Latest news with #LaurenSullivan
Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
DWP confirms future of Blue Badges and free bus travel after new PIP changes
The DWP has clarified that claimants already in receipt of PIP will not see their entitlement change, but critics are still concerned that the forthcoming changes could have a significant effect on those in need In the wake of impending welfare reforms set for next year, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has reassured Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants that their access to additional support services like Blue Badges, concessionary travel or Carer's Allowance will not change. Addressing the House in a recent session, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall responded to MPs' concerns, confirming that the 3.7 million people who receive up to £749.80 every four weeks will maintain their current level of entitlement without disruption. Labour MP Dr Lauren Sullivan of Gravesham sought clarification on how future changes might influence PIP's role as a gateway to other benefits. She asked: "PIP is, of course, a passport to freedom for many other things such as the Carer's Allowance, and many local authorities use PIP for Blue Badges and bus passes. "Does the Secretary of State have a plan to mitigate the impact of the potential changes to PIP eligibility on access to Blue Badges and bus passes for disabled people?". Ms Kendall assured the chamber, saying: "As I said in my statement, existing PIP claimants will continue to have that benefit. It will not be affected even if they have a reassessment, and neither will all the passported benefits. "Carer's Allowance is the best known, but all passported benefits will be included in that protection." Last week, Danny Kruger, the Tory MP for East Wiltshire, urged the DWP to re-evaluate the Motability Scheme as part of the broader benefits overhaul proposed by the Government. He raised concerns during parliamentary questions on June 23, highlighted by the shadow minister's prompt to senior DWP figures. Mr Kruger spoke out about the scheme: "One area where the Government do not seem to be looking for savings is in the Motability scheme," he insisted. "It was supposed to help physically disabled people get around, but now we have 100,000 new people a year joining the scheme, many of them not physically disabled at all." He also mentioned that one in five new cars sold are secured through the Motability scheme, which is "costing taxpayers nearly £3 billion a year." He questioned the Government's oversight, saying: "I know that the Minister will blame us (Conservative party) for the system, but the fact is that the Government are not even looking at Motability. They have had a year, and it is their policy now. "Will the Minister commit to a proper review of the Motability scheme, and if not, why not?" Sir Stephen Timms, minister for Social Security and Disability, in response to the shadow Minister's comments, saying: "I am not sure whether the shadow Minister wants me to go further or not so far - he seems to be facing both ways. "He is right that we are not at this point proposing any changes to the Motability scheme." This scheme is pivotal for individuals who receive a higher or enhanced rate of mobility component as part of their disability benefit, enabling them to lease new cars, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, scooters, or powered wheelchairs. On top of a brand-new vehicle, customers can relish extra perks including insurance, breakdown cover, all-inclusive servicing, maintenance, tyre services, and windscreen repair, reports Plymouth Live. The scheme, which doesn't fall under the DWP's control but is supported through a direct transfer of payments from claimants' awards, showcases an expansive choice with over 800 vehicles listed in their latest catalogue. For those opting into this comprehensive scheme, it is highlighted that the higher rate of mobility component within the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) stands at £77.05 weekly, totalling around £308.20 per four-week interval. The most recent figures from Motability Operations, the charity responsible for the Motability Scheme, reveal that there are presently 815,000 customers throughout the UK. The scheme, also known as the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme for those receiving devolved disability benefits like Adult Disability Payment (ADP) or Child Disability Payment (CDP), offers an affordable solution for disabled individuals to enhance their outdoor mobility.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Missing Girl's Body Found in River After She Entered Water with Young Boy: 'A Community in Grief'
A missing girl's body was found in the River Thames in England on Saturday, May 31, Kent Police said The previous day a young boy was rescued from the water and hospitalized after the two entered the river together "At the heart of this is a family and community in grief," local politician Lauren Sullivan wrote on social mediaA missing girl's body has been found in the River Thames in England after she entered the water with a young boy the day prior. At around 1:46 p.m. local time on Friday, May 30, Kent Police was alerted by the Port of London Authority that there were concerns about the welfare of two children who had entered the river via Royal Pier Road, Kent Police shared in a news release. The boy, who remains in the hospital, was retrieved from the water after patrols, H.M. Coastguard, the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) and South East Coast Ambulance Service rushed to the scene. In the evening, the search for the missing girl was suspended, but Kent Police's Marine Unit and H.M. Coastguard continued on Saturday. They recovered her body from the river near Gravesend at around 11:40 a.m. that day with assistance from the RNLI. The child's 'death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage and a report will be prepared for the coroner,' Kent Police said. She was formally identified by her next of kin. It's believed the girl was aged 9, while the boy is 7, local media outlet Kent Online reported. The outlet added that the pair are thought to be cousins and they were reportedly playing near the water when the girl slipped and got into difficulty. A spokesperson for the nearby Gravesend Rowing Club said a man used a life ring to swim out and retrieve the boy, but was unable to help the girl as he lost sight of her, per Kent Online. The boy is now at a local hospital in a 'stable condition," according to Kent Police's news release. Gravesham MP Lauren Sullivan shared her 'deepest condolences' on the Facebook following the tragic incident. 'I am deeply saddened to hear that a body has been recovered in the search for the girl who went missing in the River Thames in Gravesend yesterday,' she wrote. 'I would like to thank emergency services, including the coastguard, Kent Police, the RNLI, and PLA many others for their efforts in the search." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'I know there are many opinions circulating at this time about the circumstances surrounding this tragic event and from speaking to the authorities it is right that there is an investigation, as with all sad circumstances such as these, but at the heart of this is a family and community in grief which I hope everyone can respect,' she added. 'I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the child, and keep them all in my thoughts at this time.' PEOPLE has reached out to Kent Police and Gravesend Rowing Club for further information. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
STACK Infrastructure and Blue Owl Capital Host Fourth Annual Women Leadership Summit
Annual summit continues to grow as a unique and leading industry event, bringing together key stakeholders and partners to advance women's leadership in the digital economy STACK Infrastructure and Blue Owl Capital Host Fourth Annual Women Leadership Summit DENVER, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STACK Infrastructure ('STACK'), the digital infrastructure partner to some of the world's most innovative companies and a leading global developer and operator of data centers and Blue Owl Capital's ('Blue Owl') Digital Infrastructure team, a global investment strategy focused exclusively on digital infrastructure, proudly hosted the Fourth Annual Women in Digital Infrastructure ('WIDI') Leadership Summit May 7-8 at the Salamander Hotel in Washington, D.C. The event welcomed more than 200 women from STACK and Blue Owl as well as industry partners—including cloud providers, policymakers, financial institutions, legal firms, and utility companies—for a dynamic program of professional development, industry insights, and strategic networking. As a company-driven initiative, the WIDI Leadership Summit stands apart in the industry by uniting women across roles and organizations to promote leadership development and inspire the next generation of infrastructure talent. "Now in our 4th year, this summit's rapid growth is a testament to the increasing number of women who are building careers across every facet of digital infrastructure," said Lauren Sullivan, Managing Director, Blue Owl. 'This is a powerful forum to elevate and unite women leaders across our industry to drive innovation and progress.' The summit featured keynote addresses from women leaders including AI expert Verity Harding, Former Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy Jennifer Granholm, workplace strategist Mary Abbajay, and entrepreneur and educator, Pastor Michelle Thomas. The curated program addressed some of the most pressing issues in the industry—including AI and the cloud's impact on digital infrastructure and power demand, hyperscale development, and emerging capital strategies. 'The WIDI Summit highlights our commitment to empowering women across the industry,' said Heather Paduck, Chief Financial Officer, STACK Americas. 'By investing in women leaders, we're strengthening the talent pipeline, inspiring new voices to enter the field, and creating the kind of collaborative culture that drives long-term industry success.' The WIDI Leadership Summit remains a cornerstone of ongoing initiatives by STACK and Blue Owl to promote leadership, mentorship, and career advancement. Through global advancement initiatives, apprenticeship programs, enhanced recruiting, and active community engagement, both organizations continue to lead the way in building the future of digital infrastructure. STACK and Blue Owl extended their sincere appreciation to the sponsors whose generous support made the summit possible. Gold Sponsors included Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher and Flom LLP, and SMBC. Silver Sponsors included Clayco, Inc. and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Additional thanks were given to the Bronze-level sponsors for their meaningful contributions to the event's success. About STACK Infrastructure STACK is a proven, trusted partner for the world's most innovative companies, designing, developing, and operating sustainable global digital infrastructure. Backed by an unmatched record of reliable delivery and development expertise, STACK brings speed, scale, certainty, and responsibility to the demands of a rapidly evolving digital infrastructure landscape. For more information about STACK, please visit: About Blue Owl: Blue Owl (NYSE: OWL) is a leading asset manager that is redefining alternatives®. With $273 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, we invest across three multi-strategy platforms: Credit, GP Strategic Capital, and Real Assets. Anchored by a strong permanent capital base, we provide businesses with private capital solutions to drive long-term growth and offer institutional investors, individual investors, and insurance companies differentiated alternative investment opportunities that aim to deliver strong performance, risk-adjusted returns, and capital preservation. Together with over 1,200 experienced professionals globally, Blue Owl brings the vision and discipline to create the exceptional. To learn more, visit Media Contact:Sammer Khalafpress@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
