Rachael Reeves Early benefits statement

charlie72
charlie72 Community Member Posts: 259 Pioneering

Iv'e just found out this morning that Reeves plans to give an early statement about benefits changes this Wednesday. I'm sure I'm not alone in how it's affecting my mental health with the stress of worrying what she wants to inflict on us. In one way I suppose it's good we'll know a bit more about her plans before easter, but it doesn't make things better as I'm now panicking sooner.

I don't sleep or eat well as it is, I know it will make me worse on Tuesday night before she announces her horrible plans. The way she spoke to the sun on Sunday was a disgrace, and very scary, implying that the current financial mess was due to folk not being in work, and on sickness benefits, nothing to do with the tories messing up the economy then? She wants tax payers to think we are the problem they are paying higher taxes now, all so she can try get away with cuts to benefits and god knows what else. I'm sorry to sound so negative but it really worries me as the language they are using around benefits, sick/disabled is always hostile, nasty, and not based on any real truths at all.

I hope I'm wrong and that she announces some new positive changes that genuinely help those on long term sickness benefits get the help they need, but it sounds like just another cost cutting exercise at the expense of sick, disabled, and mentally ill claimants. Lets all try and stay positive, we have people on our side like Scope, Mind, Elllen Clifford, and others to oppose any harmful or illegal changes, and wouild be taken to court again and probably lose (again).

Comments

  • Morgan_Alumni
    Morgan_Alumni Posts: 781 Online Community Team

    Hi @charlie72,

    I'm so sorry to hear how much this situation is affecting you. It's completely understandable to feel stressed given the uncertainty around such announcements, especially when the language being used is so damaging.

    While we can’t control what’s announced on Wednesday, there will be organisations and other individuals actively watching these developments who will challenge challenge any harmful or unlawful changes.

    In the meantime, it might help to focus on self-care as best you can before Wednesday. Even small things, like keeping a comforting routine, reaching out to supportive friends, or limiting how much news you consume, could ease some of the immediate stress. Mind’s Infoline (0300 123 3393) or Samaritans (116 123) are there if you need someone to talk to.

  • mangomungo
    mangomungo Community Member Posts: 174 Empowering

    I can sympathise with you as I’m mentally ill, always have been, always will be. I have a horrible feeling she’s going to remove the health element from people like me and I’ll be left in the poverty which I grew up in, not enough to eat, no heating or hot water causing mould and unable to function for being depressed. I still won’t be able to work.

    She either doesn’t know or doesn’t care what effect she’s having on those too sick to work, all she cares about is growth and she sounds like Liz truss.
    I’ve been trying to stay positive but my mental health is well and truly in the gutter now after this announcement.

  • secretsquirrel1
    secretsquirrel1 Community Member Posts: 2,048 Championing

    Hi Morgan , surely if scope and other charities have been meeting with government ministers regarding the welfare changes they should have some idea of what’s in store for us . On the forum when scope have mentioned these meetings they’ve seemed positive but anyone listening to Kendall , Reeves and Starmer can tell they have no empathy for the sick and disabled.

  • Jane315STARX
    Jane315STARX Community Member Posts: 1,104 Championing

    Well that last bit was horrific

  • Jane315STARX
    Jane315STARX Community Member Posts: 1,104 Championing

    It wasn't her it was the concenvatives basically digging their heels in about the benefits cuts.saying that Rachel Reeves said she wouldn't do this and wouldn't do that but she has but can she commit and say she WOULD commit basically ( in so many words) to savings from welfare which was a conservative idea in the first place.So obviously THEY are all for it and are going to agree to the bill

  • Jane315STARX
    Jane315STARX Community Member Posts: 1,104 Championing

    Well she's up next

  • mangomungo
    mangomungo Community Member Posts: 174 Empowering

    Honestly I’ve not watched it I’m too scared hoping someone here can update us