Author Archives: Caring Together

Legal challenge to inequality for ‘legacy benefits’

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This may apply to you if you are getting ESA or JSA or have been during the pandemic – since March 2020.

We will be keeping an eye on the outcomes and sharing information as we get it.

DWP court battle means millions could get £1,000 benefits back pay.:
People on older ‘legacy benefits’ could be in line for a payout as the Government faces a court benefits battle.
The legal fight centres on the £20 a week uplift given to people on Universal Credit at the start of the pandemic, The Mirror reports.
The payment didn’t go to those on older benefits, like employment support allowance (ESA), income support, and jobseekers’ allowance (JSA).
Many of those still claiming the older benefits are disabled, sick, or carers. According to Disability Rights UK, over 1.9million disabled people are still claiming ESA payments.
And this week, two recipients of ESA challenged this decision at the High Court for judicial review.
They argued it was discriminatory and unjustified to exclude people from higher payments just because their benefits were administered under an old system. On Thursday, the High Court agreed the issue could be arguably unlawful and will decide the case later this year.
The claimants have asked for the trial to be heard before the end of July 2021.
William Ford, of Osbornes Law, which is representing the claimants, said: “We are pursuing this legal challenge based on the proposition that the pandemic means those dependent upon basic allowances are facing higher basic living costs, and yet despite their very similar circumstances, only some of them receive a Covid-specific uplift to help meet those costs.
“This unfairness calls for a properly evidenced justification, particularly as almost 2 million disabled people are disproportionately affected by this decision and the pandemic generally. Thus far the Government has failed to provide any objectively verifiable reason for the difference in treatment of people in essentially identical circumstances.”
A DWP Spokesperson told The Mirror: “It has always been the case that claimants on legacy benefits can make a claim for Universal Credit if they believe that they will be better off.”
Helen Barnard of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said “everyone should have access to a strong social security system that protects them from harm when they are struggling to stay afloat.”
She added: “Disabled people and carers already face a greater risk of poverty, so there can be no justification for offering them less support than people claiming Universal Credit simply because they are in a different part of the system.
“Discrimination has no place in our social security system and every day we fail to act undermines public trust and intensifies hardship. Ministers must right this injustice by urgently extending the £20 increase to legacy benefits.

Check your polling station

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May be an image of text that says "Leeds CITY COUNCIL The Electoral Commission YOUR VOTE MATTERS DON'T LOSE IT X"

If you are planning to vote in person for the local and West Yorkshire Mayoral elections on Thursday, make sure you check where your polling station is – as it may not be the usual place.

Over 70 polling stations have moved from their usual locations during the coronavirus pandemic – check your poll card to see if yours is one of them or visit www.wheredoivote.co.uk/

For those who choose to vote in person, polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6 May.  Local election teams will be doing everything they can to ensure voting in person on polling day is safe for everyone. This means there will be safety measures in place at polling stations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, many of which you’ll be very familiar with!

  • There will be a limit to the number of people allowed in a polling station at any given time to allow for social distancing.
  • Please remember your face covering – you will need this to enter the polling station and will be expected to wear it throughout.
  • Make sure to sanitise your hands before and after voting. In many places, sanitiser will be available but it may be a good idea to carry your own!
  • Some polling stations will supply clean pencils for voters but it may be best to bring your own with you.
  • Polling Stations will be cleaned regularly by polling staff. You may need to wait while a booth is sanitised before you enter.
  • Polling Station staff may be working behind safety screens – this doesn’t mean you can’t ask for assistance if you require it!

With these new safety measures in place, it may take a little bit longer to vote than usual. Remember that if you are in the queue to vote before 10pm, you will still be able to vote even when polls officially close.

Voters are encouraged to keep themselves and others safe by:
• Wearing a face covering
• Bringing their own pen or pencil
• Cleaning their hands when entering and leaving the polling station
• Keeping a safe distance
Voters should not attend the polling station if they have symptoms of Covid-19, or if they have been asked to self-isolate. There will be provisions in place to apply for an emergency proxy vote if required due to health circumstances.

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday May 6, 2021.

You don’t need your poll card to vote.

You must vote at your assigned polling station.

If you are registered to vote, but you don’t have your poll card, you can go to the polling station and give them your name and address.

In England, Wales and Scotland, you don’t need any form of ID. In Northern Ireland, you must bring photo ID.

Helping yourself to feel safe when out and about

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As lockdown eases and we start thinking about getting out more, it’s natural that some people may be feeling anxious or unsure about going out.  British Red Cross have some really helpful advice about making a personal risk judgement and building your confidence here: https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/coronavirus/judging-risk-when-going-out

Consider your own needs, and those closest to you
Acknowledge the source of stress, and how it impacts upon you
Listen to how you’re feeling mentally and physically
Manage ways to manage your stress and regain control
Enable – what has enabled you to cope with stress in the past?
Resource – what do you need to put steps in place?

Border Tales – The Shows Must Go On

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Border Tales, Luca Silvestrini’s Protein’s smash-hit commentary on multicultural Britain seen through the eyes of an international cast, is told through dance, live music and dialogue compiled from the performers’ personal experiences. With this broadcast we contribute to breaking down the walls of silence that uphold and sustain ‘borders’ around the world.

 

Available to watch now but no details given of how long it will be available for

Woodhouse Ridge Cleanup

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Volunteers from Leeds City Council Sustainable Energy and Air Quality Team spent the day volunteering on Woodhouse Ridge cleaning Meanwood Valley Trail and Dales Way Link finger post signs, benches and interpretation panels, removing graffiti and muck.

Volunteers additionally carried out litter picking, and Public Rights of Way Work removing branches blocking footpath access. Great to see everyone had a fantastic time, many thanks to everyone for your hard work and efforts

May be an image of one or more people, outdoors and tree

 

May be an image of one or more people, people standing, tree and nature
Meanwood Valley
Countryside Ranger David Preston🦉😀👍
Working Pattern: Monday to Wednesday

Tonight!! – Virtual Premiere – Journey through the sounds of our city – Sonic Stops

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Short notice but there is still time to book on this event if you are quick – book here

It will still be available to listen to online if you miss it tonight.

Music:Leeds and Abbey House Museum commissioned Leeds audio collective Better Songs to create a new piece celebrating the city’s musical landscape, in response to the Sounds of our City exhibition.

‘Sonic Stops’ allows listeners to trace the musical geography of Leeds, following the route of two existing bus journeys crossing South to North and West to East.

Through two soundscape compositions spanning the length of the bus journeys, listeners will move in real-time through musical ‘stops’ immersing them in some of the music styles, places and stories featured in the Sounds of our City exhibition.

Making use of audio from the archive as well as new collaborations with local artists, the soundscapes will weave together music, speech and atmospheric sounds to create a continuous journey and leave the listener curious to discover more.

Exclusively for the virtual premiere, the compositions will be paired with video footage created by Split Design that will take viewers across Leeds, first from South to North on the number 2 bus route starting at 7 pm, then from West to East on the 50A bus route, starting at 8 pm with each route lasting around 45 minutes.

The video footage from the two bus routes will transport viewers to the landmarks and sights of Leeds that have inspired Better Songs to develop their soundscapes, including The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds Irish Centre, Roundhay Park and the West Indian Centre.

The soundscapes will remain available to listen to online or on the routes themselves when we are all able to get back on to buses as normal.

A link to watch the premiere will be emailed to all registered attendees shortly before 7pm on Wednesday 28th April 2021.