Historic Benefit rates

Hi,

Erm doesn't you're response that 33% get the enhanced payments still agree my comment that majority will not get the top rate of PIP?

The Bank of England inflation calculator is based on CPI. CPI replaced RPI and there are still debates to this day that RPI is a more accurate figure for most households. Cynics suggest that CPI was made the norm by a government wanting to cut costs as CPI is gernerally less than RPI because the two methods of calculation used different data to calculate inflation. If RPI was used over the period then we would see a loss rather than a gain.

Theme79 is right in noting that on average disabled people have higher costs of living and some of those may not be obvious. I drive an automatic car as my son has issues with his left leg. It is a simple solution which answers the needs of both of us however in the UK automatic cars are a minority production wise and therefore significantly more expensive. This is compounded by the fact that it tends to be the more expensive car models which have an automatic version. It also means that when you come to look for a car, there are a lot less secondhand automatics on the market compared to manual so car dealers maintain that difference in value. This has been a cost that I have had to shoulder but to compound it, I have always had to use a loan to buy the car so I have had the interest payments on top of the extra costs. Each time I have bought a car, it has been more expensive than the predecessor (that I have driven until it fails) and the gap between manual and automatic has increased, increasing the repayments. I would imagine that have a modified car would be even more of a coat difference and those vehicles will be a lot more complicated to find.

Having said all that, I admire and wish that I had your positive attitude and view on life but I'm probably too old, too cynical and too used to politicians.

I too am confused Wibbles, £110.45 increase for those awarded Enhanced for both components is hardly a significant increase over 35 years. That equates to £3.69 increase per year.

DLA was introduced in 1992 by the Major government. The only thing I grudgingly give the Conservatives credit for!

What was the eligibility criteria for that 1990 style mobility benefit? Has to be factored in as well. One could to fool the population, double the benefit rate, but then change the criteria so only 1/10 qualify. Its the oldest trick in the book. You have doubled support whilst reducing expenditure by 80%.

Nearly every sickness/disability reform will increase the payments for the highest scoring claimants, but at the same time reduce the safety net (case load), my council are doing it currently with council tax support, those most in need will get support increased from 80% to 100%, but the overall support given is to be dropped with some going from 60% to 0%.