Disability Benefit Cuts - Take action before July 9th.

I don't really stress too much about things these days but I do like to keep my eye on the ball. The changes to welfare funding ( I truly believe will be massive ones, different name etc - same result ) are something we need to stay on top of, no that doesn't mean flying into a panic every hour but just be aware of and prepare for. Time is such a flipping illusion, one min I was 18 and in perfect health, but in what feels like a blink of an eye, I am a decrepit pensioner relying on basic SP and PIP to survive. To me what seems like years away might as well be tomorrow, thats just me though and I respect and think its great that Danny took time out to chill and forget about all this for a while😊

Does anyone know what’s happening with the amendment to the scc regarding fluctuating conditions ?

No, but I got a rough letter drafted for me. Anyone is welcome to use it as a template to address the SCC issue, if struggling.

Dear MP

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, and in particular the Severe Conditions Criteria (SCC). I’m writing to ask you to support Amendment 17, tabled by Graeme Downie MP, during the Third Reading of the Universal Credit Bill on 9th July. This amendment would ensure that people with fluctuating conditions—such as Parkinson’s, MS, ME/CFS, Long Covid, Sarcoidosis, and many others, are not excluded from the new “severe conditions” criteria.

This legislation, if passed in its current form, will devastate the lives of millions of disabled people across the UK. The SCC requires claimants to demonstrate that their impairments affect them “constantly”, defined in the Bill as “at all times” or “on all occasions on which the claimant undertakes or attempts to undertake the activity”.

This definition is not only medically inappropriate—it is devious and deceitful.

I have ******illlness***********, in order to qualify for LCWRA support group it is neccesary to prove that I cannot undertake an activity for the majority of the time, but the reality is, there is a…. ******************************short descripton of illness and symptoms affect me***************************

The new SCC definition is deeply problematic for people with fluctuating conditions with complicated symptoms varying day to day or even hour to hour. These illnesses follow unpredictable patterns, with periods of remission and relapse. Yet under the SCC, individuals with these conditions will be denied the higher rate of support, despite being already found to be permanently unable to work, according to the Govs own criteria. The government’s refusal to engage with medical experts and charities is deeply troubling. The SCC’s rigid criteria will exclude eight in nine current support group claimants, even those with lifelong conditions. The DWP is fully aware of these consequences. The speed at which this Bill is being pushed through Parliament suggests a deliberate attempt to avoid scrutiny. If passed, it will leave many unable to afford basic necessities, including housing.

The manner in which this has been handled is abhorrent.

I urge you to:

Vote NO on this discriminatory Bill.

Support amendments that: Scrap SCC cuts entirely.

Retain the full £423.27/month health element. Include fluctuating conditions like ME, MS, Parkinson’s, Long Covid and Sarcoidosis. Accept private and international diagnoses. Ensure compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This is a matter of justice, dignity, and survival. Please confirm your stance.

Yours sincerely,

I am 100% behind the people fighting to get the bill scrapped, but I suspect it will go through in some form or other (or there will just be another one down the line).

I'm only PIP, so I'm more concerned about how the review of that will be carried out, but I'm not letting myself get too wound up by it. If I did, it'd affect my ability to work (ironically), so I won't.

But I am rooting for everyone here in the vote later, that whatever happens is the right thing.

Also, this govt, like previous, have dodged enshrining the UN values in law, so while we are signed up to the treaty, they are able to bounce around on it and ignore the UN's opinion if they want to. It just shows the contempt of successive groups of politicians for disabled people in general.

It's on at 1.30 pm on parliament tv .

I am the same since recently becoming an ''old'' person, only now on PIP but I was on CON based ESA in the support group. I am really giving whatever support I can to those younger than me, I feel they are in for a very rocky ride if not now, at some point, in the not to distant future.

Don't get me wrong the worry will be back as bad as ever soon enough , but if you can just give yourself a little break it really helps I've found , I feel with all the stress the government puts us under we forget what enjoying the simple things feels like

I will holly . I think it’s amendment 17 if I remember correctly

Does anybody know why the 3rd reading of the UC and PIP bill is so late tonight (7pm) ?

seems that they purposely do these things late to cut down the number of dissenters ?