Invite your MP to meet with Scope at party conferences.

Albus_Scope
Albus_Scope Posts: 11,405 Scope Online Community Coordinator

4 in 5 Scope campaigners recently told us they do not feel MPs engage well with disabled people. Let’s change that.

We’re attending political party conferences across the country to show MPs an updated version of our Local Disability Data Map. This shows disability statistics and quotes for each UK constituency. Like what the disability price tag is for the area, and how many people have experienced negative attitudes because of their condition or impairment.

Political party conferences are an opportunity for MPs to learn more about important issues. Make sure disability is one of them. Invite your MP to meet with Scope 👇

Click here to invite your MP

Comments

  • Andi66
    Andi66 Online Community Member Posts: 1,107 Championing

    My MP, only cares about he's career, He doesn't reply to emails. He voted for the cuts. Labour mp as well

  • Girl_No1
    Girl_No1 Online Community Member Posts: 412 Trailblazing

    Same here @Andi66.

    Mine voted for the original cuts, and eventually sent out Labour HQ propaganda to justify 'his' decision. 🙄

    He does not hold any public surgeries at all. This is increasingly being noted within the community, and it's causing substantial disquiet.

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 4,073 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    This is really promising news @Albus_Scope! Thanks for sharing. Hopefully we can get some traction by raising this with our MPs 😊

  • birdwatcher
    birdwatcher Online Community Member Posts: 142 Empowering

    You'll not see my ( Labour) MP unless there's a photo opportunity in it for him.

  • luvpink
    luvpink Online Community Member Posts: 3,007 Championing

    Mine neither and he voted in favour of the cuts.

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 11,405 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    These are exactly the kind of MPs Scope would love to speak to @luvpink we're here to help change people's minds. 😊

  • sben
    sben Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 99 Contributor

    The government wants to force everyone back to work.

    The government are not concerned that I am unable to look after myself.

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,551 Championing

    Will you be sharing any feedback from the MP meetings at the party conferences? I imagine many of us would be interested to hear how those conversations unfolded, particularly how Labour MPs responded to the disability data and lived experiences you presented. It would be helpful to know whether Scope staff who attended felt those insights were genuinely heard and taken on board.

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 11,405 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    If any feedback gets passed along to the team, I'll be sure to let people know here @MW123

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 7,812 Championing
  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 11,405 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    I have no idea @Catherine21 we don't get given lists. But again, if any information gets passed down to us, I'll make sure it gets shared. 😊

  • DeborahforChange2025
    DeborahforChange2025 Online Community Member Posts: 7 Listener

    Hello,

    Here is my MPs response:

    The UK Government acknowledges the additional costs disabled individuals incur for medication and specialist equipment.

    Individuals in Scotland with long-term health conditions or disabilities may qualify for benefits like Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), which offer tax-free contributions toward extra costs.
    Benefits available for working-age individuals include Universal Credit (UC) and Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
    The Scottish Government is reviewing the ADP, which began in February 2024 after its launch in August 2022, with a report published in July 2025.
    Attendance Allowance is being phased out; those not currently receiving it must apply for PADP, which can be up to £5,200 annually.
    Recipients of Attendance Allowance will transition to PADP starting Spring 2025.
    Disability benefits may be combined with Pension Credit for low-income pensioners, Housing Benefit, and Carer Support Payment for caregivers.
    Average life expectancy in Scotland remains lower than in other UK regions, with health disparities between affluent and deprived areas.
    Concerns were raised about the Scottish Welfare Fund being frozen at £35.5 million for three years, resulting in cuts of £4.5 million since 2022-23.
    Social Security Scotland's budget for administering benefits has been reduced by £6 million, despite increasing complexity in benefits.
    The new Government intends to collaborate with disabled individuals and advocacy organisations to address priorities in disability policy.

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 6,789 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Thanks for sharing @DeborahforChange2025, interesting to hear about the approach from Scottish services.

  • onebigvoice
    onebigvoice Scope Member Posts: 939 Pioneering
    edited October 7

    I completely agree. Most MP's, not all, seem to be 'busy' elsware when asked to rectify issues raised at grass roots level. I have written many posts about this issue, and over the weekend have taken stock of the support I am receiving and the support that is being offered because I have problems, (like everyone else here).

    The fight for every benefit, or the need for financial help given is not a battle, its a right given to me by Nye Bevan in 1954. READ MY POST, sorry its not the unabridged version, but we do need to realise that this is our time to rectify decades of miss treatment of the Disabled citizens of Britain, and being looked at as second class or inferior.

    Harsh words? Sorry guys (and girls) disability does not distinguish between gender, colour, where you were born, or what religion you follow, if any.

    You are being pigeon holed to make it easy to assess a group not an individual.

    SORRY MY POST:

    photo?spsize=80X80&fallback_url=https%3A%2F%2Fs.yimg.com%2Fdh%2Fap%2Fsocial%2Fprofile%2Fprofile_a64.png&alphatar_photo=true&appId=YMailNorrin&badge=false

    {Name removed by moderator} From:{email removed by moderator} .comTo:Rachel Reeves,, 30 Sept at 08:19Reference quote:

    Our first year in Government was about fixing the foundations. Our second must be about building a renewed economy: one that works for working people, supports our public services, and delivers growth in every part of Britain.

    And while the Government delivers, our party must face up to the challenges ahead.

    The single greatest threat to working people’s way of life is Nigel Farage and Reform.

    When Labour delivers the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in decades, Reform tries to block it. When Labour stands with our allies, Reform sides with Vladimir Putin.  

    When Labour works to bring prices and interest rates down, Reform cheers on Liz Truss’s chaos. When Labour invests record amounts in our NHS, Reform rejects the very principle of healthcare free at the point of use.

    Every time, on every issue, it is Labour that stands up for working people, and Reform that shows whose side they are really on.

    Make no mistake. This is a fight we must win. And it is a fight we will win.

    The prize is within our grasp: a better Britain that is outward-looking, confident and prosperous. A Britain powered by the contribution of its people, hopeful for our shared future.

    Labour Britain, David. That’s the prize our movement can deliver, together.

    Thank you,

    Rachel Reeves

    Chancellor of the Exchequer. 

      While on paper this is exactly what we should be doing, in the communities around the country, the Labour Party is being vetted by the media, by the new headline-grabbing titles, and by statements made by Reformers and other political parties.  What we are not seeing is action, which speaks louder that words.
      I know that Labour is delivering on its promises, so why are you worried as to what the reformers say?  Words that we will do this or that are just that.Written by me:  First reference comes from Scope, which has supported many people who are Neurodiverse and long-term sick.  Can you explain the support that has been given to make claiming Financial help these people registered as disabled or sick, and have been assessed by the NHS to receive treatment, need to be assessed again by the DWP?  The purpose of Universal Credit was to consolidate all benefits under one umbrella, allowing any department seeking information about a claimant for access to the benefits to view.  This is subject to:  Once permission from the relevant department has been obtained, a letter explaining the need for this information, and if necessary, show the information already on file for that particular application for benefits, and inviting the Claimant to add what they believe would help the application by adding things like recent changes to medication, recent hospital visits and their outcomes, including long term treatment, any pending treatment or operations not already shown.  This all helps to keep information up to date, from both sides.  What I don't see is how a claimant who had already been claiming a benefit and is still receiving a treatment for a disability or illness needing another assessment from an assessment company hired by the DWP, who are supposed to be experts, to give a report to the Decision Maker who then reduces the claim, or in some cases decides to stop payments for financial help because they have decided that they no longer qualify for that benefit.  The Laws and Charters set out by the government are specific and are outlined in a PDF Format, which is not being adhered to by government departments.  This is why delays in payments or the need for FOI or MRs are needed.  Why?  The information is provided by the Claimant during the form-filling process and is supported by prescriptions, treatment records, and operations, all based on their NHS medical history, which they hold, and more importantly, is on headed paper.  What I see is at the bottom of letters saying Office Manager, or an e-mail address: do not reply to this email as it is unattended.  Does this sound like an expert who is doing what they are being paid to do?  Yes, it is.  Because it has now a fight or battle to prove every time I am sick, ill, or need treatment at every stage of the process of claiming benefits.  This is not assistance in claiming financial help; it is mitigating responsibility to the claimant, who, remembering that they may also have a mental illness, has to fill out pages and pages of repeated questions, but worded slightly differently, and in most cases, I find give up or accept the decision maker's decision because they cannot cope with the questionnaire.      Help:  Yes, we have CAB who do a good job, and people like Scope who also assist, but what are the government doing to assist?   Are they refining the system so that it is in plain English (or a language of your choice, including Welsh)?  No, the system, with its newest addition of AI, seems to be making matters worse.  This is only one comment of many of the government attitude to disability which is not a new thing, and has been trying to resolve this issue where now even time restraints are not being adhered to and were things like answering the phone within three rings has become a minimum wait of 1/2 hour, or being number 33 in a queue, which is strange really since I am always number 33, or there is a loop that states that they will ring you back as soon as an agent becomes available, (in my case it must be 007) and do not get a call back that day?  This is where your first improvement should be made{name removed by moderator}


    The preview report was taken from our site and shows the price of disability. Just in case Rachael Reeves didn't know. We need to continue every day as above, invite every MP that represents you to attend.

    EVERY single person SHOULD ON BLOCK ASK THEIR MP TO ATTEND, there will be no excuse as to we didn't know, or we were busy doing something else. I AM THE SOMETHING ELSE, THAT NEEDS SORTING, I AM THE ONE THAT NEEDS BOTH FINANCIAL HELP AND MEDICAL TREATMENT.

    I am the one that is going to be a thorn in your side till I see action and our case is in the media, and headline grabbing for the right reasons to support the disabled community that you have Pidgeon holed and left behind in support.

    Just remember where the next vote will be coming from?

    How many disabled and pensionable aged people will vote< and how?

  • onebigvoice
    onebigvoice Scope Member Posts: 939 Pioneering

    I have signed the post using the link from SCOPE above.