- 30/06/2025
Catch up on all the latest news from across the county with Abby Hook.
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00:00Hello, good evening and welcome to
00:28Kent Tonight, live on KMTV. I'm Abbey Hook. Here are your top stories on Monday the 30th of June.
00:36Death at Dreamland calls to axe future concerts as two die in Margate.
00:42Two-tier welfare disability campaigners slam benefit reforms in Dartford.
00:48Where is that support? Where is that care?
00:51And with Kent hitting 32 degrees, what can we do to keep our furry friends calm and cool?
01:00If you feel that it's too hot to exercise your dog, just don't exercise them.
01:03There's lots that we can do at home to keep them occupied and keep them entertained and keep them cool.
01:38The government says the plans will get more people back into work.
01:47But as our local democracy reporter, Ollie Leder, has been hearing, some feel betrayed by Labour.
01:53I don't know what disabled people have to do in order to be believed by the people that they voted for and that they put into that movement.
02:03Dartford's kindness community is normally a space that allows for disabled people in the town to find joy and community.
02:14But ahead of a vote on Labour's welfare reform bill on Tuesday, anger and anxiety are instead at the forefront.
02:23It's worrying about these reforms before the them retracting a little bit.
02:35I would have lost my pip.
02:37You know, I voted for Labour and I've always voted for Labour to see that change and to be supported by a party that I believe in and I believe is for people like me.
02:49People who work, people who have worked, but people who also cannot work through no fault of their own.
02:56Where is that support? Where is that care?
03:01The bill was intended to save the government billions of pounds and relieve stress on a creaking welfare system
03:11by making it harder for those with disabilities to claim benefits such as personal independence payments
03:20with hopes of encouraging more people back to work.
03:26But political opponents say those savings come at the cost of the most vulnerable.
03:33I mean, any one of us could become disabled at any moment in our lives
03:36and going forward we need to ensure these future payments are protected for people.
03:41It's a lifeline, it's not a luxury, it's people who need these payments to get by.
03:46The controversial plans have been watered down
03:49with a rebellion of more than 120 Labour backbenchers, including two Kent MPs,
03:59convincing the government to protect personal independence payments
04:03for those who already received the benefits.
04:07And into the future there will be a new system
04:10and that will mean that people will be assessed under that system
04:14and will hopefully get PIP if they qualify for it
04:19but also get very significant support to get into work and increase their incomes
04:24which is in the end how we keep people living a good quality of life with decent incomes.
04:29But for those trying to claim PIP in the future
04:33the required assessments are expected to be much tougher.
04:38It's absolutely going to be a two-tier system
04:40under these current proposals with the concessions that they've just made
04:43this will mean, like potentially people in the room today
04:45we've had people that have got genetic issues in their family
04:48so they could have one child who is then getting PIP
04:51and the other child despite exactly the same difficulties
04:54the same challenges, the same diagnosis, the same prognosis
04:57one child will get it, one child won't.
04:59How is that fair?
05:01There is still uncertainty about how many Labour MPs will support the bill
05:07but with the number of those claiming PIP having doubled since the pandemic
05:12the future for welfare is set to be hotly contested
05:18no matter what.
05:21Olly Lieder in Dartford.
05:22Well, our reporter Olly Lieder joins me in the studio now
05:30Olly, the government have just announced more details on the concessions they've made
05:35but break those down for us.
05:37Abi, this has been one of the biggest stories in politics
05:40for Labour's first year in government
05:42which is coming up to its anniversary on Friday
05:45more than 120 Labour MPs in rebellion
05:50tabling an amendment against this
05:52the government U-turning
05:54promising to protect existing claimants
05:56there were concerns about what the assessments would look like
05:59whether or not existing claimants will be reassessed
06:02under tougher guidelines
06:05that is no longer the case
06:07we've got confirmation of that
06:08anyone that scores less than a four may still access their PIP
06:13if they already access it
06:15there are fears though
06:17as we heard there in the report
06:18that this could create a system of two-tier welfare
06:21that people claiming welfare after November next year
06:25may not be able to access PIP in the same way
06:28that someone with the exact same condition already has
06:31but here's what Liz Kendall had to say about it
06:33she's the working pensions secretary
06:35and she had quite the defence in the Commons
06:37now some people have said
06:40they're concerned it will create a two-tier system
06:44but I would say to the House
06:47including members opposite
06:49that our benefits system
06:51often protects existing claimants
06:53from new rates or new rules
06:55because lives have been built around that support
06:58and it's often very hard for people to adjust
07:01OK Oli, what's next?
07:04Well Abi, this still may not be enough
07:07to win over all the rebels
07:08the amendment that was going to wreck this welfare bill
07:11potentially caused a lot of embarrassment within the government
07:15is being withdrawn
07:16but not all the MPs think that this goes far enough
07:20in protecting society's most vulnerable
07:22the government say that they're doing as best they can
07:25they've listened to those within their own party
07:28that they've tried to come up with a compromise position
07:30it has cost the government £3 billion of their £5 billion estimated savings from this welfare bill
07:39because they do say that essentially PIP claimants have doubled since the pandemic
07:43it is becoming unsustainable in the eyes of the government and other opposition parties
07:48it's just a question of how sustainable it will be under the new guidelines
07:53but tomorrow is the crunch vote
07:55it's Tuesday, that's when we'll find out whether this bill will succeed
07:59there's lots of eyes on it
08:00we have heard a lot of controversy
08:02including from Ken Tempe's Helen Wakeley
08:04the opposition secretary in this area
08:06she is opposed to it
08:08it's all down to the wire tomorrow
08:09one in every £4 of income tax will be spent on health and disability benefits
08:16more than the entire defence budget
08:18what we now have before us is a rushed and chaotic compromise
08:22it is not reform in any sense of the word
08:25it is woefully unambitious about savings
08:27conspicuously lacks compassion
08:29and achieves no meaningful change of a system we all know is broken
08:33OK, well something we'll continue to follow closely here on KMTV
08:38Oli, thank you very much for those details
08:40OK, next this evening
08:42for everyone in Kent
08:44the heat wave continues
08:45as you probably know
08:47bringing with it soaring temperatures
08:49and now an amber heat health alert is in place as well
08:52charities and local authorities are urging people to keep cool
08:57stay hydrated
08:58and check up on their neighbours and loved ones too
09:01well, Kristen Hawthorne is live for us at the Strand
09:05just down the road from our studio in Gillingham
09:08Kristen, some would have been enjoying the sunshine where you are today
09:12I can see you're squinting at us on the camera there
09:14but there is some serious warnings too
09:16what's it like where you are?
09:19Definitely, I mean it's really, really warm at the moment
09:22to my right here
09:23there's lots of people in the water
09:25with surfboards, jet skis
09:27behind the camera there's lots of people at the park
09:30for half five on an evening, a Monday evening
09:32it's certainly not something that we expect
09:34Yeah, and there have been some quite serious warnings as well
09:39so there's an amber heat health alert in place
09:42take us through some of the temperatures that we'll be seeing
09:45especially in the south east
09:46Yeah, so the temperatures are ranging from 27 up into about 32 in Maidstone
09:54temperatures across the county have been really high today
09:57especially up to the north of the county
09:59some recommendations that have been given out
10:03is to close the windows and doors
10:06make sure that the sunlight can't get in
10:08you might think that opening the window would help
10:09but it's best to have a curtain across it
10:12make sure all the wind can get in
10:15if there is any, there's a little bit today, I do know that
10:17I can thankfully feel it a little bit on my skin
10:20otherwise I'd be burning
10:21Another one is no excessive alcohol
10:24wear a hat where possible
10:25if you're going into the sea
10:28like the people behind me
10:29make sure that you're following all the safety guidelines
10:32swimming with the current
10:34make sure that there's lifeguards around
10:36and make sure that you're a strong swimmer
10:38Yeah, because it can be a real danger
10:40we know us Brits, the minute the sunshine is out
10:42the t-shirts and shorts are on
10:44and we're out by the water as well
10:46it's sort of unprecedented
10:47we're online with much of Europe as well
10:50there's a heatwave there, 46 degrees in Spain
10:53hotter than parts of the Caribbean as well
10:55but we can't catch a break Kristen
10:57even the pollen levels are high
10:58yes, the pollen levels in Kent are very high
11:02some things that you can do would be
11:05like I said, close the windows and doors
11:07that seems to be something that helps
11:08in all different scenarios
11:10shut the windows, shut the curtains
11:12you can wear masks
11:14get over-the-counter antihistamines
11:16you can also buy an air purifier
11:19something else
11:19if your animals have hay fever
11:21you might be able to notice it by red eyes
11:23them constantly rubbing up their nose
11:25and the best thing to do in that scenario
11:27would be to go to the vet
11:29and yeah, close your windows and doors
11:31okay, more advice on our pets
11:34and how we should be keeping them caught
11:35a bit later in the programme as well
11:37Kristen, for now
11:37you get, stay hydrated
11:39go find some shade
11:40and we'll speak to you a bit later on
11:42all right, Kristen Hawthorne in the strand there
11:46if I was her, I'd be in that river
11:47safely behind her
11:48all right, time for a break
11:49we'll see you next time
12:19thank you
12:49thank you
13:19thank you
13:49thank you
14:19thank you
14:49hello and welcome back to Kent Tonight
15:11live on KMTV
15:13now
15:13a cauldron for disaster
15:15that's what one
15:17Thanet district counsellor
15:18has described a Dreamland
15:20drum and bass event
15:21after a 21 year old man died
15:23it comes a year after
15:25a 17 year old girl
15:26died in hospital
15:27after she took MDMA
15:29at the same event
15:30well our reporter
15:31Bartholomew Hall
15:32joins me in the studio
15:33now with more information on this
15:35what exactly do we know
15:36a lot coming out of Dreamland
15:38and the situation
15:39unravelling at the weekend
15:40but now Monday
15:41as we start to look back
15:43on what actually happened
15:44what can you tell us
15:45lots of questions are being asked
15:47about this event
15:47especially considering
15:48a similar incident
15:50happening last year
15:51of course we don't know
15:51the circumstances
15:52surrounding this 21 year old
15:54man's death
15:55we know that he was
15:56rushed to hospital
15:57in a serious condition
15:58where he later died
15:59we know that the
16:01concert was called off
16:02hours before it was
16:04supposed to finish
16:05with thousands of people
16:06in the crowd here
16:07we can see all spilling out
16:09onto Margate's seafront
16:10the park itself
16:13Dreamland
16:14taking to social media
16:15to say
16:16it was just too hot
16:17sorry guys
16:18we had to close early
16:19get home safe
16:20attendees there
16:21saying that
16:22an MC had gone
16:23onto the stage
16:24and said that
16:24there was a medical emergency
16:25and that's why
16:26they had to close
16:27and mentioned
16:27that there would be
16:28some sort of refunds
16:29happening in the future
16:30we now know
16:31that of course
16:32as you mentioned
16:33the 21 year old man
16:34who was rushed to hospital
16:35later died
16:36and I've been hearing
16:37from one of those
16:38attendees today
16:39a man called Stephen
16:41Stephen who attended
16:43the concert
16:43he goes to many of these
16:44drum and bass events
16:45he's a big fan of them
16:46he actually went to the
16:47same event last year
16:48and he explained to me
16:50what it was like
16:51for those festival goers
16:52because it was a very
16:54hot day
16:54there was an amber
16:56heat health alert
16:57in force
16:57which means there is
16:58a serious risk
16:59to the health
17:01of people
17:01in different circumstances
17:03temperatures up to
17:0428 degrees
17:05in Margate
17:06at the time
17:07he explained exactly
17:08what it was like
17:08for people in the crowd
17:09I went to the one
17:11last year
17:12I've been to
17:13a few others since
17:14I would say
17:16the main thing
17:17is the exposure
17:18to the sunlight
17:19you are absolutely
17:22blasted
17:23in Dreamland
17:24I noticed that
17:25this year
17:26compared to last year
17:27definitely with Dreamland
17:29they did ramp up
17:30security
17:31and medical staff
17:32I honestly believe
17:36that after two years
17:38in a row
17:39of someone dying
17:40at Dreamland
17:41I genuinely believe
17:43they will cancel it
17:44after this
17:45so why was something
17:47like this
17:48allowed
17:49able to happen
17:50well it was the exact
17:51same event
17:52the same sort of
17:53drum and bass event
17:54put on by
17:54worried about Henry
17:56the organisers
17:57they said that
17:58well Dreamland
18:00after last year's event
18:01where more than 20 people
18:03were hospitalised
18:04and sadly
18:0417 year old
18:06Emily Stokes
18:07died after taking MDMA
18:08at the event
18:09those other 20 people
18:10all believed
18:11to have taken drugs
18:12at the event
18:13lots of questions
18:14were asked
18:15about Dreamland
18:16and about its viability
18:17as a venue
18:19for putting on
18:20such events
18:20again in the future
18:21all of it
18:22went to
18:23the licensing subcommittee
18:24at Thanet District Council
18:26where questions
18:27were raised there
18:28they were told
18:28if they want to put on
18:29events like this
18:30again in the future
18:31they had to adhere
18:32to strict conditions
18:34and I've been speaking
18:34with one councillor
18:36from Thanet District Council
18:37who gave his reaction
18:38today
18:39but it's
18:41literally
18:42a cauldron
18:43potential cauldron
18:44for disaster here
18:45with an amber heat warning
18:47being issued
18:48by the government
18:49was it wise
18:51to allow
18:52that number of people
18:53into a confined space
18:55to then behave
18:57in a way
18:58that actually
18:59causes people
19:00to overheat anyway
19:01but I do want
19:02to make it quite clear
19:03that all
19:05at TDC
19:06are obviously
19:06absolutely mortified
19:08that this has happened
19:09obviously
19:11we need to
19:12now look
19:13at why
19:13Now in an updated
19:17statement
19:17Dreamland told us
19:18that it's supporting
19:19the emergency services
19:20inquiries
19:20and that its thoughts
19:21are with the man's
19:22friends and family
19:22at this difficult
19:23sad time
19:24Okay Bartholomew
19:25thank you for those details
19:26Now traders in Gravesend
19:28say they've had enough
19:29after the main roads
19:30been shut
19:31once again
19:32because of sinkholes
19:34it was this time
19:35it was so southern water
19:36could investigate
19:37the damaged carriageway
19:38however it's expected
19:39to reopen by tomorrow
19:41but businesses
19:41are reporting losses
19:43of more than
19:44£2,000
19:45Phil McDermid
19:46has been speaking
19:46to them
19:47So obviously
19:48I pulled up to work
19:49on Tuesday morning
19:51and saw
19:53that it was closed
19:54there was no signs
19:56prior to pulling up
19:58to work
19:59so obviously
19:59I thought
20:00well here we go again
20:01They must have known
20:01this was going to happen
20:02so if they could have
20:04give us a heads up
20:05a week or two before
20:06I could have
20:07arranged the diary better
20:08A sinkhole
20:09then a leak
20:10and now
20:11the road is closed again
20:12for what Kent County
20:13Council call
20:14a sunken road
20:15investigation
20:16but with Milton Road
20:17shut off
20:18it's caused havoc
20:18for local businesses
20:19like Kay's Sandwich Bar
20:21So obviously
20:21first time
20:22couldn't be helped
20:23sinkhole appeared
20:24second time
20:25could have been avoided
20:27if they had fixed it
20:28correctly in the first place
20:30third time now
20:31because they're doing
20:32investigations
20:33very very frustrating
20:36because this is going
20:37to lead into a fourth
20:39and us businesses
20:40are suffering
20:41and obviously
20:42with stock
20:42I still have to
20:43order the same
20:44amount of stock
20:44I normally would
20:45just in case
20:46obviously I have to
20:48have it in stock
20:49but I'm also wasting
20:50a lot of it this week
20:51because obviously
20:52people are not coming
20:53Plenty of businesses
20:54here on Milton Road
20:55were saying they just
20:56weren't warned
20:57whether that's by the
20:58water companies
20:59or by Kent County
21:00Council
21:00they say
21:01had they been warned
21:02maybe they could have
21:03ordered in less stock
21:04or had less staff on
21:05all to protect their
21:06profits
21:06which they say
21:07have been severely
21:08impacted by the closure
21:09Our delivery drivers
21:10are getting held up
21:11and we're not getting
21:12our parts delivered
21:12on time
21:13which is delaying
21:14our customers orders
21:15we're not getting
21:16the footfall come down
21:17because people can't
21:18park up this end of town
21:19and people are not
21:20wanting to come
21:21into town as much
21:22because the traffic
21:23is just diabolical
21:24so it's impacting us
21:26from every which way
21:27and we're given
21:28no notice
21:29no heads up
21:29I don't know what
21:30when they're expected
21:31to leave
21:32or anything like that
21:33and it's just causing
21:34absolute nightmares
21:35He went on to say
21:37that since the road
21:37closed
21:38footfall has gone down
21:39by 35%
21:41Southern Water
21:42released a statement
21:43saying
21:44Our teams have completed
21:45reinstatement work
21:46due to a sunken road
21:47After investigation
21:48our engineering teams
21:49also uncovered a leak
21:50Both jobs were completed
21:52on Wednesday this week
21:5325th of June 2025
21:54The last part of the
21:56reinstatement will be
21:57completed on Monday
21:58next week
21:5930th of June
21:59to cure the concrete
22:01We're sorry for the
22:02inconvenience caused
22:02and disruption to
22:03residents and commuters
22:04Locals will hope
22:06this is the last
22:07they see of the works
22:08on Milton Road
22:08and that if they do
22:09return
22:10businesses will be
22:11given enough warning
22:12to protect their profits
22:13Finn McDermid
22:14for KMTV
22:15in Gravesend
22:16Next this evening
22:18more than 5,000
22:19parents and caregivers
22:21across Kent
22:21have signed a pact
22:22to ban phones
22:23from children
22:24until they turn 16
22:25Created by
22:27Smartphone Free Childhood
22:28the grassroots group
22:29that was set up
22:30last year
22:31and so far
22:31six primary schools
22:33and thousands of parents
22:34have pledged
22:35their support
22:36Well
22:36Whitstable Unplugged
22:37a very similar company
22:39with the same ideals
22:40also backed the pack
22:42and I spoke with Amy earlier
22:43I mean I think it could be
22:45absolutely huge
22:46the impact of smartphones
22:47we're seeing
22:48on people's ability
22:49to focus
22:51at school
22:52ability to socialise
22:54and make friends
22:55you know
22:55simple things
22:56like being able
22:56to make eye contact
22:57the impact
22:59the impact
22:59on people's
22:59mental health
23:00physical health
23:01being actually outside
23:03you know
23:03it's really broad
23:05and the impact
23:06is seen
23:07is the evidence
23:08is growing
23:08for how it's affecting
23:10not only young people
23:12but us all
23:13that's what
23:14we're about
23:15Whitstable Unplugged
23:16it's not just about
23:17young people
23:17it's about all of us
23:18and how smartphones
23:19impact all of our lives
23:21and actually
23:22if we want to make
23:23a difference
23:23with young people
23:24we need to lead
23:25by example
23:26and actually
23:27have more balanced
23:28use of smartphones
23:29ourselves
23:30yeah the impact
23:31the advancement
23:32of technology
23:32is across all sectors
23:35all ages
23:35all generations
23:36and lots of different
23:38businesses
23:39companies
23:39and places of work
23:41too I know
23:41AI has a huge place
23:43in journalism
23:44and what we do as well
23:45and as we try to get
23:46to grips with
23:47how it can benefit us
23:49what it might not
23:50be so good at doing
23:51what would you say
23:52to those people
23:53who would perhaps say
23:54if children aren't
23:55on technology
23:56aren't on their phones
23:57and aren't learning
23:57how to deal with it
23:59correctly
23:59they're just going
24:00to fall behind
24:01yeah I mean
24:03I think that excuse
24:04and that reasoning
24:05is given all the time
24:07firstly we're not
24:08anti-technology
24:09you know
24:10technology is part
24:11of our lives
24:12it is very useful
24:13in many ways
24:14but I think we also
24:15have to look at the harms
24:16you know
24:17if we're giving
24:18our children
24:18not just a phone
24:19but access to the internet
24:21through a computer
24:21in their pocket
24:2224-7
24:23there are massive
24:25consequences to having that
24:26and actually
24:27you know
24:28the people who develop
24:29these technology
24:30they created it
24:31so that small children
24:33can learn to use it quickly
24:34we are all able
24:35to use this technology
24:36and learn how to use it
24:37so children will not
24:39be falling behind
24:40and it like I said
24:41it's not about
24:42getting rid of it
24:43in every part
24:44of their lives
24:44it's about having
24:46balance for everybody
24:47even you know
24:49us all
24:50we all live
24:51and breathe
24:52and live our work
24:54every day
24:54through technology
24:55but we do have to
24:56create boundaries
24:57so that we can
24:58remain grounded
24:59and it doesn't take away
25:00from our day to day
25:02it's unfortunately
25:04something that can only
25:05really be done
25:06if everybody
25:07gets on board
25:08not just the thousands
25:09of parents here in Kent
25:10but it has to go
25:11across the country
25:11across the world
25:12because everybody's got
25:13to be on that same page
25:14where they feel like
25:15they can switch off
25:16and not fall behind
25:18as well
25:18so how can you make
25:19that possible
25:20how can you get
25:21everybody on board
25:22yeah that's interesting
25:25I think it's through
25:26powerful movements
25:28like Whitstable Unplugged
25:29like Smartphone Free Childhood
25:31you are right
25:32you know I think
25:33the reason that
25:34we often hear
25:35young people say
25:36I actually don't want
25:37a smartphone
25:38I don't want this technology
25:39but I have FOMO
25:40because everybody else
25:41has it
25:42and I think
25:43we'd be much more
25:44powerful together
25:45if we all delay
25:46smartphones
25:47to an age
25:49where young people's
25:50brains have developed
25:51enough to be able
25:52to use that technology
25:53you know in generations
25:56to come
25:56we'll honestly wonder
25:58what on earth
25:59we were doing
25:59giving these tools
26:00to young people
26:01it reminds me a bit
26:02of driving a car
26:03you know
26:04you wouldn't let
26:05a six year old
26:06drive a car
26:06these are big devices
26:07that require
26:08you to have developed
26:10the skills to be able
26:11to use them safely
26:12we're working
26:13very closely with schools
26:15in North Kent
26:16in Canterbury area
26:17to look at how
26:18we can have
26:19you know
26:19truly smartphone
26:20free schools
26:21not just having
26:22in your bag
26:22truly smartphone
26:23free schools
26:24so that young people
26:25can have space
26:26from nine to three
26:28without any technology
26:30smartphones
26:31to be able
26:32to distract them
26:33time for a quick break
26:36now
26:36when we come back
26:37a reminder
26:37of today's headlines
26:39and advice
26:40on how to keep
26:41our pets
26:42cool
26:42during this heat wave
26:44with temperatures
26:44well into the 30s
26:46forecast
26:46Kristen Hawthorne
26:47is keeping cool
26:48in the shade
26:49for us
26:49at the Strand
26:50in Gillingham
26:51she'll have more
26:51after this short break
26:52see you then
26:53I'll see you then
26:54soon
26:55come back
26:56and I'll see you then
26:57below
26:58thank you
26:58as much
26:59as long as you do
26:59I'll see you then
26:59as long as you end up
27:01for the rest of the season
27:02coming in
27:03after you
27:04there's a little bit of
27:04for the day
31:06Well, at the weekend on Saturday evening, Margate Park, the Dreamland park that's usually known for its roller coasters, its big events that it holds throughout the summer, opened its doors to thousands of people all hoping to attend this drum and bass event run by the group worried about Henry.
31:24Hours before it was supposed to be on the event.
31:53hospital where he was in a serious condition and later died. Now we don't know and there has been
31:58a lot of speculation as to surrounding the circumstances of this man's death. We don't know
32:03at this stage. We've been told by police the report is being prepared for the coroner but
32:09we do know that at the time of the event an amber heat health alert was in force.
32:14Temperatures of up to 28 degrees were being experienced so it was a very intense for what
32:20is a drum and bass event where people are used to jumping up and down dancing to high intense
32:24music with a lot of heat. I was actually speaking to one of the attendees earlier today who said
32:30that he goes to a lot of these events but this one in particular was very hot. I went to the one last
32:36year. I've been to a few others since. I would say the main thing is the exposure to the sunlight.
32:43You are absolutely blasted in Dreamland. I noticed that this year compared to last year
32:52definitely with Dreamland they did ramp up security and medical staff.
32:58I honestly believe that after two years in a row of someone dying at Dreamland I genuinely believe
33:07they will cancel it after this. Given the events that unfolded last year of course these are
33:14separate incidents. How has something like this happened? Well just to remind you last year's
33:19event also hosted by Worried About Henry at Dreamland. More than 20 young people were hospitalised all
33:27believed to have taken some form of drugs and that includes 17 year old Emily Stokes who died after
33:33taking MDMA at the event. Now following that tragic event which was marked by police as a
33:39serious event at the time there were lots of questions about Dreamland's viability to continue
33:45hosting such events and at the sub-licensing committee of Thanet District Council it was
33:51confirmed that Dreamland could continue to host such events but they had to adhere to strict licensing
33:57conditions. Now Kent Online sent a reporter along to see what the event was like. They said that there
34:02was a lot of police, a lot of medical staff. We heard from our guest just then who spoke to us about
34:09his experience. There was people handing out water bottles, lots of people checking for drugs, sniffer
34:13dogs etc. But of course there was still some effects that people were facing of the heat for example
34:19on the inside. Now I've been speaking with Thanet District Councillor John Davis earlier today who
34:25said that well despite those strict guidelines being adhered to it was perhaps not the best day for it.
34:33But it's a literally a cauldron, potential cauldron for disaster here. With an amber heat warning being
34:41issued by the government was it wise to allow that number of people into a confined space to then behave
34:50in an air in a way that actually causes people to overheat anyway. But I do want to make it quite clear
34:56clear that all at TDC are obviously absolutely mortified that this has happened. Obviously we need
35:05to now look at why.
35:09Well look at an updated statement. Dreamland told us that it's supporting the emergency services
35:13enquiries at this time. It says our thoughts are with the man's family and friends at this difficult,
35:18sad time.
35:19OK Bartholomew thank you for those details.
35:21Now government plans to overhaul disability benefits have been slammed as two-tier welfare
35:28by disabled people in Dartford despite a major U-turn by the government. The plans mean that
35:33those trying to claim welfare after November next year will likely face tougher assessments
35:40to access social security while existing claimants will be protected. The government says the plans
35:46will get more people back into work. But as our local democracy reporter Olly Lieder has
35:51been hearing, some feel betrayed by the Labour Party.
35:54I don't know what disabled people have to do in order to be believed by the people that
36:01they voted for and that they put into government.
36:05Dartford's kindness community is normally a space that allows for disabled people in the town
36:12to find joy and community. But ahead of a vote on Labour's welfare reform bill on Tuesday,
36:20anger and anxiety are instead at the forefront.
36:24It's worrying about these reforms. Before them retracting a little bit, I would have lost my
36:38hope. You know, I voted for Labour and I've always voted for Labour to see that change and to be
36:43supported by a party that I believe in and I believe is for people like me, people who work,
36:51people who have worked, but people who also cannot work through no fault of their own.
36:59Where is that support? Where is that care?
37:02The bill was intended to save the government billions of pounds and relieve stress on a creaking
37:11welfare system by making it harder for those with disabilities to claim benefits such as personal
37:20independence payments with hopes of encouraging more people back to work. But political opponents
37:29say those savings come at the cost of the most vulnerable. I mean, any one of us could become
37:36disabled at any moment in our lives and going forward, we need to ensure these future payments
37:41are protected for people. It's a lifeline. It's not, it's not a luxury. It's people need these payments
37:46to get by. The controversial plans have been watered down with a rebellion of more than 120 Labour
37:55backbenchers, including two Kent MPs, convincing the government to protect personal independence payments
38:05for those who already received the benefit. And into the future, there will be a new system
38:12and that will mean that people will be assessed under that system and will hopefully get pit if they
38:18qualify for it, but also get very significant support to get into work and increase their incomes,
38:25which is in the end how we keep people living a good quality of life with decent incomes.
38:30But for those trying to claim PIP in the future, the required assessments are expected to be much tougher.
38:38It's absolutely going to be a two tier system under these current proposals with the concessions that
38:43they've just made. This will mean, like potentially people in the room today, we've had people that have
38:47got genetic issues in their families. So they could have one child who is then getting PIP and the other
38:52child despite exactly the same difficulties, the same challenges, the same diagnosis, the same prognosis,
38:58one child will get it, one child won't. How is that fair? There is still uncertainty about how many Labour MPs
39:06will support the bill. But with the number of those claiming PIP having doubled since the pandemic,
39:14the future for welfare is set to be hotly contested, no matter what. Olly Leader in Dartford.
39:26Well, Olly Leader joins me in the studio now. You're explaining to us earlier the details on the
39:33concessions that the government has now made. Break those down for us and what does it mean?
39:38So to break this entire situation down, this point is one of the biggest challenges the government
39:43have faced in their first year in office. More than 120 MPs, including Polly Billington from
39:50Thanet and Lauren Edwards from Rochester, tabled an amendment against the welfare bill saying it's going
39:55to really hurt the disabled community. It's not going to protect existing claimants. That is something
40:00we've got confirmation they actually will do. Now, the amendment is likely going to be withdrawn
40:05because of this. Existing claimants, according to Liz Kendall, speaking in the Commons earlier today,
40:12will have their PIP protected, even in future reassessments. And she has to address concerns about
40:21two-tier welfare as well in the Commons earlier. One in every £4 of income tax will be spent on health
40:28and disability benefits more than the entire defence budget. What we now have before us is a
40:34rushed and chaotic compromise. It is not reform in any sense of the word. It is woefully unambitious
40:40about savings, conspicuously lacks compassion and achieves no meaningful change of a system we all know
40:46is broken. Okay, Oli, tell us what's next. We've sorted out the cameras now so we can actually see you
40:52while you're telling us this information. Well, that wasn't actually Liz Kendall that was speaking
40:57as well. That was Helen Waitley, the opposition, Liz Kendall's opposite number. She's actually a
41:03Faffisham MP and she's furious. She said it doesn't address the spending holes. She said it doesn't
41:09actually provide compassion to disabled people. But we'll hear from Liz Kendall now to see what she
41:14has to say. Now, some people have said they're concerned it will create a two-tier system.
41:22But I would say to the House, including members opposite, that our benefits system often protects
41:30existing claimants from new rates or new rules, because lives have been built around that support
41:36and it's often very hard for people to adjust. Okay, Oli, lots of detail on this story. You can
41:42head over to Kent Online to read all of that and watch Oli's report back too. Time for a quick break now.
42:06We're pressing down for 20 seconds .
42:07When we're looking for a quick break, you'll be focusing on how good you're going through now and
42:13lishing the reports. And how important
42:18about them is , azlone should be tema-ma-ma.
42:26Excuse me.
49:15Thanks.
49:21So, what do dog owners make of this heat wave?
49:25and cool and if they miss out on a walk once or twice a week it's not the end of the world and
49:31they they will um they will thank you for it rather than getting too hot so what do dog owners
49:37make of this heat wave i wouldn't take my dog out in this because i know like i used to go like miles
49:44walking with my dog and it'd be collapsing before i was if you take your dog out in the heat it's
49:51gonna they're gonna get dehydrated quite quickly and there'll be shortness of breath where it's too
49:58hot and also dogs in hot cars they shouldn't be left in hot cars by themselves windows open
50:08could lead to death we should give provide them with water and keep them in shelter and not take
50:14them out too much in this hot sun but statistics show that most heat related illnesses in dogs
50:20come from exercising rather than being left in hot cars around 75 percent of cases that vets see are
50:27from dogs exercising in the heat really key message that we want to get to dog owners is if you see
50:33those early warning signs that heavy panting maybe the drooling that's the time to immediately try and
50:39cool your dog get them out of the sun get them to a cool area and douse them in cold water so i'm here
50:45with luna who's ready for a short walk but i need to check if the ground is cool enough for her little
50:51pause first i just placed my palm on the ground and if i can't hold it there comfortably for more
50:56than five seconds then it's too hot for her and we're good to go justine lata for kmtv news
51:06and just a very quick apology for those watching kristin's live report earlier we can assure you that
51:11cliff was wearing some swimming trunks while he was swimming there and we do apologize to anybody
51:16watching all right let's go to a report from our website now it's kmtv.co.uk
51:21anticipation filled the air as the students of monckton primary school awaited a very special vehicle
51:27to land
51:32it's the new kss air ambulance but there's something special about this particular aircraft
51:39behind me is the helicopter spirit and the children at monckton primary were lucky enough
51:44to come up with its name the students have been learning about kss in their spirituality lessons
51:51they chose the name spirit to remind them to have courage and help others and we chose to look at the
51:57air ambulance charity um because we're in a fairly rural situation um the children were really inspired by
52:04the the youth ambassadors that um and the stories involved i think we hope that we never need to
52:11use an air ambulance um but as we know that happens far too often um and it's more and more important
52:18for children to be able to call for help and know where to get help when they need it per year the kss air
52:26ambulance service responds to over 3300 incidents across kent surrey and sussex
52:34and even at fun events like this the helicopters are always on juicy it's a very dynamic day today
52:41our operation is a 24-hour day operation seven days a week 365 days a year and we're available at all
52:47times the operational aircraft that you can see here today has already been uh to a mission uh this
52:54morning and seen a patient uh and just as they were about to come here they got tasked for another
52:59mission but thankfully we weren't needed so they were able to come here and now we're here to see
53:03the children kss chose to include young people in the competition to name the aircraft to help educate
53:10more about what services the air ambulance can offer to them and the community so i think it's really
53:16important that we engage with all the communities that we serve because 90 percent of the money that
53:21we have to raise is raised by the communities of kent surrey and sussex and children of all ages it's
53:26really important that they learn about the work that we do and the difference that we make and that
53:30they can make with you know that we can make with their support despite being touch and go if the
53:35helicopter would actually be able to show up the students had a fantastic time not only seeing the
53:41name they chose on the side of the helicopter but also learning more about the services of kss
53:48eterley reynolds for kmtv now from kick-starting businesses to luxury camping sites many businesses
53:56in kent are building up their budgets and perfecting their profits there's lots lots to break down in
54:01this business roundup his kai way first up a couple in swanley have opened a new spa on the high street
54:13after noticing the lack of wellness businesses in their town temi and falayan elori said they noticed
54:19soon after they arrived the lack of places offering wellness and wanted to take matters into their own
54:24hands the couple say the nearest spa would be a 15 to 20 minute drive away to another town
54:30and after consulting their neighbors and friends started up a spa the saline which is officially
54:34open today next a new coffee shop is open next to gravesend train station and the owners have stated
54:40they want to bring the taste of london to the town the owners a pair of friends called brad smith
54:46and joe tomlin were planning to open a small coffee cart business but after noticing the lack
54:51of specialty coffee available for commuters decided to set up the shop in the cycle hub unit aero
54:56bike in bean which officially opened two weeks ago claims to be a quality option for specialty coffee
55:02which the owners say have been missing from their town they've even stated that customers have
55:06specifically drove to their store from across north kent just to try their drinks next the founder of big
55:12motoring world peter waddle has donated a thousand stuffed toys to various pilgrims hospice sites the toys
55:19which people claim to value at more than five thousand pounds have been distributed across the local
55:24charity sites in ashford canterbury and margate the fundraising manager at ashford has stated that
55:30people often think that end of life care always refers to older people however quite often it's a
55:35young parent and their family in that situation they're also pleased to be able to give the cuddly
55:39toys to children who are visiting their grandparents finally plans for a luxury camping site have been
55:45revealed in chalk as the owners wish to capitalize on the trend of staycations east court farm near gravesend
55:51has now had applications for seven pods and retreats and four barrel saunas with cold plunge to be
55:56installed however a few objections have already been voiced by locals with some saying this isn't
56:01the right place and the green belt in that area must be protected along with concerns raised about
56:06increased traffic but documents submitted state that the installations require minimal groundwork
56:11and non-harmful construction would take place if it gets approved that's all for this week's business roundup
56:24kai wei with all your business news there now you've been watching kent tonight live on km tv that's
56:29all we've got time for this evening but of course there's more news made just for kent be sure sure to
56:35tune in at 8pm for our late news bulletin with kristen hawthorne as well but that's it for me and the kent
56:40tonight team this evening i'll see you tomorrow bye
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