Anger as lone parents face benefit cuts

May 20, 2012 Carers, charities, family, ukcuts

Short notice of welfare shake-up hits 124,000 now under increased pressure to find work

Yvonne Roberts
The Observer, Sunday 20 May 2012

A young mother with her daughter outside her home on a council estate in Bristol.

Charities have spoken of their fury over changes to the welfare system which from tomorrow will force unemployed single parents with children about to start school to find a job or risk losing part or all of their benefits.

These 124,000 single parents with children aged five and six were given only eight weeks notice of the fact that they would have to move from income support to jobseeker’s allowance (JSA). Previously, lone parents of older children have been given up to 12 months notice, giving them a greater chance of planning ahead and improving their skills and qualifications.

London marathon gets a bright start as 37,500 runners take to the streets

April 22, 2012 Carers, charities

Athletes include Steve Prescott and Paul Sculthorpe who cycled and kayaked to the capital after running the Paris marathon

Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 22 April 2012 10.34 BST

Sophie Raworth who collapsed during last year’s marathon is running again this year in aid of St John’s Ambulance.

Tens of thousands of fun runners and amateur athletes have set off in bright sunshine as the 32nd London marathon got under way.

Up to 37,500 athletes are expected to finish the 26.2-mile course through the streets of the capital to earn their marathon medals and raise money for countless charities.

As well as the elite athletes and fun runners, a host of celebrities crossed the start line in support of good causes.

Newsreader Sophie Raworth, 43, revealed she is running in aid of St John’s Ambulance after collapsing during last year’s event.