Latest news with #Balls
Business Mayor
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
UK considers taxing pensioners to claw back winter fuel payment
Unlock the Editor's Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. The contentious winter fuel payment could be restored to all pensioners under plans being considered by Downing Street, with the sum being recouped from higher income pensioners through their tax returns. Government officials confirmed the idea is being looked at after Sir Keir Starmer this week announced a U-turn on last year's decision to scrap the benefit for all pensioners, limiting it to those already in receipt of pension credit. Starmer said last week he wanted more pensioners to receive the payment after about 10mn were stripped of the benefit last winter, a reversal of a policy that proved highly unpopular with voters in this month's English local elections. But Downing Street said that it was still looking at how and when this might happen and that final decisions would be taken at 'a fiscal event' — expected to be this autumn's Budget. Creating a new means test for the winter fuel payment would be highly complex and ministers are considering a simpler option, the officials said, which is restoring it as a universal benefit and then recouping the money when high income pensioners fill in their tax returns. 'There are a number of options being considered and that is one of them,' said one official close to the discussions. The payment is worth either £200 or £300 a year per recipient. A similar approach was taken by former Tory chancellor George Osborne when he reduced the eligibility to child benefit for better off parents and it was this week endorsed by former Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls. Read More Frasers' concept store at Overgate set to open in May 'What they should do is a big U turn — just say, we're going to restore the winter fuel allowance to everyone and then withdraw it through the tax system from the highest-income pensioners,' Balls said. Speaking on the Political Currency podcast, which he co-hosts with Osborne, Balls told the former Tory chancellor; 'That's what you did with child benefit — and you can do that because the higher income pensioners will be doing their tax return, you have got their income information.' The winter fuel payment cuts were announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves last July, just weeks after the general election, and limited the benefit in England and Wales to pensioners who receive means-tested pensions credit. The reforms removed the benefit from people with incomes of more than £11,800 a year or £18,000 for a couple. Analysts said widening the eligibility for the payments would be complex, because there was no simple way to identify households with income just above the cut-off for pensions credit. Recommended Modelling access to the winter fuel payment on the way child benefit has been withdrawn from higher earners would not be without problems, analysts said. The high-income child benefit charge (HICBC), which child benefit recipients pay if their income goes past a certain threshold, has proved controversial since its introduction in 2010 and has resulted in several high-profile cases at the tax tribunal against the levy. Emma Rawson, director of public policy at the Association of Taxation Technicians, said the government would be 'unwise' to use the HICBC as a model for restricting access to winter fuel payment, adding there were many outstanding problems with the policy. Read More Интернет-казино без первоначального взноса Not all higher income pensioners need to fill in a self-assessment tax return, as Balls had suggested, she added, only those who have additional income to pay or capital gains to report.
Business Wire
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
YogaSix Launches "Y6 Mobility" – A New Class Designed for Movement Training for Modern Life
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- YogaSix, the largest franchised yoga brand in the U.S., is thrilled to announce the national launch of its newest signature class, 'Y6 Mobility.' Building on the brand's commitment to modern, accessible yoga for everybody, this first-of-its-kind class format is designed to boost joint flexibility, increase range of motion, and support better movement in everyday life. As people increasingly prioritize longevity, athletic recovery, injury prevention, and daily movement quality, Y6 Mobility gives a modern take on yoga that blends the best of yoga with mobility science. Share Y6 Mobility merges yoga-based flows and movements with targeted mobility drills, creating a dynamic class that addresses key areas like hips, shoulders, ankles, and lower back. It's yoga reimagined for how we move today. As people increasingly prioritize longevity, athletic recovery, injury prevention, and daily movement quality, Y6 Mobility gives a modern take on yoga that blends the best of yoga with mobility science. Perfect for athletes, desk-bound professionals, aging bodies, and anyone who wants to feel stronger, more open, and ready for life, Y6 Mobility is for people of all fitness levels and experience in yoga. As mobility training continues to rise in importance across fitness and wellness, Y6 Mobility offers a fun, and empowering response to the consumer demand. The class integrates yoga props like yoga blocks and straps, and introduces the use of Mobility Balls, a tool designed to improve joint stability, flexibility, and coordination in new, accessible ways. "Mobility training is the next evolution in functional fitness, and Y6 Mobility was created to meet that need in a format only YogaSix can deliver with a fun, welcoming class that makes everyone feel open, strong and unstoppable,' said YogaSix President, Kelly Turner. 'We're eager to introduce our innovative Y6 Mobility class to our YogaSix network to help our members unlock better movement and long term strength.' All classes are led by YogaSix's certified instructors, who are specially trained to offer modifications, support proper form, and guide students through this new movement experience with care and confidence. Select YogaSix studios have begun offering the class this spring, with more scheduled to roll out Y6 Mobility throughout 2025. To celebrate the official launch, participating studios will host Y6 Mobility Preview Events throughout May and June, inviting both new and returning members to experience the class firsthand. YogaSix is also encouraging individuals to share why mobility matters to them on social media. Whether it's due to career demands, lifestyle, health goals, or simply wanting to move more freely, everybody is encouraged to post a short video or written story sharing their 'why' using the hashtag #WhyY6Mobility. Select posts may be highlighted by YogaSix's national social media accounts spotlighting individual stories of people who need improved mobility in their lives in an effort to bring light to the many different ways mobility training supports movement in everyday life. For more information about Y6 Mobility and to find a participating studio, visit YogaSix Founded in 2012, YogaSix is the largest franchised yoga brand in the United States that offers a broad range of heated and non-heated yoga classes, strength-building and cardio-boosting fitness classes. Class formats include Y6 101, Y6 Restore, Y6 Slow Flow, Y6 Signature Hot, Y6 Power Flow, Y6 TRX, Y6 Mix, Y6 Sculpt & Flow, and the new Y6 Mobility. Classes at YogaSix eliminate the intimidation factor that many people feel when trying yoga for the first time, offering a fresh perspective on one of the world's oldest fitness practices. Ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 in two years running, and Fastest-Growing Franchises and Top New Franchises two years running, YogaSix is headquartered in Irvine, California and backed by Xponential Fitness, one of the leading global franchisors of boutique health and wellness brands. To learn more about YogaSix, visit
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Youngsters and grown-ups in West Lothian break new ground with family fitness event
Ten-year-old Harris Wernham developed the idea of classes based on his own passion for sports and training Primary school-aged children teamed up with grown-ups as families were put through their paces at a first of its kind event at Xcite in Bathgate. Xcite Mini Rocks, Scotland's first ever family functional fitness event, was launched at the West Lothian Leisure venue on Sunday, May 18. Designed specifically for children aged eight to 11 years old accompanied by adults, Xcite Mini Rocks broke new ground in the Scottish fitness scene by putting families through their paces across eight interactive fitness stations. Challenges including the Weighted Ball Thruster, Slam Balls, Rowing Machine, Ski Machine and Shuttle Run were crafted to test strength, stamina, and teamwork, and proved that fitness really is more fun together. Aimed at helping families to keep fit and have fun together, the event was designed as a challenge and celebration for all the families that take part in Family Fitness classes at West Lothian Leisure, an idea that came from a 10-year-old member of West Lothian Leisure. Harris Wernham developed the idea of Family Fitness classes based on his own passion for sports and training with his family. Encouraged by his mum Karen, who works for Xcite, he envisioned classes that would bring parents and children together for fun, engaging and dynamic workouts. Harris was awarded West Lothian Leisure's Young Person Rising Star Award in March as a result of his innovative thinking, and his enthusiasm for empowering families to get active side by side. This new move by West Lothian Leisure marks an increased enthusiasm for keeping fit from young people, with the leisure trust receiving a 52 per cent uplift in the number of teen gym sessions in 2023/24 since the introduction of another pioneering initiative, the Fitness Factory, a structured programme designed to introduce 12 to 15-year-olds to a gym environment safely and effectively. Lorraine Pollock, Sports Development Manager at West Lothian Leisure, said: 'Xcite Mini Rocks is the first event of its kind to take place anywhere in Scotland. It's bold, it's family-focused, and it represents exactly what we stand for, bringing people together through health, movement and fun. "Harris approached us with a vision, to create fitness experiences that kids and parents could do together. His creativity, passion and community spirit made this event and many other family fitness classes possible.' With over 50 participants, the success of Xcite Mini Rocks, which took place at the end of Mental Health Awareness week, signals a major step forward for community-led, inclusive fitness experiences. Keeping the event accessible was a key goal, with tickets kept at an affordable price, made possible by the generous sponsorship of Workflo Solutions, Regal Radio, RWD Joiner and Builder, Technogym, Ben Building Services, Smile Counselling, Livingston FC, and Lothian Country. Lorraine added: 'This is what social impact looks like in real time. Families came together, kids got inspired, and our whole community showed what can happen when we think differently about fitness.'
India.com
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Pro Wrestling legend and former ECW Champion Sabu dies at 60
Sabu. (PIC - X) It is with great sorrow that we share the news of ECW icon Sabu's passing at the age of 60. Details surrounding his death remain limited at this time, though it's worth noting he had recently competed in what was expected to be his final match just last month. You can find our initial coverage of that event below while we await further updates on Sabu's passing. Sabu won his retirement match on April 18, 2025: The event, promoted as Sabu's final in-ring appearance, lived up to its hardcore expectations. However, the evening got off to a rough start for the wrestling veteran. Sabu had difficulty entering the squared circle due to missing the entrance steps. Once inside, chaos broke out quickly. Janela evaded an early aerial attack from Sabu, causing the ECW veteran to slam into the barbed wire-covered ropes and crash into a painful structure lined with more wire outside the ring. Janela had to drag Sabu out of the twisted mess. Sabu's longtime ally from ECW, Bill Alfonso, soon appeared at the ringside and began tossing steel chairs into the ring, which Sabu eagerly used to go after Janela. But the 'Bad Boy' quickly turned the tables, launching Sabu into a wire-wrapped plank. Sabu broke through it, slipped between the ropes, and landed hard on the unforgiving floor below. Blood trickled down the back of Sabu's head, prompting concern among the crowd about whether the bout would continue. Janela escalated the brutality by slamming Alfonso through a panel covered in barbed wire. The mayhem intensified when the Cogar Brothers stormed the ring, launching an assault on Janela. Suddenly, the venue was plunged into darkness. In one of the evening's standout surprises, The Sandman made an unannounced entrance, clutching a kendo stick and a can of beer. The audience erupted, singing along to 'Enter Sandman' as he approached the ring. He offered a brief assist before being overwhelmed and taken down. Seizing the momentum, Sabu launched into a furious offensive. He battered Janela with steel chairs and drove him through several wire-wrapped platforms, eventually tossing him into the same painful trap that had ensnared Sabu earlier. To cap off the carnage, Sabu executed his trademark chair-propelled leg drop and secured the three-count in what was promoted as his farewell performance. The crowd gave a strong reaction, hailing it as a worthy send-off for one of the genre's most extreme legends. Below are the videos from this match: AIR SABU FACE-FIRST INTO BARBED-WIRE #JJSB9 — Tripping Balls (@IsThisWrestling) April 19, 2025 SABU CRASHES THROUGH THE BARBED WIRE STRAIGHT TO THE CONCRETE #JJSB9 — (@wokenremastered) April 19, 2025 Final Arabian Face Buster!!#JJSB9 #GCW — PWアーティクルス｜GCWニュースサイト (@D5ZnyfQaq256591) April 19, 2025 THE SANDMAN IS HERE FOR SABUS FINAL MATCH #JJSB9 — (@wokenremastered) April 19, 2025
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
ITV GMB slapped with Ofcom complaints over 'bully' presenter after furious clash
Good Morning Britain is under fire following Ed Balls' interview with Reform MP Richard Tice Good Morning Britain has been hit with 81 Ofcom complaints following Ed Balls' interview with Reform MP Richard Tice last month. The former shadow chancellor, who is now a host on the ITV breakfast show, clashed with Tice, who was on the programme to discuss local elections. Saying he thought Reform UK should come out on top as he blamed Labour and Conservatives for many of the country's problems, Tice addressed Balls "my dear Ed", to which the presenter, who is married to Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, fumed: "Don't patronise me, answer the question!" Following the fracas, 81 people complained to Ofcom, with the independent body telling the Mirror the calls were made "following an interview with Ed Balls and Richard Tice during which the interviewer displayed bullying and biased behaviour". When asked what Reform had achieved on GMB, Tice replied: "What we have achieved is giving the people the opportunity to say 'we're done with the two main parties'. "Someone else has got to come in, save some money and audit the finances and sort things out. We can't keep spending more than we are earning and expect it to end well." Balls interjected: "We are asking you about what you have done and you are saying that the others have failed. And that's what protest parties do. "You have always been a politician who has said that the Tories have lost their way and you will be a better version of the Conservative party. Is that right?" The politician went on to explain that they are very different, and even have similar views as Labour's Tony Blair on certain topics. Susanna Reid then stepped in saying: "I would just like to point out that Tony Blair, I'm sure, does not agree with Reform UK on your policies." The men then continued to shout over each other as Balls persisted on pinning down the MP for an answer. A visibly irritated Tice sighed: "My dear Ed." But then Balls fumed: "Do not patronise me!" They continued to lock horns as Balls fired question after question about the costs of nationalising British Steel to which Tice could not provide the answers. In the end, the Strictly Come Dancing star demanded that the politician make a return to the ITV breakfast show when he has all of the information to answer the questions available.
