns at the charity told Yahoo News: "Labour promised in their manifesto to put disabled people's views and voices at the heart of their policy. But the green paper does the exact opposite. "The government is not consulting on the most significant cuts, that will push disabled people, including children, into poverty. Our voices have been ignored and silenced. We need to understand from the minister what their commitment really means in practice." For one organiser involved in several disability networks, resignation felt like the only option. In his resignation letter, shared with Yahoo News, he wrote that he is "extremely scared for the safety of disabled people under a Starmer-led government". He wrote: "I can no longer work with or be associated with a government who threat my brothers and sisters so appallingly. I have advised Conservative governments with more empathy than this government. "In all these years and facing down many governments of various political colours and politics, I have never known any government with such little regard and respect for the rights and welfare of the disabled community of this country." However, some other groups have decided that even though they do not agree with the government's position, cutting off communication with the government is "not the best thing to do". Mark Baggley from the Choices and Rights Disability Coalition, told Yahoo News: "While it may have been the best thing for one of our networks to step away, I do not think cutting off communication with the government is not the best thing to do. "Without having these difficult conversations, you're never going to get any change." Jon Sparkes OBE, chief executive of learning disability charity Mencap, echoed this view. He told Yahoo News: "To make change, we believe that dialogue with those who have the power to make decisions is crucial – and especially important when the stakes are so high. "We will continue to engage with government to raise our concerns, and provide a platform for people with a learning disability to voice theirs directly." The government's disabilities minister, Sir Stephen Timms, has said he "very much hopes" the organisations will continue talking to him. When asked about the stalemate on the BBC's disability and mental health podcast, Access All, on Monday, Sir Stephen said: "I very much hope that they will carry on talking to me because I need to know what they think about these proposals. "I want to make sure that the views and voices of disabled people are at the heart of what we do in this area, as well as elsewhere across the government." A DWP spokesperson said: 'We want to hear from a wide range of people during the consultation period and are committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of everything we do. 'We have set out a sweeping package of reforms to health and disability benefits that genuinely support people back into work, while putting the welfare system on a more sustainable footing so that the safety net is always there to protect those who need it most.'
