Latest news with #Kristie
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I decluttered my son's bedroom with a £4 B&M shoe rack hack that looks super stylish & way more expensive
A BARGAIN hunter mum has shared a super simple hack to declutter a child's bedroom. So if your little darling is obsessed with toy cars and you're constantly finding them all over the floor and in every single drawer, then you'll need to check this out. 2 A mother has shared how she gave her son's bedroom a glow up without breaking the bank Credit: Facebook 2 Not only did it declutter his bedroom, but it also added style to the space too Credit: Facebook Not only did Kristie Dewar tidy up her son's mess with her handy trick, but it also gave his bedroom an epic transformation too. Eager to show off her interior idea which cost her just £12, Kristie took to social media and explained exactly how you can do the same too. Posting on Alongside her post, Kristie beamed: 'Not perfect by any means (I stuck the wheels on with super glue then realised they should be down a bit - hey ho) but I'm pleased with it. Read more on decluttering 'The total cost was £12 which is a bargain as pre-made it is a lot more.' She then added: 'Ideal for car obsessed children, especially if you are on a budget. 'Can get as 'I wanted [something] simple as my son is only two and all he cares about is cars and bright colours!' Most read in Fabulous For Kristie's gorgeous wall feature, she used a cheap shoe rack, which she bought from B&M for just £4. She also used laser cut MDF which she got for £8 (including delivery) from Manchester Laser Cuts. I didn't want to fork out hundreds for a new front door but a 99p Shein buy & a lick of paint worked wonders As well as this, to save on costs Kristie used To create her truck design, the Eight Easy DIY Tips & Tricks The ultimate guide for homeowners and renters: DIY expert's Save time and money with this easy DIY tiling hack to transform a room in under an hour Avoid these five mistakes in your next DIY project Transform your kitchen with this Noisy neighbours? Here's DIY expert shared her favourite strategy for painting around glass without tape If you want to give your kitchen a fresh look, here's Five tricks to 'Then paint the MDF and used command strips to stick it up.' Alongside her shoe rack feature, Kristie painted on the front and back of a lorry, including detailed wheels. DIY fans beam We think Kristie's DIY overhaul is incredibly impressive and it's clear that many others do too, as her Facebook post has quickly amassed 229 likes in just seven hours. Well done, that looks amazing Facebook user Many eagerly raced to the comments to share their thoughts on the One person said: 'Love this, thank you for the idea!!' Most popular DIY jobs homeowners love to do Paint walls New carpet Paint fence Paint ceilings Wallpapering Paint skirting boards New light fitting Re-grout/replace bathroom tiles Hang curtains/blinds Paint/oil interior doors Paint a shed Paint stairs New plug sockets New hard flooring New front door Update kitchen sink Replace kitchen worktops Hang shelves Change/update doorknobs Paint/upcycle garden furniture Another added: 'Well done, that looks amazing.' A third commented: 'That's brilliant.' Meanwhile, someone else tagged a loved one and penned: 'This is cute.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Two benefit claimants wrongly chased for money by the DWP - now they're dead
Campaigners are calling for the Department for Work and Pensions to re-consider slashing benefits and warned that it is causing severe damage and in the worst cases, death Two women who were wrongly chased for debts by the Department for Work and Pensions were both found dead after being tormented and threatened for months. Kristie Hunt, 31, sadly died by suicide following an overdose in November 2023. The aspiring nurse was harassed for more than £1,000 in mistaken debt shortly before she took her own life. While mum-of-four Karen McBride endured the same problem before she was discovered dead inside her home in 2022. For Karen, her family reported that she "spiralling into a dark place" following an ongoing issue over "erroneous debt". Both of them faced losing their homes after the mishap, which took a toll on them mentally. It comes after Kristie, from Stockport, received disability benefits and had been diagnosed with a number of mental health conditions, and had a history of substance abuse and self-harm. She had been getting Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). She rejoined the workforce after a 13-year break. But Kristie's call to the DWP to inform them of her new employment wasn't documented – and she was investigated by the counter-fraud team, was issued a wrongful penalty charge, and was chased to pay back ESA money falsely determined by the DWP to be an overpayment. DWP urged to make major changes after three tragic claimant deaths - one starved The DWP also sent incorrect information to Stockport Council, the inquest heard, which led to the local authority wrongly telling Kristie she owed more than £800 in housing benefit. It meant the DWP and the local authority were wrongly coming after Kristie for more than £1,000 for months, until just weeks before her death. 'At the time of taking the overdose there were a number of factors which on the day, or in the preceding days/weeks, likely impacted adversely on Kristie Ann Hunt's state of mind and likely contributed to her actions,' the coroner's conclusion read. Leigh Day said: 'During Kristie's final call with the department about her ESA claim on 30 October 2023, she was noted to be confused and tearful throughout, yet she was not even asked whether she was okay.' Colin Barrow, Kristie's stepdad said: "Knowing Krissi, she would have felt the pressures of the DWP reported debts. Even with the positive aspects of her new job she would have been in a panic. 'She would have thought her flat would be in jeopardy. But she continued with her new job and looking positive. All the stresses she experienced close to her death would have been too much for her and she would have put on a brave face that she wanted people to see especially at work." Karen's family said she had an "issue with housing benefit right from the beginning". She sadly died at the age of 46. The 2023 inquest into her death was told how Karen had also received a letter from Tameside Council in March 2022 telling her that her housing benefit had been suspended. She also received a letter from her housing association that she was in rent arrears, as her rent was paid through housing benefit. The "apparent issue" was her son turning 19 affecting her entitlement to housing benefit. Karen's daughter, Codie, said the debt was "pursued for many months" with letters continuing, but it turned out to be an error, reports Manchester Evening News. "We now know that the housing benefit should never have been stopped, as regardless of my brother's age, mum was in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which means her housing benefit entitlement would remain the same. "She was desperately overwhelmed. She was spiralling into a dark place and whenever she rang to find out what was happening and asked about the letters she had received she would be told they were just automated and she should just ignore them. For mum, this was much easier said than done." Karen Milner, from the council tax team at Tameside Council, said the Department for Work and Pensions notified the council to say a 'non-dependent' was living at the house, but on the council's records it said 'dependent'. That's why, she said, payments to Karen were suspended. Ms Milner said information was processed based on what details the council had and denied the council had made an error. Karen had been paid Personal Independence Payment (PIP) since 2016 – and that was extended after a review until July 2023, the inquest heard, but Ms Milner said the council was not notified it had been extended. The council, heard the inquest, thought that Karen had not been in receipt of PIP after February, 2020. The coroner said the inquest highlighted the "complexities of navigating the benefits system" and said the evidence showed she was "frustrated to the point of desperation", but ruled that he didn't agree 'the state' should have been aware of a risk to her life. Protestors last week took over a DWP conference in Manchester and warned that more people will die if benefits continue to be slashed. It comes as Government statistics show 800,000 people will miss out on an average of £4,500 annually from PIP cuts. A further 150,000 people will lose carer's allowance, and almost three million will also lose out from changes to Universal Credit. The government's own figures have shown the reforms could push 250,000 people into poverty. But ministers say £5 billion needs to be saved by the end of the decade. A DWP spokesperson said: 'Our sincerest condolences are with the family and friends of Ms Hunt and Ms McBride in these tragic cases. Our aim is always to provide the best possible support to those who need it, ensuring they can access the appropriate services.' If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operates a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email Jo@ if you'd prefer to write down how you feel. You are not alone.
Wales Online
19-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Mum and aspiring nurse wrongly chased for money by DWP and now they're dead
A mum-of-four found dead at her home aged 46, 'frustrated to the point of desperation' by the benefits system and an aspiring nurse wrongly chased for more than £1,000 ,who sadly took her own life at the age of 31. These were two lives cut tragically short in Greater Manchester. Two coroners and both their families agree these women were tormented over benefits, reports the MEN. The two were harangued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), regarding supposed debts running into the hundreds and thousands. However that turned out to be erroneous. They faced losing their own homes as a result, because DWP failures led to their housing benefits being revoked. Last week, protesters took over a hotel in Manchester where DWP consultants were discussing the government's incoming benefits reforms. The proposed cuts include changes to the personal independence payment (PIP), carer's allowance, and universal credit. The campaigners gave a grave warning: People have died because of cuts to their benefits, and it will happen again. "People who say being on benefits is a lifestyle choice are taking the Mickey. These cuts will push up the suicide rate among disabled people," protester Dr Dylan Murphy, 56, told the Manchester Evening News. "It's causing immense stress and fear to people terrified they are going to lose their lifeline." The Manchester Evening News has covered at least two deaths in recent years linked to dire DWP failings – with both people being chased by the government arm for debts it said were owed, then proven to be completely false. Kristie Hunt was just 31 when she died by suicide following an overdose in November 2023. Kristie, who received disability benefits, lived in Swinburne Green in Stockport. She was known to family and friends as 'Krissi' and was a bright, vivacious young woman who cared deeply about other people and aspired to be a nurse, her family said. She had been diagnosed with a number of mental health conditions, and had a history of substance abuse and self-harm. Kristie had been getting Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). She rejoined the workforce after a 13-year break. (Image: Manchester Evening News) But Kristie's call to the DWP to inform them of her new employment wasn't documented – and she was investigated by the counter-fraud team, was issued a wrongful penalty charge, and was chased to pay back ESA money falsely determined by the DWP to be an overpayment. The DWP also sent incorrect information to Stockport Council, the inquest heard, which led to the local authority wrongly telling Kristie she owed more than £800 in housing benefit. It meant the DWP and the local authority were wrongly coming after Kristie for more than £1,000 for months, until just weeks before her death. "At the time of taking the overdose there were a number of factors which on the day, or in the preceding days/weeks, likely impacted adversely on Kristie Ann Hunt's state of mind and likely contributed to her actions," the coroner's conclusion read. Leigh Day said: "During Kristie's final call with the department about her ESA claim on 30 October 2023, she was noted to be confused and tearful throughout, yet she was not even asked whether she was okay." Colin Barrow, Kristie's stepdad said: "Knowing Krissi, she would have felt the pressures of the DWP reported debts. Even with the positive aspects of her new job she would have been in a panic. "She would have thought her flat would be in jeopardy. But she continued with her new job and looking positive. All the stresses she experienced close to her death would have been too much for her and she would have put on a brave face that she wanted people to see especially at work." The family of mum-of-four Karen McBride say she suffered the same experiences before she was found dead at home at 46 in August 2022. The 2023 inquest into Karen's death heard from the family about 'erroneous debt' and an 'issue with housing benefit right from the beginning'. The inquest was told how Karen had also received a letter from Tameside Council in March 2022 telling her that her housing benefit had been suspended. She also received a letter from her housing association that she was in rent arrears, as her rent was paid through housing benefit. (Image: Manchester Evening News) The 'apparent issue' was her son turning 19 affecting her entitlement to housing benefit. Karen's daughter, Codie, said the debt was 'pursued for many months' with letters continuing, but it turned out to be an error. "We now know that the housing benefit should never have been stopped, as regardless of my brother's age, mum was in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which means her housing benefit entitlement would remain the same. "She was desperately overwhelmed. She was spiralling into a dark place and whenever she rang to find out what was happening and asked about the letters she had received she would be told they were just automated and she should just ignore them. For mum, this was much easier said than done." Karen Milner, from the council tax team at Tameside Council, said the Department for Work and Pensions notified the council to say a 'non-dependent' was living at the house, but on the council's records it said 'dependent'. That's why, she said, payments to Karen were suspended. Ms Milner said information was processed based on what details the council had and denied the council had made an error. Karen had been paid Personal Independence Payment (PIP) since 2016 – and that was extended after a review until July 2023, the inquest heard, but Ms Milner said the council was not notified it had been extended. The council, heard the inquest, thought that Karen had not been in receipt of PIP after February, 2020. The coroner said the inquest highlighted the 'complexities of navigating the benefits system' and said the evidence showed she was 'frustrated to the point of desperation', but ruled that he didn't agree 'the state' should have been aware of a risk to her life. A DWP spokesperson said: "Our sincerest condolences are with the family and friends of Ms Hunt and Ms McBride in these tragic cases. "Our aim is always to provide the best possible support to those who need it, ensuring they can access the appropriate services." Despite these deaths and last week's protest taking place in Greater Manchester, the region is being held up as exercising best practice as the DWP moves towards the sweeping benefits overhaul. In a report published this week on May 15, Parliament's Work and Pensions Committee praised Greater Manchester's involvement of disabled people in 'challenging policies' made within the region that affect them. The committee, chaired by Greater Manchester MP Debbie Abrahams, said the region's efforts should be replicated so the 'DWP is more likely to prevent vulnerable claimants from experiencing harm' from any incoming benefits reforms. "One example of a disabled people's panel is in Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This was established in 2019 to ensure disabled people were better involved and represented in all aspects of funding and planning for the city region, including shaping, influencing, and challenging policies," reads the report. "The panel includes 17 disabled people's organisations, which are organisations that are majority or wholly led and run by disabled people. "To ensure that it incorporates the expertise of people with lived experience of the benefit system, DWP should set up a reference group similar to the Greater Manchester Disabled People's Panel to help shape safeguarding policy." For the protesters outside the Manchester hotel last week, the committee's recommendations are already coming too late. The campaigners claim the DWP's consultation in Manchester was not 'public' at all – as those who could not get one of just '20 tickets' were refused entry to the event. Shouts called it a 'consulta-sham', with protesters asking 'would you be happy if your income was going to be cut by a third, and only 20 of you were asked if you wanted that?' The DWP also came under fire from protesters for not putting the most controversial planned benefit changes up for discussion, including plans to scrap the Work Capability Assessment, freezing payments for Universal Credit's health element, and the new tougher requirement to receive PIP's daily living component. Government statistics show 800,000 people will miss out on an average of £4,500 annually from PIP cuts. A further 150,000 people will lose carer's allowance, and almost three million will also lose out from changes to Universal Credit. The government's own figures have shown the reforms could push 250,000 people into poverty. But ministers say £5 billion needs to be saved by the end of the decade. "Lots of us are already having to go to food banks, I've been referred to one," protester Dennis Queen, 52, told the M.E.N. "I'm just surviving month to month, and I have three young adults living with me who I'm trying to feed as well. "People are going to have their income cut by a third, I don't know anybody who would find that manageable – yet the government is coming for the people who have the absolute least." The Department for Work and Pensions has been contacted for comment. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
19-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Mum and aspiring nurse wrongly chased for money by DWP and now they're dead
A mum-of-four found dead at her home aged 46, 'frustrated to the point of desperation' by the benefits system and an aspiring nurse wrongly chased for more than £1,000 ,who sadly took her own life at the age of 31. These were two lives cut tragically short in Greater Manchester. Two coroners and both their families agree these women were tormented over benefits, reports the MEN. The two were harangued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), regarding supposed debts running into the hundreds and thousands. However that turned out to be erroneous. They faced losing their own homes as a result, because DWP failures led to their housing benefits being revoked. Last week, protesters took over a hotel in Manchester where DWP consultants were discussing the government's incoming benefits reforms. The proposed cuts include changes to the personal independence payment (PIP), carer's allowance, and universal credit. The campaigners gave a grave warning: People have died because of cuts to their benefits, and it will happen again. "People who say being on benefits is a lifestyle choice are taking the Mickey. These cuts will push up the suicide rate among disabled people," protester Dr Dylan Murphy, 56, told the Manchester Evening News. "It's causing immense stress and fear to people terrified they are going to lose their lifeline." The Manchester Evening News has covered at least two deaths in recent years linked to dire DWP failings – with both people being chased by the government arm for debts it said were owed, then proven to be completely false. Kristie Hunt was just 31 when she died by suicide following an overdose in November 2023. Kristie, who received disability benefits, lived in Swinburne Green in Stockport. She was known to family and friends as 'Krissi' and was a bright, vivacious young woman who cared deeply about other people and aspired to be a nurse, her family said. She had been diagnosed with a number of mental health conditions, and had a history of substance abuse and self-harm. Kristie had been getting Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). She rejoined the workforce after a 13-year break. But Kristie's call to the DWP to inform them of her new employment wasn't documented – and she was investigated by the counter-fraud team, was issued a wrongful penalty charge, and was chased to pay back ESA money falsely determined by the DWP to be an overpayment. The DWP also sent incorrect information to Stockport Council, the inquest heard, which led to the local authority wrongly telling Kristie she owed more than £800 in housing benefit. It meant the DWP and the local authority were wrongly coming after Kristie for more than £1,000 for months, until just weeks before her death. "At the time of taking the overdose there were a number of factors which on the day, or in the preceding days/weeks, likely impacted adversely on Kristie Ann Hunt's state of mind and likely contributed to her actions," the coroner's conclusion read. Leigh Day said: "During Kristie's final call with the department about her ESA claim on 30 October 2023, she was noted to be confused and tearful throughout, yet she was not even asked whether she was okay." Colin Barrow, Kristie's stepdad said: "Knowing Krissi, she would have felt the pressures of the DWP reported debts. Even with the positive aspects of her new job she would have been in a panic. "She would have thought her flat would be in jeopardy. But she continued with her new job and looking positive. All the stresses she experienced close to her death would have been too much for her and she would have put on a brave face that she wanted people to see especially at work." The family of mum-of-four Karen McBride say she suffered the same experiences before she was found dead at home at 46 in August 2022. The 2023 inquest into Karen's death heard from the family about 'erroneous debt' and an 'issue with housing benefit right from the beginning'. The inquest was told how Karen had also received a letter from Tameside Council in March 2022 telling her that her housing benefit had been suspended. She also received a letter from her housing association that she was in rent arrears, as her rent was paid through housing benefit. The 'apparent issue' was her son turning 19 affecting her entitlement to housing benefit. Karen's daughter, Codie, said the debt was 'pursued for many months' with letters continuing, but it turned out to be an error. "We now know that the housing benefit should never have been stopped, as regardless of my brother's age, mum was in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which means her housing benefit entitlement would remain the same. "She was desperately overwhelmed. She was spiralling into a dark place and whenever she rang to find out what was happening and asked about the letters she had received she would be told they were just automated and she should just ignore them. For mum, this was much easier said than done." Karen Milner, from the council tax team at Tameside Council, said the Department for Work and Pensions notified the council to say a 'non-dependent' was living at the house, but on the council's records it said 'dependent'. That's why, she said, payments to Karen were suspended. Ms Milner said information was processed based on what details the council had and denied the council had made an error. Karen had been paid Personal Independence Payment (PIP) since 2016 – and that was extended after a review until July 2023, the inquest heard, but Ms Milner said the council was not notified it had been extended. The council, heard the inquest, thought that Karen had not been in receipt of PIP after February, 2020. The coroner said the inquest highlighted the 'complexities of navigating the benefits system' and said the evidence showed she was 'frustrated to the point of desperation', but ruled that he didn't agree 'the state' should have been aware of a risk to her life. A DWP spokesperson said: "Our sincerest condolences are with the family and friends of Ms Hunt and Ms McBride in these tragic cases. "Our aim is always to provide the best possible support to those who need it, ensuring they can access the appropriate services." Despite these deaths and last week's protest taking place in Greater Manchester, the region is being held up as exercising best practice as the DWP moves towards the sweeping benefits overhaul. In a report published this week on May 15, Parliament's Work and Pensions Committee praised Greater Manchester's involvement of disabled people in 'challenging policies' made within the region that affect them. The committee, chaired by Greater Manchester MP Debbie Abrahams, said the region's efforts should be replicated so the 'DWP is more likely to prevent vulnerable claimants from experiencing harm' from any incoming benefits reforms. "One example of a disabled people's panel is in Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This was established in 2019 to ensure disabled people were better involved and represented in all aspects of funding and planning for the city region, including shaping, influencing, and challenging policies," reads the report. "The panel includes 17 disabled people's organisations, which are organisations that are majority or wholly led and run by disabled people. "To ensure that it incorporates the expertise of people with lived experience of the benefit system, DWP should set up a reference group similar to the Greater Manchester Disabled People's Panel to help shape safeguarding policy." For the protesters outside the Manchester hotel last week, the committee's recommendations are already coming too late. The campaigners claim the DWP's consultation in Manchester was not 'public' at all – as those who could not get one of just '20 tickets' were refused entry to the event. Shouts called it a 'consulta-sham', with protesters asking 'would you be happy if your income was going to be cut by a third, and only 20 of you were asked if you wanted that?' The DWP also came under fire from protesters for not putting the most controversial planned benefit changes up for discussion, including plans to scrap the Work Capability Assessment, freezing payments for Universal Credit's health element, and the new tougher requirement to receive PIP's daily living component. Government statistics show 800,000 people will miss out on an average of £4,500 annually from PIP cuts. A further 150,000 people will lose carer's allowance, and almost three million will also lose out from changes to Universal Credit. The government's own figures have shown the reforms could push 250,000 people into poverty. But ministers say £5 billion needs to be saved by the end of the decade. "Lots of us are already having to go to food banks, I've been referred to one," protester Dennis Queen, 52, told the M.E.N. "I'm just surviving month to month, and I have three young adults living with me who I'm trying to feed as well. "People are going to have their income cut by a third, I don't know anybody who would find that manageable – yet the government is coming for the people who have the absolute least." The Department for Work and Pensions has been contacted for comment.
Sky News
05-02-2025
- Sky News
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr tells court she was 'trapped' in taxi before window was smashed
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has claimed she and her partner were "trapped" in the back of a taxi before one of them smashed the vehicle's rear window. The Australian women's football captain is on trial charged with racially abusing a white police officer. It is alleged the 31-year-old, who plays for Chelsea in the Women's Super League, and her partner, West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis, had been out drinking before the dispute in the early hours of 20 January 2023. They were driven to Twickenham Police Station by the taxi driver, who complained they had refused to pay clean-up costs after one of them was sick and one of them smashed the rear window. At the police station, Kerr is alleged to have become "abusive and insulting" towards officer Stephen Lovell, calling him "stupid and white". Kerr accepts making the comments but has pleaded not guilty to one count of racially aggravated harassment. Her lawyer has argued she was making a comment about power and privilege. Taxi driver 'swerved in and out of lanes' Giving evidence on Wednesday, Kerr told the jury she had put her head out of the window when she began to feel sick before the driver "rolled it up" and began to "drive dangerously". "He accelerated and began to swerve in and out of lanes... We were getting thrown around," she said. She said he kept "speeding up and stopping" and "it felt like he was going wherever he thought". 'It was his way or nothing' Kerr said the "dangerous" driving continued for 15 to 20 minutes, and added: "I was terrified for my life. "Everything was going through my mind about being in a car with a stranger I deemed to be dangerous. "There was no reasoning with him. It was his way or nothing. "Kristie asked him to stop the car but there was no change to his driving. We had no idea where we were. "Kristie was very distressed. She was crying and scared. I've never seen her like that before and it made me more scared. "I started to realise how serious the situation was. It put me in protective mode... he had the power over us. "We were not in control... I deemed him to be dangerous because of the driving but also because he could have taken us anywhere. He couldn't be tracked so no one knew where we were." Kerr said the pair tried to open the doors and windows several times but they remained locked. Ms Mewis eventually "kicked out [the window] with her boot", but Kerr added: "We didn't get out straight away as the car was still moving." Footage from PC Lovell's bodyworn camera was previously played to jurors showing Kerr telling him and another officer she and Ms Mewis were "very scared" and "trying to escape" the taxi when they damaged the vehicle. Kerr told jurors at Kingston Crown Court that she felt police officers had unfairly taken the cab driver's side. "I believed they were treating me differently based on what they perceived to be the colour of my skin," she said. The court also heard that at the police station Kerr made reference to Sarah Everard, who was murdered by Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens in 2023. Kerr, who was born in Perth and has Indian ancestry, also made reference to the Australian Claremont serial killer, who she said "was thought to have been a taxi driver". On Tuesday, the court heard she said she feared for her life after the journey.
