It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Darlington Clock Tower gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Darlington, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“best people at there”
“Great staff!! Caring people!”
“I think it’s one of the best companies there’s always someone ready and willing to go help people with great attitudes! Anyone that wants to live at home but needs a little extra help should definitely get someone from this company at your home to help out!”
“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in need. Whatever my questions may be or any help I need as a health care provider for my client they have always came through with help.”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
“Great staff. Well trained and kind people.”
“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well- bean in their hands”
“Natalia has experience taking care of people with Alzheimer and I would be very trust my dad’s safety if they taking care of him.”
“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care for members of your family.”
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“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of the most caring and dedicated people I have ever met. They truly want to help people get the best care for their loved ones. My grandmother would have loved to have care like this.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Old School Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Bay Horse or visit Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Darlington, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Darlington, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Darlington, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Ben Duckett insisted England’s humbling experiences in India and at the Champions Trophy in Pakistan “hurt me so much” and he hopes they can make amends this summer.England lost 10 out of 11 white-ball matches since the turn of the year, including all three at the Champions Trophy to finish bottom of their group, triggering the resignation of Jos Buttler as captain.As England’s approach came under scrutiny, Duckett raised eyebrows during a 3-0 ODI series clean sweep to India by claiming: “I do not ...
Ben Duckett insisted England’s humbling experiences in India and at the Champions Trophy in Pakistan “hurt me so much” and he hopes they can make amends this summer.
England lost 10 out of 11 white-ball matches since the turn of the year, including all three at the Champions Trophy to finish bottom of their group, triggering the resignation of Jos Buttler as captain.
As England’s approach came under scrutiny, Duckett raised eyebrows during a 3-0 ODI series clean sweep to India by claiming: “I do not care as long as we beat them in the final of the Champions Trophy.”
Managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key accepted England players occasionally speak “rubbish” to avoid upsetting the dressing room and Duckett was adamant that results do matter to them.
“All we want to do is win,” the opener said.
“If you were to put a camera in the dressing room after every single loss in India and at the Champions Trophy, you’d see a group of lads who were distraught.
“I think sometimes the way we play and stuff might look like we don’t care, but there’s a lot that goes into it behind the scenes with (head coach) Baz (Brendon McCullum) and the coaches.
“There’s so much more to it and moving forward now, it might look a little bit different. I don’t think the way that we’ll play will be different but we want to win games.
“For me, those two months in India and Pakistan, they hurt me so much. I want to win everything, I do. We’ve got an opportunity to put it right and have a really good summer and win lots of games.”
After a hectic past 12 months in all formats, Duckett is set to miss the early part of the Rothesay County Championship with a view to be firing on all cylinders for a five-Test series against India.
“Nothing’s set in stone at the minute,” Duckett said.
“It’s always a slightly tricky place to be because where I’m at in my career is a big thanks to Nottinghamshire. You always want to repay them.
“I’ve had a coffee with (head coach Peter) Moores and made a plan. He gets it – I haven’t stopped for a while and I think my body was hanging on at the Champions Trophy.
“I want to be raring to go come that first Test against India and to be in a very good head space for that.”
Duckett has temporarily deleted his X, formerly Twitter, account after his comments about a possible battle with India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah were recycled and misinterpreted on the social media platform.
“If you ask me about Jasprit Bumrah, I’d say, right now, he’s probably the toughest bowler to face in the world,” Duckett said at Nottinghamshire’s media day on Monday.
“It’s been an interesting week but I think for me, right now, being off Twitter is the right thing for me and it’s a lot easier life being off Twitter.”
A councillor hit out at “false statements” as agreement was reached over a contentious lease deal involving a football club and local authority.Councillor Bill Suthers said statements on social media suggested he had an undeclared pecuniary interest in Guisborough Town Football Club (GTFC).Redcar and Cleveland Council’s cabinet agreed a new 30 year lease with the club over land at the King George V playing fields in Howlbeck Lane to incorporate two full sized football pitches which are due to be fenced off....
A councillor hit out at “false statements” as agreement was reached over a contentious lease deal involving a football club and local authority.
Councillor Bill Suthers said statements on social media suggested he had an undeclared pecuniary interest in Guisborough Town Football Club (GTFC).
Redcar and Cleveland Council’s cabinet agreed a new 30 year lease with the club over land at the King George V playing fields in Howlbeck Lane to incorporate two full sized football pitches which are due to be fenced off.
The Guisborough councillor, who is on the cabinet, said he had only been to watch GTFC “five or six times in the last ten years”, was not a member and his preference was for cricket and rugby.
He told a cabinet meeting: “These statements are at best untrue and at worst libellous.”
Outlining why he was supportive of the proposal, Cllr Suthers said there had been anti-social behaviour issues associated with the playing fields and he wanted to encourage young people to get involved in sport.
He said fencing the pitches off would enhance them and also described problems with dog fouling.
Cllr Suthers also said a small pitch containing goalposts outside the fenced area should remain for casual kickabouts, which is understood to be the case.
He said: “We have prevaricated enough on this issue, we have visited the site, and we should support organised activity.”
Brian Archer, the council’s director of growth, enterprise and environment, said “safeguards and assurances” had been given around public access to the pitches and making sure any fees for their hire were affordable.
Mr Archer said more than two thirds of the site, calculated by the council at 17.9 acres – would remain open to the public for general leisure activities such as dog walking and jogging.
Members of the council’s growth scrutiny committee commented that there would be a potential income to the council of £200,000 over 30 years from the rental.
Meanwhile, the committee said objections from some residents had been “inflamed” by social media activity, although it was also a “shame” that the football club had not been able to take the local community fully with them.
Guisborough resident Steve Morgan, who lives opposite the playing fields, said a “robust legal challenge” was planned.
Mr Morgan claimed the local authority in its decision making had ignored its own rules and policies.
He said a valuable community asset was being disposed of, adding: “Transparency, public awareness and consultation, and ensuring fiscal responsibility, have all been sidelined to force this decision through.”
The council says it owns the freehold interest on the fields and, acting as a statutory trustee, it was required to issue a public notice of its intentions, which received 128 objections.
Mr Morgan claims the fields are owned by the people of Guisborough under a trust, having been preserved in perpetuity following a land dedication by deed in 1954.
The council says this is incorrect and a “common misunderstanding”, the Charities Commission having advised in 2006 that the dedication may be invalid.
Mr Morgan has suggested the council should have acted under its community asset transfer policy, which would have allowed greater public consultation and also closer scrutiny of whether the deal was in the public interest.
The council’s position is understood to be that the policy does not apply in this case.
Mr Morgan said Guisborough had the lowest proportion of open green space in the borough and disputed how much that was fully accessible at the site would be left, describing an area known as Jubilee wood as an “unpleasant wasteland with trees” not suitable or safe for leisure and exercise since there had been issues with drug use and fly tipping.
He also said the rent due to be paid by the club was “absurdly low” and “impossible to justify”.
Just over nine acres of the The King George V playing fields, which are separately receiving ‘levelling up’ funded improvements, are leased to four tenants by the council – the football club, which retains the majority – 7.67 acres – Guisborough Leisure Centre and Guisborough tennis and bowls clubs.
The new lease has been offered with a rent-free period of six months and will then cost the club £2,500 annually in the first three years, rising to £5,000 in years four and five with rent reviews being undertaken every five years to match the consumer prices index.
The cabinet report said it was believed there was no legal impediment to proceeding with the plan.
GTFC, which has occupied its current ground next to the playing fields site since 1972 for which it pays only a peppercorn rent to the council, said a mix of teams would use the pitches, it having four senior teams and a number of junior teams, totalling 500 members.
Chris Wood, a GTFC director, said: “[It is] a really great result for the football club and for grassroots football, it secures our long term growth and the potential of two really good football pitches.
“Once they are fenced off and made secure, grassroots football will benefit from better facilities.”
He said the club was charging £35 for a game for the use of a pitch and had been making a loss as it was costing between £70 and £90 to cut the grass and paint the markings required.
Mr Wood said the club did begin to fence the area last summer – having been granted planning permission in 2021 – but it was subject to vandalism with fence posts being stolen.
He said it was then decided to wait until there was a firm decision over a new lease.
Of the criticism, Mr Wood said: “People are entitled to their own opinions, we want to do what we can in terms of what is best for grassroots football and we want to work with the community moving forward.”
Mr Wood denied that GTFC was a wealthy club and would make a profit out of the move, but it was “sustainable”.
He said: “What money we have is reinvested into our football club.
“Our juniors’ finances sit completely separate from the senior finances, the money that comes in for the juniors funds the juniors and any money for the seniors funds the seniors.”
He said the aim was to have the fencing in by September with work being done over the summer.
Ministers have been urged to give British troops “maximum protection” from “vexatious claims” in the courts if they are deployed to Ukraine on a peacekeeping mission.Conservative MPs repeatedly pressed Defence Secretary John Healey to confirm the UK Government would consider derogating from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in the event of any deployment to remove the “lawfare” risk.Mr Healey stopped short of offering a specific commitment although he pointed to 2021 legislation ...
Ministers have been urged to give British troops “maximum protection” from “vexatious claims” in the courts if they are deployed to Ukraine on a peacekeeping mission.
Conservative MPs repeatedly pressed Defence Secretary John Healey to confirm the UK Government would consider derogating from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in the event of any deployment to remove the “lawfare” risk.
Mr Healey stopped short of offering a specific commitment although he pointed to 2021 legislation designed to give stronger protections for service personnel and veterans facing the threat of legal proceedings in relation to events which occurred on historical overseas operations.
The UK is working with allies to develop plans for troops to be deployed across land, air or sea to safeguard any peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.
Speaking at defence questions, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge told the Commons: “If our forces go to Ukraine it will be as part of a peacekeeping mission.
“But, as the veterans minister (Alistair Carns) reminded us earlier, Operation Banner (in Northern Ireland) was also described as being there to keep the peace yet decades later those who served are being hounded in our courts and, in Iraq, our soldiers were subjected to hundreds of vexatious claims.
“So, if our forces go into Ukraine, will the Secretary of State consider derogating from the ECHR so as to maximise our protection against possible lawfare?”
Mr Healey replied: “If we go into Ukraine, we will be going into a negotiated peace not a shooting war.
“Our aim is to secure borders, to ensure safe skies, to ensure safe seas.
“I’d just ask the honourable gentleman is he saying that he will not support a UK mission and UK troops without that derogation?”
Mr Cartlidge replied “of course not”, adding: “The Secretary of State knows perfectly well that the Labour government derogated from the ECHR after 9/11 and there’s a country in Europe which has derogated from the ECHR since 2015 – that is Ukraine, it’s because there’s a war on.
“And surely he would recognise, even if it’s a peacekeeping force, there will still be threats and Russian nationals have been particularly adept at lawfare in our own courts.
“So, I ask him, surely he will at least consider giving the maximum protection to our armed forces from vexatious claims by derogating from the ECHR if there is a deployment?”
Mr Healey replied: “Our armed forces will always have our fullest support. Just to be clear to the honourable gentleman, we are responding now, alongside France, to put together a coalition of the willing, responding to the challenge from the US for Europe to step up on Ukraine.
“We’re responding to the requirement from Ukraine for security arrangements that will give them the conviction and confidence that any negotiated peace will last.
“That is a worthy mission, it’s one the UK is leading and I would hope it has the support of all sides of this House.”
Conservative former minister Sir David Davis later pressed Mr Healey further on the issue, as he also noted the “whole House” supports the Government’s action to preserve peace in Ukraine.
Sir David said: “That’s not the point (Mr Cartlidge) was making. He’s asking whether the Ministry of Defence recognises it has a duty of care to soldiers who fight for their country and then face decades of lawfare, misusing the European Convention on Human Rights.
“Will the department do something to protect those soldiers?”
Mr Healey replied: “We are totally committed to the duty of care we have, totally committed to standing by our forces and we recognise there’s also legislation the last government put in place to deal with any concerns in this place – the Overseas Operations Act.”
Shouts of “Ooh la la” were later heard in the Commons after Conservative Sir Ashley Fox (Bridgwater) claimed French president Emmanuel Macron has “blocked” British firms from a new European Union defence fund.
Mr Healey replied: “It’s just not accurate. There’s a new proposal for a strategy from the European Union, it has opportunities for third countries like the UK to participate, the discussions that we’re having demonstrate the importance of the UK being able to collaborate industrially and as governments in order to meet the threats that we face.”
Mr Cartlidge earlier asked Mr Healey to “stand up” to Mr Macron for prioritising “fishing rights over Europe’s collective security”.
Mr Healey responded: “I just say to (Mr Cartlidge) drop that Brexit rhetoric.
“We are leading efforts with the French government and the French military to meet the challenge of the US and the requirements of the Ukraine, to have a coalition of countries willing to stand with Ukraine in the context of a negotiated peace.”
Reducing or removing a tax on big tech companies would have “little impact” on the economy, but will be a “tough balancing act” for the Chancellor to manage, one expert has said.Media reports have suggested Britain could slash the digital services tax (DST) – a levy on big tech companies – in order to stave off American tariffs by appeasing US President Donald Trump.But reports that the tax could be slashed or abolished come as Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce spending cuts fo...
Reducing or removing a tax on big tech companies would have “little impact” on the economy, but will be a “tough balancing act” for the Chancellor to manage, one expert has said.
Media reports have suggested Britain could slash the digital services tax (DST) – a levy on big tech companies – in order to stave off American tariffs by appeasing US President Donald Trump.
But reports that the tax could be slashed or abolished come as Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce spending cuts for some Government departments in her spring statement on Wednesday, after having made cuts to welfare which have proved unpopular with Labour backbenchers.
Matthew Holman, an AI (artificial intelligence) lawyer at Cripps, and an expert in the tech and data space, said it was likely the Chancellor was trying to keep the peace between large tech firms who appear to have influence in the Trump White House and an “increasingly unsympathetic UK electorate”.
“The reason this is a tough balancing act for the Chancellor is simple: the domestic economy is weak and the national taxation and spending agenda appears all-consuming,” Mr Holman told the PA news agency.
“The OBR has forecast lower growth, and on Wednesday the Chancellor is reportedly going to cut £5 billion from welfare spending as well as announce reduction in Civil Service head count.
“It must, at least arguably, be the case that some of these cuts would not be needed if the UK continued to collect DST from US corporations?
“Why is the UK government apparently letting those US corporations off of tax due here and at the same time taking money from hardworking families?
“I should stress that is not my opinion, but it is the likely flak coming in the direction of the Chancellor from the opposition benches and further afield.
“However, should the Chancellor fail to appease the US administration, the already weak UK economy could face further shocks as a result of a fresh wave of tariffs from Washington which, as I understand it, are due to be announced on April 2.
“Which is the worse fate? That is the balancing act.”
Mr Holman said that removing or reducing the tax would have “very little” impact on the UK economy as the amount it brings in a year is just under 1% of the total tax levied in the UK, but added: “This is far more about perception than actual impact on taxation.”
The UK is keen to position itself as a key investment hub for US tech giants, in particular when it comes to artificial intelligence.
The Technology Secretary Peter Kyle recently visited the US to spread that message, but US tech firms and both the Trump and previous Biden administrations have not been supportive of the digital services tax and similar measures in EU countries.
They are seen as interim measures before the introduction of global tax reform for digital services that would remove perceived inequalities in digital services taxes which mean large multinational firms were making large revenues from countries such as the UK but not paying any tax on them.
But Mr Holman said ongoing US hostility to the reform proposals, which have been led by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) meant it was unlikely to see them introduced soon.
“The UK government website says that it plans to remove DSTs once the OECD reforms are passed. Unfortunately, those reforms have always been controversial and remain so, and are taking a long time to become law,” he said.
“They were not favourably viewed by the Biden administration and the last deadline for implementation – June 2024 – passed without resolving deadlock.
“In light of the Trump administration’s new approach to international taxes and tariffs, we should not expect to see the OECD reforms becoming law any time soon.
Both the Biden and Trump administrations were not supportive of the OECD proposals or any attempt to tax US digital service providers in non-US territories.
“The taxes are considered as unfairly discriminating against US corporations’ successes, and is further exacerbated by the perception that the EU and UK is taking the mickey,” Mr Holman said.
“The US tech companies have been lobbying US officials to tackle this issue and, in light of this weekend’s developments, it seems that the interim DST measures will be ditched – at least in the UK.
“The Trump administration’s ‘America First’ foreign and fiscal policies seem to be causing the UK government to think again.”
On Monday, the Prime Minister’s spokesman would not be drawn on whether slashing the digital services tax in exchange for a reprieve on American tariffs was part of Sir Keir’s discussions with Mr Trump, and insisted the Government would only strike a deal “in the national interest”.
Meanwhile, Ms Reeves said she does not “recognise” reports ministers may means test free school meals as part of the cost-cutting drive across Government and insisted the digital services tax was “hugely important”.
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Shell has revealed boss Wael Sawan’s pay package swelled to £8.6 million last year despite sharply lower profits as it outlined plans for higher shareholder returns amid cuts to costs and spending.The group’s annual report, published ahead of the oil giant’s capital market day event for shareholders, showed Mr Sawan’s total pay lifted by 9% from £7.9 million in 2023 as he landed a £2.9 million annual bonus and £3.9 million in long-term share awards.The pay boost came in spite of S...
Shell has revealed boss Wael Sawan’s pay package swelled to £8.6 million last year despite sharply lower profits as it outlined plans for higher shareholder returns amid cuts to costs and spending.
The group’s annual report, published ahead of the oil giant’s capital market day event for shareholders, showed Mr Sawan’s total pay lifted by 9% from £7.9 million in 2023 as he landed a £2.9 million annual bonus and £3.9 million in long-term share awards.
The pay boost came in spite of Shell’s annual results in January revealing a 16% drop in profits for 2024, with earnings coming in at 23.7 billion dollars (£18.4 billion), down from 28.3 billion dollars (£21.9 billion) in 2023.
The report also showed Mr Sawan’s annual salary lifted by 3.9% to £1.45 million last year and has risen again by 5.5% to £1.54 million in 2025.
It said the wider workforce also received a 5.5% pay rise.
Campaign group Global Witness branded Mr Sawan’s pay “obscene”.
Patrick Galey, investigations lead at Global Witness, said: “After a year of unchartered climate extremes and huge energy bills, which are set to spike again in many countries this year, Wael Sawan’s obscene pay packet will feel like a slap in the face for millions.
“It’s maddening to know that Big Oil bosses like Sawan are raking it in, as they double down on the oil and gas that’s fuelling climate devastation, and continue to profit from an energy crisis that’s leaving so many of us poorer.”
Details on Shell’s executive pay came as the London-listed group set out five-year plans to ramp up cost savings and cut spending as it pledged to “deliver more value with less emissions”.
The oil giant told investors it would now look to strip out a cumulative five billion US dollars to seven billion US dollars (£3.9 billion to £5.4 billion) a year by the end of 2028.
This is up from the previous aim for two billion dollars to three billion dollars (£1.5 billion to £2.3 billion) by the end of 2025.
It has already delivered more than 3 billion dollars (£2.3 billion) of cost savings under current plans, with its annual report showing a 7% drop in its workforce to 96,000 at the end of last year, including so-called “portfolio companies” within the group.
The group said it would continue to keep a tight rein on contractor costs, which are already down by 30% since 2023, as well as using artificial intelligence and tech to make savings.
“We will continue to focus on lowering our structural costs, which will be increasingly non-portfolio driven, leveraging cost saving opportunities through AI, technology and in our procurement processes,” Shell said.
It also committed to lowering its spending to 20 billion dollars to 22 billion dollars (£15.5 billion to £17 billion) a year over the next three years, while boosting investor returns through share buybacks and dividend payouts.
Other targets outlined included aims to grow its top-line production across the group’s upstream and integrated gas business by 1% a year over the next five years.
It added it would seek to grow sales of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 4% to 5% a year through to 2030.
In its plan, the firm said it would spend up to 10% of total equity and debt on lower carbon businesses by the end of the decade, having last year significantly watered down its climate pledges.
Chief financial officer Sinead Gorman said on Tuesday that Shell would spend two to three billion dollars (£1.5 billion to £2.3 billion) on its renewables and energy solutions business over the next three years.
It cautioned over plans to shut some chemicals operations across Europe, saying it also wants to explore “strategic and partnership opportunities in the US”.
The group does not have chemicals operations in the UK.
Mr Sawan said he wanted the firm to be the “world’s leading integrated gas and LNG business”.
He added: “Today we are raising the bar across our key financial targets, investing where we have competitive strengths and delivering more for our shareholders.”
Last year, Shell controversially dropped a plan to reduce net carbon intensity by 45% by 2035 and instead said it would aim for a 100% reduction by 2050.
It also revealed plans to reduce the “net carbon intensity” of the energy it sells by 15% to 20% by 2030 compared with 2016, having previously targeted a 20% reduction.
Its LNG business has attracted anger from sustainability-conscious investors, with a group led by UK and Australian pension funds recently filing a resolution at its upcoming annual general meeting questioning Shell’s LNG plans and how they line up with its 2050 net zero aims.
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