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Metro
2 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
I'm disabled and Rachel Reeves is my MP - cutting Pip won't get me back to work
'We believe if you can work, you should work,' declared Chancellor Rachel Reeves three months ago, as she went through a raft of welfare reforms in her spring statement. That was part of the reasoning for major cuts to benefits, including Universal Credit and the Personal Independence Payment (Pip) for disabled people. By making those measures less generous, the state would save money and people would be incentivised to find work – or so the government argued. But back in the Chancellor's constituency of Leeds West and Pudsey, Anastasia Tempest was watching on in frustration. Anastasia, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, had been searching for work for some time and was being supported in that effort by a local organisation called Pathways to Progress. But around the same time Reeves was giving her speech in Westminster, Pathways to Progress was closing its doors permanently. It had lost its government funding. Craig Munro breaks down Westminster chaos into easy to follow insight, walking you through what the latest policies mean to you. Sent every Wednesday. Sign up here. Anastasia told Metro: 'They're cutting back on access to work. 'That's a very good scheme and there needs to be more support, because there isn't a lot of support. And the support that was there has either been cut or eradicated altogether.' The initial measures announced by the Department for Work and Pensions in March were watered down last week as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced a significant rebellion from Labour backbenchers. Most significantly, everyone currently on Pip will continue to receive the same level of payment, with the changes to eligibility only applying to new claimants from November next year. However, a government assessment of the changes published today revealed 150,000 people would still be pushed into poverty under the altered measures. Charlotte Gill, Head of Campaigns and Public Affairs at the MS Society, says: 'We're appalled that the government are choosing to rush through this reckless and harmful bill. 'It's outrageous that MPs are being asked to vote for dramatic welfare changes, without having time to properly scrutinise their impact.' Facing a rebellion of more than 120 backbench Labour MPs, Keir Starmer announced a range of concessions to the bill ahead of a debate and vote today. All current Pip recipients will stay on the system without any changes The changes to eligibility – including the requirement for recipients to get at least four points from a single activity in their assessment in order to qualify – will only apply to those who claim after November 2026 200,000 people with the most severe, lifelong conditions will not be called for a University Credit reassessment Current recipients of the UC health element and some new claimants who have 12 months or less to live will see their income rise at least in line with inflation until 2029/30 Anastasia said she doesn't like seeing Pip being 'abused' and accepts it can be misused. She said: 'I do think it's really good if somebody with a disability or some kind of health condition can work, even if it's a little bit, it can be quite healthy. 'I mean, it's a difficult one, because Pip shouldn't be used for people not to work.' But she said the Chancellor could find alternative ways to find money: 'I have met Rachel Reeves on Zoom. I spoke to her once a couple of years ago. 'If I was to speak to her again, I would ask, go after the billionaires.' Anastasia continued: 'Why people with disabilities? Pip is often misunderstood, it's not means tested, and I think it's good that it's not means tested because it's related to having a disability. More Trending 'Nobody, nobody wants to be disabled. Nobody would choose to be disabled. You know, I don't choose to have cerebral palsy. 'I think some people think, I mean, I've read stuff, they think you receive a lot of money if you have a disability. That's nonsense.' Today, MPs will vote for the first time on the welfare cuts when the Universal Credit (UC) and PIP Bill has its second reading in the House of Commons. The proposed legislation is expected to pass following the government concessions, but the PM is still likely to see one of his biggest MP rebellions just days ahead of his first anniversary in the job. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Benefit cuts will push 150,000 people into poverty despite U-turn, government admits MORE: I dehydrate myself so I don't have to use public disabled toilets MORE: All of Keir Starmer's welfare cut U-turns 'will cost £4,500,000,000'
Zawya
05-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Citi Foundation announces 2025 global innovation challenge for nonprofits accelerating youth employability
Dubai, UAE – The Citi Foundation today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its 2025 Global Innovation Challenge, which provides philanthropic support for community organizations to pilot or scale solutions to social and economic issues around the world. Despite recent progress, young people globally continue to experience challenges in their pursuit of employment, including the skills mismatch and gaining access to quality jobs. With this RFP, 50 community organizations will receive $500,000 each in grant support for innovative employment solutions for low-income youth, from upskilling and reskilling efforts to entrepreneurship programming, financial education and more. 'Youth employability is rapidly evolving in the UAE, driven by a growing demand for future-ready skills. Today, empowering young talent is key to bridging skills gaps and fostering sustainable career pathway', said Maria Ivanova, Citi Country Officer & Banking Head for the UAE. ' For years, Citi UAE and the Citi Foundation have been at the forefront of addressing youth employability through scalable solutions, ranging from skills training to job placement programs.' The 2025 Global Innovation Challenge builds on Citi and the Citi Foundation's long-standing investment in youth, including: The Citi Foundation invested more than $300 million over the last decade alone in programs that supported over one million young people in expanding their skills, experience and networks through its Pathways to Progress initiative. Citi provides banking services for clients expanding access to high-quality education and youth entrepreneurship opportunities and invests in solutions for early career professionals. Citi has also financed and facilitated access to education in emerging markets through social finance bonds and other transactions. Citi employees volunteer year-round, lending their talent and expertise in support of youth employability, including engaging in financial education and career development workshops and mentoring and coaching youth. The deadline for eligible organizations to register to apply is Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. New York Time (Eastern Time) and recipients will be announced later this year. For more information on this opportunity including eligibility requirements and target geographies, please visit About The Citi Foundation The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant communities. The Citi Foundation's "More than Philanthropy" approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation.
