Oxford News
Thousands could be caught by DWP disability benefit shake-up
Charities have warned that proposed changes to disability benefits could leave thousands of young people struggling to make ends meet, as they urged ministers to abandon what they called “punitive” approaches to welfare reform.
More than 40 organisations, including Action for Children, Shelter, the Trussell Trust, Scope, Save the Children and Barnardo’s, have written to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden and welfare adviser Alan Milburn.
The groups said they accepted that the welfare system needed reform but argued that changes should focus on helping young people into education, training and work rather than cutting financial support.
The warning centres on a proposal first put forward for consultation under the previous government which would delay access to the health element of Universal Credit until claimants reach the age of 22.
Figures showed there were 66,000 people aged 18 to 21 in the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity category in September 2024.
Research by disability charity Scope has estimated that 94% of households with a young person under 22 receiving the Universal Credit health element would be in poverty if the support was removed.
Almost half – 49% – of those households are already living in poverty, according to the analysis, while removing the benefit from existing claimants could push another 45% below the poverty line.
The charities said that by March, 184,000 people aged 16 to 24 across the UK were receiving the Universal Credit health element.
They warned these young people can have severe and complex needs, including multiple physical and mental health conditions, while some also face poverty, homelessness and childhood trauma.
For families caring for young people at home, the benefit can help cover living costs and care arrangements, while those living independently or in supported accommodation may rely on it for basic expenses.
The charities also warned that some claimants are in education and could struggle to remain there if their income was cut.
DWP is about to roll out a huge change to PIP decisions, before they’ve even checked if it’s safe. Please sign before it’s too late: https://t.co/x4xEVP5ebV
— Ellen Marie 75 🦋 (@jaysmyweakness) August 26, 2026
Lucy Schonegevel, from Action for Children, said: “If ministers want better outcomes for disabled young people, the evidence points to earlier intervention, tailored support and genuinely meaningful job and volunteering opportunities, not sanctions or cuts.”
James Taylor, from Scope, said: “Any cuts to the health element of universal credit will only push more young disabled people into poverty, not jobs.”
He added: “It won’t remove the barriers they face getting into and staying in work, such as inaccessible recruitment, negative attitudes or a lack of tailored support.”
The intervention comes after Prime Minister Andy Burnham ruled out “crude cuts” to benefits but said the Government needed to “get really serious” about reducing the welfare bill.
He has also said young people have been “quite seriously let down” by a lack of support into work and indicated he wanted to increase the conditions attached to benefits.
The charities said: “Cutting benefits worsens health and deepens poverty, while strict conditionality and sanctions is particularly counterproductive and harmful for disabled people.”
A Government spokesperson said ministers wanted young people to fulfil their potential through education, training or work.
They said the Government was pressing ahead with major youth employment reforms aimed at creating almost one million opportunities, alongside a £2.5 billion youth employment support package.
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The Government has also commissioned Alan Milburn to examine the barriers preventing young people from entering work, with his final report expected in the autumn.
The row comes as Reform UK separately unveiled plans for long-term benefit claimants to clean up their local high streets or risk losing benefits.
The party’s Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said the proposals formed part of a wider package of welfare changes which he claimed could cut £50 billion from the benefits
The coffee dispenser at the Headington Waitrose is out of order and not for the first time according to reports, leaving customers disappointed they can no longer access their free cappuccino or flat white using their Waitrose card.
The Headington News said: “The Headington Waitrose free coffee machine is out of order again today (Saturday 29 August).”
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The notice on the machine at the store in Old High Street says: “The coffee machine is currently out of order. Apologies for the inconvenience.”
The issue is not a universal problem – coffee machines at other Waitrose stores are working well.
The Waitrose chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, restored its free coffee offer in January 2025.
Following outrage over the withdrawal of the offer during the pandemic, the company told the nine million members on its My Waitrose loyalty scheme they would again be entitled to a complementary americano, cappuccino, latte or tea once a day regardless of whether they bought anything – as long as they have their own reusable cup.
In a statement, Waitrose said at the time: “Some of our My Waitrose members like to have the free coffee before they shop or during the shop, rather than afterwards, so we are just offering a bit of flexibility in response to customer feedback.”
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There were queues at coffee stations and complaints from customers that the offer was attracting the “wrong type of shopper” when Waitrose introduced the perk in 2013.
In 2017, it cracked down on ‘freeloaders’ by forcing members to buy something before pouring themselves a free hot drink.
The scheme was scrapped during the Covid crisis, but reintroduced in November 2022 – again for customers making a purchases. This is no longer a requirement.
Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation after a pigeon was killed in a wildlife crime incident in Plover Drive, Oxford, at around 6.50pm on August 24.
The force said that two teenage boys used a catapult to knock a pigeon from a tree before the bird was attacked by three smaller terrier-type dogs that were with them.
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Descriptions of the two boys have been released with the first described as wearing a black sleeveless vest, dark-coloured bottoms, black trainers with white soles.
In addition he had a black-and-white flat-peaked cap worn backwards and was believed to have been carrying a catapult.
The second was reportedly wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and blue jeans, with brown, medium-length hair.
He was also seen carrying an unidentified item.
A spokesperson for the police said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or who may recognise those involved from the descriptions above.
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“We would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from the Plover Drive area between 6.30pm and 7pm on 24 August that may assist our investigation.
“Wildlife crime has a real impact on our communities, and we take reports of offences against wild animals and birds seriously.
” If you have any information, please contact the force on 101 or report online, quoting reference 43260448136.”
Following the incident in North Way, Barton on Monday, August 17, Thames Valley Police said it wanted the public’s help to locate Oxford local Arthur McDonagh.
The force warned the public not to approach the 33-year-old, but instead to call the police if they see him.
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On Tuesday, August 18, a spokesperson said: “Thames Valley Police is appealing for the public’s help to locate Arthur McDonagh, aged 33, from Oxford.
“He is wanted in connection with a serious assault that happened in North Way, Barton, yesterday (August 17).
“Arthur is known to frequent the Garsington area.
“If you have any information about his whereabouts call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference 43260426989.
“If you see him, do not approach him, but instead call 999.”
Well over a week on, the police has revealed that Mr McDonagh remains at large.
The spokesperson said today (Saturday, August 29): “Arthur McDonagh remains outstanding; our enquiries are ongoing to locate him.”
During the incident emergency services were called to Barton Village Road at about 11.10am.
The force closed North Way to the junction with Edgecombe Road while officers carried out their enquiries.
A damaged white pickup truck was left in the middle of the street, surrounded by broken glass and with what appeared to be blood splattered on the rear right-hand side.
The white pickup truck could be seen behind the police cordon.
There were multiple reports of different weapons being used during the assault, but Thames Valley Police confirmed that they do not believe an axe, bat or machete were used in the attack.
But police declined to say what weapon they do believe was used in the assault.
The force confirmed a man was taken to hospital for treatment, and that he was in a stable condition, and they thanked the local community for their support.
Following the incident, Mike Rowley, Labour councillor for Barton and Sandhills, said his thoughts were with the victim and praised local officers for their response.
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He said: “My thoughts are with the victim as the incident sounds horrible.
“I am in touch with the police, but I’m not expecting any updates yet as their priority is finding the offender and making sure there aren’t any further offences.”
Appeals for public help in finding individuals by the police can relate to suspects, witnesses or others who may have vital information in relation to the incident.
They do not mean the person is to blame nor do they imply guilt.
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