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So labour won by a landslide - what happens next? (Both in general & disabled ppl perspective)

apple85

I will write an in-depth personal analysis of the election (as the ‘footnotes’ looks very different than what’s on the ‘front cover’ - ie the result is more complex than it looks on the surface……which I got to say I didn’t see coming) but I’m shattered from staying up all night and I want to relook at some of the details last night bcos even in opinion posts I’d like to be as factual as possible even if it is just my sole opinion

the only thing I’ll say for now is that if you haven’t already filled in the pip consultation ending on the 22nd July (don’t be complacent in thinking nothing negative will happen to pip now labour are in charge - it’s better to do everything you can to get the message across then presume a political party will make the sensible choice

print version of the full consultation (if you want to look at the questions and draft answers to post on the online version - or print, fill out and mail it instead):

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/662b6e9bfee48e2ee6b81e68/modernising-support-for-independent-living-the-health-and-disability-green-paper.pdf

Easy read version of the consultation (similar to the full version but I think it excludes some questions) is here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/662b7d885b89e6a356bf931b/easy-read-modernising-support-for-independent-living-health-and-disability-green-paper-questionnaire-accessible.pdf

online questionnaire is here:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=6fbxllcQF0GsKIDN_ob4wy4AdhV04YtOnxNXoi82ciFUN00yS0lJSTgzOVNaUzI1TVpYRkZGN1RUQSQlQCN0PWcu

All opinions and theories welcome regardless of how ‘bonkers’ they sound - I just ask we stay polite to one another (ie…respectfully disagreeing is fine and encourage, rudeness of any sort is not even if you are “right”) - that sound fair

Be back with my own thoughts later this weekend

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Comments

Cantilip

Those poor people (the new government!) have inherited everything wrong in this country, everything that has collapsed, inadequate healthcare, councils, schools, military, police and with the best will in the world they can't do everything at once. I don't think we can say what's next or effectively what's first, until we know what their priorities are.

apple85

there’s one question I forgot about - is starmer going to make changes to his cabinet?

(Replacing Kendall with foxcroft, Reynolds, nandy or even in dreamworld McDonnell as minister for work and pensions would certainly improve my feelings towards starmer esp after the unexceptable language he used towards those of us who have no choice but to be on welfare)

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/885057#Comment_885057

That hasn't been announced yet as far as I'm aware.

Starmer's six cabinet appointments so farpublished at 15:5815:58

In the last half an hour, we've seen several appointments to Sir Keir Starmer's new cabinet.

Here's who have got the top jobs so far:

Angela Rayner - deputy prime minister and secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities

Rachel Reeves - chancellor

David Lammy - foreign secretary

Yvette Cooper - home secretary

John Healey - defence secretary

Pat McFadden- Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

apple85

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/885033#Comment_885033

I agree that a ‘burnt down’ city can’t be rebuilt overnight

And I accept hard choices will need to be made

But will the choices they make be good or bad? (Or a better way of putting it - understandable choices or choices that will almost have more negative than positive points)

It’s hard to think how labour could mess up more than the tories did - but the tories were far too comfortable with their 80 majority, if labour don’t keep their egos in check their 170 majority and what they do with it could skewer them in the next 2029 election (I presume they are thinking more than one term)

Spike1776

personally I would put on a crash helmet,it going to be a rough ride.

apple85

first preview of things to come

https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/big-changes-expected-dwp-pip-33186926.amp

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/885565#Comment_885565

With all due respect firstly it’s the daily mirror and there’s nothing new in there than what we already knew, which isn’t a lot. No one knows what may or may not happen yet and there’s too many people on here speculating.

apple85

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/885568#Comment_885568

I agree that there’s not a lot to go on right now

(Plus the mirror are better than you give them credit for - at least they are somewhat empathetic towards the disabled)

But I think many on this forum felt big welfare changes coming in our bones - regardless of who won the GE

the change could be good or bad (Schrödinger's cat situation right now)

But I know for a number of disabilities change is difficult and worrying even if it turns out to be positive (for example many on the autistic spectrum find any change difficult to handle even if it ends up being the best thing for them)

Many disabled have just gotten their heads round changes from dla to pip and esa to uc and gotten to grip with things that even small adjustments would be unnerving let alone a major shake up

We probably won’t hear much till at least September leaving many stewing in their own fears and it’s totally understandable that some ppl on the scope forum may need to talk through their fears in the meantime

off topic - I don’t know how interested in interviews you are poppy (esp as this one’s a week old) but this one is a little interesting

https://www.bigissue.com/news/politics/keir-starmer-labour-leader-general-election-interview/

Tonawanda17

Hi. Sorry to keep posting but what do people think of this :

https://www.osborneclarke.com/insights/what-does-uk-general-election-2024-mean-digital-and-data-policy-and-tmc-sector

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/885605#Comment_885605

I totally understand you’re anxious but spamming the forum isn’t helpful.

Many members that post here have disabilities their self and it’s not always possible to have an answer to questions straight away. Please have a little patience.

That link you’ve posted has nothing to do with banks, at least not what I could see.

Tonawanda17

Hi poppy. Thanks for the reply. Here is the one i meant to post. If someone could cast an eye over it i would be greatful. It does mention labour opposed the idea. This will be my last post on this subject. Sorry if i annoyed anyone.

https://www.penningtonslaw.com/news-publications/latest-news/2024/the-lapse-of-the-data-protection-and-digital-information-bill

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/885628#Comment_885628

It lapsed because a GE was called. I have no idea whether Labour will continue with this. It's a case of wait and see, the same as everything else. All this speculation with what may or may not happen is getting a little ridiculous…

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/dwp-bank-surveillance-law-dropped

apple85

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/885605#Comment_885605

I honestly believe this isn’t an immediate concern of Labour (certainly not yr 1 or even 2 stuff) and to be frank there are other things that may affect the disabled community coming up first.

You need to let this particular topic go for now

apple85

I also know a number of Labour peers were against this - I doubt Labour mps and peers will want to clash this early on

Tonawanda17

Hi, apple and poppy. Thanks for your comments and reasuring feedback. Thought it might be in that socalled AI bill it speaks of (maybe for the autumn) but as you say - loads of other stuff to get on with first

apple85

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/885686#Comment_885686

excuse my language but that’s as good an idea as making state pension means tested (you remember the scandal of the waspi women - only a good idea if you want riots and backlash)

Disabled ppl have additional costs the average person and generally gets paid less than ‘abled’ colleagues with the same skills (neither of which the disabled person has control over) - for the disabled who are in work PIP helps bridge that financial gap (though many would say it’s not enough to fully close this gap)

Firstly a disabled working ppl deserve to be able to save money for larger things such as a home deposit, retirement or even a rainy day which means tested doesn’t allow

Also I imagine one of the plus point those who are disabled (not just on this forum) would be potentially shedding means tested universal credit (esa & housing) if they can afford it and just rely on non means tested pip for extra financial help (and no more falling into means tested trap like that many of our poor unpaid carers have being experiencing)

For me I hope one day I can find suitable wfh work that allows me to ditch the upcoming uc - the existence of pip in its current form allows me this ambition to work towards on my good days (financially I’d be worse off but being able to ditch means tested benefits would be priceless in mental health terms) - making pip means tested or reforming it to be harder to get or replaced with vouchers would remove many benefits off trying to get off benefits such as uc (why try if it’s not going to improve your life?)

I know many disabled ppl who would if given the choice not apply for means tested benefits if they can afford it (even though they’d be worse off) - some things are worth more than money

If the dwp were smart they’d make pip more generous, less tough to be awarded and provide legit jobcentre help by that (not bullying but for eg, setting up volunteer mentors from many job sectors) and finding suitable, flexible work or self employment (either part or full time) if pip was reformed this way many disabled may be able to view work less fearfully in both money and health terms and hopefully the knock on would yes be more pip awards but less uc awards (which pays more money per month to disabled) would be needed - it would ultimately save the country money if done right

I know some of you will scorn the above and think me an idiot but the tactic of reducing welfare payments, making it harder to be awarded and general bullying, nastiness and smearing has just not worked the past 14 years. Labour need to try something completely different if they have any chance of success

luvpink

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/885686#Comment_885686

Well I certainly hope they don't make pip means tested because people like me who worked for years and saved up for old age would lose our benefit entitlement even though we still have the extra cost of disability so please explain how you think that is fair?

I did not qualify for the cost of living payments, warm home scheme, rent rebate or council tax rebate.

They say work pays but I worked for years and it certainly hasn't paid for me!

Amaya_Ringo

This is entirely speculation, but if you look at how they've begun, their absolute first priorities are the things they're tackling right now. I am hopeful the lack of a disabilities minister is a temporary thing and it means that mass change in disability benefits is down the line not now - but I also think they need to give clarity to people over what is happening with WCA and ESA, and stop talking about PIP and ESA as if they are the same because they of course are not.

Although I admit right now my biggest concern is the build build build mindset. We've already had so much building here that our infrastructure is on the rocks, we're getting flooding, our health service and schools are oversubscribed and our transport is broken. I wish people would realise that there are other reasons than just not wanting housing that people protest these programs. There's plenty of brown field sites here to build on, and they literally already built like 5 estates within 2 miles of where I live in the last 2 years.It can't always be in our back yard. Sometimes it has to be in theirs (yet somehow it never is).

I'm resolved not to worry about PIP until they mention changing it. The building, however, is already front and centre.

As for disabled people into work, the last time a govt said that, my service got closed (Due to govt cuts) and I lost my job. Haven't had a permanent stable contract with enough hours since. That was under Cameron :/ My current service is understaffed (also due to Govt underfunding) which is also why I can't work more hours. I'm limited in what jobs I can do, but this one I'm good at. I encounter no ableism at work, and have a great team - but there are no opportunities because of the lack of funding. Different government, same problem of chronic underfunding that just isn't going to go away overnight.

Bydand

I think they will look at tying PIP into being able to evidence that you have a medically recognised diagnosis of a condition or illness during the application process.

Just stating that you have daily difficulties will not be enough

That would definitely save them money.

Ironside1990

I think PIP needs reform, but on the DWP side and not the benefit itself. Make it so that assessors can't lie, when the evidence is there in black and white. Stop giving them financial incentives to knock back claims.

it'll save the DWP money in the long run, since claimants won't be forced to go to a tribunal

https://youtu.be/x5MQq4gtldE?si=Y_8bYwVqHKkkATA7

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