The Reuters Institute records its lowest trust figures since the annual research began in 2015.
All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Martyn Jones.
Gary Owen’s Iphigenia In Splott took the Welsh and London theatre world by storm in the wake of Brexit. Urgent and passionate, this one-woman play starred Sophie Melville as Effi, a young woman struggling to deal with the harsh realities of a life encompassed by poverty and a lack of opportunity, from a world that seemed indifferent to her plight.
With Effi O Blaenau, this harrowing monologue has now been expanded superbly by Gary Owen to the big screen. The setting has been transposed to the bleak beauty of Blaenau Ffestiniog, Effi’s plight given a remote grandeur and in Leisa Gwenllian, she is brought to life fearlessly in a raw gutsy performance that will be star-making.
Gwenllian’s Effi is initially hard to like: a heavy-drinking fountain of rudeness, hurling abuse at her nan (an excellent Carys Gwillym). She struggles by with friend Leanne (Nel Rhys Lewis) and on/off friend with benefits Kev (a poignant, funny Owen Alun). Effi lives for nights out, and on one such excursion miles away from her hometown she has a fling with ex-soldier Lee (Tom Rhys Harries). Effi thinks he could the one, but there’s more to Lee’s life than he lets on.
A gruelling chain of events follows, anchored by Gwenllian’s committed performance, a propulsive script and Marc Evans’ tight direction. It has a social realist conscience like a Ken Loach film, delivering harrowing material urgently – an ambulance trip in a snowstorm heartbreakingly tense. The performances are uniformly excellent, from Leah Gaffey’s overstretched nurse to Mared Llywellyn’s neighbour with kids, with Gwenllian managing to keep Effi believably human amidst the adversity she encounters.
In the wake of continuing austerity, COVID and a world where the have-nots are ignored, this urgent film feels like a howl at injustice everywhere. Essential Welsh filmmaking, full of purpose and passion.
Dir: Marc Evans (15, 90 mins)
In cinemas from Fri 19 June
words KEIRON SELF
New research has been published on Tuesday
A third of UK adults are currently in debt to their energy firm or worried about falling behind ahead of a 13% jump in the price cap from July, a survey suggests. The figure rises to 45% of parents with a child under 18, and 35% of disabled people, the poll for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition found.
Among those in energy debt, the median amount owed to an energy supplier was £750. The survey also found that 13% of those in debt or worried about missing payments owed money to “someone who makes them feel scared”, rising to 24% of those who are already in arrears.
Some 32% of those already in energy debt had tried to use less energy over the last 12 months by turning the heating off or taking shorter showers, while 25% said they kept their home colder or warmer than was comfortable and 21% had missed rent or mortgage payments. More than one in five of those in energy debt have needed to skip meals (21%), while 18% had turned to a food bank for support to help cope with costs or arrears.
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition found supplier support for struggling households had been “mixed”, and while 15% of those in arrears had been referred to a hardship fund and 15% were on a repayment plan, 13% reported having no contact from their supplier in the past 12 months. Fewer than one in five (18%) of those in arrears felt they had been treated fairly by their supplier and just 8% had been referred to debt advice.
Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “These figures lay bare the true cost of years of failure to fix energy debt caused by the sharp increases in bills. Millions of people are in debt to their energy company or worried about falling behind, and yet the price shock profiteers are posting billions in profits.
“The figures also show that this is a can’t pay crisis, not a won’t pay one. Very few people who are in energy debt are also in high-earning households.
“Instead, it is ordinary people who are skipping meals, visiting food banks and, most alarmingly, resorting to risky forms of borrowing just to keep the lights on. The energy industry, which has caused this debt through its profiteering, must be made to contribute to clearing this debt mountain.”
Centre for Sustainable Energy chief executive Janine Michael said: “At the Centre for Sustainable Energy, we speak to people every day who are struggling to keep up with their energy bills – not because they won’t pay, but because they can’t. The long-awaited energy debt relief scheme must be brought forward urgently, and people in debt need access to proper debt advice, not just a letter from their supplier.
“But debt relief alone is a sticking plaster. The real fix is reducing the amount of energy households use in the first place through proper investment in energy efficiency and phasing out gas. Until we address that, we’ll be having this same conversation next winter.”
Ned Hammond, deputy director of customer policy at Energy UK, said: “Household energy debt has doubled to £5.5 billion in recent years and continues to spiral out of control – it could reach £7 billion by the end of this year. Too many households genuinely can’t afford to cover their energy costs, but current regulations also make it all too easy for customers to fall into arrears, with limited routes to get out.
“Suppliers are doing what they can to help customers and reduce debt levels, but the sheer scale of the problem means the industry can’t fix it alone. To overcome this crisis, a comprehensive debt strategy is required. This should start with the swift launch of Ofgem’s Debt Relief Scheme.”
Opinium surveyed 2,000 UK adults between May 29 and June 1, of which 9% were behind on payments to their energy supplier and a further 22% (about 12 million) were worried about falling behind on their energy bills.
The Total Eclipse of the Heart singer was put in an induced coma after emergency intestinal surgery.
To anyone with even a passing knowledge of social media, the pose is instantly recognizable.
The lower back dips into a pronounced arch, hips tipped forward, buttocks pushed out and chest lifted high.
It creates striking, hourglass-like curves and the illusion of long, slender legs.
And it’s everywhere: models, fitness influencers, celebrities and just about anyone on TikTok and Instagram aspiring to the look adapt the same pose. Most often used while standing in photos, the trick even works while seated.
It’s even been given a nickname: the ‘Instagram posture’ – or, more bluntly, ‘Instagram butt.’
But health experts warn that behind the flattering angles on their social media feeds lies a more worrying phenomenon.
The pose is a textbook example of something called anterior pelvic tilt, a postural position in which the pelvis tips forward, exaggerating the arch of the lower back and pushing the hips and buttocks backwards.
While the body can move in and out of this position without harm, specialists say that repeatedly standing, training or unconsciously defaulting to it can, over time, train the body into a permanent imbalance.
The pelvis tips forward, exaggerating the lower back arch and pushing the hips and buttocks backwards. (Pictured: fitness influencer Jen Selter and actress Bella Thorne)
Real Housewives of New York City star Bethenny Frankel, 55, is pictured at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show last month in Florida, posing with an anterior pelvic tilt
Kendall Jenner taking a behind-the-scenes selfie in the mirror while shooting an advert for sister Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS underwear brand
So, what begins as a clever hack to enhance a silhouette can gradually alter a person’s natural posture – placing strain on the lower back, hips and even knee joints.
Dr Ashley Katzenback, an orthopedic physical therapist at Cape Cod Physical Therapy in Massachusetts, told the Daily Mail: ‘Standing in an anterior pelvic tilt is not inherently harmful, but it can lead to muscle imbalances.
‘For example, the abdominal muscles can become stretched beyond their normal resting length, making it harder to keep the ribcage and pelvis properly aligned.
‘This can give the appearance that the stomach is protruding forward.
‘Over time, increased strain on the joints can cause them to loosen, reducing their ability to effectively support the bones. Without that support, the risk of sprains, dislocations and fractures may increase.
‘Constant shifting of the bones also places wear and tear on the cartilage – the connective tissue that protects joints – raising the risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life.’
And the concern is understandable.
Arthritis – the umbrella term that includes osteoarthritis – is already one of the most widespread chronic conditions in the US, affecting more than 53 million adults, or around one in five.
Osteoarthritis alone impacts an estimated 32.5 million Americans, making it a leading cause of disability.
The problem is only set to grow. Health officials warn that the number of Americans living with arthritis could surge to 78 million by 2040.
While the condition is still most common in older adults, it is no longer confined to them.
Around three to four percent of 18 to 34-year-olds already have arthritis, pointing to a worrying trend driven in part by lifestyle factors and joint strain.
Meanwhile, back pain is also a growing problem in the US, with studies suggesting that nearly four in ten adults report it in any given three‑month period.
It is more common in older people, but experts warn diagnoses are increasingly being seen in younger adults, with research pointing to a rising overall burden of low back pain among those aged under 40.
While ‘Instagram butt’ might be a new factor behind the trend, it’s far from the only risk.
As Dr Sherry McAllister, a chiropractor and president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, explains, anterior pelvic tilt is often the result of modern lifestyles.
‘It typically develops due to a combination of factors, including prolonged sitting, poor core strength, pregnancy and repetitive movements that create muscular imbalances,’ she said.
Specialists say that repeatedly standing, training or unconsciously defaulting to the pose can, over time, train the body into a permanent imbalance. (Pictured: Kylie Jenner)
It’s most often adopted while standing in photos, but the trick even works while seated. (Pictured: Kim Kardashian)
Over time, tight hip flexors and weaker glutes can pull the pelvis forward, increasing strain on the lower back.
‘Many of today’s daily habits encourage the body to adapt to positions it was never designed to maintain for hours at a time,’ McAllister added.
Long hours spent sitting at a desk, driving or looking down at phones and laptops can all contribute to the problem.
Maintaining core strength and moving regularly throughout the day can help support the spine’s natural curve and reduce strain on the lower back and surrounding nerves.
While occasionally standing in this position is unlikely to cause harm, McAllister said regularly defaulting to it may lead to low back discomfort, muscle fatigue and hip soreness.
Dr Mariam Zakhary, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician and clinical advisor at Ikon Recovery Center in New Jersey, told the Daily Mail that deliberately adopting an anterior pelvic tilt for photos ‘does not seem to be damaging in an otherwise healthy individual.’
‘There is, however, great concern if someone continues to stand, walk or exercise with an abnormal amount of anterior pelvic tilt,’ she added.
To counter it, Zakhary recommends strength training, particularly exercises that target the core and glutes, helping to prevent surrounding muscles from weakening or overstretching.
Hip mobility work, including movements such as hip circles and sidesteps, can also help guide the pelvis back into a more neutral position.
‘If you are spending a lot of time in an anterior pelvic tilt, then you need to stretch in the opposite direction — for example with child’s pose or pelvic circles, almost like a hula hoop,’ added Dr Ashley Katzenback, an orthopedic physical therapist.
‘Like everything else, there has to be balance in our bodies.’
Ibrahim helped define a genre of South African jazz music in a career that spanned eight decades.
The findings raise fresh questions for the Department for Work and Pensions
Hundreds of thousands of disabled people with lifelong conditions are being forced through pointless benefit reassessments every year, a charity has warned.
The reviews are draining taxpayers of hundreds of millions of pounds while causing considerable stress and anxiety for some of Britain’s most vulnerable people, according to anti-poverty charity Z2K. Its analysis indicates that almost three-quarters of planned Personal Independence Payment (PIP) reviews last year resulted in no change to the claimant’s award – the equivalent of more than 500,000 reassessments that accomplished nothing.
The findings raise fresh questions over whether the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is squandering money on repeated checks of people whose conditions are permanent or progressive. The DWP is estimated to spend more than £350million annually on PIP assessment contracts.
Z2K discovered that numerous people with lifelong disabilities are still being placed on fixed-term awards that require regular reassessment. Amongst those affected are claimants with learning disabilities, amputations, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis – conditions where significant improvement is often improbable.
The charity’s analysis revealed that 86% of amputees, 73% of people with learning disabilities and 62% of those with cerebral palsy were given fixed-term awards.
The figures were even higher for some progressive conditions, with 89% of people with multiple sclerosis and 61% of those with Parkinson’s disease also facing repeat reviews.
Official DWP guidance states that people with lifelong or deteriorating conditions should ordinarily be reassessed no more than once every ten years through so-called “light-touch” reviews. However, Z2K discovered that ongoing awards represented just 6.9% of new PIP claims in 2025.
Samuel Thomas, senior policy adviser at Z2K, said: “Department for Work and Pensions guidance says disabled people with lifelong and progressive conditions should not be reassessed more than once a decade – but the data shows these rules simply aren’t being followed.”
He told the Guardian: “Shockingly high proportions of disabled people qualifying on the basis of lifelong disabilities like cerebral palsy, permanent hearing loss and amputated limbs are being forced to undergo pointless reassessments, even though their disabilities will not change.”
The charity contends that the system is not only costly but can also carry severe consequences for claimants. Reviews now take an average of 38 weeks to conclude and can result in support being incorrectly reduced or withdrawn, compelling disabled people to appeal decisions and endure months of uncertainty.
Last week the Government extended the standard length of fixed-term PIP awards from two years to three years, a move ministers claim will ease pressure on disabled people while helping to deliver around £2billion in savings.
But campaigners argue the change fails to tackle the fundamental problem if people with lifelong conditions continue to be placed on fixed-term awards in the first place.
A DWP spokesman said: “We’re taking action to fix the broken welfare system we inherited, including by extending award review periods which will remove unnecessary pressure on disabled people and help to deliver savings of around £2bn.
“Rather than their diagnosis alone, the assessment considers how well someone can manage PIP activities so outcomes depend on individual circumstances.
“As part of our work to reform the system we also launched the Timms Review – co-produced with disabled people and their representative organisations – to make sure PIP is fit and fair for the future, including reassessments.”
If you’re travelling into Cardiff city centre on Tuesday, June 16, you should be aware of road closures
Take That’s Circus Live tour has returned to the road, captivating audiences with an even more impressive revival than the 2009 original. (Image: Gareth Cattermole, Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Take That)
Visitors, commuters and Take That fans making their way into Cardiff city centre this Tuesday, June 16 should be aware that there are several road closures in the capital.
The Take That gig will see thousands of fans come into the city, for their travel and parking advice click here, but the show will see everyone else who uses the city’s roads affected, too.
Here, we’ve included a handy map of the road closures and down below there’s a full list of those roads, and the timings of the closures.
Make sure to plan your journey ahead. If you’re using public transport on June 16, you can also find detail and links here – don’t forget your bus stop might change due to limited road access.
For everything else Take That in Cardiff including support acts, gig timings and set list, click here. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
Road closures map
Road closures listed
From 7am, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed because of the need to prepare Gate 5 and protect queuing fans.
For all the concerts, the following roads will be closed as part of the full city centre road closure which will take place at 3pm until midnight.
- Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street.
- Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street.
- Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted via Fitzhamon Embankment).
- Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted).
- The following roads will be closed in their entirety: Duke Street, Castle St, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road.
- Station Terrace and Guildford Street from the junction with Newport Road to the junction with Churchill Way will be access for buses only during the times of the road closures. This is to ensure that there is reliable access for buses to the satellite points in Churchill Way.
- Additionally, Penarth Road will be closed 30 minutes before the concerts finish and for up to an hour after they finish, on safety grounds – for train passengers arriving and departing from the train station.
- Station Terrace will also close for a short period to allow Queen Street Station to operate safely for 1hour 30mins after the end of the event (approx. 10.15pm – 11.45pm)
Additions: Civic Centre: Access to part of the Civic Centre will be controlled throughout the day, with access allowed only for event parking, limited commuter parking, loading and access to private car parks.
Take That tickets
For last-minute tickets for Take That in Cardiff, prices start on Ticketmaster at £71 for restricted view seats or additionally they are offering verified resale tickets. You can find more information and tickets from Ticketmaster here.
There are several other options available too, and this include Viagogo, Vividseats, See Tickets, StubHub.
The Palmerston Play Area in Barry recently reopened following a major refurbishment, offering a vibrant and accessible space for children aged one to 12.
The work was funded through the Welsh Government’s All Wales Play Opportunities Programme, with the aim of creating an inclusive and stimulating environment.
Councillor Bronwen Brooks, Vale of Glamorgan Council cabinet member for sustainable places, said: “We are delighted to officially open the new Palmerston Play Area and provide local children and families with a refreshed and inclusive space to enjoy.
“It ensures that children of all ages and abilities have opportunities to play, be active and spend time outdoors in a safe and welcoming environment.
“As a Council, we are committed to making the Vale a great place to live, work and visit and this refurbishment is another example of how we are creating places that support healthier and happier communities.
“It was wonderful to celebrate the opening alongside pupils from Palmerston Primary School and our project partners – I hope the new play area is enjoyed for many years to come.”
Learners from Palmerston Primary School joined Cllr Brooks and representatives from play equipment supplier Kompan for the official opening.
The refurbished site includes a wheelchair-accessible roundabout, sensory play panels, climbing frames and a five-seat swing.
Additional improvements include vibrant playground artwork designed to create an inviting and engaging space for all users.
This project forms part of a wider programme of public space investment across the Vale of Glamorgan.
Other improvements include a refurbished splash pad and skate park at Pencoedtre, open space upgrades at Palmerston and Bendricks Road, a full refurbishment and extension of the play area at Cog Road in Sully, and enhancements at Seel Park in Dinas Powys.
A doctor shared a specific diet that could help lower your cholesterol (Image: Getty)
A doctor has shared a diet that could lower your cholesterol as much as medication. According to the expert, eating these foods could be as effective as statins.
High cholesterol, medically termed hypercholesterolaemia, develops when excessive amounts of a fatty substance called cholesterol accumulate in the bloodstream. Without proper treatment, this can cause arterial blockages, potentially triggering life-threatening emergencies including heart attacks and strokes.
Various risk factors contribute to this condition, including lifestyle habits such as consuming fatty foods, not enough physical activity, being overweight, smoking, and drinking alcohol. Therefore, changing your diet is one way that is known to help reduce cholesterol levels.
In a video uploaded to social media platform TikTok, Doctor Karan Rajan shared the details of a specific diet that could do just this. Dr Rajan, who is better known online as Dr Raj, championed the “portfolio diet” for this reason.
He told his followers: “If you want to lower your cholesterol, there’s a diet that can reduce your LDL [low-density lipoprotein] cholesterol as much as a statin. The portfolio diet is a specific combination of foods that each independently lower LDL cholesterol, and when combined, they produce additive effects.”
He explained a bit more about this diet, which is made up of what are known as four “pillars” of foods. These are plant proteins, nuts, soluble fibre, and phytosterols.
Dr Raj said: “The four pillars are plant proteins – from soy, beans, and lentils. Nuts – approximately a handful daily.
“Soluble fibre – from oats, barley, and legumes.” Soluble fibre can also be found in fruit and vegetables such as apples, bananas, citrus fruits, berries, carrots, and Brussels sprouts.
He continued: “And phytosterols, plant compounds that physically compete with cholesterol for absorption in the gut.”
Phytosterols can be found in unrefined vegetable oils (like olive, sunflower, or corn oil), nuts, seeds (especially sesame and flaxseed), legumes, and whole grains. They are also in some fruits and vegetables like broccoli, peas, cauliflower, and citrus fruits.
Certain foods are also fortified with phytosterols such as phytosterol-enriched yoghurts, milk, and margarine.
Research
Dr Raj then referenced a scientific study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), that tested the effectiveness of the portfolio diet. He said: “A randomised control trial put all four components together and compared the portfolio diet to a low saturated fat control diet.
“The portfolio diet reduced LDL cholesterol by 28.6%. That was comparable to the static arm of the same study, which achieved 30.9% reduction.
“And there was a clear dose response relationship. The more closely participants followed the portfolio diet, the lower their cardiovascular disease risk.
“The dietary pattern was also associated with better blood lipid profiles and lower inflammatory markers, and that was seen across the dose response curve.” He added: “This also means you don’t have to be perfect.
“Partial adherence to that diet still produces meaningful benefits. Every component you add can move the needle.”
However, in reality, he acknowledged that people might still require medications to deal with high blood pressure. “Now, in the real world, how effective the portfolio diet will be will depend on your baseline genetic lipid metabolism as well as how well the diet is implemented,” Dr Raj said.
“For some people, dietary optimisation alone is not sufficient. That’s not because any one singular diet failed.
“That could be just because of your genetics. That’s also why we have statins and PCSK9 inhibitors for those who need them.
“Medications are excellent. But diet and medications are even better.”
What the NHS says
To help lower your cholesterol, the NHS says you should try to eat more:
- Oily fish, like mackerel and salmon
- Olive oil, rapeseed oil and spreads made from these oils
- Brown rice, wholegrain bread and wholewheat pasta
- Nuts and seeds
- Fruits and vegetables
You should also try to eat less:
- Meat pies, sausages and fatty meat
- Butter, lard and ghee
- Cream and cheese
- Cakes and biscuits
- Food that contains coconut oil or palm oil
The health body also recommends exercising more, giving up smoking, and cutting back on alcohol. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, you should speak to your GP.
