The Green Paper Discussion (the document link is here too!)

They are looking at changing some of the descriptors but that wont happen until after these current proposals have been put in place. So probably a few years off at least.

I have a 3 point score for the bathing descriptor

After hearing Whately speak, no, they are not worse than the tories.

This is all miserable and frustrating for a lot of people but remember that the Tories wanted to give disabled people vouchers and still want further cuts. If they were in power now that is where we would be. Reform UK want to cut all benefits completely, as well as remove equality legislation that protects disabled people.

So in context, unless we can somehow elect a Lib Dem/Green government, this is the best option. Reform in particular like to tell people what they want to hear but they had no real manifesto in the previous election. Tories are not afraid to be more up front but we have already suffered 14 years of their approach to benefits. Did we forget Mel Stride's comments already?

I realise this is extremely depressing to acknowledge, but it's still true. This is NOT as bad as the Tories' plans. Let's be angry, but in context.

I have filled in the consultation. I wrote small essays in pretty much every box. I answered the questions but also covered the things they didn't ask about but should be. The question about DWP safeguarding is a good opportunity for everyone to challenge unfair assessments/stressful appeals/poor communication and the lack of awareness of the impact of it on the claimant…

when I first joined scope forum not long ago threads were a page a day….so the amount this community has grown is amazing in itself. I'm glad we've all got somewhere to go to vent about this f**ckery.

I'm thinking we are a community across the UK that are horrified and will fight this. I've seen so much anger across social media including friends.

love to all, stay strong guys

so what happens to the ones that’s been on lcwra for years? And are we all getting reassessed? Or is the reassessment going to be the new style? As I’m on the old style of that make sense lol

What does everyone think of them bringing in 'direct digital sharing of medical records'(with permission of the claimant) ?

I personally prefer to send in any medical evidence myself, in a way that focuses on my needs and disabilities .

Not sure how I feel about 'direct digital sharing' between NHS and DWP.

Fair enough that it needs the claimant's permission but if any of us were to refuse it would obviously be detrimental to our claim.

I like to be in control of the evidence provided...but that's just me.

I got 3 for needing assistance.

I don't rate the idea for DWP use. Records regarding my disabilities date back almost fifty years and are a convoluted mess, full of misdiagnosis and medics personal remarks that are as hazardous as a PIP or ESA assessor's vacuous thought. I have all my records scanned and present only what is relevant, annotating what is inaccurate. Moreover, these days doctors are writing scantily.

Hi @Danny123 It appears that changes to the PIP descriptors will only be determined after the current proposals are in force. The Green Paper states:

155. In future, under proposals set out in this Green Paper, the WCA will be scrapped, with the PIP assessment becoming the single assessment to receive both financial support in PIP and any extra financial support related to health and disability through UC. This places additional importance on the PIP assessment and making sure it remains fit for the future.

156. The PIP assessment needs modernising. It is over a decade since PIP was introduced, during which time there have been significant shifts in the nature of long-term conditions and disability, as well as changes in wider society and the workplace. People reporting mental health or neurodiverse conditions as their primary condition have increased more rapidly than those reporting other conditions, and increases in disability have been more marked among younger adults than older people, although older working-age people are still more likely to be disabled.

157. Therefore, we will launch a process to review the PIP assessment. This is a major undertaking which will take time and require extensive engagement, so any changes to the PIP assessment would only be introduced following the reforms set out in this Green Paper. To make sure we get this right, we will bring together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this and to start the process as part of preparing for a review. It will also provide an opportunity to consider how to extend the goals and approach set out as a result of this Green Paper through any future change to the PIP assessment. In particular, the ambition is to shape a system of active support that helps people manage and adapt to their long-term condition and disability in ways that expand their functioning and improve their independence.

I think we're looking into the next parliament