UN panel outs UK government on the spot over welfare bill
The UN organisation for disabled people’s rights has asked the UK government for details about the impact of its welfare bill, expressing its concerns about the potential adverse effects.In a rare intervention, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities asked about the legislation after receiving “credible information” that it seemed likely to worsen the rights of disabled people.The central element of the bill – changes to personal independence payments – were removed last week to ward off a potential defeat by Labour rebels.A total 49 Labour MPs still voted against the revised legislation amid continued worries about other changes including to universal credit, the main means-tested benefit for people of working age.Labour backbenchers tabled a series of amendments before its return to the Commons on Wednesday for its remaining stages in the lower house.
A letter from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, on behalf of the committee, said it “respectfully requests information” about the bill, and in particular the extent of any impact assessment,It also sought information on “any measures to address the foreseeable risk of increasing poverty rates amongst persons with disabilities if cuts are approved”,According to an impact assessment by the Department for Work and Pensions released on Monday, the revised bill will mean 50,000 fewer people are in relative poverty after housing costs in 2030,An assessment of the original plans found the measures would have pushed an additional 250,000 people into poverty, with some charities saying this figure would have been higher,The letter also requests information on the extent of consultation with disabled people and charities ahead of the bill being presented, and whether the House of Lords would be able to give only “limited scrutiny” if, as expected, it is designated as a money bill, limiting the upper house’s powers.
The UN committee called for scrutiny of politicians and others in the UK “portraying persons with disabilities as making profit of social benefits, making false statements to get social and disability benefits or being a burden to society”,Pointing to previous UN reports criticising the UK for its record over the rights of disabled people, the committee said it had “received credible information indicating that, if approved, the universal credit and personal independent payment bill will deepen the signs of regression” found in earlier reports,Sign up to Headlines UKGet the day’s headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morningafter newsletter promotionThe letter ends by asking UK authorities to respond by 11 August, so the reply can be considered by the committee’s formal session next month,A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “We are changing the broken social security system we inherited so it helps people across the country to live with dignity, genuinely supporting those who can work into employment, and ensuring the safety net will always be there for the most vulnerable,“We are putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of our review to ensure PIP is fit for the future, and are only making changes to the benefit once we have completed the review.
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Sinner eases past Shelton in straight sets to seal Wimbledon semi-final spot
A few minutes into the long-awaited quarter-final between Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton, the camera operators on No 1 Court had already completed their first searching look at the elaborate bandaging and long, white sleeve seemingly holding together the Italian’s fragile elbow.In this match between the world No 1 and another of the most exciting young players in the sport, the narrative had already been set. After Sinner’s physical struggles in the previous round, all eyes rested on his elbow. He responded to those concerns with a soaring, emphatic performance, neutralising the nuclear Shelton serve as he returned to the Wimbledon semi-finals with an efficient 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4 win.Regardless of his physical concerns or the significant mental challenge of bouncing back from his defeat against Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final, Sinner’s consistency is eternal
Sportswomen facing ‘horrific burden of routine misogynistic attacks and threats’, campaigners say
For Sonay Kartal, there was disappointment but a sense of pride as she walked off Centre Court to a standing ovation when her fairytale Wimbledon run came to an end.Footage of the bittersweet moment, posted on SW19’s official Facebook page, prompted praise for the 23-year-old British No 3 – and a slew of cruel comments about her appearance.Campaigners said it was sportswomen “who uniquely face the horrific burden of routine misogynistic attacks and threats” after tennis players including Katie Boulter and Jodie Burrage have spoken out against trolls in recent weeks.On Wednesday, about 1,000 comments on two of Wimbledon’s Facebook posts about Kartal, who reached the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time, had been deleted. But hateful comments had remained online for at least 24 hours
‘He’s very determined’: England look to Archer before pivotal third Test
Nearly six years after Jofra Archer made his Test debut against Australia at Lord’s he will finally return after England confirmed that he will replace Josh Tongue as the only change to the team so comprehensively beaten by India at Edgbaston last week.Archer is a man of few words and, as he has battled through a string of injuries across those intervening years, also not a lot of action. So the conversation that confirmed his return to Test cricket was entirely typical, said England’s captain, Ben Stokes: “I went: ‘Are you ready this week?’ And he went: ‘Been ready.’ That was literally it.”“Jof is very unassuming
Tour de France 2025: Evenepoel wins stage five time trial as Pogacar takes yellow jersey –as it happened
Stage five report: Tadej Pogacar took the race lead after finishing second to Remco Evenepoel in the stage five time trial and opened clear daylight on his key rival, Jonas Vingegaard. Jeremy Whittle reports from Caen …1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 17hr 22min 58sec (B16sec) 2. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) +42sec 3. Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) +59sec 4
Tour de France 2025: Evenepoel wins time trial as Pogacar powers into yellow
Tadej Pogacar struck the first blow in his rivalry with Jonas Vingegaard by taking the overall Tour de France lead after finishing second to Remco Evenepoel in the stage five time trial in Caen.Pogacar’s performance exceeded expectations and will have hit hard on Vingegaard’s Visma‑Lease a Bike team bus, with the double Tour winner now more than a minute behind his Slovenian rival after only five days of racing.“I was surprised,” Pogacar said of the gap he opened up on the Dane. “I’m not going to lie. I was not expecting to be so far ahead of him in this time trial
Battling Norrie and Kartal light way for British tennis after Draper’s damp squib | Tumaini Carayol
Overall this was a positive tournament for home players, with Raducanu’s progress clear, but others disappointedIn the end, Cameron Norrie’s run to the latter rounds of Wimbledon was shut down with ruthless efficiency. Up against the two-time defending champion in full bloom, serving as well as he ever has, there was not much that Norrie could do against Carlos Alcaraz.Every defeat is paired with disappointment, but the quality of Norrie’s performances throughout the past few weeks meant he was able immediately to reflect happily on another positive step forward. His quarter-final finish is the second-best grand slam result of his career after his run to the semi-finals here in 2022.After every match over the past few months, Norrie has stressed repeatedly the importance of enjoying every moment on court
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