River
@riverlorien.bsky.social
Happy escapee from the other place. Mix of interests inc health, welfare & disability policy, media, hospice/palliative care, the environment & animal welfare
Reposted by River
Low paid carer cancels her much needed benefits:
"My daughter, who is autistic, does not sleep much so I am constantly exhausted. My body is in so much pain."
"I’ve stopped the benefits, even though I need them, because I’m so scared I will not be able to get my settlement in the UK"
"My daughter, who is autistic, does not sleep much so I am constantly exhausted. My body is in so much pain."
"I’ve stopped the benefits, even though I need them, because I’m so scared I will not be able to get my settlement in the UK"
They won't be the only one. This government's cruel and inhumane anti-immigration policies are already cause widespread fear, even before they are implemented. Labour needs to change course on this right now before more harm is caused.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK immigration status fears prompt carer to cancel benefits she is entitled to
Woman cancels all benefits including disability living allowance for daughter after policy change announcement
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Low paid carer cancels her much needed benefits:
"My daughter, who is autistic, does not sleep much so I am constantly exhausted. My body is in so much pain."
"I’ve stopped the benefits, even though I need them, because I’m so scared I will not be able to get my settlement in the UK"
"My daughter, who is autistic, does not sleep much so I am constantly exhausted. My body is in so much pain."
"I’ve stopped the benefits, even though I need them, because I’m so scared I will not be able to get my settlement in the UK"
Reposted by River
Okay, here we go.
Health & care staff are no longer allowed a Covid booster, but they're still expected to look after COVID+ patients.
NHS/govt is reneging on its duty of care. Staff will become unwell, and patients too will suffer.
You know what to do
👇✍️
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Health & care staff are no longer allowed a Covid booster, but they're still expected to look after COVID+ patients.
NHS/govt is reneging on its duty of care. Staff will become unwell, and patients too will suffer.
You know what to do
👇✍️
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 28, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Okay, here we go.
Health & care staff are no longer allowed a Covid booster, but they're still expected to look after COVID+ patients.
NHS/govt is reneging on its duty of care. Staff will become unwell, and patients too will suffer.
You know what to do
👇✍️
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Health & care staff are no longer allowed a Covid booster, but they're still expected to look after COVID+ patients.
NHS/govt is reneging on its duty of care. Staff will become unwell, and patients too will suffer.
You know what to do
👇✍️
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by River
Yesterday, after our meeting with DCMS about the wall's permanence, we had the sad task of updating the number of covid dead. ❤️
November 29, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Yesterday, after our meeting with DCMS about the wall's permanence, we had the sad task of updating the number of covid dead. ❤️
Reposted by River
Sometimes you feel like you're being watched . . . thank you to @27rufus for today's #FoxOfTheDay
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Sometimes you feel like you're being watched . . . thank you to @27rufus for today's #FoxOfTheDay
'The report from the inquiry’s second module found that the Conservative UK government repeatedly failed to take action to protect disabled people in the early months of the pandemic, even though their risk of dying was twice as high as non-disabled people'
A report by the Covid inquiry into political decision-making during the pandemic proves that the “horrific” and disproportionate death toll among disabled people was not inevitable but the result of treating them as an “afterthought”, say campaigners.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/inquiry-repo...
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/inquiry-repo...
Inquiry report shows ‘horrific’ Covid death toll among disabled people was not inevitable, say DPOs
A report by the Covid inquiry into political decision-making during the pandemic proves that the “horrific” and disproportionate death toll among disabled people was not inevitable but the result o…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:50 AM
'The report from the inquiry’s second module found that the Conservative UK government repeatedly failed to take action to protect disabled people in the early months of the pandemic, even though their risk of dying was twice as high as non-disabled people'
'The United Nations committee on torture says there is evidence that Israel is operating a "de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture"
UN panel says Israel operating 'de facto policy of torture'
Rights groups gave harrowing details about conditions in Israeli detention centres. Israel has not responded but has previously denied allegations of torture.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 10:41 AM
'The United Nations committee on torture says there is evidence that Israel is operating a "de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture"
'Europe’s drying trend will have “far-reaching” impacts, hitting food security, farming and water-dependent ecosystems”
'Spain’s shrinking reserves...could directly affect the UK, which relies heavily on Spain and other European countries for for fruit and produce.'
'Spain’s shrinking reserves...could directly affect the UK, which relies heavily on Spain and other European countries for for fruit and produce.'
November 29, 2025 at 10:09 AM
'Europe’s drying trend will have “far-reaching” impacts, hitting food security, farming and water-dependent ecosystems”
'Spain’s shrinking reserves...could directly affect the UK, which relies heavily on Spain and other European countries for for fruit and produce.'
'Spain’s shrinking reserves...could directly affect the UK, which relies heavily on Spain and other European countries for for fruit and produce.'
Reposted by River
🇺🇦 Zelensky: The Russians launched about 36 missiles and almost 600 drones against ordinary life. The main targets of the attacks are energy and civilian facilities, a lot of damage and fires in residential buildings. As of now, dozens of people are injured and three people have died.
November 29, 2025 at 8:56 AM
🇺🇦 Zelensky: The Russians launched about 36 missiles and almost 600 drones against ordinary life. The main targets of the attacks are energy and civilian facilities, a lot of damage and fires in residential buildings. As of now, dozens of people are injured and three people have died.
Low paid carer cancels her much needed benefits:
"My daughter, who is autistic, does not sleep much so I am constantly exhausted. My body is in so much pain."
"I’ve stopped the benefits, even though I need them, because I’m so scared I will not be able to get my settlement in the UK"
"My daughter, who is autistic, does not sleep much so I am constantly exhausted. My body is in so much pain."
"I’ve stopped the benefits, even though I need them, because I’m so scared I will not be able to get my settlement in the UK"
They won't be the only one. This government's cruel and inhumane anti-immigration policies are already cause widespread fear, even before they are implemented. Labour needs to change course on this right now before more harm is caused.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK immigration status fears prompt carer to cancel benefits she is entitled to
Woman cancels all benefits including disability living allowance for daughter after policy change announcement
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Low paid carer cancels her much needed benefits:
"My daughter, who is autistic, does not sleep much so I am constantly exhausted. My body is in so much pain."
"I’ve stopped the benefits, even though I need them, because I’m so scared I will not be able to get my settlement in the UK"
"My daughter, who is autistic, does not sleep much so I am constantly exhausted. My body is in so much pain."
"I’ve stopped the benefits, even though I need them, because I’m so scared I will not be able to get my settlement in the UK"
Reposted by River
The genocide in Gaza is far from over | Raz Segal
The genocide in Gaza is far from over | Raz Segal
We live not in a post-Holocaust world of ‘Never Again’ but in the same world that led to the Holocaust, a world of ‘Again and Again’
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The genocide in Gaza is far from over | Raz Segal
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Judges should be wary of an ‘unconscious bias’ against those from different backgrounds who are poor, foreign and uneducated, the president of the Supreme Court has said. (From 2015)
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Judges should be wary of an ‘unconscious bias’ against those from different backgrounds who are poor, foreign and uneducated, the president of the Supreme Court has said. (From 2015)
Neuberger warns of ‘unconscious bias’ among judges
Judges should be 'sensitive' that often they have a more privileged background that many who appear in court.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 12:38 PM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Judges should be wary of an ‘unconscious bias’ against those from different backgrounds who are poor, foreign and uneducated, the president of the Supreme Court has said. (From 2015)
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Judges should be wary of an ‘unconscious bias’ against those from different backgrounds who are poor, foreign and uneducated, the president of the Supreme Court has said. (From 2015)
Reposted by River
Good morning , today's #FoxOfTheDay shared by @madmark56 - please keep sharing yours !
November 28, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Good morning , today's #FoxOfTheDay shared by @madmark56 - please keep sharing yours !
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
The likely diversity of a jury matters.
'University of Manchester published a report on racial bias and the bench. Among its shocking findings was that more than half of all legal professionals surveyed had seen one or more judge act in a racially biased way'
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
The likely diversity of a jury matters.
'University of Manchester published a report on racial bias and the bench. Among its shocking findings was that more than half of all legal professionals surveyed had seen one or more judge act in a racially biased way'
News focus: Bias on the bench - judicial diversity
A year on from a shocking report on racial bias and the bench, its authors hosted an event to evaluate progress. One conclusion was the judiciary needs to crack on with the report's recommendations.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 12:12 PM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
The likely diversity of a jury matters.
'University of Manchester published a report on racial bias and the bench. Among its shocking findings was that more than half of all legal professionals surveyed had seen one or more judge act in a racially biased way'
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
The likely diversity of a jury matters.
'University of Manchester published a report on racial bias and the bench. Among its shocking findings was that more than half of all legal professionals surveyed had seen one or more judge act in a racially biased way'
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
What is Badenoch talking about??
Just one quote: Acts 2:44 'All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property & possessions to give to anyone who had need'
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
What is Badenoch talking about??
Just one quote: Acts 2:44 'All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property & possessions to give to anyone who had need'
Kemi Badenoch says welfare spending is unchristian
Kemi Badenoch says welfare spending is unchristian
Kemi Badenoch says welfare spending is unchristian
www.thetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:36 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
What is Badenoch talking about??
Just one quote: Acts 2:44 'All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property & possessions to give to anyone who had need'
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
What is Badenoch talking about??
Just one quote: Acts 2:44 'All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property & possessions to give to anyone who had need'
Reposted by River
“She is doing things that I think are letting this country down".
Labour peer Alf Dubs, who arrived in the UK on the Kindertransport, tells @nicolakellywrites.bsky.social that he is deeply disappointed in Shabana Mahmood and Keir Starmer's betrayal of child refugees
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/28/a...
Labour peer Alf Dubs, who arrived in the UK on the Kindertransport, tells @nicolakellywrites.bsky.social that he is deeply disappointed in Shabana Mahmood and Keir Starmer's betrayal of child refugees
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/28/a...
Alf Dubs Accuses Shabana Mahmood of 'Letting the Country Down' With Plans to Outdo Reform on Asylum
The veteran Labour peer and lifelong campaigner for child refugees, Alf Dubs, tells Byline Times that the Home Secretary's plans are "bitterly disappointing coming from a Labour Government"
bylinetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:05 AM
“She is doing things that I think are letting this country down".
Labour peer Alf Dubs, who arrived in the UK on the Kindertransport, tells @nicolakellywrites.bsky.social that he is deeply disappointed in Shabana Mahmood and Keir Starmer's betrayal of child refugees
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/28/a...
Labour peer Alf Dubs, who arrived in the UK on the Kindertransport, tells @nicolakellywrites.bsky.social that he is deeply disappointed in Shabana Mahmood and Keir Starmer's betrayal of child refugees
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/28/a...
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
NHS: 'accelerating exodus of internationally trained doctors'
'changing attitudes toward migrants and rising instances of discrimination are playing a significant role.'
'many non-UK clinicians are questioning whether they feel safe, respected or valued'
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
NHS: 'accelerating exodus of internationally trained doctors'
'changing attitudes toward migrants and rising instances of discrimination are playing a significant role.'
'many non-UK clinicians are questioning whether they feel safe, respected or valued'
www.firstpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:37 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
NHS: 'accelerating exodus of internationally trained doctors'
'changing attitudes toward migrants and rising instances of discrimination are playing a significant role.'
'many non-UK clinicians are questioning whether they feel safe, respected or valued'
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
NHS: 'accelerating exodus of internationally trained doctors'
'changing attitudes toward migrants and rising instances of discrimination are playing a significant role.'
'many non-UK clinicians are questioning whether they feel safe, respected or valued'
Reposted by River
"Starvation, economic collapse, civil unrest and wars are among the risks we face if we don’t take decisive action to limit further global warming and preserve nature, leading experts in #climate, food, health and security warned today in London"
@nebriefing.bsky.social
@nebriefing.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 3:10 AM
"Starvation, economic collapse, civil unrest and wars are among the risks we face if we don’t take decisive action to limit further global warming and preserve nature, leading experts in #climate, food, health and security warned today in London"
@nebriefing.bsky.social
@nebriefing.bsky.social
Reposted by River
The OBR says the rise in claims was linked to the cost of living crisis
The way disabled people have been vilified over PIP, as if they were trying to play the system, was disgusting & shameful
Hacks & commentators that engaged in the grotesque demonisation of disabled people should be ashamed.
The way disabled people have been vilified over PIP, as if they were trying to play the system, was disgusting & shameful
Hacks & commentators that engaged in the grotesque demonisation of disabled people should be ashamed.
November 26, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The OBR says the rise in claims was linked to the cost of living crisis
The way disabled people have been vilified over PIP, as if they were trying to play the system, was disgusting & shameful
Hacks & commentators that engaged in the grotesque demonisation of disabled people should be ashamed.
The way disabled people have been vilified over PIP, as if they were trying to play the system, was disgusting & shameful
Hacks & commentators that engaged in the grotesque demonisation of disabled people should be ashamed.
'two in five parents of disabled children cannot properly heat their homes in winter, and the same proportion are skipping meals so their child can eat.'
"for some parents of disabled children with complex needs, day-to-day life is traumatic. We’re just coping and surviving."
"for some parents of disabled children with complex needs, day-to-day life is traumatic. We’re just coping and surviving."
For single mum Lorraine Griffin, the threat of future benefits cuts looms. She writes about what she would have liked to see in the budget.
Reeves' budget does nothing for families with disabled children like mine
www.bigissue.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:16 AM
'two in five parents of disabled children cannot properly heat their homes in winter, and the same proportion are skipping meals so their child can eat.'
"for some parents of disabled children with complex needs, day-to-day life is traumatic. We’re just coping and surviving."
"for some parents of disabled children with complex needs, day-to-day life is traumatic. We’re just coping and surviving."
Severe climate-related risks to UK economy and security:
'a collapse in the Atlantic...current (Amoc) would leave London freezing in winters of -20C, “and yet the summers would still be hotter than today’s”, leading to a situation where the UK would be 100% reliant on food imports.'
'a collapse in the Atlantic...current (Amoc) would leave London freezing in winters of -20C, “and yet the summers would still be hotter than today’s”, leading to a situation where the UK would be 100% reliant on food imports.'
“This isn’t about choosing between the economy and the environment. It’s about recognising that the economy is embedded within the environment, and that the health of the nation depends on the living systems that sustain us.”
https://bit.ly/4ajrZW5
https://bit.ly/4ajrZW5
Scientists warn of severe climate-related risks to UK economy and security
Experts lay out scale of changes needed in ‘first-of-its-kind national emergency briefing’ in Westminster
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Severe climate-related risks to UK economy and security:
'a collapse in the Atlantic...current (Amoc) would leave London freezing in winters of -20C, “and yet the summers would still be hotter than today’s”, leading to a situation where the UK would be 100% reliant on food imports.'
'a collapse in the Atlantic...current (Amoc) would leave London freezing in winters of -20C, “and yet the summers would still be hotter than today’s”, leading to a situation where the UK would be 100% reliant on food imports.'
Against the backdrop of water privatisation, 20,000 residents were initially lied to (and then gaslit for years) about the toxic effects of our worst ever water poisoning
Poison Water review – a damning tale of greed, incompetence and Britain’s biggest mass poisoning
Poison Water review – a damning tale of greed, incompetence and Britain’s biggest mass poisoning
When north Cornwall residents’ water turned black and gelatinous in 1988, they were urged to mix it with orange squash when drinking. This powerful film lays out the effects of the toxic H2O – and their long struggle for justice
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Against the backdrop of water privatisation, 20,000 residents were initially lied to (and then gaslit for years) about the toxic effects of our worst ever water poisoning
Reposted by River
Resolution Foundation analysis of the Chancellor's Budget:
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
November 27, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Resolution Foundation analysis of the Chancellor's Budget:
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
'All but the top 10% of the income distribution are worse off because of opting for threshold freezes'.
“Ironically, sticking to her manifesto tax pledge has cost millions of low-to-middle earners, who would have been better off with their tax rates rising than their thresholds being frozen.”
“Ironically, sticking to her manifesto tax pledge has cost millions of low-to-middle earners, who would have been better off with their tax rates rising than their thresholds being frozen.”
Income tax threshold freeze will hit poorer households harder, experts say
Income tax threshold freeze will hit poorer households harder, experts say
Move will have greater impact on living standards of taxpayers in bottom half of income scale, thinktanks say
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:33 PM
'All but the top 10% of the income distribution are worse off because of opting for threshold freezes'.
“Ironically, sticking to her manifesto tax pledge has cost millions of low-to-middle earners, who would have been better off with their tax rates rising than their thresholds being frozen.”
“Ironically, sticking to her manifesto tax pledge has cost millions of low-to-middle earners, who would have been better off with their tax rates rising than their thresholds being frozen.”
Reposted by River
One of my biggest fears is how the toughening up of restrictions directed at the many tens of thousands of people on Health and Care visas (both for extensions and settlement) will see increases in undocumented people. Instead of helping them, they are being demonised.
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
November 27, 2025 at 11:17 AM
One of my biggest fears is how the toughening up of restrictions directed at the many tens of thousands of people on Health and Care visas (both for extensions and settlement) will see increases in undocumented people. Instead of helping them, they are being demonised.
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Osborne & Cameron loved smearing poorer and ill/disabled people with the 'scroungers v skivers' narrative to justify brutal cuts.
Lots of bile about 'people with their curtains closed when you get up for work'
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Osborne & Cameron loved smearing poorer and ill/disabled people with the 'scroungers v skivers' narrative to justify brutal cuts.
Lots of bile about 'people with their curtains closed when you get up for work'
November 27, 2025 at 11:47 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Osborne & Cameron loved smearing poorer and ill/disabled people with the 'scroungers v skivers' narrative to justify brutal cuts.
Lots of bile about 'people with their curtains closed when you get up for work'
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Osborne & Cameron loved smearing poorer and ill/disabled people with the 'scroungers v skivers' narrative to justify brutal cuts.
Lots of bile about 'people with their curtains closed when you get up for work'