A controversial new Health and Social Care Bill was passed in the Commons on Monday night, bringing in some big changes to adult social care and the running of the NHS in the UK.
The bill passed with a majority of just 26, due to a large rebellion in the Tory party.
A large number of so-called 'red wall' MPs in the north of England voted against the bill, which has been widely criticised for disproportionately benefitting wealthier pensioners and homeowners in the south
It includes a new controversial cap on lifetime care costs that only take into account an individual's personal contribution, and disqualifies any benefits payments from local authorities.
Critics of the bill include cap architect economist Sir Andrew Dilnot, who first came up with the idea. Earlier this month, the economist told Sky News that the cap would "hit the poorest hardest" and create a north-south divide in England.
The economist criticised the dismissal of benefits in relation to the cap and said that 'lower value houses' in the north would create a divide.
As property costs in Leeds lie below the national average, the new reforms mean that pensioners in the region will lose out disproportionately.
Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative MP for North Yorkshire constituency Thirsk and Malton, told MPs: “There is no doubt that the way the cap works for those with more modest assets is less generous. How can that be fair?”
Pensioners with assets of £186,000 upwards will be able to ensure their family inherit the majority of their property, whilst those with £106,000 or less will lose out significantly - both compared to the current system and the one that was initially proposed in September.
Previously, the Prime Minister had promised that no one would have to sell their home to pay for care.
Labour Health spokesperson Justin Madders, meanwhile, called the bill a 'betrayal', telling the Commons that 'thousands of people in each constituency, mainly in the Midlands and the north of England, [...] will be forced to sell their homes whilst those in the more affluent areas of the country will get to keep theirs."
“That’s not fairness. That’s not fixing social care. That is a betrayal.”
The Prime Minister has previously denied that the bill disadvantages those in the north, claiming that it is a "massive improvement for everybody in the whole country" as it puts an end to people paying unlimited quantities for care.
Feature image - Parliament TV
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When Yorkshire is due to get hot as a fourth heatwave of the year hits the UK
Yes, ANOTHER heatwave is set to hit the UK - the fourth in 2026 so far - and, understandably, Yorkshire residents are already preparing for the latest blast of hot weather and wondering when it arrives.
Yes, in case you missed the news, more high temperatures are set to spread across the UK and Ireland this month and heading into August.
The increase will gradually build throughout this week, with Wednesday tipped to be the hottest day according to various meteorologists.
While Yorkshire thankfully isn't quite slated to get the sweatiest, parts of the Midlands and the usual suspects down south are set to hit the highest numbers, but the thermometers are still on course to reach around the mid-20s over the coming days.
Estimates of 26°C were predicted for this coming Tuesday, with the levels floating in and around 24/25 on the following Wednesday.
The heat is then due to drop off slowly, with top scores of no higher than 21°C on the cards for Thursday and Friday. Although the weekend forecast is less certain at present, one thing that has been announced is reduced rainfall.
Aside from a few more trickles today (Mon, 27 July), the showers or lack thereof cease rather soon, with some of the driest parts of the country already having various effects; for instance, parched parts of Wales have even revealed lost archaeological sites last Friday (24/7/2026).
It would be remiss if we didn't mention the obvious moorland fires across our region, which were sadly exacerbated by hot weather earlier this month.
At least it'll be a bit cooler here than in other parts of the country. ☀️
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
Clementine Hall
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Georgina Pellant -
23rd November 2021 
