A new survey has revealed that people in the UK are more worried about their finances than they are about potentially catching COVID-19.
According to the research – which has been conducted as part of University College London’s COVID-19 Social Study, based on the opinions of 28,495 people between 21 March and 27 March in the UK – almost four in 10 people (38%) are worried about their finances, which is up from 32% in January and is the highest since the start of the pandemic.
Whereas now, some 33% are concerned about getting COVID-19, which is down from 40% in January.
The researchers at UCL also found that just, in the wake of the rising cost of living crisis, just 56% of people felt in control of their finances in March 2022, compared to 63% in October 2021.
Working age adults were twice as likely as older people to be concerned.
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On a slightly different front, when asked, only around 49% said they felt in control of their mental health, compared with 54% six months ago, with the number of people reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression said to now be at its highest level for 11 months.
Almost four in 10 people (38%) are worried about their finances, which is up from 32% in January / Credit: Bank of England (via Flickr)
Speaking on the findings of the recent survey, lead author Dr Daisy Fancourt, from UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, said: “These findings could suggest that our return to more ‘normal’ living has not had all the mental health benefits that people necessarily expected – but it is also notable that the last few months have seen a cost of living crisis emerge.
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“Concerns about money have been increasing, with people now more concerned about finances than about COVID-19.
“This suggests that new psychological stressors are becoming dominant for individuals.”
Dr Fancourt said the significant drop in concern about catching COVID-19 comes at the same time as a fall in the number of people following advice to wear face coverings, socially distance, and take COVID tests, but added: “Nevertheless, it is important to remember that the number of COVID cases, hospitalisations and deaths remains equivalent or higher than in January 2022.
“[This means] that the overall situation remains unchanged despite the shift in attitude.”
The study is funded by the Nuffield Foundation, UK Research and Innovation, and Wellcome.
Featured Image – Flickr
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Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear diagnosed with dementia
Danny Jones
Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear, who famously played the iconic character Bet Lynch for over 25 years, has sadly been diagnosed with dementia.
Issuing a statement via ITV, her husband Scott Brand confirmed that they had been given the “heartbreaking diagnosis” this week.
Goodyear, 81, played the legendary Rovers Return pub landlord for over two decades across two different spells on the show, starting in 1966 before leaving the show for good in 1995.
Brand told the outlet on Wednesday: “Unfortunately, Julie has been suffering forgetfulness for some time and we have been seeking medical advice and assistance, but we now know that there is no hope of a reversal in the situation – and that her condition will get progressively, and perhaps speedily, worse.”
Coronation Street's Julie Goodyear is suffering with dementia, her husband has revealed.https://t.co/4CZwt5KbGJ
— ITV Granada Reports (@GranadaReports) June 7, 2023
Julie Goodyear has been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 81.
He went on to say that he and Goodyear “have taken the decision to publicly announce the diagnosis as Julie still loves visiting friends and eating out”, noting that she inevitably gets recognised “and fans love to meet her – and she them – but she can get confused particularly if she is tired” and adding they “hope people will understand.”
The Manc soap star and household name is from Heywood in Rochdale and retired from acting in 2003 after making her final special appearance on the Coronation Street spin-off, After Hours.
Manchester United star Antony accused of domestic violence by ex-girlfriend
Danny Jones
Manchester United winger Antony dos Santos has been accused of domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend in Brazil.
The 23-year-old has been hit with multiple allegations of assault, bodily injury and threatening behaviour by Antony, including one incident which is reported to have required surgery.
As per ESPN Brasil, a police report was filed against the United star by his ex-partner Gabriela Cavallin on Monday, which listed a total of four different incidents beginning in July 2022.
The DJ and influencer alleged that the first instance of abuse happened after the pair broke up at a party, with Antony apparently pulling her by the arm and by her hair before pushing her into a car. Cavallin was also estimated to be about 17 weeks pregnant at the time, though this wasn’t cited in the incident report.
ESPN Brasil:
Timeline of the reported aggressions from Antony towards his former girlfriend:
July 2022: Antony pulled her out of a party, grabbing her arm and hair. He then pushed her into his car. She was 17 weeks pregnant at the time.
As the report goes on to detail, Cavallin sadly lost the child and while she does not attribute the miscarriage to the domestic violence, she claims that Antony continued to abuse her physically and emotionally up until as recently as May this year, having got back together with him for a time.
Other instances of abuse are said to include Cavallin being attacked in her own apartment in January (citing “reasons of jealousy”), which reportedly caused the displacement of her silicone implants and required surgery, as well as two more attacks — one of which was apparently witnessed by a friend and Antony’s mother.
The 22-year-old also mentioned that she was left with a cut on her finger by a glass broken by Antony — photos of the scar being attached to the police report — adding that he assaulted her again later that day and broke her phone “so she would not call for help”. She claims she only managed to leave five hours later after the Brazilian international’s physiotherapist took her to the doctor.
While an initial report by globo.com suggested that the fourth and final alleged attack took place on 20 May when Antony had already travelled with his club teammates for their game against Bournemouth, it has since been clarified that the abuse and threatening behaviour took place over the phone.
Manchester United winger Antony has been accused of assault by his ex-partner Gabriela Cavallin with a police report being filed against the Brazilian.
She alleges that Antony assaulted her on May 20th. The report is said to include photographs of abrasions and threatening… pic.twitter.com/ShAzuhwOHm
Cavallin claims Antony threatened her during a call on 20 May, warning that “if he saw her with someone, he would kill her”; she also noted several instances when the player had threatened to “kill himself” after they fought in the past.
She claims the two haven’t spoken since 28 May.
Brazilian police are now said to be investigating Cavallin’s claims after she presented photographs of multiple injuries supposedly sustained by the footballer and also requested “urgent protective measures” against him. There is no indication whether British authorities are currently involved.
The details of the case are yet to be fully verified and neither the player nor his club have issued a statement at this time.
Emily Sergeant -
12th April 2022 
