Green Paper Discussion - includes accessible formats and consultation event sign up links!
Comments
-
I did, but that's because I follow British politics closely. Anyone who's surprised at Labour's behaviour is telling those around them that they don't. The warning signs were there for years - long before Corbyn led the party - but most British people are so politically apathetic and clueless they didn't see them. It sucks Starver and his mates had to win power for the whole country to see what terrible human beings they are first hand, but better late than never.
Just one of many reasons democracy without an informed electorate is dangerous.
3 -
Dear @Catherine21,
Your posts never fail to lift my spirits. It’s so inspiring to see how far you’ve come -from feeling low to now being brave, empowered, and so proactive in this campaign. The way you continue to contribute, with courage and compassion, is nothing short of incredible. You’re a reminder of what this movement is about: turning pain into purpose and fear into fierce advocacy.👏👏
What this government is doing to disabled and vulnerable people is a betrayal. They claim to be listening - but we know the truth. They’ve silenced voices from the start by proposing to scrap vital benefits like WCA without genuine consultation, by tightening PIP criteria to force alignment with Universal Credit(making it inaccessible to many), and by disguising cruel benefit cuts ….sold as “reform.”
These so-called “consultations” are performative -designed not to hear us, but to tick a box. The 20-question consultation feels like a vague “return to work”questionnaire with leading questions they benefit from , not a platform for meaningful input from vulnerable people . The public events are secretive and inaccessible -impossible to book. I’ve emailed and messaged multiple times with no response. Is that accessibility? Yet, they’ve advertiseit as accessible events to consult with disabled people. really?
Their claim of inclusion is empty. These changes are being sold as improvements or “Reforms “, but the real intent is benefit cuts. Most mainstream media isn’t covering this truth — but we can see it so clearly now . Even requesting accessible formats like large print or Braille is a barrier as there’s costs involved through third party organisations . How can this be right?
So I ask — how can there be reforms for disabled people without disabled people?
These “sham”consultations are deeply insulting and dehumanising. But they’ve underestimated us. We are civil, we are kind, and we are unshakeably brave. They can’t divide or silence us - not when we stand together. We will respond, we will resist, and we will rise -even using the very consultation systems and routes they’ve tried to weaponise against us.
Like you, I’ve found strength in this Scope community-more than I ever thought possible. I’ve lost my fear too, Catherine. I now channel it into action. I’m preparing a personal and legal statement of opposition- a detailed impact narrative I plan to submit directly, with “I OPPOSE THIS PATHWAYS TO WORK GREEN PAPER PROPOSAL” in bold.
It’s raw, it’s real — and while I can’t share it fully here yet due to the nature of its graphic content with a devastating ending, I will soon post a legal overview outlining how these proposals violate our rights.
I’m sorry this message has run long . I just wanted to say how much I admire your fire and your heart. Please keep going. We’re in this together. If I come across any further contacts or ways to amplify the campaign, I’ll share right away.
We are not alone and we are not small. Each of our voice adds strength to this growing wave. I’ll keep doing what I can to lift others up, just like you and others have motivated & lifted me.
In solidarity and hope 🤗✊3 -
So I guess I am one of the ''better late than never gang''. You say '' Apathetic'' I say it bores me ridged and probably half the population feel the same way. I explained my particular reasoning and it's not really anything to do with policies etc more to do with being totally disinterested in lies, corruption, spin and more to do with my history. More importantly I always used my vote as a woman, as my vote originated through the blood sweat and tears of the women from our history who fought for it. There, you have my two reasons for always voting in the past but will now never vote again despite being really torn about this decision I have made. Both reasons are nothing to do with the politics of today. I will leave all that to those who it interests. Maybe my reasons will be scoffed at or maybe folk like me should never vote because we ''don't get why or what'' we are voting for. Personally, I would not trust anyone in politics these days no matter what colour tie/rosette they wear, we elect an MP, do they really care, nope they do not.
0 -
good on you , the truth is who can we vote for ? nobody is worthy I think they're all the same .
1 -
Apart from a very few exceptions, Politicians are self important narcissists. I watched the Business Secretary on tv and what a jumped up little man he is, pretending to be a solicitor. I really wouldn’t trust any of them, is this the best this country has to offer. Our future is in the hands of incompetent and corrupt people, they demonise us yet take more in freebies and benefits than we ever could. They should be ashamed but they aren’t which tells you everything really.
I hope everyone is as ok as you can be, God bless
5 -
Totally agree, @Catherine21👍
There’s been so much exclusion, sidelining, and discrimination faced by disabled and vulnerable people throughout this Green Paper process-including the consultation itself.
Even with my half-cooked brain, I’m putting together a short template that links our experiences with the Equality Act 2010. Once it’s done, I’ll share it here. I’m planning to use it as part of my reason for opposing the Green Paper proposal.
And yes-like you said, let’s all push back with truth and unity.(aka throwing eggs at their face!!🥚🐣)Let’s stand up for our rights together.
In solidarity ✌️1 -
I was just wondering how Kendall would treat a disabled constituent that has a face to face meeting. Let’s just say this disabled constituent has lost their home and is now in extreme poverty. I can just see Kendall arriving in the office, putting her broomstick to one side and then laughing at the disabled person saying “It was my moral duty to make you homeless and place you in extreme Poverty, Everything I do, I do for your benefit and future prosperity, you should be grateful, now stop pretending and go out and get a job”.
1 -
"The most harmful proposals are being introduced instead in the new government bill, without any consultation." - From Disability News Service. Legal action against primary legislation leads into mirky waters, most of the main legal actions will be taken against the Green Paper/White Paper.
Labour sees the cuts sans Green Paper as a "halfway house" because they knew legal advice and or action will be taken.
So what is the end goal? where does this saga lead to? PIP changes and WCA abolished, then what of the Green Paper? Disabled people will STILL lose eligibility regardless of the Green Paper.
0 -
Thankyou, well said, I honestly found the comments about Catherines writing quite offensive especially on a forum designed for sick/disabled people with a multitude of issues who struggle with different things. I just hope she's not too offended or upset by those comments.
3 -
Does it really matter that much to you? Youv'e been asked by Holly at Scope to stop correcting people, especially Catherine, telling her to use commas and full stops etc. Regardless of if you mean well or not, it;s not right to make others feel bad on here just because it annoys you. If it does annoy you try being a bit more tactful please or your posts will get flagged by others on here, like myself. I hope my use of commas and fullstops was sufficient for you.
4 -
Just had a look at the previous posts then a barney over grammar, in the grand scheme of things the subject of grammar is irrelevant.
It's perfectly reasonable to be insular when faced with personal struggles but understand that other people face varying degrees of personal struggles on this site and that tact goes a long way.
I don't know, I never had the energy to nit pick over grammar on the internet, it was 2007 when I first had internet where I lived, it was Post Office broadband (Remember that?), you go on youtube back then and I saw many arguments over grammar and I never understood if it was being nasty or just being overly analytical.
0 -
I agree too! @JasonRA
Just so you know, I think Scope admin and a few of our lovely members have already sorted it out
Best Wishes
1 -
In light of what people are going through in their personal lives and with all of this going on right now , is placing a comma so important ? Really ? I think we all have all much much more to worry about .
4 -
These are better done on gov.uk rather than a 3rd party site, once enough signatures on gov.uk there has to be a debate in parliament.
0 -
Thats exactly it. It is just showing the current descriptors that dont give you 4 points.
If anyone wants to understand more the changes I suggest reading the green paper itself, or the summary post I made some weeks ago. I think I seen another well written summary on here as well.
Stay away from rag articles and youtube channels.
I have stopped reading news on it entirely now, as there will be nothing new of substance until either the parliament debate happens, or legal action.
4 -
Hi @noonebelieves - I hope it's OK to respond in part to your recent comment. I've been trying to read the Labour Party's Green Paper for the 3rd time (I have had many interruptions due to dog-sitting & having a cat!), & I have to say how lengthy & unwieldy, not to say repetitive, I find it. I've just checked, & this is exactly twice the length of the Conservative's 2024 Green Paper.
I did respond to the above mentioned Conservative's Green Paper following one reading, it taking me about 2 hours to complete, as I wanted to give as much detail as possible where I could. I was pleased that there were so many responses (over 16,000).
With reading this Green Paper I have to say that there's been an inner resentment building up inside me; why should we respond when we're not being consulted upon over the issues that (I feel) will affect the majority of disabled people the most; why should we answer queries which make me feel that either:
a) Labour's 'fishing' to get responses as they don't know themselves,
b) they can then say we've had x responses, & this is what disabled people have told us they want, or
c) both a) & b) apply?
I've just seen MW's response after struggling to write this as my cat has been 'helping' by walking in front of my computer screen & on the keyboard. Whilst of the same opinion as you both that emailing is the better way forward, I will try to remain objective as I've found that the best way for me (well at least in confronting the medical establishment)!
0 -
Made me laugh about the members cat on the keypad, mine does the same ,but she touches the mouse pad with her paw while on my knee as the laptop is on a table , and it closes everything down , or she will sit by my side and touch my sleeve and get her claw stuck , she just loves me and needs to be near me . I'm honoured and I love her so she gets away with it .
1 -
0
-
I would like to first thank anyone that has made a comment on this subject, since this shows that finally we are getting OUR VOICE HEARD, not only on this site but others, where there are people watching this site and the comments made.
If you don't believe that then you really need to think again…… THIS SHOULD AND HAS NEVER STOPPED ME FROM MY OPINION, as this is what democracy is all about.
This discussion has now sparked a debate that was long over due…..
This is how I got my name "onebigvoice" not only me but many as you can see here are not amused by the attitude of the Last Government, and what we were put through in the Pandemic, where we were told to stay home, don't visit loved ones, ill or not, and that the "carers" who to most were siblings, or parents were UNPAID, WHERE PEOPLE IN THE "CARE SYSTEM" WERE TOLD YOU CANNOT HAVE VISITORS YET PLACED "INFECTED PEOPLE IN CARE HOMES" THAT DECIMATED THE CARE HOME KILLING MANY of our loved ones.
I and my family were lucky enough to survive with minor injuries, but the after effects still remain.
I am noy alone in this, as there are many since that have sucumed to the system, and the assessment of access to benefits run by people who have no medical background to understand the complexity of being "disabled" (neurodiversant) and what it takes to survive the onslort of Benefit changes not only to financial help, but medical assistance.
Our first priority is to get the MEDICAL ISSUES surounding a "disability" or long term illness sorted first. This also includes waiting times and the ability to get a DIAGNOSIS from the NHS placed onto your medical history. These assessments allow you to get medical help, whether its through further investigation, therepy, tablets, or even surgery.
Most of the above are not QUICK FIXES that the government believe that getting you back to work is good for your health, no matter what. I have assisted hundreds back into work with limited capabilities, and those that were on long term sick, with no prospect of ever going back to work. ITS AN ATTITUDE THING. With the correct person at the front, we can achieve anything.
You are still reading this, shows that the attitude of many is that the system has done them over and will continue to do so until you realise that the NHS is FOR OUR BENEFIT. That is why we pay National Insurance for. So why has it become a money making machine for the French and Germans in the E U? I thought for good or bad we left the EU? What have we done since then? What other means of "trade" have we got? How is our farming industry recovering and going forwward to support BRITAIN.
Tarriff's on goods. If it is made in Britain and sold in Britain, are we not capable of allowing farmers to produce goods that are sold to Britain with a profit for them for the hard work that they put in 24/7 even to get milk to your supermarket or front door. I remember years ago where farmers were forced by the E U to POUR THEIR MILK DOWN THE DRAINS, rather than produce and send it to countries struggling with famine, sickness or war?
The system wants to be reset. Not by the government, although it would be appreciated that they, at this stage need to be consulted to find out what is wrong with the system, since they implementd it. But it is done through pressure from US. (us not the United States) Trump, like it or lump it Tarriff's of 25% on all goods including STEEL, seems to have saved our CHINESE BRITISH STEEL INDUSTRY, but has come to late for our INDIAN PRODUCING PORT TALBOT STEEL INDUSTRY.
But has it? I thought that investment in Britain should start from Britain? But we have French and german running our car parks in OUR hospitals, we have French running the tolls on OUR bridges and motorways, we have French and German running the assessments for access to financial benefits, and we also have german and French offering to undercut our NHS if you go private with them using the same doctors in the NHS in the same Hospitals as the NHS using the NHS equipment. When you also throw into the mix the AMERICAN way of PRIVATE HEALTH CARE or not get any medical care. We must be seen by the world of the land of milk and honey where fortunes can and still are being made.
The costing of millions of pounds in MISS SOLD PPE, that was not fit for purpose, where in Britain industries were revamped to produce PPE to distribute in Britain, was side lined for goods abroad brought in but were never used or unloaded, because the manifest was checked against the use of the PPE and the dust masks were more protection than those that were to be issued. WHY? Because the people given the job to order the PPE DID NOT UNDERSTAND TH BRITISH KITE MARK.
Every product in Britain has a BRITISH KITE MARK. This is what EVERYONE WANTS. We have been sold up the river by the government in believing that foreign investment and subs will encourage trade…… but all it has done is plunder the profit making areas not only in the NHS but every industry we have.
When are we going to start investing in BRITAIN WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED. You can make a difference as we have just seen with "British Steel" (I believe under the TRADES DISCRIPTION ACT, that it should no longer be called BRITISH STEEL, but like Tata Steel did, and call it TATA Steel, and Scunthorp Steel works should be called China Steel.)
These companies are only here FOR THE KITE MARK. TATA no longer produce steel and IMPORT IT FROM EUROPE AND INDIA, to be rolled here. This process will continue until late 2026, since they have not even started to approve the plans for the Arc Furnace, and are in no rush to do so.
Remember the "we are loosing a £1 MILLION POUNDS A DAY THING? Are they now that they have NO EMMISSIONS making money now? If so how? They don't make steel here any more. Or is it because they just finished installing another FOSSILE FUEL BALST FURNACE IN POLAND MAKING 5 IN TOTAL because teh Green Brigade their realise that no production means no money and no profit.
0 -
Your welcome, it more annoyed me than anything else, especially when there are more important issues going on at the moment. I hope youv'e not been too upset about those comments, and certainly don't feel embarrassed, we all have different things that affect our daily lives on this forum, wether mental or physical. I myself use this forum for help, support, motivation, or just a friendly 'voice' , I don't come on to read ridiculous comments about someones grammar which had no basis for this thread or discussions. Anyways, rant over, lets all move on now, but hope you were not too upset by it all!!
1
Categories
- All Categories
- 16.2K Start here and say hello!
- 7.6K Coffee lounge
- 116 Games den
- 1.8K People power
- 170 Announcements and information
- 25.4K Talk about life
- 6.1K Everyday life
- 399 Current affairs
- 2.5K Families and carers
- 884 Education and skills
- 2K Work
- 597 Money and bills
- 3.8K Housing and independent living
- 1.2K Transport and travel
- 665 Relationships
- 1.6K Mental health and wellbeing
- 2.6K Talk about your impairment
- 882 Rare, invisible, & undiagnosed conditions
- 943 Neurological impairments and pain
- 2.3K Cerebral Palsy Network
- 1.3K Autism and neurodiversity
- 41.2K Talk about your benefits
- 6.2K Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
- 20.4K PIP, DLA, ADP & AA
- 9.3K Universal Credit (UC)
- 5.4K Benefits and income