New DWP fraud and error crackdown set to target millions of people on Universal Credit this year

The much-anticipated Barbie film finally hits cinema screens today (Friday, July 21) - and keen-eyed moviegoers who also know their Love Island contestants might spot a familiar face while they're enjoying the summer blockbuster. Chris Taylor, who appeared on the ITV dating show's fifth season, makes a cameo which is understood to have come about all because of the film's star.

We are in the middle of holiday season, with many jetting off for a well earned break.

The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that State Pension currently provides regular financial support for 12.6million older people across the country, including nearly one million retirees living in Scotland. This payment is available for those who have reached the UK Government’s eligible retirement age, which is currently 66 for both men and women, and have paid at least 10 years' worth of National Insurance Contributions.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Peter Lanzani, star of some of the greatest films and series to come out of Argentina of late – “Argentina, 1985,” “El Angel,” “The Clan,” “4X4,” “Un Gallo Para Esculapio” – is set to make his directorial debut, helming a biopic of Argentine ‘80s rock icon Luca Prodan. Lanzani will also play Prodan. Two other movers and shakers on Argentina’s film-TV scene, Argentina’s Armando Bo, an Academy Award winner for the screenplay of Alejandro González Inárritu’s “Birdman, or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance,” and Luis Ortega, the multi-awarded director of “Lulu” and “El Angel,” will serve as executive producers. 

EXCLUSIVE: Filmmaking duo Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton, best known for their Oscar-winning short The Silent Child, have set a new slate of projects at their UK-based production company Slick Films.

The Mary Wallopers have announced their new single ‘Wexford’, and told NME how they are looking to challenge perceptions of Irish folk music by making their music as accessible and thought-provoking as possible.Having gained notoriety from their lockdown livestreams, Dundalk band The Mary Wallopers have gone on to galvanise an unlikely fanbase from across the UK – and been hailed as making the traditional folk genre more accessible to a new generation.Following on from lead single ‘The Holy Ground’, the band have today (July 17) released the second track new album ‘Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll’ — a cover of Pecker Dunne’s ‘Wexford’.One of the album’s more emotive and introspective tracks, the cover sees The Mary Wallopers pay tribute to the late Irish folk icon and shed a light on the backlash faced by travellers, which often goes overlooked.“It is to show respect to the people that influence us,” guitarist Charles Hendy told NME. “The song itself is so raw and honest, it’s about him growing up in Wexford and he doesn’t sugarcoat anything in it.“It’s just an amazingly written song.

Nothing says summer like a festival.

Brett Goldstein aka Roy Kent, is headed stateside to perform stand-up at the 2023 New York Comedy Festival.On Friday, Nov. 10, the British actor-comedian-writer-podcaster will hit the stage at NYC’s Beacon Theatre for a show he’s dubbed “The Second Best Night Of Your Life.”According to the show description, “there will be swears.”Not familiar with Goldstein outside of “Ted Lasso?”Turns out he’s quite an accomplished comic who had a solo show about working in his dad’s strip club.Yes, you read that right.And if you want to score tickets to see him live in the Big Apple today, we’re here to help.Although inventory is limited on Ticketmaster due to high demand, fans who want to ensure they have tickets ahead of time can purchase on sites like Vivid Seats before tickets are officially on sale.Vivid Seats is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.They have a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and will be delivered before the event.Many comics have been tapped to perform at this year’s Festival in November.Just a few of the biggest names on the bill include Bill Burr, Anthony Jeselnik, Dave Attell, Ilana Glazer and Jimmy Carr.You can find more knee-slappin’ acts set to perform at this year’s comedy extravaganza here.If you can’t make it out to NYC to catch Goldstein live this year, there will be plenty of other silver and small screen stars trekking all over the U.S.

K.J. Yossman The world’s best known fashion doll is bringing some of her trademark pink vibes to London ahead of the “Barbie” movie’s European premiere on Wednesday. Warner Bros. Pictures have “pinkified” London’s iconic buses and black cabs with full wraps advertising the film, which stars Margot Robbie as the eponymous doll and Ryan Gosling as her on-screen boyfriend Ken, as well as displaying posters on billboards and at subway stations. The cast of the film are also set to light up London’s landmarks in pink on Wednesday evening at 9.30pm local time following the film’s premiere in the city in what Warner and tourist body Visit London promise to be “Barbie’s best day ever.”

Naman Ramachandran Brad Pitt has revealed some key plot details of his keenly anticipated Formula One racing feature. Over the weekend, Pitt and co-star Damson Idris filmed for the Apple production during the British Formula One Grand Prix at Silverstone in the U.K., driving laps around the legendary track. Speaking to former British racing champion Martin Brundle, Pitt told Sky Sports: “It’s all been great. The vibe is amazing, to get to be part of it and tell our story. The teams have opened their doors to us.” Pitt said that he plays “a guy who raced in the 1990s… who has a horrible crash, craps out and disappears, then he’s racing in other disciplines. His friend, played by Javier Bardem, he’s a team owner, contacts him. They’re a last place team, they’re 21-22 on the grid, they’ve never scored a point. But they have a young phenom, played by Damson Idris, and they bring me in as kind of a Hail Mary and hijinks ensue. Tell you what’s amazing about it — there are cameras mounted all over the car — you’ve never seen speed, you’ve never seen just the G-forces like this. It’s really, really exciting.”

easyJet has launched some new flights from two Scottish airports this festive season, including a new route from Edinburgh to Lapland. The budget airline has also put some brand new holiday packages on sale for six of the eight routes, reports Wales Online.

Ariana Grande has shared a video of her singing Kylie Minogue‘s ‘Padam Padam’ in celebration of London Pride.London Pride took place over the weekend (Saturday July 1), with many of the streets in the centre of the capital closed for music and culture events, parades, concerts and more to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.That day, Grande took to her Instagram stories to post a now-expired video of her lip-syncing and dancing along to the Minogue track with the caption, “Happy London Pride! I Love Youuuuu.”The 30-year-old also shouted out Minogue, writing, “@kylieminogue you’re perfect.” The message came decorated with Pride flags, noting that ‘Padam Padam’ has become a huge hit among the LGBTQIA+ community.ariana grande sings along to @kylieminogue 'padam padam' pic.twitter.com/0voMn8SjSQ— Minogue Updates (@MinogueUpdates) July 1, 2023The Australian soap star-turned-pop juggernaut’s latest single has become Minogue’s 35th UK Top 10 hit after it peaked at Number Eight on the UK Top 40 chart. Also, many publications cite ‘Padam Padam’ as a “gay anthem” and the word “Padam” is being used as a catch-all gay communiqué.Vice US President Kamala Harris has also been seen dancing to the track.

J Hus has announced the imminent arrival of his first new album since 2020’s Big Conspiracy. Due out July 14 via Black Butter, Beautiful and Brutal Yard will feature two previously released tracks: his May solo single “It’s Crazy” and the Drake-featuring “Who Told You,” shared earlier this month.

The Last Dinner Party have shared their second single and announced new UK tour dates – listen to ‘Sinner’ below.Following a summer of festivals and in between support gigs with First Aid Kit and Hozier, the five-piece will play 11 recently-announced gigs across the UK with Picture Parlour in support.After the band’s first gig at London’s EartH sold out in a matter of hours, they have now added a second on the following night (October 18).To celebrate the news of the tour, the band have shared ‘Sinner’, the follow-up to their debut single ‘Nothing Matters’, alongside a live performance video.Discussing the new track, guitarist Lizzie Mayland said: “’Sinner’ is a story of self-acceptance, and the longing for the past and present self to become one.”Watch the video for ‘Sinner’, listen to the new track and see the new UK tour dates below. Tickets are on sale now here.OCTOBER 20238 – Blackpool, Central Library (matinee show without Picture Parlour)9 – Glasgow, King Tut’s10 – Newcastle, The Cluny12 – Manchester, Academy214 – Leeds, Live At Leeds15 – Hull, The Welly 17 – London, EartH (sold out) 18 – London, EartH (new date)19 – Cambridge,  Portland Arms21 – Cardiff, Swn Festival22 – Bristol, FleeceSpeaking to NME about their era of having no official releases, Bassist Georgia Davies shared: “I’m kind of going to miss our era of being like, ‘Yeah, we don’t have any songs.’ It’s kind of a flex to be like, ‘We’ve got nothing out, come to the show’.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have cut their final ties with the United Kingdom!

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have cut their final ties with the United Kingdom!The palace has confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have officially vacated their home at Frogmore Cottage. Per , Sir Michael Stevens, keeper of the Privy Purse, told reporters, «We can confirm that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have vacated Frogmore Cottage. »We will not be going into any detail on those arrangements here.«Stevens also noted Harry and Meghan's previous renovations to the home saying, „Safe to say that, as has previously been stated, the duke and duchess have paid for the expenditure incurred by the Sovereign Grant in relation to the renovation of Frogmore Cottage, thus leaving the Crown with a greatly enhanced asset.“When asked if Prince Andrew would be moving into the now-vacated home, which was gifted to the pair by Queen Elizabeth II following their 2018 wedding, Stevens said that they will not be discussing leasing matters. In March, ET confirmed thatKing Charles II evicted Harry and Meghan from the residence following the release of Harry's telling memoir, . In a statement to ET, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said, „We can confirm The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been requested to vacate their residence at Frogmore Cottage.“At the time, it was reported that Charles was offering the residence to his brother, Prince Andrew.The move came after Charles took away Andrew's access to his former apartment and office inside Buckingham Palace.

Andrew Cushin has shared a music video for his single ‘It’s Coming Round Again’ — filmed during his tour with Louis Tomlinson. Check it out below.The track was the latest single to be taken from his hotly anticipated debut album, ‘Waiting For The Rain’, which is set to arrive on September 29.

Stormzy and footballer Wilfried Zaha are set to buy AFC Croydon.The musician and forward player – who both grew up in the south London borough – have agreed a deal to acquire non-league club AFC Croydon, according to reports.Both are also part of a three-man consortium alongside former Crystal Palace head of player care, Danny Young, and the Croydon team to compete in the ninth tier of English football.The team was founded in 2012 after Croydon Athletic folded. Speaking of the new agreement, they said (via BBC Sport): “The consortium will own, operate and develop their childhood hometown football club.

Viaplay has unveiled a new operating model as it battles the economic downturn.

In an exclusive interview with new,Thomas Hartley, former Married at First Sight UK contestant, has spilled the beans about his new man, Rob Forber. Calling them Liverpool’s answer to Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly, the 31-year-old said he's "really proud" of his new relationship as Rob "makes him feel comfortable and he lets him be himself." Thomas' relationship announcement comes after a failed relationship with his ex Adrian Sanderson, who he met on the E4 reality show last year. However, the star now confirms the pair are "great friends" although he joked that he “wanted to drown Adrian in the pool” during their honeymoon.