Upcoming changes to benefits

One fear that did pop up is labour adding to any legislation that only top of leak rumors of lcwra awards being cut, that TP could be dropped

however I think the court case that told the dwp to uphold and honour to was pretty recent and would the gov challenge that decision via a law change so soon

My head is going to really dystopian places but would any of us have even considered the content in the itv leaks from last Friday?

It’s all a bit silly season right now, common sense seems to have left the dwp offices and this point even the insane may not be off the table

@Adrian_Scope

"There are also expected to be smaller cuts including raising the basic rate of universal credit for those looking for – or in – work, while cutting it for those judged as unfit for work, as an incentive for some disabled people to seek employment."

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/12/keir-starmer-could-face-biggest-rebellion-over-disability-benefit-freeze

So now its clear, when we talked about that article the other day, it is indeed the Basic rate that will be reduced (cut), or at least they consider doing that.

I don’t think the itv links were meant to happen

Even though it’s tough now it may turn out to be a blessing that it did leak and it’s become this huge story/potential scandal

More exposure may give us more opportunities to share things from our perspective rather than the usual inbalance

Green paper isn’t released till Monday earliest

If you have one of the streaming sites (or even the free itv movie night on their app) take a long weekend from the web and have a 4 night movie binge

Some people need a time out in the calm before the storm……….other will need to do so within the aftermath of the green paper

I’m personally planning a long time from politics and probably the forum probably starting a few days after reeves spring statement - I’m trying to do my part trying to be proactive in the next fortnight+ as I’m slowing getting burnt out and I need time to concentrate on things going on in my own personal life)

I think everyone will need to schedule breaks from the forum, social media and google news as the frequency of new articles is recking everyone MH and for those wanting to be proactive about this need to know when to look after themselves

Scope has so many posting figuring out what they can do or offer - I think I mentioned before members need to work together so everyone can take a break and someone else carries on the momentum - a bit like a baton relay race

Thanks it has helped,

Well that was thinly veiled, and inaccurate.

In correction I wasn't watching psychopathic agitators, I was listening to fellow disabled people voice their stories and concerns and reading comments left by other disabled people.

I'm intelligent enough not to fall for conspiracy theorists and worry myself "stupid"...

Don't attack people for having reasonable concerns and reporting what they're experiencing, that's just denial.

I think some people do want to check news as it’s happening and investigate to the best of their ability.. others find that triggering to their mental and physical health conditions?We’ve all got to get through this to the best of our unique abilities. I just see current events as part of a bigger picture. Starmer is building a ‘War Chest’ and ultimately they will need to tax everyone. Attacking the disabled is a part of their universal tax plans. They want to say’even the disabled were not exempt’ before raising taxes en masse. It’s a cruel procedure but all things considered won’t be easy to get through as it stands. The deferment to next week is because they realise this IMO. Everyone who needs breaks, time out from this please do so.. those who need to scroll and check.. continue.

It’s unforgivable that they have caused this stressor to vulnerable people,they are moral vacuums now in my eyes.

Does anybody know what's happing with lwrca iv heard so many stories i currently work 17.5 hours a week iv tried to work more and mentally I cant I find it overwhelming 17.50 is just right for me I suffer with bpd adhd and depression and ainexty and currently on watin list for asuim

Not been active on here for a while sorry, my mental health has taken a nose dive with all of this. I have been from indefinate DLA high rate to low rate Pip and contribution based ESA over 30 years, they've had all the proof over those years and last year went to high rate. I get passed from pillar to post like so many of us do, doctor to talking therapies from talking therapies back to doctor from there to mental health from there to talking therapies trauma and from there discharged and told to come back in a few months or not until I am ready to relive my trauma. I've had scans over 30 years they no longer bother because we know what's wrong, I was under pain clinic for over 25 years but then they changed things so you have to wait 15 months for the treatement I have to be repeated which means you can no longer self refer and go back on the merrygo around of MSK then referal then waiting list all over again so you don't get that treatment for another 9 months. We don't all go to our doctors regularly as they already know what's wrong or do they because the old DR patient relationships have gone as we get different doctors each time now. I avoid the forum because all the speculation makes me worse but at the same time I have a need to know now thing going on so all told the government has made my illnesses worse and the NHS is on it's knees with mental health and every other service on it's knees there's nowhere to turn. I don't get free prescriptions or anything else because I am not on means tested benefits and own my own home yet fear that the target will be pointed straight at those of us who do not claim income related benefits. I've read that ESA would be the easiest and less opposed benefit to stop although have no idea how true this is, I have never appealed any pip decision I've had due to fear and anxiety of the system and I have had face to face and telephone reviews every 3 years. The people doing my reviews have always been medically trained so it's nonsense that it's easy to get pip. What will happen when everything changes, do they keep all the medical evidence they've had from you or will it all start again with people flooding the NHS and GP's just to get the evidence again that the DWP have already had. What a shambles and now the government are making my symptoms worse. I wish you all well and hope that somehow you all get through this, I fear many will not.

I'm so frustrated at the rhetoric around it. I have always worked full time and applied for PIP due to the additional costs of my disabilities, not least because I've had to go private for one due to being on the NHS waiting list for 4 years and counting. I don't need help getting back to work, I need help staying in work which is what my PIP payment does. How is it not discriminatory to remove the thing that balances the playing field for disabled people.