EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE
There may some small glimmer of hope for ESA claimants as the House of Lords Committee to begin a process which
could, in theory, result in the new test being prevented from becoming law.
Anti-gay Christian couple lose foster care case
Well I agree that this couple should not be aloud to foster if they can not accept Homosexuality in today’s world, we should all be living in a diverse world but then you get people like this.
I am also shocked that this couple come from an ethnic background so they should know about prejudice and the effect it can and does have on people.
News taken from The Guardian News website click here for website
Court rules against Christian couple who claimed their beliefs on homosexuality should not prevent them becoming foster carers.
A Pentecostal Christian couple have lost their high court claim that they were discriminated against by a local authority because they insisted on their right to tell young foster children that homosexuality is morally wrong.
Eunice and Owen Johns, who are in their sixties and have fostered children in the past, claimed they were being discriminated against by Derby city council because of their Christian beliefs, after they told a social worker they could not tell a child a “homosexual lifestyle” was acceptable. The couple had hoped to foster five- to 10-year-olds.
The case was the latest to be brought by conservative evangelicals, led by the Christian Legal Centre, over their supporters’ right to discriminate specifically against gay people and not be bound by equality regulations. All the cases have so far been lost. Read full story here
Activists take over RBS branch in Lancaster
Please see the blog below.
Lancaster people occupy bailed out bank (RBS) and turn it into a public library! Cuts
Reposted report from ‘Indymedia’ of local action in Lancaster on Sat 26th Feb, 2011. This was part of a nationwide ‘UKuncut’day of occupations.
“A group of 20 – 30 activists and kids bailed in to the Lancaster branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and turned the bank into a library for the morning. Entering the bank mid morning the space was quickly given a make over with books to browse, anti cuts leaflets to read, and a couple of large placards drawing attention to the fact that banking bosses at RBS got £950 million in bonuses despite the business operating at a loss of £1.1 billion in 2010. If the banking bail out means our libraries and services are to close, then the banks will be used to facilitate such services! The local Cops were caught completely off guard. They took almost an hour to respond to events. Then when they demanded to speak to whoever was in charge they were met with shrugs, blank looks, and “we’re not protesting this is the library”. With kids making good use of the available books and games, an adult reading revolutionary poetry, and a group of quiet readers the Cops seemed too embarrassed to attempt a forced eviction! They claimed taking pictures in the building was illegal but were then pointed towards the CCTV cameras on the walls! Eventually they just stood there helpless and the bank (or rather library) was put to good use until closing time”.
There will be many more events like this, just let me know if anyone wants to get involved. Also there are a few seats left on coaches to London for the big march on the 26th, let me know asap if you know anyone interested in going.
Infection
Well 4 different courses of Antibiotics since December 2010.
I was put on a course of Doxycycline Antibiotics back in December for an infection on my chest, along with these I got course of steroids too, finished the course and thought that was it but as the weeks went on I got worse again so back to the doctors and another course of Amoxicillin Antibiotics just in time for Christmas.
Christmas passed and I felt fine then last week bang back down and back on yet another course of Doxycycline Antibiotics and a new inhaler, but these weren’t helping.
So on Friday just gone I was put on my last course and stronger ones called ,Klaricid MR 500mg told to rest up and take it easy and if these Antibiotics don’t work then it’s into Hospital for IV drugs for maybe a week “which I do not want”.
They think I was unlucky and got 1 infection after the other and my chest infection went into a mouth and throat infection.
Well today was back at the doctors and my Peak flow and Blood Pressure was at a good level so need to continue my resting and take the rest of the Antibiotics and go back in a few weeks.
I was always under the impression that too many Antibiotics can do more harm than good, well time will tell so they say.
While I was ill my Hubby bought me a new phone Blackberry Curve 9300 so that cheered me up.
I recieved lots of well wishes while I was ill well still ill, we don’t have many friends but the few I have are top class and got a good in-law based family and my own family are dear to me too.
Wayne
XxX
TAKE A BREATH AND SAY 99
I have just read the most remarkable story on a guys blog page about his journey with having lung disease, I have given a paragraph below to give you an incite but to get the full story you need to read his blog.
Where did it all go wrong!!
The year started off well and I was doing well.But things were destined to take a unusual turn after my visit to clinic after Christmas. I was still getting headaches in the morning, had mentioned this with the doctor who felt it would sort it self out or may be as a result of a side effect of one of the medications.I felt that it could have been due to CO2 and asked about Bi-Pap.The doctor said that it was rare for people to need it and he would adjust the medication if needed should the headaches continue.
The suggestion was made that regular 20 minutes of exercise would help increase my lung function as this had dropped if this did not improve it would mean a bronchoscopy to clear the lungs and check for rejection.
I had been out and done some walking and exercise but evidently not enough.
Read full story here
Welfare Reform Bill 2011
On 16 February 2011 the Welfare Reform Bill was introduced to Parliament, and 17th February the British Prime Mister announced the plans of The Bill and The Bill legislates for the biggest change for over 60 years.
The main points of the Bill: (see DWP website for full list and story on this big change click here)
- the introduction of Universal Credit to provide a single streamlined benefit that will ensure work always pays
- a stronger approach to reducing fraud and error with tougher penalties for the most serious offences
- a new claimant commitment showing clearly what is expected of claimants while giving protection to those with the greatest needs
- reforms to Disability Living Allowance, through the introduction of the Personal Independence Payment to meet the needs of disabled people today
- reforming Employment and Support Allowance to make the benefit fairer and to ensure that help goes to those with the greatest need.
Click on the links below to see information on my top 5 that I think are the biggest change.
(1) Universal Credit
(2) Benefit Cap
(3) ESA Youth
(4) Employment Support Allowance
(5) Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
Protest at Lancashire County Council cuts meeting
Lancashire county council have announced the cuts and there was protests. BBC Lancashire News and Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council says.
THE final agreement on Lancashire County Council’s budget was given at today’s Full Council meeting (Thursday 17 February).
Lancashire County Council has taken the unprecedented step of setting the budget for the next three years.
The council intends to save £179.1m from its revenue budget over the next three years, with new investment totalling £218.5m in the next four years.
The county council’s part of the council tax will be frozen next year, with any increases in the following two years limited to a maximum of 2.5%.
County Councillor Geoff Driver, leader of the county council, said: “There is no getting away from the fact that we have had to make some tough decisions in making these savings but it has given us an opportunity to look at how we can reshape some of our services without compromising the quality. We will be protecting frontline services as far as possible and will spend £133m less on management and administration over the next three years.
“The agreed budget today sets out a saving of £179.1m but some of the proposals are currently out to consultation and therefore exactly how we will go about shaping those services has still to be determined.
“By setting out a clear plan for the next three years we have identified how we need to do things differently in some instances but it also means that we will not be standing here next year announcing a whole new lot of savings.”
The county council will also benefit from an additional £1.14m of Home Office funding that will go into community safety. The funding will come in to the county council who will distribute it to district councils towards the work of Police Community Support Officers.
While making savings over the next three years, the county council has also agreed new investment to improve the road network and road safety.
The new investment totalling £218.5m over the next four years will improve the county’s infrastructure and drive economic growth, including:
* £81m to maintain assets such as roads, lighting and bridges; to tackle potholes and other problems caused by recent severe weather
* £10.7m to improve road safety, including the establishment of 20mph areas in residential areas
* Major transport schemes, such as £11.4m for the revised Heysham-M6 Link plan and £6.8m for the Blackpool to Fleetwood tramway. Planning will also begin for the proposed Broughton Bypass.
The county council also estimates that over £123m will be invested in improving the condition of school buildings across Lancashire over the next four years.
County Councillor Driver said: “This substantial investment, at a time when we face a very challenging financial situation, shows our determination to ensure that Lancashire has the right infrastructure to encourage the economic growth that the county needs.
“From ensuring our existing roads are in good repair, to pushing forward with major new road schemes and economic development initiatives, we aim to create the conditions for businesses to bring jobs and prosperity across the county.”
During 2011, it is likely that the council will formally agree a strategic partnership with BT which could lead to savings of £400m over ten years. This would involve council services such as HR and payroll, ICT support for council services and schools; how people contact the council and procurement.
A new super-fast broadband network planned by Lancashire County Council will be running by 2014. It will play a key role in securing economic recovery and growth across the county. During the next year the council will look to sign up a commercial partner to deliver this ambitious project.
By taking the step to set the budget for the next three years the county council is seeking to give clarity about its future by setting out plans for a £71.7m saving in 2011-12, followed by a further £50m in 2012-13 and another £57.4m in 2013-14 – a total of £179.1m over the next three years.
The county council needs to make the savings as a result of the recent local government finance settlement and existing budget pressures, such as the costs of serving an ageing population.
Not including the budget for schools, managed by the schools themselves, it means the county council has to save around a quarter of its direct annual expenditure.
Phil Halsall, chief executive of the county council, said: “The scale of the challenge is considerable but we intend to establish a clear and steady path towards a financially sustainable future.
“The county council will remain a large organisation responsible for hundreds of vital services and we need to ensure those services will be effective even when there is far less money available.
“As we have said before, there is no doubt the workforce will be smaller in the future but we remain confident we can achieve this through voluntary redundancy and redeployment.”
BBC Lancashire says
Demonstrators have gathered outside Lancashire County Council’s headquarters to protest against £179m cuts, which are being discussed inside
The annual £803m budget is to be cut by £33m next year and £146m over 2012/14.
Conservative council leader Geoff Driver said: “The county council has to save around a quarter of its direct annual expenditure. Read full story here on BBC website
Sex Offenders can request to be removed from register.
NO NO NO !!!!!!!!! This can not happen what is she thinking of ???
Paedophiles and rapists will be able to apply to have their names removed from the sex offenders register – but only 15 years after their release from prison.
Home Secretary Theresa May told the Commons the Government is obliged to act on a ruling by the Supreme Court but would make “the minimum possible changes”.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, David Cameron said he was “appalled” by the court’s ruling and said it “seems to fly completely in the face of common sense”.
Last year, the court decided that putting sex offenders on the register for life without a right of appeal was “disproportionate”.
Judges said they should be allowed to prove they had changed.
Currently anyone sentenced to 30 months or more in prison for a sex offence is automatically put on the register for an indefinite period.
Their names, addresses, date of birth and national insurance number are recorded, and they must inform police in person of any changes or if they wish to leave the country.
Mrs May said offenders can apply for consideration to be removed from the list 15 years after they have been released from custody. There will be no automatic appeals.
A final decision on whether an offender should remain on the register will be made by police and there will be no right of appeal.
“Sex offenders who continue to pose a risk will remain on the register and will do so for life, if necessary,” she said.
Home Office officials are preparing new rules after failing to overturn the Supreme Court ruling that it is a breach of offenders’ human rights to be put on the register for life with no review.
Mrs May said: “The Government is appalled by this ruling. It places the rights of sex offenders above the right of the public to be protected from the risk of reoffending, but there is no possibility of further appeal.
“This Government is determined to do everything we can to protect the public from predatory sexual offenders, and so we will make the minimum possible changes to the law in order to comply with this ruling.”
She added: “I want to make clear that the court’s ruling does not mean that paedophiles and rapists will automatically come off the sex offenders’ register.”
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said MPs had “an obligation” to protect the public, especially children and other vulnerable groups, from sex offenders.
She said more than 25% of sex offenders went on to commit further serious crimes. The new system “must be extremely tough” to have the support of MPs, she added.
Mrs May confirmed a commitment to establish a commission to investigate the creation of a British Bill of Rights, which was in the coalition Government’s manifesto.
“For it is time to assert that it is Parliament that makes our laws, not the courts; that the rights of the public come before the rights of criminals; and above all, that we have a legal framework that brings sanity to cases such as these,” she said,
She added the Government was taking action to close four existing loopholes in the sex offenders register.
Read full story here
Home Office Site here
COPD and Understanding it.
Understanding COPD?
COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease. COPD is a term applied to a family of diseases that includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema due to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
COPD usually progresses gradually, causing limited airflow in and out of the lungs and add’s to the work of the heart.
COPD
Diseased lungs might reduce the amount of oxygen that goes to the blood. High blood pressure in blood vessels from the heart to the lungs makes it difficult for the heart to pump; this could alsocause the body to produce too many red blood cells, whichmightmake the blood thicker and harder to pump.
People who suffer from COPD and have low oxygen levels might develop an enlarged heart, this condition may weaken the heart and causes increased shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs and feet.
Chronic bronchitis and Emphysema
Chronic bronchitis is irritation and inflammation of the lining in the bronchial tubes or air passages, the irritation causes coughing and an excess amount of mucus in the airways.
The swelling makes it difficult to get air in and out of the lungs; the small, very fine structures on the inside of the airways might be damaged by the irritation,
Bronchitis is generally considered chronic when you have: and cough and coughing up mucus and shortness of breath that lasts about three months or more each year for two or more years in a row.
Emphysema is the destruction, or breakdown, of the walls of the alveoli (air sacs) located at the end of the bronchial tubes. The damaged alveoli are not able to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the blood. The bronchioles lose their elasticity and collapse when you exhale, trapping air in the lungs. The trapped air keeps fresh air and oxygen from entering the lungs.
Symptoms of COPD
- Shortness of breath
- Shortness of breath with mild exercise (walking, using the stairs, etc.)
- Chronic, productive cough (with mucus)
- A feeling of “tightness” in the chest
- Wheezing
What causes COPD?
The two primary causes of COPD are cigarette smoking, Air pollution and occupational dusts might also contribute to COPD, especially when the person exposed to these substances is a cigarette smoker.
Cigarette smoke causes COPD by irritating the airways and creating inflammation that narrows the airways, making it more difficult to breathe. Cigarette smoke also causes the cilia to stop working properly so mucus and trapped particles are not cleaned from the airways. As a result, chronic cough and excess mucus production develop, leading to chronic bronchitis.
In some people, chronic bronchitis and infections can lead to destruction of the small airways, or emphysema.
AAT deficiency, an inherited disorder, can also lead to emphysema. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a protective material produced in the liver and transported to the lungs to help combat inflammation. When there is not enough of the chemical AAT, the body is no longer protected from an enzyme in the white blood cells. This can cause a breakdown in the walls of the air sacs (alveoli). When the alveoli are destroyed, oxygen cannot be transferred into the blood and carbon dioxide cannot be taken from the blood to be exhaled.
How is COPD diagnosed?
To diagnose COPD, the physician needs the answers to the following questions:
- Do you smoke?
- Have you had chronic exposure to dust or air pollutants?
- Do other members of your family have lung disease?
- Are you short of breath?
- Do you get short of breath with exercise?
- Do you have chronic cough and/or wheezing?
- Do you cough up excess mucus?
To help with the diagnosis, the physician will conduct a thorough physical exam, which includes:
- Listening to your lungs and heart
- Checking your blood pressure and pulse
- Examining your nose and throat
- Checking your feet and ankles for swelling
- Take Bloods for gases
- Chest X-ray
- Spirometry test
- Exercise test
Treatment?
In the beginning stages of COPD, there is minimal shortness of breath that might be noticed only during exercise, but as the disease progresses, shortness of breath might worsen, and you might need to wear an oxygen device.
To help control other symptoms of COPD, the following treatments and lifestyle changes might be prescribed:
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding cigarette smoke areas
- Other irritants
- Taking medications prescribed for you
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Following a structured exercise program
- To and avoid respiratory infections
In some cases if your COPD progresses, you might be eligible to be evaluated for lung surgery or lung transplant
Although COPD cannot be cured, its symptoms can be treated and your quality of life can be improved. Your prognosis, for the future will depend on how well your lungs are functioning, your symptoms, and how well you respond to treatment.