Adolescence writer says benefit cuts 'punching down' on disabled people
Thorne told the BBC's Access All podcast that the plans were going to cause "severe hardship" for thousands of disabled people and "enough is enough".He said: "It is very expensive being a disabled person. And the extra payments are required for people to have any quality of life."According to the charity Scope, disabled households face an average of £1,010 extra costs per month."I'm aware of friends of mine that are really struggling right now, and it makes me incredibly angry that talented, brilliant people are being denied the support that they need in order to lead a reasonable quality of life," Thorne said."I don't understand why I live in a country now where we punch down quite as much as we do and it worries me about the future direction of travel."Changes to benefits include freezing the "health element" of Universal Credit for existing claimants at £97 per week and reducing the amount for new claimants to £50 from 2026.Parliament is also set to vote on plans to tighten eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments (Pip), which is used to cover the additional costs of being disabled, whether you work or not.
Thorne was one of more than 100 influential disabled people to sign an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which said of the cuts: "This is not reform; it is cruelty by policy."The letter, published as part of the new #TakeThePIP campaign, was signed by actors Liz Carr and Doctor Who star Ruth Madeley, as well as comedians Rosie Jones and 2018's Britain's Got Talent winner Lee Ridley, otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy.They say the changes to the way Pip will be awarded is a "radical departure from the current system".Currently those receiving the benefit must score 12 points across various activities in the assessment, but from 2026 four of the 12 points must come from one single activity for the applicant to receive the highest rate.The signatories said these changes mean those who "can't wash below the waist, for example, could now not qualify and lose vital benefits", "For us, Pip is not a benefit - it is access to life. Without it, people are left housebound and isolated."Thorne, who has written dramas including His Dark Materials, Toxic Town and the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child said: "They're [the government] worried about all these different things, but the answer to that is not [to target] the people who are suffering the most."Talented, brilliant people are being denied the support that they need in order to lead a reasonable quality of life."Thorne was diagnosed autistic as an adult and lived with an intense skin condition called cholinergic urticaria in his 20s, meaning he was allergic to heat and his own body movements. He spent six months in bed "because every time I moved, I was having an allergic reaction".He says he has been passionate about supporting and representing the disabled community ever since."They [the government] just got this one so wrong, and I don't think it's been done with enough consultation with the disabled community. And I think if they did consult meaningfully, they would discover what they need to do here. And it's not this."A consultation on some of the planned changes to benefits is available to fill in online until 30 June.The DWP added: "Pip is a part of the way that we support disabled people and people with long term health conditions. "But with the number of people claiming Pip doubling since the pandemic, it's right that we rebalance the system to ensure support is targeted to those who need it most."Alongside this, as part of our Plan for Change, we've increased the 'national living wage', uprated benefits, and are helping over one million households by introducing a fair repayment rate on Universal Credit deductions."
Thorne received critical acclaim earlier this year for his Netflix drama, Adolescence, which he co-wrote with actor Stephen Graham and told the story of a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a girl in his class.The show sparked national debates about the impact of social media and "manosphere" influencers, particularly on boys, and led to a meeting with the prime inister to talk about protecting people online."It's been amazing, Adolescence having the impact it has had. We're still all reeling from it."He said since the meeting the Women and Equalities Select Committee had started an investigation into the manosphere and a group of Labour MPs are "pushing very hard" for legislative changes to protect people using the internet.Thorne says Starmer was "very sincere and he was very interested in Adolescence and I'm really grateful for that". "And I think he needs to be as interested in this," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Schoolboy, 6, died after bumping head while racing friends in playground tragedy
A SIX-year-old boy died in his sleep after accidentally bumping his head while racing with friends at school, an inquest heard. Mohammed Yaseen Uddin, who attended Marlborough Primary School in Small Heath, Birmingham, died on December 11 last year. 3 3 He had been playing with pals during his lunch break the day before and accidentally bumped his head on a wall. The youngster told a school receptionist: 'I was running really fast, racing my friend and bumped into the wall.' As reported by Birmingham Live, an inquest heard how Yaseen picked himself up and appeared to behave normally after the fall. A paediatric school first aider applied an ice pack to a visible bump on the pupil's forehead. Yaseen's mother and sister were given a letter with medical advice upon picking him up. The inquest, held today at Birmingham Coroner's Court, heard the youngster appeared to be acting normally after going home. He had attended a local mosque after school and celebrated his sibling's birthday with cake. Later in the evening, Yaseen told his father he didn't feel well, and he was given some Ibuprofen. At around 11pm, the little boy complained about head pain "out of nowhere" and started to throw up. His family were on their way to the hospital but took him back home to change after he vomited again. The inquest heard they tried to leave again but Yaseen told them he just wanted to sleep, so they put him to bed. Dad Simriel Uddin said he looked in on his son at 3am and again at 5am when he got up for work, both times Yaseen was asleep. But the youngster was tragically found dead a few hours later. Heartbroken dad Simriel Uddin previously told the Mail: "He was a bright, joyful spirit and he was a beautiful, kind-hearted little boy. "He had a head collision in school -the school told my wife 'Oh, your son has bumped his head.' "When she asked if it was anything serious they said, 'No it's nothing serious, it's just a bump'." The inquest heard how Yaseen's brother Khalil performed CPR while waiting for an ambulance. Paramedics rushed Yaseen to hospital at around 11am but the six-year-old was pronounced dead at 12.08pm. Guirish Solanki, a consultant paediatric neurosurgeon, concluded Yaseen had suffered a "traumatic head injury when he struck his head on the wall." Yaseen's cause of death was given as a traumatic right frontal extra-axial haemorrhage, which means a bleed outside of the brain but within the skull. Louise Hunt, the Senior Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull said: "Yaseen was a six-year-old little boy who was normally fit and well. "He was described as happy and engaged when he came to school, a big character, who was always bubbly." She confirmed Yaseen had been playing with his friends before falling at around 12.29pm. The coroner was also satisfied the family had been given a letter outlining medical advice, despite the fact they previously disputed this. She said: "This was a tragic accident and I record in conclusion this was an accident. "I'd like to reiterate and offer my condolences to all the family. It must be very hard for all of you and I'm very sorry if today's inquest has made things more difficult. I'm so very sorry for your loss." Speaking after the inquest, Yaseen's sister Sumaya told BirminghamLive: "Thank you to everyone for their support." In a previous statement, Razia Ali, the executive headteacher at Marlborough, said: "Our school community has been left devastated by the tragic passing of one of our wonderful and much-loved pupils. 'Yaseen was an incredibly helpful, kind and caring pupil who brought a smile to the face of everyone who came across him. "I know I speak for everyone when I say he will be deeply missed. All our thoughts and prayers are with Yaseen's family and friends." 3
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Government asks body to consult on axing ‘discriminatory' minimum wage age bands
The Government has said it is pushing forward with plans to look at removing 'discriminatory' age bands for the national minimum wage as it extended the remit of the Low Pay Commission (LPC). It said the advisory body will consult with employers, trade unions and workers on narrowing the gap between the minimum wage rate for 18 to 20-year-olds, and the so-called national living wage – the UK minimum wage for workers 21 years and older. The LPC will also be required to put forward 'recommendations on achieving a single adult rate in the years ahead'. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'To ensure the right balance is struck between the needs of workers, business affordability and the wider economy, the LPC is being asked to consult on several issues before recommending the new rates.' Last year, Labour committed to removing these age bands to create a 'genuine' national living wage, as part of efforts to bolster employment rights. Currently, the national living wage for workers aged 21 and older is £12.21. Meanwhile, the minimum wage for workers aged between 18 and 20 is £10. There is also a minimum wage for those aged under 18, and apprentices, of £7.55. The Government said the change to the LPC remit will also ensure it actively considers the cost of living in its recommendations for changes to the minimum wage which are next applied from April 2026. The LPC, which was founded in 1997, provides recommendations to the Government each October regarding how it believes the minimum wage should be changed. The Government ultimately sets minimum wage rates for the following April after this advice. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 'Low pay drags down living standards for our workers and in turn hurts our high streets and local businesses. 'This Government's plan for change will put money back in people's pockets, with this new remit marking the next step in considering how we ensure a fair deal for our lowest-paid workers while maintaining a competitive economy that boosts businesses and their employees alike.' Baroness Philippa Stroud, chairwoman of the LPC, said: 'We are pleased to receive our remit from the Government. 'Already, since the beginning of the year, we have spent significant time speaking with workers and employers to understand the pressures in the economy and the effects of the most recent increases in the minimum wage. 'We have held a successful call for evidence and received detailed submissions from all sides.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Warning issued to patients after using weight-loss jabs
Health chiefs have raised concerns about patients regaining weight after stopping popular weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, calling for robust support to prevent them from piling on the pounds again. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), the UK's health watchdog, highlighted research indicating that many individuals regain weight if not adequately supported after ceasing treatment. Nice stressed that those coming off the drugs should be offered "structured advice and follow-up support" to mitigate weight gain. This guidance specifically applies to individuals receiving these treatments through the NHS. However, an estimated 1.5 million people in the UK are currently using weight-loss injections, with the vast majority paying privately. These individuals will not be eligible for NHS support once their treatment concludes. Over the next three years, approximately 240,000 people deemed to have the "greatest need" are anticipated to receive Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, via the NHS. The new 'quality standard' from Nice says that NHS patients should be monitored for at least a year after they complete treatment, and extra support should be offered if needed. It emphasises building 'long-term behavioural habits, use self-monitoring tools, and draw on wider support – from online communities to family-led interventions and local activities'. This standard, a type of guidance for the health services in England and Wales, sets out expectations for health providers including how they should support patients. 'Successful weight management doesn't end when medication stops or when someone completes a behavioural programme,' said Professor Jonathan Benger, deputy chief executive and chief medical officer at Nice. 'We know that the transition period after treatment is crucial, and people need structured support to maintain the positive changes they've made. 'This new standard makes sure services provide that vital continuity of care, and it supports the NHS 10 Year Plan to shift from a 'sickness service' to a genuine health service focused on prevention.' Dr Rebecca Payne, chair of Nice's Quality Standards Advisory Committee, added: 'Weight management is a long-term journey, not a short-term fix. 'The evidence is clear that advice and support for maintaining weight after stopping medicines or completing behavioural interventions can help prevent weight regain and enable people to experience lasting benefits. 'We've seen excellent examples of services that already provide comprehensive discharge planning and ongoing support. 'This quality standard will help ensure all healthcare providers adopt these best practices, giving every person the best chance of maintaining their weight management success over the long term. 'This standard ensures healthcare services are equipped to provide that essential ongoing support.' Commenting, Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, said: ' Pharmacies take their responsibilities seriously to provide full wrap around support to patients trying to achieve a healthy weight. 'We know that although medication can be effective in speeding up weight loss in some people, it is not a silver bullet and patients need to make long term lifestyle changes to make their weight loss sustainable. 'The current NHS roll out of weight loss treatment is very small, with only a handful of patients receiving it and it will continue to be the case that the vast majority of eligible patients will be seen by their pharmacy.' Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'There is no one-size-fits-all approach to tackling obesity – what works for one patient will likely not work for another and, as with any medication, weight-loss drugs do not come without risk. 'It's also the case that patients will likely need support to sustain their weight loss once they stop taking the medication. As such, this is important and sensible guidance from Nice. 'As a college, we've been clear that whilst weight loss medications have significant potential benefits for patients who are struggling to lose weight, they mustn't be seen as a 'silver bullet' and ensuring access to sufficient 'wraparound' services – particularly for when patients come off their medication – will be key to optimal health outcomes.'
