Latest news with #SarahGibson
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
MP diagnosed with autoimmune condition after illness
An MP says she has been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition months after returning to work following a "life-threatening" illness. Chippenham MP Sarah Gibson was in intensive care at Bath's Royal United Hospital (RUH) after a viral infection to her heart over Christmas last year. In March she started a phased return to work in Westminster but has now said she needs to be back at the hospital for a "short period of monitored treatment". She added her recovery has "proved slower than I anticipated". More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire In December, RUH staff told Ms Gibson they were unsure if she would recover after contracting pericarditis following the flu. In a statement, she said: "Over the last 6 months, I have been closely monitored by the fantastic team at the RUH. "They have watched my recovery with eagle eyes, and I continue to be amazed by their care and attention. "I continue to remain fully committed to working on your behalf, albeit virtually, and my office will remain fully operational during my treatment." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. MP returns to work after 'life-threatening' illness MP spent days in intensive care amid serious illness Royal United Hospital
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Chippenham MP diagnosed with autoimmune condition after illness
An MP says she has been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition months after returning to work following a "life-threatening" MP Sarah Gibson was in intensive care at Bath's Royal United Hospital (RUH) after a viral infection to her heart over Christmas last March she started a phased return to work in Westminster but has now said she needs to be back at the hospital for a "short period of monitored treatment".She added her recovery has "proved slower than I anticipated". In December, RUH staff told Ms Gibson they were unsure if she would recover after contracting pericarditis following the a statement, she said: "Over the last 6 months, I have been closely monitored by the fantastic team at the RUH. "They have watched my recovery with eagle eyes, and I continue to be amazed by their care and attention."I continue to remain fully committed to working on your behalf, albeit virtually, and my office will remain fully operational during my treatment."
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
New expenses scandal after ‘penny-pinching' Lib Dem MP makes YOU pick up £154 bill for her Christmas party
AN MP has sparked a fresh expenses scandal after making taxpayers pick up the bill for her Christmas party. Lib Dem Sarah Gibson took her team out to a restaurant for the festive dinner — before submitting an invoice for £154. It was approved and paid by the expenses watchdog IPSA, but appears to be in breach of the rules, the Taxpayers' Alliance revealed. Head of campaigns Elliot Keck said: 'Taxpayers are sick of these penny-pinching politicians tapping them up for a cost they should be bearing themselves. 'This MP in particular gets access to a second home with bills and council tax all covered, yet she can't even pick up the tab for a meal to thank her staff.' Ms Gibson, 59, who represents Chippenham, Wilts, said: 'As a small business owner for many years I have been used to taking my staff for a Christmas meal to thank them for their hard work. 'Though this claim for a modest meal for my team, who were all in London for work purposes, was permitted by IPSA I do accept in retrospect that as an MP the situation is different.' The expense claim read: 'Team Christmas dinner to say thank you for everyone's hard work since July, removing alcohol and service charge.' IPSA rules state hospitality costs for a team meal out at a pub or restaurant are not claimable. MPs can claim the costs of food and refreshments for an office festive gathering — allowed as hospitality. But 'any event or gathering must be explicitly within a parliamentary and work context'. It comes after The Sun on Sunday revealed Labour MP Taiwo Owatemi claimed expenses for 'pet rent' for her cockapoo in London. Nigel Farage's 'fantasy' promises will trigger Truss-style meltdown, Keir Starmer slams Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club. 2
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP responds to calls to 'write off' historical Carer's Allowance debt
The cliff's edge forces people to pay thousands for earning just £1 more Carer's Allowance offers much-needed financial support for people taking on unpaid care work. Alongside the £83.30 per week it provides from the DWP, carers are also allowed to earn £196 elsewhere per week without losing this benefit. However, this threshold is a staggering cliff-face for carers. Earning just £1 over the threshold makes them completely ineligible for the benefit. Essentially, earning £52 more per year can cost them £4,330. Some carers might even end up indebted to the DWP because they don't realise they have breached the threshold. MP Sarah Gibson quizzed the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on this as an independent review is underway looking at this squeeze on carer finances. She questioned if the department has weighed up the potential of 'writing off historical Carer's Allowance overpayments in cases involving small or inadvertent breaches of the earnings limit'. MP Andrew Western responded, recognising that under the previous government, some carers were forced to repay 'thousands of pounds'. Adding that the review started focused on how these overpayments happened, how this can be prevented in the future and how to support people still paying back these sums. He shared, as Daily Record reported: 'It is anticipated that the Independent Review will arrive at its conclusions this summer. We will, of course, carefully consider the findings of the review and its recommendations. 'Both the report from the Independent Review and the Government's response will be published. It would not be appropriate to speculate on the findings of the review or any potential outcomes. 'Where overpayments do occur, the Department has a duty to the taxpayer to protect public funds and to ask for money to be paid back. We remain committed to working with anyone who is struggling with their repayment terms and will always look to negotiate sustainable and affordable repayment plans.' The DWP recently confirmed some changes coming to Carer's Allowance. This includes sending a text message to claimants who have breached the earning threshold and overhauling how overpayments are checked. Some people may not recognise that they have surpassed the earnings limit, or mistakenly believe they're not eligible for the benefit because of it. Your weekly income for Carer's Allowance purposes is calculated after certain taxes and deductions are paid. This can include, according to Carers UK: Income Tax National Insurance Half of any contributions to your pension Certain business expenses The following income streams also don't count as earnings for Carer's Allowance calculations: Money received from an occupational or private pension Contributions towards your living or accommodation costs from someone you live with The first £20 a week and 50% of the rest of any income you make from someone boarding in your home A loan or advance payment from your employer
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
DWP urged to ‘write off' Carer's Allowance overpayments for small or inadvertent breaches of earnings limit
The Carer's Allowance earnings threshold is £196 per week. Income tax rises for Scots in April - how the changes affect you Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Gibson has urged the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if it has 'made an assessment of the potential merits of writing off historical Carer's Allowance overpayments in cases involving small or inadvertent breaches of the earnings limit'. Carers in England and Wales who go over the Carer's Allowance earnings limit of £196 per week must return the full £83.30 a week benefit payment - often referred to as a 'cliff edge' penalty. This means someone going just £1 a week over the earnings limit for one year (52 weeks) would result in the claimant having to pay back £4,330 and not just £52. DWP recently announced changes to Carer's Allowance will include sending text messages to claimants, advising them they are over the earning threshold. An overhaul of the way Carer's Allowance overpayments are checked has also been announced. In a written response to Ms Gibson, DWP Minister Andrew Western, said: 'The Government inherited a system where busy carers, already struggling under a huge weight of responsibility, have been left having to repay large sums of overpaid Carer's Allowance - sometimes worth thousands of pounds. 'We needed to understand exactly what had gone wrong so we could set out our plan to put things right. That is why we launched an Independent Review of earnings-related overpayments of Carer's Allowance. 'The review is investigating how overpayments of Carer's Allowance have occurred; what can best be done to support those who have accrued them; and how to reduce the risk of these problems occurring in future.' He continued: 'It is anticipated that the Independent Review will arrive at its conclusions this summer. We will, of course, carefully consider the findings of the review and its recommendations. Both the report from the Independent Review and the Government's response will be published.' Mr Western added: 'We have been clear (including in the Terms of Reference) that the review is not a substitute for legal proceedings (Mandatory Reconsiderations/Appeals) and the existence of the review does not prejudice any business-as-usual activity by DWP. It would not be appropriate to speculate on the findings of the review or any potential outcomes. 'Where overpayments do occur, the Department has a duty to the taxpayer to protect public funds and to ask for money to be paid back. We remain committed to working with anyone who is struggling with their repayment terms and will always look to negotiate sustainable and affordable repayment plans.' Support for unpaid carers in Scotland Carer Support Payment is money you can get if you provide care for someone and meet certain eligibility criteria. be 16 or over usually live in Scotland provide care for 35 hours or more a week, this includes if you provide care all day every day not earn more than £196 a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses The person you care for must already get one of these benefits: Adult Disability Payment – daily living component Child Disability Payment – middle or highest rate care component Pension Age Disability Payment Attendance Allowance Personal Independence Payment – daily living component Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance - middle or highest rate care component Disability Living Allowance – middle or highest rate care component Constant Attendance Allowance at or above normal maximum rate with Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension Armed Forces Independence Payment You can find out more about how it might affect other payments here. The type of care you provide To get Carer Support Payment, you must provide care for someone as an unpaid carer for 35 hours or more a week. It cannot be care you provide: as a professional care worker through a volunteering scheme or charity Even if you do not think of yourself as an unpaid carer, you might be eligible for Carer Support Payment. Examples of caring for someone include supporting them: with their mental health during an illness with a disability if they have an addiction Supporting someone with their mental health If you provide care for someone with a mental health condition, you might: comfort them during a panic attack stay close by so they do not feel alone support them through a crisis make sure they're safe keep them company Supporting someone with an illness or disability If you provide care for someone with an illness or disability, you might support them with: getting around getting dressed taking medicines using the shower or toilet cooking meals food shopping translating The person you provide care for You might provide care for: someone in your family a friend a neighbour You do not have to live with them or be related to them. You can only apply for Carer Support Payment for one person. If you provide care for more people, you are not entitled to extra payments. You can check if you are eligible for Carer Support Payment and find full details on the devolved benefit on the website here.
