News – Page 3

Articles in Information

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Meningitis Alert

March 16, 2026March 16, 2026 Ben Clark

Article accurate as of 16 March 2026

There has been an outbreak of “invasive meningococcal disease” in the Canterbury area of Kent. Two teenagers have died, and a number are seriously ill. The NHS are warning that anyone who becomes unwell with symptoms of meningitis or septicaemia should go immediately to A&E or call 999.

Cases of this serious disease have not been reported outside Kent so far. The NHS is giving antibiotics to thousands of people in the area to try and prevent any spread. However, meningitis can and does spread between people. For this reason, we are warning all disabled people, carers, and clinically vulnerable people to be on special alert for the symptoms.

Good news continues as Covid risk remains lower. Covid risk level is Moderately High at 1 in 495. Other respiratory viruses still not back to baseline.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 1 March 2026

March 4, 2026March 4, 2026 Ben Clark

The Covid good news continues for another week, with risk levels remaining Moderately High and 1 in every 495 people in England infected. Other respiratory viruses, such as influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remain above baseline but continue to decline. Overall, the risk from respiratory viruses, including Covid, is still at historically lower levels.

Good news – Covid risk remains historically lower. Covid risk level is Moderately High at 1 in 419. Other respiratory viruses still above baseline.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 22 February 2026

February 27, 2026February 27, 2026 Ben Clark

The Covid good news continues for a further week, with risk levels remaining Moderately High and 1 in every 419 people in England infected. Other respiratory viruses, such as influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remain above baseline but continue to fall fast. Overall, the risk from respiratory viruses, including Covid, remains at historically lower levels.

As clinically-vulnerable people ourselves, we are reasonably confident that this is a robust risk assessment.

An infographic in blue and yellow. On the left is a picture of a disabled person in a power wheelchair. On the right is the text: "Timms Review: Listen To All Disabled People. BuDS has joined with 50 other charities and disabled people's organisations to urge the Timms Review of Personal Independent Payment (PIP) to consult all disabled people."

Timms Review: BuDS Calls For Genuine Co-Production

February 26, 2026March 14, 2026 Ben Clark

BuDS has joined with 50 other charities and disabled people’s organisations to urge the Timms Review of Personal Independent Payment (PIP) to consult very widely with disabled people receiving all types of benefit.

Good news – Covid risk still historically lower. Covid risk level is Moderately High at 1 in 392. Flu and RSV above baseline, but falling fast.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 18 February 2026

February 19, 2026February 19, 2026 Ben Clark

The Covid good news continues for another week, with risk levels remaining Moderately High and 1 in every 392 people in England infected. Other respiratory viruses, such as influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are still above baseline but declining fast. Overall, the risk from respiratory viruses, including Covid, remains at historically lower levels.

As clinically-vulnerable people ourselves, we are reasonably confident that this is a robust risk assessment.

Good news – Covid risk remains historically lower. Covid risk remains Moderately High at 1 in 430. Flu and RSV levels elevated, but falling fast.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 11 February 2026

February 12, 2026February 12, 2026 Ben Clark

The Covid good news continues, with risk levels remaining Moderately High and 1 in every 430 people in England infected. Other respiratory viruses, such as influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remain elevated, but the trend in both is downwards. Overall, the risk from respiratory viruses, including Covid, is at historically lower levels.

As clinically-vulnerable people ourselves, we are reasonably confident that this is a robust risk assessment.

The Palace of Westminster seen from Westminster Bridge against a blue evening sky. In the foreground are coloured motion blurs of moving traffic

BuDS’ View On Using The Parliament Act To Salvage The Assisted Suicide Bill

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026 Ben Clark

BuDS roundly condemns the unprecedented and extraordinary threat to use the Parliament Act to bypass the House of Lords and force the Assisted Dying/Suicide Bill through Parliament. Such important legislation must not be railroaded in this way. We call on Kim Leadbeater MP and Lord Falconer, the sponsors of this Bill, to abandon this outrageous and unworkable idea.

BuDS also condemns the underhand methods used to bring this Bill before Parliament and prevent a proper national debate about the difficult and sensitive issue of assisted dying/suicide.

We call on politicians of all parties to recognise this Bill has reached the end of its life, and to step back so that a careful and well-informed national conversation about assisted dying/suicide can take place in the future.

Covid stabilises at lower levels. Covid risk Moderately High at 1 in 446. Flu levels higher, but falling fast.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 18 January 2026

January 20, 2026January 20, 2026 Ben Clark

Some good news: Covid infection levels in England have stabilised at historically lower levels, but are slowly edging up. Reported influenza (flu) levels continue to fall fast and, though flu is currently still at higher levels, the winter wave seen in December is now coming to an end.

Covid levels remain historically lower. Covid risk remains Moderately High. Data uncertain due to holiday period.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 04 January 2026

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England seem to have remained at historically lower levels over the last week. Reported influenza (flu) levels have also remained at high levels in the last week. These are tentative conclusions, as the data may be incomplete.

A BuDS event volunteer holding a cup of coffee and talking to an Asian male. A historic building is visible in the background. This image has been digitally edited for clarity.

BuDS Annual Meeting 2025

January 3, 2026February 2, 2026 Ben Clark

The BuDS Annual General Meeting for 2025 was held online using Microsoft Teams on 24 January 2026 at 1:30pm.