Good morning. We’ve got a jam-packed newsletter for you this week. 

We meet Michelle Burns who had her benefits stopped and was accused of owing the government an astonishing £28,000 in benefit overpayments. It was a terrifying situation for them.

I contacted the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about it last Friday. By Monday, they had admitted their mistake and apologised to Michelle. She had her benefit reinstated, the overpayment cancelled and she received payment in arrears. 

It was a hugely positive outcome for Michelle and her husband James – but it shouldn’t have to take a journalist to get in touch for the DWP to admit its mistakes. 

Also in this week’s newsletter, I met two stars of the food world, The Bear’s Will Poulter and TV chef and rapper Big Zuu, who hosted a barbecue for young homeless people in North London. 

I got the sense that they really, genuinely care about people and doing some good, and both of them are incredibly passionate about food, so it’s a fun chat.

And read to the end for a round-up of all the places you can get discounts on days out if you’re on universal credit or other benefits.

If you have a story to share, we want to listen. Get in touch at isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com or share your story here.

Michelle's story: 'I couldn't believe it'

Michelle Burns was left in “disbelief” after her benefits were stopped and she was mistakenly accused of owing £28,000 in overpayments to the DWP.

In July, Michelle was told she should never have been granted personal independence payment, six years after she was awarded it.

Her PIP was stopped and the DWP said she would have to return all the money.

After the Big Issue contacted the DWP, they admitted that a mistake had been made and apologised to Burns. She has had her PIP reinstated and the benefit overpayment scrapped.

Read Michelle’s story here.

In case you missed it

Citizens Advice staff vow to keep helping people after office destroyed in far-right riots. It is vital for helping people in Sunderland to survive through the cost of living crisis and with other financial and housing concerns. Read about it.

Surge in babies dying before their first birthday, study finds – especially in deprived areas. Babies from Black and Asian ethnic groups, and those in the poorest areas, are more likely to die early because of poverty and inequality. Get the story.

Over 100,000 households threatened with no-fault evictions since Tories promised to ban them. Nearly 3,000 households were evicted from their homes through no-fault eviction between April and June this year. Read more.

Asylum system is completely broken, campaigners say, as number of refugees facing homelessness soars. Housing charity Shelter said that the figures were a 'damning indictment' of how refugees are being treated in the UK. Find out more.

Number of homeless children in UK highest since records began: 'A genuine humanitarian crisis'. A record 151,630 children are now homeless in England as the country’s spiralling crisis has left more people than ever without a home. Read about it.

Brazil wants to tax the world's wealthiest 3,000 people. Here's how that money could change the world. Find out more.

Like what you're reading? Let people know by going to our sign-up article and sharing it on your social networks!

The Bear's Will Poulter and TV chef Big Zuu host BBQ for homeless young people: 'Food is everything'

You’re at a barbecue on a July evening hungrily waiting for food to be grilled to perfection. And your chefs? Will Poulter, whose guest appearances on The Bear saw him serve up pastry and philosophy, and TV cook and rapper Big Zuu.

They might seem an unlikely pair, but they have known each other for years (Poulter was an original fan of Zuu’s music) and are united by their love of great food and determination to do good. 

This barbecue is no different. They are cooking for young people facing homelessness at New Horizon Youth Centre in Camden, North London.

I chatted with Will Poulter and Big Zuu ahead of the event – read it here.

Saving those coins: Discounted days out for families if you get universal credit or other benefits

The summer holidays can be costly for families, especially when it comes to treating your little ones to a day out. But fortunately, there are lots of discounts at major attractions across the UK for people claiming universal credit and other benefits so that your children don’t have to miss out this summer.

From zoos in London and Edinburgh to the famous Eden Project in Cornwall and a trip to the opera, there are plenty of options for your family to make the most of cheaper tickets, not just over the school holidays but all year around. Read our round-up here.