Scope's reply to the governments planned concessions to the green paper.
Comments
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I absolutely knew passerby . I told the canvassers who knocked on my door and was assured he was on our side and that one of them said he wouldn’t be working for him if he was against the disabled as his own mum was. I wonder how he’s feeling now. I’ve always hated and distrusted him , there’s just something about him I don’t like
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I'm a loner, a complete loner, used to have friends but pushed them all away, locked myself away from the world long before Covid and it's sad I know, it's weak to say but just thank you to some people here.
Words do help and it's all of you which made me look at things less insular.
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Response from My MP – Follow-Up to last Saturday’s Meeting
This evening, I received a response from my MP addressing several of the questions I raised during our meeting last Saturday. She has provided clarity on the status of current DLA and PIP claimants, outlined who may be exempt from reassessment under the “severe conditions” criteria, and confirmed that local constituents will be able to participate in the PIP review consultation process. The terms of reference for that review have now been published via a written ministerial statement.
However, she did not address my question about whether this bill is being designated as a money bill before it reaches the House of Lords. I will be following up on that directly during the post-vote meeting this coming Saturday.
For those interested, below are her responses to questions I raised:
I promised to go away and get some clarity on the questions you raised about the reforms. Since we met the government has set out in a statement to the House the changes I outlined on Saturday.
Existing recipients of DLA – They will be brought onto PIP under the old criteria and treated as existing claimants with regard to any future changes.
Existing PIP claimants – The bill protects existing PIP claimants. Once the review of PIP descriptors is complete and implemented, any reassessments will be made against the new descriptors. However, if you are an existing claimant, the new 4-point rule being brought in by the bill will not apply.
PIP review consultation – I asked the Secretary of State directly in the Chamber today whether local constituents would have a chance to participate directly in the PIP review. She confirmed that you will. The terms of reference for the review have been published in a written ministerial statement today. I will organise a future event to support this process.
Severe conditions criteria – This relates to severe, lifelong, and progressive conditions that significantly affect a person's ability to perform daily living or mobility activities, with no realistic expectation of improvement. There isn't a specific list of these conditions, but they often include Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and severe mental illness, among others. If you have one of these conditions, you will not be reassessed and will continue to receive the enhanced UC health element.
I have also submitted several written questions on how this relates to cancer and those undergoing treatment.
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That's how I read this situation. Their naked desperation to push this through as a money bill is terrifying. For me, it can mean only one thing: their actual plans are even more horrific than they have mooted so far.
Kendall was her usual slimey self today when answering a question about how their legislation sits within the UN Charter/ECHR. She answered she was 'clear' the legislation was 'within the law'. She did not say which law, from where the law originated etc. etc.
Those Labour MPs are being gaslit. Once this legislation is in, without scrutiny from knowledgeable people/the House of Lords, Starver et al will have the gloves off, and their steel toecap boots on, and do whatever the f*ck they want without anyone having the ability to halt them.
The only ones who may have some power over them are the trades unions by removing funding from them.
I feel worse tonight than I did when this legislation was first mooted …. and it's down the stench of Kendall's desperation.
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Thank you for thatvMW. I wonder if it would be useful if I emailed Jeremy Corbyn to ask him if ME or fibromyalgia could come under severe . Or did your mp know these details as she’s Labour ?
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I can't understand what Starmer is gaining from putting this evil bill through!
- He won't get any appreciation from benefit bashers, as these have heard that he has U-turned and has given "massive concessions" and might hike taxes to plug the benefits U-turn, leave alone making their well-parroted £5 billion savings.
- His government would not be able to save any billions of pounds.
- This saga has created a huge division within labour Party, which has weakened his power in the party and made his future as the Labour leader very uncertain.
- His cynical and desperate strategy has allowed Reform to surge in the polls.
- He has led the party to a total humiliation at the polls, which will exacerbate come next May.
- He has become the most hated PM in UK history.
- He has made so many traditional Labour voters hate Labour.
- He has pushed many members of the Labour Party, including me, to cancel their membership.
Of course, this list is far from being exhaustive.
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Well, I sent out 651 emails in 7 batches - I don't feel it'll make a difference especially this close to the vote - it's so hard to tackle anything at all. At least I feel better than if I just tackled my MP - who didn't respond when I contacted before
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I read today that starmers old law firm have looked into the bill and say it’s against equality laws
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On the front page of the telegraph it says reform are now expected to vote against the bill .
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This is like a really bad carry on film that’s just not funny . As you say he has nothing to gain . He’s ruined the party and any hope of a second term for a few billion from the sick disabled and pensioners. Yet in order to save a few billion they’re spending £300 billion to bribe the country. They would have been in a stronger position now had they left us and the pensioners alone . It’s hard to see how Starmer reeves and Kendall , not forgetting their lapdog Timms, can be so stupid. It’s almost as though Blair’s told them yo purposely ruin the country.
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Thank you for the update @MW123 - she genuinely seems to be acting as a MP should by listening to her constituents, & there's hope that you'll have a voice in 'Timms tinkering' with the PIP assessment.
I've just been busy emailing a response to the Green Paper in my own words rather than replying to the consultation itself, & asked questions rather than answering theirs. Just got it in by the skin of my teeth! I did question the use of the word 'constantly' with the severe conditions criteria, as promised @secretsquirrel1
It's been a busy day with looking after my son's dog, then having a great chat (2 hour long as usual) with poppy123456, which cheered me up from thinking about these dratted reforms, tho we did talk about them!
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I think I'd like to echo @JasonRA 's words - a big 'thank you' to everyone for supporting each other through all of this, for the amazing number of emails sent to MPs, etc.
I never thought I'd get pulled into a political discussion, but it just matters so much right now to get our thoughts out there & fight, & I'm sure we'll keep on fighting, to help all disabled people.😊
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Trust me, I felt worst when Liz kendall was appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, last july, having recalled her saying the previous year, when she was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for the DWP, that she "had always dreamed of holding this post one day". It was clear to me that she had been having nasty stuff in-store for us for a while.
And as soon as she was appointed for this post, I lost hope as I was feeling that this and even worst would be coming!
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It wouldn’t hurt at all to email Jeremy. It might be a helpful way to clarify how conditions like ME or fibromyalgia are being interpreted under the current proposals. And yes, my MP is Labour. She is also a parliamentary secretary and has indicated she will vote in favour of the bill.
When I saw her last Saturday, I was incredibly frustrated. I came close to asking her to step down from her parliamentary role and vote against the bill as a matter of conscience. Instead, I chose to remain professional, say nothing and focus on working with her, so she can hear directly from those with lived experience and gain a proper understanding of the impact this legislation could have.
From early in my own profession, I learned that when you enter negotiations and let emotion lead, you often end up closing the very doors you are trying to open. It is not about staying silent, it is about staying engaged long enough to be heard. For now, I am keeping my powder dry. Timing is everything, and I want to make sure that this time we actually get a real chance to directly participate in shaping the PIP descriptors, because let’s be honest, they have done their best to shut us out.
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You’ve done really well in fighting our corner MW . If they were to ask me I’d say we really need a descriptor for fatigue as not only do we have ME and fibromyalgia but also long Covid now . Plus being in pain both physically and mentally causes fatigue and I don’t think it’s given enough thought . If I’m in pain I can at least take painkillers at times when it’s too much but there’s no treatment for fatigue.
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I've said a few times that the tiny group led by T. Blair that owns the Labour Party is the originator and orchestrator of these evil proposals/changes.
Remember, a few days ago, one of the mastermind of this group (D. Blunkett) was interviewed regarding this saga. Guess what - all he said was: "Starmer shouldn't be hanging in the Netherlands when his flagship welfare bill is at risk of being torn down"!
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Thank you for thinking of me chiaried I really appreciate it as you know what you’re talking about . I read on another site that ME wouldn’t be classed as severe as we can go into remission , though I don’t nit even for a day . But I just read on here a post I think from MW that it’s apparently not condition specific. My ME since Covid has gotten worse and I’m sure inched closer to severe from highest moderate. I mentioned this to my GP as I started as mild the went to highest moderate after a second infection of glandular fever and my GP agreed. My brain fog is terrible now too so I hope I make sense .
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Your post made me smile! “Timms tinkering” indeed, if this is tinkering, I’d hate to see what full-blown meddling looks like.
I’m currently writing up an account of last Saturday’s meeting. It’s a bit too long to post here, but I’d really like to share it with you, and I’d really value your balanced take on it. I’ll send it to you privately once it’s finished.2 -
You always do make sense @secretsquirrel1 - I made sure to get that very important question in about the use of the word 'constantly' with severe conditions. I gave a little background about myself so they hopefully will realise I 'might' know what I'm talking about, saying that no-one could 'constantly' fit a descriptor.
I also said that if they're hoping to align UC with PIP assessments then they should go back to saying the 'majority of the time,' as that's what's used with PIP, & they're going to be using the PIP assessment in the future.
I couldn't agree more with @MW123 - I found the same as in I had to work with Drs & remain objective if I wanted them to listen. The more you engage, at least I found, the more they become willing to engage with you. You've got to listen to them in the first place, & then you get listened to. Asking pertinent questions, & listening to their replies before saying anything further then also helps as you've found!
I look forward to hearing from you.
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