Latest news with #DisabilityBenefits
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming choices: Pushers, The Wedding Singer and Yolanthe
Heston: My Life with Bipolar BBC Two, 8pm In 2023, innovative chef Heston Blumenthal began having hallucinations and suicidal thoughts, leading to him being sectioned. Here, he discusses his experiences, as well as the impact that being diagnosed as bipolar has had on him. Capaillíní TG4, 8pm The final episode of this gentle series features pony enthusiast Mike Frank Ó Confhaola, who explains his passion for travelling by cart. Plus, there's a trip to the farm in Léim where famous pony Cannonball once lived and worked. Fíorscéal TG4, 10.50pm As concerns continue to grow about climate change, this programme offers insights into ways in which agriculture could become more sustainable. Pushers Channel 4, 10pm & 10.30pm If you have a good memory, you may remember that, back in 2022, Channel 4 broadcast Comedy Blaps, a series of short sitcoms of varying quality. Easily the best of them was Disability Benefits, co-written by comedian Rosie Jones and Peter Fellows, a screenwriter whose CV features The Death of Stalin, Veep, Avenue 5 and Fantastic Friends. Jones also played the lead role of Emily, a young woman facing a financial nightmare after losing her job and having the titular payments cut by the government, forcing her into a life of crime. That one-off won the Best Newform Drama Series trophy at the C21 International Drama awards, so it came as no surprise when Sharon Horgan's Merman Television was commissioned to turn it into a full series by Channel 4. 'Rosie has a truly unique voice and storytelling ability, alongside impeccable comedic timing, and we are proud to be working with her on her first scripted TV project,' says Merman's co-founder, Clelia Mountford. Jones herself adds: 'I am incredibly excited. It has always been my dream to have my own sitcom and now it is coming true! Bring it on!' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more The series, now titled Pushers, continues Emily's story, following her as she builds an illegal drugs empire, right under the noses of the authorities who underestimate her abilities. Clive Russell, Ryan McPartland, Lynn Hunter and Rhiannon Clements are also among the cast. The Wedding Singer RTÉ2, 9.35pm Charming romantic comedy with Adam Sandler as a popular wedding performer whose life takes a downward turn when his fiancée jilts him. However, things start looking up after he meets a perky waitress (Drew Barrymore) — sadly, she happens to be engaged to someone else. Yolanthe Prime Video, streaming now Some eyeball bubblegum in the form of Netflix's 'first Dutch reality series'. It follows Yolanthe Cabau as she builds a life in LA with Wesley Sneijder's son. America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Netflix, streaming now Expect gussets galore and grinning faces all over your Netflix landing page for the foreseeable. The creators of Cheer and Last Chance U bring you season two of the auditions. We Were Liars Prime Video, streaming now Based on E Lockhart's YA 2014 book. You can guess the rest. Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem Netflix, streaming now Initially dismissed as a joke by politicians and the media alike, Rob Ford's unexpected 2010 Toronto mayoral election bid defied expectations with a stunning landslide victory. However, his administration soon spiralled into chaos, marred by scandals and allegations of hard drug use, igniting an international media frenzy. Rob was 15 years too early; no one would bat an eyelid nowadays. Sally Disney+, streaming now Sally Ride made history as the first American woman in space, but behind her serene exterior lay a deeply personal story. For 27 years, she shared her life with writer and professional tennis player Tam O'Shaughnessy, who now unveils the untold journey of their relationship in this Cristina Costantini-directed film. American Thunder Prime Video, streaming now Celebrating its 100th anniversary in June 2023, the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans — one of motorsports' most prestigious endurance races — introduced an unexpected competitor: stock car aficionados Nascar. As for what they brought to proceedings? A Chevrolet Camaro to compete against cutting-edge Ferrari and Porsche prototypes in this almost fabled, gruelling test of long-distance racing. Competing at Le Mans was the lifelong dream of Nascar chairman and CEO Jim France. As such, he brought in Hendrick Motorsports, the most successful team in Nascar history, to build and race the car (which, again, was a Camaro). On the plus side, he also enlisted the help of elite drivers Jenson Button, Jimmie Johnson and Mike Rockenfeller. Over the course of 18 months, this team transformed a car built for (at most) three-hour oval track races in the US into one capable of surviving the relentless 24-hour challenge. Deep Cover Prime Video, streaming now Not to be mistaken for the 1990s movie starring Fishburne and Goldblum, this film is about an improv teacher and her two students posing as criminals to slip into London's underworld. Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed and Sean Bean have their work cut out for them to make this fly. Return to the Wild Disney+, streaming now Famed as 'the greatest living explorer', Sir Ranulph 'Ran' Fiennes joins his cousin, actor Joseph Fiennes (no sign of brother Ralph, unfortunately), on a breathtaking journey through British Columbia. As they navigate its rugged terrain, they reflect on Ran's legendary expeditions, his battle with Parkinson's, and the deepening bond forged through their shared adventure. Echo Valley AppleTV+, streaming now Julianne Moore and Domhnall Gleeson are getting all the work of late. Both co-star in this thriller about a mother who will do anything to keep her drug-addled daughter 'safe' (including body disposal). Written by Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown), this moody (if a tad predictable) number stars Sydney Sweeney alongside 'dad' Kyle MacLachlan and Fiona Shaw.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Labour benefits revolt mounts as legislation to stop handouts spiralling is unveiled TODAY... while poll shows party slipping into THIRD behind Tories
Keir Starmer is braced for a Labour revolt on benefits today as the government publishes legislation designed to stop handouts spiralling. Labour MPs are gearing up for battle with the leadership over the Welfare Reform Bill, which is being introduced in the House of Commons later. The PM has sounded defiance over the plans to curb disability and sickness benefits, insisting there will be no substantive concessions. Instead he has hinted that there could be movement on loosening the two-child benefit cap, after the U-turn on pensioners' winter fuel allowance But there are fears dozens of backbenchers will rebel in crunch votes, with even some ministers said to be on resignation watch. The stakes for Labour have been underlined as a poll showed the party slipping into third place behind Reform and the Tories. Although other surveys have suggested Nigel Farage 's advantage is narrowing, the figures are likely to be seized on by those urging a change in direction. Labour MPs have warned the proposals will 'destroy lives' and are 'impossible to support' The welfare reforms are set to include the tightening of criteria for the main disability benefit in England, personal independence payment (Pip). Ministers also want to cut the sickness related element of universal credit, and delay access to it, so only those aged 22 and over can claim it. The package of reforms is aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work, and the Government hopes it can save up to £5billion a year by doing so. That is essential for Rachel Reeves' efforts to balance the books, although the overall benefits bill would still be increasing. However, Labour MPs have warned the proposals will 'destroy lives' and are 'impossible to support'. Sir Keir said he was 'determined' to ensure the reforms go through because he feels the welfare system 'doesn't work for anyone'. 'It doesn't work for those that want to get back to work, and it certainly doesn't work for the taxpayer,' the Prime Minister told Good Morning Britain, saying 'those that need to be protected should be protected'. 'If you need help in support to get into work, the Government should be providing that support and help to get into work,' he said. 'If you do have conditions, disabilities that mean it is impossible for you to work, then you need to be properly protected and supported.' Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall previously warned there are 1,000 new Pip awards every day – 'the equivalent of adding a city the size of Leicester every single year'. In a minor tweak, Ms Kendall has agreed to include 'non-negotiable' protections in the Bill, including a 'transitional' guarantee that those who no longer qualify for Pip will still receive the payments for 13 weeks, rather than just four weeks. The Bill is set to be introduced as the latest benefits data has shown that more than 3.7million people in England and Wales are claiming Pip, with teenagers and young adults making up a growing proportion. The Department for Work and Pensions figures released yesterday showed there were a record 3.74 million people in England and Wales claiming Pip as of April this year. That was up from 3.69million in January and a jump of 200,000 from 3.54million a year earlier. Data for Pip claimants begins in January 2019, when the number stood at 2.05million. Pip is a benefit aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. Teenagers and young adults account for a growing proportion of those getting Pip. Some 16.5 per cent of claimants in April this year were aged 16-19, up from 14.6 per cent in April 2019. The 30-44 age group has similarly grown, while the number of 45-59 year-olds has fallen. The figure for 60-74 year-olds has risen slightly over this period, from 29.3% to 30.8 per cent. Downing Street insisted it was 'crucial to say we are committed to the reforms that we've set out'. A No10 spokesman said: 'You've heard that from the Prime Minister, the Chancellor, the Work and Pensions Secretary, on the principles behind this and the urgent need for this. 'You have the statistics, they show we have the highest level of working age inactivity due to ill health in Western Europe. 'We're the only major economy whose employment rate hasn't recovered since the pandemic.' Pip will remain 'an important non-means-tested benefit for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions, regardless of whether they are in or out of work', he said, but added the Government would build a 'system that is fairer' through its reforms. It is thought the restrictions on Pip would slash benefits for about 800,000 people.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Flagship welfare reform plans to be introduced in Parliament
The Government's flagship reforms to the welfare system are expected to have their first outing in Parliament on Wednesday. The Welfare Reform Bill will be introduced in the House of Commons, and its text will be published so MPs can begin scrutiny of the proposals. The major reforms are set to include the tightening of criteria for the main disability benefit in England, personal independence payment (Pip). Ministers also want to cut the sickness related element of universal credit (UC), and delay access to it, so only those aged 22 and over can claim it. The package of reforms is aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work, and the Government hopes it can save up to £5 billion a year by doing so. But ministers are likely to face a Commons stand-off with backbench Labour MPs over their plans, with dozens of them last month saying the proposals were 'impossible to support'. Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'determined' to ensure the reforms go through because he feels the welfare system 'doesn't work for anyone'. 'It doesn't work for those that want to get back to work, and it certainly doesn't work for the taxpayer,' the Prime Minister told Good Morning Britain, saying 'those that need to be protected should be protected'. 'If you need help in support to get into work, the Government should be providing that support and help to get into work,' he said. 'If you do have conditions, disabilities that mean it is impossible for you to work, then you need to be properly protected and supported.' The Bill is set to be introduced as the latest benefits data has shown that more than 3.7 million people in England and Wales are claiming Pip, with teenagers and young adults making up a growing proportion. The latest data, published by the Department for Work and Pensions on Tuesday, showed there were a record 3.74 million people in England and Wales claiming Pip as of April this year. The figure is up from 3.69 million in January and a jump of 200,000 from 3.54 million a year earlier. Data for Pip claimants begins in January 2019, when the number stood at 2.05 million. Pip is a benefit aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. Teenagers and young adults account for a growing proportion of those getting Pip. Some 16.5% of claimants in April this year were aged 16-19, up from 14.6% in April 2019. The 30-44 age group has similarly grown, while the number of 45-59 year-olds has fallen. The figure for 60-74 year-olds has risen slightly over this period, from 29.3% to 30.8%. It was reported in recent days that Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has agreed to include 'non-negotiable' protections in the Bill, including a guarantee that those who no longer qualify for Pip will still receive the payments for 13 weeks, rather than just four weeks. The concession is seen as a move to avert a rebellion by Labour MPs opposed to the overall reforms, but have been described as 'not very much really' by one such parliamentarian. Downing Street insisted it was 'crucial to say we are committed to the reforms that we've set out'. A No 10 spokesman said: 'You've heard that from the Prime Minister, the Chancellor, the Work and Pensions Secretary, on the principles behind this and the urgent need for this. 'You have the statistics, they show we have the highest level of working age inactivity due to ill health in Western Europe. 'We're the only major economy whose employment rate hasn't recovered since the pandemic.' Pip will remain 'an important non-means-tested benefit for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions, regardless of whether they are in or out of work', he said, but added the Government would build a 'system that is fairer' through its reforms. It is thought the restrictions on Pip would slash benefits for about 800,000 people. Ms Kendall previously said there are 1,000 new Pip awards every day – 'the equivalent of adding a city the size of Leicester every single year'.
Ottawa Citizen
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Sarion and Wilson: Federal politicians must not ignore the food security crisis
The city at the heart of federal politics is facing a food-insecurity crisis. Article content Last year in Ottawa, a total of 556,232 visits were made to nearly 100 food programs in the Ottawa Food Bank's network. Twenty of those programs — including food banks, meal programs and food cupboards — located in Ottawa Centre, share an electoral riding with Parliament Hill. Food insecurity has never been worse in our city, affecting 25 per cent of households. Article content Article content If this is the state of the nation's capital, what does that mean for the rest of the country? More than two million visits were made to food banks in Canada last year, and food insecurity emergencies have been declared in nearby cities such as Kingston and Hawkesbury. Article content When numbers like these come out, the same argument comes up: People who don't 'need' the food bank are accessing support. Blame is often shifted to certain demographics in ways that are sometimes quietly, and not-so-quietly, xenophobic or racist. No population is to blame for high food bank usage. Food insecurity has existed in Ottawa for at least 40 years and needs a permanent solution. We can't solve this by deciding who should or shouldn't be allowed to access food support. We can solve this by asking why so many people are accessing food programs in the first place. The answer? Policy. Article content Social supports, the rising cost of living, foreign affairs and international trade: these are all aspects of federal policies that impact food insecurity here and across the country. Parliament shares a responsibility with provinces and municipalities by funding housing and health care, which directly impact food insecurity. Article content Article content In the 2024 Ottawa Hunger Report published by the Ottawa Food Bank, we see that many federally regulated benefits — such as Employment Insurance, the Canada Child Benefit and Disability Benefits — have not kept up with the increased cost of living. Ottawa Public Health's 2024 Nutritious Food Basket report, which looks at the state of food affordability in Ottawa, shows that many families who receive social support often end up in a deficit month after month. Families can't afford adequate food, or they are sacrificing other essentials such as utilities, medicine, childcare and transportation, to be able to buy groceries. Article content
