PIP is money given to people, including some of whom are in work, who have extra care or mobility needs as a result of a disability. Politics latest: Follow live The interim review of the Timms report found that PIP, established in 2013 by David Cameron's government, is not working as intended and can prevent disabled people from fully participating in work or social life. It particularly acts as a barrier for people with fluctuating conditions, less visible conditions, or multiple conditions, the report said. As many as 9 in 10 respondents to the review viewed the criteria used to assess their claim as negative - describing the process as "dehumanising", "degrading" and "stressful" - with low levels of trust in the system. It also said the use of supporting evidence when deciding claims was inconsistent. However, the report also found that many see it as vital to help them meet the extra costs associated with disability, and to allow them to participate in everyday life. More than 38,000 people responded to the review's call for evidence, making it the largest co-produced review ever undertaken by government. The review, led by social security minister Sir Stephen Timms, was commissioned last June as part of a climbdown by the government over changes it wanted to make to the welfare system to try and rein in its ballooning cost. The government wanted to change the points system used to determine a person's ability to do certain activities, which influences how much money they will receive. But in order to starve off a rebellion by Labour backbenchers, ministers agreed not to make any changes to PIP until after the Timms review reported. Recommendations based on the review's findings are set to be published in the autumn. As per the review's terms of reference, those recommendations will have to include keeping PIP financially sustainable. Spending on health and disability benefits for working-age adults was £58.2bn in 2024/25 - but is forecast to rise to £81.5bn by 2030/31, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility. That's due to more and more people claiming disability benefits, mostly related to mental health and behavioural conditions. A quarter of working-age people report living with a disability - around 10 million people - with that only set to rise in the coming years. In 2013, when PIP was established, that was under 17%. There were 4.01 million Pip claimants in April 2026, according to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) data published in June - up 7% in a year and roughly double the number since comparable figures began seven years ago in January 2019, when the total stood at 2.05 million. Of those, 1.56 million were listed as having psychiatric disorders, or 39%, the highest proportion for any type of disability. The Timms report notes that numbers reporting mental health conditions and autism have "increased significantly" since 2009. Timms said that "this interim report delivers a clear message: while PIP is widely valued as a benefit, it is not working as intended and needs fundamental change". But the Conservatives' Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said Labour was "in denial about the welfare state". "The Timms Review rules out making any savings: worse, it makes the doubling of the PIP bill by the end of the decade inevitable. And it does nothing to tackle abuse of the system," she added. Read more:Family murdered as father 'on the run'Heatwaves could reduce water quality David Finch, an interim director at the Health Foundation, said that any reforms to "support a sustainable system should avoid past mistakes of using tighter eligibility rules as a blunt tool to control costs - this can worsen outcomes and increase pressure on other public services. "Spending pressures have also built up due to inadequate support in other parts of the benefits system and public services," he said. The review will sit alongside the Milburn review, which found in May that the "rising tide of mental ill health, anxiety, depression and neurodiversity" is leaving more than one million 16 to 24 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET). Both reviews will publish their final reports in the autumn.

Ward is accused of raping the woman after meeting her at a nightclub in east London. Under cross-examination during his trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Ward said that everything that took place was consensual and described the woman as an "active participant". Ward, 28, of Silvertown, east London, denies two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault against the woman on 2 January 2023. Prosecutor Tracy Ayling KC told Ward "you were bent on getting what you wanted". Ward replied: "That definitely was not the case. I have no interest in being with someone who does not want to be with me." Ms Ayling added: "You were bent that night on having sex with her come what may." Ward said: "No miss, it was what we wanted. She was a willing participant in everything that went on." The court heard they later messaged each other. Ward sent her a smiling emoji with a heart and she told him to enjoy the rest of his night. Ms Ayling also said: "I would suggest you were only trying to make sure that she would not report what happened that night." Ward responded: "No, I would suggest that would be wrong." Ward previously told the jury that "everything we did was wholly consensual and we were having a great time". He said they had shared a "quite flirty" conversation and "passionate" kisses, which then turned into a "developing situation". Read more from Sky News:'Significant' heat health alert issuedAt least five dead after China landslide When Ms Ayling suggested "the only person who has a great time was you", Ward said: "She was consenting by the way she was moving with me and she was an active participant in everything we did." He said that everything that took place was consensual, including the intimate acts, adding "it was something she wanted to do and (it was) not that I forced her". Ward hosted a New Year party in Gants Hill, east London, after he spent Christmas with his close-knit family, the court heard. The party took place during a pause in his work schedule. Ward said he thought the woman was "very cute" when he saw her for the first time outside the venue, as she was with a group of friends. He told the court he chatted to them, had a "quite flirty" conversation with the woman, and asked for her Snapchat details. He said they kissed and hugged in a Mercedes outside the party, and later had an intimate encounter in another Mercedes outside an after-party. Ward denied he stopped her from attempting to get out of the unlocked car, in contrast to the woman's claims that she told Ward she needed to leave "on multiple occasions". On Tuesday, Ward told the court: "She stayed which allowed us to grow our sexual contact." Jurors previously heard the woman tell the court that she "did not use the word no" during the encounter and "completely shut down". Ward said he did not force her and they kissed, hugged, and had a conversation before she departed. He wanted to see her again, but he had a busy work schedule. The court heard they later exchanged messages and he sent her a smiling emoji with a heart, meaning he was going to miss her, and the woman told him to enjoy the rest of his night. The trial continues.

PIP is money given to people, including some of whom are in work, who have extra care or mobility needs as a result of a disability. Politics latest: Follow live The interim review of the Timms report found that PIP, established in 2013 by David Cameron's government, is not working as intended and can prevent disabled people from fully participating in work or social life. It particularly acts as a barrier for people with fluctuating conditions, less visible conditions, or multiple conditions, the report said. As many as 9 in 10 respondents to the review viewed the criteria used to assess their claim as negative - describing the process as "dehumanising", "degrading" and "stressful" - with low levels of trust in the system. It also said the use of supporting evidence when deciding claims was inconsistent. However, the report also found that many see it as vital to help them meet the extra costs associated with disability, and to allow them to participate in everyday life. More than 38,000 people responded to the review's call for evidence, making it the largest co-produced review ever undertaken by government. The review, led by social security minister Sir Stephen Timms, was commissioned last June as part of a climbdown by the government over changes it wanted to make to the welfare system to try and rein in its ballooning cost. The government wanted to change the points system used to determine a person's ability to do certain activities, which influences how much money they will receive. But in order to starve off a rebellion by Labour backbenchers, ministers agreed not to make any changes to PIP until after the Timms review reported. Recommendations based on the review's findings are set to be published in the autumn. As per the review's terms of reference, those recommendations will have to include keeping PIP financially sustainable. Spending on health and disability benefits for working-age adults was £58.2bn in 2024/25 - but is forecast to rise to £81.5bn by 2030/31, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility. That's due to more and more people claiming disability benefits, mostly related to mental health and behavioural conditions. A quarter of working-age people report living with a disability - around 10 million people - with that only set to rise in the coming years. In 2013, when PIP was established, that was under 17%. There were 4.01 million Pip claimants in April 2026, according to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) data published in June - up 7% in a year and roughly double the number since comparable figures began seven years ago in January 2019, when the total stood at 2.05 million. Of those, 1.56 million were listed as having psychiatric disorders, or 39%, the highest proportion for any type of disability. The Timms report notes that numbers reporting mental health conditions and autism have "increased significantly" since 2009. Timms said that "this interim report delivers a clear message: while PIP is widely valued as a benefit, it is not working as intended and needs fundamental change". But the Conservatives' Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said Labour was "in denial about the welfare state". "The Timms Review rules out making any savings: worse, it makes the doubling of the PIP bill by the end of the decade inevitable. And it does nothing to tackle abuse of the system," she added. Read more:Family murdered as father 'on the run'Heatwaves could reduce water quality David Finch, an interim director at the Health Foundation, said that any reforms to "support a sustainable system should avoid past mistakes of using tighter eligibility rules as a blunt tool to control costs - this can worsen outcomes and increase pressure on other public services. "Spending pressures have also built up due to inadequate support in other parts of the benefits system and public services," he said. The review will sit alongside the Milburn review, which found in May that the "rising tide of mental ill health, anxiety, depression and neurodiversity" is leaving more than one million 16 to 24 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET). Both reviews will publish their final reports in the autumn.

Fery fed off a buoyant Centre Court crowd and produced another outstanding performance in sweltering conditions to win 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-0 to become only the fifth British player to make the last four of the men's singles in the Open era after Andy Murray, Tim Henman, Cameron Norrie and Roger Taylor. The 23-year-old will next face Germany's Alexander Zverev, who beat USA's Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-4 6-2, with Jannik Sinner against Novak Djokovic in the other semi-final on Friday. Latest Wimbledon scores and results 🎾Men's singles draw I Women's singles draw I Order of Play📝Download Sky Sports app for analysis, news and videoNot got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract "It seems to get better and better every match. I can't believe it. It's incredible playing on Centre Court for my second time, second win," said Fery, who is just the second wild-card after Goran Ivanisevic in 2001 to reach this stage of Wimbledon. "I played Flavio earlier this year and beat him in Australia so I knew I could do it. It gave me a boost of confidence. Kept going, very nervous beforehand but kept going until the finish line. "That last game I felt emotions that I haven't felt before in my life. It's unbelievable to share it with those guys [as he looks to his corner]. It makes me so happy." How Fery swept aside Cobolli Fery showed no signs of nerves or of feeling the effects of two five-set matches as he pushed Cobolli back in the baseline rallies and comfortably held serve throughout the first set. Cobolli had the first break-point chance in the seventh game but was unable to take it, and instead Fery broke the Italian in the 10th game to snatch the opening set. Cobolli came out of the blocks flying at the start of the second set to break Fery but the Briton broke back to make it 2-2 as he rediscovered his rhythm. Neither player was able to generate a further break-point chance so a crucial tie-break was required - and Fery came out on top, with some aggressive shot-making and an early mini-break proving decisive. Cobolli looked stunned physically and mentally, Fery taking full advantage by breaking his opponent at the start of the third set and then saving crucial break points in the second game. He consolidated that with a double break, Cobolli showing his frustration with the home support, and played with increasing freedom on his way to a set bagel and an incredible victory. "I've never been in this position before. I've been doing a great job over the past 10 days, so I'll see where that takes me," concluded Fery. Earlier on Wednesday, Czech Republic's Linda Noskova made her first Grand Slam semi-final with a 6-3 7-5 victory over Belgium's Elise Mertens. Noskova will face Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk after she comfortably beat Italy's Jasmine Paolini 6-3 6-2. Both women's semi-finals will take place on Thursday, with Coco Gauff taking on Karolina Muchova.

Shigella cases transmitted through sexual contact spread more than twice as fast in terms of distance as other strains of the infection and are becoming increasingly resistant to treatment, according to a study led by the University of Cambridge and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Shigella, the bacteria behind dysentery, is most commonly found in faeces and contracted through contaminated food and causes diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever. Certain strains - specifically shigella sonnei and shigella flexneri - can be spread through sexual contact, primarily among gay and bisexual men. UKHSA figures show that there were 2,560 cases of sexually transmitted shigella in England in 2025, up from 2,052 in 2023. The study, published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, analysed 3,514 samples of shigella from people over the age of 16 in the UK between 2004 and 2020. Over a two-and-a-half-year period, the sexually transmitted shigella strains were found to spread an average distance of 117km, compared with 46km for non-sexually transmitted strains. The study also found that 70% of sexually transmitted shigella strains were resistant to at least one clinically relevant antibiotic, compared with 40% of non-sexually transmitted cases and 49% of cases contracted while travelling. Researchers said the findings show "the distinct and intensifying sexual transmission of shigellosis, highlighting the urgent need to address sexually transmissible shigellosis as a distinct health threat". Professor Kate Baker, from the University of Cambridge's Department of Genetics, said: "Many men who have sex with men are unaware of the serious and increasing risk posed by sexually transmitted shigella. "Sexual infection is now a sustained part of shigella transmission in the UK. "It is vital that this message reaches the communities most affected, so we can help to prevent the spread." Read more from Sky News:Disability benefits 'not fit for purpose', new report findsAmazon apology after breastfeeding boss barred from business course Prof Baker added: "If you start to feel unwell, or are recently recovering from a scary bout of diarrhoea, do not engage in sexual activity until two weeks after you're fully recovered, mention your sexual history to your doctor if you seek medical care, and ask about having a full sexual health screen." Marc Tweed, from the Terrence Higgins Trust, said the "growing problem" of shigella among some sexual networks is "a real cause for concern" and urged anyone who thinks they might have shigella to contact their local sexual health clinic.

After months of speculation, Sky is buying ITV's media and entertainment business in a deal worth £1.6 billion. So what does it mean for viewers? For now, probably not very much. The takeover still needs regulatory approval, and Ofcom will take a close look at its impact on competition and media plurality. But if it gets the green light, it could reshape the British television industry for decades to come. Read more: Why a Sky-ITV deal makes sense The deal comes at a challenging moment for broadcasters. Production costs are rising, advertising growth has slowed, and traditional television companies are facing fierce competition from global streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon, Disney and Apple. Sky and ITV argue that joining forces is the best way to compete. For viewers, both companies are keen to stress that the essentials won't change. ITV's channels and ITVX will remain free-to-air, while all of ITV's public service broadcasting obligations - including regional news and programming - will continue in full. Flagship shows such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Love Island and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! aren't heading behind a paywall. ITV is legally required to remain a free-to-air broadcaster until 2034. In a briefing to press, Carolyn McCall, CEO of ITV, has also said Sky has made a commitment that from 6pm to 9:30pm, ITV's evening content must be original programming. Sky is also promising greater investment in ITV and says the deal will bring more sport to free-to-air television than ever before. Meanwhile, ITV News and Sky News insist they'll remain separate editorial voices. The logic behind the deal is simple - scale. The UK television market is no longer competing with itself. It's competing in a global media economy. See more from Sky News:UK set for highs of 34C this week Buckingham Palace denies Harry will stay Being bigger means having more money to spend on programmes and streaming technology, whilst also being able to spread costs across a much larger business. That's why supporters see this as one of the most significant media deals in British broadcasting history. At a time when many traditional broadcasters are under pressure, Sky believes it is securing ITV's future rather than changing its identity. And for viewers? The message is: don't expect less ITV - expect more investment, more sport and more of the shows you love.

The Andy Burnham era of politics is fast approaching - and the prime minister-in-waiting has finally set out some of his priorities for government. As Labour leadership nominations open - with his last active challenger Al Carns officially stepping aside - Burnham's path to power is now all but certain. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy dissect his blueprint for Number 10, with a specific look at: A foreign policy vision built around plans to "reindustrialise through defence"A rumoured UK tour of "overlooked communities"A promise to be more accessible and transform his relationship with Labour MPs Plus, as preparations for the Clacton by-election ramp up, Sam considers how Nigel Farage's gamble could backfire and asks whether coverage restrictions will cause headaches for broadcasters.

Newcastle are not making any comment on the situation, and Sky Sports News understands Arsenal have made no contact with them over the availability of the midfielder. However, it is understood the conditions of a deal for the 28-year-old have been explored via intermediaries. Transfer Centre LIVE!Arsenal news & transfers🔴⚪ | Arsenal fixturesNewcastle news & transfers⚫⚪ | Newcastle fixtures Guimaraes has two years left on his Newcastle contract, with a year's option to extend to the summer of 2029. Newcastle have no interest in selling the Brazil international. Their stance has been consistent all summer - they insist their captain is not for sale and they are not welcoming any bids. Could Guimaraes become latest key player star to leave Toon? Guimaraes, who joined Newcastle from Lyon for £35m in January 2022, has become one of the key players in the club's return to prominence after their Saudi-backed owners completed a takeover in October 2021. However, Newcastle have no desire to see their captain follow star forwards Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, and fellow midfielder Sandro Tonali, out of the door. Guimaraes, who missed a penalty as Brazil went out of the World Cup against Norway in the last 16, has established himself as a huge crowd favourite and was the man who lifted the club's first domestic trophy in 70 years when he led them to Carabao Cup glory two seasons ago. Toon boss Eddie Howe will be desperate to retain one of his most important players and will not want a repeat of the saga which saw Isak force a £130m switch to Liverpool last summer after going on strike. The sales of Gordon to Barcelona (£69.3m) and Tonali to Tottenham (£100m) for a combined total of around £169.3m has significantly boosted Newcastle's ability to meet spending rules, but a further high-profile departure would spark another major rebuilding project. Howe's side suffered last season after their efforts to replace Isak hampered them throughout a disappointing domestic campaign which saw them eventually finish in 12th place in the Premier League table. 'Potential Guimaraes exit a huge blow for Newcastle' Sky Sports News' Keith Downie: "Newcastle are not commenting on the situation, and there has been no offer from Arsenal or no contact from them whatsoever. "But Bruno Guimaraes, whether that is himself or through one of the agents he's got working on his future, has indicated a desire to leave Newcastle United. "Looking at some of the Newcastle players who've left recently; just last week Sandro Tonali's joined Tottenham Hotspur for £100m and will be doubling his salary at the same time. "Bruno Guimaraes will then, without putting words in his mouth, probably be sitting there thinking, 'Well, when is it my turn to go and double my wages and give myself an opportunity to win league titles?'. "So this is a huge blow to the Newcastle fans. "He's got two years left on his contract, with the option of a third one, but as far as I understand it, Newcastle have got absolutely no interest in selling him this window. "Their stance has always been the same - that he is not for sale."