When Winnie-the-Pooh gets stuck in Rabbit’s doorway after eating too much for elevenses, he is anxious and gloomy at the thought of having to forgo food for a whole week to get out. He asks Christopher Robin to read him “a Sustaining Book, such as would help and comfort a Wedged Bear in Great Tightness”.

A.A. Milne’s first children’s novel, Winnie-the-Pooh, does not exactly explain what a “Sustaining Book” is. But E.H. Shepard’s illustration provides some clue. Christopher Robin is shown reading an alphabet book with the word JAM for J visible on the page.

Jam is not Pooh’s favourite food, of course, but the word is more than apt. Pooh is in a jam, but being read to sustains him in his difficult situation by bringing him comfort. The book acts as “an aid in the crisis”, as former teacher Ethel Newell noted in a study of bibliotherapy for children in 1957.

Dating back to the early 19th century, bibliotherapy is a therapeutic approach that fosters reading books and other forms of literature to support mental wellbeing and healing.

This year marks the centenary of the first Winnie-the-Pooh book. Milne based the timeless tales on the nursery toys and games of his son, Christopher Robin – the boy who lives in the fictional world of the Hundred Acre Wood. His adventures with his bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, and friends (Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo, Rabbit and Owl), are equally gentle, clever and funny – and above all, comforting.

The book was an overnight success when it was first published (as was its sequel, The House at Pooh Corner, in 1928), and continues to cheer readers world over.

Literary caregiving

When Winnie-the-Pooh was published, books had been used in hospital libraries to alleviate the suffering of ill and wounded soldiers from the first world war. This idea of books as a source of comfort was not new, but there had been an increasing need in this period for what authors Sara Halsam and Edmund G.C. King term “literary caregiving”.

It was at this time that American journalist Samuel McChord Crothers coined the term bibliotherapy, and reading for wellbeing began to be recognised in the medical sphere.

Milne had himself fought in the war and experienced the suffering and trauma firsthand. Winnie-the-Pooh has long been considered a response to war, particularly in terms of the book’s nostalgia and depiction of psychological damage. But as an example of bibliotherapy – and how this too is tied to the war – Winnie-the-Pooh has received scant critical attention.

It is, of course, not just soldiers – nor bears in rabbit burrows – who need good books. Children stuck in hospital need them too. Undergoing medical treatment, especially for serious illness, can be one of the greatest challenges a child can face, as highlighted by the Read for Good initiative.

This hospital reading programme has run in 31 hospitals across the UK over the past 15 years, and has found that books and storytelling can “have a significant impact on children’s health, wellbeing and education” – at a time when children are facing illness or injury, missing out on schooling, and feeling isolated.

While Winnie-the-Pooh is not currently among the books in the Read for Good hospitals programme in the UK, the benefits of this children’s novel in hospitals have long been evident in initiatives in the US.

In 1999, the University of Florida launched a reading programme for the waiting room at the University’s Pediatric Continuity Care Clinic. One report describes a four-year-old girl who, nervously awaiting treatment, was calmed when Winnie-the-Pooh was read to her. And, just like Pooh being taught his ABCs, the child also learned new vocabulary from the story.

This programme is part of the Reach Out and Read campaign, endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which serves 4.8 million children across the US each year. Continued research efforts evaluate and maximise the impact of this initiative, and have found that there are positive results for children, families and clinicians.

More recently, in 2024 there was study of the parent-led Little Bookworms bedside reading programme in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Nashville.

Winnie-the-Pooh was selected as a book from childhood recommended by study participants to read with their infants, to “reduce anxiety and improve attachment for parents and caregivers who have infants in the NICU”. Supporting the wellbeing and engagement of carers in this way can help reduce some of the risks NICU infants face, including interruptions to language development which can affect subsequent literacy development.

Books to grow up with

More broadly, the potential of rereading a childhood book cannot be underestimated. Books read in childhood do not disappear, but “continue to unfold and inform the way in which we interpret the world” in our minds, as children’s literature expert Kimberley Reynolds of Newcastle University has established.

Paula Byrne, founder of the ReLit Foundation – which promotes reading as a way to combat stress and anxiety through “the slow reading of great literature” – has described the rereading of Winnie-the-Pooh in adulthood as therapeutic. Byrne believes the book has the capacity to grow with the reader from childhood to adulthood, offering new insights that can be appreciated in later life.

It is this ability of a book to grow with the reader that is of most help to children in distress, Newell suggested, providing “real armour” to children over a sustained period, and not just “a shot of penicillin for a particular infection”.

Over the past 100 years, Winnie-the-Pooh has grown from a book containing an example of bibliotherapy to a book for bibliotherapy in hospitals. As we celebrate the centenary of its publication, these ties to books as therapy for children and adults are well worth remembering.

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Taylor Frankie Paul’s edition of The Bachelorette will not air after a violent video of her 2023 assault involving her ex, Dakota Mortensen, was leaked just days before the season was slated to premiere.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star’s season of The Bachelorette, which wrapped filming in December, was ready to debut Sunday when the network announced Thursday that the show will not go forward as planned.

“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” Disney said in a statement.

The video and Bachelorette cancelation come days after fresh domestic violence allegations against Paul, 31, triggered widespread backlash. Paul and Mortensen — who is the father of her youngest child — were previously involved in a domestic violence incident in 2023.

Paul was arrested and charged with aggravated assault in 2023 following an altercation with Mortensen that was chronicled on season one of SLOMW, the Hulu reality show that catapulted the mom-of-three to stardom. In August of that year, she pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault; the other charges of criminal mischief and domestic violence against her were dropped. Paul is serving three years’ probation from that case. Another charge would violate her probation, which is set to end in August.

Video of the 2023 incident was leaked Thursday to TMZ, showing Paul repeatedly attacking Mortensen, kicking him and putting him in a headlock.

“This is called physical abuse,” Mortensen said in the video as he pushed her away. “See Taylor, this is all you do.”

She then threw multiple metal barstools at him while her daughter, who was present in the room, began to cry.

“Your daughter is right here,” Mortensen yelled before Paul went on to throw two more stools. Mortensen then repeatedly accused Paul of being drunk.

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After the disturbing footage came to light, Paul released a statement through her representatives to Variety: “It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child.

“Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show, and from their own experiences,” her representatives said.

Paul’s representatives then released another statement addressing the cancelation of The Bachelorette.

“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” the statement from her spokesperson read, per Variety. “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives.

“Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”

News broke earlier this week that season five of SLOMW had paused production due to an alleged domestic dispute between Paul and Mortensen that happened February 24 and February 25. Draper City police said that allegations were made by both Paul and Mortensen and that no charges had been filed. Police refused to comment further to The Independent on the incident, citing the pending investigation.

Despite speculation over SLOMW’s hiatus from filming, Paul continued on her planned Bachelorette press tour throughout the week and doubled down on blaming Mortensen for the investigation.

Speaking about the backlash Wednesday on Good Morning America, Paul said, “It’s supposed to be an exciting time. I’m a person that always speaks her truth, that’s what I’m known for. When the time is right, I will be.”

Paul was announced as the lead of The Bachelorette in September, marking the first time that a person outside of the franchise had been chosen for the role.

The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men’s advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org

VAR could have new powers in the Premier League next season after the game’s law-making body IFAB greenlighted a proposed expansion which will be on show at the World Cup

The Premier League will canvass its clubs on whether they want to allow VAR to check corner kick awards from next season.

The game’s law-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), has given competitions the option of checking corners from this summer onwards, provided it causes no delay to the kick being taken.

The option is being taken up for this summer’s World Cup in North America, but the Premier League still has a decision to make over whether it wishes to introduce the change for next season.

Clubs were briefed about the law changes by the league’s director of football Tony Scholes at a meeting on Thursday, and the Press Association understands a survey will be sent out to clubs seeking their views.

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Meanwhile, UEFA is set to bring together the Premier League and other European top divisions this summer in an effort to find common ground on VAR.

The Press Association understands there is a determination within UEFA to reach an alignment on how the VAR protocol is interpreted, and that efforts to find a more unified approach for next season will be discussed after this summer’s World Cup.

UEFA’s referees chief Roberto Rosetti said last month at a briefing in Brussels that VAR was in danger of straying away from its original mission of correcting clear and obvious mistakes and becoming too “microscopic”.

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“I believe we need to, at the end of the season, speak about this, because we cannot go in this direction of microscopic VAR intervention,” Rosetti said. “We love football like it is.”

Speaking about one example where there were different interpretations – handball – Rosetti added: “I believe that in Europe, we must speak only one technical language. For us, this is the target. We cannot speak different technical languages across Europe. It’s not good.

“We need only one technical interpretation. We are speaking a lot. We were speaking a lot before the season – we need to speak again.”

As of February 13, the Premier League compared favourably to the Champions League on the average number of on-field reviews per game – 0.15 this season compared to 0.36 in the premier European competition.

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The walls are finally closing on Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon) in tonight’s Coronation Street, when Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) and Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) find the proof to bring the child predator down.

It’s been a long time coming. For months, Megan has been grooming underage pupil Will Driscoll (Lucas-Hodgson-Wale) into an illicit relationship right under the nose of his unsuspecting family.

She exploited her status as an athletics coach and a teacher to appear beyond reproach in the eyes of Will’s dad Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker), stepmother Eva Price, and grandmother Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn). The abuser even started a relationship with Weatherfield High’s Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) as the perfect cover.

Justice comes in all shapes and sizes, and for Megan, it came in the form of schoolboy sleuth Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan), Leanne’s adoptive son.

As Will’s friend, he sensed something was off about his dynamic with Miss Walsh and became determined to expose the monster. However, Megan fought back by sabotaging his grades in school, prompting a spiralling Sam to take unprescribed Ritalin in a desperate effort to boost his academic performance.

This would ultimately prove to be Megan’s undoing. After Sam suffered a shock collapse on the street, he was rushed to hospital where a concerned Leanne, Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) and Eva finally get him to admit what’s wrong… and they were rocked to learn that Megan has been sleeping with Will.

The devastating revelation rocked the Driscolls and the Barlows/Battersbys to their core. Predictably, Megan turned on the waterworks and framed her relationship with Will as a harmless schoolboy crush that got way out of hand. While she manged to wrap her boyfriend Daniel round her little finger, Leanne is convinced that Sam was right about Megan and won’t rest until she’s locked up behind bars.

The only problem? No evidence. Megan’s been careful not to get caught. When Sam put camera in her flat to catch her out, she even staged a conversation with Will that deliberated made their relationship seem like a one-sided teenage infatuation. There’s been no dirt to incriminate this arch manipulator… until tonight’s episode of Coronation Street.

With Megan and Will sticking to the same story, Cobbles Copper Kit Green’s (Jacob Roberts) investigations hit a dead end, much to Ben’s frustration. Try as he might, Will is still insisting that Megan never behaved inappropriately and refuses to co-operate during the police interview. Megan plays the victim, with her lawyer Adam Barlow (Sam Robertson) challenging Kit to provide a shred of evidence that his client is an abuser.

Meddling Maggie does some investigations of her own and manages to find a promising lead. Will broke up with Chloe, the girl he was dating in Hull, long before he booked a room in the Chariot Street hotel for his birthday. Therefore, it couldn’t have been Chloe hiding that bathroom… it must have been Megan!

Unfortunately, Ben and Eva are thwarted when they visit the Chariot Street Hotel only to be informed by Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan) that the footage has sadly been automatically deleted. Back to square one…

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However, Leanne has better luck.

After overhearing from Alya Nazir (Sair Khan) that Adam has taken on Megan as a client, Leanne is already in a foul mood. You don’t have to be Kit Green to figure that one out. Especially not when Megan arrives home to find a livid Leanne tipping all her worldly goods out onto the street. ‘Putting the rubbish out!’ Leanne snaps.

As Tim (Joe Duttine) and Sally Metcalfe (Sally Dynevor) walk by just in time to catch the show, the predator tries to protest her innocence. But Leanne isn’t buying it and warns her to get lost. ‘The only reason I’m not screaming the truth from a megaphone is to protect your victims!’

But Leanne soon changes her mind, when she storms into the Driscolls and reveals to Eva, Toyah, Ben and Ollie Driscoll (Raphael Akuwudike) that she found some pregnancy vitamins among Megan’s things. Ben wonders if she’s having a baby… prompting an awkward Eva to reveal that Megan had an abortion.

Incredulous, Ben can’t believe he’s hearing about this now. After all, that baby could have been his grandchild. But Eva insists she was only trying to protect him. Toyah guesses the baby must be gone by now, but Leanne suspects otherwise. Why keep pregnancy vitamins on your bedside table when you’ve already had the abortion?

Eva agrees. ‘If she has lied all the evidence we need is growing right there in her belly!’ She reasons.

Now they have the proof. Getting their hands on it might prove tricky…

MORE: Coronation Street fans heap praise on star for ‘superb’ performance as ‘deplorable’ Megan

MORE: The Driscolls reel as Will sticks up for abuser Megan in Coronation Street

MORE: Maggie explodes with rage in Coronation Street as Will refuses to take down Megan

Sarr’s first goal was created by some good work by Jorgen Strand Larsen, who battled under pressure to retain possession before flicking to Adam Wharton, who excellently teed up the opener with a pass that took a deflection before falling into the path of the Senegal international, who rounded Zlatan Alomerovic before applying the low finish.

Judge Grant imposed a series of conditions which included an 8pm to 7am curfew, tagging and a ban on consuming alcohol

A “prolific burglar” with over 100 criminal convictions was granted bail on Thursday but was banned from entering Belfast city centre.

The application to grant bail to Joseph Emmanuel McDonnell was made and granted at Belfast Crown Court.

The 38-year old, from Cliftonpark Avenue in Belfast, has been charged with a total of 14 offences over a timeframe of April 13 to December 13, 2024.

These include seven counts of burglary – one of which was at a nursing home – four counts of criminal damage as well as assisting and resisting police. The application was launched due to amount of time McDonnell has spent on remand.

Opposing the application to release McDonnell on bail, Crown barrister Ian Tannahill told Judge Patrick Lynch Kc that the defendant was charged with a “prolonged and serious series of offences in the city centre.”

This, the prosecutor said, included targeting Belfast Royal Academy in the early hours of October 19 and Clifton Nursing home on Hopewell Street on November 5.

Mr Tannahill said “significant damage” was caused and cash stolen during the BRA break-in then said “as if a school wasn’t concerning enough” the nursing home was burgled the following month.

Revealing the nursing home was “fully occupied by vulnerable residents” when it was broken into, the prosecutor said £400 cash was taken from a tin in the kitchen area, a vending machine was smashed and laptops and more cash were stolen from offices.

Also allegedly broken into by McDonnell was the Holywood Superbowl in April, the B&M store in Rosemary Street in May, the Ramada Hotel in Talbot Street in July, the Bullitt Hotel in Church Lane and Five Guys in the SSE Arena in August and the House of Tan on the Antrim Road in December.

Addressing the bail application, whilst Mr Tannahill accepted McDonnell has spent a period of time on remand, he said at the time of his arrest McDonnell had “two active bench warrants” and he has breached court orders “on 13 occasions.”

Mr Tannahill raised concerns that if granted bail, McDonnell may fail to appear in court and that there was a “real risk of further offending.”

Branding McDonnell as a “prolific offender with 120 previous convictions, Mr Tannahill added: “Police believe he will maintain his approach and continue to offend whenever he finds a proposition that presents itself to him.”

Mr Tannahill also spoke of “violence used” towards police at the time of his arrest and said the police deemed the proposed bail address in north Belfast as unsuitable due to the presence of vulnerable children in the premises.

McDonnell’s solicitor John Burke said McDonnell’s case has “fallen right within the ambit” of the current industrial action taken by barristers.

Telling Judge Lynch his client has now spent 15 months in custody, Mr Burke spoke of “another period of months before we get this case closer to resolution.”

Regarding the proposed bail address, the solicitor said the children no longer resided at the property.

He said McDonnell was a suitable applicant for bail and “with the appropriate conditions in place” his client “could be managed within in the community.”

Mr Burke added: “Obviously, if there’s any breach … he will be straight back into custody.”

After listening to submissions from both the Crown and defence, Judge Lynch said that due to the current industrial action it was “unlikely” that McDonnell would get a trial “before September of October.”

Saying “this was a reality of the matter”, the Judge added “that means this just falls on the right side of granting bail which I will do.”

Judge Grant imposed a series of conditions which included an 8pm to 7am curfew, tagging and a ban on consuming alcohol.

McDonnell was also banned from entering Belfast city centre apart from attending with his solicitor, court and for medical appointments.

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The popular folk festival is expanding across the city for 2026.

Cambridge Folk Festival has announced more acts set to play in venues across Cambridge later this year. The popular festival was cancelled last year due to financial losses but is returning this summer in a different form.

This year’s main festival will be take place across Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, at Cherry Hinton Hall. There will also be a range of performances happening at local venues across Cambridge throughout the summer.

On Saturday, July 25, John Cooper Clarke will take to the stage at the Cambridge Corn Exchange alongside special guests such as Brian Bilston and The Catenary Wires, Henry Normal and Jan Brierton, and Mike Garry and Toria Garbutt. There will be a family ceilidh hosted by Cambridge Ceilidh All Stars at the Corn Exchange on Sunday, July 26.

There will also be a ‘tradfest’ along Mill Road and Folk Festival favourite Frankie Archer will be performing at The Portland Arms. A pub quiz night is set to take place at the Parkers Tavern alongside a comedy show, open-mic nights, and other events at different spots around the city.

The new “city-wide approach” will offer folk fans even more opportunities to enjoy music. The festival also wants to invite new audiences to “discover and join the vibrant folk community”.

Cllr Dr Antoinette Nestor, Cabinet Member for Culture Economy and Skills at the Council, said: “I’m thrilled that the Cambridge Folk Festival will extend further across Cambridge than ever before, partnering with local venues, promoters, and folk clubs to bring concerts and community events leading up to the Cherry Hinton Hall weekend.

“With performances at the Corn Exchange, The Portland Arms, other city venues, and the return of the Cambridgeshire Music Summer School, this expanded programme will offer residents and visitors more opportunities to enjoy folk and roots music, celebrate our vibrant cultural scene, and welcome new audiences into the festival community.”

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed steps to speed up processing of new Attendance Allowance claims, with a target of clearing 90% within 30 days

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it is taking measures to “speed up and streamline the processing of new Attendance Allowance claims” as part of its broader Service Modernisation programme. Pensions Minister Torsten Bell stated that the goal is to clear 90 per cent of all new Attendance Allowance applications within 30 days.

Mr Bell noted that most claims are being processed within approximately three to four weeks, a timeline that has been “supported by increasing uptake of the new digital application route”.

In Scotland, pensioners can no longer claim Attendance Allowance and must instead apply for the devolved equivalent – Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). According to recent data from Social Security Scotland, the average processing time for PADP at the end of January was 10 working days (two weeks).

The DWP Minister’s remarks were in response to a question posed by Labour MP Nadia Whittome, who queried ‘what assessment has been made of the potential impact of current waiting times on decisions on claims for Attendance Allowance’ particularly for claimants undergoing active cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, reports the Daily Record.

In a written reply to the Nottingham East MP, Mr Bell said: “The Department keeps Attendance Allowance processing times under review and recognises the importance of timely decisions for older people, including those undergoing significant medical treatment.

“Through our wider Service Modernisation programme, we have taken steps to speed up and streamline the processing of new Attendance Allowance claims.

“We are now working to a target of clearing 90 per cent of new claims within 30 days, and current performance shows that the majority of claims are being cleared within around 3 – 4 weeks, supported by increasing uptake of the new digital application route.

“For customers who are nearing the end of life, we operate a dedicated fast-track process under the Special Rules for End of Life, where claims are prioritised and typically cleared within eight days.

“The extension of the end of life definition from 6 months to 12 months ensures more people with advanced conditions can benefit from this expedited process.”

Recent DWP statistics reveal that at the end of August 2025, more than 1.7 million older people were in receipt of additional financial support via Attendance Allowance. Comparable figures from Social Security Scotland show that over 175,500 individuals aged above 66 are receiving monetary assistance through Pension Age Disability Payment.

Both benefits presently offer either £73.90 or £110.40 each week and as they are generally paid every four weeks, this equates to either £295.60 or £441.60 per payment period. The weekly sum someone receives depends upon the level of care they require. The amount someone receives depends on the level of support required, and the benefit is designed to assist people of State Pension age with daily living costs, which can also help them maintain independence in their own home for longer. It’s important to note there is no mobility component attached to Attendance Allowance.

The benefit supports people with a disability, long-term illness and mental or physical health conditions.

Who can claim?

You should apply for Attendance Allowance or PADP if you have a disability or illness and need assistance or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night – even if you don’t currently receive that help.

This might include:

• Help with your personal care – for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet
• Help to stay safe

You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn’t just for people with a physical disability or illness.

You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:

• A mental health condition
• Learning difficulties
• A sensory condition – if you are deaf or visually impaired

Pensioners in Scotland

Individuals aged 66 and over should apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment, which is managed and delivered by Social Security Scotland. Comprehensive information can be found on MYGPV.SCOT.

What amount could I receive from Attendance Allowance?

You could be eligible for either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) per week.

The funds can be used in any way you see fit and could assist you in maintaining your independence at home for a longer period.

This could include:

• Paying for taxis
• Contributing towards bills
• Employing a cleaner or gardener

Can I apply for Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income?

Indeed. Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested so your other income or the amount of savings you have doesn’t matter – there’s no upper limit. It is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap, meaning no money will be deducted from any other benefits.

Will Attendance Allowance impact my State Pension?

No, it won’t affect your State Pension and you can even claim it if you’re still employed and earning an income.

How does Attendance Allowance influence other benefits?

If you receive Attendance Allowance, your other benefits might increase. These include:

• Extra Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit Reduction
• Council Tax Reduction

How do I submit a claim?

To apply for Attendance Allowance, you’ll need to fill out a lengthy claim form. Although it may seem intimidating initially, assistance is available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age.

Complete information on how to obtain the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.

What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age?

If you are considering applying for Attendance Allowance as you approach State Pension age, it might be more beneficial to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) immediately – you could potentially receive more money.

Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance cannot be claimed if you reside in Scotland, instead, you will need to apply for the new devolved benefit Pension Age Disability Payment. Full details can be found on MYGOV.SCOT.

You won’t be eligible for Attendance Allowance if you already receive PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to cover your care costs. If you apply for Attendance Allowance whilst receiving DLA, the DWP will typically reassess your DLA award instead.

You can renew your PIP or DLA when the current award expires provided you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

More information about Attendance Allowance can be found on the GOV.UK website here.

Sarah Michelle Gellar has revealed the one condition that would see her reunite on screen with husband Freddie Prinze Jr — and fans may have to wait a little longer.

The couple, who met on the set of I Know What You Did Last Summer and have been together for more than two decades, remain one of Hollywood’s most beloved love stories.

But while they’ve shared the screen before — most famously in Scooby-Doo — Gellar says timing is everything when it comes to working together again.

‘Never say never,’ she told Metro on the red carpet for Ready or Not 2: Here I Come.

However, she added: ‘Not while our children are still in the house because one of us has to be home at all times. Never say never. I’ve learned that one, but not right now.’

Gellar has spent much of the past decade stepping back from the spotlight to focus on family life.

Gellar and Prinze Jr share two children, Charlotte and Rocky, and she has long been open about prioritising being a present parent over chasing roles.

That’s part of why her recent return to acting has felt so deliberate and exciting.

After a string of defining roles around the late 90s and early 2000s — including Scream 2, Cruel Intentions, Scooby-Doo, and The Grudge — Gellar largely stepped away from major projects, cultivating a quieter life that she shares with more than four million followers on Instagram.

Her comeback began with a turn in Netflix’s Do Revenge in 2022, followed by a leading role in Paramount+’s supernatural drama Wolf Pack.

Now, she’s taking on one of her most exciting parts yet.

In Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, the sequel to the cult 2019 horror hit, Gellar plays Ursula Danforth, a villainous role that taps into the same sharp, no-nonsense energy that made her Cruel Intentions performance so iconic.

Speaking to Metro at the film’s premiere, she said embracing the darker side was a major draw: ‘So much fun. Villains get to do all the fun stuff. Like, you know, they get to twist, twirl their mustache and say the crazy shit. Like, it’s fun to be on both sides.’

The film once again leans into its chaotic, satirical ‘eat-the-rich’ themes of the original, though Gellar is happy for audiences to take from it what they will.

‘I always say it’s up to the audience, right?’ she explained. ‘If you want to go and just have a crazy ride and see this out there crazy fun movie, then go see this movie. If you want to take the messages then do that… the message is there, but only if you feel like taking it.’

The role has already sparked strong reactions, with some calling it her best in 20 years — something she doesn’t entirely dispute.

‘I mean, I loved it. I don’t disagree,’ she said. ‘Ursula was so much fun… it’s one of those things as an actor, you just get lucky.’

For now, any on-screen reunion with her husband will have to wait, but, as Gellar says, never say never.

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