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New Paper
a day ago
- Health
- New Paper
A helping hand for those with hidden conditions on Singapore's public transport
For 34-year-old university administrative employee Vivien Shiw, getting off a train at the next stop just to rest on a bench on the platform is routine. Though she looks young and healthy, she lives with autoimmune diseases Sjogren's and vasculitis, as well as arthritis, which make standing for long painful. When the pain in her legs worsens, she sometimes squats in the MRT train. Another passenger like her, Ms Ratnah Hafizah, has multiple sclerosis, which is also an autoimmune disease. She used to take Grab rides to pick up her son from kindergarten, even though his pre-school was only one bus stop away from her home. Ms Ratnah, who is 33 and self-employed in branding and content writing, said carrying a May I Have a Seat Please card, which she ties to her bag, has since given her the confidence to take a priority seat on buses without the fear of being judged by others. The card was first piloted as a sticker by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in 2019 to help passengers be aware of those with hidden or invisible medical conditions who need a seat during public commutes. It is part of the Helping Hand scheme, an initiative by the Caring SG Commuters Committee - comprising several ministries, agencies and public transport operators - to foster a more inclusive public transport system. The May I Have a Seat Please initiative includes a lanyard and card for passengers with long-term conditions, while the sticker version is meant for people with short-term medical conditions. The card was created for those with hidden conditions such as chronic pain or fatigue, dizziness, heart disease and arthritis. It is also for commuters recovering from a stroke, those with physical injuries, ongoing cancer treatment or prosthetic limbs, and early-stage expectant mothers. As at May, LTA said it has distributed about 10,600 stickers for short-term conditions and 20,400 cards for long-term conditions. Passengers can collect them for free at the passenger service centre at MRT stations, bus interchanges, and at selected SimplyGo ticket offices. They do not need to show proof of their conditions. Some with invisible conditions are still doubted because of their youthful appearances. A 21-year-old university student who wanted to be known only as Ms Lim has multiple health conditions that result in leg pain when she stands for longer than 20 minutes. She said she was laughed at by a passenger service employee when she requested a May I Have a Seat Please card. Diagnosed with endometriosis, ovarian cysts, pelvic congestion syndrome and adenomyosis, she said the staff member did not believe she was unwell, even after seeing her medical records. "I did receive (the card) in the end, but it left a sour taste," she said. For some commuters, the card has not really worked. Ms Shiw, who has been carrying the card for about a year, said she often gets stares from other commuters. No one has offered her a seat on her journey from Sengkang to Kent Ridge for work. The only visible sign of her condition is the rash she gets when she puts too much pressure on her legs, but people do not associate a rash with the need for a seat, she said. Her fear is that she will fall down, as she has trouble balancing. LTA said it will continue to work with public transport operators to improve the Helping Hand initiative. The authority said all public transport operators have training programmes, developed together with social service agencies, to equip staff with skills to spot and assist commuters with disabilities. Since 2016, training in commuter inclusivity has been part of the Enhanced Vocational Licence Training Programme conducted by the Singapore Bus Academy for all bus captains. Over 10,455 bus captains have completed the programme, LTA said. More than 4,500 of SMRT's front-line staff - including station managers, bus captains and service ambassadors - have completed the operator's inclusive service delivery training, developed with social service agencies and special education (Sped) schools. The training includes role-play scenarios and hands-on learning to develop skills and sensitivity to help commuters with diverse needs. Over 7,000 SMRT staff are certified Caring Commuter Champions, trained to support commuters with disabilities. Madam Aileen Goh, 59, a senior assistant station manager at SMRT Trains, has helped unwell passengers and those with dementia by escorting them to the station's WeCare rooms to rest, and providing them with water and snacks while contacting their family members to pick them up. She said her training has taught her to look out for those who need help and given her the confidence to assist them, such as by slowly approaching elderly passengers wandering around the station and gently checking in on them. Mr Dalvinder Singh, a bus captain at Tower Transit Singapore, said the May I Have a Seat Please card has made it easier to identify passengers in need. In 2024, he noticed a commuter with visual impairment waiting at a bus stop with the card. He approached to offer help, informed him of the bus service number, guided him on board, and later helped him alight at his stop. "Before the cards were introduced, we would usually rely on visual cues or if the commuter approached us first. Now, with the lanyards and cards, I can take the initiative to offer help more confidently and appropriately," said Mr Singh. Help for passengers with autism Passengers with invisible disabilities, such as dementia and autism spectrum disorder, can also get additional help at Changi Airport. Changi Airport Group worked with Sped schools and organisations to launch in 2022 a customisable step-by-step airport guide and specialised training for staff. Front-line airport staff are also trained to recognise LTA's May I Have a Seat Please lanyard and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard - a global symbol for hidden disabilities launched by England's Gatwick Airport in 2016 - as part of their induction. Selected staff, such as those in supervisory roles, are nominated to be care ambassadors and receive specialised training to spot and support passengers with invisible disabilities such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Down syndrome or dementia. Since August 2024, over 330 staff members across 15 organisations at Changi Airport, such as Certis Aviation Security and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, have been trained as care ambassadors by Rainbow Centre, identifiable by a pin they wear on their uniform. Parents of children with autism said the special accommodations made by airport and public transport staff make a world of difference when travelling. Ms Edwina Fan and her 18-year-old son Wallace Tan fly about twice a year to visit his grandparents in Taiwan. When Ms Fan explained to airport staff that Wallace was unable to look into the camera to pass through the e-gate, which is more commonly used now, the staff led them to the manual counter. She said staff also acceded to her request for Wallace to board the plane first with his family, as he is uncomfortable with crowds, and for him to be served his meals earlier. On public transport, Wallace, who is triggered by sounds such as babies crying, wears headphones and has his family's helper by his side. On public transport, Wallace Tan, who is triggered by sounds such as babies crying, wears headphones and has his family's helper by his side. PHOTO: EDWINA FAN Ms Fan recalled how Wallace once had a meltdown, and MRT staff formed a circle around him on the platform to give him space. They also stopped another passenger from filming a video of him. She hopes for wider recognition of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard in Singapore, and for the symbol to be included on signage for priority seats on trains. Ms Tiffany Tee took her son Atkins Soong, who has autism, on his first overseas trip in 10 years in May. She said airport staff did not pressure the 14-year-old to make eye contact when checking his passport, and allowed him to play with his piece of Blu-tack as he passed through the body scanner. Ms Tiffany Tee took her son Atkins Soong, who has autism, on his first overseas trip in 10 years in May. PHOTO: TIFFANY TEE Airport staff also let Atkins bring a slime toy - considered a liquid of over 100ml - on board to calm him down if needed. A flight attendant also showed him and his father to their seats on the plane. "We are less stressed by no staring or additional unwelcome remarks falling on us," said Ms Tee, 49, who does administrative work. She said improved awareness of autism has made transport staff more compassionate. "The experience encouraged us to bring him out more often. We are less afraid to bring him out."
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Lloyds expands help for first-time buyers borrowing more than 4.5 times their income
Based on typical borrowing trends, an extra 13,500 more first-time buyers could potentially be helped by the extra cash injection. Lloyds Banking Group will make an extra £4 billion available to first-time buyers borrowing at high loans-to-incomes, following recent mortgage lending reforms. The banking group is expanding its first-time buyer boost scheme, which is available through Lloyds Bank and Halifax. Since launching the initiative in August 2024, 11,000 first-time buyers have already been helped to get on the ladder by borrowing more than 4.5 times their income, the bank said. To qualify for the first-time buyer boost, and subject to affordability, customers must have a total employed household income of £50,000 and a deposit of at least 10 per cent, among other criteria. Based on typical borrowing trends, around an extra 13,500 more first-time buyers could potentially be helped by Lloyds' extra cash injection. Many banks have recently updated their affordability assessments, following clarification from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Lloyds said that in the two months since updating its affordability assessments, it has helped more than 1,000 first-time buyers access a mortgage that they would not have qualified for before. Andrew Asaam, homes director at Lloyds Banking Group, said: 'Recent affordability changes have already started to help would-be homeowners get on the property ladder sooner and lending an extra £4 billion means we can help even more customers get the keys to their first home.' More mortgages in general are set to be available at more than 4.5 times a buyer's income following recent Bank of England recommendations that some lenders can offer more high loan-to-income mortgages if they choose to. Britain's biggest building society - Nationwide - announced last week that it is aiming to increase its high loan-to-income lending limit. Eligible first-time buyers can now apply for Nationwide's Helping Hand mortgage with a £30,000 salary, down from £35,000, and joint applicants with a £50,000 combined salary - down from £55,000. The UK Government has been looking to cut red tape around financial services as part of its drive for economic growth. Meanwhile, Barclays announced cuts on rates across 32 mortgage products on Thursday, coming into effect from July 18. They include a two-year fixed rate for borrowers with a 40 per cent deposit at 3.76 per cent, down from 3.89 per cent previously. The loan has an £899 product fee. A two-year fix with no product fee will see its rate cut from 4.09 per cent to 4.03 per cent. The deal is available to borrowers with a 40 per cent deposit. For people with a 25 per cent deposit, Barclays is offering a two-year fix from Friday at 3.93 per cent with an £899 product fee and a two-year fix at 4.15 per cent with no product fee.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Mortgage guarantee scheme offering 95% loans confirmed in government plans
Read below to see when the change comes into place Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FIRST-TIME buyers with 5% deposits will continue to get help through a mortgage guarantee scheme, the government has confirmed today. The new scheme will be permanently launched from this month and means first-time buyers can borrow up to 95% of the home price. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Rachel Reeves' Government has confirmed a replacement for the mortgage guarantee scheme Credit: PA It replaces the previous Mortgage Guarantee scheme which first launched in 2021 and ended last month. Plans to relaunch the scheme were initially laid out in the Chancellor's Spending Review earlier this month. The move, reiterated in government documents published today, allows buyers to purchase a home across the UK with just a 5% deposit. The government then provides a guarantee to the lender to cover some losses if the buyer cannot repay their mortgage and the property gets repossessed. It is significantly lower than the 10% or 20% deposit many lenders ask buyers to pay when securing a home. For example, if you bought a house for £350,000, you would only need to pay a deposit of £17,500. Someone required to pay a 20% deposit on a property of the same value would have to make a down payment of £70,000. Since the scheme began, over 53,000 mortgages have been completed using it, with a total value of £10.7billion as of December last year. The small deposit mortgage deals were previously popular leading up to the 2008 financial crash but were phased out afterwards. The scheme has been hailed as an accessible way for buyers to get on the ladder. But the larger loan-to-value ratio for the mortgage means buyers will pay higher interest rates when they make repayments. Rachel Reeves FINALLY addresses Commons tears after she and Keir Starmer put on awkward show of unity Peter Stimson, director of mortgages at lender MPowered Mortgages, said the move comes "a year too late". He said: "The mortgage market has changed a lot since Rachel Reeves swept into 11 Downing Street last July. 'The Base Rate has come down by a full percentage point and hundreds of 95% LTV mortgage products are now available. 'Every lender who wanted to offer a 95% loan is probably already doing so. "The Chancellor's announcement is unlikely to make dozens more suddenly follow suit - as the price of entry is unknown and will vary each year." Many lenders are offering their own take on the 95% mortgage. Nationwide just recently launched a 95% mortgage for buyers looking to purchase a new build home. The offer also allows customers to borrow six times their annual income through its Helping Hand scheme. Elsewhere, Skipton Building Society offers a 100% mortgage deal that allows you to buy a home without a deposit. A similar mortgage deal was recently launched by April Mortgages too. ALL CHANGE Mortgages will also be available at over 4.5 times a buyer's income, following recommendations from the Bank of England to loosen lending rules. This will create more than 36,000 additional mortgages for first-time buyers over the first year, the Government said. Britain's biggest building society Nationwide also announced plans last week to make its "Helping Hand" mortgage scheme for first-time buyers available to people on lower incomes. From Wednesday, eligible first-time buyers can apply for Nationwide's Helping Hand mortgage with a £30,000 salary, down from £35,000, and joint applicants with a £50,000 combined salary – down from £55,000. It has been estimated that this will support an additional 10,000 first-time buyers each year. Brian Byrnes, head of Personal Finance at Moneybox, said: "It is encouraging to see steps being taken to support first-time buyers. "Enabling people to borrow more is not a silver bullet. "What first-time buyers truly need is not just the ability to take on more debt, but meaningful, long-term support to help them start saving and investing earlier in life so they can build up that all-important deposit." Elsewhere, plans to cut the tax-free allowance for cash ISAs have been put on hold by the Chancellor, after speculation that reforms to the savings account would also be announced.
Rhyl Journal
6 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Reeves sets out sweeping reforms to financial sector in search for growth
The Chancellor hopes the drive to cut red tape and increase innovation, billed as the biggest changes in more than a decade, will turn around an economy which has shrunk in recent months. Ms Reeves, who also hopes for increased taxes from a growing economy to help balance her books, said the reforms unveiled in Leeds would help with 'reinvigorating the whole economy'. The plans include measures to make it easier for first-time buyers to get on the housing ladder with increased levels of borrowing and efforts to support new financial technology – fintech – firms grow in the UK. The Chancellor said: 'We are fundamentally reforming the regulatory system, freeing up firms to take risks and to drive growth. 'Second, we're providing certainty for banks operating in the UK, and ensuring that UK banks have the ability to compete internationally and drive economic growth. 'Third, we're doubling down on making the UK an innovation capital and the place of choice for fintechs to start up, to scale up and to list in the UK. 'Fourth, we're seizing opportunities in areas where we are already world leading, including asset management, sustainable finance and specialty insurance. 'And fifth, we are delivering prosperity by increasing the firepower of our capital markets and boosting retail investment.' She said the 'Leeds reforms' are intended to 'really invigorate our financial services sector, but with the core purpose of therefore reinvigorating the whole economy'. Ms Reeves said the financial services industry accounted for 9% of gross domestic product – a measure of the size of the economy – and was 'a big source of tax revenue' for the Treasury. More mortgages will be available at more than 4.5 times a buyer's income following recent Bank of England recommendations that some lenders can offer more high loan-to-income mortgages if they choose to. This will create up to 36,000 additional mortgages for first-time buyers over the first year, the Government said. Britain's biggest building society – Nationwide – announced last week that it is aiming to increase its high loan-to-income lending limit. From Wednesday, eligible first-time buyers can apply for Nationwide's Helping Hand mortgage with a £30,000 salary, down from £35,000, and joint applicants with a £50,000 combined salary – down from £55,000. It is estimated this will support an additional 10,000 first-time buyers each year. The changes will sit alongside the creation of a permanent mortgage guarantee scheme, delivering on a manifesto commitment, and a review of Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) lending rules that could allow prospective buyers' records of paying rent on time to be used to show they can afford mortgage repayments. Further details of Ms Reeves' plans will be set out in her Mansion House speech in the City of London on Tuesday night. She is expected to say: 'I welcome the recent changes the (Bank of England) Financial Policy Committee has announced to the loan-to-income limit on mortgage lending, which the PRA (Prudential Regulation Authority) and FCA are implementing immediately. 'With an instant impact for consumers, such as Nationwide offering its Helping Hand mortgage to more first-time buyers – supporting an additional 10,000 each year.' The Chancellor is expected to add: 'Today, I have placed financial services at the heart of the Government's growth mission. 'Recognising that Britain cannot succeed and meet its growth ambitions without a financial services sector that is fighting fit and thriving. 'And I have been clear on the benefits that that will drive. 'With a ripple effect that will drive investment in all sectors of our economy and put pounds in the pockets of working people.' Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: 'Today's speech is Rachel Reeves' attempt to distract from the chaos of the last few weeks. But the truth is clear – this Labour government is out of its depth. 'Rachel Reeves talks a big game on growth – yet under her watch, taxes are rising, businesses are struggling, and confidence is draining away. 'No amount of warm words can mask the reality that this is a government with no grip, no plan, and no idea how to run an economy.'
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Reeves sets out sweeping reforms to financial sector in search for growth
Ms Reeves, who also hopes for increased taxes from a growing economy to help balance her books, said the reforms unveiled in Leeds would help with 'reinvigorating the whole economy'. Chancellor Rachel Reeves sits alongside Economic Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds during a roundtable discussion with top finance executives at Lloyds Banking Group's offices in Leeds (Oli Scarff/PA) The plans include measures to make it easier for first-time buyers to get on the housing ladder with increased levels of borrowing and efforts to support new financial technology – fintech – firms grow in the UK. The Chancellor said: 'We are fundamentally reforming the regulatory system, freeing up firms to take risks and to drive growth. 'Second, we're providing certainty for banks operating in the UK, and ensuring that UK banks have the ability to compete internationally and drive economic growth. 'Third, we're doubling down on making the UK an innovation capital and the place of choice for fintechs to start up, to scale up and to list in the UK. 'Fourth, we're seizing opportunities in areas where we are already world leading, including asset management, sustainable finance and specialty insurance. 'And fifth, we are delivering prosperity by increasing the firepower of our capital markets and boosting retail investment.' She said the 'Leeds reforms' are intended to 'really invigorate our financial services sector, but with the core purpose of therefore reinvigorating the whole economy'. Chancellor Rachel Reeves (centre) with Lloyds Banking Group chief executive Charlie Nunn (top of table, left) and Economic Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds (top of table, right) at Lloyds Banking Group's offices in Leeds (Oli Scarff/PA) Ms Reeves said the financial services industry accounted for 9% of gross domestic product – a measure of the size of the economy – and was 'a big source of tax revenue' for the Treasury. More mortgages will be available at more than 4.5 times a buyer's income following recent Bank of England recommendations that some lenders can offer more high loan-to-income mortgages if they choose to. This will create up to 36,000 additional mortgages for first-time buyers over the first year, the Government said. Britain's biggest building society – Nationwide – announced last week that it is aiming to increase its high loan-to-income lending limit. From Wednesday, eligible first-time buyers can apply for Nationwide's Helping Hand mortgage with a £30,000 salary, down from £35,000, and joint applicants with a £50,000 combined salary – down from £55,000. It is estimated this will support an additional 10,000 first-time buyers each year. The changes will sit alongside the creation of a permanent mortgage guarantee scheme, delivering on a manifesto commitment, and a review of Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) lending rules that could allow prospective buyers' records of paying rent on time to be used to show they can afford mortgage repayments. Further details of Ms Reeves' plans will be set out in her Mansion House speech in the City of London on Tuesday night. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Economic Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds look from a window at Lloyds Banking Group's offices in Leeds (Oli Scarff/PA) She is expected to say: 'I welcome the recent changes the (Bank of England) Financial Policy Committee has announced to the loan-to-income limit on mortgage lending, which the PRA (Prudential Regulation Authority) and FCA are implementing immediately. 'With an instant impact for consumers, such as Nationwide offering its Helping Hand mortgage to more first-time buyers – supporting an additional 10,000 each year.' The Chancellor is expected to add: 'Today, I have placed financial services at the heart of the Government's growth mission. 'Recognising that Britain cannot succeed and meet its growth ambitions without a financial services sector that is fighting fit and thriving. 'And I have been clear on the benefits that that will drive. 'With a ripple effect that will drive investment in all sectors of our economy and put pounds in the pockets of working people.'
