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New Statesman
a day ago
- Business
- New Statesman
Inside the false economy of Rachel Reeves's welfare cuts
Middle England was 'terrified'. This was the word I heard over and over from people on the street outside Biggleswade JobCentre, a low-slung shoebox of municipal green wedged between The Rose and Good Pheasant pubs – windows reflecting Union Jack bunting in a haberdashery opposite. This is a solid slice of commuterville England: war memorial on the green, mock-Tudor curry house, VE Day posters and Pride flyers plastered about. The government's welfare reforms – removing PIP from future claimants other than for the severest cases – will hit the post-industrial north and coastal towns hardest, better-off parts of Britain like this Bedfordshire market town will face an unexpected embarrassment of circumstances – one that ministers don't appear to have foreseen. A quarter of Personal Independence Payment recipients here in the Mid Bedfordshire constituency work – the highest proportion in Britain. Across the country, over half a million PIP claimants are in employment, at 573,620. Under the government's plans, people in their position, who need help to work, will lose their benefit. PIP, I am reminded repeatedly by claimants I speak to, is 'not an out-of-work benefit'. It was designed to help anyone with a disability or chronic illness, whatever their financial situation, to live an independent life. Taking it away, as the welfare bill still intends to, will hinder the ability of disabled people to keep working. Nearly two-thirds of working people receiving PIP would have to reduce or give up work if they lose it, according to a study by the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, the charity led by consumer champion Martin Lewis – a man who knows a false economy when he sees one. This is despite ministers' rationale for the cuts: that they will incentivise the rising number of 'economically-inactive' people into work. One Biggleswade resident whose PIP helps with her PTSD found that past welfare reductions pushed her into a 'cycle of losing a job and falling into dire straits', warned her carer. 'This is supposed to be a Labour government. Now they're doing what the Tories did, what's the difference?' She's not alone. I hear from people around the country relying on PIP for transport, personal care, domestic work, energy, food, adjustments to their homes, medical equipment, wheelchair costs – all vital for holding down their jobs. 'I'm preparing for retirement – how do I carry on?' asked Bethany Colburn, 31, a senior systems engineer for the aerospace and defence industry in Dorset, who receives £290 a month of PIP to help with her cerebral palsy. 'If my disability benefit gets taken away, I don't see how I get back up.' Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe From contributing to her cleaner and physio, an adapted bungalow, car and savings for a new wheelchair, PIP is 'a fundamental part of my life' and 'the reason why I am where I am and have achieved what I have'. Crying and shaking, she told me that removing or reducing her support would 'pull the rug out from under me – I'm genuinely terrified'. In Oxford, Jo, a 44-year-old retail store manager with impaired vision and complex post-traumatic stress disorder uses her monthly £500 to pay for her bus fare and taxis to and from her full-time job, specialist glasses every six months, magnifying screens and other equipment. She would have to stop working if she lost her PIP. 'It allows you to live a life. That means you can keep that job up,' she told me. 'I'd be worse off not working, so I'd need to go on Universal Credit' – therefore costing the state more. 'We're not all benefits scroungers. Being disabled is expensive.' Labour MPs have been reading stories like these in their inboxes day after day. They also know from their own local labour markets that the jobs don't exist for this hypothetical new workforce of the disabled and sick. 'There just simply aren't enough vacancies to match up to the government's employment ambitions from these reforms, and that's even starker when we look at disability-confident vacancies,' finds Sam Tims, lead analyst at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation poverty charity. 'These cuts, rather than motivating someone to find work, are going to create additional hardship, and that will push people further away from the labour market.' Perhaps ministers assumed voters were still stuck in the New Labour and coalition era of public revulsion towards benefit 'scroungers'. A time of tabloid demonisation, Benefits Street, and George Osborne's 'strivers versus skivers'. Fairness and graft are indeed rooted deep in the British psyche, but life has changed. Many 'strivers' can only do so with the help of the welfare state: one in six people on PIP and four in ten people on Universal Credit work. Covid meant so many more voters and their friends and relatives – across the class and geographical spectrum – came into contact with the social security system. Welfare is mainstream. In the post-pandemic year of 2021, the proportion of Brits who felt benefits were too low exceeded those who felt they were too high for the first time in 20 years, according to the British Social Attitudes Survey. Today, most voters across parties wanted the government to reverse its decision to cut PIP, found More in Common polling. It offends their sense of fairness that someone who cannot wash below the waist, or cook a meal, would no longer be eligible for disability benefit. In Biggleswade, anger throbs beneath the sunshine and hanging baskets. 'Believe me, I'd be back in work like a shot; I'd swap places with anyone,' said Julia, a care worker injured in a car accident who can no longer use her left leg. She had to leave her job because the care home was unable to make reasonable adjustments for her disability. 'If politicians think you're sat on your arse getting handouts, they're out of touch.' [See also: Welcome to HMO Britain] Related
Edinburgh Reporter
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Barrett signs for Edinburgh City
Edinburgh City have added another player to their squad with the acquisition of left-sided midfielder Bradley Barrett. The Bonnyrigg-born player spent five seasons with his local side and last season made 27 appearances for The Rose, scoring four goals and setting up two others. Currently, the 24-year-old, who has also played for Tranent and the under-18 side at Berwick Rangers, is carrying an injury from last season but City are confident he will be fit in the next few weeks. PICTURE: Bradley Barrett by Tommy Lee Like this: Like Related
Forbes
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘The Rose: Come Back To Me' Documentary Review: Keeps Us Coming Back
The Rose in their documentary, 'The Rose: Come Back to Me' In the opening credits of the documentary, The Rose: Come Back To Me, the Korean rock group, The Rose, is performing at last year's Coachella. Donned in their fancy (and very thick) bejeweled outfits, the group is introduced individually by their English names: guitarist/vocalist Sammy (Woosung), guitarist/vocalist Leo (Dojoon), bass player Jeff (Jaehyeong/Taegyeom), and drummer Dylan (Hajoon). The group has been dominating the K-music scene for the past few years, particularly in Europe and the U.S. Now, with their current agency, American record label Transparent Arts, the group has fully gone global, with fan bases all over the world. It comes as no surprise that, eight years after their debut, they'd want to tell the story of how it all started from the streets of Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea, to signing to an American label and agency, to worldwide recognition and sold-out concerts. Directed by Eugene Yi, the members of The Rose had their humble beginnings busking on the streets of the Seoul neighborhood of Hongdae. It began with Leo performing on his own and living off the tips he received, but he truly did it for the love of music. He would later meet Dylan, who was a K-pop trainee alongside Jeff. Dylan and Jeff didn't care about being trainees and left to form a band with Leo. The trio felt like they were missing one more sound from their band. Leo recalled meeting Sammy at a club. Korean American singer Sammy, who found fame on the Korean competition show K-pop Star, agreed to join the band and felt an immediate connection with the members after their music sessions together. The Rose, named for the duality of the flower – beautiful but filled with thorns- was formed and signed to a Korean label in 2016. The Rose in their documentary, 'The Rose: Come Back To Me' The group suffered a lot of hardships – an agency that was trying to single out Sammy as the star of the group, lawsuits, COVID, military service, depression, and a drug incident. Through it all, the band persevered and made it. It's interesting to learn about the trials and tribulations of a group, especially when it is expressed through their music. It provides a deeper appreciation of the group and their music. Jeff, who had suffered from depression and nearly quit music, has always been the 'quiet one' in the group, as well as Dylan, during interviews and promotions. It was endearing to hear his perspective on how music saved his life and how impactful it has been for him to learn that it has changed the lives of their fans. Although it seems each member gets their moment to shine in the documentary, from seeing Leo talk about his solo busking days to visiting Sammy's childhood home in Los Angeles, Dylan's story never expanded beyond the fact that he was a former trainee, now a band member. It would have been nice to see how much the band impacted him. The 91-minute documentary was also told through animation, further expressing the members' feelings and their stories. It was a nice touch to an already animated group. The direction, editing, and pacing were well done, cutting to appropriate funny and emotional moments to balance the story. It never felt like a sob story to garner sympathy or a sense of righteousness, which is refreshing. It was a simple retelling of 'this is who we are, and we hope you like it.' It's raw and honest. The Rose in their documentary, 'The Rose: Come Back To Me' As someone who has been following the group for the past few years, having their English names introduced was a bit of a shock and a bit disappointing. Their Korean names were how many – including myself – were introduced to them as a rock group, even Sammy performed his solo tour under his Korean name, Woosung. The documentary seemed to cater to Western audiences, making it easier for them to remember and pronounce their names. The group worked hard to make a name for themselves; they shouldn't have to change it. Overall, the film is a fun watch for everyone, even if you haven't heard of the band. It will recruit some new fans, not only because their story is so touching, but their music is excellent too. For those who are already familiar with The Rose, it will provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of them and how much they truly deserve this success. The Rose: Come Back to Me premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Police plea to 'do right thing' over missing woman
People who know what happened to a missing woman who disappeared 25 years ago should "do the right thing", police have said. Kellie Pratt, who was 28 and a sex worker, was last seen outside The Rose pub in Queens Road, Norwich, on 11 June 2000. She took a call 10 minutes later and said she was with a "punter" - a person who remains unknown. Her body has not been found. "I believe the answer to her disappearance lies within the people she knew in Norwich, and it is those people I would ask to examine their consciences and to come forward and speak to us," said Norfolk Police's cold case manager, Andy Guy. "There are rumours circulating about what happened to Kellie, but in order to resolve this investigation, those with first-hand information would need to do the right thing. "After 25 years people's circumstances will have changed and I hope this milestone will be enough to encourage individuals with relevant information to have the courage to come forward." Ms Pratt, who was from Newcastle, had a chaotic lifestyle and knew only a "small bubble" of people in the Norwich area, Mr Guy had previously said. Police found the caller who rang her Nokia 6100 at 23:30 BST on the night she disappeared, but the client was never identified, and her phone was not found. No clues were uncovered during a search of her accommodation in Loddon. Mr Guy said the police investigation remained open and active. "Time has passed, but we continue to work on this case and follow up lines of inquiry to find who is responsible and to bring them to justice," he added. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. The detectives trying new tricks on old cases Norfolk Police
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
How tragic mum's disappearance exploded into huge manhunt with fears NEW unknown serial killer was prowling UK streets
QUESTIONS are still being asked more than two decades after a mum mysteriously vanished without a trace. Sex worker Kellie Pratt, from Norwich, went missing in June 2000 when she was 28 years old after moving to the Norfolk city from Newcastle to be closer to her mum. Advertisement 4 Kellie Pratt mysteriously vanished in 2000 Credit: NCJMedia 4 She was last seen outside The Rose pub Credit: NCJMedia The mum of two sons was last seen outside The Rose pub in Queens Road. A quarter of a century on, Norfolk Constabulary's cold case manager Andy Guy is convinced that some Brits roaming the streets have answers to his questions. He told "Time has passed, but we continue to work on this case and follow up lines of inquiry to find who is responsible and to bring them to justice. Advertisement read more in news "I believe the answer to her disappearance lies within the people she knew in Norwich, and it is those people I would ask to examine their consciences and to come forward and speak to us. 'There are rumours circulating about what happened to Kellie, but in order to resolve this investigation those with first-hand information would need to do the right thing. "After 25 years, people's circumstances will have changed and I hope this milestone will be enough to encourage individuals with relevant information to have the courage to come forward.' Kellie was called on her Nokia 6100 at 11.30pm - within about 10 minutes of being seen outside the pub - and said she was with "a punter". Advertisement Most read in The Sun Cops tracked down and questioned the individual who made the final call to Kellie but the person she was with that night remains a mystery. "The person she was with that night may or may not be responsible but if he wasn't we would still want to hear from them," Andy revealed. Body found in search for missing woman who vanished 15 years ago – as suspect, 39, arrested over 'murder' Interestingly, on March 29, 2002, another sex worker, 22-year-old Michelle Bettles, disappeared from the Norwich red light district, prompting fears there could be a serial killer at large in the city. Michelle's body was found 48 hours later but her killer has never been caught. Advertisement And in 2006, a string of three murders of women working in the city's red light district shook the nation. It was later revealed that a ripper-style murderer was thought to be targeting prostitutes in the Ipswich area, just 40 miles from the pub where Kellie was last seen. Cops in Norfolk teamed up with Suffolk Constabulary as the force probed the death of Gemma Adams, 25, and the disappearance of her missing friend Tania Nichol, 19. Steve Wright, dubbed the Advertisement In 2005, five years after Kellie's disappeared, officers said they weren't holding out hope that the missing person would be found. A spokesman said: 'Despite extensive enquiries, it is still unclear what happened to Kellie, although police and her family have for some time feared the worst. "Work has been ongoing since Kellie disappeared five years ago. "Last month, officers carried out inquiries into whether advances in phone technology could offer any new opportunities for investigation but unfortunately, it was established that this was not the case." Advertisement 4 Cops continue to try and find answers a quarter of a century after she disappeared Credit: NCJMedia 4 Kellie's mum Gloria Carpena holds a photo of her daughter in 2006 Credit: North News and Pictures
