Upcoming changes to benefits

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Comments

  • CandyK85
    CandyK85 Online Community Member Posts: 8 Contributor

    They're only talking about back downing on rate freezing. There's no mention of them backing down when it comes to stricter eligibility, which is the real issue.

    They are definitely targeting people with mental ill health and disabilities (those of us with autism etc.) primarily - I think that's their goal here as these issues are mostly affecting younger people who they believe are shirking work.

    I'm not so young anymore (39) and I work full time which is made possible, in huge part, to the PIP I receive. Without it, working would be incredibly difficult for me probably due to the fact that the cost of living is so high regardless but also that most jobs really don't pay very well and when you add to the fact the increased likelihood of sickness (and not being paid for being sick) that comes with disability, it's pretty obvious why we need it.

    Like you all, I am trying not to worry too much about it but I do believe they will push this through as they seem determined to penalise a specific group of people.

  • Maggie37
    Maggie37 Online Community Member Posts: 27 Contributor

    I agree. Flaws in how it would all be implemented have been evident from start. It’s a way for Reeves to implement a nationwide tax plan.. sacrifice the disabled first then tax the masses. Morgan McSweeny and empty eyed Paddy are the architects of these sorts of shockers.. neither of them have any loyalty to a party or political ethos. They’re a couple of Dominic Cummings? I was going to watch Laura Kunesberg on the Beeb but don’t know whether I have the stomach for it.. probably scripted!

  • Andi66
    Andi66 Online Community Member Posts: 757 Trailblazing

    I read starmer coping trump with cutting things. They're doing welfare cuts as well. Plus he's got mcsweeny whatever he's called advising him. Diane Abbot who is against the cuts was shut out of the meetings.

    Where is that joke of a mp Timms ? He should be standing up for us. We should email him and tell him and reeves that people can't see a future. I've read on a few sites about people not wanting to be here. Honestly I'm struggling with this. I had few years ago left with nothing because of dwp. I managed to getba part time job then ,but unable to now

  • evelyncourtney
    evelyncourtney Online Community Member Posts: 44 Empowering
    edited March 16

    I’m not going to bother watching Wes Streeting on Kuenssberg but I’m following along on the BBC app’s live reporting so I can post the highlights of what’s said if anyone wants!

  • evelyncourtney
    evelyncourtney Online Community Member Posts: 44 Empowering
    edited March 16

    Starting off strong…

    Laura asks Streeting: as a Labour politician, did you get into politics to take money from the poorest? 

    He says we don't want to take money from the poorest people in Britain, and adds he's a product of the welfare system. He says he grew up in a council house and says a state education gave him "every opportunity".

    Streeting says that one in 10 people are off sick from work. He says people who can't work need support, and calls for more people to get back to work.

    Link is https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cly40zrg8w0t if anyone else wants to follow along

  • Moorgater
    Moorgater Online Community Member Posts: 57 Empowering

    InInteresting article in an Irish newspaper recently relating to McSweeney. Seems that he is afforded the same guru status within Labour as Cummings once was with Johnson. Like with Dom, the reasons for this are not exactly apparent. The term 'rose without trace' springs to mind with MM.

  • matt82
    matt82 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    Well it's finally got the better of me, I have been spiralling ever since I read about the changes. I felt I was making progress and if you had asked me a few months ago I never would have thought it would be the government that would cause me to start self harming again after going so long with out it happening but it's my last resort when I feel there is no other way to release the anxiety which builds to a level which is unbearable. They have no clue how this effects people. Now I'm battling with the other issue of thinking if I pick up a drink it will make everything feel better but this will be the end of me if that part of me wins, after being sober for 3 years I feel like all the hard work is just being ripped away by these people who have no clue what it's like to live with mental health/addiction. Just want them to say what's happening already so we all know where we stand

  • evelyncourtney
    evelyncourtney Online Community Member Posts: 44 Empowering

    Laura follows up by pushing on the specific details of who might be excluded from welfare payments - for instance, people with disabilities who cannot work through no fault of their own. 

    Streeting replies that the government wants to ensure that those who need the most help, get the most help. 

    He says that he's been working with Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, to integrate employment support and mental health support into care from the NHS. 

    Streeting is pressed again on the question of whether the government will freeze Personal Independence Payments

    Streeting suggests he hasn't seen these plans and warns people not rely on speculation.

  • Moorgater
    Moorgater Online Community Member Posts: 57 Empowering

    Suspect today's shows will be pretty dull. They'll be waiting to see how today's leak landed after yesterday's leak bombed. Then assessing their MPs mood tomorrow (not good is my prediction!)

    As I say, this does not seem to be the work of evil masterminds.

    As for today, I'm going to enjoy the sunshine. We probably all should.

  • evelyncourtney
    evelyncourtney Online Community Member Posts: 44 Empowering

    This one is unbelievable. Didn’t Stride and Sunak make these exact same statements just a year ago?

    Laura now brings up recent comments that there are an "over-diagnosis of mental health problems" and asks Streeting if he thinks too many people are not working because they are experiencing what are essentially normal feelings.

    The health secretary says he believes there is an over diagnosis, adding he thinks that prevention is important so that we can prevent people from developing mental health issues in the first place. 

    He adds that he's seen great work at Maudsley Hospital in South London, where employment support is combined with mental health support, which Streeting adds can be "really powerful".

  • Jamk85
    Jamk85 Online Community Member Posts: 17 Contributor
    edited March 16

    Just because the government want to cut LCWRA doesnt mean it will happened fast or at all, their will be legal cases on this and mark my words this will end up going to high court and with failed risk assessment.

    Again this won't happened fast.

    Once we get better idea of the green paper next week i think action will be taken then.

  • secretsquirrel1
    secretsquirrel1 Online Community Member Posts: 288 Empowering

    Good morning everyone,

    I am expecting the bad news of cuts this week plus a sweetener that the pip freeze has been shelved. My question is seeing as the labour cuts/plans go further than the Tory’s who lost in court , can this be taken to court and if so how long could this be delayed for ? Plus right now it’s a green paper, how long for it to become a white paper and go to the vote ? They seem desperate to bring this forward asap but in reality is it possible?

  • Stop_cutting_us
    Stop_cutting_us Online Community Member Posts: 9 Connected

    Remember don't be fooled on the pip freeze u turn people! Its the discrimination of people with mental health problems which will lead to a change in criteria! So those with certain mental health problems like ADHD, Depression and Autism will no longer be eligible to receive PIP and LCWRA! They're also planning a cruel 34% cut to LCWRA after inflation that's roughly £128 gone each month! That cannot be allowed to happen! It will lead to homelessness, self harm and deaths!

  • CandyK85
    CandyK85 Online Community Member Posts: 8 Contributor

    Prevention? And how exactly do you prevent autism??? Because they're targeting autistic people here too. It's all very weirdly timed too, not long after they're now pushing for assisted dying. Very convenient.

  • evelyncourtney
    evelyncourtney Online Community Member Posts: 44 Empowering

    That’s Streeting off now. He also said there’s a “risk of disruption” to patient care during the reorganisation of NHS management.

    So… how exactly are people meant to get well enough to work and “prevented” from getting iller when this is going on???

  • Maggie37
    Maggie37 Online Community Member Posts: 27 Contributor

    Yes.. definitely a ‘don’t prod the bear’episode. McSweeny, Pat McFadden and Mandelson all have working history together.. so you begin to see the ‘Figurehead’ nature of Starmer and Reeves. That doesn’t mean these back room guys got it right though. After all Cumming’s day in the sun was relatively short and meaningless. I hope my own day in sun proves relaxing and yours.👍

  • matt_nerd12
    matt_nerd12 Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener

    Hi everyone. I'm a new user that found myself here due to constant searching for information regarding the disability cuts. I'm 49 and diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic, I currently receive DLA, Contributions based ESA and Universal Credit which is reduced to accommodate for the ESA. I'm frantically trying to work out a budget to get my finances in order before any legislation is passed, hopefully these changes won't be immediate. It's the not knowing that is cripling.

  • evelyncourtney
    evelyncourtney Online Community Member Posts: 44 Empowering

    One more thing from Kuenssberg’s show:

    She had shadow education sec Laura Trott on, they spoke about schools etc but then Trott was asked about Labour reforms:

    Trott is next asked if she will support Labour's proposals to cut welfare benefits. 

    She says "let's see what they come forward with", adding "we support the principle of welfare reform". 

    Asked by Laura if she supports the freezing of Personal Independence Payments (PIP), Trott repeats her comment that she wants to see what Labour puts forward. 

    Surprise surprise… blue Tories supporting red Tories!