Hi, my name is robhether! DWP minister — Scope | Disability forum
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Hi, my name is robhether! DWP minister

robhether
robhether Community member Posts: 4 Listener
My local MP asked a question of DWP minister on Monday 5/12 asking why people who become disabled after reaching state pension receive less benefits than younger people with the same illness. He also asked that the minister agreed that the support people receive should be based on their illness not their age. The response was appalling and included "people becoming disabled after reaching state pension age will not have been disadvantaged when they were younger"!! Full transcript is on Hansard for 5/12 and MP is Duncan Baker and minister Tom Pursgrove.

I really can't believe that a minister is so disrespectful of age and disability issues let alone the law of the land regarding discrimination. Also shows the lack of impact of campaigns from charities on behalf of older/disabled people. Come on let's get onto them to change their attitude and behaviour.

Comments

  • rebel11
    rebel11 Community member Posts: 1,612 Pioneering
    edited December 2022
    European Union laws gave more protections to UK citizens, they (the UK Government) are slowly eroding the protections that give citizens the 'dignity' to live their lives. 

      
  • robhether
    robhether Community member Posts: 4 Listener
    Yep but we still have the Equality Law 2010 in place which this Govt are ignoring.
  • bg844
    bg844 Community member Posts: 3,883 Disability Gamechanger
    rebel11 said:
    European Union laws gave more protections to UK citizens, they (the UK Government) are slowly eroding the protections that give citizens the 'dignity' to live their lives. 
    I think that’s more of an opinion rather than the full fact. I’m neutral on Brexit but you really do need to read more legislation.
  • rebel11
    rebel11 Community member Posts: 1,612 Pioneering
    bg844 said:
    rebel11 said:
    European Union laws gave more protections to UK citizens, they (the UK Government) are slowly eroding the protections that give citizens the 'dignity' to live their lives. 
    I think that’s more of an opinion rather than the full fact. I’m neutral on Brexit but you really do need to read more legislation.

    https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/brexit-and-european-convention-human-rights
  • robhether
    robhether Community member Posts: 4 Listener
    Having less generous benefits for older people than younger people with the same disabilities is quite obviously discriminating. Especially when the basis is being in "receipt" of state pension
    The rub here is that many state pensioners have second incomes such as private pensions and these eroded by the fact that the taxable allowance is reduced by the amount of state pension. This means that people actually lose their state pension income. So we get penalised for having a pension that we lose through taxation!!! Needs to be changed and take state pension out of taxation completely.
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,979 Disability Gamechanger
    Thanks for sharing your views with us @robhether. I can really hear your frustration  <3
    Community Volunteer Adviser with professional knowledge of education, special educational needs and disabilities and EHCP's. Pronouns: She/her. 

    Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.
  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 7,563 Disability Gamechanger
    Congratulations on going to your PM 
  • robhether
    robhether Community member Posts: 4 Listener
    Unfortunately it was my MP and perhaps we should all get in touch with them to gather some support from whatever party

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