Taking the PIP: Government announce welfare reforms
Video Credit: ODN - Duration: 03:46s - Published
Taking the PIP: Government announce welfare reforms
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has announced radical welfare changes to get more people into work and save £5 billion by the end of 2030.
The changes include tightening the eligibility criteria for disability benefits, scrapping a controversial benefits assessment, and raising the basic rate of universal credit while cutting the higher rate for those too ill to work.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall launched a community-led pilot in Barnsley to help people back into work. She said many on sickness and disability benefits want to work but need the right support. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Conservatives have branded the Government’s welfare reforms as too little, too late, with Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall being urged to be tougher. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately told the Commons: "The fact is £5 billion just doesn’t cut it. With a bill so big, going up so fast, she needed to be tougher." Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
An overhaul of the welfare system will see the assessment process for some health benefits scrapped and reform to disability benefits in a plan expected to save billions over the next five years. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the work capability assessment is unfit for purpose and will be scrapped in 2028. Reforms to disability benefits are expected to save more than £5 billion in 2029/30, Liz Kendall has said. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
A 21-year-old criminology student has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 39 years for the murder of Amie Gray and attempted murder of Leanne Miles on Bournemouth beach. Nasen Saadi of Croydon, south London, fatally stabbed the 34-year-old physical trainer and seriously wounded her friend as the pair were enjoying a late-night chat at the Dorset seaside resort on 24th May last year. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Chancellor Rachel Reeves insists the digital services tax is "hugely important" amid media reports suggesting Britain could slash the levy on big tech companies in order to stave off American tariffs. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Chancellor Rachel Reeves does not "recognise" reports suggesting that ministers are looking at reducing the number of children in England who receive free school meals. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Bank of England has kept interest rates on hold at 4.5%, warning that US President Donald Trump's trade war has intensified global economic uncertainty. The Bank says there are indications an increasing number of companies plan to let workers go when national insurance contributions rise next month, which Governor Andrew Bailey says is a cause for concern. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Thomas Tuchel says he “felt tension and pressure on the shoulders” of the England players at last summer’s European Championship and hopes to “turn this around” ahead of his first games as the team’s new manager. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Zest Choir in South Gloucestershire offers a fun, supportive space for those who believe they can’t sing. Meeting at Longwell Green Community Centre, the group focuses on building confidence and improving well-being. Founder Mary Williams said she created the choir to help people let go of fear and enjoy singing without judgment. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Unite the Union members hold a rally outside Birmingham City Council. It comes as Unite said its members voted overwhelmingly against what it described as the council's "totally inadequate" offer, which the union maintained still included pay cuts. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Ed Davey says a future UK-US trade deal could harm British interests by undermining farming standards and online safety rules for children. Speaking during a campaign visit to Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, the Liberal Democrat leader says any future agreement must be ‘fair’. His intervention follows comments by Vice President JD Vance that the US is ‘working very hard’ with the UK to negotiate a ‘great’ deal. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Nigel Farage says Chinese firms should have no role in UK infrastructure after ministers took control of British Steel. The government acted over the weekend amid fears its Chinese owner planned to shut Scunthorpe’s furnaces. Farage said China is “not a friend of ours” and warned the UK must “find alternatives” even if it means less investment. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Jonathan Reynolds says he is “delighted” vital raw materials have arrived to keep the blast furnaces operating at British Steel’s plant in Scunthorpe. Speaking at nearby Immingham Port, the business secretary also hinted at concerns over future Chinese involvement in the steelworks following a clear ‘difference of opinion’ with its previous owners. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has criticised government plans to tighten eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from November 2026, warning they could push vulnerable people into..
Shadow Scotland Secretary Andrew Bowie said Labour’s welfare reforms may have more support from Conservatives than Labour MPs, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of walking back on ambitious plans. Bowie..
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott claims the government are “all over the place” with welfare reforms as uncertainty continues around what will be announced this week. Report by Blairm. Like..
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