A new peer-reviewed study found a nuclear war could wipe out around five billion people as tensions heighten in the Middle East

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A recent study suggests that only two nations would endure a nuclear conflict. This alarming revelation comes amid escalating tensions, with the US and Israel – both nuclear-armed states – exchanging missile fire with Iran.

Israel has been targeting Tehra, the Iranian capital, whilst Afghanistan’s Taliban have initiated an attack on nuclear-equipped Pakistan. Yesterday, the UAE reported ongoing efforts to intercept missiles aimed at Israel as Middle Eastern conflict continues unabated.

These developments have sparked fears of potential war escalation in the forthcoming weeks. A new peer-reviewed study estimates that a nuclear war could annihilate approximately five billion people, according to Unilad.

Scientists in the Nature journal warn of fireballs reaching temperatures up to 100 million degrees Celsius and a nuclear winter enveloping the globe. They posit that Australia and New Zealand would be the sole survivors.

Annie Jacobson, an expert on Armageddon scenarios and author of Nuclear War: A Scenario, utilised scientific research and defence expertise to predict the aftermath of all 12,000 global nuclear weapons being deployed. Speaking on The Diary of a CEO podcast, she stated: “Hundreds of millions of people die in the fireballs, no question.”

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Jacobson further elaborated on the catastrophic impact on regions that survive the initial explosions. She said: “Places like Iowa and Ukraine would be just snow for 10 years, and so agriculture would fail. When agriculture fails, people just die.”

The expert suggests approximately three billion people might endure the immediate explosions, though their existence would be utterly transformed. She reckons Australia and New Zealand would largely withstand the nuclear winter and maintain the capacity to cultivate crops.

Annie outlined how detonating thousands of contemporary nuclear weapons would obliterate a delicate layer of gas shielding us from solar radiation. She warns that alongside ozone layer devastation, there would be significant radiation poisoning threats.

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Whilst Australia and New Zealand may endure, she anticipates residents there would face existence in darkness. She envisages people “fighting for food” and “living underground”.

Annie’s forecast follows recent mapping which indicated Iranian missiles possess the capability to devastate numerous nations, including several favoured tourist destinations. Intelligence suggests these warheads could reach targets up to 1,240 miles away.

This places beloved holiday spots including Dubai, Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt potentially within striking distance. On Thursday (March 5) the UK Government’s inaugural evacuation flights departed the Middle East to assist stranded Britons.

The initial aircraft left Oman on Thursday afternoon. The Government continues evaluating its response strategy to the Middle Eastern crisis.

Confirmation has already emerged that Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon will deploy to the Mediterranean, potentially next week, strengthening protective measures surrounding the British military installation at Akrotiri following an Iranian drone strike.

If there’s one thing all football fans can agree on, as we trundle through match after match of grappling and time-wasting, it’s that what we actually need are more rules.

That’s what the International Football Association Board have decided, anyway.

In an era of official club complaints, anger in the stands and frustration from players and managers alike, football’s lawmakers are introducing new rules to combat time wasting and give more power to VAR.

The rules will come into effect from July 1 across football, but also be in place for the start of this summer’s World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada in June.

What changes are being made to stop time wasting?

After the relative success of this year’s new rule giving goalkeepers eight seconds to release the ball, throw-ins and goal kicks will now also have five second countdowns if the referee thinks a player is time wasting.

There is one difference between the new rules and the goalkeeper countdown, as a referee will only start one when they feel a player is time wasting, instead of immediately as is the case with goalkeepers.

The other change means anyone substituted will now have 10 seconds to get off the pitch – if they don’t the referee can delay their replacement coming on until the next stoppage in play.

How is VAR changing?

The new rules mean VAR will now be able to intervene in red cards that have resulted from an incorrect second yellow and corners that shouldn’t have been given.

Again, reasonable on paper, but do we really want to introduce more stoppages and opportunities for VAR to upset everyone with inconsistencies? Surely that’s what we should be avoiding.

But what do we fans know, after all? We’re not the experts, and a problem like this needs the best minds in football. Step up Pierluigi Collina – one of the most recognisable referees of all time and surely a credible voice of reason on issues like VAR and why nobody seems to like it.

‘In Italy, we say that in every wonderful marriage, there is a crisis after seven years,’ said the 2002 World Cup final referee. ‘So it might be possible that people fell in love with VAR, and then after some years, as with your wife, you have a small crisis.’

Sorry Pierluigi, this one feels more like an arranged marriage doomed for failure from day one.

What about Arsene Wenger? Surely one of football’s best thinkers has some sort of solution for us… How about a change in the offside law?

The former Arsenal boss has proposed a ‘daylight’ rule, meaning that an attacker is only offside if there is a gap between them and the last line of defence.

It’s a move that brings the law back towards giving the attacker the benefit of the doubt, but the issue is that light is famously good at getting through even the smallest of cracks. In reality, it will just lead to the lines being drawn in a different place.

This change has been granted a trial in Canada, so it could be a while before it comes into effect across the world. However, Wenger has been pushing for the change since joining Fifa in 2019, so we can expect any success in the trial to please him.

The obvious solution here is to get rid of the whole thing. Sure, before VAR we all argued over refereeing decisions but at least we could celebrate goals and get home on time.

Football is supposed to be a simple game – adding more rules will just add to the feeling that a team now needs to apply for planning permission to score.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

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Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) heads off to his dad’s funeral in Coronation Street next week, but attending with other family members sadly isn’t going to happen.

Jim McDonald, played by Charles Lawson, died of pneumonia following a stay in hospital.

The character absolutely wasn’t a good example of what a father should be, as he was regularly involved in storylines that featured violence, crime and alcoholism.

Steve learnt of his dad’s ill health when it became apparent that Jim had put him down as a guarantor on a rented house. Jim owed the dodgy landlord some money, and it was down to Steve to pay it as he was in hospital.

After confirming that Jim wasn’t well, his old army mate told Steve that he didn’t have long left to live. Steve didn’t particularly want to see his Jim, but knew he probably wouldn’t get another chance in the future.

As he prepares to say goodbye, Steve decides to invite new mate Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker) along to the funeral, admitting he could do with some moral support. This puts Tim Metcalfe’s (Joe Duttine) nose out of joint a bit, as he points out that he actually knew Jim, and Ben didn’t.

Steve nervously heads off to the funeral without mum Liz or brother Andy in tow after discovering that they both washed their hands of Jim a long time ago.

Jim does have some loved ones who arrive to say their goodbyes though, including Declan and Davey from the army. Later, they regale Steve with tales of the past.

Listening in is Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn), who would like to pull Ben away from the conversation sharpish.

She does this by reminding Ben that he’s got a hospital appointment in the morning, so it would be best if they start making tracks.

Attending the appointment actually isn’t a priority for Maggie, as Ben remains unaware that she’s not best pleased about his new friendship with Steve because she knows they are related.

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It will be revealed in upcoming episodes that Maggie had an affair with Jim, and Ben was the product of that, making him Steve’s brother.

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The airline will resume a limited number of commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi on Friday, March 6, as tensions in the Middle East enter their seventh day

Etihad Airways is set to restart a limited selection of commercial services to and from Abu Dhabi. Amongst the routes being reinstated are London and New York.

The carrier confirmed the flights will recommence on Friday, March 6, as Middle Eastern tensions reach their seventh day.

Airspace across the Middle East has been closed and flight operations thrown into chaos following coordinated strikes by Israel and the United States on multiple strategic sites in Iran on Saturday, February 28. Iran has retaliated with assaults on various countries throughout the region, sparking widespread alarm, reports the Manchester Evening News..

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Passengers and the general public have been advised against travelling to the airport unless they have received direct contact from Etihad or possess a confirmed reservation on one of these reinstated services.

Etihad Airways stated that passengers holding existing bookings will be accommodated at the earliest opportunity on these flights.

“The decision has been taken in coordination with relevant authorities following extensive safety and security assessments. Etihad continues to monitor the situation closely and will only operate flights once all safety criteria are met,” the airline wrote in a post on.

All remaining scheduled commercial operations to and from Abu Dhabi stay suspended and passengers will receive direct notification from Etihad confirming their flight status and outlining available alternatives. Visitors have been urged to keep their contact information current and check their inbox regularly for the latest developments.

“Safety remains our absolute priority, and services will operate only once all safety criteria are met,” the statement read.

The most recent information can be found here.

Bolton’s Makers Market was first held last year on October 12 and quickly proved a hit, with some stalls almost selling out of products.

It will be returning to Newport Street this Sunday (March 8) with a packed line-up of artisan makers, street food traders and creatives from across the region.

Bolton Makers Market will return this weekend (Image: Bolton Makers Market)

Live music will take place throughout the day, performed by local musician Chris Tavener.

Families will be warmly welcomed with a free children’s crafting station hosted by Rabbits Small, giving kids the chance to get creative while their parents explore the stalls.

Visitors will be able to enjoy a range of food from gourmet grilled cheese toasties from Absolute Meltdown to pies from Chris.cheshirepie and scotch eggs from Mr Murray’s Scotch Eggs.

Bolton Makers Market will return this weekend (Image: Bolton Makers Market)

There will also be authentic curries, samosas and bhajis from The Curry Man, Asian snacks from THE KASHMIRI GUYS and cuisine from Persian Food and Dessert.

Sweet treats will be in abundance too, with cookies and brownies from Baked by Nicola, banana bread from Sheila’s Sweet Slice, cinnamon rolls and cake slices from Syllasweet Cakery Ltd, plus honey and beeswax products from Bright Meadows Honey.

Cheese lovers can stock up with Kick Ass Cheese and Bogarts Cheese, alongside pour-over sauces from Sizzlers – Prime Meats and handcrafted rum from The Salford Rum Company.

Bolton Makers Market will return this weekend (Image: Bolton Makers Market)

 Creative shoppers can browse handmade jewellery from Grace Alexandra Jewellery, Breaking Hearts Jewels and Summerday, crochet accessories from Ortensia Atelier, folklore-inspired art from Northern Folklore Archive, resin creations from Sheryl Toomey-Brown and beautifully crafted wooden pieces from Kazbahcollective.

You’ll also find 3D printed designs from 3d Foundry and Filament forge.uk, laser-cut gifts from Droylsden Laser, original books from crime fiction author James Ellson, handmade craft kits from The Happy Harbour, and much more.

Bolton’s Makers Market will be at Newport Street this Sunday (March 8) from 11am to 4pm.

It’s been nearly 13 years since fans first met Tommy Shelby, the Peaky Blinders’ ruthless and violent but menacingly charming gang leader who has been cemented as a fan favourite TV icon thanks to Cillian Murphy’s nuanced performance.

Tommy is back in new Netflix film The Immortal Man to sort out the reckless younger generation of Peaky Blinders, now led by his illegitimate son Duke (Barry Keoghan) during World War Two.

A true anti-hero who audiences have watched maim others with his razor-brimmed flat cap as well as torture and murder victims – and even betray his family – over the course of six seasons, Tommy was last seen on horseback riding off to an ambiguous future as the TV series wrapped in 2022 (1934 on screen).

But despite the acts of brutality and bloodshed that Tommy has continuously been part of – and often instigated – fans still love the supremely complicated character.

Ahead of his much-anticipated return to the role, I ask the man himself, Oppenheimer Oscar-winner Murphy, as I sit down with him and new Peaky co-star Tim Roth, why that might be.

The 49-year-old star initially suggests he’s unsure what myriad reasons make up ‘the whole’ of Tommy’s attraction to folks before giving most credit to long-form television.

‘It allows you to really explore all the light and shade, all the different complexities that characters can have,’ he says.

‘And despite the fact that this is gangster and stylised and genre and heightened, there’s a great deal of humanity in it. Like, if the character gets injured, he stays injured. There’re consequences from the violence. Steve has woven in politics; characters die and it’s heartbreaking.

‘And I think if you spend that length of time with a character, you will begin to invest in them in an emotional, kind of intimate way, which you don’t always get with films – you get it in a different way. But with long form telly, it’s unusual, and there’s an ownership that the audience has which is kind of interesting.’

This is gangster and stylised but there’s a great deal of humanity in it

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‘You can put a character under a microscope and spend time with their weaknesses,’ adds Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs actor Roth. ‘You can do a whole episode on one aspect of a character and investigate it, whereas you don’t necessarily have the time to do that cinematically.’

Unsurprisingly, Murphy hasn’t credited any of Tommy’s popularity to his own performance, which has helped the show break through to enjoy remarkable success on a global scale  

‘It’s very humbling when it does, but I do think that’s the fans doing,’ is all he’ll modestly say on that point.

How Peaky Blinders and Cillian Murphy made Birmingham cool again

The Cork-born star has also been responsible for performing some major PR on Birmingham’s behalf in recent years, mastering the Brum burr of Shelby – who lives in Small Heath – with quiet flair.

Locals have been ‘very kind’ in their feedback on his efforts over the years, Murphy acknowledges.

‘Originally when we started doing it, I would leave voice messages on [series creator] Steve Knight’s phone because he’s a true-blue Brummie, and he would let me know if I was getting close.’

However, the 28 Days Later actor made the decision from the start ‘to not lean into it’.

‘There’s always been this kind of comedic version of the Brummies,’ Murphy explains, with Roth supplying Auf Wiedersehen, Pet as a prime example.

‘[So I wanted to] avoid all of that and to make him cool and mysterious, just like Birmingham has all of that – it’s totally there – but it took Steve to show the world.’ (Roth rests some responsibility on Solihull-raised comedian Joe Lycett too, whom he ‘loves’.)

Spending so long with Tommy – and returning to him over the years – has also taught Murphy ‘discipline’, he says.

I wanted to avoid the comedic version of the Brummies

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‘We shot the TV show at a very, very fast pace, shooting six hours in the same amount of time you shoot a feature film. And we always had real cinematic ambition for the show, and the production values we always wanted to keep extremely high – and I think we managed to maintain that.’

‘I don’t really go into parts looking to learn stuff – obviously it happens as you play them,’ he continues, ‘but I can just say that I’m immensely grateful for it.’

‘To be given that level of quality of writing for that length of time, and for the story to have gotten richer and deeper, more satisfying for us, and for the fans that have been so loyal and stayed with the show.

‘It’s been a huge part of my life,’ he adds.

Introducing Tommy Shelby’s new enemy, Tim Roth’s Nazi ally Beckett

Oscar nominee Roth, who starred last year in Sottish samurai Western Tornado and has also appeared in Planet of the Apes and The Incredible Hulk, plays Tommy’s new adversary Beckett, a Nazi-sympathiser who is ready to help win the war for Germany.

Beckett, a chillingly casual yet ruthless antagonist and another fascist for the Peaky Blinders to tackle, is ‘a lovely fellow’, quips Roth.

The Cockney character was initially written ‘very differently’ though, with Roth suggesting an overhaul.

‘He was from a different class and [had a] kind of aristocratic vibe to him, a militaristic vibe, and I just thought it’d be nice to play him like a geography teacher,’ he explains. ‘I think that brought a possible element of the fatherly masquerade to it, which maybe slightly became a reality for the character somehow.’

Beckett ends up working with Duke in the hopes of using the gang’s well-established criminal links to aid in his mission for the Nazis.

For 64-year-old Roth, the wartime setting resonates due to the experiences of his father, who was 17 around then – and he relished the cinematic ambition and schedule of The Immortal Man.

‘You really felt when you when you were there, it’s almost payback for the loyalty of the fans and the enjoyment that they have. It’s quite an extraordinary place to be,’ he adds.

[Tommy and Beckett] are equals and opposite sides of the coin

Beckett is perhaps Tommy’s most challenging opponent to date, and the pair share similarities in their measured yet violet approach.

‘They kind of circle around each other, and the two times they encounter each other is very explosive and visceral, but there’s not that much interaction – and yet each has a huge influence on the other,’ shares Murphy.

‘I think initially Beckett would have liked to have done business with Tommy. He ends up with Tommy’s son, and he has to kind of recalibrate in terms of how he’s going to get this thing done. But I do think they feel like sort of equals and opposite sides of the coin.’

This allows Tommy the chance to shine more, I suggest, the harder his adversary is to overcome.

‘That’s in the writing too,’ points out Roth. ‘You need to create a big enough mountain for these guys to climb over, to conquer. And I think [Knight] did such a good job in writing that.’

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is in UK and US cinemas from today. It streams exclusively on Netflix from March 20.

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The nationwide celebration of reading marked a day off from typical school uniforms, with children donning costumes of their favourite literary characters instead.

The day witnessed classic and contemporary characters making an appearance.

See some of the amazing costumes readers of The Northern Echo sent in today:

Reggie age 8 as the boy from the Polar Express. (Image: UGC)

Archie Elstob, 7, Billionaire Boy. (Image: UGC)

Ridley Watson, 1. (Image: UGC)

Jessielee, 20 months, Hermione Granger. (Image: UGC)

Reggie, 3, BFG. (Image: UGC)

Jessielee, 20 months, Hermione Granger. (Image: UGC)

Jacob, 3, from Darlington, Iron Man. (Image: UGC)

Koby, 3, from Durham, The Hulk. (Image: UGC)

Emmeline Pankhurst and Jane Austen. (Image: UGC)

Arabella, 10 and Bertie 6, Sophie from BFG and Batman. (Image: UGC)

Theo, 5, The Highway Rat. (Image: UGC)

Matilda, 8, The Cat in the Hat. (Image: UGC)

Thomas, 5, Stickman. (Image: UGC)

Isla-Mae Webb, 6, Miss Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. (Image: UGC)

Archie, 1, The Tiger that came for Tea. (Image: UGC)

Rose and Ivy from Aycliffe as Paddington and his Marmalade. (Image: UGC)

Phoebe, 4, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Golden Ticket. (Image: UGC)

Aaliyah, 9, The Cat in the Hat. (Image: UGC)

Lydia, 9, from Hurworth, Miss Trunchbull. (Image: UGC)

Violet, 4, Betty O’Barley from The Scarecrow’s Wedding. (Image: UGC)

Bobby, 2. (Image: UGC)

Delilah, 10 and Ralph, 5, Stickman and Triceratops follows its herd. (Image: UGC)

Alexia, 6 and Jadon, 4, The Rainbow Fish and ‘That’s not my…’ (Image: UGC)

Freya, 2, Witch from Room on the Broom. (Image: UGC)

Sid Rees, 6, Willy Wonka. (Image: UGC)

Toby, 10, from Darlington, The Boy in the Dress. (Image: UGC)

Maddie, 7, Cinderella. (Image: UGC)

Amber, 5, from Darlington, Alice in Wonderland. (Image: UGC)

Niamh, 7, Hermione Granger. (Image: UGC)

Presten, 10 and Lenny, 5. (Image: UGC)

Saskia as Isadora Moon. (Image: UGC)

Honey, 3, Angelina Ballerina. (Image: UGC)

Tommy-George Milburn, 3, Jake from The Tweenies. (Image: UGC)

Bonnie, 4 and Rosie 2, Flopsy and Elmer. (Image: UGC)

Tommy, 8, from Darlington, Peter Pan’s Shadow. (Image: UGC)

Lincoln, 10, Logan, 8, Lukas, 6 from Darlington as Where’s Wally? (Image: UGC)

Aria, 4, Skylar, 2, and Thea, 9. (Image: UGC)

Violet, 10, The Lorax. (Image: UGC)

Oliver, 10, Harry Potter. (Image: UGC)

Ariya, 6, The Day the Crayons Quit. (Image: UGC)

Arthur, 5, The Gruffalo. (Image: UGC)

Arthur, 3, The Elves and the Shoemaker. (Image: UGC)

Elsie, 9, Gangsta Granny. (Image: UGC)

Pippa Joy, 7, James and the Giant Peach. (Image: UGC)

Maya, 4, Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell. (Image: UGC)

A student dazzling as a character from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” carried a handmade, oversized Wonka Golden Ticket in one of the pictures.

The BFG’s Sophie made an appearance too, complete with a jar of “dreams” and the book itself.

A young Batman added a superhero flair to the event, while Stick Man, fashioned from cardboard with a leaf-top, stood tall.

The humorous side of the day was represented by a pupil mimicking the notable “Gangsta Granny” from David Walliams’ book.

The portrayal involved a complete transformation with a floral skirt, headscarf, curlers, and ceremoniously tugging a shopping trolley.

Other classic fairy tales had their moment as well.

A child appeared as an elf from “The Elves and the Shoemaker,” wearing a green tunic and pointy hat, proudly brandishing both a real shoe and the book.

World Book Day, celebrated in March, aims to encourage children to develop a love for reading.

The aim is to make reading enjoyable, accessible, and relevant for all, helping every child find a character or story they’ll adore.

A Belfast man allegedly launched a flying kick on his girlfriend and threatened to chop her up, the High Court heard on Thursday.

Prosecutors claimed Jamie Riddell carried out the attack last month during an argument at his home in the north of the city. The 35-year-old, of Albertville Drive, was refused bail on disputed charges of common assault, threats to kill and breaching a restraining order.

The court heard the woman told police that Riddell became violent after a row broke out on February 6.

“During this the defendant fly-kicked the injured party to the chest and punched her twice to the head,” Crown counsel Charlene Dempsey said.

“The injured party further alleged that during this argument the defendant made a threat to tie her to a chair and chop her up, which caused her fear.”

Riddell was also said to have constantly asked the woman for money.

On the day of the alleged attack she withdrew £330 from her bank and gave it to him due to the continuous requests, according to the prosecution.

In police interviews Riddell denied the offences, claiming instead that he left the flat after the woman charged at him with a pair of scissors. His barrister described the pair as having an on-off relationship where she stayed at his house during periods of homelessness.

“He denies the offences and stated the complainant called the police to make these allegations because he would not give her money for drugs,” the lawyer submitted.

Denying bail, His Honour Judge Gordon Kerr KC ruled that Riddell must remain in custody.

He said: “I consider there is a genuine risk of re-offending in relation to the same complainant.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter.

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed the changes

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance, will rise by 3.8 per cent for the 2026/27 financial year. The revised weekly payment rates will take effect from April 6, 2026.

PIP is presently valued at between £29.20 and £187.45 per week, with payments typically made every four weeks, resulting in awards ranging from £116.80 to £749.80.

A 3.8 per cent increase will see payments climb to between £30.30 and £194.60, equating to £121.20 and £778.40 per four-week payment period, reports the Daily Record.

PIP payment rates 2026/27

PIP comprises two components – daily living and mobility. From Monday, April 6, PIP will be paid at the following weekly amounts.

Daily Living component

• Enhanced: £114.60 (from £110.40)
• Standard: £76.70 (from £73.90)

Mobility component

• Enhanced: £80.00 (from £77.05)
• Standard: £30.30 (from £29.20)

PIP payment combinations 2026/27

People receiving PIP may be awarded the lower rate of one or both elements, the higher rate of one or both elements, or a combination of the lower or higher rates of each component.

The DWP will send letters to all claimants before April outlining their updated payment rates. There are eight potential awards, which are listed below.

Single component award only

You may be awarded the lower or higher daily living or mobility component:

• Standard daily living only – £76.70 per week, £306.80 per pay period
• Enhanced daily living only – £114.60 per week, £458.40 per pay period
• Standard mobility only – £30.30 per week, £121.20 per pay period
• Enhanced mobility only – £80.00 per week, £320.00 per pay period

Lower rate for daily living and mobility

If you are on the lower rates of both components, your new payments are forecast to be:

• Standard daily living and standard mobility – £107 per week, £428 per pay period

Higher rate for daily living and mobility

If you are on the higher rates of both components, your new payments are forecast to be:

• Enhanced daily living and enhanced mobility – £194.60 per week, £778.40 per pay period

Lower rate of one component and higher rate of the other

If you are on the lower rate of one component and the higher rate of the other, your new payments are forecast to be:

• Standard daily living and enhanced mobility – £156.70 per week, £626.80 per pay period
• Enhanced daily living and standard mobility – £144.90 per week, £579.60 per pay period

Remember, PIP and all disability benefits are tax-free and do not affect the benefit cap.