Future of major research facility remains in doubt
In her full response, the chancellor said that the government had given a "significant sum of money" to the Department of Health & Social Care and that it will be for the Health Secretary to make a decision.Ahead of the spending review, the government had explicitly stated that a decision would be announced concerning the site.Mr Glen says that despite searching for more information, he was unable to find a more definite answer."I scoured all the press releases and all the information I could find, and the decision is not apparent to us yet," he said."It is being kicked down the road. If they are going to move ahead with it it's going to cost a lot of money, with grave uncertainties and a lot of insecurity for people who work at Porton along the way."
Council leader Ian Thorn said if the facility were to leave Wiltshire, it would be a "huge mistake" on the government's part."Beyond the health security agencies facilities, we have some of the most extraordinary research and development facilities in the world at Porton Down, much of it delivered by Wiltshire Council and our partners," he said."If you want to focus your attention in terms of delivering fantastic services, providing the right environment for highly skilled technicians and scientists, then staying in Wiltshire is clearly the right thing they should do."
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Daily Mail
33 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
My mum had chemotherapy to beat cancer but persuaded my sister not to do the same and now she's dead - I'll never forgive her and only have one hope for the future now
Gabriel Shemirani has claimed his mother had chemotherapy to beat cancer but persuaded his sister, who sadly passed away, not to do the same. Cambridge graduate Paloma Shemirani died in July last year aged 23 after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. Her mother, Kate Shemirani, is a notorious anti-vaxxer who was struck off the UK's nursing register in 2021 for her extreme anti-medicine views, including discouraging the use of masks and vaccines. Since Paloma's death, her two brothers Sebastian and Gabriel have claimed their sister refused conventional chemotherapy because of pressure from their mother. Gabriel appeared on Thursday's instalment of This Morning and sat down with co-hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard. He revealed that 'for as long as I can remember' conspiracy theories from his parents featured in his childhood. 'Me and my brother up to the age of 13 believed the royal family were shape-shifting lizards,' he admitted. 'Especially with my mum around the age of 12, it became the medical establishment is out to kill you, they're seeking to kill you, you can't touch them, you can't have vaccines, all vaccines are dangerous, every vaccine is going to kill you,' Gabriel added. 'My mum got cancer in 2012, she got conventional diagnosis, conventional surgery, the surgery was essentially what cured her.' After her experience with cancer, Kate's conspiracies 'accelerated'. 'If you're familiar with Mel Gibson or Jess Ainscough in Apple Cider Vinegar, I think my mum saw this as her opportunity to mould herself as a wellness therapist,' Gabriel explained. Gabriel thinks his mother 'believes some' of the theories but also tried to 'use it as an opportunity'. Around 2016 and 2017, Kate began to try to build an online following but she didn't take off until the pandemic. 'My sister started getting pains in her chest and her back around October 2023 and she was estranged from my mum at this point,' Gabriel recounted. Paloma had a 'conventional diagnosis' and was 'engaging with doctors and had scans'. 'Unfortunately on the 22nd December she got told in hospital that she had non-Hodgkin lymphoma which for a girl of her age with her prognosis, very high survival rate,' he added. 'I remember thinking, she'll do chemotherapy and she'll be fine. She was engaging with her doctors and she was actively weighing up her options but it was when she told my mum 'I've got cancer' that was when the control and coercion started. 'Before I knew it my sister had gone from not speaking to my mum to now she's removed from the hospital, doctors are stopped from contacting her and she's been coerced into doing this alternative therapy that my mum was advocating.' He added: 'My mother and father pressured her into not doing chemotherapy, either it was some of their associates feeding my sister misinformation regarding chemotherapy saying it will kill you or the survival rate isn't true. 'Or they were saying, our treatment is going to leave you fertile and it's 100% chance of survival.' Gabriel recalled how he was told on Christmas Eve by his sister's boyfriend that she had been discharged from hospital and was taking an alternative route. He said: 'I remember in that moment thinking 'Oh god, my sister is going to die if I don't do something as soon as possible'. I know my brother had a similar feeling as well.' Gabriel had expressed how he disagreed with his mum's treatment plan for Paloma and claims he was subsequently stopped from seeing her for the last seven months of her life. Cat asked: 'How do you feel about your mum now in respect to your sister?' Gabriel replied: 'It's my opinion that she sacrificed my sister on the altar of ideology for her own benefit, for her own public exposure. 'I have no feelings towards her. I think she should face justice, I'm determined for her to face justice.' Towards the end of the discussion, Ben said: 'We did reach out to Paloma's mum and dad, your parents, neither responded directly to the allegations but your mother has made unfounded allegations against the hospital and its staff. 'We've seen no evidence to substantiate these claims. The inquest is due to begin next month to establish the circumstances surrounding Paloma's death.' He asked: 'What are you hoping you get from the inquest?' Gabriel said: 'I'm hoping they establish the facts and they find the information that my sister died as a result of the rejection of treatment and as a result the non-Hodgkin lymphoma went untreated. 'For me, a definitive cause of death needs to be established first, before we can start talking about medical negligence and getting justice for my sister and a possible criminal case, it's definitely something I'm discussing with my lawyers.' He hopes to help 'save many other people' from being 'coerced' into alternative treatments. 'But also seeing if we can get the law changed to acknowledge medical coercion better with the online bill that's going through... right now legal but harmful is still allowed and I don't think that should be the case.'
The Sun
40 minutes ago
- The Sun
Benefits reforms would decimate my £14k handouts, without PIP my luxuries like fags & posh pet accessories would be gone
A SENSE of ease comes over me, as I read the news on the sun-trap terrace which overlooks my sprawling garden as I realise my benefits aren't going anywhere. Until Tuesday a guillotine was hanging above me, threatening to cut off my monthly PIP payments, but thanks to a retreat from Keir Starmer they're safe… for now. 5 5 Reforms would have seen disabled Brits like me face stricter tests to qualify for support the changes have now been shelved entirely — with no set date for when, or if, they will happen How long my comfortable life will last remains to be seen as it seems my £14,400 income from Universal Credit and PIP are always up for grabs, no matter the party in power. I've come to see the majority of political parties as the real thugs. Whoever is in power, you can guarantee they'll have threatened - or have already implemented - major cuts to my income. Had Labour's suggested cuts come into play I may have lost £600 of the total sum of £1200 I receive in benefits a month. It might seem like a lot but I implore you to bear in mind that minimum wages, full-time, meets £2,000 a month. So, my total benefits aren't exactly a footballer's salary or an heir's trust fund. For Universal Credit, I now get £381 housing benefit; £201 for caring over 24 hours a week and £400 for being unemployed due to my schizophrenia (it seems to change month-by-month and is constantly under review meaning this could also be up for grabs). PIP is a standard, monthly payment of £295 I always get. It helps with costs associated with my illness - regardless of whether or not I'm in work. The proposal of a points system for PIP meant I would lose it completely as I only score 2 points for a few concerns over 12 questions (in total mine was 11 points). For example: communication can be hard in groups and I often fall out with friends and family - especially on the internet, phone or Whatsapp. Disability benefit explained - what you can claim Or I might need prompting for my weekly bath, simply because I'm getting smelly. These side effects all only score 2 points, not the proposed 4 to keep PIP. This week Reeve's plans were watered down by Starmer, thanks to some more moral Labour backbenchers (with backbones?) Given the hateful responses I receive when I speak publicly about claiming benefits, I doubt I've heard the last of any of our 'disability benefits being axed.' As I casually scroll through the comments I received on social media, I get more angry faces and hateful comments than murderers, child killers and rapists. I have to disagree with all of them and believe I - we - deserve support from the state for a severe mental illness, mine is schizo-affective disorder, and for putting in 50 hours a week caring for my partner, a wheelchair user. I also believe without the cost of children, I should be able to spend my stipend on little luxuries like my 60 fags a day habit and hand-painted cat food bowls which I imported for £75 from India. I'm aware that many countries' welfare states don't exist, like India where my cat bowls hail from, so I'm still grateful for any support I do receive. What is PIP? HOUSEHOLDS suffering from a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition can get extra help through personal independence payments (PIP). The maximum you can receive from the Government benefit is £172.75 a week. PIP is for those over 16 and under the state pension age, currently 66. Crucially, you must also have a health condition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around - or both- for three months, and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you're terminally ill with less than 12 months to live). You can also claim PIP if you're in or out of work and if you're already getting limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) payments if you claim Universal Credit. PIP is made up of two parts and whether you get one or both of these depends on how severely your condition affects you. You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around. The weekly rate for this is either £26.90 or £71. While on the daily living part of PIP, the weekly rate is either £68.10 or £101.75 - and you could get both elements, so up to £172.75 in total. You can claim PIP at the same time as other benefits, except the armed forces independence payment. Make a claim by calling the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 0800 917 2222. 5 5 It's not just trolls saying I'm a 'leech' or 'scrounger' who I face criticism from though - even doctors can't agree on what schizophrenia is and many naysayers even go as far as to say "it's only in the mind & there's nothing wrong at all" or that it's just a 'human response to traumatic life events'. But what they don't factor in is the major physical toll my mental health takes on my body. I'd like to offer these negative Nellys a day's worth of my medication and see how they get on. My boyfriend Paul was mostly in bed asleep for three days after just one dose he mistook for a paracetamol which I've taken three times a day for over two decades. This tiredness is real. Paranoia is real, it's hard to be around more than one person when you're trying to read code behind everyone's speech (a typical schizo-spectrum symptom known as 'thought broadcasting'). The poor personal hygiene is real, I might only bathe once a week. My anxiety is crippling, too, but I've learned to put on a brave face and try to remain calm and positive. Still, even a brave face doesn't erase a churning stomach. But Reeve's 'four point' system didn't take these things into account. You may well have needed to prove that you have an actual carer come in to wash your bottom twice a day to get 4 points on PIP benefits. WHAT WERE THE PROPOSED CHANGED TO PIP? DISABLED Brits would have faced stricter tests to qualify for support under the original benefits crackdown. They would have needed to score at least four points in one activity like washing, dressing, or preparing food. Currently, people can qualify by scoring eight points across multiple tasks, making it easier to access the benefit. Last week, Labour agreed to limit the crackdown to new claimants only after a backlash from MPs. But under the latest retreat, the changes have now been shelved entirely — with no set date for when, or if, they will happen. Sir Keir Starmer suffered a major rebellion this week by 49 of his own MPs tonight as his welfare reforms scraped through after another round of last-minute concessions. But after more fury from the backbenches, he shelved controversial disability benefit reforms to stave off a Labour revolt. Ministers have now scrapped plans to tighten rules for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) after furious backbenchers warned they would sink the controversial Bill. In the end, MPs voted the legislation through by a majority of 75, with 335 in favour and 260 against. Any proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments now won't kick in until after a review has taken place. The PIP benefits - the main disability welfare payment for those with a disability - is subject to a review by Welfare Minister Sir Stephen Timms. The benefit payments are in place to help those affected with daily tasks such as mobility. Payments currently start at £1,500 but rise to £9,600 which are paid out even if someone is still working. The daily living rate comes in at £73.90 for the lower rate and £110.40 for the higher rate. Figures show that the mobility rate is worth £29.20 and rises to £77.05 for the higher rate. Ministers have revealed that 1,000 people per day are claiming PIP - which is the equivalent of the size of Leicester every year. Following a major rebellion, those who are now claiming PIP be able to claim the same amount of money. But for new claimants from November 2026, there will be a set of stricter measures set out as the government aims to reduce spending on the benefits and get people back to work. Never mind reeking too much to leave the house and be in public - let alone in an office. This idea that work might make us better - which Reeves drove home and used to justify her cruel cuts - felt like gaslighting. 'We believe if you can work, you should work.' she stated. But PIP is a benefit you can also claim while working. Like me, many need their benefits - both PIP and Universal Credit - to 'top-up' part-time work wages and that allows them to manage their disability, to care for a loved one, or both. For ten years in my twenties I worked two-three jobs to make ends meet. I always ended up on the mental health crisis phoneline, with a duty nurse telling me I needed to take substantial time off or quit my job. Eventually I quit working full-time for good, and my mental health has improved markedly. I now care full-time and put in 10-16 hours of writing a week. I know first hand, poverty doesn't cure mental illness (or any disability) - it exasperates them, and only makes them worse - putting even more strain on an already underfunded NHS. Therefore any kind of cuts to disability benefits, particularly those that penalise people with mental health issues will only cost us more in the long run, both in budgets and lives. And while I appreciate that reforms may be on hold for now I dread to think what could come out in Sir Stephen Timms' PIP review at the end of 2026. But I beg Labour not to cast people like me aside. We're not scroungers and for us PIP is a lifeline. 5
The Sun
40 minutes ago
- The Sun
Mum shed 4st ‘almost immediately' after simple tweak when ‘vicious cycle' saw her spiral to 18st
Eliza Loukou, Health Reporter Published: Invalid Date, A MUM trapped in a "vicious cycle" that saw her reach 18 stone saw four stone drop off her after kicking a key habit. Kyra Dawson, 31, was a self-confessed "party girl" throughout her teens and would go out "nearly every night" in her 20s. 13 13 13 13 She could easily guzzle down two bottles of prosecco and wine each time - followed by a full bottle of vodka and shots at the club. While hungover, Kyra would order up to five takeaways - including a full-English for breakfast, a kebab for lunch, a Chinese takeaway for dinner, and snacks like Gregg's sausages rolls - before starting the cycle again. At her biggest, she tipped the scales at 18st 5lbs and was struggling to squeeze into a size 18. Kyra confessed that her drinking "spiralled" out of control and knew she a "problem" when she hid her heavy boozing from adoptive mum, Marie Dawson. In 2021, she discovered she was pregnant with her son, Reo, now three, and said his arrival "saved" her life. The mum-of-one credits her weight loss to ditching booze, saying she started shifting the weight after becoming sober. She lost a total of nine stone and dropped down to 9st 10lbs, now wearing a size 8 to 10. Kyra, a beauty therapist, from Loughton, Essex, said: "There is so much sugar in alcohol - as soon as I stopped drinking I lost about four stone. "I really hit rock bottom and knew I had to change. "I was determined to lose weight and look after myself. I'm a mum of two, did drugs, drank wine everynight and didn't think I had an issue - it wasn't until a night at my parents which made me realise I was a functioning alcoholic "My little boy saved my life. "He gave me something to live for and I promised I would be everything he needed. "At my worst, I was ordering five takeaways a day while hungover. "I would eat all day and then start drinking in the evening - and repeat the cycle." 13 13 13 Drinking to cope Kyra grew up in foster homes, before being adopted at the age of 10 by her mum, Marie. She admitted being a "difficult" teenager and using to alcohol to cope. Kyra said: "I had a tough childhood before being adopted. "As a teen, I was rebelling against the world. I started drinking aged 15. "I didn't know I had a problem, I thought I just liked going out and partying. "But all of my friends were drinking alco-pops, and I was having vodka." While hungover, Kyra would order up several takeaways a day including donor kebabs, fish and chips, pizzas and burgers. By the time the evening rolled around, she would go back out with friends and start binge drinking again. Tragedy struck in 2018 when Kyra sadly lost her adoptive mum, Marie, after she developed sepsis while undergoing chemotherapy. Kyra said: "I looked after her and I had to make up her medicine. "It feels unreal, thinking about that time. "I lost her the day after my birthday, very suddenly, she died in my arms. "It was so painful and made things worse. "I partied more, and when I wasn't drinking, I was ordering takeaways and eating junk food. "I battled suicidal thoughts and even attempts after losing her. "Anything to help me cope with the loss." 13 13 13 'Son saved my life' Around August 2020, Kyra met her ex-partner and made the decision to quit-drinking and to start eating more healthily. The real turning point came in February 2021, when Kyra found out she was expecting her first child, her son, Reo. She said: "I'm not with my ex-partner anymore, but we're still on good terms. "I was five months sober when I found out I was expecting my son. "I got pregnant quickly and it really shocked me. "My little boy arriving saved my life. "I wanted to do better for him - make sure he didn't have the childhood I did." I found dancing and moving my body a great way to lose weight, and help my mental health Kyra Kyra completely overhauled her diet and started eating more nutritious meals, putting herself in a calorie deficit. She got herself a gym membership and started going on long walks to help shift some weight, walking up to 10k steps a day. Kyra also credits "dancing everywhere" to her weight loss, and she started making TikTok videos of her busting a move on her account. She said: "There was so many calories in alcohol - especially wine and prosecco. As soon as I stopped drinking, the weight fell off. "Then I ditched the obsession with wanting to eat hungover all the time. "I loved dancing - music really helped me too. Dancing is like therapy and music was an escape. It got me through some dark situations. "I found dancing and moving my body a great way to lose weight, and help my mental health." The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss. But burning fat can be easy and mostly free. In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all... Don't skip breakfast Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry. Eat regular meals Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar. Eat plenty of fruit and veg Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals. Get more active Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone. Drink lots of water People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need. Eat high fibre foods Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils. Read food labels Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan. Use a smaller plate Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full. Don't ban foods Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance. Don't stock junk food To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice. Cut down on alcohol A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain. Plan your meals Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list. By 2024, Kyra had dropped a whopping nine stone and is now down to 9st 10lbs. She said: "With recovery, it's so important to get into AA. "It's very hard to quit by yourself and I've had huge support from that. "I can't believe how far I've come looking back. "I love talking to people and helping them anyway I can. "Hopefully anyone reading my story will take something positive away from it. "You can turn things around with the right support." 13 13 What to do if you think are an alcoholic IF you're struggling with alcohol addiction, the most important thing is to recognise the problem and seek support - You don't have to face it alone. Seek Professional Help GP or Doctor – A medical professional can assess your situation and provide advice on treatment options. Therapists or Counsellors – Talking to an addiction specialist can help address underlying causes and develop coping strategies. Rehab or Detox Programmes – If physical dependence is severe, medically supervised detox may be necessary. Consider Support Groups Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – A well-known 12-step programme that provides peer support. SMART Recovery – A science-based alternative to AA, focusing on self-empowerment. Local Support Groups – Many communities have groups tailored to different needs.
