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

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  • Zipz
    Zipz Online Community Member Posts: 1,873 Pioneering

    Don't apologise. Take as much rest as you need.

  • Passerby
    Passerby Posts: 102 Empowering

    I've been feeling down and extremely worried every single day since the terror landed in last Tuesday.

  • Santosha12
    Santosha12 Online Community Member Posts: 710 Empowering

    Sending 🫂 to you Catherine, feeling very similar and 💔 worrying about my dogs. Take care of yourself x

  • Facts
    Facts Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener

    It is interesting that the governments own claims for Disability Assistance have tripled in 3 years from £175k in 20/21 to £510k in 23/24, an increase of 191%.
    https://www.theipsa.org.uk/other-payment-data (then select Disability Assistance from the options.)

    Will this government spending be subject to the same level of scrutiny as people applying for PIP and other disability assistance?

    +++++++++

    Surely a fairer place to start saving money would be to stop running the House of Commons Catering Services at a loss of £7m a year.

    Why is it that MPs should only pay £9 for a roast dinner when the average price for a London pub Roast is now £18-£20 - most people on disability would avoid spending the £9 on 1 persons meal.

    The House of Commons vending machines also make a loss of nearly £100k a year.

    https://www.parliament.uk/site-information/freedom-of-information/information-we-already-publish/house-of-commons-publication-scheme/catering-services/house-of-commons-cost-of-catering/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJM8QNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHWvLL8LsXlKrr85huzM6ij3n3QJzPeQxwnVnSPIX3IvmJMinGKmeDjsvfw_aem_tVcSfvQoZa6VPwcpYHCdjQ

    Based on the above figures it would seem that MPs think it is OK for them to be subsidized but that those in society who are struggling should be penalised for needing some help.

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 4,761 Championing

    And you our furbabies will always be ok we would always make sure of that big hugs and big hugs to doggies x

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 4,761 Championing
  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 4,761 Championing

    I can see him challenging it and spending millions doing so do we just accept what's happening seems no hope

  • travis50
    travis50 Online Community Member Posts: 48 Empowering

    And before cutting benefits this government should have stopped rogue greedy landlords from extortionate rent rises. Starmer and Reeves have not implemented tougher rules on landlords. This will inevitably lead to greater homelessness as they also admit they will struggle to meet their affordable housing targets within 5 years. Some people on disability benefits are having to pay top ups from their benefits, so any cut will undoubtedly render them homeless. The whole thing stinks and has been very badly thought through. I doubt even the Tories would have gone this far.

  • LadyTinks
    LadyTinks Online Community Member Posts: 35 Contributor

    I get Standard Daily Living and Standard Mobility am also on LCWRA. Like many here I do not have 4 points in any single catagory of Daily Living but 2 in all. I will lose EVERYTHING including the car I have financed, which I did when I was working but was made redundant because they didn't want to do reasonable adjustments. I will also lose access to Disabled Railcard, Blue Badge and Bus Pass. I live rural for health reasons (mostly mental health) and the nearest rail station and bus stop is 2/3 a mile walk away from my house and that does not include having to climb on and off trains, walks (hobbling) to other platforms or exits and wherever else end point is. I use crutches now as have deteriorated massively on last 3 years, not including the right knee needing replacing but they won't because I am 80 lbs over weight, my anxiety, depression, PTSD and agoraphobia.

    So without my car I will be housebound as I have no living family and only 1 friend close enough to help but I have to be considerate of his weekend time as he works full time in a physically demanding job. I have tried getting work after being made redundant but the looks on employers faces when I show up on crutches, sweating and out of breath is laughable even though I told them I was disabled. I finally gave up…..and I didn't have to look for work as was already on LCWRA. Also, losing those vital benefits and provided I could actually do the walks, trains, climbs etc on what money do the government expect me to do this? What little I would get from UC won't even cover my utilities, internet (I use Skype for calls so need reliable signal), mobile phone and a little food. What I would be left with for food would be about £30 for the month so I would starve as I couldn't even get to a food bank. I won't be able to get to doctor or hospital appointments and last time I asked for mental health help after a suicide attempt MH said I didn't qualify so what hope is there for me now?

    Thanks to Scope I have looked at the consultation questions and stopped at question #2 because I was laughing so hard at the sheer audacity and stupidity of the question.

    I do not have the money to challenge any of this in court, my MP do not reply to emails, does not provide a phone number to contact her or where and when she holds surgeries for her constituents. I have sent a lengthy email the Lord Bird (founder of The Big Issue) hoping that even if I don't get an answer he will hopefully use it as part of any argument against these changes. I have signed 2 petitions with 1 being from Scope and attempted to join up with a group campaigning against the changes only to basically be told my opinion is not wanted as according to them my information is false and this was said in a main chat so I have left this group and am reluctant to try another.

    I said to my best friend I might as well commit suicide now to get it over with and save myself and him the stress, fear, pressure etc that is now happening as it is affecting both physical and mental health. How is that for a government way of getting rid of us disabled skivers….just put the fear of whatever they believe in in them and they will kill themselves saving the government a load of money.

    I am beyond the end of my rope with all this fear, stress etc and don't see a way forward. I personally don't see the government changing their minds and they will push through with these changes legally and ethically or not.

    If I lose everything or going to lose everything why make us wait? Do it now so I at least know where I stand and can make decisions. That is how much trust I have of the government listening to the people and their own colleagues.

  • mrsBB
    mrsBB Online Community Member Posts: 106 Empowering

    Was just looking at an old newspaper article I have been passed down from family members. One of the men in the photo is my Great Grandad, sorry it’s not the best quality image but it is very very old 🤣 I was sat here wondering what the heck my Great Grandad would think about todays Labour Party !! I am sure he is turning in his grave. Anyway thought it might be of some interest given the times we are in so thought I would share 😊

  • mrsBB
    mrsBB Online Community Member Posts: 106 Empowering
    edited March 23

    Catherine, you know what lol, I might just send this article attached to an email detailing my disgust at Labours green 'toilet' paper proposal to my local MP, who is a Labour MP in the same constituency my Grandad was elected in 😁and just throw her some shame haha.

  • Doglover2
    Doglover2 Online Community Member Posts: 169 Empowering

    How could anybody pass into law such extreme measure as to put the chronically sick and disabled into such destitution?

    How!! Where is the moral integrity.

    One day you've barely enough to get by on ,I've no sky tv, no Netflix, no Internet, no home phone,I use my sisters mobile as I am now, no holidays, my sis cuts my hair so no hairdresser visits. And the next you'd have less than nothing to live on..

    So where do I get the medical stuff I buy now?

    And many like me.

    So not only would we lose our housing, we'd be eating way less than we are... what a joke. I already lost over a stone since all this, what about our electric,gas, rent etc etc so we are going to be debt ridden?

    The hospitals won't cope when we rock up with malnutrition, which I'm already being screened for.

    Where just where does this end...i think I know but id prefer not to say it.

    Please let someone step in and show this shower the true meaning of disability.

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,642 Championing
    edited March 23

    I'm glad that spammer was removed! I signed in to report it. That was fast, Scope 👏

    Quite convincing except it was from India

    😠

  • mrsBB
    mrsBB Online Community Member Posts: 106 Empowering

    Hi LadyTinks, please hang on in there. Its disgusting what Labour are going to do, or try to do but there is a long way to go before they achieve their objective. There are many many charities, organisations and folk just like us who will and already are, fighting this stupidity ☺️

  • travis50
    travis50 Online Community Member Posts: 48 Empowering

    Stay Strong, please. And remember you are not alone in this. Suicide is no option. And we don't know what's on the other side. It might be better, it might not. Stay strong. x

  • Bigboblee50
    Bigboblee50 Online Community Member Posts: 24 Connected
  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 4,761 Championing

    Wow 1913 you have labour through your blood Yes you should express the shame and great disappointment your great grandad would feel seeing how it is now thanks for sharing

This discussion has been closed.