Green Paper Discussion (from 24th March, 2025)

I have no one to vote for , don't trust any of them .

I've always thought any new reform should be approved by an independent disability board that listens to people before becoming law. We don't have that in a modern, democratic country. We need to stand up for our rights because everyone else does. We don't have no one to help us and they take our money. They all have gang up on us to bully us they know we won't do nothing. Why should we let them get away with it.

I like your thinking!! @Wibbles 😄

@noonebelieves The point of them reducing the money for benefits would be a different situation altogether in my opinion but probably we can fight it.

@Catherine21 I’m just a random disabled person like everyone else here, with a strong desire to oppose this consultation. And to be honest, I have no idea about the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) beyond the contact number and the address in France that’s listed on their website(available via google)

From what I understand, their process usually requires that all legal options within the UK are fully exhausted before a case can be brought before them. It also appears that strong legal representation is essential for pursuing cases at that level.

That said, there is a contact form available on their website, which might be a helpful starting point if we are looking to get in touch.

Just another thought:

Has anyone contacted Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) , particularly the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS)-They deal with discrimination and human rights issues.

See office locations here. They might be able to offer some signposting, I guess?

It’s truly worth knocking every door!!

Best wishes , Catherine

@noonebelieves Sorry, I have not read the paper fully because I'm more focused on LCWRA part of the reform, does the green paper mention anything about those on old style disability benefits or carers etc what will happen to them or have they just ignored it

You’re welcome @gamer1,

I hear you. I can truly empathise with you and everyone over here as I resonate deeply with many of your feelings. My children are even concerned about me, as I’m so determined to fight this at any cost. The problem is… my family worries that they could lose me before the battle is even fought!

I even hate to use the word “reforms” here, as it’s clear from day one that these proposals are rushed, “bogus,” (as said by Benefits and Work Organisation)and deceptive. We should fight this head-on. I stand in unity with the voices of millions, including yours. Not just with the WCA but with everything they’ve proposed….there is not a single benefit for someone who is vulnerable, disabled, and has no physical or mental ability to return to work.

What makes me so furious is that some of my physical disabilities, which are permanent, were caused by the long NHS waiting lists and the bureaucratic barriers within the healthcare system. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t be in this position today. Now, my family and I survive because of the extra support I receive from PIP. Concurrently,Im also at a legal battle with DWP over a UC/LCWRA closure which is also taking a huge toll on my health.At whatever cost, I will fight tooth and nail to uphold my financial and human rights in this process.

Please don’t lose hope, even though this proposal feels crushing. We must oppose it in every way possible. Let’s stand strong together.

Best wishes.

@Loulou82xx,

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, and I truly resonate with everything you’ve said. 

Your post is so insightful. I don’t have a strong background knowledge in politics/economics/social media , and that’s one of the reasons I usually stay away from political debates. But what drives me to speak up now is simple - I love people, I love my family and my children. And I write all of this from a very vulnerable place.

I never imagined I’d be in a position where I’d have to fight just to protect what little security we have. No one -not me, my family, my children, or anyone else should ever have to face a ruling government proposal that threatens to throw our lives into chaos. Every benefit we receive has come after a proper assessment, jumping through so many hurdles . We haven’t taken anything that wasn’t rightfully awarded. And yet now they want to **** it all away. That’s not reform. That’s cruelty dressed up in policy.

I feel the same fury and heartbreak when I see how disabled people are being portrayed and treated by this government and the media.It’s deeply distressing to witness the way they demonise us, playing on divisive narratives that only serve to pit people against each other. They create an environment of fear and mistrust, especially when it comes to people with invisible disabilities, neurodivergence, or mental health struggles.

I have to admit, now,I try to steer clear of the news and media myself, as it has a way of impacting my health in ways I can’t afford. The constant stream of negativity and misinformation can be so overwhelming, and it only seems to make things worse for me . Unfortunately, no matter how much I try to disconnect, these algorithms in our e-gadgets always manage to bring it back to me, feeding the same harmful rhetoric. It’s worse than the media itself at times. The way the narratives are designed to trigger emotions, generate fear, and divide us makes it even harder to find peace.

I understand your frustrations around how the media fuels this hatred and division. I’ve also seen the outrageous comments, the outright lies about “freeloaders” and “benefit tourists”…..and it makes my blood boil. These views aren’t just misguided; they’re harmful. They ignore the reality of disability, whether physical or mental. It’s painful to see people who are suffering in silence being labelled in such a cruel and dismissive way. The way they portray us – especially those with invisible disabilities – as undeserving of support is heart-wrenching.

I completely agree that these proposals are a direct attack on us, and I’m just as determined to fight back. The way they’ve framed this consultation, and now these new criteria under the Green Paper, shows their true intention-it’s all about cost-cutting, not reform. They’re stripping away vital support without any real concern for the devastating impact it will have on disabled people’s lives. The PIP changes, the removal of the Work Capability Assessment, and now the stricter daily living criteria-they’re pushing this under the guise of reform but it feels more like a calculated effort to **** away rights and leave those who are already struggling without a leg to stand on.

Like you, I’ve had enough. I refuse to accept this as our fate. My family and I depend on the support we receive, and I will fight tooth and nail to protect that, not just for me, but for everyone who is vulnerable. I won’t allow this government to steal away the little hope we have left. We’ve been through too much already, and I’m standing with you, and with all who are ready to raise their voices in unity.

The government’s tactics are exactly what you’ve described with the media -they want us divided, scared, and silenced. But I believe in the power of people standing together, in defying the narrative they try to impose on us. We will not back down. We have the right to live with dignity, and we will keep fighting for that, no matter the cost.

Together,we’re stronger, and we will make sure our voices are heard. Let’s keep pushing back, not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come. We won’t let them define our worth or take away our rights.

I feel so exhausted after pouring it all out today. If there are any other points we need to pick out from the Green Paper so people can get their views across, I think that would really help move our discussion forward. Maybe we can title it: Debunking the Lies!🙄

Thanks for reading, Lou!

Best wishes, and let’s keep the fight going.

🤝

There's no doubt that Labour (or any Govt.) have to look at the costs of everything - what is so difficult is a) the length of the 'Pathways to Work Green Paper' (thinking of people with mental health problems or learning disabilities, dyslexia, etc. yet they purport to want to hear from disabled people), & b) that we can't respond directly to the parts that (mainly) disconcert us as all as disabled people.

Speaking also as a disabled person with a somewhat medical background; I'm a long-retired physio., I can see that there's merit in helping those able to work to do so (if the Govt. can). What I have difficulty with is a 'points' system for PIP to which the Govt. wish to add the extra conditionality that you would need 4 points in at least one activity to receive the daily living component. As has been mentioned (& from my background), I can see no way in which you can differentiate that such a claimant is 'more disabled' than another currently scoring 8 or more points over several activities/descriptors. This is not logical, nor based on any medical evidence, & PIP is about your functional ability to be able to reliably do an activity & not on any medical evidence/diagnosis anyway.

There's much mention of health conditions/disability, but nothing taking into account those with a long term/hereditary/progressive disorder as far as PIP goes, in whom little change in their functional ability will be seen, so altho this paper is obviously about 'work,' it seems like this Govt. is forgetting that many people who claim PIP do indeed work/have worked as long as they were able, they seem to feel that this proposed change to PIP will encourage more into work. How? They do ask how those that lose this proposed change to the daily living component may be helped - perhaps by not having to jump through this extra conditionality in the first place. If any financial support is given to such claimants, then how much would the Govt 'save?' Perhaps there will be a return to the 3 tier system of DLA; so much for progress & reform.

Simplifying things so there's just one assessment in theory sounds helpful, yet the extra difficulty in claiming PIP will have a knock on effect if the WCA is abolished. Sadly the Govt. is not consulting on the extra 4 points needed for the PIP daily living component, nor the fact they hope to abolish the WCA, & many with a health condition/disability will have to jump through the extra hoops with a PIP assessment instead. They're just hoping for answers to their ill-conceived thoughts.

The fact that there are now more reported cases of x disorder(s) has nothing to do with disabled people 'dis-engaging' in any way from work, just that more becomes known about different disorders over time; medical fact.