Robbie Thomson

Woman at the window of a bare, clean house. Who is outside? Child, ghost, spirit? Friendly, frightening? You say. By Jacob Vrel, whose day is today.

Was I alone in being shocked at the Secretary of State's tone in her Green Paper speech when she referred to Learning Disabilities. Zero empathy on display given the life barriers they face. Awful. I was moved to tears.

A small, cute Boreal Owl perched on a branch

So small, so fluffy, so perfect.

📸 tcgnaturephotography

Agree-people will still be worse off.

Am guessing there being no changes to the Mobility Element (thank goodness) is in part due to Motability being underwritten by high street banks which Reeves likes as City Interests. The latest PIP reassessment form explicitly asks are you interested in the Motability Scheme? Hmmm.

Well said!

Wishing a very happy St Patrick’s Day to all of my friends celebrating in Ireland and around the world, especially O’Larry who’s the guard cat at Jameson:

The text reads: "Targeting the most vulnerable with benefit cuts to meet arbitrary fiscal rules is an immoral choice at any time, but at a time of rising poverty, long NHS waiting lists and when the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite is abhorrent. PCS will be campaigning with allies to oppose these cruel cuts" Fran Heathcote, PCS General Secretary

PCS has vowed to campaign with allies to oppose the cruel welfare cuts announced by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall today, a blatant attack on the most vulnerable in our society.
www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/...

I was one of the people to get the severe 'stay at home' letters from HMG during Covid. Think we were pinned down for longer than other countries. Affected my mental health badly for sure-esp as im a wheelchair user-no exercise. Now the brown envelope will tell me I must go out (and get paid work).

Question:
Why is the NHS sacred to politicians when the welfare system is openly denigrated. It's the same humans using these systems?

The big controversy is PIP changes - could mean significant numbers of people with quite severe challenges no longer qualify. eg needing help with some forms of washing and dressing

In some Labour constituencies, 1 in 5 people are on PIP. There will be more analysis of impact over the coming days

It's electoral suicide Jessica. Unlike the Winter Fuel Debacle the demography and psephology is very different. Labour wont when the next Gen Election. This betrayal and loss of trust will be a key factor @teamlabouruk.bsky.social

It's electoral suicide Jessica. Unlike the Winter Fuel Debacle the demography and psephology is very different. Labour wont when the next Gen Election. This betrayal and loss of trust will be a key factor @teamlabouruk.bsky.social

The key question is will the assessment process remain adversarial (which it currently is). The cost-drive nature of these reforms makes me skeptical of whether consultations will be more than window dressing.

It's basically going to mean more unpaid care given the severe rationing of local authority social care.

At-a-glance: Key changes to benefits in welfare shake-up How Personal Independence Payments (Pip) and other health-related benefits could change under government plans.

We are working through the Green Paper, but the change to eligibility for PIP Daily Living alone will have a huge huge impact. We think millions of disabled people will not get or lose help with the extra costs of their disability. Detailed analysis to follow soon.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Good point

Yes-a form of gaslighting-"Some are taking the mickey", "did we say that"? "Sorry you're anxious". If individual did this it could be coercive control, if the State does it-heigh ho.

Yep

But She'll do until that person comes along.

Kendall hints she can see argument for Pip claimants whose condition will never improve not facing reassessment - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

Andrew-my condition is irreversible, all medical science says that, but DWP insist on reviews every 5 years I wait 6-9 months each time waiting for the Brown Envelope.

Andrew-my condition is irreversible, all medical science says that, but DWP insist on reviews every 5 years I wait 6-9 months each time waiting for the Brown Envelope.

Same staff, same cultures. But this is not about jobs-its about cuts. Pure and simple.

Moral Maze - Is there a moral case for cutting welfare? - BBC Sounds Live debate examining the moral issues behind one of the week's news stories.

Last night on the Moral Maze, our Miro Griffiths contested the claim there is a moral case to cut welfare, arguing the focus should be on addressing strutural inequalities and disabling barriers.
The programme is available on BBC Sounds:
bbc.in/3XStUKj

Sadly, the UK govt havent listened to Centre's like this. I cannot really see any impact of such centres across the UK on disability/work/welfare.

We're seen as 'useless eaters'. If you cant work you have NO place in Labour's brave new world. #pip #welfarereform

We're seen as 'useless eaters'. If you cant work you have NO place in Labour's brave new world. #pip #welfarereform

Sadly, the UK govt havent listened to Centre's like this. I cannot really see any impact of such centres across the UK on disability/work/welfare.