Latest news with #Kendall
Epoch Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Epoch Times
Benefits System Reforms Will Lead to Rise in Homelessness, Charities Say
The government's proposed welfare reforms will increase homelessness, push people further away from the labour market, and add extra pressure on already-stretched statutory services, major charities have said. Homeless charities St. Mungo's and Shelter are among those who have The charities said in the open letter to the minister published on Friday said that while they support the government's ambition to ensure people on sickness benefits have the opportunity to get back to work, as a sector, they cannot support the measures outlined in the government's 'Pathways to Work' green paper. 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.' The signatories said that these increases in homelessness will have a 'catastrophic impact' on mental and physical health, as well as employment and education opportunities. They added that statutory services for helping the homeless will be put under even greater strain, with a further rise in homelessness having a 'domino effect of imposing a significant financial cost to the state, as it will need to pay for more temporary accommodation and emergency homelessness services.' Benefits Bill to Hit £70 Billion The proposals come amid the rising cost of benefits, which is predicted to hit £70 billion a year by the end of this decade. Related Stories 3/19/2025 2/7/2025 There are around 2.8 million people who are economically inactive owing to long-term sickness. This is one of the highest rates in the G7, with the UK the only major economy whose employment rate has not recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic era. The PIP figures are also growing, with 3.66 million people entitled to the benefit as of January 2025, up 12 percent on the year before and 71 percent higher than January 2020, before the start of lockdowns. Kendall Eligibility for entitlement for PIPs, which is the main disability benefit used to help cover the extra costs of living with a condition or disability, will be tightened so that they will only be targeted to those with higher needs. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will also reintroduce reassessments for those on incapacity benefits, with the exception of those whose conditions mean they will never improve. Jobseekers will have a 'right to try' guarantee, meaning that someone on the path to returning to work or trying to work will not immediately have their benefits reassessed. However, the DWP's Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall arrives to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, on Nov. 26, Next Week Responding to the charities' report, 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.' The spokesperson also highlighted the government's £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,' the spokesperson added. The government's 'Pathways to Work' green paper will be voted on in parliament next week and though likely to pass, has already seen opposition from within the Labour Party. This includes from Mother of the House Diane Abbott, who The Labour government has also faced PA Media contributed to this report.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Megan Thee Stallion just officially kicked off Hot Girl Summer in Miami at Swim Week
Talk about bringing the heat. Megan Thee Stallion channeled a supermodel Thursday night, strutting in her very first Paraiso Miami Swim Week at the tents set up at Collins Park in Miami Beach. The 'Savage' singer, who was last in town promoting her Chicas Divertidas Tequila at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, wasn't just making a celebrity appearance. The 30-year-old stunner just launched her own bathing suit line conveniently named after her 2019 breakthrough hit, 'Hot Girl Summer.' Models of all shapes and sizes were sent down the runway in styles hotter than Kendall in August, from bright colored string bikinis to shimmery, bare-all maillots and cute mini dresses with spaghetti straps. The star of the evening eventually showed to cheers, rocking a Space Age silver two piece suit, accessorized by skyscraper heels and a giant, untamed wig. 'Thank you to my team for making my first runway show be so special and amazing!' the Houston rapper wrote on an Instagram carousel of fabulousness. 'Thank you to all my beautiful models for showcasing my collection so beautifully with lots of positive energy. I can't wait to keep growing in this space I'm so excited for what's to come!' You can shop 'thee' affordable collection at where skimpy halter tops start at just $18. (Pro tip, ladies, don't delay: The summer solstice falls on June 20 this year.)
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
DWP update shows PIP conditions most at risk of benefit cuts
A new DWP analysis has shown which conditions could be the most likely to have claimants who will not qualify under the new PIP eligibility criteria New DWP analysis shows the conditions set to be most likely to have claimants who will not qualify under the new Personal Independence Payments changes. The PIP reforms are set to be implemented in November 2026. With the current Department for Work and Pensions rules, applicants must score at least eight points across 10 questions in the daily living assessment to claim PIP. Under the proposed changes in Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall's welfare reforms, claimants will also need to achieve a minimum of four points in any single question. The latest DWP figures reveal how many current benefit recipients would not meet this requirement, categorised based on what condition they are claiming the benefit for. A total of 79% of people claiming for back pain scored fewer than four points in a single question during their assessment. Similarly, 71% of individuals with chronic pain syndromes would not meet the new criteria. A total of 62% of people with cardiovascular diseases and 55% of those with respiratory diseases could also potentially lose their benefit, according to the Daily Record. The other main condition groups and the number of claimants that do not meet the four-point requirement revealed in the DWP figures include: Regional Musculoskeletal Diseases - 71% Multiple Sclerosis and Neuropathic Diseases - 48% All other conditions - 46% Other neurological diseases - 36% Cerebrovascular diseases - 34% Cancer - 33% Epilepsy - 30% Other psychiatric disorders - 28% Cerebral Palsy and Neurological Muscular Diseases - 24% Psychotic disorders - 23% ADHD/ADD - 19% Autism spectrum disorders - 6% Learning disabilities - 3% Arthritis - 6% The 'all other conditions' category includes ailments that make up a small proportion of PIP claims. For example, visual diseases, skin disease, hearing disorders and autoimmune diseases. Kendall's welfare reform will only impact the daily living component of PIP, officials say. The mobility element, which provides £29.20 for the standard rate and £77.05 for the enhanced rate, is expected to remain unchanged under the reforms. The daily living component does offer higher weekly amounts, at £73.90 for the standard rate and £110.40 for the enhanced rate. Currently, to qualify for the standard rate you need to accumulate a total of eight points in the assessment, and 12 or more to receive the enhanced rate. The assessment concentrates on how safely, effectively and quickly you can perform certain tasks, scoring you based on how much assistance or equipment you require to complete it. The 10 tasks and their maximum available points are as follows: Preparing food - 8 Taking medication - 10 Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition - 8 Washing and bathing - 8 Managing toilet needs or incontinence - 8 Dressing and undressing - 8 Communicating verbally - 12 Reading and understanding symbols and words - 8 Engaging with other people face to face - 8 Making budgeting decisions - 6
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Senedd committee on 'deeply concerning' welfare cuts
The Senedd's equality committee urged Liz Kendall, the UK work and pensions secretary, to address barriers disabled people face in accessing employment before reforming welfare. Ms Kendall announced the biggest shake-up to the welfare system in a generation in March, including plans to tighten up the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip). In a letter to UK ministers, Jenny Rathbone, the Labour chair of the equality committee, wrote: 'We have been contacted by individuals and stakeholders expressing deep concern about the proposed changes and the impact they will have on local economies. 'We share these concerns and feel strongly that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – alongside employers and other tiers of government – must work much harder to get their houses in order before implementing reform. 'We urge the [UK] Government to acknowledge these concerns and keep the people affected at the heart of its decision-making.' In March, her committee concluded an inquiry into the disability employment gap, warning that too many people face physical and institutional barriers to the world of work. The gap, which is the difference of employment rates between disabled and non-disabled people, stood at 30 per cent in 2023/24 and has consistently been higher than elsewhere in Britain. As many as 275,000 people in Wales receive Pip and 110,000 who receive universal credit have limited capability for work-related activity, according to the Bevan Foundation. Senedd members on the equality committee wrote: 'The UK Government intends to introduce these changes at speed with changes to Pip and universal credit scheduled for August and November 2026 respectively." The committee's letter acknowledged the case for reform, with a 45 per cent increase in the number of people claiming health-related benefits since 2018/19. Impact assessments published by the UK Government – which were carried out on an England-and-Wales basis – were inadequate and lacked detail, according to the letter. Warning cuts will have a disproportionate impact on Wales, the letter stated: 'Policy in Practice suggests that they will hit Wales and north-east England the hardest. It estimates that nearly 190,000 people in Wales will be affected by the reforms, with a potential financial impact of £470m. 'According to their analysis, four of the 10 worst-affected local authorities in Great Britain are in Wales: Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot and Caerphilly."
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Miami Herald
Man's body found months after ATV fell through ice, AK cops say. ‘Gentle heart'
The search for one of two people who fell into an icy river in Alaska more than two months ago is over, state troopers said. A private pilot spotted the body of Skye Rench, 32, from Wasilla, on May 22 near the mouth of the Susitna River, Alaska State Troopers said in a dispatch. Officials recovered the remains and took them to the state medical examiner's office, where they were identified, troopers said. Rench went missing March 6 along with another man, Sean Kendall, 42, from Anchorage, after the side-by-side ATV they were riding on fell through ice on the river in south central Alaska, McClatchy News previously reported. Three other people were on the ATV and escaped the icy water, troopers said, but Rench and Kendall 'were reported to have gone under the ice in the current.' Kendall hasn't yet been located, KTUU reported. The men were on assignment for Alaska Directional LLC, according to the Anchorage Daily News. The company offers services including directional drilling and utility installation, its website said. Rench grew up in Alaska and 'lived a life full of energy, passion, and love,' according to an obituary on the Frontiersman's website. He became an apprentice powerline man and then foreman, and he later started Helacomm Communications with three others, the obituary said. Rench, who was engaged to be married, was a devoted outdoorsman and had recently competed in the Iron Dog snowmobile race, an online fundraiser said, describing him as 'truly Alaskan to the core.' His obituary added that he had a tough side but a 'gentle heart,' and his 'impact on everyone he met is something we'll all carry with us. He's left behind countless memories and stories that will live on forever.'
