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Interesting snippets from the Labour conference

apple85

For those of us trying to figure out clues and previews to the incoming autumn budget and disability white paper (also due this autumn so most likely oct-nov 2024)

I’ll try and keep the reader who are interested in this type of thing with screenshots and similar over the next few days of the labour conference

From a fringe event Kendall was at yesterday (about child poverty I think):

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apple85

a little off topic but a very interesting stat (didn’t realise there’d been as many years of benefit freezes over the last 14 years)

source -

https://leftfootforward.org/2024/09/labour-conference-liz-kendall-vows-child-poverty-will-be-reduced-by-end-of-this-parliament/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

michael57

keep up the posts i can read them easier

apple85

a little off topic but probably the million dollar question of the day

(anyone have access to reeves personal dictionary- joking)

Anyone else sick to death on labours continued emphasis on “working people”?

I hope my reading between the lines is off the mark as it sounds like Labour is choosing to exclude those not in work (basically pensioners, sick and disabled) - it does feel like Labour doesn’t care what happens to the disabled community and I really hope they choose to disprove that impression very soon as feeling like you don’t matter is a crappy feeling

Jimm_Alumni

As always appreciate such updates, as I do not always have the time to keep up with such things!

apple85

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/912765#Comment_912765

I followed it on guardian live text and bits and bobs off twitter

honestly think the biggest takeaway was that reeves (fake) smile was very unnerving

Screenshot of the guardians verdict of reeves speech below:

apple85

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/912764#Comment_912764

Just using my ‘powers’ for good 😉

(Shame you can’t put ‘wiz with an online search bar’ on a cv 😝)

apples

Thanks for this thread apple85

Jimm_Alumni

I will note, that article mentions it's "unfortunate" that the RCN rejected the offer, but the pay increase that was offered to the Royal College of Nurses in no way made up for the below-inflation pay rises or pay freezes they've had over the past decade. I think I read a report that nurses are 20% worse off than they were in 2010.

apple85

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/912833#Comment_912833

the thing is everyone is worse off since 2010 (well apart from multimillionaires and billionaires but that is a predictable pattern of society)

I’m glad the junior doctors got their raise and I think nurses are overdue a decent rise

Not sure I agree with gps potentially getting more (though we definitely need more of them and from memory there were ridiculous high requirements to pass the medicine degree)

And I disagree with the train driver pay rise

it’s a difficult situation for labour - I don’t want any social group in the uk to get unfairly targeted significantly more than other groups

but with reeves ruling out a wealth tax (for multimillionaires with at least £10m wealth) and income tax & ni (including that upcoming ni cut that anyone sane minded should council) it’s all feeling a bit Deja vu in terms of social groups that will be targeted

(I’m not just referring to sick & disabled……….a minority on the scope forum are lucky enough to have a family unit that may be able to provide a safety net in worst case - with Labour likely going after pensioners and savers the net may be in pieces come Halloween

As I said I don’t want to see any social group being targeted in a ‘punishing’ way - even the mega rich……….pain is lessened when spread evenly and fairly………..just not convinced Labour have the inventiveness or will to find a better way forward for all uk citizens)

apple85

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/912812#Comment_912812

I tell my dad off all the time for wondering if someone is something due to a stereotype………

But is it possible that reeves has (a hidden diagnosis or non diagnosed) type of high functioning autism or Asperger’s

I hate labelling ppl with possible conditions as it’s not fair but when reeves did her means tested winter fuel payment speech before summer recess she reminded me of a male relative of mine who has Asperger’s - very gifted and clever but very black & white and has difficulty taking into account the human element and consequences of decisions (if that makes)

In many ways that’s very mean of me even thinking it and I wouldn’t blame any of you being offended by the above

But you need the chancellor to have a good grip on the human element of their job (as their choices will impact 68m uk citizens) - many hf autistic stereotypically have trouble with empathy and putting oneself in another’s shoes & often look at things very bluntly in a ‘cold’ way……..which probably aren’t ideal traits for the chancellor job

once again apologies for that random thought

michael57

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/912874#Comment_912874

oh well thats me out of becoming a politician then

apple85

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/dwp-makes-massive-change-pip-021325694.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALJhVRGJyivYuhC8-cM73JkqUy4L0pSx_EQmmtj0Au4P7oCs7amiOdDrhb1D9XSvzf0lVrzzAtE9RpGSRQyzmrZ2w7rzn4zUzQhCR-MXjaVqaKzZ0o32FNXyuzHNB_ozROe2yDhJmGsI0bo4kiNzphNPIm0iWMFCvSuj2iUHdDGn

this could go either way

Some jobcentre managers are really sympathetic and you can tell pressures from above weighs on them…………….on the downside some jc staff are downright sadistic and would get a major power trip from this

Think mr’s and tribunal cases may rise if this chance is not properly or fairly managed

my 2 cents only

apple85

off topic but a recent update on the pip consultation:

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-09-09/4735

Before any you panic about this bit:

below is scope’s summary of all possible ideas the dwp was exploring at time of the pip consultation

the majority of those bullet points are rotten suggestions I don’t think many disabled people would have anything negative to say

But the last bullet point is a mostly positive idea and the second to last bullet point I’d imagine feedback would be mixed as their are pros and cons to making a formal diagnosis more of an important element when applying for pip - certainly worth an in depth decision either way

Jimm_Alumni

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/912865#Comment_912865

To me it's not a zero sum game though. Yes everyone deserves a pay rise (except for a very small group of people who are much, much better off since 2010, as you mention, you say it's predictable but they earned more at a faster rate than previously, to the detriment of the rest of us). So that's why I will not say no to a group of people like doctors, nurses, and yes even train drivers, getting a pay raise.

If this has shown anything it's shown that the weakening of union laws and less people joining and participating in unions has been detrimental to wages over the long term.

michael57

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/912892#Comment_912892

but surely the more powerful unions getting the higher pay rises and better conditions has a knock on effect ie higher train fares higher transportation costs the list goes on and on and its the poorer people that end up suffering having to pay more for every day living

Jimm_Alumni

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/912905#Comment_912905

In many scandinavian countries they don't have a minimum wage but even the lowest paid workers are paid a fair wage because every industry is unionised. Unions don't have to be limited to just what exists now. It clearly works in some countries, why can't it work here?

michael57

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/912924#Comment_912924

it could well be that the citizens trust and vote for the politicians that promise and deliver high quality of public services and low levels of income inequality

ellieMac

I feel it’s important to have unions people need to feel support in the workplace . Certain famous companies don’t like unions I wonder why I certain Amazon if known for stopping unions. Yet the give people a voice . Better pay mean better living standard those payed then our £ back into the economy and on it goes I’m pro unions and feel the Dr’s train drivers deserve the pay it’s in line with inflation it will not put up fares that’s already counted for . Let’s support each other better pay working conditions more £ in the economy

ellieMac

my concern is stoping pensions fuel allowance I personally believe in a universal payment. Money can be brought back by a tiny % on the super rich who have a system were they pay just 28 % a lot less than the average person. So Eve. If they payed 29% they would still b super rich and the £ could heat the elderly

ellieMac

the new government needs to make it clear how those who are entitled will automatically get fuel allowance this winter . So if it’s mean tested those on basic pension or pension credit should just get it