Green Paper Related Discussions

I haven't been well enough to email anyone lately.

I had to submit my reassessment form in a few weeks ago even though my current award doesn't expire until September 2026.

No

I didn't ask them.

I just wanted get it sent off.

I think they made a mistake as my original award was due to expire in August this year but they extended it by a year and it seems they may have forgotten that.

They can be quite incompetent at times.

I was cheeky and requested either paper based or phone assessment and a longer ongoing award as I will be 63 next year.

I emailed my (Tory) MP about some local issues that are going on, because one of them I know he was actively opposing, so while I did that I also mentioned the welfare cuts. His comeback on that was quite interesting. He basically said that while it's only a green paper, not much can be done, but if it is brought before parliament he will be scrutinising it and will oppose anything that is not in the interests of his constituents.

That's the most proactive response I've had from him in ages. Maybe it's because he lost his massive majority last election, or because he has a chance to oppose Labour…but he has been helpful in disabled issues in the past, so I guess we'll see how that pans out.

The 2017 attempt to restrict mobility absolutely hit me. I am certain my shift from DLA to PIP came up then because they thought they could ditch me off as anxiety and thus cut me off completely. They certainly tried to rewrite my case file to claim I wasn't anxious enough to qualify for support, even though I never claimed for anxiety…and they never completed the MH part of the assessment. I called them out on this in the tribunal, but by this time the whole thing had been blocked by the courts, so it all worked out.

I don't believe in calling anyone evil. At the same time, there is no benefit to disabled people to contact or encourage Reform UK in any way, since they believe in almost entire reduction of welfare benefits and very tight sanctions on people not in work. If you contact him, you are giving him both your contact details…and the opportunity to mislead more people into thinking they'll be better off with a Reform govt. Let's not do that.

It is the LABOUR backbenchers who have helped give this revolt momentum. It is the LABOUR backbenchers who are arguing, not the Tories, not Reform. Let's keep that in mind. As I said before, I didn't vote Labour in the last election and I don't agree with several things the Labour party are doing/believe in doing (for example, we're going to have even more rubbish homes built here without any additional infrastructure, because we're not a Labour ward and so can't argue)…

But I DO believe that there are more Labour MPs who care about us than there are in Reform and Conservatives put together, let's not lose sight of that.

Just some of the drivel Liz Kendall has said that's been proven to be untrue, I'm shocked by the amount of lies she's come up with (well not really). That woman coudn't lie straight in bed!!

1. Claim: Some Benefit Claimants Are “Taking the Mickey”

In a February 2025 interview with ITV, Kendall stated that some individuals on sickness or disability benefits were “taking the mickey” and should not be receiving support. This comment was met with significant backlash from disability charities and experts, who argued that such rhetoric fuels stigma and could deter eligible individuals from seeking assistance. Notably, the Department for Work and Pensions reported that PIP fraud rates were only 0.2% in 2022–23, suggesting that the vast majority of claimants are legitimate. The Independent+2Big Issue+2GB News+2Parallel Parliament+1Parallel Parliament+1

2. Claim: PIP Was Never Intended for Mental Health Conditions

Kendall asserted that PIP "was never set up to deal with [mental health] problems." However, this claim is inaccurate. PIP was explicitly designed to assist individuals with both physical and mental health conditions that incur additional living costs. Mental health conditions have always been within the scope of PIP eligibility. LBC

3. Claim: Tightening PIP Eligibility Will Focus Support on Those with the Greatest Need

Kendall has argued that reforms to PIP eligibility criteria aim to concentrate resources on individuals with the most significant needs. However, analyses indicate that these changes may disproportionately affect older claimants with physical conditions like arthritis and back pain. For instance, over 75% of such claimants may lose benefits under the new criteria, while fewer claimants with conditions like ADHD, depression, and anxiety will be affected. The Independent+8The Times+8The Guardian+8

4. Claim: Work Is Beneficial for Mental Health, Including Serious Conditions

Kendall has stated that employment is beneficial for mental health, even for serious conditions like psychosis and schizophrenia. While some studies suggest that appropriate employment can aid mental well-being, this is highly individual and contingent on factors such as job suitability, support systems, and the nature of the mental health condition. Generalizing this claim overlooks the complexities involved and may not hold true for all individuals. GB News+1LBC+1

These statements have sparked considerable debate and concern among disability advocates, experts, and the public. Critics argue that such rhetoric and policy proposals risk undermining the support system for disabled individuals and may lead to increased hardship for vulnerable populations.Big Issue+1The Times+1

Controversy Surrounds Liz Kendall's Statements on Disability Benefits

Oh no! You too Catherine. 😞