Upcoming changes to benefits
Comments
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I can’t see how legally they could remove our rights as sick and disabled people . Removing lcwra and not replacing it with an alternative benefit is basically denying the existence of sick people. Not only that but if they plan on increasing money for basic uc yet scrap lcwra that means we will also be on basic rate and get the higher rate . So there wouldn’t be any savings anyway . Nothing makes sense to me really. If what’s in the msm is correct why did streeting say he didn’t know of the reforms yet ? Right now I’m feeling more positive as there’s more resistance to this than I think they expected. I read this evening in the guardian someone from parliament said reeves and Starmer are worried now. All we can do for our health and MH is try to relax until we know more and remember ppl are not happy with what they’re doing and will fight back .
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Thank you. I have been trying to block it out, but it just keeps whirring away in the back or my mind along with the constant whirlpool stomach and what ifs. I know we are all in the same boat so at least we have each other to talk to.
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Mixed news in tomorrow’s papers:
First the good news, according to the i Paper ‘Labour disability benefits cuts rebellion grows despite No. 10 concessions’
Then a scaremongering front page by the Telegraph (not surprised considering how right wing it is mind) ‘4 in 10 Gen-Z workers consider quitting to live on benefits’ - Though reading into the headline further, it *actually* says 37% of people have considered leaving their jobs in the last 12 months, which sounds like something totally different!
Edit - Oh and one possible glimmer of hope for us, the Guardian’s front page has just been added and it says they may potentially freeze LCWRA rather than cut it. Which still isn’t ideal, but is a better alternative than most of what we’ve seen this last few weeks.5 -
I think it's because it feels like everyone is treading water and in limbo at the moment. I suppose when they announce what their definite plans are that's when a backlash will start and it will feel like something's moving. Everyone's stuck until then. I am glad Reeves and Starmer are getting worried now, though that's a fraction of what we are all feeling.
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they are evil as is Kendall and Timms. All we can do is try and relax until we actually know what they do plan .
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And as you say, I can't see how this can be legal, especially in view of Ellen Clifford winning her case. It's downright discrimination. It's distressing to think they even think this is okay. I hope the MP's resistance carries on and they don't just u-turn at the last minute.
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I am trying to remain positive until we get the official announcement
All these 'leaks' and speculation is not doing any of us any good.
Happy Saint Patrick's day !tomorrow!
🇮🇪💚☘
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hi , I can’t find anything about freezing lcwra , could you post a screenshot please . This would be good news if true 🙏
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Thank you for posting this. Hopefully a little bit of light in the darkness for us.
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Of course!
Main paragraph is ‘Among MPs there is also widespread concern about reported plans to cut - or potentially freeze - the top rate of benefits for disabled people who are unable to work…’
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oh yes . I actually read that and missed it . Well done spotting that . Possibly a subtle leak ?
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What are the 2015 reforms and what effect does it have(introduced by IDS)
House of Lords Select Committee on Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform WELFARE REFORM AND WORK BILL Memorandum from the Department for Work and Pensions Introduction
1. The Welfare Reform and Work Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 9 July 2015.
2.This Memorandum identifies the provisions for delegated legislation in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill. It explains the purpose of the powers, the reason why they are left to delegated legislation and, where applicable, why they are not subject to any Parliamentary procedure.
Clauses 13 and 14– removing the work-related activity component in ESA and the limited capability for work element in UC.
16. These clauses remove provision for an additional payment to be made to ESA and UC claimants with limited capability for work.
17. Clause 13 removes provision for the payment of the work-related activity component in ESA.
18. Clause 14 removes the fact that a claimant has limited capability for work from the list of needs or circumstances which may be prescribed, in respect of which an additional amount is included as part of an award of universal credit.
19. Claimants with limited capability for work and work-related activity will continue to receive an additional amount of benefit as part of UC.
20. The intention is that the removal will be subject to exceptions. In particular, it is intended that the removal will not apply to:
those already in receipt of the work-related activity component or limited capability for work element at the point of commencement; UC claimants who have made their claim before the date of commencement (or are treated as having made their claim before that date) and who have provided medical evidence in support of their claim on the grounds of sickness/disability who are determined to have limited capability for work following their assessment; and existing incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, and income support claimants who have not yet had their awards converted to ESA who following conversion are placed in the limited capability for work group.
21. New powers have therefore been created in clause 13 (subsection (4))to allow the Secretary of State to make regulations to make the savings and transitional protection required for ESA.
22. No new regulation powers are needed in clause 14 for UC as there is already power in the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to make provision in regulations under that Act for the exceptions.
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I hope theres no cuts at all to LCWRA but at least a freeze in inflation payments isn't as devastating compared to the reports of 34% or more of it being cut directly. That would be manageable, it would suck but that would not be brutal. They need to be stopped in changing the criteria of eligibility. They want to stop people with mental illness being eligible for getting LCWRA. They must be stopped at the courts if true as that's discrimination. Of course we don't know for sure until next week.
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Why thank you, I don’t know if it’s a leak or a compromise or what, but they’ve already backed down (apparently) on a PIP freeze, a LCWRA freeze for a year is a big improvement and we just then need to work on the PIP descriptors / application already being made harder than it already is.
I agree, a freeze would be pretty grim considering the rate inflation has been this last few years but we could at least survive. A cut would be devastating.
Like I said above i totally agree, changing the PIP descriptors is another thing to work on now.
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fingers crossed 🤞 touch wood ( touching my head) the descriptors are next .
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The Article has appeared in full on the Guardian Website now:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/16/starmer-to-drive-through-welfare-cuts-that-could-affect-uks-most-severely-disabled
It does say ‘The bulk of the expected £5bn to £6bn in cuts will come from making it tougher to qualify for Pip – a key disability benefit not linked to work – which is likely to deny payments to many with conditions such as autism.Despite the widespread backlash, scope for further change is now unlikely.’
HOWEVER! There’s also news on the Daily Mail now, which while typical of them being so insulting to the disabled:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14505345/amp/Labour-plans-tackle-welfare-bill-fears-backbench-rebellion.html
It also has one other bit of good news on it here: ‘Any plan to freeze PIP or change eligibility rules would require primary legislation which could trigger a revolt.’So I’m hopeful even if they do try to change eligibility criteria on Tuesday (which seems pretty likely is the main thing, along with a possible LCWRA freeze ) then there’ll be such a major kick-off they’ll have to abandon that too.
I at least feel much more positive now than i did at any other time since this was announced.1 -
I'm praying we just get a freeze for LCWRA (the group I'm in) for PIP rather than a cut. I don't know how anyone is going to survive a cut to LCWRA. I'm still so scared. I've got a review in 2027 so I could still loose it all together. I can only imagine how scared everyone else is here.
I can't believe they're going to do something even George Osbourne thought was too cruel…I want to be angry but I'm so exhausted and afraid.
I just wish I could stop ruminating and panicking about it, it's lived rent free and obessively in my head since the news broke. I just want the green paper so we actually know how bad it's going to be. Question: when the green paper is released how definate is it that will become law (sorry that's a dumb question, my brain just isn't working much) - do we have any hope/ recourse then? It sounds like they're breaking law esp mental health re Disability Act 2010, or am I just being naive?
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I really hope it would be a freeze over cuts if anything.
The mental health issues side of things is also horrifying. They'll be going back to simply calling people 'neurotic' and 'hysterical' if they stick to this track. Saying all that's needed is a good slap and a whiff of smelling salts and all is well.
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How do you know when your next review is?
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Hi, yes me too. I don’t know who they are aiming this at. Personally with my personal circumstances I cannot work - do they honestly think that genuinely disabled people are going to start to think differently if they ‘keep our benefits whilst trying work’ - if I won a million quid on the lottery I’d still be Disabled and NOTHING they can offer or take away is going to change my disabilities or make me be able to work again- I get the feeling that people making these decisions haven’t got a clue.
Im also aware that reform (in whatever shape or form) IS going to happen - it’s been in the pipeline for well over 10 years. The conservatives started to try and then they stopped because of the election.
The freezing of PIP is the very least of our problems and labour know this. (Aww they’ve thrown us a useless bone 🙄)I hope Starmer / Kendall / Reeves on their delivery on Tuesday realise what impact they are having/ going to have on us and also realise life can change in seconds.
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