So much for "Andy Burnham is pro Benefits"

I hardly think any serious politician is going to declare themselves 'pro benefits'. Any country wants as many people in work as possible.

And again 😕

I don't see your point. Politicians everywhere chase votes, and lauding the fact that millions claim benefits, it's hardly going to help with their electability. They might understand the Importance of a safety net, but still not be 'pro benefits', that phrase implies claiming benefits is a good thing for the country!

Thats not true Reforms whole "thing" is "stop the Boats" and they are not the only political party who have said they will do that.

"Defence" as they insist calling it, it certainly won't protect us from a heating planet.

if the Labour Government decides to attack those on benefits again, especially those who desperately need them to survive, then there will be consequences. I know personally it would send me on a downward spiral to a place I would never be able to recover from. At that point I know my DNAR & DNACPR would come into that affect. I just don’t get this country, let alone anything else, I don’t have the greatest of confidence or trust in anyone anymore

The only party who hasnt been scared to be pro benefits is the Green party, but of course if they ever got close to be elected I wouldnt be surprised to see them turn as well. In short I trust no one, Burnham will still have advisors who have advised other leaders, its still the same people running the DWP, and still the same media, MPs etc.

Its also not really pro or anti benefits either. Its really health related benefits specifically. Labour managed to increase the basic rate of UC without the country throwing a fit, they were prepared to uncap child benefits, and still no one dares talk about the triple lock. But health related benefits has become a big target for so many people, its definitely not helped that there is a bunch of people on social media offering advocation as well as effectively showing off their benefit award, this has driven resentment which is still rising. Videos like "how I spend my UC"

A subject which I expect is going to be very sensitive is the question of which is preferable. Current eligibility but hard to apply (many people declined as they dont understand form/descriptors etc. some see this as unfair), or a simpler application process but in turn tighter eligibility to keep the claims down. I think the former is preferable. But all these social media advocates have helped increase success rates, which has drawn attention to the case load. I think even under Burnham we going to see it made easier to get PIP with a strong diagnosis, but people with weak, wrong or no diagnosis will routinely get declined. I expect they will move away from needing to describe needs and such to just awarding based on health condition like they did with DLA. I felt DLA was unfair for this reason.