Latest news with #LMN
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Mothers in legal contest over two-child benefit cap 'rape clause'
Two women who had children when they were in violent and controlling relationships are claiming they were unfairly denied child mothers, identified only as LMN and EFG, launched a challenge to the universal credit two-child cap at Leeds Administrative Court on Tuesday and the so-called "rape clause".The exception allows for financial support for a child conceived non-consensually if that child is the third or subsequent child, but does not apply to further children if a mother's first two children were conceived after Monaghan KC, representing the women, said the rule was "irrational" and breached the women's right not to be discriminated against. She told the court that both women were young and vulnerable when they began relationships in their teens and first became explained that they were subjected to regular violence and coercion, with one describing how she was choked to unconsciousness and raped multiple times. 'Anomaly in the rules' Ms Monaghan explained how LMN had older children in care and two living with her, but then one of the older children returned to her then had three children living in her home, but she was refused an exception to the two-child limit under these "ordering provisions" relating to non-consensual Monaghan said EFG had two children who were conceived non-consensually and then another from a consensual was initially paid the child element of universal credit for this third child, but this was later rescinded, after a fourth child was Monaghan told the judge, Mrs Justice Collins Rice, the state had an obligation under Article 3, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, to ensure that "women are not penalised" and "they have the resources to support themselves".The barrister said that, if this anomaly in the rules was rectified, "we are talking about a drop in an ocean", in the face of a £300 billion-plus national benefits of the women, whose representation is being provided by Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), were in court on Tuesday. Galina Ward KC, for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), told the court that the exceptions to the two-child cap, which also include circumstances around kinship care and multiple births, were intended to "kick-in" when women are not able to make a choice about having a said this case was "fundamentally different" to one which was the subject of a 2018 High Court ruling that similar exception rules relating to children in kinship care arrangements were said the DWP also did not accept that women who have non-consensually conceived children and then choose to have another child "are making a fundamentally different choice" to women whose children are consensually case continues on. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
The Guardian
4 days ago
- The Guardian
UK mothers with children from abusive relationships discriminated against by benefits system, court told
Two mothers who conceived children while in physically abusive relationships have been discriminated against after being denied access to benefits, a court has been told. The women launched a challenge against the universal credit system after being denied an exception to the two-child cap. The cap typically has exceptions, one of which is the 'rape clause', which means that a child conceived through sexual assault will still be entitled to it. On Tuesday, however, Leeds administrative court was told that this rule only applies to third or subsequent children, meaning that some woman are unable to claim an exception if their first two children were conceived non-consensually. Karon Monaghan KC, representing the women, who can only be identified as LMN and EFG, said the pair had conceived their children when they were in their teens and vulnerable. Monaghan said that both women were regularly subjected to violence and coercion during their respective relationships, with one saying that she was choked until she lost consciousness and raped multiple times. The court was told that LMN had older children who were in care, as well as two children who lived with her. When one of her older children returned home, however, she was refused an exception to the two-child limit that she thought she had been entitled to. The other woman, EFG, had two children who were the conceived through rape and a third who was conceived through a consensual relationship. The court heard that EFG was initially paid for her third child, but that the payments were rescinded once her fourth child was born, with the Department for Work and Pensions telling her she could only claim for two children, not four, due to the 'ordering provisions'. Monaghan told the judge, Mrs Justice Collins Rice, that these ordering provisions are irrational and breach the women's right not to be discriminated against under article 14 of the European convention on human rights. She also told the court that the government had an obligation under article 3 of the convention, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, to ensure that 'women are not penalised' and 'they have the resources to support themselves'. 'It must ensure it doesn't take away benefits because the two children are the product of non-consensual sex', Monaghan said, while also claiming that the money these women could receive is only 'a drop in an ocean' of the £300bn-plus national benefits budget. The hearing, which neither woman attended in person, is due to continue tomorrow.
Middle East Eye
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Starmer has handled Gaza 'badly' say four in five elected Labour Muslim representatives
A major survey has revealed that 82 percent of Britain's Muslim Labour MPs, councillors and mayors believe Prime Minister Keir Starmer has handled Israel's war on Gaza "badly". The poll of over 220 elected Muslim representatives by the Labour Muslim Network (LMN) reveals that two-thirds do not believe Muslim representatives are treated equally to others in the Labour party. Most of them - 64 percent - believe Labour operates a "hierarchy of racism". The findings, released on Thursday, indicate widespread discontent among Muslim Labour representatives over the party's handling of Islamophobia - and a dramatic disjuncture between their views and the Labour government's policy on Israel. Findings revealed 82 percent of Muslim Labour representatives support sanctions against Israel. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters And 97 percent support immediately recognising the state of Palestine, which the government is rumoured to be gearing up to do at a UN conference later this month. The study also shows that one in three Muslim Labour representatives have directly experienced Islamophobia within Labour and believe the party is institutionally Islamophobic. Some 53 percent say Labour does not take Islamophobia seriously, while 58 percent believe the Labour government has "represented Muslims badly". Muslims treated 'fundamentally differently' "This new groundbreaking research confirms what many Muslim representatives have been telling us for many years: Muslims in the Labour Party are fundamentally treated differently," the LMN said. "The Labour Muslim Network presents this report as a call to action. "A renewed commitment to Muslim representation, rooted in equality and justice. "The Party must urgently address the structural issues identified in this report or face the moral and political consequences to come." Exclusive: US warns UK and France not to recognise Palestinian state Read More » Significantly, the survey reveals widespread opposition to the government's policy of non-engagement with the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), with 83 percent of Labour Muslim representatives saying Labour must end its boycott. Consecutive governments have followed a policy of refusing to engage with the MCB - despite it having over 500 member organisations, including mosques, schools, local and county councils, professional networks and advocacy groups. Starmer's government adopted this approach and even ignored communications from the MCB during the far-right riots that raged across the country for over a week last August. "Our Labour Party cannot credibly claim to be an anti-racist movement while ignoring the testimonies and experiences of its own Muslim elected officials," the LMN said. "We cannot rebuild trust with Muslim communities while continuing to boycott Muslim institutions, or while punishing representatives who speak out on international law and justice." A Labour party spokesperson said: "The Labour Party is proud of the diversity of our party, including the increase in the number of Muslim MPs in the Parliamentary Labour Party and having the first Muslim Lord Chancellor in Shabana Mahmood, and the first Muslim Mayor of London in Sadiq Khan. "We take any complaints of discrimination, including Islamophobia, seriously. All complaints are assessed in line with our complaints policies and procedures through our independent complaints system."
Business Insider
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
RBC Capital Sticks to Their Buy Rating for Lumine Group Inc (LMN)
RBC Capital analyst Paul Treiber maintained a Buy rating on Lumine Group Inc (LMN – Research Report) on May 13 and set a price target of C$53.00. The company's shares closed yesterday at C$46.15. Confident Investing Starts Here: Quickly and easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks straight to you inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter According to TipRanks, Treiber is a 5-star analyst with an average return of 13.3% and a 65.54% success rate. Treiber covers the Technology sector, focusing on stocks such as Shopify, and CGI. The word on The Street in general, suggests a Moderate Buy analyst consensus rating for Lumine Group Inc with a C$54.00 average price target, implying a 17.01% upside from current levels. In a report released on May 2, TD Cowen also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a C$55.00 price target. Based on Lumine Group Inc's latest earnings release for the quarter ending March 31, the company reported a quarterly revenue of C$178.69 million and a net profit of C$20.78 million. In comparison, last year the company earned a revenue of C$141.1 million and had a GAAP net loss of C$304.34 million Based on the recent corporate insider activity of 14 insiders, corporate insider sentiment is negative on the stock. This means that over the past quarter there has been an increase of insiders selling their shares of LMN in relation to earlier this year.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Flex Launches Petition to Expand HSA/FSA Eligibility Across Women's Health
SAN FRANCISCO, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of Women's Health Month, Flex, the leading HSA/FSA payment solution for health and wellness brands, has launched a petition urging the IRS and U.S. Department of the Treasury to expand HSA/FSA eligibility across a broader range of essential women's health products and services. While the CARES Act of 2020 marked a meaningful milestone by making menstrual care products eligible for tax-free reimbursement, many other vital women's health needs remain excluded. For example, products to reduce or alleviate symptoms of menopause related to sexual function and pelvic floor often require Letters of Medical Necessity (LMN). The same is true for doula services and lactation consultants. 'There is too much friction to use your HSA/FSA funds on essential women's health products services,' said Sam O'Keefe, Co-Founder and CEO of Flex. 'It's time we align healthcare benefits with modern women's health needs.' Paving the way for Women's Health Flex's petition calls for eligibility expansion to include medically recommended—but currently uncovered—items such as lactation support products, pelvic floor trainers, fertility support services, and postnatal supplements. These products and services play a crucial role in prevention, recovery, and overall well-being, yet millions of women are forced to pay out-of-pocket due to outdated policies. The petition is supported by over 20 leading women's health brands—including Embr, LOLA, Daye, Bodily, Pumpin Pal, Lumen, Ingrid & Isabel and others—who are advocating for better access to the tools and treatments that empower women throughout every stage of life. Flex encourages consumers, healthcare professionals, and mission-aligned businesses to sign the petition and support broader access to tax-free healthcare dollars for women across the country. Sign the petition at: About Flex Flex enables health and wellness brands to accept HSA/FSA payments seamlessly. By unlocking access to over $150 billion in annual tax-free health spending, Flex helps merchants drive new revenue, increase cart sizes, and improve customer retention. Through its marketplace, eligibility tools, and telehealth services for Letters of Medical Necessity, Flex is reimagining how consumers use their health benefits—and advocating for broader, more inclusive coverage. Get started: CONTACT: Press press@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
