Upcoming changes to benefits

I read somewhere this morning that one thing they're considering is allowing people to go back on their benefit easily if they trial going to work (sorry, I think it was that or maybe keeping it whilst they trial work but I'm sure it was the former). Either way, if this happens please get it in writing although even that is spurious.

My experience, albeit yrs ago in 2010, told a very different story. I was in receipt of DLA and guaranteed (verbally) that I would still receive it if I started nurse training. Was in Uni for months before going to wards. The DLA was stopped within two weeks of starting at Uni.

'Luckily', the Uni were helping me via Disabled Support and that was an absolute lifeline.

I couldn't work in addition to Uni as mum had cancer and was supporting her but had 3 part time jobs in my 2nd and 3rd year and got tax credits.

Fast forward after qualifying in 2013 to now. Ten years nursing, caught Covid three times at work - no PPE at nursing home and then when moved to another job after being dismissed for being off ill was sent from CLEAN surgical area to help on ward where I had 5 patients whose Covid tests came back positive New Years Day, 2022. I wasn't allowed a respiratory mask like colleagues as I'd not been FITT tested despite me chasing the team to test me so wore a blue mask. Caught Covid for the third time.

One of the worse aspects of this was I'd refused to go to ward but was forced/ had no choice (i should have stood my ground) ; I was working in clean area and other staff too were sent to Covid areas and allowed back to clean area where patients were having surgery, the next day, despite not knowing at that point if they'd caught Covid. They had. Talk about putting patients at risk.

In Nov 2020 it affected my intestines that has never gone/got worse and 4 diagnoses of bowel conditions. In January 22 it affected my lungs and has, along with c 20 other health conditions, completely decimated my health. Long covid which these two words don't even begin to express the reality, brain, lungs joints and bowels affected and what I like to call 'peripherals', eyes, ears 🙄).

Sorry for rant but my point is I would not trust ANYTHING the DWP or government say. I don't trust the NHS after my experiences either (far, far worse than what I've detailed here including whistleblowing) and will, in general, avoid going in unless I am literally on my last legs. One of the saddest realisations is my experiences - especially at work - worsened by health, likely irreversibly, and I didn't know that at the time.

I am so angry when I hear 'taking the mickey' type of comments. I know absolutely who was taking the mickey out of me leaving my health so poor I'd be euthanased if I was a dog.

All I am saying is please take care, please question and challenge anything and everything. Please protect your health as very best you can. The saying if you don't have your health you have nothing is so true in my case. I have to now try and galvanise my anger, and sadness, into action. I don't know what that is yet but I'll summon it up from somewhere.

Much love to everyone on here ❤️

Bbc1 news this morning I saw headlines saying U Turn on pip disability due to labour Backlash backbenchers fingers crossed guys

I read starmer coping trump with cutting things. They're doing welfare cuts as well. Plus he's got mcsweeny whatever he's called advising him. Diane Abbot who is against the cuts was shut out of the meetings.

Where is that joke of a mp Timms ? He should be standing up for us. We should email him and tell him and reeves that people can't see a future. I've read on a few sites about people not wanting to be here. Honestly I'm struggling with this. I had few years ago left with nothing because of dwp. I managed to getba part time job then ,but unable to now

Starting off strong…

Laura asks Streeting: as a Labour politician, did you get into politics to take money from the poorest? 

He says we don't want to take money from the poorest people in Britain, and adds he's a product of the welfare system. He says he grew up in a council house and says a state education gave him "every opportunity".

Streeting says that one in 10 people are off sick from work. He says people who can't work need support, and calls for more people to get back to work.

Link is https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cly40zrg8w0t if anyone else wants to follow along

InInteresting article in an Irish newspaper recently relating to McSweeney. Seems that he is afforded the same guru status within Labour as Cummings once was with Johnson. Like with ****, the reasons for this are not exactly apparent. The term 'rose without trace' springs to mind with MM.

Laura follows up by pushing on the specific details of who might be excluded from welfare payments - for instance, people with disabilities who cannot work through no fault of their own. 

Streeting replies that the government wants to ensure that those who need the most help, get the most help. 

He says that he's been working with Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, to integrate employment support and mental health support into care from the NHS. 

Streeting is pressed again on the question of whether the government will freeze Personal Independence Payments

Streeting suggests he hasn't seen these plans and warns people not rely on speculation.

This one is unbelievable. Didn’t Stride and Sunak make these exact same statements just a year ago?

Laura now brings up recent comments that there are an "over-diagnosis of mental health problems" and asks Streeting if he thinks too many people are not working because they are experiencing what are essentially normal feelings.

The health secretary says he believes there is an over diagnosis, adding he thinks that prevention is important so that we can prevent people from developing mental health issues in the first place. 

He adds that he's seen great work at Maudsley Hospital in South London, where employment support is combined with mental health support, which Streeting adds can be "really powerful".

Good morning everyone,

I am expecting the bad news of cuts this week plus a sweetener that the pip freeze has been shelved. My question is seeing as the labour cuts/plans go further than the Tory’s who lost in court , can this be taken to court and if so how long could this be delayed for ? Plus right now it’s a green paper, how long for it to become a white paper and go to the vote ? They seem desperate to bring this forward asap but in reality is it possible?

Prevention? And how exactly do you prevent autism??? Because they're targeting autistic people here too. It's all very weirdly timed too, not long after they're now pushing for assisted dying. Very convenient.