HUNDREDS of thousands of people on Universal Credit are set to lose almost £100 per week under Government plans.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) previously announced plans to scrap the health component of Universal Credit for under-22s.
At the moment, the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element for Universal Credit is applied to most adults aged between 16 to 21 if they’re struggling to stay employed due to health issues.
But charity Disability Rights UK is now saying the Government plans will affect almost 110,000 disabled adults.
It says they will lose nearly £100 a week if the changes come into effect.
That equates to almost £400 a month, or £4,800 over the course of a year.
The charity says the move will mostly impact disabled young people who are described as NEET – “Not in Education, Employment or Training” – and are having difficulties getting into the job market.
But it will also affect young people who are in work but are in low-paid or part-time jobs and are using Universal Credit to top up their earnings.
Disability Rights UK says on its website: “The proposed policy will not just impact young disabled people who are NEET, but also many young disabled people who are in education.
“Despite barriers to students claiming UC, it is often possible for those in non-advanced education who have passed the August after their 19th birthday to successfully claim UC as an adult.
“Under the current system, low-income families with a disabled 19-year-old already have to contend with a drop in income of at least £29.25 per week when their child stops being treated as a dependent and starts claiming UC in their own right.
“However, under the Government’s proposal, young disabled people aged under 22 would only receive £73 rather than £170 per week, meaning a much greater drop in household income.”
The Government unveiled a huge benefits shake-up earlier this year as part of plans to save about £5billion a year in welfare payments.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the current system is failing millions with one in 10 working-age Brits now on sickness or disability benefits.
She said spending on disability benefits has spiralled by £20billion since the pandemic and pledged to fix the “broken” system with a reform package.
Part of the Government’s plans include getting people back into work while protecting the most vulnerable.
Research suggests removing access to the health element of Universal Credit for under-22s will not impact 73% of 16 to 24-year-old Brits who fall into the NEET category.
TRYING to work out how much Universal Credit you can get can be overwhelming.
There are so many different elements that can affect your claim and it makes the whole process even more complicated.
There are several free calculators that you can use to help you get an estimate, such as Gov.UK, Citizen’s Advice, MoneySavingExpert, StepChange and Turn2Us.
You will need:
You’ll need to make sure that the information provided is as accurate as possible to get the truest estimate.
The Government’s proposed benefits shake-up will see a number of changes come into effect.
One that has gained lots of attention is a crackdown on eligibility, particularly for those claiming the main disability benefit Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
The number of claimants is expected to double by 2030, with the biggest rise among young people and those with mental health conditions.
But from 2026, new claimants will need to score at least four points in one category to qualify as part of a plan to curb the rapid rise in payouts.
These are some of the other changes planned:
SHE wanted to give her staircase a new look, but rents her home.
So after getting permission from the landlord, Megan decided to get started on the makeover – which she managed to complete for just £35.
She began by leaving a strip down the middle of the stairs bare, and headed to her local IKEA to pick up some of their £2 Tiphede runners.
When she got home, she got started by cleaning off the stairs, before she started attaching the rugs to the steps.
After getting them in the perfect position, she used a heavy duty staple gun to attach them onto the stairs.
And once she’d finished, the rugs looked like a perfect, professional and expensive stair runner.
“Changing the stairs on my private rented property with permission from my landlord,” Megan wrote over the top of the video.
“Single mum on a budget style!”
And she added in the caption: “I love it when a vision comes to life….now I just need to go accessory shopping.
“This whole project has cost me around £35 in total. Now that’s what you call DIY on a budget!”
People in the comments section were quick to praise Megan for the transformation, with one writing: “Well done, looks amazing!”
“It looks stunning! You’ve done amazing!” another added.
“What is the tool your using to tack the runners in place babe?”
“Thank you so much, it’s been a long few days,” Megan replied.
“It’s just a heavy duty staple gun.”
“Well worth the effort, looks great,” a third praised.
“That is amazing, fair play to you,” someone else commented.
“It’s beautiful – ready for your next project.”
The best renovation to add value totally depends on your property, the local market and your potential buyers.
Zoopla shared a list of upgrades that will instantly add value to your home.
“Gorgeous! Love this, well done!” another wrote.
“I work in Ikea… that’s great use of the Tiphede runner rug,” someone else said.
“It looks stunning,” another added.
“In the middle of doing our stairs – could you please tell me how you managed to get a neat line up your stairs for the paint?
“I’m so close to chucking the brush!”
To which Megan replied: “Masking tape but remove it whilst the paint is still wet”.
“I did something similar and I swear trying to keep them clean is a nightmare! It will be a daily task!” someone else commented.
With Megan responding: “I have 5 children, I’m always cleaning anyway!”
“Came out really nice…” another said.
A POPULAR children’s toy has been urgently recalled after it was found to have a “serious risk of injuries”.
Parents have been warned not to let their kids use the item.
The Soppycid Reusable Water Balloons have been removed from the online marketplace following the safety concern.
The toy was available in a pack of six on Amazon for £18.
“The product presents a serious risk of injuries because it contains accessible magnets with a magnetic flux index that exceeds the acceptable level,” the product’s risk description reads.
“Small, high-powered magnetic products can easily be swallowed and, when ingested, have the potential to cause serious internal injuries within the gastrointestinal tract.
“The product also requires improvement to marking,
labelling and documentation.”
It comes after a children’s swimming float was also urgently recalled over fears it could cause serious injury or even drowning.
The Joycat Baby Float, sold on Amazon, has been flagged as a safety risk.
Authorities found that its attachable canopy could lift the float from the water in windy conditions, putting children in danger.
The alert was issued in the UK following a border inspection.
The blue and yellow sea-themed swim seat, intended for babies and toddlers, poses a “serious risk of injuries”, according to the Product Safety Report.
If the float becomes airborne, a child could be thrown out and suffer an impact injury or drown.
The alert was issued in the UK following a border inspection.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards also issued a recall for the Get Set Play Jumbo Balloon Pumper over concerns that the product could shatter.
The red and blue plastic water balloon pumpers are available at shops like B&Q and The Works.
It contains 300 multi-coloured balloons which can be inflated using the pumper.
However, the product design failed to include a mechanism to prevent it becoming over-pressurised.
Smyths have also pulled a magic tricks box from the shelves after a chocking hazard saw it fail to meet safety requirements.
SARAH HEALY declared “I’m having a lot of fun” after securing his first ever win at the Diamond League.
The Irish star ran 3:59.17 to romp to victory in the 1,500m at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday night.
The Dubliner surged to the front in the last 40 metres to edge Australian duo Sarah Billings (3:59.24) and Abbey Caldwell (3:59.32).
And she said: “I’m obviously really happy to come away with the win.
“It was a really competitive field, I thought it wouldn’t be crazy quick and it was quite crowded, there was a lot of bodies and I was further back than I wanted to be the whole time.
“But I tried to stay patient and in the last lap I had to make a good few moves, which I was happy with, especially on the home straight.
“I know my shape is good, I ran a big 3km PB two weeks ago so I know I’m really fit.
“Hopefully a PB in the 1500m is coming for me soon but today, I just wanted to compete for the win.
“I know I’m good at hard, fast races, but races like this were more where I struggled so I’m really, really happy to win – it’s really cool.”
Healy has been edging towards victory in recent times, having finished third in the 3,000m at the Rabat Diamond League.
She will next race in 1,500m at the Paris Diamond League on June 20, and revealed the secret behind her success.
She added: “I’m having a lot of fun which is the main thing.
“And it’s probably why I’m running so well.”
2025 is already set up to be a stunning year for Healy, who claimed European gold as recently as March.
The Irish star dominated the 3,000m at the Euro Indoors, crossing the line in a brilliant 8:52.86, bagging her first senior international title in style.
She followed that up by finishing sixth in the same discipline at the World Indoors in Nanjing later that same month.
Healy was in contention throughout and only lost touch with the leaders in the final 400m when gold medal winner Freweyni Hailu of Ethiopia kicked clear.
Healy crossed the line in 8.40.00, just 13 days after she won the European title in Apeldoorn.
She said: “It was a pretty solid race from me. I put myself in the right position from the start.
“I expected the race to be faster, it ended up being slow with a big wind-up towards the end.
“When the big move was made at three laps to go, I was a little too far back and had a lot to make up.
“I think sixth is a pretty solid result for me and I’m pretty happy with it, but it does leave me hungry for more.”
When it comes to Love Island, every season brings such a fresh dose of chaos, chemistry, and complicated relationships. It seems like season 7 is no different, and just a few episodes in, Huda Mustafa, one of the islanders, has managed to dominate the conversation both on and off the screen. Mustafa seems to be […]
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Кабінет Міністрів України запровадив одноразову грошову допомогу в розмірі 50 тис. грн для дітей, які повертаються на підконтрольну територію після депортації, примусового переміщення або з тимчасово окупованих територій, пише Iнтерфакс. Як повідомили в Міністерстві соціальної політики, рішення ухвалене цього тижня за поданням відомства. Допомога спрямована на створення належних умов для реінтеграції дитини. “Кошти в сумі […]
Сукупна ринкова капіталізація десяти найбільших оборонних компаній планети станом на 20 травня 2025 року досягла 969,483 мільярда доларів США. Зростання оцінки оборонних корпорацій відбулося на тлі загострення міжнародної безпекової ситуації та продовження збройних конфліктів у кількох регіонах світу. Важливу роль також відіграла загальна переорієнтація політики НАТО на розширення арсеналів і модернізацію техніки. У десятці лідерів […]
A MUCH-LOVED bar and restaurant is set to close its doors after almost a decade in the heart of the seaside town.
Ojo Rojo, located in the Bournemouth Triangle, has announced it will be leaving the area after ten years of serving up tacos, cocktails, and a lively Mexican atmosphere.
Founded in Bournemouth, Dorset, by Trevor Hill and JJ Adams, Ojo Rojo made a name for itself with its bold flavours, mezcal-based drinks, and vibrant setting.
It even earned a spot in the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars for three years running.
The news was first reported by the Bournemouth Echo, who spoke with co-founders Trevor Hill and JJ Adams, confirming the closure is a “strategic move” shaped by “national industry pressure and local challenges.”
But they’ve made it clear – this isn’t the end.
“After nearly ten years of tacos, mezcal, music and magic, it’s time for a new chapter,” they said.
“Ojo Rojo is moving on. Not because we’ve lost what makes us special but because we’re ready to take everything that we’ve learnt and shape it into something stronger.”
Locals have responded with an outpouring of emotion, sharing memories and messages of support on social media.
Rachel Grant posted: “Our first date venue, where will we go for our anniversary now.”
Kelly Marie Young added: “Such a shame! We love this restaurant.”
Others praised the team’s effort.
There’s also been frustration about the wider town centre.
Ojo Rojo is well known for its dedication to authentic Mexican culture.
From its diverse cocktail menu featuring house-made syrups and infusions, to its proud selection of agave spirits, the bar has drawn fans from across the South Coast.
“Our ambition is to revolutionise the well-known taco, while educating people about the deep-rooted Mexican culture,” reads a statement on their website.
“We are passionate that everyone who comes into contact with us feels refreshed.”
The venue, which includes a downstairs bar, upstairs dining, and an outdoor hacienda, will continue to operate for a short while longer.
Its sister site, Hacienda Harden, is also set to close.
The owners remain hopeful and committed to the future.
“You reminded us what this place means to people and why this next chapter matters so much, from me, Jayjay and the whole office thank you so much for all the love,” they said.
“We’re here for a little bit longer. Remember we are not done yet… This is just the beginning.
“We want to build what comes next with you. Because whatever that next version looks like, it’s going to have the same soul – yours.”
Ojo Rojo’s closure adds to a growing list of businesses shutting their doors in Bournemouth and across the UK.
In Bournemouth, the Winton branch of WHSmith closed earlier this year, and the town has seen other high street names disappear amid rising costs and shifting shopping habits.
Nationally, the retail and hospitality sectors are facing significant challenges.
Department store Beales, which first opened in Bournemouth in 1881, closed its last remaining store in Poole in May 2025, citing increased operational costs and tax burdens.
Other notable closures include Karen’s Diner in Islington, which shut its final UK branch in June 2025 after its parent company went into liquidation with £400,000 in debt.
Fashion retailer River Island is reportedly developing a radical rescue plan amid financial struggles, with store closures and job losses being potential outcomes.
The Original Factory Shop is undergoing significant restructuring, with several stores across regions such as Worcestershire, Durham, and Cumbria slated to shut down this month.
These closures highlight the broader economic pressures facing UK businesses, including rising operational costs, changing consumer behaviours, and increased competition from online retailers.
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans
