Time to challenge pip/welfare reform before Timms & other recommendations drop

so this news story was just dropped on the news section of the Benefits & Work forum (everyone should take some time to read & digest this link below):

https://benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/right-now-is-the-time-to-challenge-timms

I totally agree with this piece - you can bet your bottom dollar (well, pound) that McFadden is actively stating his case publicly and in private to Labour MPs (especially the backbenchers which I think will be the kingmakers on whether any welfare reform legislation makes it through to royal assent unaltered or if these reform ideas gets watered down or even shelved) - bottom line is that the disabled community do not have the luxury to ‘wait & see’ what is revealed when the Timm’s recommendations drop in November? and allow McFadden 5-8 weeks unchallenged time in getting in mp’s ears & getting them onside.

thanks to the individuals who have been attending the timms workshops relaying info back we have a good picture of the ideas being considered (or the lack of) the 4pt rule proposed for pip last summer seems tolerable in comparison.

as the link above suggests it is time we use the next 5-8 weeks before recommendations drop to contact MPs via email and social media (esp Labour MPs and top priority on Labour backbenchers for the already stated reasons)

It doesn’t matter if they are your mp or not - it’s an all hands on deck situation. Those who haven’t made their mind up or are swaying towards the government position/policy - be polite and use arguments that speak to a politicians logic & interests (some MPs will not be moved if you just say you are scared - the sympathy argument is unlikely to trouble McFaddens argument…….we need to use smarter reasonings them him such as proving why this won’t save much money on the welfare system, get the number of disabled in employment that they hope and that industries such as healthcare and hospitality/retail will likely be negatively impacted). If the mp is already ‘team disabled claimant ongoing support’ then also take the time to thank them for their ongoing public support.

I’ve started writing up a pdf that lists Labour MPs and their contact email address (already published publicly on the official uk gov website) as there isn’t this resource of backbenchers alone (any Labour mp that is a minister or a role in the pm’s gov has to vote with the gov unless they resign - backbenchers have a little more flexibility that the party whips can pressure them but there’s little the gov can do to punish this type of dissent if enough backbenchers rebel……….which is why they are so prized an endorsement on both sides)

I’ve done a rough of one page and am open to feedback and suggestions - if enough people think it will be a helpful resource for those who want to write something to MPs let me know and I’ll add all 240 odd labour backbenchers. I don’t want to waste hours of my time if no one’s interested (I hope that’s fair)

I’ll post in the next post if scope forum allows me