Latest news with #HealthEquals
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'The air was so dangerous in my Birmingham postcode I ended up on life support'
A Birmingham resident who lived near the city's landmark motorway, the Spaghetti Junction, has revealed how she ended up on life support. Named only as Jenny, the 75-year-old woman said she 'never realised how dangerous the air was' until she was hospitalised with life-threatening pneumonia. Traffic fumes and poor housing conditions were to blame for her deteriorating health, doctors told her at the time. Living next to the busiest motorway in Europe, she also found herself suffering regular asthma attacks just from stepping outside. Read more: Couple who starved their dog told RSPCA inspectors she was 'given to them by drug dealers' The retiree found her health drastically improved when she moved nearer to green spaces and away from the motorway. Speaking as part of a new Health Equals campaign this week, she said: 'I never realised just how dangerous the air I was breathing every day really was, I used to live near Spaghetti Junction, and would suffer regular asthma attacks just from stepping outside my door. "It wasn't until I ended up in hospital with pneumonia and on life support that doctors told me the traffic fumes and my poor housing conditions were to blame. "Everyone deserves clean air – not just those lucky enough to live near green spaces or away from busy roads. My health improved dramatically after I moved and started walking in parks. But not everyone has that choice." Her experience with air pollution comes as Health Equals, a coalition of 85 organisations, revealed World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines were breached in 35,000 neighbourhoods across Britain. Its report also outlined all 506 schools in Birmingham were in neighbourhoods failing the guidelines, putting 290,000 children at risk of serious long term health problems, including heart disease and stroke. The new findings are being released as part of Health Equals' Make Health Equal campaign, to highlight alarming health inequalities: where toxic air, alongside other issues including poor income, unstable jobs and unsafe homes, are contributing to an alarming 16-year gap in life expectancy across the UK. Health Equals is calling for a cross-government strategy that prioritises action on these essential building blocks of health, to stop lives being cut short. City environment boss Coun Majid Mahmood said: "Poor air quality is a major risk to public health, and that is why we are committed to improving the city's air through our clean air strategy. 'Data published in October 2023 showed that our work to address the air pollutant, nitrogen dioxide, is delivering results, with pollution levels in Birmingham city centre slashed by almost 40 per centr since 2016, driven in part by the introduction of the Clean Air Zone. 'Across the city, a dedicated air quality monitoring programme of potential 'hotspots' in Birmingham has found that all sites are within the annual mean air quality objective. This three year monitoring project concluded in 2024 and sought to identify any locations where concentrations of nitrogen dioxide might exceed the annual mean air quality objective. I am pleased to confirm our evidence suggests that outside of the city centre area, air quality concentrations are within legal limits. 'We also monitor particulate matter, both coarse and fine fractions (PM10 and PM2.5), and all of our sites continue to show compliance with legal limits set by Government. We will continue to work with Government to further drive down concentrations of fine particles as we know these are the largest risk to health and we have extended our monitoring network to this end. 'This is supported by our mission to install year-round air monitoring equipment in schools a key component in this. These monitors come in tandem with accompanying education resources and lesson plans helping to inspire a new generation of Clean Air champions. Our work in this area is underpinned further by projects like 'Car Free School Streets', which seeks to reduce emissions during rush hour, driven by readings from council monitoring data showing that the school gates are among the most polluted parts of the city. 'The school sensor programme has the co-benefit of providing monitoring data for fine particulate matter, recognised as a key pollutant in a range of adverse health outcomes such as heart disease, lung diseases and cancers. 'Furthermore, surplus revenues from the Clean Air Zone are feeding directly into our transport plan, enabling us to work in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority to support schemes related to active travel, improve public transport infrastructure, and manage demand in the city centre. 'Projects funded by Clean Air Zone revenues include a trial of hydrogen buses, upgrades to the University railway station and new stations on the Camp Hill line, as well as a number of projects within the Cross-City Bus scheme, the expansion of the Car Free School Streets programme, and development of the next phase of the Birmingham Cycle Revolution. Community grants for projects delivering against our priorities have also been provided through the Environment and Transport Neighbourhoods Fund (ETNF). 'Our work towards our clean air objectives continues with the recent launch of a consultation into the renewal of the city's Smoke Control Order, offering greater powers of enforcement against those who breach guidelines. This is just the latest step in our journey, which will not stop until we have achieved our objective of clean air for all residents.' Have you been affected by this. We would like to hear from you. You can contact us by emailing us on
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'Birmingham kids struggling to breathe toxic air in city's schools'
Children in Birmingham are coming to school tired, struggling to breathe or even missing school altogether because of toxic air, a teacher has revealed. A city school teacher, who worked in Perry Barr and Lozells, opened up on his first hand-experience, branding air pollution a "crisis that's harming our health." Ibrahim Ali spoke of having to 'step back' from his career in teaching in a new Health Equals campaign urging the Government to prioritise action tackling air pollution. Read more: Birmingham killer who stabbed neighbour to death dies in hospice with 'family by his side' Alarming new figures from its report this week revealed every school - all 506 - in Birmingham is failing World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on air pollution - with thousands of kids exposed to double the amount stipulated in guidelines. Areas like Ladywood, Erdington and Perry Barr are among the worst affected in Britain, its data showed. School teacher Mr Ali said: 'In parts of Birmingham like Perry Barr and Lozells, air pollution isn't just a nuisance - it's a crisis that's harming our health. "I've seen the impact in my own body, my children's wellbeing, and the classroom every day. Kids are tired, struggling to breathe, missing school because the air around them is toxic. "I had to step back from a career I love due to Crohn's Disease, which research shows can be aggravated by prolonged exposure to pollution. "Birmingham is one of the worst-hit areas in the country - and yet this silent threat continues to go unchecked. That's why I'm supporting the Health Equals campaign. Clean air must be a right, not a privilege: because where you live should never determine how long or how well you live.' The new report shows 12 million children live in neighbourhoods where pollution breached WHO guidelines. Air pollution is now the second leading risk factor for death in children under five in the UK, a recent report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) also found. Across the UK toxic air, alongside other issues including poor income, unstable jobs and unsafe homes, is contributing to lives being cut short by up to 16 years, the Health Equals campaign revealed. Analysis shows that a staggering 90 per cent of the British population live in areas that exceed WHO guidelines, however only 41 per cent of people in the West Midlands are aware the air where they live is damaging their health. Health Equals is a coalition of 85 organisations across different sectors, including Mind, the British Red Cross, Legal and General, the Local Government Association, Citizens Advice, Global Action Plan, Crisis, The Wildlife Trusts and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. 'Our health is shaped by the world around us – from the air we breathe, to the homes we live in, the money in our pockets and the work we do – these are the building blocks of health," said Paul McDonald, Chief Campaigns Officer at Health Equals. "Clean air isn't just an environmental issue — it's a clear example of health inequality in the UK. "While some children breathe safely, many grow up in areas where toxic air damages their lungs before they even reach school. Clean air is just one part of the problem, and that's why we're calling for a cross-government health inequalities strategy to Make Health Equal.' BirminghamLive has contacted Birmingham City Council for a comment. Have you been affected by this. We would like to hear from you. You can contact us by emailing us on
Scotsman
16-07-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Darren McGarvey joins coalition Health Equals demanding government action as new data reveals stark regional divide in life expectancy
Award-winning author Darren McGarvey joined Minister Ashley Dalton and MPs from across the political spectrum yesterday to demand urgent government action on health inequalities that are cutting lives short by up to 16 years in some parts of the UK. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish rapper and social commentator, who grew up in poverty in Glasgow, told a packed parliamentary reception that health inequality had become a "political emergency" that could no longer be ignored. Speaking to more than 80 organisations and 77 MPs at the Health Equals coalition event, McGarvey said: "I grew up in a working-class community in Glasgow where poverty, addiction, and early death were part of everyday life. I saw how where you live, what you earn, and the stress you carry, can shape your health. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "These aren't just statistics, they're stories like mine, repeating across the UK. Your postcode should never decide how long you live." Daren McGarvey and Maureen Burke Stark regional divide revealed The event highlighted new data showing people in some areas of England and Wales are more than twice as likely to die before age 75 compared to other regions. The North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber have the highest rates of premature death, while London has the lowest. The coalition, which includes Mind, the British Red Cross, Citizens Advice and Crisis, is calling for a cross-government strategy to tackle what it describes as the "building blocks of health" - quality housing, stable employment and clean air. Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton, who attended the event, acknowledged the government's role in addressing the crisis. "Tackling persistent health inequalities is a key aim of our mission to make the NHS fit for the future," she said. "We are determined to ensure that where you live no longer determines how long you live." Public concern grows Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Polling commissioned by Health Equals revealed growing public alarm about the nation's health, with 53% believing physical health in the UK is getting worse. Almost all adults (95%) reject the idea that individuals alone are responsible for staying healthy, with 72% saying government shares responsibility. The event was hosted by Afzal Khan MP, whose Manchester Rusholme constituency sits in the bottom 25% for life expectancy at just 77 years. Paul McDonald, Chief Campaigns Officer at Health Equals, described health inequality as "a national crisis hiding in plain sight". "The data shows that people in some areas of England and Wales are twice as likely to die before 75 than people in other areas," he said. "This reflects deep-rooted inequality tied to where people live, work, and learn." Government commitment tested Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The campaign comes after the government committed in its 10-Year Health Plan to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest regions. However, campaigners argue this requires action far beyond the NHS, encompassing housing, education, employment and environmental policy. The cross-party nature of yesterday's event - with Labour, Liberal Democrat and Independent MPs in attendance - suggests growing political consensus that health inequality represents one of the most pressing challenges facing modern Britain.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
When will universal credit and PIP benefit payments increase?
Benefits payments will receive a welcome boost on 6 April, as they increase at the start of the financial year. Several benefit payments, including universal credit, will be increased to combat the rising cost of living and inflation. Here's what you need to know about the increases, how much they are, and when they will be paid. Housing benefit Housing benefit is being replaced by universal credit, which will contain the housing element for renters with private landlords. While the standard rate of universal credit is going up, housing benefit rates will be locked in at the current rate until 2026, according to government plans. The Local Housing Allowance (LHA), which calculates housing benefit for private renters, has been frozen since 2020. Research from the homelessness charity Crisis and the campaign group Health Equals indicated that just 2.5% of private rented homes were affordable for renters on housing benefit last year, The Guardian reported. Council tax support Some people are eligible for support and deductions from their council tax bill — including the single-person discount for those living alone. Each threshold for support differs from council to council. Check your council's website for details. Tax credits All tax credits, including working tax credit and child tax credit, will permanently stop on 5 April 2025 as part of the transition to universal credit. These tax credits will now be paid as part of the universal credit payment. Recipients will have received a migration notice and must apply for universal credit before the date specified on the notice to avoid any payment gaps. Universal Credit Universal credit will rise slightly in April by 1.7%, meaning that claimants will get a small boost to their monthly income. The rate for a single person aged 25 or over will rise from £92 a week in 2025/26, and to £106 a week by 2029‑30. For the basic, standard allowance of universal credit, that works out as follows: Single under 25: £311.68 a month to £316.98 a month Single 25 or over: £393.45 a month to £400.14 a month Joint claimants both under 25: £489.23 a month to £497.55 a month Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £617.60 a month to £628.10 a month PIP After concerns that PIP would be frozen for claimants in the next financial year, the government confirmed in March that PIP payments will also rise by 1.7%, matching September's inflation figure. The standard daily living rate will rise from £72.65 to £73.90, and the enhanced rate from £108.55 to £110.40 per week. For the mobility component, the standard rate will increase from £28.70 per week to £29.20 per week. The upper mobility rate, the enhanced rate, will increase from £75.75 per week to £77.05 per week. ESA Like other working-age benefits, ESA will also rise by 1.7%. A single person's weekly rate will rise from £218.15 to £227.10, and a couple's weekly rate will rise from £332.95 to £346.60. State pension Unlike other benefits, the state pension will increase by 4.1%. This is in line with the triple lock guarantee, which means state pension increases by an amount equal to the highest among three different measures— inflation, the average wage increase and 2.5%. For the full new state pension — for those reaching state pension age after April 2016 — the weekly rate will be £230.25, coming in at £11,973 annually. This amounts to an increase of £472 a year. For those reaching state pension age before April 2016, the new weekly rate is £176.45 a week, accounting for £9,175 a year — an increase of £363 a year. However, concerns have been raised that those on the full new station pension will have to pay tax on it from April 2026 as it will pass the income tax threshold, which currently stands at £12,570. Carer's Allowance If you care for another person for at least 35 hours a week, you can claim carer's allowance. This benefit is rising from £81.90 a week to £83.30. For many benefits, the new rates will take effect from 7 April. However, for some universal credit claimants, increased rates will take effect around June. This is because the new rate won't be paid until the first assessment period that begins on or after 7 April. What's worth bearing in mind is that you don't need to do anything — your benefit payments will automatically increase. The rise in benefits payments are linked to September's inflation figures — which some have argued is unfair. Universal credit is normally increased every April in line with the previous September's consumer price index inflation rate. The consumer price index measures change over time in the prices paid for a basket of goods and services, like food, clothing and housing. In September, this rate dropped to 1.7%, below the Bank of England's target rate of 2% for the first time since April 2021. While this might have been welcome news for shoppers hoping for a drop in food prices, it was bad news for benefits recipients. Even if inflation rose the next month — in October, it reached 2.3% — the benefit increase would still be based on the September rate. Currently, the latest inflation figures sit at 2.8%, down from 3% in January. At the time of the announcement, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation warned that the increase would "barely touch the sides". The charity's senior policy advisor Iain Porter told Yahoo News: 'The consequence of today's rate of inflation is that April's uprating will be worth just a few pounds to most people. 'The basic rate of universal credit is so insufficient it fails to protect families from hardship, and this increase will barely touch the sides.'
The Guardian
01-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Only 2.5% of private rentals in England affordable on housing benefit, study finds
Only 2.5% of private rented homes in England were affordable for people on housing benefit last year, with charities warning that more people will be pushed into rent arrears and homelessness as a freeze on the benefit takes effect. From Tuesday, housing benefit rates will be locked at current rates until 2026, affecting 5.7m households on low income which rely on it to cover rent. Research from the homelessness charity Crisis and the campaign group Health Equals found fewer than three in every 100 private rental properties listed in England were affordable for people on housing benefit between April and October 2024. This figure is down from 12% in 2021-22. Over the past decade, rents in the private sector have risen by 45% in England. Crisis said people on low incomes could be forced to sleep rough or pushed into poor quality temporary accommodation because of the growing gap between housing benefit and the cost of rent. Matt Downie, the charity's chief executive, said it was becoming an 'impossible situation' and that the freeze represented a real-terms cut. 'Housing benefit is supposed to cover the lowest third of rents in the private sector. We are currently nowhere near that,' he said. 'There is no doubt that today's freeze on housing benefit will lead to rising homelessness. It also risks completely overwhelming local authorities who are already struggling to cope with the demand for support, and will leave more people stuck in unfit temporary accommodation that damages their health and wellbeing.' The research found that, across Great Britain, 2.7% of private rented properties were affordable, and that households on housing benefit were being forced to find, on average, an additional £337 a month for a one-bed, £326 for a two-bed and £486 for a three-bed home. Downie urged the government to reverse the benefits freeze, saying it would 'undermine their efforts' to end homelessness and pile further pressure on local authorities, which spent £2.3bn a year on temporary accommodation for homeless families in 2023-24. In the 12 months to February 2025, average rent in England rose to £1,381. Meanwhile, 126,040 households in England are now in temporary accommodation, including more than 164,000 children – the highest levels on record. In the autumn budget, the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced that the local housing allowance (LHA) – the localised rates that determine how much housing benefit claimants are entitled to – would be locked at current levels until 2026. LHA rates have been frozen periodically since 2016 – former Conservative governments froze it for seven out of 12 years, before increasing rates last year. Crisis and Health Equals said rising rents were pushing more families into poor-quality homes, often beset with problems such as cold and damp, adding that the financial impact of poor housing was costing the NHS an estimated £1.4bn a year. Paul McDonald, the chief campaigns officer at Health Equals, said: 'When people are forced to move house, sofa surf, live in temporary accommodation or cold, mouldy and overcrowded conditions, their health and wellbeing suffers. In the UK thousands of lives are already being cut short by up to 16 years by factors like poor quality and unaffordable housing.' A government spokesperson said: 'We have inherited the worst housing crisis in living memory with rent levels unaffordable for far too many. 'We're building 1.5m homes to improve affordability for renters and helping those on the lowest incomes pay their housing costs by extending the household support fund and maintaining discretionary housing payments. Alongside this, we recently announced a £2bn investment for up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes, while our renters' rights bill will fundamentally reform the private rented sector by empowering tenants to tackle unreasonable rent hikes.'
