News – Page 4

Articles in Benefits

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.

No significant rise in Covid levels. Covid risk remains Moderately High. Data uncertain due to holiday period.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 28 December 2025

December 31, 2025December 31, 2025 Ben Clark

While data issues make the picture uncertain, Covid infection levels in England do not seem to have significantly increased since 14 December, and they may have fallen. For the present, we are maintaining our Covid risk level at Moderately High.

Reported influenza (flu) levels have also fallen significantly, although again there are data issues.

Covid levels rise significantly. Covid risk approaches High. New B.A.3.2 variant spreading fast.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 14 December 2025

December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 Ben Clark

Worryingly, Covid infection levels in England have risen significantly in the last week. We are once again advising strict precautions against catching Covid in all but the lowest risk venues. Around 1 in every 242 people in England were infected as of 14 December, and the risk level is now approaching High.

At the same time, influenza (flu) levels have continued to climb.

Covid levels slightly higher. Covid risk edges up to Moderately High. Flu levels high and still climbing fast.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 07 December 2025

December 10, 2025December 10, 2025 Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England rose slightly last week, after falling previously to their lowest level since 2021. With around 1 in every 386 people in England infected as of 7 December, we have reverted to a Moderately High risk level.