Latest news with #Kendall
Daily Mirror
40 minutes ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I'm an abortion nurse - I hold out hope UK won't follow US's draconian path'
At a time of progression and regression in the field of women's reproductive rights, abortion clinic nurse Kendall Robbins has shed light on what goes into her daily work, including the challenges and misconceptions she's come up against Last week, Adriana Smith, a brain-dead woman whose decomposing body was kept alive so her baby could be born, was finally taken off life support. The newborn, named Chance, weighed just 1 lb 13oz. It was a case that has shocked those already repulsed by the controversial reversal of Roe vs Wade in the US, a move that has already resulted in women dying after being denied life-saving care. Georgia's state laws prohibit abortion once a foetal heartbeat is detected, at approximately six weeks of gestation. Adriana had been eight weeks pregnant when she was declared brain dead, meaning her family was denied the dignity of saying goodbye on their own terms. But could we see such horror stories unfolding in the UK in the not-too-distant future? Advanced practice development nurse Kendall Robbins, who deals with the realities of terminations on a daily basis, thinks not. Originally from the US, Kendall now works at the MSI Choices Central London Abortion and Vasectomy Clinic, where staff predominantly perform medical abortions, as well as offering services relating to vasectomies and contraception. The 37-year-old previously worked in the field of international cultural relations. Her interest in healthcare inequalities, informed by her work overseas helping vulnerable women, ultimately prompted her to pursue a different career path. In an interview with the Mirror, Kendall welcomed the recent historic amendment that will decriminalise women who end their own pregnancies. In the past three years, six women have appeared before an English court, charged with ending or attempting to end their pregnancy illegally. Noting that those affected tend to be "very vulnerable for various reasons", Kendall said: "I thought it was a scary thing to see the rise in prosecutions that were happening where you had people being investigated for their stillbirths. That's a horrible thing. Imagine having a stillbirth and then having the police question you. "And we had instances of literally police appearing at people's bedside where they have potentially miscarried. I think removing that fear is really important because these are issues that need to be between a person and their health care provider." However, those in the field haven't always felt so positive. Before Safe Buffer Zones were introduced last autumn, workers and patients alike were left vulnerable to harassment from hostile protestors who would gather outside clinics. With the rise of anti-abortion sentiments in the US, this particular strain of zealous thought had crept over to British shores. This had frightening consequences for Kendall and her colleagues, who'd noticed a "rise" in more frequent protesters gathering outside the clinic in support of their 40 Days for Life campaign. Kendall recalled: "They were quite a negative presence. It would tend to be men or sometimes women, but you know, it's the same group of people. And they might be doing things like silent prayer, but they might also be singing. And handing out pamphlets with this information, and sometimes actively blocking people from the clinic or harassing staff, using name-calling, that sort of thing." This was particularly difficult when speaking with clients in street-facing rooms, where they might have to keep windows open. The protestors' singing would be audible as personal details were discussed, while the group may even be visible to the patient over the nurse's shoulder. There were occasions during fire drills or team meetings where staff members had to put up with protestors branding them "murderers" as they stepped outside. Kendall remembers one man in particular whom she "had a bit of a stare down with", who "loved to stand outside the door and make eye contact", Chillingly, there were also instances where staff who left the clinic early were followed down the road by these individuals - an eerie reminder of US counterparts who've faced violence and even assassination for providing abortion care. As explained by Kendall, this sort of "invasive" behaviour also took its toll on patients, some of whom had to deal with being photographed. This was particularly dangerous for more vulnerable women at risk of domestic abuse or honour-based violence, while infringing on privacy in a stigmatising way that arguably wouldn't happen with any other medical procedure. After the passing of the Safe Buffer Zone legislation, it is now illegal for anyone to do anything to intentionally or recklessly influence a person's decision to use abortion services, obstruct them, or cause harassment or distress to anyone using or working at such clinics. Applicable within a 150-metre radius of the service provider, those found guilty of breaking the law will face unlimited fines. Thankfully, Kendall hasn't witnessed this sort of harassment since the Safe Buffer Zones were introduced. Nowadays, the staff at MSI Choices can concentrate on providing "equitable, nonjudgmental, and supportive care", a service that can include everything from addressing safeguarding issues to offering contraception counselling. At the Central London branch, staff specialise in early medical abortions, whereby tablets are used instead of surgical abortions, which they wouldn't have the room for. Shedding some light on her day-to-day routine, Kendall, who is "passionate" about her work, shared: "My day-to-day would be normally running a list of people coming in to seek early medical abortions or having a pre-assessment for a surgical abortion. [...] "When a person makes contact with us, they can self-refer. So they can literally log in online, call us, chat features, all these different things. And the first step that they have when they make contact is to arrange what's called a consultation appointment, where we gather all of their medical history. So basically, someone is initially assessed in all that way, and that's usually done over the phone. Sometimes it's done face-to-face because someone needs an interpreter. And when we gather all that medical information, that's kind of the first step in guiding their care." At this point, the patient would be screened to check if they'd be eligible for telemedicine, meaning they can take pills at home without needing to attend a clinic. Kendall continued: "So we would screen their risk of ectopic pregnancy, and we would also screen to check that their last menstrual period was a reliable estimate for their gestation, and if there are any concerns about that. "So then they kind of get the choice. They can either have, if they're eligible for it, a telemedicine appointment, which would then be done over the phone. At any point in time, the nurse delivering that telemedical appointment can change their mind, or the doctors, and say they need a scan. "Or they can choose to come in to have a face-to-face appointment with me, another nurse, or they might need to come and have that scan." On a "typical day", Kendall would usually see around 12 patients. She shared: "In each appointment, we'd be reviewing their medical history, we would be doing an ultrasound scan, which would be to confirm the gestation. And it's really important to us that people always have the choice about that, whether they see the scan, know about the scan. And they also have the option to know nothing. "It's up to the person what that experience would be like for them. We also do really, really rigorous safeguarding, which is very, very important because pregnant women are at a significant risk for femicide, more than the general population, and are vulnerable to other types of abuse. So if we can identify any of those things, we can put support in place." A lesser-known part of Kendall's job involved making referrals to GPs, social services, charities and other healthcare providers, depending on the needs of the individual, as well as offering further testing. The final part of the appointment would see Kendall going through the medications with the patient in detail. She clarified: "They can take everything home if they want to or they can pick the first pill with me basically." According to Kendall, it's a common misconception that the majority of those who walk through the doors of the clinic are young girls. However, more than half are already mothers. Kendall told us: "It's a really big family planning decision, so sometimes you're having those conversations with people who are in these situations where they say 'This is something that's really detrimental to my other children for various reasons', or they're just not in the kind of life situation where they feel they can provide." All those who come through the clinic are offered a raft of support from counsellors and psychologists, as well as support from doctors if additional medical advice is needed. Naturally, and as with any line of healthcare work, providing abortion care comes with its own set of challenges. Kendall will talk with women from all sorts of complex situations, and this may well be the first time they've opened up about their issues to a healthcare provider. Kendall also faces preparing patients for the physical realities of the procedure itself, which, while safe, can also be "very painful". Of course, there are the usual challenges faced by so many nurses in 21st-century Britain, from pressures to time constraints. As Kendall noted, "You always want more time to spend with people to make sure that they have everything they need, that they're going home and feeling confident about what they're doing, and in terms of actually taking the medication to feel that they understand the whole system." But then you factor in that this is a procedure many will have not had much time to plan for, with life often "getting in the way" at every turn. Kendall explained: "This isn't the kind of appointment that someone has booked in for weeks and weeks and weeks. Life gets in the way. And so we do get people who arrive late because of train travel if they've come from afar, or child care issues, that's a big one that we get. We just try to make sure that we can see everybody as soon as they want to be seen." Like many women, Kendall knows through her own personal experiences just how important this line of healthcare is, but all too often, abortion care remains a taboo subject. She believes this lingering stigmatisation can be tackled by people, including high-profile figures and celebrities, sharing their personal stories. Although the nature of her work may seem heavy, Kendall has found many moments of positivity in her career so far. She revealed: "One of my favourite pieces of feedback I ever had was when I first started out and the patient left a note to say, 'I really appreciated that the nurse somehow made me laugh in what was like a really difficult situation for myself'. She just talked about how she went away and felt really satisfied with the experience. She felt supported, didn't feel alone in that situation, and she felt confident about what had happened." Kendall also derives satisfaction from times when, during challenging safeguarding situations, when she's implemented much-needed support for an individual, "and maybe helped them to get out of, or to take a step to get out". She reflected: "There have been some horrible stories in the news recently about some really upsetting cases of femicide. I think knowing that maybe you play your role in preventing something like that by escalating those referrals." Under the Global Gag Rule, organisations such as MSI are prohibited from receiving US government funding as they provide abortion services, slashing access to services such as family planning and maternity centres in a campaign Kendall fears will "result in deaths of millions of people" However, ultimately, Kendall holds out hope that the world is "continuing to move in the right direction" on this front. Polls show that British people overwhelmingly are not represented by those who walk in the March for Life protests - an annual US-funded anti-choice event, set to take place again this September. Furthermore, as noted by Kendall, there have been signs of progress elsewhere in the world, with more than 60 countries and territories having liberalised their abortion legislation over the past 30 years. Out of these, as per the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), just four, including the US, have regressed. As an American who regularly hears concerning stories about abortion legislation from back home, Kendall is "proud to be a part of ensuring" women's access to essential healthcare. She said: "It's nice to work in a clinic that's dedicated to doing this because it just means that like everyone that's working here has got like-minded, that you know that hopefully people coming in feel that and feel like it's a non-judgmental space and that they're here with a nurse who wants to support them."
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Kylie Jenner risks breaking huge dress code rule at Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sanchez's wedding as fans rage ‘inappropriate!'
KYLIE Jenner has risked breaking the biggest dress code rule at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's over-the-top wedding in Venice, Italy. Jeff, 61, and Lauren, 55, tied the knot on Friday, June 27 in a beautiful ceremony in Italy in front of family and friends, including A-listers. Advertisement 8 Kylie and Kendall Jenner at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding in Venice, Italy Credit: AFP 8 Kylie wore a silver corseted gown for the nuptials Credit: AP 8 But fans slammed the star for the color, as it is 'too close to white' Credit: Splash Kylie, 27, was seen arriving to the nuptials with her older sister Kendall, 29. Photos reveal Kylie wore a floor-length corseted gown with cutouts under the breasts and two small black bows on the straps. She topped off the look with black sunglasses and her hair in an updo. Kendall stunned in a black sheer gown, as she completed the wedding look with a matching scarf. Advertisement FASHION FAUX PAS But fans were up in arms over Kylie's dress, as the silver satin could be easily mistaken for white. One fan rage on Reddit, "A WHITE DRESS???!" Another wrote, "This family just refuses to dress appropriate to an event." A third slammed, "I'd be pissed as hell if I was the bride and someone wore what Kylie has on to my wedding like wtf." Advertisement A fourth fired, "Black and silver to an Italian wedding?? Wtf lol" Kylie Jenner fans spot embarrassing wardrobe malfunction as she spills out of skintight dress on Venice water taxi A fifth slammed, "I don't get how she's not embarrassed because no other woman is wearing white or anything close to it from what I've seen." Kim flaunted her curves in a low-cut slinky brown gown with sequins. Khloe wore a plunging pink sequin down with a feather shawl. Advertisement Matriarch Kris looked youthful in a black dress with white tulle sleeves. 8 Kim Kardashian wore a sparkly brown gown Credit: Splash 8 Khloe Kardashian wore a plunging pink sequin dress with a feather shawl Credit: Splash 8 Kris stunned in a black dress with white tulle sleeves Credit: EPA Advertisement WARDROBE MALFUNCTION Earlier on the trip, Kylie suffered a wardrobe malfunction. Kylie flaunted her curves in a strapless lace yellow dress alongside her sister Kendall while riding a water taxi in Venice. Fans were quick to insist that in one shot, her boob appeared to have popped out without her noticing. Writing on social media, one insisted, 'It really looks like it…' Advertisement While another argued, 'It's just angle and shadow.' STAR-STUDDED WEDDING The Amazon founder and the former journalist, 55, said 'I do' at the stunning San Giorgio Maggiore monastery in Venice. The couple exchanged vows at a ceremony at the island's Teatro Verde, according to Today. Jeff couldn't stop smiling as he stepped off a classic boat in a black tux and shades, waving to crowds outside the Aman Venice hotel. Advertisement Lauren has been reported to be wearing a white gown designed by Dolce & Gabbana after attending a dress fitting at the Italian designer's Milan shop in March. Other A-listers outside of the Kardashian family include Oprah Winfrey, Sydney Sweeney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Brady and Orlando Bloom. At least 95 private jets are said to have landed for the occasion. Jeff Bezos – who is he? Here's what you need to know... Jeffrey Preston Bezos, better known as Jeff Bezos, is an American tech billionaire He made his fortune by founding online retail giant Amazon Bezos became the first centi-billionaire according to the Forbes wealth index And he was named the 'richest man in history' when his net worth grew to $150 billion in the summer of 2018 Bezos was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and then raised in Houston, Texas He graduated in 1986 with a degree in electrical engineering and computer science from Princeton University Bezos went on to work on Wall Street until 1994, before founding Amazon Amazon began as an online bookstore but has since become a global tech giant in retail, streaming, cloud computing and gadgets And the billionaire also runs spaceflight firm Blue Origin, which has been operating since 2000 Estimates in 2024 put his net worth at $196billion Bezos' personal life came under scrutiny in 2019 after he and his wife of 25 years, MacKenzie, announced their decision to divorce The divorce was finalised on April 4, 2019 Bezos is now dating Lauren Sánchez, a media personality, entertainment reporter, and news anchor On July 5, 2021, Bezos took up the role of executive chairman at Amazon, stepping down from his former position as CEO and president The U.S. Sun previously reported that the event took 'months of planning' with the couple wanting 'everything done exactly their way.' Advertisement 'This is the biggest wedding ever organized,' the source told The U.S. Sun. 'Not just because of the money spent, but also due to the extraordinary level of luxury and detail involved.' Jeff dropped $9 million to reserve spots in the marina for anyone arriving by yacht, with another $6 million laid out to cover parking and security for private jets. 'Jeff insisted on covering the cost,' continued the insider. 'He wants everyone to feel fully taken care of, from arrival to departure.' A staff of 150 waiters and waitresses were hired for four days, with the cost of service totaling $1.8 million. Advertisement He hired 20 chefs, each paid $5,000 per day, adding up to $500,000. They were supported by 40 sous chefs and assistants, paid $2,000 per day each, for an additional $400,000 over five days. Elton John will reportedly be performing alongside a group of Italian musicians—including harpists, cellists, pianists, and guitarists—who were brought in to create a curated 'Venice experience.' 8 Kylie suffered wardrobe malfunction yesterday while wearing a yellow lace dress Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Advertisement
Elle
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
Kendall and Kylie Jenner Stand Out in Sheer Black and Silver Corset Gowns at Jeff Bezos's Wedding
THE RUNDOWN Kylie and Kendall Jenner chose colorful gowns for their arrival in Venice yesterday. But for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's wedding today, they opted for more classic colors: black and silver. Kendall wore a sheer black sleeveless dress paired with a scarf and accessorized with emerald jewelry. Kylie, meanwhile, went out in a dramatic silver lace-up corset dress from Dilara Findikoglu with mini black bows on the straps. Both sisters had their hair up and boarded a boat by the Gritti Palace hotel to get to the event. Earlier today, Kylie shared a carousel of Venice photos on Instagram, captioning them 'feels like summer.' She included a selfie from her and Kendall's boat ride yesterday: In November 2023, Kylie spoke with Jennifer Lawrence about her relationship with Kendall for Interview. 'You and Kendall are so different,' Lawrence said. 'You and me are Leos. We're happy, excited golden retrievers. And Kendall, of course, is a Scorpio like our mother, Kris.' Kylie agreed but admitted that 'her bonding with [my daughter] Stormi has brought us closer. We both have this strong presence and personality, but that's not a bad thing.' She added that, overall, she and Kendall are 'so different between our style and our personality.' That September, Kendall spoke to W magazine about whether she'd call her style quiet luxury. 'If you go back in time, I think you'll find I've always had that aspect to my style,' she said. 'But also, I feel that I've been very versatile throughout my life. I love the elegance of certain things, but I'll also do an easy, comfortable, cool-girl vibe. I love a waist snatcher, but I also love a baggier moment. I find myself looking at Jane Birkin a lot. She was the coolest and so elegant, but there was so much sex appeal. Sometimes she'd wear something sheer and her boobs and butt would be out, and I love stuff like that. She was really not afraid to take risks.' Kylie, meanwhile, told ELLE last fall that she doesn't see herself as a minimalist dresser. 'I think I'm actually going in the opposite direction,' she said. 'I've definitely had some moments of quiet luxury, as they would say, but I'm always experimenting. At the root of my authentic style, I think I'm more dark feminine.'
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What benefit claimants need to know about Labour's welfare U-turn
Labour ministers have announced two major changes to their controversial welfare reforms amid intense criticism over the measures. Over 120 Labour MPs were threatening to rebel against the government over its 'Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill' which is still set to be voted on by members on Tuesday. Writing to Labour MPs on Thursday evening, work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall said: 'These important reforms are rooted in Labour values, and we want to get them right.' 'We have listened to colleagues who support the principle of reform but are worried about the impact of the pace of change on those already supported by the system.' The piece of legislation will still bring in the two key changes to Universal Credit and the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). However, tweaks have been made to ensure that existing claimants have greater protections than first promised. Here's everything you need to know: The central cost-cutting measure remains a tightening of the eligibility to be awarded PIP. Currently claimed by 3.7 million people, the benefit is designed to help with extra costs related to health or disability. Under the changes, around 1.5 million of the current claimants would not be found eligible for the 'daily living' side of the benefit. This is because, while they scored the eight points needed at assessment to be awarded at least the lowest payment rate, they did not score four in any single category. Initially, Labour had pledged to give transitional protection to any claimant who was reassessed and found ineligible for the benefit because of the changes. This meant they were guaranteed the same payment rate for 13 weeks. Ms Kendall has now confirmed that all existing claimants will not be subject to the new criteria. While they will still be subject to reassessment – happening every three years on average – they will not have the requirement to score four points in a single category. This means it is advisable for anyone who thinks they might be eligible for PIP to apply for it as soon as possible. And at least before November 2026 when the changes would come in to effect. This can be done on This means that around 370,000 claimants are expected to have an average £4,500 protected, research from the Resolution Foundation finds. The other key change in the bill sees the rates of Universal Credit changed, with the standard rate rising while the health-related rate is cut back. The plans would bring in an across-the-board increase to the standard Universal Credit allowance for new and existing claims from April 2026. This will be a boost of £7 a week, to £106. But at the same time, the payment rate for the health-related element of Universal Credit was due to be frozen at £105 a week until 2029/30. However, Ms Kendall has confirmed that the income of existing claimants will be protected in real-time, meaning it should at least rise with inflation. This will also apply to any new claimant meeting the severe conditions criteria. The Resolution Foundation estimates that this will 'insulate 2.25 million people from a loss of between £250 and £500 per year.' However, the government has not made any concession on its plan to cut the Universal Credit health element for new claimants to £54 a week – a rate of almost half. Charities and campaigners have criticised the government's concessions over the bill as threatening to create a 'two-tier' system. This is because those currently claiming PIP and Universal Credit health will benefit from more generous rules and rate than new applicants after the changes come into effect. Responding to the concessions, Charles Gillies, senior policy officer at the MS Society and policy co-chair of the Disability Benefits Consortium, said: 'These supposed 'concessions' to the cuts bill are just a desperate attempt to rush through a disastrous piece of legislation. 'By pushing the cuts onto future claimants, the government are betraying the next generation of disabled people. Why should someone who needs support to wash in 2025 be entitled to PIP, but not someone who has the same needs in 2035?'
North Wales Chronicle
14 hours ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Labour in ‘good place now' on welfare, Kendall insists after Government U-turn
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall sought to downplay party splits over the legislation after Downing Street offered concessions in a late-night climbdown to head off Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's first Commons defeat. Meanwhile, Number 10 said there will be no 'permanent' increase in borrowing as a result of the U-turn but declined to rule out tax rises in the autumn amid mounting questions about how the changes will be funded. Some 126 Labour MPs had signed an amendment that would halt the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill in its tracks when it faces its first Commons hurdle on Tuesday. Leading rebels now believe the concessions on offer, which include protecting personal independence payments (Pip) for all existing claimants, will be enough to win over a majority. However, the fallout threatens to cause lasting damage as harder line rebels remain opposed to the legislation and some backbenchers have called for a reset of relations between Number 10 and the parliamentary party. Facing questions about the climbdown on Friday, Ms Kendall denied suggestions she had found it 'difficult' to water down reforms she had so strenuously defended and said the concessions left the Bill in 'the right place'. 'We have listened to people, we have engaged with them,' she said. 'I think we're in a good place now, alongside the huge investments we are putting in to create the jobs that people need in every part of the country… but also to make sure there's employment support for those who can work and protections for those who can't.' Asked how she felt about softening the impact of the policy, Ms Kendall said: 'I don't find it difficult, because the principles that I strongly believe in, that work for those who can is the best route out of poverty… that we must protect those who can never work, that is really, really important. 'Those principles are ones we all agree on. 'We're in the right place with the changes we've made.' The Government has also left the door open to further reform later down the line, with Ms Kendall saying there need to be 'changes in the future' to ensure 'people who can work do'. Ministers had hoped the Bill would save up to £5 billion a year, but the changes announced after crisis talks with rebels on Thursday mean Chancellor Rachel Reeves would need to find the money elsewhere to make up the shortfall. The Government's original package had restricted eligibility for Pip, the main disability payment in England, as well as cutting the health-related element of universal credit. Existing recipients were to be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support in an earlier move that was seen as a bid to head off opposition. Now, the changes to Pip will be implemented in November 2026 and apply to new claimants only while all existing recipients of the health element of universal credit will have their incomes protected in real terms. The concessions on Pip alone protect some 370,000 people currently receiving the allowance who were set to lose out following reassessment. The changes represent a major climbdown for the Prime Minister, just days after he insisted to reporters he would 'press on' with the cuts, arguing there was a 'moral case' for them. Ms Kendall confirmed the U-turn in a letter to MPs late on Thursday night, along with plans for a review of the Pip assessment to be led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms and 'co-produced' with disabled people. A Number 10 spokesperson said: 'We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system. 'This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, support those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system.' Dame Meg Hillier, one of the leading rebel voices, hailed the concessions as 'a good deal' involving 'massive changes' to protect vulnerable people and involve disabled people in the design of future reforms. She said: 'It's encouraging that we have reached what I believe is a workable compromise that will protect disabled people and support people back into work while ensuring the welfare system can be meaningfully reformed.' Not all the rebels have been satisfied with the changes, with several suggesting they would create a 'two-tier system' and raising questions about who would be classified as a new claimant after November 2026. One told the PA news agency that discontent and low morale among the backbenches would 'continue to fester' without a 'wider reset' of relations between Number 10 and the Parliamentary Labour Party. Another accused decision-makers in Government of operating as an 'exclusive club' and showing 'disregard' for both its MPs and experts outside Westminster. The concessions could also leave Ms Reeves scrambling to fill a hole in her budget come the autumn, with economists suggesting they could reduce the projected savings by at least £1.5 billion per year. The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the changes make further tax rises in the budget 'even more likely' in order for the Chancellor to balance the books. Meanwhile Ruth Curtice, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation think tank, suggested the changes could cost as much as £3 billion. Facing questions from reporters about how the reduction in cuts would be funded, Downing Street said there would be 'no permanent increase in borrowing' and promised further detail on the policy next week. 'We'll set out how this will be funded at the budget, alongside a full economic and fiscal forecast in the autumn, in the usual way,' a Number 10 spokesman said. 'The full details (of the changes) will be set out to Parliament ahead of the second reading on Tuesday.' Asked whether the Government could say there would be no tax rises to pay for the changes, the spokesman said: 'As ever, as is a long-standing principle, tax decisions are set out at fiscal events.' Number 10 dismissed suggestions that Sir Keir's leadership had been marked by a pattern of caving in 'if enough people kick up a fuss' following similar policy changes over the winter fuel payment and grooming gangs. Sir Keir earlier this month announced the fuel allowance would be reinstated for millions of pensioners and also agreed to a national inquiry into grooming gangs after an independent audit recommended a probe, following months of opposition pressure. 'It's not unusual as part of the parliamentary process to introduce a Bill, have a debate about the principles and then look at how those are implemented,' the spokesman said. 'Sometimes that's with amendments along the way.' On Friday morning, care minister Stephen Kinnock refused to be drawn on how the changes would be covered, saying it was 'very much the Chancellor's job as we move into the budget in the autumn'. He also declined to comment on whether it was fair that two people with the same condition would receive different amounts of money depending on when they started their claim. Mr Kinnock told Times Radio there were 'many different individual circumstances' and it was 'not possible to generalise'. Asked whether the Government now expected the Bill to pass, he said: 'Yes.' There was mixed reaction among charities to the prospect of concessions. Learning disability charity Mencap said the news would be a 'huge relief to thousands of people living in fear of what the future holds'. Director of strategy Jackie O'Sullivan said: 'It is the right thing to do and sends a clear message – cutting disability benefits is not a fair way to mend the black hole in the public purse.' The MS Society urged rebels to hold firm and block the Bill, insisting any Government offer to water down the reforms would amount to 'kicking the can down the road and delaying an inevitable disaster'. Charlotte Gill, head of campaigns at the charity, said: 'We urge MPs not to be swayed by these last-ditch attempts to force through a harmful Bill with supposed concessions. 'The only way to avoid a catastrophe today and in the future is to stop the cuts altogether by halting the Bill in its tracks.' The Tories described concessions as 'the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns' from the Government. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: 'Under pressure from his own MPs, Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment. 'Labour's welfare chaos will cost hardworking taxpayers. We can't afford Labour.'
