Labour response to email

Amaya_Ringo

I lived in Ed Davey's constituency for a while when I was studying. He seemed like a good MP, but he wasn't party leader at the time. I have heard him speak constructively on disability in the past, though I haven't heard him speak this election.

I think the above posted response from Labour is better than anything the Tories have said, too - they at least promise to engage with disability organisations, which is more than the Tories did before opening their 'consultation'. Let's not forget that the government prefaced the consultation with a biased and inaccurate report on PIP, getting it, and so on…Conservatives are also campaigning to amend the Equalities Act with regard to gender, and if they can change it in one area, they can absolutely change it in others.

I am a floating voter so have no overriding political allegiance. I intend to do my research on policy, and I will vote for whoever shows the most interest in disabled people's rights. I think it's reckless to assume that if Labour get in there will be no changes. But Rachel Reeves did say on TV that Labour are not planning to remove PIP. Any changes are more likely to happen with new claims first, anyway - but Labour seem less rushed about their policy, whereas the Government's policy seems designed to hook votes, without any realistic attention to how it would work.

I read a report this week that the staff in the DWP are struggling under the weight of the caseload, and that many feel they do not have enough training in safeguarding and mental health. This is not a good time to impose yet more admin on them.

Sunak's comments on Starmer bothered me too. My mother was diagnosed with a serious health condition when I was about 10. We had numerous scary incidents as a result of it going and then coming back. It impacted her immunity and still does, which made COVID a terrifying experience. My sister and I grew up not taking for granted that she would always be there. It's not something to be dismissed. We're lucky - she is still with us, albeit she has a long list of health issues as a result of this. But not all families are that lucky.

Meg24

There is, imo, absolutely no point in voting based on what any of them may or not do, because if what the last few years have taught us is that promises are made and broken, targets are set and missed over and over again. Look at what they *have done, look at what they *have set in motion. The Tories already started the process of changing the WCA and consulting on removing PIP, not to mention the millions of sanctions, the bedroom tax, 2 child limit, benefit cap, removing part of council tax benefits, the benefit freezes etc etc etc. They hate us, that much is painfully clear.

Labour introduced tax credits and the minimum wage, they did also introduce ESA and the WCA, but sanctions were extremely rare and there were hardly any food banks.

The Lib Dems agreed to introduce Tory sanctions on disabled people in exchange for the 5p plastic bag charge...

None of them have totally clean hands, but let's get real. If the Tories get back in we are all screwed. If you vote Libdem in a Tory/Labour swing seat, the Tory will win again.

We cannot vote for a fantasy that will not yet come to pass, however much we might wish it so. We HAVE to deal with the reality in front of us, there is too much at stake.

Look at https://tactical.vote/

to see if the LibDem can win in your area, otherwise please don't be fooled into thinking that they can pull.off a miracle or that anyone will notice your protest vote. If they Tories get back in because of people voting for liberal policies, they absolutely are not going to care. They will gun for us with glee.

Andi66

i have had 2nd email from Labour, hope it comes through ok

Thank you for your email to Sir Keir Starmer KC in relation to Labour’s plans for disabled people. At this point in time, Keir is receiving an extremely high volume of correspondence, so he has asked me to respond on his behalf.  I’m very sorry for any delay in getting back to you.

Your views, personal experiences and observations have been noted and shared with the relevant policy teams.

Over the last ten years, disabled people have been disproportionately impacted by the Conservative Government failure, with a broken system of social security and social care that has failed to support disabled people to live fulfilling and independent lives.

Labour is committed to the social model of disability and the principle of working with disabled people, so their views and voices are at the heart of all we do.

Labour is committed to championing the rights of disabled people and to the principle of working with them, so that their views and voices will be at the heart of all we do.

Labour will always treat disabled people with dignity and respect. Labour will protect disabled people by making all existing strands of hate crime an aggravated offence.

Labour will work with local areas to create plans to support more disabled people and those with health conditions into work. We will devolve funding so local areas can shape a joined-up work, health, and skills offer for local people.

Labour believes the Work Capability Assessment is not working and needs to be reformed or replaced, alongside a proper plan to support disabled people to work. We will tackle the backlog of Access to Work claims and give disabled people the confidence to start working without the fear of an immediate benefit reassessment if it does not work out.

Labour will improve the reasonable adjustments process so that the system works better for those that need it and will examine how to best achieve this in detail if we form the next government.

Labour will make flexible working the default from day one for all workers, with employers required to accommodate requests as far as is reasonable. Labour will ensure workers can benefit from flexible working, including opportunities for flexi-time contracts.

Labour will introduce mandatory disability pay reporting for organisations with more than 250 employees. We will act to close the employment gap and enshrine in law the full right to equal pay for disabled people.

Labour is committed to reviewing universal credit so that it makes work pay and tackles poverty.

Labour is committed to championing the rights of disabled people and to the principle of working with them, so that their views and voices will be at the heart of all we do.

Labour is the Party of change and will change the country for the better if elected on July 4.

If you have any further questions or requests please don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

Best wishes,

Alistair

Membership Services

The Labour Party

P.S.[Link removed by moderator]