MP Reply

Vickie16

I’m not sure if Im allowed post this !!

I emailed my MP and this is her reply to the benefit reforms !!!!!!

Dear [name removed by moderator],

 

Thank you for your email.

 

Nobody in the United Kingdom should have to beg for food – and that includes the most vulnerable in our society. Mass dependence on emergency food parcels is a moral scar on our society and it must be ended.

 

I encourage any disabled person in financial hardship to contact their local council and find out what help may be available. The Household Support Fund is designed to help people cover essential costs during difficult times, and I was pleased that the recent Autumn Budget committed an additional £742 million to extend it.

 

Please be assured that the Government's proposed welfare reforms are designed to protect those who need support most. I welcome that those with lifelong health conditions, who will never be able to work, will no longer face future reassessments. I also maintain that the voices of disabled people should be central to policy. The Government’s plans were developed through engagement with disabled people and a public consultation has been launched to guide these reforms. I would urge any disabled person, or representative organisation, to contribute their views.

 

I backed an inflation-level increase for benefits again this year, and the Government has worked with the Trussell Trust to introduce a Fair Repayment Rate for Universal Credit (UC). This will provide targeted support to benefit more than one million of the UK’s poorest households by £420 a year.

 

Our social security system must focus on what people can do, not just what they cannot. That is why I support the Pathways to Work plan, which includes a record £1 billion investment in tailored employment support for disabled people. The plan will also increase the UC standard allowance above inflation for the first time, adding £775 per year by 2029. Crucially, the "Right to Try" guarantee will ensure going back to work itself will never lead to a reassessment, giving people the confidence to take on opportunities. I’m also glad that my manifesto pledge to replace the broken Work Capability Assessment will be delivered. This will end binary categorisations and simplify assessments, ending a process that drives people into dependency. I am confident that these changes will enable disabled people to live with dignity, while giving them the same opportunities to work as anyone else.

 

Thank you once again for contacting me about this important issue.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

blob:https://forum.scope.org.uk/044946f2-8a87-4bb8-9bcd-d7299d4ccba1

Michelle Welsh MP

blob:https://forum.scope.org.uk/7e444e3e-7ccc-401c-aa37-3f526d535c4e

Member of Parliament for Sherwood Forest

 

noonebelieves

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/132492/mp-reply

Hi @Vickie16,
Hi and welcome to this lovely and friendly Scope forum.

I’m not an admin….just a fellow disabled person who joined about two months ago and have found it to be one of the most supportive and non-judgemental online spaces.

Thanks for sharing your MP’s response. You’ve absolutely done the right thing by reaching out and raising your voice.

That reply from your MP, on the surface, seem supportive but still echo many of the current government narratives. While the MP acknowledges the hardship disabled people face, the latter part of the message feels quite aligned with the government’s current agenda and talking points

(just my honest take.)

If you haven’t seen it already, you might find more encouragement and clarity by following the advice on Scope’s homepage under “Get your MP to act against cuts” from @Tori_Scope on page 1. There are also discussions around Liz Kendall’s proposed green paper and the Spring Statement by Rachel Reeves, which you can explore if you feel up to it.

I really hope you continue to post and join in when you’re ready. Scope is a safe place for people like us to share experiences, ask questions, or just feel heard. Wishing you all the very best, and thank you again for being brave enough to share.

Wishing you the very best!

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Vickie16, welcome to the community. Thanks for sharing your MP's response, I know many will find that interesting to read. The only thing I've edited out is your surname, just to keep you safe 😊

I think noonebelieves has already linked to our discussions about the green paper and spring statement so I hope you'll join us over there if you'd like to chat about what's happening.

Thanks again for emailing and sharing your response!

JessieJ

Hi @Vickie16 & welcome to the forum.

The thing that stood out from the reply you received was

Member of Parliament for Sherwood Forest

It just struck me as amusing, because of that famous folkloric Robin that came from those parts. He at least had the right idea & it's just what the government should be doing now, not the other way round.

Andi66

https://www.thenational.scot/news/25074770.keir-starmer-confronted-physically-sick-benefits-claimants/

Parliamentary committee. He is a disgrace