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Dianne Oxberry speaks to two mothers campaigning for heart screening for all 14- to 35-year-olds. Jayne Barrett investigates the unprecedented reforms to the welfare state.

With young people dying from sudden cardiac death in the UK every week, Dianne Oxberry speaks to the mothers of two north west victims who are campaigning for heart screening for all 14- to 35-year-olds. In mid-February, the biggest shake-up in the history of the welfare state sees its first significant national roll-out. Reforms which have been tested out here in the north west. But is the system really ready to roll? Jayne Barrett investigates and asks if we will see real progress updates before the General Election? The playwright Willy Russell has been entertaining audiences in the theatre and on screen for nearly 40 years with hits like Blood Brothers and Shirley Valentine. Now Educating Rita is returning to the Liverpool stage for the first time in 13 years. Tony Snell goes to meet him.

29 minutes

Last on

Mon 23 Feb 2015 19:30

Cardiac arrest in the young

Cardiac arrest in the young

Campaigners are lobbying for compulsory heart screening for all 14 to 35-year-olds to help prevent sudden cardiac deaths in the UK.

Every week 12 young people die from sudden cardiac death, but there is still no routine system of NHS heart screenings for young people.

Reporter Dianne Oxberry spoke to 22-year-old Chris Smith from Preston who had no idea he had a serious heart condition until he attended a screening event with his mother six years ago.

Educating Rita returns home

Willy Russell's most renowned play, Educating Rita, is returning to his home city of Liverpool for the first time in over a decade.

It tells the story of a relationship between a young working class hairdresser and an older university lecturer, famously played by Julie Walters and Michael Caine in the 1983 adaptation.

91热爆 Merseyside's Tony Snell spoke to the playwright about why his work still remains so popular.

Universal credit

A claimant who featured in a Government film about universal-credit said it is riddled with computer problems and could push people into hardship.

In the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) film, Daniel Pacey said it helped him find work and was far better than jobseeker's allowance.

But he told the 91热爆 a six-week delay before the first payment and further monthly payments were "a nightmare".

The DWP said the benefit replicates the world of work and tackles dependency.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Dianne Oxberry
Reporter Jayne Barrett
Reporter Tony Snell
Executive Producer Deborah Van Bishop
Producer Jayne McCubbin
Producer Ed Hanson

Broadcast