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About the PM's (Sunak's) speech: Stop demonising us

Tori_Scope

Hi all,

I know many of you will have heard about Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's

speech on Britain's 'sick note culture'

on Friday

.

He announced plans to make changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), one of the main disability benefits. And change how people are assessed as unfit for work. Among other suggestions.

I've read through some of the posts and comments you've all made here on the community. I want to thank those of you who've so candidly shared your fears about the announcements. And those of you who've kindly and patiently pointed out that these are only plans, and that nothing will happen straight away.

To be clear, we think these planned changes are a full-on assault on disabled people.

Disabled people, and those living with mental health conditions, are sick of being demonised.

Threatening to take away the low income PIP provides to

disabled people who face £975 a month in extra costs

isn't going to solve the problem of economic inactivity. Sanctions and ending claims will only heap more misery on people at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis.

Sign our petition calling for the Government to stop demonising disabled people.

By using the link above, you'll also have the chance to send an email to your MP.

I hope to be able to share an opportunity for you to feed into our response to the Government's consultation on the above announcements next week, too.

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Comments

Tori_Scope

forgoodnesssake said:

Tried to do the MP letter as well but didn't work. Kept telling me I needed to fill in a field which I already had. Can you confirm it works on LINUX?

Hi @forgoodnesssake

Sorry about this! Would you be able to email campaigns@scope.org.uk with the following information? This will help us to look into the issue for you.

The postcode you’re using, in the same way you’re inputting it
The type of device you’re using (such as a tablet, phone, or laptop)
The operating system your device uses (Linux in this case!)
The browser you’re using to access the page (such as Safari, Chrome, Microsoft Edge)
If possible, a screenshot of the page showing the error

luvpink

Bingo said:

This is truly shocking. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0ry09d50wo

The only saving grace is I assume / hope this government will be out on its ear before they can implement such an horrendous change.

Yes its extremely worrying times.

I get pip higher rate for both components but not for mental health issues, although I do have extreme anxiety and agoraphobia which I listed on the application form.
The assessor focused purely on my physical issues and asked nothing at at all about mental health even though I supplied evidence and detailed the impact it has on my lack of ability to function.

Meg24

I have had "only depression and anxiety" all my life because of CSA & other trauma. I get EDL & SRM because of the extreme effects the anxiety in particular have on me in my daily life now, I have been having weekly NHS psychotherapy for over 20 years which has helped me to identify triggers, learn how to plan, establish protective factors against unaliving and maintaining stability in my living situation and therfore my MH.

Despite all these demonstrable and medical evidence backed disabilities, I am still only classed officially as having "only depression and anxiety"

If Mel Stride gets his way I will not magically get better. There is no more healthcare I can access that would have a measurable effect on my ability to function or deal with people. All that will happen is they will **** me of my hard learned ability to keep myself safe, to continue to pay rent & bedroom tax on my house of 16 years, to ensure I have a structure to my day by caring for my dogs, and making sure I get about in my car despite such crippling social anxiety that I can't use public transport or even walk down the street.

I have fought so hard to survive. I am so lucky that on top of trauma and MH difficulties I haven't also had to deal with a mental illness like schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder. I have no doubt that if I had, I would no longer be here.

But hey, all I have is "just depression and anxiety" so I guess that's me out of luck then.

I spend a lot of time thinking about how lucky it is that I live in a country that takes care of me, that I was born in a time and place that valued my continued existence, especially as I don't contribute much or at all now. I feel like my luck just ran out. I guess I was just living a selfishly charmed life after all...

Bingo

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

This is truly shocking. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0ry09d50wo

The only saving grace is I assume / hope this government will be out on its ear before they can implement such an horrendous change.

Yes its extremely worrying times.

I get pip higher rate for both components but not for mental health issues, although I do have extreme anxiety and agoraphobia which I listed on the application form.
The assessor focused purely on my physical issues and asked nothing at at all about mental health even though I supplied evidence and detailed the impact it has on my lack of ability to function.

On the news this afternoon they seemed to suggest that the focus Sunak was taking was on Pip for Mental Health disability. Thats even more shocking when you think about it. Just look at the upset its caused in this community.

ThundyUK

The rhetoric coming from Government and the DWP sounds like they're really going to go hard after everyone to see if they can cost cut, but they do seem to be focusing on people with mental health issues a lot more the way I'm reading it.

Is that consistent with other people's experiences?

judie

Bingo said:

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

This is truly shocking. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0ry09d50wo

The only saving grace is I assume / hope this government will be out on its ear before they can implement such an horrendous change.

Yes its extremely worrying times.

I get pip higher rate for both components but not for mental health issues, although I do have extreme anxiety and agoraphobia which I listed on the application form.
The assessor focused purely on my physical issues and asked nothing at at all about mental health even though I supplied evidence and detailed the impact it has on my lack of ability to function.

On the news this afternoon they seemed to suggest that the focus Sunak was taking was on Pip for Mental Health disability. Thats even more shocking when you think about it. Just look at the upset its caused in this community.

Last time there was a crackdown like this on the disabled and mentally unwell they sent them all to the gas chamber. Sunak's rhetoric is beyond disgusting

Bingo

judie said:

Bingo said:

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

This is truly shocking. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0ry09d50wo

The only saving grace is I assume / hope this government will be out on its ear before they can implement such an horrendous change.

Yes its extremely worrying times.

I get pip higher rate for both components but not for mental health issues, although I do have extreme anxiety and agoraphobia which I listed on the application form.
The assessor focused purely on my physical issues and asked nothing at at all about mental health even though I supplied evidence and detailed the impact it has on my lack of ability to function.

On the news this afternoon they seemed to suggest that the focus Sunak was taking was on Pip for Mental Health disability. Thats even more shocking when you think about it. Just look at the upset its caused in this community.

Last time there was a crackdown like this on the disabled and mentally unwell they sent them all to the gas chamber. Sunak's rhetoric is beyond disgusting

Well I am guessing and hoping him and the Tories will be out on their ears before they can implement any of their evil plans. Sorry if this is political but ill take a wild guess that they don't have many supporters on here.

rebel11

Just saw James from Scope being interviewed on Sky news, put a good case across, 'slammed' the PM.

Andi66

I have signed the petition but my mp stepping down . Never see him apart for photo in the paper. Done nothing for the town

emeraldmay

66Mustang said:

Feel free to remove it if you deem it inappropriate but I came across this poster while reading about something unrelated

Won't say where it's from will just say it was published to promote a certain (now defunct) prominent political party's agenda and thought it resembles the attitude of some modern politicians with the desire to turn working people against people who can't work!!!

A rough translation, "60000 is what this hereditarily ill patient will cost the community for life / fellow citizen that is your money too"

My thoughts exactly. It sounds like they are trying to install hate into the "tax paying" as they describe the people who contribute to society . It's very scary.

luvpink

Bingo said:

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

This is truly shocking. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0ry09d50wo

The only saving grace is I assume / hope this government will be out on its ear before they can implement such an horrendous change.

Yes its extremely worrying times.

I get pip higher rate for both components but not for mental health issues, although I do have extreme anxiety and agoraphobia which I listed on the application form.
The assessor focused purely on my physical issues and asked nothing at at all about mental health even though I supplied evidence and detailed the impact it has on my lack of ability to function.

On the news this afternoon they seemed to suggest that the focus Sunak was taking was on Pip for Mental Health disability. Thats even more shocking when you think about it. Just look at the upset its caused in this community.

I haven't yet seen the news but yes it is truly shocking.

luvpink

Bingo said:

judie said:

Bingo said:

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

This is truly shocking. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0ry09d50wo

The only saving grace is I assume / hope this government will be out on its ear before they can implement such an horrendous change.

Yes its extremely worrying times.

I get pip higher rate for both components but not for mental health issues, although I do have extreme anxiety and agoraphobia which I listed on the application form.
The assessor focused purely on my physical issues and asked nothing at at all about mental health even though I supplied evidence and detailed the impact it has on my lack of ability to function.

On the news this afternoon they seemed to suggest that the focus Sunak was taking was on Pip for Mental Health disability. Thats even more shocking when you think about it. Just look at the upset its caused in this community.

Last time there was a crackdown like this on the disabled and mentally unwell they sent them all to the gas chamber. Sunak's rhetoric is beyond disgusting

Well I am guessing and hoping him and the Tories will be out on their ears before they can implement any of their evil plans. Sorry if this is political but ill take a wild guess that they don't have many supporters on here.

The Tories will be out but I don't believe Labour will be any better.
They have kept very quite about all of this and I have no idea what their policies on disability and benefits are.

Bingo

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

judie said:

Bingo said:

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

This is truly shocking. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0ry09d50wo

The only saving grace is I assume / hope this government will be out on its ear before they can implement such an horrendous change.

Yes its extremely worrying times.

I get pip higher rate for both components but not for mental health issues, although I do have extreme anxiety and agoraphobia which I listed on the application form.
The assessor focused purely on my physical issues and asked nothing at at all about mental health even though I supplied evidence and detailed the impact it has on my lack of ability to function.

On the news this afternoon they seemed to suggest that the focus Sunak was taking was on Pip for Mental Health disability. Thats even more shocking when you think about it. Just look at the upset its caused in this community.

Last time there was a crackdown like this on the disabled and mentally unwell they sent them all to the gas chamber. Sunak's rhetoric is beyond disgusting

Well I am guessing and hoping him and the Tories will be out on their ears before they can implement any of their evil plans. Sorry if this is political but ill take a wild guess that they don't have many supporters on here.

The Tories will be out but I don't believe Labour will be any better.
They have kept very quite about all of this and I have no idea what their policies on disability and benefits are.

I think Labour are keeping quiet on a lot of things from Brexit to Benefits. They wont want to give the Tories and the media any ammunition because one things for sure like cornered rats the Tories and the media will fight their dirtiest battle ever this year. I'm pretty sure under Starmer we will stand a much better chance of being looked after than we will over the current lot. Admin delete this if inappropriate but it is kind of relevant.

luvpink

Bingo said:

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

judie said:

Bingo said:

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

This is truly shocking. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0ry09d50wo

The only saving grace is I assume / hope this government will be out on its ear before they can implement such an horrendous change.

Yes its extremely worrying times.

I get pip higher rate for both components but not for mental health issues, although I do have extreme anxiety and agoraphobia which I listed on the application form.
The assessor focused purely on my physical issues and asked nothing at at all about mental health even though I supplied evidence and detailed the impact it has on my lack of ability to function.

On the news this afternoon they seemed to suggest that the focus Sunak was taking was on Pip for Mental Health disability. Thats even more shocking when you think about it. Just look at the upset its caused in this community.

Last time there was a crackdown like this on the disabled and mentally unwell they sent them all to the gas chamber. Sunak's rhetoric is beyond disgusting

Well I am guessing and hoping him and the Tories will be out on their ears before they can implement any of their evil plans. Sorry if this is political but ill take a wild guess that they don't have many supporters on here.

The Tories will be out but I don't believe Labour will be any better.
They have kept very quite about all of this and I have no idea what their policies on disability and benefits are.

I think Labour are keeping quiet on a lot of things from Brexit to Benefits. They wont want to give the Tories and the media any ammunition because one things for sure like cornered rats the Tories and the media will fight their dirtiest battle ever this year. I'm pretty sure under Starmer we will stand a much better chance of being looked after than we will over the current lot. Admin delete this if inappropriate but it is kind of relevant.

If Labour don't state what their intended policies are, how do they expect people to vote for them?

Meg24

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

judie said:

Bingo said:

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

This is truly shocking. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0ry09d50wo

The only saving grace is I assume / hope this government will be out on its ear before they can implement such an horrendous change.

Yes its extremely worrying times.

I get pip higher rate for both components but not for mental health issues, although I do have extreme anxiety and agoraphobia which I listed on the application form.
The assessor focused purely on my physical issues and asked nothing at at all about mental health even though I supplied evidence and detailed the impact it has on my lack of ability to function.

On the news this afternoon they seemed to suggest that the focus Sunak was taking was on Pip for Mental Health disability. Thats even more shocking when you think about it. Just look at the upset its caused in this community.

Last time there was a crackdown like this on the disabled and mentally unwell they sent them all to the gas chamber. Sunak's rhetoric is beyond disgusting

Well I am guessing and hoping him and the Tories will be out on their ears before they can implement any of their evil plans. Sorry if this is political but ill take a wild guess that they don't have many supporters on here.

The Tories will be out but I don't believe Labour will be any better.
They have kept very quite about all of this and I have no idea what their policies on disability and benefits are.

I think Labour are keeping quiet on a lot of things from Brexit to Benefits. They wont want to give the Tories and the media any ammunition because one things for sure like cornered rats the Tories and the media will fight their dirtiest battle ever this year. I'm pretty sure under Starmer we will stand a much better chance of being looked after than we will over the current lot. Admin delete this if inappropriate but it is kind of relevant.

If Labour don't state what their intended policies are, how do they expect people to vote for them?

I will be voting on what I know. What I know (among many other things they've done I disagree with) is that the Tory plans will so badly affect me that I will lose everything that makes life possible for me. I won't be able to pay my rent contribution so I will lose my home of 16 yrs, I won't be able to afford my car so wherever I end up I will be stuck indoors 24/7, and I won't be able to afford to keep my dog, who is my only company because I can't tolerate people at all. I don't want that life, I'm 52 now and I have no appetite for getting old, alone in the cold, in a place I can't call home.

Labour can't do worse to me, they really can't.

Andi66

Yes, I feel the same, anxious about bills, pets, I need it for heating, with my physical problems, I'm 57, so what work I can do, I don't know. I have copd due to my previous cleaning work and joint hypermobility syndrome which is heredity. Pain all the time. Can't hardly walk.

Meg24

iNews are reporting thar they plan to split PIP into 6 tiers instead of 2, to pay for things like equipment, treatment, access to work etc. No word on things that I need like my dog, who is my de facto carer, and without whom I have no desire to live. But I guess they won't consider our emotional needs as a necessity. Oh and if you want hobbies, forget it... please can we get them out, Labour can't be worse.

Tomski1536

Thought I'd come on here to give my view on the mental health side of RIshi Sunaks Statement I have been listening to the news over the last few days and its angered me that disabled people especially those with mental health issues are being attacked as part of a cost cutting exersise. There will be a few points which I feel relevant here:

Firstly: There is nothing Mild about mental health or any health condion why should we let someone who has no qualifications in this sector to decide wether we work or not we have already had enough of not being belived, for some of us it has took months if not years of appointments to open up to our GP or community mental health workers about whats going on in our lives and with these proposols having to begin that process again to a stranger how is that right.

Secondly cutting PIP for people with Anxiety and Depression is a direct attack on us with these sorts of issues, and by cutting peoples pip from them and replacing with things like Talking therapy and other types of support could put people in an even worse postion to what they already are, for some of us we are already fighting day in day out to even leave the house but Rishi wants us to leave the house to attend talking therapy (Which by the way does not and has been proven not to help everyone), We are still in a cost of living crisis and by removing the big chunk of money is not the right way to go about things in my opinion.

Thirdly: Putting people with "Mild" Mental health condions back into work now from my own experiences that is more difficult than it is on paper if one has crippling anxiety especially over social anxiety how do you expect one to work? Where are these jobs suddenly going to come from... I have tried on numerous occasions to work and its impossible. Next part talking about working from home? How do you expect that to happen are you going to pay for technology and wireless internet that not everyone has access to if you cut benafits even more?

Forth Point: Waiting lists for mental health treatment are at an all time high with some waiting more than 2 years for treatment, when I last tried talking therapy in my local area there was a 11 month waiting list... Waiting lists to even see a Psycatric doctor is at an all time high as well with some people in my local area that I know of waiting more than 15 months to see a doctor.

Final remarks:
With Gp surgarys now more full than ever, with Community mental health services getting cut year after year and a steady decline of mental heath specialists and now a direct and focused attack on people with mental heath conditions. It is my concen that if these proposals go ahead it may cause even more stress, worry, anxiety and ultimatly putting more strain on an already dier NHS, and potenially causing even more deaths we have seen it before back in 2015 thousands dying as a result of being found fit to work https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/aug/27/thousands-died-after-fit-for-work-assessment-dwp-figures This all needs to stop and it needs to end now we can't continue to live under a goverment that does not care for Disabled people.

Sorry for the long rant. But it had to be said.

emeraldmay

Meg24 said:

iNews are reporting thar they plan to split PIP into 6 tiers instead of 2, to pay for things like equipment, treatment, access to work etc. No word on things that I need like my dog, who is my de facto carer, and without whom I have no desire to live. But I guess they won't consider our emotional needs as a necessity. Oh and if you want hobbies, forget it... please can we get them out, Labour can't be worse.

Well said @meg24. I don't know how I will pay for bills and food if my pip goes, well I will not be letting my cat go for sure I will starve myself rather than loose my cat he is my friend and companion he is the reason I keep going. I've been looking when Cameron started the welfare reform and it was 2010 to 2012 I remember it very well it nearly killed me actually and I don't want to go there again this whats going on now think its got Cameron writing all over, it .

Bingo

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

judie said:

Bingo said:

luvpink said:

Bingo said:

This is truly shocking. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0ry09d50wo

The only saving grace is I assume / hope this government will be out on its ear before they can implement such an horrendous change.

Yes its extremely worrying times.

I get pip higher rate for both components but not for mental health issues, although I do have extreme anxiety and agoraphobia which I listed on the application form.
The assessor focused purely on my physical issues and asked nothing at at all about mental health even though I supplied evidence and detailed the impact it has on my lack of ability to function.

On the news this afternoon they seemed to suggest that the focus Sunak was taking was on Pip for Mental Health disability. Thats even more shocking when you think about it. Just look at the upset its caused in this community.

Last time there was a crackdown like this on the disabled and mentally unwell they sent them all to the gas chamber. Sunak's rhetoric is beyond disgusting

Well I am guessing and hoping him and the Tories will be out on their ears before they can implement any of their evil plans. Sorry if this is political but ill take a wild guess that they don't have many supporters on here.

The Tories will be out but I don't believe Labour will be any better.
They have kept very quite about all of this and I have no idea what their policies on disability and benefits are.

I think Labour are keeping quiet on a lot of things from Brexit to Benefits. They wont want to give the Tories and the media any ammunition because one things for sure like cornered rats the Tories and the media will fight their dirtiest battle ever this year. I'm pretty sure under Starmer we will stand a much better chance of being looked after than we will over the current lot. Admin delete this if inappropriate but it is kind of relevant.

If Labour don't state what their intended policies are, how do they expect people to vote for them?

Manifestos for all parties are never released until not long before the election but all parties have what they class as mission statements. Labour's is here https://labour.org.uk/missions/

I should point out I have no affiliation with the Labour party. In fact I am ashamed to say I actually worked on and off for the Tories in the 90s. I did get an insight into what "some" of them were like though.