Roundup of new DWP changes due next year including benefits uprating and welfare reform

A thug is behind bars for the "merciless" abuse of a woman and boy. Kenneth Quinn was convicted of the attacks spanning four decades.

Planned amendments to the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill by the UK Government have sparked recent debate across Parliament on whether or not it is necessary to include monitoring the bank accounts of those in receipt of the State Pension. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said that the new proposals aim to reduce fraud and error in the benefits system.

Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor The “Barbenheimer” craze continues with Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” being named among AFI Awards 2023 top 10 best films of the year. Netflix led studios with two movies making the list — Bradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein biopic “Maestro” and Todd Haynes’ black comedy “May December.” With an eclectic mix of critically acclaimed and consumer friendly titles, the list of top movies also includes films by newcomers (Cord Jefferson’s “American Fiction” and Celine Song’s “Past Lives”), veterans (Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” and Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers”) and stylish visionaries (Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” and Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K.

A brand new tequila cocktail bar is opening in Manchester.

The Trafford Centre is already packed with shoppers in the run up to Christmas, and now the mall has announced its extended opening hours over the festive period. It will include a week of late night shopping in the run up to Christmas to 11pm.

The Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) has issued a statement on whether or not new cost of living payments will be announced from next spring.

Millions of people on disability benefits including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance will see their payments rise by 6.7 per cent next April after the uprating was confirmed by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt during the recent Autumn Statement.

As the iconic teen series Zoey 101 celebrates its 18th anniversary, fans are left wondering, where are the stars of the show now? Launched in 2005, Zoey 101 starred Britney Spears ' little sister as Zoey Brooks, who starts attending a private boarding school after it starts accepting girls.The show ran for four seasons and 61 episodes, with Jamie Lynn Spears winning the Kids' Choice Award for Favourite TV Actress in 2006. Join us on a nostalgic journey as we catch up with the beloved cast and explore their post-Zoey adventures. Jamie Lynn Spears (Zoey Brooks) Jamie Lynn, who portrayed Zoey, faced rumors that her teenage pregnancy led to the show's premature end in 2008.

Construction work on a brand new hospital theatre in Wigan is set to begin now planning permission has been granted.

Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn‘s breakup may have come out of nowhere for fans, but it was actually a very long time coming!

More than 8 million people across Scotland, England and Wales received a £300 cost of living payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between October 31 and November 19, 2023. The second part of the £900 means-tested cost of living payment provided a financial boost for those on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Tax Credits and other income-related benefits.

Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor Oscar season begins this week in the Big Apple. The New York Film Critics Circle will be the first major group of film journalists to unveil its winners on Nov. 30.

Netflix’s Wham! documentary and the George Michael co-directed George Michael: Freedom, which is the ultimate second part of a whopping double-header that I urge you to do over the Christmas period. And now, you can add another to the list; George Michael: Portrait of A Legend which is available on special collectors’ edition Blu-ray and DVD with a smashing a host of extras and a 44-page booklet.I’ve not seen this one as yet but I’ve heard good things.

UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt wants North East England to get in on the all-consuming Barbie hype. 

As Christmas edges nearer many of us will be confirming plans on how to spend the day with family traditions and wintery walks.This is no different for members of the Royal Family who hold a bundle of traditions and quirky aspects during the festive period. Each year, members of the Royal Family come together for the festive period and traditionally spend time at King Charles' residence, Sandringham House in Norfolk.The sprawling country house has a bundle of bedrooms and is situated within 20,000 acres - the perfect setting for a royal Christmas.

The Scottish Government recently announced a new devolved disability payment designed to provide additional financial support for people of State Pension age will not include a mobility component. However, it has also confirmed the new benefit will not include any face-to-face assessments as part of the application process.

There was some good news for Greater Manchester in the autumn statement today (November 22), but local leaders have warned that many people will still face a difficult winter. Jeremy Hunt announced changes to pensions, benefits and national insurance in his speech this afternoon, telling MPs the country has 'turned a corner' after a turbulent time which saw some 'difficult decisions' made.

Millions of people on Universal Credit will see their monthly benefit payments increase next year. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in his autumn statement on Wednesday that benefits will rise by September’s inflation figure of 6.7% from April 2024.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered his autumn statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday (November 22) saying the country's economy is "back on track".

The price of duty on beer, cider, wine and spirits will be frozen until next summer. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in his autumn statement on Wednesday that alcohol duty will be frozen until August 1 next year.