Latest news with #Philippa
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Leeds Trinity University fined over franchised course monitoring
A university has been fined £115,000 by the higher education regulator for failing to effectively address risks associated with its franchised Office for Students (OfS) identified "serious failures" in the arrangements Leeds Trinity University (LTU) had in place to oversee its sub-contractual inquiry found an "overarching risk" that LTU was unable to "properly ensure quality" with the arrangements or respond to concerns when university's vice-chancellor said "rapid growth in our partnerships created pressures that our systems and oversight processes were not fully equipped to manage at the time". External organisations can operate in partnership with registered universities to deliver courses on their the watchdog previously warned it would intervene when the use of franchised providers placed the interests of students or taxpayers "at risk".The OfS investigation looked at franchised provision at LTU between 2022 and found LTU's oversight arrangements were "not adequate" to ensure risks at partners relating to admissions practices and academic misconduct were watchdog's investigation concluded that LTU "did not properly consider" the impact of a decision it took to pilot lowering English language requirements for students who applied to study at its franchised partners between 2023 and 2024."It did not ensure arrangements were in place to enable these students to succeed," the report said. Philippa Pickford, director of regulation at the OfS, said: "The rapid expansion of courses delivered through sub-contractual partnerships further increased risks for students and taxpayers."The university said it "fully accepted" the investigation's Charles Egbu, LTU vice-chancellor, said: "We are unwavering in our long-held commitment to widening participation and increasing access to higher education."We welcome the OfS's acknowledgment of the proactive steps we have taken and the significant progress that Leeds Trinity has made to strengthen the oversight of our sub-contractual arrangements." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Oxford man prepares to run eighth London Marathon in support of sister
An Oxford man is preparing to run his eighth London Marathon in support of his sister, who has an incurable, life-limiting condition. Nick Brodie, 38, will move one step closer to reaching his target of completing the marathon 10 times to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis when he takes part on Sunday, April 27. His sister, Philippa, 40, has the genetic condition, which affects more than 11,300 people in the UK. Nick Brodie will run his eight London Marathon this weekend (Image: Cystic Fibrosis Trust) People with cystic fibrosis suffer from a range of symptoms affecting the entire body. Mr Brodie has raised more than £22,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust over the years, and has received £1,540 in donations online so far this year. He said: "I ran my first London Marathon in 2011. I wasn't a keen runner, but I did well, and I raised about £5,000. "The training for that race was really challenging, and I remember being very emotional and getting halfway when my legs started seizing up. Nick Brodie and his sister Philippa (Image: Cystic Fibrosis Trust) Nick Brodie and his sister Philippa (Image: Cystic Fibrosis Trust) "If I wasn't doing it for Cystic Fibrosis Trust I probably would have stopped, but I pushed through and made it to the finish line." Speaking about this year's race, he added: "It's an incredible event and it's so emotional, you can really feel the individual stories of all the runners. "Philippa is hoping to come along with my nephew this year." Philippa said: "I'm really proud that he has done this and raised so much money. "It's a crazy achievement, both the number of marathons he's done, and the money that he's raised for cystic fibrosis.'
Sky News
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
'Why would they target that?': Backlash over welfare cuts on 'people that need extra help'
Among families struggling to make ends meet, there's an uneasy sense that the people who can least afford it are being forced to bear the brunt of the nation's financial woes. As the impact statement of the government's welfare cuts was released - revealing tens of thousands of children will be tipped into poverty - at a community centre in Wolverhampton, families shared their frustration that sick and disabled people will be those who lose out. "It's for people that need extra help because they're ill, so why would they target that? I'm confused," said Melissa. A former carer, she's currently pregnant, and says she'd love to go back to work and hasn't been able to since her older children were born - due to the cost of childcare. Melissa believes the government's aim of encouraging more people into work is "a good thing, it's what they need". But she questions where the jobs are for people who've been out of work and may struggle due to illness. "It's okay saying they're making cuts, but how are they going to help get people back in work by making them cuts?" she asks. Philippa agrees. "It's always a certain section of the community that gets targeted and it's always those are on low incomes," she says. Now a grandmother, but still a few years away from retirement, Philippa recently applied for the disability benefit PIP - personal independence payment - due to diabetes and related health problems. She was rejected but intends to appeal - and says she feels targeted by the government's cuts. "My son's got disability living allowance, which means I can become his carer and that's the opt out of getting a job", she says, adding "I've never had to look into ways of avoidance". The cuts to welfare target the rapidly growing cost to the public purse of sickness and disability benefits. The bill currently stands at £65bn a year and has ballooned since the pandemic, fuelled by a large increase in claims from young people with mental illness. The measures are designed to remove some of the disincentives to work within the system. Currently, people signed off sick can get double the amount job seekers receive in benefits. However, they risk losing the extra money if they do get a job. Stephanie Leo is a senior community support worker in Wolverhampton and believes some people are put off looking for work because they worry about losing their benefits. "If you could still work on certain benefits that would be more impressive," she says. Winston Lindsay, 57, struggles to walk due to a range of conditions, including spondylosis that affects his spine. He used to be a social worker but now runs a voluntary organisation in Wolverhampton supporting people with disabilities. He uses his PIP payments to cover the basics, but says he already struggles to get by, and worries that if his benefits are reduced, it will have a "major impact" that will force him to restrict how much food he buys, and how often he puts the heating on at home. "We're going have to wrap up and wear more clothes", he says. "I'm just glad it's summer at the moment - with the winter that's going to be the worst period." The government's aim is that more people currently in receipt of benefits go out and seek work. Ben Harrison, director of the Work Foundation, told Sky News that it may happen. "These measures will mean that they will face an increasing need to engage with employment support services. "The problem here is whether they'll be able to be connected to the appropriate kinds of work", he says. He believes the risk is that people "get pushed into inappropriate kinds of employment". "That in the end, makes their condition worse, and it makes their long-term employment prospects worse as well", he adds.
Sky News
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
This community has an uneasy sense the poorest will be hardest hit by government's welfare cuts
Among families struggling to make ends meet, there's an uneasy sense that the people who can least afford it are being forced to bear the brunt of the nation's financial woes. As the impact statement of the government's welfare cuts was released - revealing tens of thousands of children will be tipped into poverty - at a community centre in Wolverhampton, families shared their frustration that sick and disabled people will be those who lose out. "It's for people that need extra help because they're ill, so why would they target that? I'm confused," said Melissa. A former carer, she's currently pregnant, and says she'd love to go back to work and hasn't been able to since her older children were born - due to the cost of childcare. Melissa believes the government's aim of encouraging more people into work is "a good thing, it's what they need". But she questions where the jobs are for people who've been out of work and may struggle due to illness. "It's okay saying they're making cuts, but how are they going to help get people back in work by making them cuts?" she asks. Philippa agrees. "It's always a certain section of the community that gets targeted and it's always those are on low incomes," she says. Now a grandmother, but still a few years away from retirement, Philippa recently applied for the disability benefit PIP - personal independence payment - due to diabetes and related health problems. She was rejected but intends to appeal - and says she feels targeted by the government's cuts. "My son's got disability living allowance, which means I can become his carer and that's the opt out of getting a job", she says, adding "I've never had to look into ways of avoidance". The cuts to welfare target the rapidly growing cost to the public purse of sickness and disability benefits. The bill currently stands at £65bn a year and has ballooned since the pandemic, fuelled by a large increase in claims from young people with mental illness. The measures are designed to remove some of the disincentives to work within the system. Currently, people signed off sick can get double the amount job seekers receive in benefits. However, they risk losing the extra money if they do get a job. Stephanie Leo is a senior community support worker in Wolverhampton and believes some people are put off looking for work because they worry about losing their benefits. "If you could still work on certain benefits that would be more impressive," she says. Winston Lindsay, 57, struggles to walk due to a range of conditions, including spondylosis that affects his spine. He used to be a social worker but now runs a voluntary organisation in Wolverhampton supporting people with disabilities. He uses his PIP payments to cover the basics, but says he already struggles to get by, and worries that if his benefits are reduced, it will have a "major impact" that will force him to restrict how much food he buys, and how often he puts the heating on at home. "We're going have to wrap up and wear more clothes", he says. "I'm just glad it's summer at the moment - with the winter that's going to be the worst period." The government's aim is that more people currently in receipt of benefits go out and seek work. Ben Harrison, director of the Work Foundation, told Sky News that it may happen. "These measures will mean that they will face an increasing need to engage with employment support services. "The problem here is whether they'll be able to be connected to the appropriate kinds of work", he says. He believes the risk is that people "get pushed into inappropriate kinds of employment".
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thousands of DWP benefit claimants could get compensation after court battle
As many as 13,000 benefit claimants could be entitled to thousands of pounds in compensation as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) settles a major court claim. Over 200 claimants were awarded between £200 and £3,000 in damages for losing out on income after being moved on to universal credit. These were people receiving certain disability benefits who were moved from 'legacy benefits' to universal credit before September 2019. The claimants lost 'severe disability premiums' (SDP) in the move, with the DWP not initially introducing a scheme to ensure income protection. Others missed out on the 'Enhanced Disability Premium' (EDP) in the move on to universal credit, with the total loss of income worth up to £180 a month. The 'SDP gateway' was only implemented after a successful High Court battle by law firm Leigh Day on behalf of two benefit claimants who lost income in 2019. It is the same firm that has now settled similar cases for 275 claimants with the DWP. The department has now set up a lawful compensation scheme to repay these claimants, with payments estimated to be in excess of £5,000. It is the non-financial element of the claim that has been settled, with compensation being for the stress and injury to feelings claimants had suffered. However, Ryan Bradshaw, who represented all the claimants in both cases, says that as many as 13,000 benefit claimants could be entitled to financial compensation. Mr Bradshaw said: 'I am glad to have settled this claim on behalf of my clients. However, there are thousands of others who have been similarly affected who have not been in a position to bring a claim like this. 'They too will have suffered unnecessary stress. A suitable scheme, compensating all the people who have endured discrimination at the hands of the DWP, ought to be urgently put in place. The mistakes made here should never be repeated.' One of his clients, Philippa, 39, from Chesterfield, suffers from chronic autoimmune condition fibromyalgia which causes pain throughout her body, dehydrated discs in her spine, and brain fog. She says the loss of DWP payments worsened her health issues and left her struggling to afford the essentials. It was only two years after appealing her benefits that she would reach a tribunal and have some transitional protection reinstated. Speaking about the ruling, Philippa said: 'When you're on benefits, you don't feel secure. Every day you wait for the little brown envelope. 'The compensation has meant the difference between being able to access prepared meals which cover my nutritional needs, versus buying the cheapest ready meals which are not nutritionally balanced enough. A DWP Spokesperson said: 'Following this ruling the department has begun the process of compensating affected claimants.'
