Latest news with #LiberalDemocrat
South Wales Guardian
12 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
£1.5bn in extra funding for military homes as part of defence review
The review, expected soon, will set out the money, which will be put towards work to improve housing and unlock further development. Cash will be used on urgent repairs such as fixing boilers and roofs, and other issues including tackling damp, the MoD said. Speaking on a visit to some military homes in Cambridgeshire, Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'I'm announcing through the strategic defence review a record increase – £1.5 billion in the next five years – to upgrade military family homes. 'Our forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe and to serve this country and yet for years, we've forced their families to live in substandard homes that you or I … just wouldn't tolerate.' He also said the review will 'recognise the fact that the world is changing, threats are increasing'. 'In this new era of threat we need a new era for defence.' It will be 'the vision and direction for the way that we've got to strengthen our armed forces to make us more secure at home, stronger abroad', he said. The strategic defence review was launched by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last year, as the Government looks to overhaul Britain's military in the face of rising global tensions. Ahead of the review, the UK has already committed to spend 2.5% of gross domestic product – a measure of the size of the economy – on defence from April 2027, rising to 3% during the next Parliament. Last month, the Government launched a consumer charter aimed at improving the living conditions for service personnel and their families. It commits to higher move-in standards, more reliable repairs and a named housing officer for every family. It also pledges a shorter complaints process and more freedom for families to be able to make improvements to their service homes. Liberal Democrat defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire called on the Government to go further in its pledge, by bringing military accommodation up to the decent homes standard – the minimum standards that social homes should meet. She said she was 'glad to see this Government has finally come to their senses and listened', and added: 'Those bravely defending our country deserve proper housing without leaks, mould, floods and freezing temperatures. 'But it's disappointing to see the Government refuse to commit to bring all military homes under the decent homes standard – a change the Lib Dems will continue to champion, so no military family has to suffer in a second-rate home.' Ms Maguire previously told the PA news agency that military families were 'struggling over the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day', after the Government revealed it had logged 442 urgent repair requests for service family accommodation during the week which began on May 5.
Belfast Telegraph
15 hours ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
£1.5bn in extra funding for military homes as part of defence review
The review, expected soon, will set out the money, which will be put towards work to improve housing and unlock further development. Cash will be used on urgent repairs such as fixing boilers and roofs, and other issues including tackling damp, the MoD said. Speaking on a visit to some military homes in Cambridgeshire, Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'I'm announcing through the strategic defence review a record increase – £1.5 billion in the next five years – to upgrade military family homes. 'Our forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe and to serve this country and yet for years, we've forced their families to live in substandard homes that you or I … just wouldn't tolerate.' He also said the review will 'recognise the fact that the world is changing, threats are increasing'. 'In this new era of threat we need a new era for defence.' It will be 'the vision and direction for the way that we've got to strengthen our armed forces to make us more secure at home, stronger abroad', he said. The strategic defence review was launched by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last year, as the Government looks to overhaul Britain's military in the face of rising global tensions. Ahead of the review, the UK has already committed to spend 2.5% of gross domestic product – a measure of the size of the economy – on defence from April 2027, rising to 3% during the next Parliament. Last month, the Government launched a consumer charter aimed at improving the living conditions for service personnel and their families. It commits to higher move-in standards, more reliable repairs and a named housing officer for every family. It also pledges a shorter complaints process and more freedom for families to be able to make improvements to their service homes. Liberal Democrat defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire called on the Government to go further in its pledge, by bringing military accommodation up to the decent homes standard – the minimum standards that social homes should meet. She said she was 'glad to see this Government has finally come to their senses and listened', and added: 'Those bravely defending our country deserve proper housing without leaks, mould, floods and freezing temperatures. 'But it's disappointing to see the Government refuse to commit to bring all military homes under the decent homes standard – a change the Lib Dems will continue to champion, so no military family has to suffer in a second-rate home.' Ms Maguire previously told the PA news agency that military families were 'struggling over the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day', after the Government revealed it had logged 442 urgent repair requests for service family accommodation during the week which began on May 5.
ITV News
16 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
£1.5bn in extra funding for military homes as part of defence review
More than £1.5 billion in extra funding for military homes will be confirmed as part of the Government's strategic defence review, the Ministry of Defence has said. The review, expected soon, will set out the money, which will be put towards work to improve housing and unlock further development. Cash will be used on urgent repairs such as fixing boilers and roofs, and other issues including tackling damp, the MoD said. Speaking on a visit to some military homes in Cambridgeshire, Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'I'm announcing through the strategic defence review a record increase – £1.5 billion in the next five years – to upgrade military family homes. 'Our forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe and to serve this country and yet for years, we've forced their families to live in substandard homes that you or I … just wouldn't tolerate.' He also said the review will 'recognise the fact that the world is changing, threats are increasing'. 'In this new era of threat we need a new era for defence.' It will be 'the vision and direction for the way that we've got to strengthen our armed forces to make us more secure at home, stronger abroad', he said. The strategic defence review was launched by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last year, as the Government looks to overhaul Britain's military in the face of rising global tensions. Ahead of the review, the UK has already committed to spend 2.5% of gross domestic product – a measure of the size of the economy – on defence from April 2027, rising to 3% during the next Parliament. Last month, the Government launched a consumer charter aimed at improving the living conditions for service personnel and their families. It commits to higher move-in standards, more reliable repairs and a named housing officer for every family. It also pledges a shorter complaints process and more freedom for families to be able to make improvements to their service homes. Liberal Democrat defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire called on the Government to go further in its pledge, by bringing military accommodation up to the decent homes standard – the minimum standards that social homes should meet. She said she was 'glad to see this Government has finally come to their senses and listened', and added: 'Those bravely defending our country deserve proper housing without leaks, mould, floods and freezing temperatures. 'But it's disappointing to see the Government refuse to commit to bring all military homes under the decent homes standard – a change the Lib Dems will continue to champion, so no military family has to suffer in a second-rate home.'
Wales Online
16 hours ago
- Health
- Wales Online
DWP full list of PIP groups most likely to lose payments under new rules
DWP full list of PIP groups most likely to lose payments under new rules The DWP has now conducted analysis of PIP claimants who did not score four points in at least one daily living activity in 18 of the most common disabling conditions The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) predicts that changes to the eligibility rules for the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will lead to 370,000 current claimants losing their entitlement during the financial year 2029/30. The impact assessment, released in March, also forecasts that 430,000 future PIP claimants will not qualify for the disability benefit once the reforms are implemented, resulting in an average annual loss of £4,500 each. The DWP has carried out an analysis of PIP claimants who did not score four points in at least one daily living activity across 18 of the most prevalent disabling conditions. These conditions were selected as they represent the largest proportions of PIP caseloads. Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, disclosed the findings of the analysis in a written response to Liberal Democrat MP Victoria Collins. Sir Timms stated: "A breakdown of the impact of the reforms on disability overall has been published as part of an Equality Analysis of the Spring Statement package of measures", reports the Daily Record. He added: "Data on the health conditions of Universal Credit claimants being placed in the LCWRA has been published and will continue to be taken into account in the future programme of analysis." The DWP Minister concluded: "Analysis of those who do not score four points in at least one daily living activity for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has now been undertaken." He went on to explain that the table of findings "shows the volume of claimants with the 18 most common disabling conditions in receipt of the PIP daily living component in January 2025, as well as the volume and proportion of these claimants who were awarded less than four points in all 10 daily living activities." DWP analysis of current daily living awards The DWP's notes on this analysis clarify that the category for health conditions is determined by the primary health condition recorded on the PIP Computer System at the time of the latest assessment. While many claimants have more than one health condition, only the primary condition is used for analysis purposes. Provided below is a list detailing PIP health conditions alongside the number of recipients receiving the PIP daily living component, as well as those granted fewer than four points in all daily living activities as of the end of January 2025. Arthritis - 279,000 claimants, 13,000 (6%) scored less than 4 points. Other Regional Musculoskeletal Diseases - 136,000 claimants, 97,000 (71%) scored less than 4 points. Chronic Pain Syndromes - 173,000 claimants, 97,000 (71%) scored less than 4 points. Cardiovascular Diseases - 61,000 claimants, 38,000 (62%) scored less than 4 points. Respiratory Diseases - 83,000 claimants, 45,000 (55%) scored less than 4 points. Multiple Sclerosis and Neuropathic Diseases - 80,000 claimants, 38,000 (48%) scored less than 4 points. All Other Conditions - 272,000 claimants, 126,000 (46%) scored less than 4 points. Other Neurological Diseases - 97,000 claimants,35,000 (36%) scored less than 4 points. Cerebrovascular Diseases - 56,000 claimants, 19,000 (34%) scored less than 4 points. Cancer - 70,000 claimants, 23,000 (33%) scored less than 4 points. Epilepsy - 36,000 claimants, 11,000 (30%) scored less than 4 points. Other Psychiatric Disorders - 90,000 claimants, 25,000 (28%) scored less than 4 points. Cerebral Palsy and Neurological Muscular Diseases - 47,000 claimants, 11,000 (24%) scored less than 4 points. Psychotic Disorders - 112,000 claimants, 26,000 (23%) scored less than 4 points. ADHD / ADD - 75,000 claimants, 14,000 (19%) scored less than 4 points. Autistic Spectrum Disorders - 206,000 claimants, 13,000 (6%) scored less than 4 points. Learning Disabilities - 188,000claimants, 7,000 (3%) scored less than 4 points. Other disabling condition groups which cover smaller proportions of the PIP caseload are covered in the 'Other Conditions' category. This includes: Visual Diseases Other General Musculoskeletal Diseases Endocrine Diseases Hearing Disorders Gastrointestinal Diseases Genitourinary Diseases Skin Diseases Autoimmune Diseases (Connective Tissue Disorders) Infectious Diseases Diseases of the Liver, Gallbladder or Biliary Tract Haematological Diseases Metabolic Diseases Multisystem and Extremes of Age Diseases of the Immune System Anxiety and Depression Anxiety disorders - Other / type not known Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Stress reaction disorders - Other / type not known Generalised anxiety disorder Phobia - Specific Phobia - Social Agoraphobia Panic disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Anxiety and depressive disorders - mixed Conversion disorder (hysteria) Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) Dissociative disorders - Other / type not known Somatoform disorders - Other / type not known Depressive disorder Bipolar affective disorder (Hypomania / Mania) Mood disorders - Other / type not known Daily living component for PIP You might get the daily living component of PIP if you need help with: eating, drinking or preparing food washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence dressing and undressing talking, listening, reading and understanding managing your medicines or treatments making decisions about money mixing with other people How difficulty with tasks is assessed The DWP will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task, the DWP will look at: whether you can do it safely how long it takes you how often your condition affects this activity whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment The descriptors Your ability to carry out each activity is measured against a list of standard statements describing what you can or cannot do. These are known as the descriptors. The health professional will advise the DWP which descriptor applies to you for each activity. The Citizen's Advice website has a whole section dedicated to this along with a downloadable guide to all the points awarded for each response - you can view this here. An example they use is there are six descriptors for 'Dressing and undressing', ranging from 'Can dress and undress unaided' to 'Cannot dress or undress at all'. Each descriptor carries a points score ranging from 0 to 12. Using aids or appliances Your ability to carry out the daily living activities and the mobility activities will be assessed as if you were wearing or using any aids or appliances it would be reasonable for you to use. This applies whether or not you normally use those aids or appliances. However, if you use or need aids and appliances, this can help you to score more points - find out more here. Citizens Advice explains: 'An aid is any item which improves, provides or replaces impaired physical or mental function. It doesn't have to be specially designed as a disability aid. Examples include a stool you need to sit on when cooking, or a walking stick to help you stand.' Daily living scores Citizens Advice explains to get the daily living component of PIP, you must have a physical or mental condition that limits your ability to carry out some or all of the activities below. The maximum amount of PIP points that can be awarded for that question are shown. Daily living activity: 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 Points and payment rates After answering all the daily living activity questions: If you get between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded the standard rate of PIP If you get at least 12 points in total - you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP After answering all the mobility activity questions: If you get between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded the standard rate of PIP If you get at least 12 points in total - you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP The latest DWP figures show that at the end of January there were 3.7 million PIP claimants across Great Britain. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has previously said more than 1,000 PIP claims are being awarded per day, making the argument for welfare reforms to ensure the system is sustainable for the future. The proposed changes will come into force in November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. Reforms also include increasing the number of face-to-face assessments. At present, most are being conducted remotely over the phone, by video call, or paper-based. However, there will be no freeze on PIP payments, which will continue to be non-means-tested, and rise in-line with the September inflation rate. There will be no changes to the mobility component. Article continues below You can complete the UK Government's consultation on proposed changes to PIP and the benefits system on here.
North Wales Chronicle
18 hours ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
£1.5bn in extra funding for military homes as part of defence review
The review, expected soon, will set out the money, which will be put towards work to improve housing and unlock further development. Cash will be used on urgent repairs such as fixing boilers and roofs, and other issues including tackling damp, the MoD said. Speaking on a visit to some military homes in Cambridgeshire, Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'I'm announcing through the strategic defence review a record increase – £1.5 billion in the next five years – to upgrade military family homes. 'Our forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe and to serve this country and yet for years, we've forced their families to live in substandard homes that you or I … just wouldn't tolerate.' He also said the review will 'recognise the fact that the world is changing, threats are increasing'. 'In this new era of threat we need a new era for defence.' It will be 'the vision and direction for the way that we've got to strengthen our armed forces to make us more secure at home, stronger abroad', he said. The strategic defence review was launched by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last year, as the Government looks to overhaul Britain's military in the face of rising global tensions. Ahead of the review, the UK has already committed to spend 2.5% of gross domestic product – a measure of the size of the economy – on defence from April 2027, rising to 3% during the next Parliament. Last month, the Government launched a consumer charter aimed at improving the living conditions for service personnel and their families. It commits to higher move-in standards, more reliable repairs and a named housing officer for every family. It also pledges a shorter complaints process and more freedom for families to be able to make improvements to their service homes. Liberal Democrat defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire called on the Government to go further in its pledge, by bringing military accommodation up to the decent homes standard – the minimum standards that social homes should meet. She said she was 'glad to see this Government has finally come to their senses and listened', and added: 'Those bravely defending our country deserve proper housing without leaks, mould, floods and freezing temperatures. 'But it's disappointing to see the Government refuse to commit to bring all military homes under the decent homes standard – a change the Lib Dems will continue to champion, so no military family has to suffer in a second-rate home.' Ms Maguire previously told the PA news agency that military families were 'struggling over the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day', after the Government revealed it had logged 442 urgent repair requests for service family accommodation during the week which began on May 5.
