Sports commentator and broadcaster Chris Kamara has called upon the government to do more when it comes to poverty and pensions in the UK.
Giving an interview with Good Morning Britain on Thursday morning, the former Sky Sports analyst and presenter sat down to discuss the prevailing issue of poverty across Britain and how the current access to state pensions and DLA (disability living allowance) is simply not good enough.
Following the death of his mother, who was cared for by Marie Curie nurses in her final days, the 65-year-old has now teamed up with the charity to bring a petition with already more than 165,000 signatures to Downing Street today (23 February), which will allow for working-age people to claim their state pension if they are dying.
“People shouldn’t be allowed to die in poverty – 90,000 people die in poverty [every year], so that’s 10 an hour, the capacity of Wembley Stadium when you take it as a whole. So that’s got to stop.”
As Kamara explained, “Once you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness you’ve not got long left, you have to stop your job, your circumstances change, you’re devastated, so social security money isn’t enough, so access [to] the state pension [is needed].
Explaining the context behind the petition, he added: “I’m going to Downing Street with two ladies whose circumstances have completely changed, they’ve been diagnosed with terminal illness and their partners have had to give up work to look after them.
“They just haven’t got any money. Their life has changed completely out of all proportion.”
Kammy went on to state that people who are terminally ill are simply “not getting enough money to help them get by so they have their pension they worked hard [for]. If you worked hard for 35/45 years of your life, you’ve got three or four years until you’re 66. Why not access your pension that you’re never [going to] get?”
Despite a DWP spokesperson insisting that “those nearing the end of their lives can get fast-track access to a range of benefits without needing a face-to-face assessment or waiting period”, Kamara and charities like Marie Curie believe the pension system needs wholesale changes.
However, according to a January study by Loughborough University, it is estimated that such legislation would cost the government around £114.4 million per year, hence why many feel the petition and fresh campaigning are needed to get it across the line.
Having been forced into retirement last year following his apraxia diagnosis — a condition that affects his movement and speech — Kammy has become fully aware of the struggles of growing old with an illness present.
Released with the help of ITV‘s Ben Shephard, who also interviewed him on GMB, the iconic footballing voice released a documentary charting how he’s learned to live with his condition, entitled, Chris Kamara: Lost for Words.
Bob Vylan dropped from Manchester music festival following Glastonbury controversy
Danny Jones
English punk rap duo Bob Vylan have been dropped from an upcoming music festival in Manchester following the recent controversy surrounding their set at Glastonbury 2025.
The media storm surrounding their much-talked-about and heavily televised Glasto appearance has seen them reportedly dropped by their agency and their US Visas cancelled, along with multiple concerts – one of those being right here in Greater Manchester.
Bob Vylan were scheduled to play RADAR Fest at Victoria Warehouse in Stretford this weekend, but now the organisers have informed gig-goers that the artists will not be performing in their planned slot on Saturday.
The alternative music event did provide any additional details, posting nothing but this image:
For anyone unaware, Vylan were heavily criticised for the pro-Palestine chants, which Glastonbury itself has deemed as having “crossed a line”, labelling the chants against the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) as antisemitic.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also commented on the situation.
In addition to RADAR, Vylan were also due to appear at Kave Fest in France the following Sunday, 6 July, but the music event has also decided not to host them.
The BBC also opted not to broadcast Northern Irish band Kneecap as part of their coverage this year, as the Belfast rap trio have also been outspoken on the issue, among many other musicians of late.
Responding to the decision on social media not long after the news broke, the act simply shared the post on their Instagram story along with the caption: “Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting. Manchester, we will be back.”
Trafford Centre launches school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families
Emily Sergeant
A school uniform drive has been launched at the Trafford Centre to support local families ahead of the new school year.
With schools across Greater Manchester soon set to be out for the summer holidays, many parents, guardians, and carers in the region may be looking ahead to the new school year in September, concerned about how they may be able to provide their children with the necessary uniform items needed.
According to a 2020 survey by The Children’s Society, 23% of parents reported that the cost of school uniforms led to their children wearing ‘ill-fitting, unclean, or incorrect’ items.
It’s these statistic that highlight the ongoing pressure faced by families.
This is why the Trafford Centre has partnered with both Manchester South Central Foodbank and local charity, Bridging the Gap, to launch a school uniform donation drive aimed at supporting more than 700 children across Manchester this summer.
The Trafford Centre launches a school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families / Credit: Trafford Centre
From now up until the 15 August, anyone heading to the region’s largest shopping centre is encouraged to donate new or pre-loved school uniforms.
“The cost of living crisis has deeply impacted our community, with more and more families unable to afford the essentials,” commented Emily Jeremy, who is the Assistant Project Manager at Manchester South Central Foodbank.
“As an anti-poverty charity, we recognised the need for school uniform support years ago. Though costs vary between schools, a full set of branded secondary school uniform can total around £150, which is a significant burden for many households.”
All items can be donated at the shopping centre’s Guest Services point / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography | Trafford Centre (Supplied)
Simon Layton, Centre Director at the Trafford Centre, added: “We’re proud to be working alongside Bridging the Gap and Manchester South Central Foodbank to support local families during these challenging times.
“School uniforms shouldn’t be a barrier to education, and we hope this initiative will ease some of the pressure many parents face as the new school year approaches.”
The school uniform donation drive is running up until 15 August.
All items can be taken to the Trafford Centre’s Guest Services Lounge, which is located on Lower Regent Crescent next to M&S, and they must be clean and free from stains or damage.
Danny Jones -
23rd February 2023 
