Latest news with #AndrewMilligan
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Welfare reforms will lead to rise in homelessness, charities warn Government
The Government is already under pressure over the controversial reforms, with more than 40 Labour MPs earlier this month urging the Prime Minister to pause and reassess planned cuts, saying the proposals are 'impossible to support'. The letter has also been sent to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner who is Housing Secretary (Andrew Milligan/PA) The proposed reforms, set out earlier this year, would tighten the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip) – the main disability benefit in England – and see the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) cut. They also proposed delaying access to the health element of UC to those aged 22 and over, with the aim of reinvesting savings to support young people into work or training. The package of measures is aimed at reducing the number of working-age people on sickness benefits, and the Government hopes they can save £5 billion a year by the end of the decade. But an impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned some 250,000 people – including 50,000 children – could fall into relative poverty as a result of the changes. Now a letter, co-ordinated by the St Mungo's homelessness charity, has stated the 'deep concern' organisations within the sector feel about the reforms. In the letter, which has also been sent to Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, they said: 'We can only conclude that the proposed changes will increase the number of people at risk of becoming homeless for the first time, increase the number of people we have helped resolve their homelessness fall back into it and increase the length of time it takes to resolve people's homelessness in the future.' They stated that while they share the Government's 'ambition to establish a thriving and inclusive labour market and give people the opportunities and support they need to get back to work', the reforms 'will not help achieve your ambition and therefore we as a sector cannot support them'. The letter stated that the reforms will 'push people further away from the labour market, increase homelessness and put excessive pressure on statutory services'. They said increases in already record levels of homelessness 'will have a catastrophic impact on mental and physical health, education and employment opportunities' and have a 'domino effect of imposing a significant financial cost to the state' in paying for more temporary accommodation and emergency homelessness services. The latest official Government statistics, published in April, showed new record highs in both households and children living in temporary accommodation – a form of homelessness. There were 127,890 households in this situation as of the end of December, while the total number of children in temporary accommodation stood at 165,510. The charities added: 'Homelessness devastates people's chances of employment. These cuts and eligibility restrictions will not give people a pathway to work and we urge the Government to reconsider its position.' It was reported earlier this week that benefit claimants could be given longer 'transitional periods' to seek out other benefits if they lose out as a result of the reforms, in what has been seen by some as an effort by Sir Keir Starmer to soften the blow of the cuts amid the growing threat of a backbench rebellion. Emma Haddad, chief executive of St Mungo's, said: 'Many people rely on these benefits to manage complex health conditions as part of their recovery from homelessness and pay for essential utilities. With already eyewatering rents, these benefits help people cover their additional costs. 'Without them, we fear people will be increasingly unable to afford to secure somewhere safe to live. 'Homelessness has already pushed these people to the edge. We should be supporting them to rebuild their lives, not creating more challenges for them to overcome.' A Government spokesperson said: 'We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work. 'At the heart of the government's reforms is a £1 billion scheme to help the long-term sick or disabled out of poverty and into good, secure jobs. 'We have also raised the national living wage, increased benefits and given additional help to the poorest households, as part of our Plan for Change.'
Scotsman
7 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
When every Rangers contract expires at Ibrox following club's confirmation of six departures
With a underwhelming domestic campaign now behind them, Rangers have a huge summer ahead as they edge closer to an impending takeover and look to appoint a new manager. Here is the contract expiry date of every Rangers player heading into the summer transfer window. Cr: SNS Group. | SNS Group Failure to offer Celtic any sort of challenge in the Scottish Premiership title race saw Philippe Clement sacked in February, and the interim appointment of Barry Ferguson failed to spark an upturn in form at Ibrox as they limped to second place, finishing 17 points behind their Glasgow rivals. The club have already confirmed Tom Lawrence, Leon Balogun and Ianis Hagi will depart the club this summer following the expiration of their contracts, while Vaclav Cerny, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Rafael Fernandes will all return to their parent clubs after their reached the end of their loan deals. With the 49ers takeover on the horizon, every Rangers player will find their futures put under the microscope, but which individuals are protected by long-term contracts - and which have just one year left to run? Here, The Scotsman looks at when every Rangers player's contract expires: 1 . Hamza Igamane Has been linked with a £7million move to Everton in recent months, but has the longest contract of any current Rangers player. His deal does not expire until the summer of 2029. | Ian MacNicol Photo: Ian MacNicol Photo Sales 2 . Connor Barron Signed from Aberdeen last summer, the Scotland youth international was handed a bumper deal upon his arrival. His contract runs until the summer of 2028. | Andrew Milligan Photo: Andrew Milligan Photo Sales 3 . Jefte Linked to Chelsea in January, the left-back has had an inconsistent first season in Govan, but will have plenty time to improve. He is on a contract until the summer of 2028. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group Photo Sales 4 . Danilo The Brazilian has endured an injury hit two years at Ibrox, and will be hoping he can shake off his niggles and get a good pre-season under his belt. He still has plenty of time to turn his Rangers career around, with his contract running until the summer of 2028. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group Photo Sales
South Wales Guardian
24-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Callum McGregor says penalty miss in final defeat his ‘worst moment in football'
Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov saved as McGregor took the first penalty before sealing his club's first Scottish Cup triumph in 35 years when he denied Alistair Johnston to secure a 4-3 win. Celtic were heading for a sixth treble in nine years following Alfie Dorrington's own goal but Kasper Schmeichel scooped a low cross into his own net in the 83rd minute and Aberdeen held on for a 1-1 draw after extra time. McGregor had never lost a cup final and his pain was evident after missing out on a 25th winners' medal. Callum McGregor reacts after missing in the penalty shoot-out (Andrew Milligan/PA) When asked how difficult a moment it was, the 31-year-old said: 'The worst. The worst moment I've ever had in football. It's a real sore one. 'I'll just need to go away and try and get over it and come back next year and be stronger. 'We didn't do enough in the game to deserve it and then when you get to penalties it's a bit of a lottery. The last few times we've come out on the right side of it and today we didn't. 'It's a real sore way to finish the season. Up until this point it's been an amazing season. We just didn't do enough to cap it off.' McGregor watches on as Aberdeen celebrate (Jane Barlow/PA) McGregor and his team-mates stayed behind to clap their opponents after collecting their losers' medals. 'You have to stand and watch that,' he said. 'It's where you want to be. We've been lucky that we haven't had it too many times. When you see that, it's so raw, it's so hurtful. 'So you have to use that as fuel when you come back and try and never be in that position again. 'Listen, I've bounced back from difficult situations before. It will take me a while to get over it but once the new season starts, that's up to me to show everyone that you've got a bit of steel. 'We're so used to winning that when you don't, you feel it 10 times more. 'For sure, there'll be learning in that, it's just so raw at the minute. But for sure, the group can learn from it, can be better for it because sometimes you have to go through a wee bit of adversity to grow and get better.' McGregor was comforted by manager Brendan Rodgers (Andrew Milligan/PA) Manager Brendan Rodgers consoled McGregor as the tears flowed. 'He just said it can happen to anyone,' the midfielder said. 'It's obviously a personal moment but the gist of it was to 'keep your head up and you've done so much for the club and had so much success for the club'. He's obviously just to be there for you in that moment.' McGregor added: 'I think, take away today, it's been an amazing season up until this point. When it's the last day and it doesn't go your way then the whole thing feels like it's pointless. That's because we've been so good, we've managed to come to these moments and get through them. 'It's just a wee reminder that you have to earn it and we didn't earn it today. We didn't do enough in the top half of the pitch to really open them up and take our chances.'
South Wales Argus
24-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Callum McGregor says penalty miss in final defeat his ‘worst moment in football'
Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov saved as McGregor took the first penalty before sealing his club's first Scottish Cup triumph in 35 years when he denied Alistair Johnston to secure a 4-3 win. Celtic were heading for a sixth treble in nine years following Alfie Dorrington's own goal but Kasper Schmeichel scooped a low cross into his own net in the 83rd minute and Aberdeen held on for a 1-1 draw after extra time. McGregor had never lost a cup final and his pain was evident after missing out on a 25th winners' medal. Callum McGregor reacts after missing in the penalty shoot-out (Andrew Milligan/PA) When asked how difficult a moment it was, the 31-year-old said: 'The worst. The worst moment I've ever had in football. It's a real sore one. 'I'll just need to go away and try and get over it and come back next year and be stronger. 'We didn't do enough in the game to deserve it and then when you get to penalties it's a bit of a lottery. The last few times we've come out on the right side of it and today we didn't. 'It's a real sore way to finish the season. Up until this point it's been an amazing season. We just didn't do enough to cap it off.' McGregor watches on as Aberdeen celebrate (Jane Barlow/PA) McGregor and his team-mates stayed behind to clap their opponents after collecting their losers' medals. 'You have to stand and watch that,' he said. 'It's where you want to be. We've been lucky that we haven't had it too many times. When you see that, it's so raw, it's so hurtful. 'So you have to use that as fuel when you come back and try and never be in that position again. 'Listen, I've bounced back from difficult situations before. It will take me a while to get over it but once the new season starts, that's up to me to show everyone that you've got a bit of steel. 'We're so used to winning that when you don't, you feel it 10 times more. 'For sure, there'll be learning in that, it's just so raw at the minute. But for sure, the group can learn from it, can be better for it because sometimes you have to go through a wee bit of adversity to grow and get better.' McGregor was comforted by manager Brendan Rodgers (Andrew Milligan/PA) Manager Brendan Rodgers consoled McGregor as the tears flowed. 'He just said it can happen to anyone,' the midfielder said. 'It's obviously a personal moment but the gist of it was to 'keep your head up and you've done so much for the club and had so much success for the club'. He's obviously just to be there for you in that moment.' McGregor added: 'I think, take away today, it's been an amazing season up until this point. When it's the last day and it doesn't go your way then the whole thing feels like it's pointless. That's because we've been so good, we've managed to come to these moments and get through them. 'It's just a wee reminder that you have to earn it and we didn't earn it today. We didn't do enough in the top half of the pitch to really open them up and take our chances.'
Glasgow Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Callum McGregor says penalty miss in final defeat his ‘worst moment in football'
Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov saved as McGregor took the first penalty before sealing his club's first Scottish Cup triumph in 35 years when he denied Alistair Johnston to secure a 4-3 win. Celtic were heading for a sixth treble in nine years following Alfie Dorrington's own goal but Kasper Schmeichel scooped a low cross into his own net in the 83rd minute and Aberdeen held on for a 1-1 draw after extra time. McGregor had never lost a cup final and his pain was evident after missing out on a 25th winners' medal. Callum McGregor reacts after missing in the penalty shoot-out (Andrew Milligan/PA) When asked how difficult a moment it was, the 31-year-old said: 'The worst. The worst moment I've ever had in football. It's a real sore one. 'I'll just need to go away and try and get over it and come back next year and be stronger. 'We didn't do enough in the game to deserve it and then when you get to penalties it's a bit of a lottery. The last few times we've come out on the right side of it and today we didn't. 'It's a real sore way to finish the season. Up until this point it's been an amazing season. We just didn't do enough to cap it off.' McGregor watches on as Aberdeen celebrate (Jane Barlow/PA) McGregor and his team-mates stayed behind to clap their opponents after collecting their losers' medals. 'You have to stand and watch that,' he said. 'It's where you want to be. We've been lucky that we haven't had it too many times. When you see that, it's so raw, it's so hurtful. 'So you have to use that as fuel when you come back and try and never be in that position again. 'Listen, I've bounced back from difficult situations before. It will take me a while to get over it but once the new season starts, that's up to me to show everyone that you've got a bit of steel. 'We're so used to winning that when you don't, you feel it 10 times more. 'For sure, there'll be learning in that, it's just so raw at the minute. But for sure, the group can learn from it, can be better for it because sometimes you have to go through a wee bit of adversity to grow and get better.' McGregor was comforted by manager Brendan Rodgers (Andrew Milligan/PA) Manager Brendan Rodgers consoled McGregor as the tears flowed. 'He just said it can happen to anyone,' the midfielder said. 'It's obviously a personal moment but the gist of it was to 'keep your head up and you've done so much for the club and had so much success for the club'. He's obviously just to be there for you in that moment.' McGregor added: 'I think, take away today, it's been an amazing season up until this point. When it's the last day and it doesn't go your way then the whole thing feels like it's pointless. That's because we've been so good, we've managed to come to these moments and get through them. 'It's just a wee reminder that you have to earn it and we didn't earn it today. We didn't do enough in the top half of the pitch to really open them up and take our chances.'
