Latest news with #LiberalDemocrat
Scotsman
10 minutes ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Free bus pass: update on UK senior and OAP bus passes age
A national push is growing to bring England in line with the rest of the UK on over-60s travel 🚌 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. 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... Local councils in England can offer free bus passes to over-60s if they fund it themselves Labour government confirms councils hold the power to lower the age threshold Currently, free bus travel in England starts at state pension age (66), unlike devolved nations A petition calling for national parity with Scotland and Wales has gained over 101,000 signatures Campaigners argue the current system is unfair and outdated for older people outside London Calls for fairer travel perks for England's over-60s are growing louder, as the Labour government confirmed local councils already have the power to lower the age threshold for free bus passes — if they can afford to. Currently, people in England qualify for free off-peak bus travel only once they reach state pension age — currently 66. But in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, residents enjoy this benefit from the age of 60. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In response to a parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat MP Dr Al Pinkerton, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood confirmed that English councils can choose to offer additional local concessions, such as earlier eligibility for free bus passes — but must fund them themselves. (Photo:) | Getty Images 'The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) costs around £700 million annually,' Lightwood said. 'Any changes to the statutory obligations… would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme's financial sustainability.' But the revelation that councils already have this power has given fresh energy to campaigners. A petition calling for the ENCTS to be expanded nationally to include all over-60s in England — not just those in London — has now surpassed 101,000 signatures. The petition argues the current rules are outdated and unfair. It says: 'As people get older, some over 60s drive less and less. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We believe we need equality on public transport. It would mean England had the same provision as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.' What does this mean for you? If you're aged between 60 and 66 in England and wondering when you'll be eligible for free bus travel, the answer may depend on where you live. While there's no national plan yet to lower the threshold, your local council can introduce an over-60s scheme — if there's the political will and the budget to do so. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Whether that happens may now come down to public pressure and local campaigning. With confirmed government backing for local flexibility, some councils could act — especially if residents make their voices heard.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP errors mean thousands of PIP claimants could be owed more than £5,000
The DWP has made a string of serious administrative errors which have seen PIP claimants wrongly denied vital support or underpaid - and now thousands could be owed over £5,000 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) blunder could mean thousands of Personal Independence Payment claimants are due more than £5,000 each. A series of administrative errors has left many disabled people either without crucial support or underpaid, with mistakes dating back years. Some claims were incorrectly dismissed from people lacking a National Insurance number, even though it's not a requirement for PIP eligibility. Over the past year alone, the DWP has reviewed 455 such cases, paying out £500,000 in arrears, reports Birmingham Live. Ayla Ozmen, policy director at anti-poverty charity Z2K, cautioned that benefits underpayment errors could inflict "significant financial hardship" on disabled people. "We are calling on the DWP to do everything it can to ensure that these errors are corrected as soon as possible," Ozmen stated. "We are calling on the DWP to do everything it can to ensure that these errors are corrected as soon as possible," Ozmen said. Former Liberal Democrat DWP minister Sir Steve Webb has suggested that the review of social support-related PIP cases "could perhaps have been processed more promptly". He also remarked that addressing all benefits underpayment issues was "the right thing to do". And Ozmen stressed the importance of ministers engaging with disabled people on reforms, stating it was "vital" to avoid "instead of making a bad system even worse". A DWP spokesperson assured that the department is "fully committed to identifying claimants that are owed money and providing the financial support to which they are entitled as quickly as possible". They said the views of disabled people would be central "at the heart of a ministerial review of PIP, to ensure the benefit is fit and fair for the future".
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Private hire driver who sexually assaulted woman after takeaway delivery has licence suspended
Usama Yaseen, 27, has been placed on the sex offenders registry after the attack in Fife on March 20 last year. A private hire driver has had his licence suspended after sexually assaulting a woman he delivered a takeaway to in Edinburgh. Usama Yaseen, 27, has been placed on the sex offenders registry after the attack in Fife on March 20 last year. Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard he told a woman he was delivering takeaway to, 'oh my God, you're gorgeous', before asking her for her phone number. Yaseen later returned to the address, and was invited inside for coffee. A few minutes later, while sitting next to the woman, he touched her chest and stomach, to which she immediately replied, 'you don't do that'. He left, and police were contacted. They took a statement from the woman, and Yaseen's DNA was found on the woman's dress. Police sergeant Grant Robinson told the Licensing Sub-Committee on Tuesday: 'I am of the opinion that by reason of this conviction for a serious sexual offence against a stranger, the private hire car licence held by the licence holder should be suspended. 'In my opinion, the licence holder is no longer a fit and proper person to hold the licence, and carry out the licensing activity, as it is causing and likely to cause affect to public safety.' Yaseen was found guilty at the sheriff court on June 13 of this year. Police Scotland wrote to the council on June 19 requesting the immediate suspension of his private hire driver's licence, which was granted. On Monday, the committee agreed to extend that six week suspension, the standard length for any urgent stop to a private hire licence, to the end of his licence's validity on August 5. Yaseen told the committee the woman had given him his phone number while he was delivering food to her home, and invited him in for a drink. He said he declined because he was working, but came in when she offered coffee instead. According to him, he accidentally brushed her dress with his hand while in her home. Liberal Democrat councillor Neil Ross said: 'Despite everything the applicant has said, we have a conviction in front of us, he needs to make his appeal to court, not to this committee.' Conservative councillor and Sub-Committee convener Joanna Mowat added: 'This has been tried in court, where solicitors can call witnesses. 'We haven't got a witness in front of us, but we do have a prosecution. I don't see us doing anything other than continue the suspension given that this has been tried at a trial court.' Cllr Ross came back in to ask: 'If we suspend the unexpired portion, which takes us to August 5, which isn't very long, is there a new application process? Is this likely to come back to us?' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Mr Mitchell replied the licence holder would still be able to apply to renew his private hire licence, and the renewal could be referred back to the committee. The committee agreed to extend the suspension of Yaseen's private hire licence until the end of its term. He applied for his first private hire driver's licence in August 2024, which was granted on August 16 of that year. Yaseen is due to be sentenced at a hearing on Monday, July 28.
North Wales Live
a day ago
- Politics
- North Wales Live
DWP issues PIP review update and explains how disabled people will be involved
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an update over the continuing examination of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system. PIP is intended to help people with long-term health conditions or disabilities by providing financial assistance to cover their extra costs. The benefit comprises two elements: daily living support and mobility assistance, each offering standard and enhanced payment levels. Government ministers are presently scrutinising the PIP structure, including exploring methods to enhance the assessment procedure that applicants typically undergo to determine their entitlement amount. Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Gibson submitted a parliamentary written question concerning disabled people's participation in the review process. DWP minister Sir Stephen Timms, who is overseeing the review, responded on the Government's behalf. He stated: "We published the terms of reference for the review (the Timms Review) on 30 June 2025, and will be updating them shortly. As set out in the terms of reference, we are committed to co-producing the review with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, experts, clinicians, MPs, and other stakeholders. "We will engage widely over the summer to design the process for the work of the review and consider how it can best be co-produced to ensure that expertise from a range of different perspectives is drawn upon.", reports the Liverpool Echo. The minister also said that the team conducting the review will focus on involving disabled individuals in helping lead the process, to ensure the review hears from "those with relevant lived and professional experience". Labour had previously proposed a policy change to tighten the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which would have introduced a new requirement for receiving the daily living component. Claimants would need to score a minimum of four points in one of the 10 activities to qualify for any payment. However, following significant pushback from MPs, including dissent within Labour ranks, the Government decided to apply this change solely to new claimants. Ministers have also said there will be no changes to the PIP eligibility rules until the review is finished. How much is PIP? These are the current weekly payment rates for PIP: Daily living element Lower - £73.90 Higher - £110.40. Mobility element Lower - £29.20 Higher - £77.05
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
House of Lords block attempt to limit foreign investment in British newspapers
A bid to severely limit foreign state investment in UK newspapers was defeated by peers tonight. Paving the way for the takeover of The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, the House of Lords blocked an attempt to prevent passive shareholdings being raised to 15 per cent. It is the latest turn in a tumultuous two-year takeover process for the 170-year-old business. It comes after the previous Conservative government put a 5 per cent limit in place amid fears the Telegraph could be bought by RedBird IMI, a firm majority-owned by the UAE, in a £500million deal. But following a consultation, Labour proposed a higher cap to enable newspapers to access crucial finance. Tory Baroness Stowell said the 15 per cent cap supports the 'much bigger principle of Press freedom' and told the Lords: 'While we all care about protecting a free Press, upholding that principle will serve little purpose if our news industry can't survive – and their economic conditions are worsening.' Liberal Democrat peer Lord Fox had tabled a rare 'fatal motion' to block the proposals, despite approval by the Commons. But it was defeated by 267 votes to 155. RedBird Capital, the US junior partner in RedBird IMI, agreed a deal in May to buy a majority stake in the newspaper for £500 million. Abu-Dhabi's IMI will look to buy a minority stake as part of the consortium.
