Disabled people to get ‘right to try’ work without risk of losing benefits

Ministers are considering dropping controversial plans to freeze some disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payments (PIP), to avoid a damaging vote in the Commons. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is set to announce reforms to the welfare system next week, with the government expected to announce billions of pounds worth of cuts, including the potential freezing of PIP benefits. However, this plan may be abandoned after facing strong opposition from Labour MPs and peers,...

Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that a scheme dispatching expert medical teams to hospitals in high-unemployment areas is significantly reducing NHS waiting lists. Launched in September, the initiative targets 20 areas with high economic inactivity, resulting in a 130% acceleration in the decline of waiting times and the removal of approximately 37,000 patients from lists. Streeting stated that the targeted efforts are twice as effective as national averages, with top doctors providing support to get...

Mechelen is participating in the 5th year of Digital Cleanup Day, with Sabe De Graef encouraging people to declutter their digital devices to improve efficiency, reduce IT costs, and lessen environmental impact. De Graef advises clearing out emails, deleting unused apps, and organizing files to make computers faster and help the environment by reducing energy consumption. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of digital cleanliness in improving productivity and sustainability. Full Article

Sainsbury's CEO Simon Roberts has noted a resurgence in big weekly shopping trips as more customers return to the office post-Covid, seeking convenience and value. The supermarket plans to invest in food-focused refurbishments, adding 1,300 new food lines while reducing non-food space. Under Mr. Roberts' leadership, Sainsbury's has seen an increase in market share and volume, with an expected annual operating profit of £1.03bn. Full Article

The MEPs at a European Parliament conference recommended that the EU designate Samidoun Palestinian Prisoners Solidarity Network as a terrorist entity and add it to the EU Terrorist List. The network, with ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, was banned in Germany in 2023 for its extremist activities and connections to violent acts against Israel. The ban led to a reduction in Samidoun's activities in Germany and highlighted the need for...

Archaeologists in Eeklo, led by Tomas Bradt, discovered a 14th-15th century oven, along with skeletons from the 13th-17th century and pre-1240 cart tracks, attracting around 250 visitors like Elise Ryckaert. The tours provided insight into Eeklo's medieval history and sparked interest in the town's past, prompting further archaeological exploration in the area. Eeklo's efforts to preserve its history while improving the city for the future were well-received by the community and city leaders, setting the...