As predicted (Starmer gives ‘huge concessions’ on welfare invoice to Labour rebels, 26 June), an try has been made to salvage the welfare invoice. Discontented MPs and disabled folks alike will welcome the peace of mind that folks presently receiving private independence funds (Pip) or the well being factor of common credit score might be shielded from modifications. However the episode is damaging, has brought on 1000’s of disabled folks unnecessary fear, and should come to be seen as pivotal in Keir Starmer’s tenure.
There’s something deeply invidious about having two courses of profit recipients – the protected present recipients, and people making future claims. On the identical time, it’s clear that the advantages system does want reform and, specifically, must help folks into work somewhat than taking a punitive and brutal strategy to price saving.
How Starmer has ended up on this place is fascinating, if it weren’t extraordinary for a authorities with such a majority and the potential to make radical and equitable change to be repeatedly wrongfooted. U-turns look weak and messy, and presenting them as a response to energetic listening is unlikely to persuade anybody. Starmer claims to not be ideological, and there’s the difficulty; coverage is being formed not by a coherent strategic imaginative and prescient and principle-driven aspirations for higher lives, alternatives and real equality, however by financial necessity and warning.
It’s a flawed mannequin, sure to accentuate divisions between ministries, Labour members, taxpayers, profit recipients and the broader citizens. There’s main studying and reflection wanted by the federal government; the optics have gone badly unsuitable, however the welfare reform chaos is a symptom of a a lot deeper political malaise.Dr Melanie HenwoodHartwell, Northamptonshire
I’m a social employee and I help reducing Pips. I’ve encountered quite a lot of younger adults trapped in a cycle of welfare dependency, unemployment and chaotic existence. They share a perception that the state should fund each side of life, and a lack of knowledge that advantages come not “from the federal government” however are redistributed from taxation of the inhabitants.
Pip is usually claimed on the premise of hysteria or despair, however the concept of working to help oneself, or searching for coaching or schooling to make work extra attainable, is absent from their considering. The reply? In all probability a mixture of schooling, early interventions and nudges in the direction of tradition change, together with decreasing the provision of Pip. In the long run the established order gained’t assist the younger folks I work with.Title and handle provided
What isn’t being made clear in authorities statements and protection of the cuts to incapacity advantages is the non-public independence cost’s relationship to work. Pip is paid to assist with the extra prices arising from incapacity. It’s paid to folks in work and out of labor. It’s essential in enabling folks to remain in work, paying for technical and private help, well being wants, journey and different prices. It additionally permits individuals who can not work full-time to work. What is going to occur to those working folks once they can not afford the extra prices? It’s clear the federal government doesn’t perceive the function of Pip in enabling work.Jean BetteridgeManchester
As we strategy the parliamentary vote on the brand new welfare invoice, spare a thought for the numerous Pip recipients who acquired the profit when it was often known as incapacity dwelling allowance. I think, for a lot of, the scars nonetheless linger from that authorities change to the system.
What that exposed was that incapacity allowance was not directed to these most in want of it attributable to their incapacity. Moderately, receiving the brand new profit depended upon one’s means to fill out a 40-page kind. Subsequent, it trusted having the bodily and psychological resilience to problem the consequence and take it to a tribunal. This was a protracted and annoying time period. For a lot of, who made it that far, the tribunal reversed the DWP scoring and other people discovered that that they had their previous degree of profit reinstated. Only a disgrace that stress makes many medical circumstances far worse for the person.
A few years in the past, I believed that the DWP needed to assist these with severe disabilities. Today, I’ve as a lot religion in them as they seem to have in disabled folks (DWP letters now appear to be written with a subtext of “you’re a fraud and we’ll catch you”).Title and handle provided
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