Latest news with #Plymouth
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE How many adults are on PIP in YOUR neighbourhood? Shock figures show up to a third of working age adults are claiming the disability benefit in parts of England
Nearly a third of working-age adults currently get personal independence payments (PIP) in parts of England, analysis shows. MailOnline's audit of Government figures – presented in an interactive map below – names the PIP capital as a suburb of Plymouth. Neighbourhoods within Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Stockton-on-Tees have similarly high rates. Critics of Labour 's ballooning £143billion welfare bill said the figures should act as a 'wake up call' for the Government. The analysis comes after Keir Starmer completed a humiliating backtrack on his flagship welfare reforms package at the eleventh hour, following sustained pressure from over 120 MPs. The initial package of reforms was mooted to save around £5billion by the end of the Parliament and included a restriction on the eligibility for PIP. Existing claimants 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 by aiming to soften the impact of the changes. It's understood now that around 370,000 existing PIP claimants will be able to keep their payments. But the change on Personal Independence Payment (Pip) is estimated to wipe up to £2billion off the £5billion savings by the end of the Parliament, and Universal Credit tweaks another £1billion. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is odds-on to hike taxes to pay for the financial shortfall, experts have said. If the legislation clears its first hurdle on Tuesday, it will then face a few hours' examination by all MPs the following week – rather than days or weeks in front of a committee tasked with looking at the Bill. Anyone with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that affects their day-to-day life can get PIP, including adults in full-time employment. Latest Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) statistics show 3.7million people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland currently receive it. This is up from around 2m before Covid struck. The number of young people aged 16-24 receiving PIP has also skyrocketed, as too have claims for anxiety and depression. PIP is split into two parts and claimants can be eligible for both. The daily living part goes to adults needing help with everyday tasks, whereas the mobility part is doled out to those who require assistance getting around. Whether they get one or both parts and how much they get depends on how difficult they find everyday tasks and getting around. Anyone nearing the end of life such as from a life-limiting illness will automatically get the daily living part – but the mobility part depends on their needs. Adults undergoing PIP assessments are scored on a scale of zero to 12 – based on how difficult they find everyday tasks such as preparing and eating food. Currently, someone who receives between eight and 11 points in total gets the daily living part of PIP at a standard rate, worth £73.90 per week. If they get at least 12 points, they get the daily living component at an enhanced rate, worth £110.40 a week. Under current rules, an applicant needs to be scored at least eight points in any combination to be awarded the lowest rate of PIP. If the package passes, they would need this to have scored four of these points in a single activity. MailOnline's analysis found the Victoria Park area of Plymouth to be the PIP capital. In that particular district, almost 32.5 per cent (1,336) of its 3,940 working-age adults receive the handout. Victoria Park was followed by Byker East in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (31.8 per cent) and the Central Stockton & Portrack region of Stockton-on-Tees (30.5 per cent). Our investigation revealed the rate stood above 20 per cent in 58 of 7,200 MSOAs – tiny communities across England home to around 5,000 people. All but four of these neighbourhoods were in the north. The DWP uses out-of-date 2011 boundaries for its benefits data, but the ONS uses 2021 boundaries for its population figures. To get correct figures for the current geographies, we have had to convert these to 2021 boundaries, which could lead to discrepancies in the calculations. John O'Connell, chief executive, at the TaxPayers' Alliance told MailOnline: 'These figures should be a wake up call for this government. 'When nearly one in three working-age adults in some areas are on disability benefits, its clear that something has gone badly wrong. 'PIP must be reformed to support those in genuine need, rather than becoming an easily accessible income stream.' Our investigation involved analysing DWP data on the number of working-age adults claiming benefits in all 7,200 MSOAs. We then compared these figures with the ONS's latest estimates of the working age (16 to 64) population in these areas, allowing us to calculate a percentage. Government data is still collected via 2011 boundaries set by the Census. MailOnline has converted it to the 2021 boundaries.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
We saw bodies as smirking ‘Terminator' gunman who slaughtered 5 prowled our quiet street… the bloodbath still haunts us
WITH neat, well-tended gardens and neighbours chatting over their picket fences, Biddick Drive feels like a haven of peace in the heart of a bustling city. Yet a terrible shadow has been cast over this seemingly idyllic cul-de-sac - and locals are still struggling to shake off the memories of August 12, 2021, when blood ran in the streets, leaving five dead. 16 16 It was on that hot, humid evening in Plymouth four years ago that deranged gunman Jake Davison emerged from his 51-year-old mother's terraced house, having shot and killed her. Thick-set, his body pumped up through steroid abuse and hours in the gym, he then strolled downhill, spraying locals with rounds from a Weatherby pump-action shotgun as he went. Eye-witnesses told how the Ted Bundy-obsessed gunman - who had branded himself "Terminator" before the rampage - was apparently enjoying himself as he shot neighbours Michelle Parker and her son Ben Parsonage, injuring both. Ben recalled: "He had a smirk on his face, like he didn't care what he was doing." By the time Davison's murderous 19-minute rampage came to an end, five people lay dead or dying on the streets of Plymouth's Keyham district. It was one of the worst mass shootings in British criminal history. Unsurprisingly, those living on the road are still haunted by that tragic day. As one resident told The Sun: "When you're out of the house now, you take notice of who's around. The memories fade – they don't leave." In addition to his mum Maxine, victims included three-year-old Sophie Martyn, nicknamed 'Daddy's Princess', her father Lee, 43, shot three times, Stephen Washington, 59, a carer for his disabled wife who was walking his husky dog through nearby parkland, and artist Kate Shepherd, 66, blasted outside a hair salon. 16 Finally, confronted by unarmed PC Zach Printer, who bravely ran to within 20 metres of the killer shouting for him to stop, 22-year-old Davison turned the gun on himself. Within days, reports emerged of his troubled state of mind. One former teacher told of Davison's unhealthy love of guns. Another had concerns about his anger management. CCTV appears to show Jake Davison during Plymouth shooting spree His desperate mother, with whom he had a violent and volatile relationship, told relatives of his obsessive use of energy drinks and muscle-boosting supplements while his absent father said he "was in his own world", largely devoid of emotion. Later, an inquest jury would hear how staff at Plymouth's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service noted that Davison, diagnosed as autistic 10 years earlier, enjoyed violent computer games and used "sexual talk which was quite extreme". Aged 13, his ambition was to be a sniper. Police enquiries showed that, as an adult, he became immersed in the shocking world of incels – a violent online sub-culture dominated by men unable to find love. 16 16 16 But apprentice crane driver Davison's mental health background was only one factor in his victims' fate. In concluding that all five were unlawfully killed, an inquest jury pointed to a "catastrophic failure" by Devon and Cornwall Police. Officers granted him a firearms licence in 2018 in the full knowledge that he had assaulted teachers and a fellow student. And although in September 2020 he launched a "ferocious, intense and unprovoked attack" on a teenage boy and 15-year-old girl, he was placed on a "deferred change programme" called Pathfinder instead of facing a court. Davison 'viewed women with contempt' and sympathised with incel culture An inquest heard how Davison spent a lot of time reading and writing about 'incel' culture. The term refers to "involuntary celibates" with the movement labelled a "hate" group as many followers believe they are owed sex by women. Incels believe they have no possibility of finding a partner to get love, validation or acceptance from. In turn, this makes some incels want to strike out at the world because they have been rejected by girls, while others blame attractive men for their perceived problems. The self-confessed black sheep of the family also described himself as "The Terminator" in a slew of "deeply disturbing" posts. He shared posts referring to 'violence, misogynistic views, viewing women with contempt' and "sympathy with incel culture", the inquest was told. He also looked up Ted Bundy and incel serial killers, watched videos on firearms and how to reload them and posted a one minute clip from an online game called KillZone. Jurors heard Davison branded mum Maxine a "dirty insufferable, a vile creature" who was difficult to live with. His firearms licence was seized only in December 2020 after another Pathfinder member tipped off police that it remained valid. Yet it was returned seven months later after an officer decided Davison was "low risk" and his decision – which should have been signed off by a senior colleague – went unchallenged. Today, many Keyham residents cannot understand how laws supposed to protect them from gun crime proved so hopelessly ineffective. On Royal Navy Avenue – the route Davison took as he headed towards his final victim – resident Victoria White, 51, told us: "You think about those who died and their families and wonder how this could ever have happened. "I'd known [victim] Lee for years. I worked with him when I was 16 at a local Toshiba dealer. 16 "My neighbour and I saw someone lying on the ground just up the road. We thought they were unconscious because of drug use. But they had been shot there in broad daylight. "What happened was dreadful. It's always there with you. "When you're out of the house now, you take notice of who's around. "The memories fade – they don't leave. I never used to worry about locking my door…but I do now." Another neighbour, who asked to be named only as Paul, agreed. "I suffer from PTSD," he said. "I don't think what happened should ever be forgotten and I understand why people still have questions. "But it affected me very badly and I can't talk about it." Devon and Cornwall Police has since made major changes to its firearms licensing unit - more than doubling staffing levels to 99 by 2023, improving training procedures and appointing four senior managers instead of one to assess high-risk decisions. On Biddick Drive itself, there is an understandable reluctance among neighbours to talk about the shootings. The feeling was summed up by 85-year-old Arthur Beacham, out walking his springer spaniel Barney. 16 "It's something that wants forgetting," he said. "What happened was awful, but it's gone, it's over, and we can't bring anyone back. The man was off his head. How do you deal with people like that? "Any one of us could have been a victim. I was out with my dog that evening and my usual walk would have taken me into his path. "For some reason, I decided we'd go to St Levan's Park instead." A few streets away, Manos, a gardener, said social media had made the aftermath of the tragedy worse for some residents. What happened was awful but it's gone, it's over and we can't bring anyone back. The man was off his head. How do you deal with people like that? Arthur Beacham He said: "Years ago, if a violent crime happened in your neighbourhood, you would chat it through with your family and friends and process it gradually in your own time. "Social media changed all that. Now photos flash up as 'memories' whether you want them to or not. And even if those photos aren't directly of the scene of the crime, they can still upset you by reminding you where you were and what you were doing at the time. "They come up on some thread and people share them, and suddenly everyone is weighing in." 'Moving on' But he added that Keyham remained a place people wanted to live. "My customers love it here," he said. "I don't hear anyone saying they want to leave." Latest figures from the estate agents' website Rightmove bear that out. Average sold prices reached a peak of £167,315 in 2022 and since then have risen by a further 9% to stand at £182,817. One young mother told how she'd moved into Biddick Drive – which comprises mostly rental properties – even though some friends couldn't understand why. "I wasn't here when it all happened. I've just taken the road as I found it," she said. "The truth is, it's a lovely community. It's quiet, people talk to each other, it feels safe for kids. "As far as I'm concerned, there's no stigma. Why wouldn't you want to live here?" It's the kind of spirit that has also been embraced by local businesses. At Henderson Local Convenience Store, yards from where Davison killed himself, the owner said her family had been welcomed and supported by locals. "This place lay mostly empty after what he did," she said. "It was briefly a café, then a shop but maybe because everyone remembered what happened, these businesses quickly closed. "We came in from outside. I had to ask a customer why a candle and bouquet of flowers had been left here. That was how I discovered what had happened. "Now we have many customers and they appreciate that we're trying to give them a good service. "Keyham is a good place to live. This is a strong community and it is moving on." 16
BBC News
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Armed Forces Day returns to Plymouth Hoe
Thousands of people will be heading to Plymouth Hoe to celebrate Armed Forces event, packed full of family fun, begins at 10:00 until 17:15 BST on Saturday, as well as a free evening concert which starts at 17:45 until 22:30. Armed Forces Day, in association with Babcock, is an opportunity to show support for the men and women who make up the military community from currently serving troops to reservists, veterans, cadets and their families. Visit Plymouth said it will be a day "filled with fun" and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy and get involved with. It said: "There will be plenty of interactive displays, Veteran and military villages, military vehicles and equipment to explore, plus recruitment information should you feel inspired and want to find out about careers in the Armed Forces."There will also be an emergency services area with equipment from the fire service, police, RNLI, coastguard and Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Plymouth. Throughout the day demonstrations, parades and live music will be taking place, including an air demonstration at 16:00. Road closures Hoe Road from the mound at the Citadel to the junction of Madeira Road, with suspension of parking from 07:00 to 22: Road from the junction of Lockyer Street to the junction of Sussex Street from 17:00 to 19:00 with suspension of parking 07:00 to 19: of parking at Osbourne Place entrance to the Hoe to the junction with The Esplanades from 07:00 to 19:00. Visit Plymouth said there are lots of car parks within walking distance, the closest being the Theatre Royal. It said Plymouth City Bus is also offering free bus travel to military personnel, veterans and cadets with identification on the day. A wide range of food and drink will be available throughout the day and organisers ask to use cash where possible as card payments may be limited due to "poor signal".
BBC News
8 hours ago
- BBC News
Murdered Plymouth University lecturer awarded posthumous PhD
A university lecturer who was murdered has been awarded a posthumous Chick was stabbed to death in January by her estranged husband, who was jailed for 27 gathered to mourn the 48-year-old, who was also a former nurse, at a candlelit vigil at Plymouth Hoe, with her partner saying "she cared about everyone and was so proud of her family".Plymouth University said the degree would be an "enduring part of her legacy" and a way its staff and students would "continue to remember her". It said: "As well as being an incredibly valued nurse, lecturer, tutor and colleague, Claire was also studying for a PhD at the time of her tragic death earlier this year. "Her PhD was centred around supporting and developing resilience in student nurses, something she was incredibly passionate about, and the award is deserved recognition for everything she achieved."
BreakingNews.ie
21 hours ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Wayne Rooney not taking Macclesfield job
Wayne Rooney will not be taking over as Macclesfield manager after an ambitious approach by the non-league club, the PA news agency understands. The former Manchester United and England star has been subject of interest from the National League North side as Robbie Savage edges towards taking the Forest Green post. Advertisement Macclesfield this week made an approach to Rooney's agent Paul Stretford but, after careful consideration, the 39-year-old is not going to be making himself available for the job. United's all-time top scorer managed Derby, DC United and Birmingham after hanging up his boots, before taking charge of Plymouth for the first half of last season. Wayne Rooney spent time as Plymouth manager last season (Ian Hodgson/PA) Rooney is understood to be focused on media opportunities for the foreseeable future and Macclesfield were not considered the right move at the moment, despite admiration for the work being done there. The phoenix club were founded in October 2020 after Macclesfield Town were wound up, with chairman Robert Smethurst overseeing the side's rise through the leagues. Advertisement The Silkmen started life in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division in 2021/22 and last season were promoted as Northern Premier League Premier Division champions under boss Savage.
