Latest news with #DisabilityRightsHandbook
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Labour's 'minor' U-turn will leave benefits system 'woefully inadequate'
Ian Greaves, who edits the Disability Rights Handbook containing in-depth information on the social security system across the UK, has hit out at Labour figures and the mainstream media for branding the climbdown 'massive' when the concessions are 'minor and technical'. After more than 100 Labour MPs threatened to rebel against the government on cuts to disability benefits, the Labour UK Government has performed a partial U-turn on its proposals. People who currently receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP), or the health element of Universal Credit, will continue to do so. READ MORE: We investigate the state of the welfare state – read our new series But planned cuts will still hit future claimants from November next year. It means anyone who does not score four or more points in one of the activities assessed for the PIP daily living component will not receive it if they apply after November 2026. Staggering statistics supplied by the DWP show this would leave almost half of claimants who suffer with multiple sclerosis ineligible. Greaves told The National he was expecting much more significant changes to be proposed and is surprised MPs like Meg Hillier (below) – whose amendment against the cuts was signed by almost 130 Labour MPs – are now suggesting the changes are a 'real breakthrough' and a 'good step forward'. (Image: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire) 'I'm surprised that the concessions have been so limited, I was genuinely expecting something more substantial,' he said. 'I thought they'd move on the points. I thought the kind of concession they would make is to say if you get 10 or 12 points or more, that four-point rule doesn't apply to you anymore. 'It had been indicated to us they might be considering something like that and that would have been a significant concession.' Asked if he would urge Labour MPs to still reject the legislation next week, he said: 'Absolutely. I would urge them to look at the reasons they rejected it in the first place. 'These are not concessions of any significance. READ MORE: Will changes on disability benefit cuts affect Scotland? 'Fundamentally it is not fair and immoral to reduce the health-related support in Universal Credit by 50%. Already people with disabilities on Universal Credit are struggling to pay for their basic needs. 'Their debt is going to increase. How can you possibly justify doing that?' Greaves, who is based in Edinburgh, said it was 'laudable' the Scottish Government has pledged not to replicate the cuts to PIP in its own Adult Disability Payment. While the changes made by Labour will not affect ADP directly, they will impact on the Scottish Government budget and Scots will still be impacted by proposals to reduce the health-element of Universal Credit, which is reserved. Greaves said the latest changes by Labour will create a 'two-tier system' which will make it more difficult for disabled people to get into work – the opposite to what Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has been claiming. Greaves said: 'They [Labour] have fiddled around the edges. 'To say to someone who, let's say, in four years time has a stroke, and consequently has mobility problems, that a benefit that has been afforded to someone in their position before, has been pulled away, is completely unfair. 'For new claimants, the new system will be woefully inadequate.' He added: 'What Liz Kendall is saying about getting people back into work is disingenuous. Personal Independence Payments is not a benefit that's paid because you cannot work. 'Moreover, because of that, it's an extremely helpful benefit if you have a disability and you want to move into work. It's going to make it a lot more difficult for people to move into work.'
The National
01-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Labour's 'immoral' welfare cuts blasted by leading campaigner
Ian Greaves – editor of a key text for disabled people and their carers on their rights in the UK – spoke out after the Government proposed £5 billion of cuts from welfare budgets. Greaves, who recently published the 50th edition of the Disability Rights Handbook, told The National of his concerns over the plans. The author behind the Disability Rights Handbook spoke out against upcoming cuts (Image: Ian Greaves) The writer, who said the existing means testing and work capability assessments for disability benefits was already 'cruel enough,' believes the Government has opted to make these cuts to avoid increasing National Insurance for wealthier people. 'How are they going to pay for unsustainable tax cuts which were made by the previous government? Oh I know, let's go for the welfare state, and let's look at benefits, and hopefully the tabloids will be on our side. 'But so many of the cuts are absolutely counterproductive.' READ MORE: South Ayrshire provost resigns after fiery council meeting Alongside the cuts come changes to eligibility procedures to payments like Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which will change the minimum 'points' claimants must score in order to receive the benefit. Labour faced backlash over the proposed reforms, particularly from disability groups who estimate that claimants with long-term physical and/or mental health conditions could be around £4500 worse off per year. DisabilityLivingUK estimates these changes will see 800,000 less PIP recipients by 2029/30, something Greaves described as 'bonkers' since the payment can ease claimants back into work without them automatically losing the benefit. He added: 'The Government gets money back from people coming off benefits in the long run and paying taxes. That's how you get people into work – you do not stop the one benefit that actually helps people get into work – it's bonkers.' With carer's allowance also being affected by the proposed PIP changes, Greaves stated the need for a 'department of common sense' in response to carers facing court action and sanctions due to small, accidental overpayments or minor increases in wages, known as a 'cliff edge'. He said: 'You get rid of that cliff edge, and in the end actually it saves money for the taxpayer as well because more carers are going to find that they can move into work.' Greaves also called funding for Access to Work payments a 'no-brainer' as the money given to workplaces to make necessary adaptations for disabled employees is earned back in reduced benefit claims and taxation from the worker. He urged people to contact their MP regarding the bill consultations, saying: 'The green paper cuts are completely immoral and counterproductive and so many other negative words, but we can do something about it. 'It's important you speak to your MP, particularly about aspects of the paper that we can vote on, like the proposal to combine employment support and jobseeker's allowance into one, time-limited benefit. 'It would be wonderful if your osteoarthritis or your cancer magically disappeared in 12 months, but it won't and your benefit will do.' READ MORE: Donald Trump bid to have Open at Turnberry 'could breach US constitution' The Disability Rights Handbook was first established in response to the Thalidomide scandal and was initially a short pamphlet which provided vital information on the benefits and rights available to disabled people in the UK. Now, the handbook is around 300 pages – a significant increase that reflects the growing complexities of the welfare system – and has a digital version which will see regular updates. Disability Rights UK are lighting up London's Tower 42 with their logo on April 30 to celebrate the launch of the handbook's newest edition.
