Interesting snippets from the Labour conference
Comments
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was it me you aimed that post at @nightcity?
If so I agree - there’s so much of an article overload right now but not much ‘100%, that’s confirmed as happening’
My antidepressants are somewhat working inconsistently at best (my heads so ‘fun’ right now as a result)
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Albus, can I ask your opinion on a comment (that seems to be aimed toward me from tMfL) made on the ‘So is this it, Starmer has said it?’ thread
I don’t know if I’m overreacting but what this member said panicked me more than any other direct quote from labour mp’s I’ve read (can’t tell if this member is trying to reassure, scare or mock other scope members that have been affected by all the stuff from this week)
I’m still trying to figure out how to respond and it’s not often a post triggers as many tears and anger this one did (I really hope it’s not karma I triggered on myself) - but because of my autism I don’t always interpret things correctly and I’m kind of thrown for a loop and would appreciate a second opinion
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Also the scariest Labour mp to watch videos of with the sound off (seriously look up her interviews and speech - her body language and facial expressions can be borderline terrifying imo)
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No wonder I can't sleep at night. A high proportion of people would heave a sigh or relief if the only change to PIP is the means-test.
I'd lose PIP. I'm not rich but I have savings from deceased family. My income is lower than that of many people on means-tested benefits. In time, my savings would go and I'd have to apply for means-tested benefits they want people to come off. At no point could I be forced into work. It is simply not a possibility.
I'd be happy to pay tax on PIP.
Means-testing simply terrifies me.
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Yes I am aware of that but but I was quoting what another member on this thread stated about their thoughts on pip being means tested.
Its okay for those who would not be affected by means testing but it would be catastrophic for some of us who may suffer from this.
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I'm in similar position.
I cannot actually believe that anyone here can even suggest that means testing pip would be acceptable.😓
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I have looked into this quite a bit and have not found any evidence that the government plans to means test PIP, or any of the other disability benefits available, such as AA or DLA for parents of disabled children, at this time. I qualify for PIP because it’s a non-means tested benefit for both working individuals and those who are long-term sick.
I would prefer not to pay tax on it, as I already contribute a substantial amount through my salary. The purpose of PIP is to provide support based on need rather than income, and I believe means testing could hinder disabled individuals from achieving the independence we all strive for.
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Thank you for all the work you are doing.
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Yes I understand all of that but another member on this thread has stated that means testing pip is the least bad thing they can do.
I find that comment to be unhelpful to say the least when we are hanging in limbo, worried sick and not knowing what this government are going to decide regarding pip.
Look at what they have done to the WFA and they are determined to press ahead with it despite the outrage it has caused.
Nobody saw that coming so goodness knows what they may have in store for the disabled community.
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Sorry @apple85 I'd only just seen your reply! I can sometimes have issues with detecting tone and other things, it's definitely a neurospicy thing. But also remember with the written word, even neurotypical people can misinterpret things so I'd not worry too much. 😊
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it’s at most 50:50
There are reason why some people aren’t so bothered if pip goes means tested and/or gets absorbed into uc
I think a lot of people have no intention to work and/or try to come off benefits like ucSome may think that the dwp plans will exempt them (bcos they have a lifelong disability rather than long term sickness - I’ve noticed a few scope members trying to read between those lines)
And some are single ppl living alone (and not of state pension age which is taxable income) where the welfare system is more straightforward then if you were a couple and/or have children under 16?
If it hashes out that way for the ppl thinking like the above then because uc is already means tested, for their scenario pip going means tested would not affect them one jolt!
But listening to starmer/reeves/kendall quotes this week I’m not sure how many disabled will be 100% fully exempt from this push to find (hopefully suitable) work - I’ve noticed in past easy to read dwp pdfs on helping disabled ppl into work that they included quite a few stock images of ppl with Down’s syndrome (which I think most of us would recognise as a lifelong effecting disability) so my gut feeling is that I think the majority of us will be expected to explore options and/or test out the waters as a bare minimum
now there are 3 types of means tested the dwp use:- Calculated and based on income
- calculated and based on savings (and assets……..though currently your main home/resistance where you live is excluded)
- calculated and based on both income and savings/assets
For reference universal credit is means tested both based on income and savings/asset
using an example - the downside of being a single person living alone is that current award of uc + hb is most likely significantly less than a couple or a person with children so using the uc tapered earning rates if that person was deemed to able to work full time (at least on minimum wage) the majority of single people would lose all their uc entitlement once all the tapering is calculated (for those saying a lcwra or lcw saying they can earn some money before tapering kicks in - that’s true…………..but how long do you expect to continue getting those elements if the dwp know you work full time)As many have pointed out, employers aren’t exactly queuing up to hire those with disabilities of all varieties so for starmer and co to have any chance to get a sizeable number of disabled in the workplace then Dwp suggesting and providing support for freelance/self employment will play a massive part - problem is after 1 grace year the dwp calculates your income using the ‘minimum income floor’ (which uses the highest amount of ‘min wage x 35 hours a week’ or your actual earnings to calculate uc award amount) - there aren’t many self employment making a good profit by the start of year 2 so that’s an obvious issue
point is that if pip goes means tested in the same way uc currently then there’s a good chance that those disabled working full time would likely no longer be entitled for a pip award (esp if you were on standard care and/or mobility rate) and those working part time would likely have any pip weekly amount significantly reduced if tapering plays a partWith scope saying that disabled people need over an additional £1000 to have the same minimum quality of life as our abled counterparts it’s clear how vital pip is to working disabled pip
And if labour press ahead with their massive ‘get disabled into workplace’ push than Pip staying NON means tested is essential and non negotiable imo
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God one minute I'm OK the next terrified we been treated like noting it's like cat and mouse they know the psychological impact this is having from last year sunak sick note Britain having us scared to open our eyes in the morning to hoping labour would umderstand now the same and in my eyes actually worse at least with wca sorry for new claimants but it was new claimants that would be affected by wca oh I could go on and on still trying to hold onto hope but my body and mind shattered the fear starts in my stomach push through people push through it extremely hard to
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I think later this week I’ll start a new thread where members can make suggestions what would help/not help them try and find work
It’s obvious the labour is making this push to get those on long term sickness benefits into work a huge part of their strategy to get the uk back on its feet and functioning well (so they have a huge amount riding on ppl from us jumping through hoops…………….dont know about the rest of you but I’m no circus animal and the vindictive side of me doesn’t really want to help out the labour spreadsheets) - point is the disabled actually hold a decent number of cards on whether labour get re-elected next GE both directly and as a knock on effect.
It’s therefore mind boggling that Kendall hasn’t appointed any disabled people or a representative from a disability charity to the board that are going to make all the vital choices of labours upcoming strategy
Im hoping that disability charities are booking meetings with the likes of Kendall, timm and McGovern (and starmer/reeves if it can be swung) to talk about all this and suggest ideas that protects disabled and where everyone (us and government) all succeedBefore that charities like scope needs to be talking directly to disabled ppl asap (as they are basically being the disability community voice in all this) to get an idea on what WE need if we have any chance of being able to work with the gov on these plan (either by choice or otherwise) via a very speedy consultation, focus groups or chats on forums like this one
that’s my 2 cents
(Hope one of the scope mods can pass on that thought to someone higher up the scope management chain)0 -
I rack my brains at what I can do and I really have no answers even the tories was more compassionate than this ? I've joined homeswapper to see one bed flats soul destroying really is
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What is the difference between long term sick and long term disability
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I wish I could myself also I wish I could drive I get a cheap van and do it up best I could god I wish I had a career this system unbearable I've become scared over last few years I used to be fearless what will you do have you got plans
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No they wouldn't I think with cases like yours they couldn't it's definitely a risk to you any form of work sorry to hear your so unwell
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I think from what I can gather it's more for MH when they change the criteria and having cancer and renal failure no way applies to you
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Well yes that's alot god they really are never got into politics until last budget and been triggered since then all we got is hope let's hope its not as bad as we think it's the unknown drives me insane
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This is how it appears to me too. But if that's the case, they need to sort out help and support for those with MH issues.
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