Latest news with #vulnerableGroups
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'I don't know what I'm going to do if they take my car away, it's my lifeline'
"For a long time now, people with any sort of vulnerability have been either underfunded, ignored or stigmatised as being 'scroungers'." These are the words of Ralph James, 71, who was discussing the government's proposed reforms to the welfare system. Mr James is referring to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill (UCPIPB), which would result in cuts to sickness and disability benefits, causing huge concern for those currently receiving those benefits. According to the latest figures from the DWP, the number of people in receipt of PIP has soared since 2019, with one in 10 working-age people in England and Wales now receiving the benefit. READ MORE: Contactless card warning issued over scam that's difficult to spot READ MORE: Liverpool area with country's highest number of people claiming PIP Three areas of Merseyside have some of the highest percentages of the working-age population who receive personal independence payments (PIP). Most notable is Walton, which has the highest proportion (23%) of any parliamentary constituency in the country – closely followed by Bootle (20%) and Knowsley (21%). Ahead of a scheduled second reading of the UCPIPB in Parliament next week, the Liverpool ECHO visited Bootle to speak to local residents about the potential impact of the legislation. Mr James lives on Gardner Avenue in Bootle and he is a recipient of the higher rate PIP benefit, he said: "In spite of my disabilities and going through the pain barrier, I try to do my best in terms of getting out and about. "I rely on my car to get about, and I have to be on the high rate of the mobility component of PIP to qualify for the use of that car. It's my lifeline, and if that's taken from me, I don't know what I'm going to do or how I'll carry on living independently. "Those claiming PIP are vulnerable people who are victims of circumstance, relating to ill health and disabilities. A lot of that circumstance is brought about by the sort of governments we had, but for a long time now, people with any sort of vulnerability have been either underfunded, ignored or stigmatised as being 'scroungers'. "I've suffered from lifelong depression, and I live alone. My house, as you can see, is in a poor state of repair, but I still don't know whether I will be reassessed and I don't think anyone else does - that's the real fear." Concerns about reassessment pop up numerous times. Steph, 33, from Bootle, does not claim PIP, but both her mum and dad are currently recipients of the benefit. She is worried about the potential changes to eligibility criteria. Steph's parents both suffer from fibromyalgia, and she is apprehensive about the possibility of them being reassessed: "My mum already experienced a problem where she's even had to go to court to get her entitlement. She won her case, but it left its mark. "She got into a very depressed state, and we were all very concerned for her. It was a very tough time." Steph said her dad started working when he was 12 years old and worked hard all his life. An injury and subsequent health diagnosis forced him into early retirement, but she said it was difficult getting him the right support. She added: "The assessments are so gruelling [for PIP]. I've been to one with my dad which literally reduced him to tears as he admitted he couldn't even wash himself because of the pain he was in. He is such a proud man, but he just broke down crying. "People need to understand the fact that people on PIP are just scraping by, so for the government to cut some of that benefit for the poorest and most vulnerable, it just shows they don't understand – it's them living in their ivory towers. "If you're going to make cuts, then where's the support after you've cut that payment? What are people going to do? Because the prices of stuff are going up, but the money is going down. How are people supposed to live?" Under the proposals in the UCPIPB, eligibility for the personal independence payment (PIP), the main disability payment in England, would be limited, and the sickness-related element of Universal Credit (UC) would be restricted. Ministers have previously said the reforms could save up to £5bn a year, while the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) projects – by the end of this Parliament – approximately 90% of people currently claiming PIP will continue to receive it following the eligibility changes. Kenny Ferguson, 49, lives on Hawthorne Road, Bootle, and suffers from depression. Mr Ferguson said he has been unable to work since December last year and was advised by his GP to apply for PIP. He said: "I was told my application had been refused for not reaching the 12 points needed. "I intend to appeal against this decision, based on my prescribed and approved medication given to me by an expert. "I do hope my local MP will show support for people like myself who are not well and tell this Government how wrong it is to be picking on vulnerable people." Last week, Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, published the government's details of the welfare reform bill, claiming it represented 'a new social contract' that it will bring claimants 'peace of mind'. Since then, there has been a significant fall-out within the ranks of the parliamentary Labour party. On Tuesday, June 24, the Liverpool ECHO reported on a growing rebellion against the government's plans to cut sickness and disability benefits. At the time of writing, 108 MPs' signatures appear on a reasoned amendment declining to give the welfare reform bill a second reading when it returns to the Commons on July 1 - including six Merseyside Labour MPs. A DWP spokesperson told the ECHO: 'The vast majority of people who are currently getting PIP will continue to receive it. "We're creating a sustainable welfare system that genuinely supports sick or disabled people while always protecting those who need it most. 'At the heart of this is our review of the PIP assessment to ensure it is fit for the future. We will work with disabled people and a range of experts on this as we deliver our Plan for Change.'
CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Most Albertans will soon pay $110 for a COVID shot
With Alberta soon to end free COVID-19 vaccines for most residents, there's growing concern about cost, coverage and access — especially for vulnerable seniors. When provincial funding ends, most Albertans will have to pay an estimated $110 per dose.
South China Morning Post
21-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Vulnerable groups in Hong Kong should get Covid-19 vaccinations: medical expert
Hong Kong's vulnerable groups should get vaccinated against Covid-19 infections once a year as new outbreaks will occur every six to nine months, a medical expert has urged. David Hui Shu-cheong, a professor of respiratory medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, made the appeal on Saturday while pointing out that the current wave of Covid-19 infections had been declining since late last month and could end in July or August. 'The current outbreak started in April, peaked at the end of May and is now beginning to subside,' he told a radio programme. 'High-risk groups such as the chronically ill, children, the elderly and those with weakened immunity, can easily develop complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure or even fatalities once infected with the Covid-19 virus.' Authorities have reported six severe paediatric Covid cases so far this year, none of which have been fatal. Two had underlying illnesses and four were unvaccinated. Hui said as Covid-19 antibodies were not long-lasting, there would be periodic decreases in overall community immunity and new outbreaks occurring in cycles – about once every six to nine months.
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Legalising assisted dying means 'people will lose their lives who do not need to', MPs are warned ahead of crunch vote TODAY
Legalising assisted dying will see vulnerable people who have no need to die losing their lives, MPs were warned today ahead do a potentially seismic vote. Opponents to a change in the law on suicide said that vulnerable people including domestic abuse victims, the disabled and anorexics could all be at risk if doctors are allowed to help them to die. Protesters swarmed around parliament today ahead of the crunch vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which seeks to allow those diagnosed with less than six months to live to be helped to die. The biggest change on the law on suicide for decades is expected to take place this afternoon, with the result on a knife edge. And MPs made impassioned pleas for and against it becoming law. They have a free vote on a 'conscience matter', with most of the parties split between the yes and no camps. Mother of the House Diane Abbott asked MPs to vote against the bill, saying: 'There is no doubt that if this Bill is passed in its current form, people will lose their lives who do not need to, and they will be amongst the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society.' And former Tory minister Sir James Cleverly answered yes camp claims that the law might not change for a decade if it is not done now, as he argued there will be 'plenty of opportunities' in future. Many critics on both sides have asked for the legislation to be postponed to allow more scrutiny and changes to it to be made. Mother of the House Diane Abbott asked MPs to vote against the bill, saying: 'people will lose their lives who do not need to. And former Tory minister Sir James Cleverly answered yes camp claims that the law might not change for a decade if it is not done now, as he argued there will be 'plenty of opportunities' in future. But opponents of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill also believe they may have the numbers to see it off the proposed decriminalisation in England and Wales. Bill sponsor Kim Leadbeater is confident her plan to allow terminally ill people with six months or less to live to be helped to end their lives will pass the Commons. She told MPs this morning: 'Not supporting the Bill today is not a neutral act, it is a vote for the status quo… and it fills me with despair to think MPs could be here in another 10 years' time hearing the same stories.' But opponents of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill also believe they may have the numbers to see it off the proposed decriminalisation in England and Wales. The legislation passed a preliminary vote last November by 55 votes. But since then more than 20 MPs who backed it have publicly changed their minds, and the Bill would fall if 28 MPs switched directly from voting yes to no on Friday. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also urged her MPs to vote against the legislation, describing it as 'a bad Bill' despite being 'previously supportive of assisted suicide'. But questions remain over what Sir Keir Starmer will do. He backed the law change in November and reiterated his support this week, but No 10 declined to say if he would vote today. Labour MP Naz Shah warned anorexia patients could still access assisted dying through a 'loophole'. The Bradford MP cautioned that the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was 'not safe'. Referring to her amendment 14 to prevent a patient meeting the requirements for an assisted death 'solely as a result of voluntarily stopping eating or drinking', which MPs backed earlier on Friday, and a further amendment 38 which was not added to the Bill, Ms Shah told the Commons: 'When people stop voluntarily eating and drinking, that is not what happens to people with anorexia. 'People with anorexia stop eating and drinking because they have a psychiatric illness. These are two categorically different issues. 'So I must make it clear, absolutely clear, even though amendment 14 has passed today, this amendment does not address concerns about anorexia or close that loophole.' In what will be seen as a blow to the Bill, four Labour MPs confirmed on the eve of the vote that they will switch sides to oppose the proposed new law. Labour's Paul Foster, Jonathan Hinder, Markus Campbell-Savours and Kanishka Narayan voiced concerns about the safety of the 'drastically weakened' legislation, citing the scrapping of the High Court Judge safeguard as a key reason. Liverpool MP Dan Carden - the leader of the Blue Labour group - also said he will vote against the Bill having previously abstained. 'I genuinely fear the legislation will take us in the wrong direction,' he told the Guardian last night. 'The values of family, social bonds, responsibilities, time and community will be diminished, with isolation, atomisation and individualism winning again.' It comes as Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster and most senior Catholic in the UK, said the Church will close Catholic hospices and care homes if MPs vote for assisted suicide. However Dame Esther Rantzen made a plea to MPs last night, urging them to pass a Bill she said could 'transform the final days of generations in the future' and replace the current 'cruel, messy criminal law'. The broadcaster, who is terminally ill with cancer and has been a prominent supporter of assisted dying, said: 'Please allow us terminally ill the dignity of choice over our own deaths.' Lisa Nandy, a frontbench supporter of the bill, today suggested that if the law is pushed through today, extra safeguards could be added in the House of Lords. In comments that could be seen as an effort to win over waverers she told Sky News: 'I hope the Bill succeeds today. If it does pass the House of Commons stages, of course it will go on to the House of Lords, where there will be more debate and there may be more changes.' MPs will get a free vote on what is known as a 'conscience matter' with ministers Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood expected to vote No. Shadow frontbencher Robert Jenrick also reiterated his opposition last night. Writing for the Daily Mail, he reveals how he helped look after his grandmother, Dorothy, as a teenage boy – and how she continued to bring joy to the family as she defied a terminal diagnosis for nearly a decade. The shadow justice secretary says the prospect of legalising assisted dying 'fills me with dread', adding: 'My Nana felt like she was a burden. I know how much she hated the indignity she felt at having to ask my Mum or us to help her with basic needs. 'People like her – and there are many such people – may consider an assisted death as another act of kindness to us. How wrong they would be.' Ms Leadbeater has argued terminally ill people must be given choice at the end of their lives, but opponents of her Bill have warned it fails to guarantee protections for society's most vulnerable. So close is the vote that Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood, who was isolating with Covid, was offered a private ambulance to bring her to the Commons to vote against it. However she tested negative today and plans to make her own way in. The proposed legislation would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist. Significant changes since it succeeded in the initial vote in Parliament include the replacement of a High Court safeguard with the expert panels, and a doubling of the implementation period to a maximum of four years for an assisted dying service to be in place should the Bill pass into law. Making her case for a change in the law, Ms Leadbeater said: 'We have the most robust piece of legislation in the world in front of us tomorrow, and I know that many colleagues have engaged very closely with the legislation and will make their decision based on those facts and that evidence, and that cannot be disputed. 'But we need to do something, and we need to do it quickly.' A YouGov poll of 2,003 adults in Great Britain, surveyed last month and published on Thursday, suggested public support for the Bill remains high at 73 per cent – unchanged from November. The proportion of people who feel assisted dying should be legal in principle has risen slightly, to 75 per cent from 73 per cent in November. Friday will be the first time the Bill has been debated and voted on in its entirety since last year's historic yes vote, when MPs supported the principle. However opponents claim there are not enough safeguards in the legislation as it stands to protect vulnerable people. A think tank warned hundreds of domestic abuse victims could be coerced into using assisted dying by their abusers. The Other Half warned that victims are already at a higher risk of taking their own lives and the situation could be exacerbated. It has estimated that as many as 631 abuse victims, who are also terminally ill, could opt to die every year within a decade, based on the Government's own calculations about the uptake of the ability to seek help to die. A poll carried out by the women's rights think tank found that two thirds of voters, men and women, are concerned about victims being pressured into dying by their abusers.
BBC News
14-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Canada extend pathway pilot to support skilled refugees to get permanent residency
Canada don extend dia Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) wey go help refugees and oda vulnerable pipo to apply for permanent residency. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), di EMPP na economic immigration pathway wey recognise di human and social capital of refugees. E add say di pathway also cover oda displaced pipo wey get skills and qualifications wey meet di needs of Canadian employers. Canada announce say di EMPP program for refugees and oda vulnerable pipo dey help fill di labour shortage for di kontri. "To continue to dey meet labour market needs, di goment of Canada dey extend di federal stream of di EMPP until December 31, 2025." Dis dey come afta Canada announce say dem go reduce permanent residency targets from 395,000 for 2025, 380,000 for 2026, and 365,000 for 2027, according to dia report for October 2024. Wetin be EMPP for refugees and vulnerable Di Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) na Canada first complementary pathway for refugee labour mobility. According to Canada immigration ministry, dis na safe, legal immigration pathways for refugees and pesin wey get "similar protection needs outside of, and in addition to, traditional resettlement". "Since di EMPP inception, candidates don fill labour market needs across di kontri for in-demand sectors, including health care wey get more dan 30% of total admissions, construction and food service. "From 2019 to di end of March 2025, 970 pipo dey admitted into Canada through dis pathway. Di EMPP na part of Canada broader immigration strategy to "promote economic growth, address labour market needs and help newcomers to settle for communities across di kontri". Why di extension According to IRCC, di extension of di EMPP na to allow more workers to benefit from di pathway program so dem go fit contribute to Canada economy. However, di expected annual intake cap for di job offer stream for 2025 na 950 applications, and e go help di applicants to fit apply for permanent residency. "Dis program dey help skilled refugees and vulnerable pipo to apply for permanent residence while dem go support employers for critical sectors wey dey face labour market shortages." "Di extension go allow more workers for essential sectors such as health care to benefit from di pilot pathway to permanent residence and continue to contribute to our economy," di goment tok for statement. Meanwhile, on di oda hand, IRCC dey reduce score of married pipo wey dey enta or wan stay for Canada but declare dia spouse as "non-accompanying". Di "non- accompanying" option dey help married workers choose if dia spouse dey come wit dem or not, if dem wan apply for di permanent residency. Canada opposition party call for immigration cut Leader of di opposition Conservative Party Pierre Poilievre say Canada goment gatz impose wetin im call "severe limits" on population growth. Poilievre say im dey concerned about di uncontrolled immigration, strained public services, and rising crime. Wen di Conservative Party leader dey follow journalists tok, e say di Liberal Party goment dey allow population increase wey dey put pressure ontop Canada infrastructure and borders. According to Statistics Canada, population for Canada bin grow by nearly 9% between 2021 and 2024, wey make am reach a milestone of 41 million pipo for March 2024. Meanwhile under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada bin welcome about 500,000 permanent residents annually, but e later release a policy wey im wan use reduce dat number. "We dey reduce from 500,000 permanent residents to 395,000 for 2025; reduce from 500,000 permanent residents to 380,000 for 2026 and set a target of 365,000 permanent residents for 2027," di new plan under former PM Trudeau show. Wen PM Mark Carney enta office, e also get plan to reduce di number of pipo wey dey enta Canada. However, Conservative leader Poilievre say Carney dey follow di steps of im predecessor, and allege say e no dey control di immigration policy. "Carney dey continue wit Trudeau disastrous immigration policy of uncontrolled population growth." "We need lower levels and end to di abuse of di refugee, international student and foreign worker programs," Poilievre tok.
