Former NHS nurse Ann Cumberland-Quinn claims she is still living in her car and 'eating out of bins to survive' - half a year after she first told her story.

When the News wrote about Ann in May, her disability benefits had been slashed after a review, forcing her to live out of her car.

Six months on, the 55-year-old says she is now barely surviving and her health has taken a turn for the worse.

She says she has still not successfully been housed by the council and is still not receiving disability allowance payments - despite being incontinent and barely able to walk.

She said: "I have been living in my car. A friend took me in for two days then she's moved on.

"My neck is really killing me, sleeping in the car my neck locks. I told the doctor is was screaming in pain and I can't put the chair down in that car because it's an old car.

"I've been going to garbage bins, anywhere... people's houses at three o'clock in the morning and it is not very nice when I'm wet and my trousers are all wet.

"I am incontinent both ends and I'm ashamed."

Ann, who suffers from a condition called paresthesia, causing weakness affecting all four limbs, has been sleeping in her car with her pet chihuahua Chanel for over a year.

She continued: "I can't go on like this. This is emotional, mental and physical abuse from everybody. They [the DWP] say I haven't got proof of entitlement... I can't hold a pen to write because my hands have dropped."

A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson confirmed she is not receiving any disability allowance, known as personal independence payment (PIP), but does receive employment support allowance - which means it deems her able to work.

He said: “Decisions for PIP are made following consideration of all the information provided by the claimant and their GP or medical specialist, and anyone who disagrees with a decision can appeal."

The DWP said it understood Ann found accommodation in August - but in September her doctor said she had no permanent home.

Medical documents seen by the News show Ann was assessed in September by an Addenbrooke's neurosurgeon as only being able to walk "using two crutches with great difficulty" as her condition continues to deteriorate.

The documents described her as having "no fixed abode", and she is currently on the waiting list for spinal surgery.

Despite her issues Ann, who resides in Ely, says she is continually the subject of abuse by members of the public who call her a 'benefit cheat'.

Image: Ann Cumberland-Quinn.

She also claims she has not been housed by East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) housing officers.

Ann claims she has ongoing legal issues with the council, and cannot get any legal aid since it was slashed by the coalition government in 2012.

Meanwhile in February East Cambridgeshire District Council announced it has 'stamped out homelessness' in the district.

Speaking about Ann's case, Cllr Mike Rouse, service delivery champion for East Cambs District Council, said: "We cannot provide information on individual cases, but we always ensure assistance is given to anyone who approaches the council with homelessness issues, whatever their circumstances."

Image: Cllr Mike Rouse

The Queen is being accused of exploiting the poor as funds have been found to be invested in controversial retailer BrightHouse. According to the BBC about £10m of the Queen's private money was invested offshore, leaked documents show. The Duchy of Lancaster, which provides the Queen with an income, held funds in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. A small amount ended up in the company behind BrightHouse, a chain accused of irresponsible lending, and Threshers, which went bust owing £17.5m in UK tax. The Duchy said the BrightHouse holding now equates to £3,208 and it was not involved in fund investment decisions.

Image: Controversial retailer BrightHouse

For hard-pressed families wanting household goods, the monthly payments at electricals store BrightHouse can be tempt families to spend. Hovever extraordinary interest payments can mean a £600 computer at Currys costs more than £2,000 at BrightHouse, while an easy-looking £7.50-a-month TV spirals into a bill of £1,100.

The mass leak of more than 13 million files revealing the offshore dealings of the global elite has this morning diverted attention from Westminster’s sexual harassment scandal. The extraordinary revelation the queen herself has money stashed offshore via the Duchy of Lancaster was the most dramatic revelation of Day 1 of this story, which has been worked on collaboratively by journalists from nearly 100 media organizations around the world including the BBC and the Guardian. The Beeb ran a Panorama special at 6 p.m. last night, and the Guardian dropped its first tranche of stories at the same time. They splash the story today along with the Times, the Mirror, the Mail and the i. No illegal activity has been alleged so far.

Planet Tory: Pop stars Bono and Michael Hutchence are named in the files, as are major shareholders in Arsenal and Everton FC, plus multinational firms including Apple and Nike. But for Westminster-watchers the most interesting story may be the allegation that Conservative Party donor Michael Ashcroft had a cool £340 million legally stashed in a Bermuda-based trust. Panorama alleges he may yet face a hefty tax bill from HMRC. Expect questions to dog Theresa May — and beleaguered Tory Party Chairman Patrick McLoughlin — all week.

What happens next: McDonnell is doing a full broadcast round this morning, including a pre-recorded interview for the 8.10 a.m. slot on the Today program. Corbyn is speaking at the CBI annual conference at 11.50 a.m. and will surely take the opportunity to raise the leak. And expect Labour to press for an Urgent Question in the Commons this afternoon too. If granted it should happen around 3.30 p.m. with a Treasury minister responding at the dispatch box.

Nice timing: Jon Thompson, the chief executive of HM Revenue and Customs, and a string of his top officials are before the Commons public accounts committee this afternoon at 3.30 p.m.

Parliamentary inquiry: Speaking on the BBC’s Westminster Hour last night, Tory MP Kit Malthouse said it is likely the Commons Treasury committee — of which he is a member — will now launch a new inquiry into tax havens. “We have to bear in mind that I haven’t seen anything so far that alleges anything that’s illegal,” he said. “And therein lies the nub of the problem. It’s down to us as politicians internationally to sort this out.”

More to come: The Guardian and other news outlets will be dropping further stories tonight and throughout the coming week.

Image: Guardian Front page

The BBC have reported today: 

Theresa May's most senior minister has denied a claim that police found pornography on a computer in his office in Westminster during a raid in 2008.

First Secretary of State Damian Green said the ex-police chief's allegations in the Sunday Times were "completely untrue" and "political smears".

And he said police had never told him that any improper material had been found on his parliamentary computer.

It comes amid a growing sexual misconduct scandal in Westminster.

Today is our anniversary. The ABC was launched on November 5th 2014 with help from a Millennium Award and BIG Lottery funding. It took two years from the idea being dreamt of, to getting the necessary backing.

We saw, that people in low incomes, were an [international] community with similar identifiers and similar problems. We saw the potential in an organisation to directly represent those on low incomes, in the gig economy or surviving on state pensions and benefits. With growing automation, this group we felt may grow, not shrink, and we shrugged off the simplistic ‘strivers and shirkers’ way the government was trying to present a much-misrepresented group of people in society.

The ABC are growing and have some very exciting plans for 2018. We thank everyone that has helped us along the way, and to our audience that continues to find benefit from the information, ideas and (we hope) inspiration that the ABC can provide. With the help of the University of Essex, Student Union VTeam (volunteers) we have been building up our directory of organisations that assist those on low incomes. A lot more to do on that project, but we hope to resume our work with the University in the spring of next year and of course on other projects we have underway.    

Fingers crossed we will have some other exciting announcements in the new year.  

Later today we will be watching the start of The Volvo Race leg from Lisbon to Cape Town. 14:00 UTC (14:00 Lisbon). The Volvo Race started life as the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race. Incredible to think that Whitbread - a company that was moving from brewing to running restaurant and hospitality outlets at that time – their sponsorship of the race, was alleged to be just £25K in the last edition they backed. Today the race is a multi-million-pound event and a mind-boggling feat of logistics. A huge business in its own right. 

Image: Tracy Edwards back then (1989)

Tracy Edwards skipped the first all-female crew in the Whitbread Race. It seems amazing that was at the time it seemed so revolutionary. The Volvo rules have changed to encouraged crews of mixed sex in the current race and the boats are now one-design. Women have come a long way in the last thirty years, and it’s a good thing too. Tracy was the first woman to receive the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire. She is also a best-selling author. Tracy has launched a project to find and restore Maiden. Click on the image below to learn more:

Image: Tracy Edwards and the Maiden Factor project.

Personally, I (Simon Collyer) sailed against the likes of Lawrie Smith in the Olympic 470 Class. Lawrie was a helmsman on Drum with Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran fame, before his own Whitbread campaigns, Silk Cut and Rothmans. 

Image: Simon le Bon on 'Drum' and as he was in the Top of the Pops days. 

Video: The Olympic 470 Class 

There is a Volvo race stopover in Cardiff, with the race village open on the 27^th May, with an In-port Race on the 8^th June and then the fleet then heads off for Gothenburg on the 10^th June.

Sailing may seem to be a sport for the rich, but you would be surprised by the range of people involved. If you have the time dedication and commitment you can start by looking up your local sailing club and seeing if you can start by crewing for someone and learning the ropes. It’s also a great way to make contacts and that can lead to opportunity. 

Image: Volvo Race course

Lastly, we are getting regular contacts from people who want to volunteer or work for the ABC. We keep your details (with your agreement) and in time we will need more people. We do thank you for reaching out at the American like to put it!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to US. Have a great rest of the day..

The Liberal Democrats have criticised Conservative MPs for blocking proposals to give 16 and 17-year-olds the vote. A parliamentary vote on the issue today was shelved due to a lack of time, after several Conservative MPs made lengthy speeches on the previous topic of debate.

Image: Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine 

Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine commented:“Conservative MPs have shamefully talked out this attempt to give 16 and 17 year olds the vote.
 
“It’s ironic that a debate about expanding democracy should end in such an undemocratic way.
 
“The Conservatives claim that young people don’t have the political maturity to vote, but have acted themselves in a deeply immature way.“In Scotland we’ve seen 16 and 17-year-olds bring a fresh, enthusiastic approach which has invigorated the elections they’ve been involved in.
 
“We will keep fighting for Votes at 16 to give young people a say over their future, including this government’s extreme Brexit plans.”

Ahead of the next European Vocational Skills Week (20-24 November), European Commissioner Marianne Thyssen highlights the strategic importance of vocational education, training and skills in addressing today's Europe-wide challenges. In addition to a special feature on skills, a special snapshot presents three options for Europe’s social policy in the run up to 2025 that are open to discussion across Europe. There is a focus on new forms of work too, looking at steps that are being considered to help ensure all workers, including people in new forms of employment, have access to social protection and public employment services and that everybody benefits from proper work contracts. A feature on Greece reviews what the European Social Fund is doing to help the country launch a minimum income scheme.

Before and during the main week, activities and events to showcase excellence in vocational education and training will be rolled out across Europe. During the main week, a series of events/activities will also take place in Brussels (press conference, conference, workshops and closing event with award-giving). The week is underpinned by a sustained communication campaign.

The EU belive 

• Every single person is talented. Some talents may be obvious, some still hidden.
• Vocational education and training is a smart choice, is fun, and leads to excellence in education, high-quality jobs and increased employability.
• There are great vocational training opportunities that successfully prepare you for interesting and challenging careers, as well as active engagement in society.
• Vocational education and training is a desirable option for people of all ages, and prepares people for jobs the world over.
• Quality training develops the creative and innovative potential of learners.
• Upskilling and reskilling throughout life is key to improved job opportunities and better integration in society.
• Lifelong learning enhances social inclusion, diversity, and active citizenship.

ABC Note: Please find attatched: Social Agenda is a quarterly magazine providing an overview of the Commission's action is the area of employment, social affairs and inclusion. Each issue features a special dossier on a hot topic, analysis and interviews.

Ahead of the start of Living Wage Week (5th – 11th November) and the UK government’s budget, the SNP has called on the Tory government to take action now to bring their National Living Wage up to the level of the Real Living Wage to make a real difference to working people’s lives.The Tories have attempted to portray their comparatively paltry £7.50 an hour minimum wage as a ‘Living Wage’ – despite only applying to those over 25, and being currently nearly £1 an hour lower than the Real Living Wage. Those under the age of 25 are entitled to even smaller amounts – taking more money away from young people in our economy at the same time as their access to social security, including housing benefit, is being cut.Figures provided by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre have shown that raising the National Living Wage to the level of the current Real Living Wage would boost incomes by nearly £2,000 a year – with those on the minimum wage for 21-25 year olds benefiting from nearly £2,700 extra a year.

The UK rate has increased by 2.4% from £8.25 to £8.45. This is 17% higher than the government minimum for over 25s which is £7.20 per hour. And in total nearly 1,000 employers have signed up since Living Wage Week last year bringing the total number of accredited Living Wage organisations to nearly 3000.

Please click below to go to the website:

The government has quietly announced it will be delaying a planned tax cut for self-employed workers by a year. In a ministerial statement today, it was announced that changes to National Insurance including the abolition of Class 2 NICs will be delayed until April 2019. The planned tax cut would have led to savings for most self-employed workers of around £148 next year.

Breckland Council, the Wayland Partnership, and Recycle for Norfolk have launched Norfolk's first ever 'Community Fridge'. Supported by the environmental charity Hubbub UK, the Wayland Community Fridge is part of a growing effort to tackle food waste.The fridge is located at the Wayland Partnership's offices at Wayland House in Watton and will be open every day to enable residents and businesses to share surplus food for free. Anyone can help themselves to free quality food that would otherwise have been wasted.

Watton Bakery is the first business to confirm it will contribute to the scheme, by donating a selection of unsold goods daily at 3.30pm. The Wayland Partnership is calling on the support of all food businesses in Watton to donate surplus food still within its 'use by' date from 1 November onwards.

Food waste is a big issue in the UK. The average family throws away £700 worth of food every year and at the same time 4 million people in the UK are living in food poverty. Most food waste in the UK (4.1 million tonnes or 61%) is avoidable and could have been eaten had it been better managed.

Image: Cllr Paul Claussen

Breckland Council's Executive Member for Place, Cllr Paul Claussen, said: "No one likes to see food that can still be eaten going to waste and the community fridge is such a simple way to help prevent this. Despite growing awareness of food waste generally, until now there were not many ways for our local businesses to get food nearing its 'use by' date to those who could use it. The Community Fridge is open to all and we hope that local food retailers and residents will make good use of it."

The Chair of the Norfolk Waste Partnership, Cllr John Fisher, commented "We are delighted to be part of the UK's growing Community Fridge Network. With ultimately seven Community Fridges being installed in Norfolk, we will have the largest network of Community Fridges outside of London."

The fridge was unveiled on 1 November as part of the launch of the Watton & Carbrooke Discovery Community, which is an initiative aimed at reducing food waste. Watton & Carbrooke is one of seven new Discovery Communities being set-up in Norfolk by the Norfolk Waste 

Image: Wayland Community Fridge

One quarter of the UK's retirees 'unretire' back into the workforce, according to researchers from the University of Manchester and King’s College London.   

Since the year 2000, the proportion of over-65s in work has doubled to around 10%. The share of 50-64 year-olds in employment has risen to a record 71%. The survey did not ask participants why they returned to work, but surveys from North America suggest this decision can hinge on a number of variables, including wanting to improve finances, missing social contact and not enjoying retirement. The UK research also showed the better-educated are more likely to return to work.“The evidence that people with more human capital have a higher likelihood of unretiring, rather than those in financial difficulties, suggests that hopes that ‘retirement reversals’ might be a strategy which enables older people in poorer financial situations to raise their incomes are possibly misplaced,” the study concluded.

ABC Note: Are you an older entrepreneur, if so this report below might interest you?