Author Archives: Maureen
MP joins Lynda Bellingham on caring campaign
07:00 Saturday 18 May 2013
Little Hadgham MP joins Lynda Bellingham on caring campaign
Written bySINEAD HOLLAND
LITTLE Hadham’s MP Oliver Heald has joined forces with Oxo mum actress Lynda Bellingham to celebrate the launch of Carers Week.
In a photocall at Westminster, The Conservative pledged his support to carers across his North East Herts constituency as part of the awareness campaign which will run between June 10 and 15, focussing on the country’s 6.5m unsung heroes.
Mr Heald said: “Every day across North East Herts, one in eight people will care for a loved one in some form. This hidden group of people give up their time, sometimes their jobs and often make life changing sacrifices to care for someone.
“Carers save this country an incredible £119 billion1 every year. That’s why I believe as a society we must be Prepared to Care for our carers. We are very fortunate to have Crossroads Care locally, which is an excellent support group.”
Disability benefit assessments 'unfair', says ex-worker
16 May 2013 Last updated at 17:27
Disability benefit assessments ‘unfair’, says ex-worker
Greg Wood, a former Royal Navy doctor, resigned from Atos earlier this month, after working as an assessor for two-and-a-half years.
He told the BBC the system was “skewed against the claimant”.
But Atos Healthcare says it submits “clinically justified reports” and completely rejects Dr Wood’s claims.
Atos, which has been criticised in the past by disability campaigners and MPs, carries out work capability assessments (WCAs) on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Web guru warns of digital divide
Web guru warns of digital divide
15/05/13
By Simon O’Hare
Internet entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox has issued a stark warning about the dangers of a ‘two-tier society’ based on web access in her first speech at the House of Lords.
There are 16 million people who lack basic digital skills and seven million who have never been online, said Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho, who became a peer in March.
“I see usage of and access to the internet as a basic right that all citizens should be able to enjoy,” she said.
The lastminute.com founder and UK Digital Champion said there needs to be a focus on developing skills and internet infrastructure to ensure sections of society are not left behind.
