Upcoming changes to benefits

one thing that’s clear - our community backlash is somewhat hitting (not sure if it’s actually making a mark or we are just having the impact of an annoying fly)

but let’s keep up the pressure

prehaps Gov still don’t respect us or find us annoying but we’ve only been at it a week

Let’s see if opinions shift after 12, 26, 52+ weeks of similar continuous pressure

gov has underestimated stubbornness and obsessiveness of disabled as a group of ppl imo

How many people have actually emailed them so far? Do you have an accurate number? That each MP has received? I don't so won't comment any further on that one. But do you imagine Starmer or Reeves and their ilk read their own emails anyway?

Also you might want to avoid using terms like 'doing their bidding'. It's the sort of stuff you might hear on a late night phone-in from a caller who rants about the Illuminati and the New World Order.

I'm going back to bed.

Night.

This is 4 AM and we are discussing during the night… We can't sleep… this is actually a sign we need this help and support… we can't give up… I don't know how I will survive if LCWRA would be cut 😥 I'm barely living with the current amount… can't imagine to have this lowered… I claim for mental health problem but it's so severe that I'm housebound and most of the time I'm in my bed… I don't know what next… I'm a bit lost but also I know I have to fight for my life… for our life… we can't give up… everyone's life is worth much… I'm weak but I won't give up, Liz it won't be so easy with me! ✊

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2025/03/inside-labours-welfare-wars

Time to get reinspired by events in 1997

(Those with good memories - have we seen anything like that since?)

Have no idea who Michael is and frankly don't care at this hour.

But, again, sleep well.

Like everybody else on Scope I have been trying hard to not get overwhelmed with fear as it is not good for my physical or mental health but it is difficult to avoid the fearmongering in the news. I have been switching the news off the second it starts and trying to avoid reading newspapers.

We don't have definite details yet, we do know cuts are coming and we know they are likely to be the harshest cuts disabled people have ever faced. It is really hard for me to even begin to wrap my head around how I will manage financially if the cuts are as harsh as predicted.

I don't think my husband will have any other option but to return to work full time and I think it is a point we are missing, I think this is also a push to put disabled people in such an untenable position that their carer sees no other option but to return to work, I know I am fortunate to even have that as an option as I know many people will not have that option as they are single.

Many carers will be in the same situation and need to return to work which will save the government huge amounts of money through not paying them carers allowance and taking lots of disabled people off of Universal credit completely.

They're only talking about back downing on rate freezing. There's no mention of them backing down when it comes to stricter eligibility, which is the real issue.

They are definitely targeting people with mental ill health and disabilities (those of us with autism etc.) primarily - I think that's their goal here as these issues are mostly affecting younger people who they believe are shirking work.

I'm not so young anymore (39) and I work full time which is made possible, in huge part, to the PIP I receive. Without it, working would be incredibly difficult for me probably due to the fact that the cost of living is so high regardless but also that most jobs really don't pay very well and when you add to the fact the increased likelihood of sickness (and not being paid for being sick) that comes with disability, it's pretty obvious why we need it.

Like you all, I am trying not to worry too much about it but I do believe they will push this through as they seem determined to penalise a specific group of people.

I agree. Flaws in how it would all be implemented have been evident from start. It’s a way for Reeves to implement a nationwide tax plan.. sacrifice the disabled first then tax the masses. Morgan McSweeny and empty eyed Paddy are the architects of these sorts of shockers.. neither of them have any loyalty to a party or political ethos. They’re a couple of Dominic Cummings? I was going to watch Laura Kunesberg on the Beeb but don’t know whether I have the stomach for it.. probably scripted!

I’m not going to bother watching Wes Streeting on Kuenssberg but I’m following along on the BBC app’s live reporting so I can post the highlights of what’s said if anyone wants!