Spring Statement Discussion (link to documents here)

This is correct. And just to add to if you were on Incapacity Benefit and migrated to CB ESA(old style) and then were paid a private pension they will not deduct any money from your pension or rather won’t reduce your ESA because of it. The protection for that migrated with you from Incapacity Benefit Rules.

you’re not confused but it isn’t completely correct to say it is a means tested benefit in the way Income based ESA is because the only means testing with regard to old style ESA is a private pension (unless you were on Incapacity benefit before ESA continually in which case your ESA is protected and will not have your ESA reduced)

Unfortunately - having been credited with NI credits - from being entitled, but not receiving ESA - Doesn't then allow you to claim and receive ESA through having "recent NI credits".

My daughter gets ESA now, she was full time employed until her diagnosis with Leukaemia. Her employer is/was the NHS so she had sick pay from them for quite a time after diagnosis so was still paying her full stamp. She was then awarded full PIP but it was six months before she applied for ESA aswell which I believe is the contribution based one she receives. She is in her mid 20's when she returns to work she has plenty of time to get the full 30 years she will need to qualify. It is just another thing for people to think about when it comes to illness/disability.

Oh dear. Not sure there’s a need for that. Surely it’s about helping people when they ask for advice. This isn’t personal.

Thank you for putting the link.

This was an amazing afternoon - I'm crying. So much solidarity - I feel that so much more can be achieved when we stand together.

You have made your point.

I would appreciate it if you would please refrain from trying to intimidate me.

@soldcb

I wasn’t able to listen in sounds like it was worthwhile @LouCie61

great thanks I’ll have a look for it tomorrow.

picked this up scouring the news:

“Chancellor Rachel Reeves has recently faced criticism for accepting complimentary VIP tickets to a Sabrina Carpenter concert, valued at £600, while simultaneously implementing significant cuts to welfare benefits. This juxtaposition has sparked public outcry and debate over the appropriateness of such actions by a high-ranking government official. 
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook publicly criticised Reeves, stating that accepting free concert tickets is “not appropriate” and emphasising that he personally would pay for any events he attended.  
The controversy intensified as Reeves’ Spring Statement introduced substantial welfare cuts, projected to push an estimated 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into poverty by the end of the decade. The government’s own impact assessment revealed that 3.2 million families would lose an average of £1,720 annually due to these changes.  
In defense, Reeves cited security concerns as a reason for accepting the complimentary tickets. However, this explanation has done little to quell the criticism from both the public and fellow politicians. The incident has raised broader questions about the ethical implications of MPs accepting expensive gifts and the perceived disconnect between policymakers and the constituents affected by their decisions.”