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Activising my MP...

FeistyPigeon

Hi everyone,

Thought you'd like to know I've had some positive results after emailing my MP. Our's is a Liberal but seems pretty keen, replying quickly and putting in an early day motion to Parliament.

This battle isn't over folks, don't give up and let the Labour front bench walk over us. We are many and can raise a right din they won't forget in a hurry.

Our MP has put in an early day motion to Parliament + written to both Timms and Reeves.

Here is the early day motion (let me know if you can't read it):

Here is Timm's reply to my MP - yep, it's pretty crass:

Now here is my MP's reply to me…

Ok well they seem rather fixated on the PIP voucher proposals at the moment, although maybe they know something we don't. But all in all they seem keen to help.

I've posted Rowntree's report to my MP explaining why benefits should be raised. We need to push this point too folks, Labour have to realise they aren't doing themselves any favours pushing us even further into poverty - it won't force us into work, it'll make it even harder for us to return.

If anyone has missed Rowntree's report, here's the link:

https://www.jrf.org.uk/social-security/inadequate-universal-credit-and-barriers-to-work

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Comments

Ironside1990

I don't think vouchers will happen. As your MP says, the idea of vouchers will undermine our independence and push us into poverty, with no way out. It will also undermine Labour's efforts to get disabled people who are able to work, as many claimants use public transport to get to A to B, including work.

The idea to replace PIP cash with vouchers, was never about promoting our independence, but penny pinching. Plus it was a proposal by the Conservatives. If we have a new government and they resurrect policies from the previous government, then what is the point in having an election in the first place?

Your MP is a good person.

FeistyPigeon

Just been watching a replay of Starmer's announcement to increase defense spending yesterday.

The bit to watch is when Badenoch stands up to say she welcome's Starmer's announcement they will slash foreign aid. She then challenges Labour to implement the Tories' planned welfare "reforms" IN FULL (ie PIP vouchers et al).

The camera pans to Labour's front bench: Starmer + Raynor have poker faces, but Reeves nods approvingly.

This is crucial:

Reeves shows her intention is to slash welfare just like the Tories. But according to Labour, the increase in defense spending is supposed to come from foreign aid + "creative accounting" in predicted growth + tax receipts.

So Reeves looks like her true intention to slash welfare spending is ideological.

You can see Reeves nodding in the video below (it's about 6 mins in):

https://news.sky.com/video/in-full-tuesdays-politics-hub-13317038

Ironside1990

I think what Rachel Reeves wants to happen and what actually happens are two different things. There is obviously a long process to changing benefits.

Many people when doing the last consultation, didn't want vouchers and loads of companies are against it.

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/989281#Comment_989281

Yes you're right Ironside, lets hope she doesn't get her way

JessieJ

Pleasantly surprised to receive a quite decent reply from my MP, Satvir Kaur today, a C&P below…

Dear

I hope you are well, and thank you very much for contacting me to share your concerns about the disability benefits system. I understand your concerns and will of course raise them with the relevant department. If you or someone you know is affected by any of the concerns raised, please do let me know, and me and my team will do our best to help.

Disabilities are wide-ranging, complex and each person has their own story about how their disability affects their lives. In my constituency of Southampton Test 17.1% of people are disabled under Equality Act – that’s almost one in five constituents. I want to do my best to listen to the needs and views to everyone.

As Leader of the Council and as a local councillor, I oversaw an welfare reform scrutiny inquiry and followed through on recommendations from it to ensure that those with disabilities have more say over policy-making, and are given the support they need to play an active part in all aspects of society. I have worked closely with the brilliant local charity SARC (Southampton Advice & Representation Centre), and I understand the difficulties in the benefit system for those with disabilities who haven’t been treated fairly, especially when it comes to PIP.

Further to this, I proudly stood on a manifesto which championed the rights of disabled people and to working with them, so that their views and voices will be at the heart of Government policy.

Further details about the Government’s plans will be laid out ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement on 26 March. But let me assure you that I support a different approach to that taken by the previous Conservative Government. As stated in the manifesto I stood on, I am committed to championing the rights of disabled people and to the principle of working with them, so that their views will be at the heart of policy.

In its White Paper, Get Britain Working, the Government outlines its ambition to reform the broken Work Capability Assessment. The goal is to create a system that is trusted by its users, while being simpler to navigate and empowering disabled people. The White Paper is clear that disabled voices will form the basis of these reforms and that any changes will work to reduce poverty for disabled people.

More widely, I want to see a social security system that gets decisions right the first time. I welcomed the commitment, in the October 2024 Budget, to fund more than £800 million in disability employment support and I also favour reforms that can give practical help and support to people when it comes to getting a job and staying in work, for those where this is an option.

Please let me know if you have any questions or further concerns. I hope this reassures you that I’ll continue to do all I can to support disabled people. I’m committed to prioritising and listening to disabled voices, as the Government shares more details on its plans for reforming the social security system in the coming months.

Thank you again for writing to me about this important issue.

Best,

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/991321#Comment_991321

I'd qualify your last sentence egister with "anywhere else in the developed world" - there are of course plenty of countries with no support at all for pensioners or disabled. But we don't want to align living standards in the "6th richest country" with those scraping a living or with autocratic regimes…

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/991842#Comment_991842

She sounds a really genuine MP Jessie - yes pleasantly surprised! Although it remains to be seen whether those like her will have much influence on the policies formulated by Reeves & Co. Watched a pretty brief news item to on BBC, they say they're planning to make deep cuts to allowances to support the disabled in work - the last thing they should be doing if they want to encourage more disabled into work - something you might want to bring up with Satvir as she invited you to write back…

JessieJ

It's nice to be surprised in that way, @FeistyPigeon, I didn't really think I'd get a reply. Plus, I hadn't realised she'd worked with SARC when leader & councillor, they are the local charity that helped me, a great little team there.

Well if they're going to use a stick instead of a carrot, they aren't going to get far & that will be a sure way to a public outcry with maybe a lot more support for us in quashing it. There seems to be many stories going around & TBH, I don't watch any news, as it's never good & just makes my head explode. If it is, I'm soon told. The beauty of here really, I know that many of you update us when anything real comes up, for which I'm grateful. Yes, I can contact her again & the door is open for me to spread her word & get folks I know to write to her too, which is great. Not sure she could do anything, but the more like minded MPs there are that have been contacted, the bigger the swell.

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/992126#Comment_992126

Not a long-term solution Santosha but have you tried applying for household support? I know it varies around the country but you could be lucky, they want to know if you're short of money for food and if your energy account is really low and in danger of going into the red. You don't need to be signing on, anyone struggling can apply, benefits or not. I tried first time after Xmas + they gave me £70 x 4 food vouchers, quite frankly I was amazed…

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/992077#Comment_992077

Just picturing your head exploding Jessie - eek!!

Here's a bit of news so hold onto your head! Was watching Peston last night, he's quite right-wing but his side-kick Anushka is really good. She said the latest is they're going to "reform" the medical assessment and proposing to make PIP means tested (or "mean" tested). She challenged the Labour MP (Rupa Huq) and said Sunak had come up with the idea of means testing PIP but they rejected it as they thought it too cruel. She said Huq didn't seem at all fazed by the proposal, and there was the usual "we have to get people off benefits" waffle…

So anyway, I think we can probably assume they will do these things. The green paper is being announced in Parliament 26th this month.

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/992470#Comment_992470

Oh dear Santosha so sorry to hear what you've been through : (

Hope you're feeling more yourself now. I've had pneumonia, I know it can be grim / frightening. Take things easy if you can, you might start feeling more perky in a couple of months when the weather improves. At least you didn't lose you kidney completely, it comes on so quick doesn't it?

Yes it is easy to forget about Household Support, they don't publicise it, probably to save money. I'll put up a new post to remind everyone. Best of luck, let us know if you get somewhere with them x

Vulcress

The voucher system would take millions to administer its now being "leaked" to the press

expect job losses at the DWP and other Depts with more focus on AI, etc.

Said in another post, If the situation was now so dire the 1st thing they would talk about is Brexit and the huge amount of money being thrown down the toilet on a yearly basis.

My sisters company is near collapse owing to the huge amount of red tape as 80% of the trade is with the EU, Drivers actually pick straws to see who's going to "hell" that's what they call Dover, when its peak season they can spend days down there and everywhere is a toilet.

Reeves then has the nerve to talk about Growth, Disabled people pay VAT, Disabled people and those on low incomes are the ones who have to spend the money they have just to live.

So that money is going straight back to them, Its like all the outrage over mobility cars, Right wing Press suggesting they are free.. does that include the fuel? The UN report is spot on.

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/un-calls-for-corrective-measures-to-tory-disability-benefit-reforms-just-as-labour-prepares-cuts-of-its-own/

If anyone wonders what Reeves and Kendall are thinking months before the last GE Blair gave a speech, suggesting nearly everything could be done via AI at the DWP, and NHS, Saving billions on Wages, Its been largely ignored but when he won in 1997 he wanted to scrap DLA then and Prescott made it plain he went near it and there would be hell this was downgraded to a "chat" with Claimants to see if they were on the right money. Reeves and Kendall are following the blueprint Blair laid out last year, I've been trying to find a link to the speech but so far all the leaks are nearly word for word what Blair spoke about.

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/992479#Comment_992479

I'm pretty sure he's still operating behind the scenes Vulcress.

JessieJ

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/992457#Comment_992457

😆 It would be an improvement really! 😉

OFGS, it's just a constant! If it was thought cruel before, then that's not changed, only the colour has. I think it's a case of waiting until the words come out of the horse's mouth, then we will have the full picture. Far better then any things that have been coming out & nobody knows if they're a leak, Chinese whispers or what some would like to happen. The press in all forms can be a danger to health, at the moment it seems it has gone into overdrive from the snippets I see on here. 🤯 There, it happened! 😶

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/992542#Comment_992542

Sorry to have taken so long to get back to you Santosha (unavoidable stuff). You've certainly been through the mill. Having covid has had a devastating affect on lots of those who've survived it, which just shows what a big fat lie all the "just a cold" propaganda was. It really annoys me so many medical practitioners don't take it seriously anymore, when you go down the docs, no-one wears a mask, and the waiting room inevitably has patients with hacking hollow coughs etc, there's loads of it about even now, and flu, and norovirus etc etc.

Your docs sound pretty rubbish Santosha. Is the consultant you're going to see another local? If this appointment yet again comes to nothing, I'd ask to be referred to one of the big hospitals with real specialists who know what they're doing. You sound as though your GPs are treating you rather like mine, they try to insist you go local for specialist services (to save money), they give you 10 mins of rushed time if you're lucky, and you come away with the strong feeling you're being fobbed off. It's really not good enough. I've a med background (worked in cancer research), so if you'd find it difficult looking for a specialist center with some real help, eg wouldn't know who you'd ask to see, let me know + I'll try + help. I've found with these GPs, you have to tell them what to do with you, or they just leave you to get on with it.

The good thing is the start of April isn't long to wait, it's hard being kept hanging on like this. I'd definitely wear a mask, even if it makes you feel daft. You don't want to pick anything up that could exasperate your lung condition. I do hope they get the blood pressure down soon, you'll feel more relaxed when they do. Keep away from caffeine etc until you have (I know, I find it addictive…)

Let me know how it goes + I'm here if you need any help xx

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/992542#Comment_992542

PS the council racket doesn't help! There's something similar but no so bad here, the next door they're getting their attic converted, so scaffolding looming over the house, lots of noise, etc etc. Hope they hurry up + finish for you…

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/992505#Comment_992505

Late reply Jessie but I'm really not sure about that head exploding thing - sounds so drastic…

Just heard Labour are going to make an announcement on the welfare cuts this week in Parliament, Weds I think, so everyone keep your ears open. Sounds to me like one of the main things they're thinking of is getting a lot of young people back into education + training, though McGovan (the DWP minister) did say it would need to be done compassionately with mental health support (if it was needed).

I'm sure there'll be other things too, like PIP, WCA, etc etc. Looks like not long to wait at any rate…

JessieJ

It does sound a bit drastic, @FeistyPigeon, sometimes it does feel like that though.

From posts on here over time, I've thought that it is more the younger generation Labour are mainly aiming at. There is a lot that has to be put in place first though & as you've posted re John McGovan, he has it right, let's hope they listen to him, it has to be done with the right support & compassion. Knowing that there are some would welcome it, with full support in place, apprenticeships could be opened. Some will need a lighter touch & more for the gentle educating & really, socialising. Then some poor souls, supported with a very gentle hand.

So, we're nearing an announcement, hey…will be watching this space.

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/994404#Comment_994404

I'm concerned that those needing the right mental health support for conditions like anxiety + depression will be pushed into finding work when they shouldn't be, in the Gov's eagerness to get them off benefits. Youngsters had a hard time overall during the lockdowns in enforced isolation, it's no wonder so many have mental health problems now. And it's not their fault that mental health services have been so underfunded. Starting life after school without anything constructive for their future is not a good place to be, but pushing kids into work when they cannot cope will make them worse, not better.

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/994327#Comment_994327

Late reply as not been too brilliant of late, but just to say so sorry for all you've had to go through Santosha, I do hope the Manchester team are more knowledgeable, I must say they sound as though you have a good chance there. And hopefully by the time you read this your roof is well and truly finished! Don't give up Santosha, you're still alive and things will maybe improve before too long. I/we're all here when you need us, let us know how Manchester goes <hugs> xx