A new “Serious Game” Virtual Reality Simulation is being developed to support disabled people to better access travel on Northern’s services. The first of its kind, the technology will allow passengers to explore their journey and the support they require in advance, from the comfort of their own home. Users will be able to experience trains, stations and interact with station and
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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released its long awaited Green Paper on Disability. The paper reveals several things the DWP plan on implementing. One such changes is the introduction of a Severe Disability Group (SDG) for people will lifelong health conditions that are unlikely to improve. The DWP consultation titled: Shaping Future Support, The Health and Disability
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A group who fights for disabled people’s rights; Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) have called for the immediate halting of health assessments for the benefits Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Employment and Support Allowance. Their call comes after a man died inside a jobcentre having previously being found; “Fit For Work”. Unfortunately we have become all to accustomed to horror
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“There is reliable evidence that the threshold of grave or systematic violations of the rights of persons with disabilities has been met in the State party” – United Nations At 21 years old, I’ve spent the entirety of my years maturing through high school and college under a Conservative government. Born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type II, I was no
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A report by The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has blamed Conservatives welfare reforms for pushing more disabled people and lone parents into poverty. The report which has gone largely unreported highlights the growing inequalities being faced across the United Kingdom. The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is the independent body tasked with upholding the UK’s equality laws
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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) faces further embarrassment after their latest figures show 74% of Personal Independence (PIP) claimants win when appealing their original benefit decision. Despite these figures, the under fire department decided to extended the contracts of the private assessment companies undertaking health assessments PIP. These latest figures once again raise the question on the fitness
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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are once again under fire after it emerged that they have paid out over £600 million to two private companies who carry out benefit health assessments. Atos and Maximus have had their contracts to carry out health assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) extended despite having been
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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are facing further criticism following the release of yet another shocking statistic. In an answer to a written question it was revealed that 52% of claimants moved from Disability Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have had the high rate element of mobility removed. That means that since 2013, over half a
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I previously reported how The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reported that between June 2013 and July 2018, 7,990 people died within six months of having there Personal Independence Payment claim rejected. Now just under two months later, it has emerged that this number is actually 10,380. That’s 2,390 more than we were told in February. Labour MP Madeline
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This evening saw the resignation of Minister for Disabled People, Sarah Newton MP. Unlike her colleagues, Newton resigned as she was voting against the wishes of the government. This is known as collective responsibility. Collective responsibility applies to all Ministers in government. It requires that they all vote as agreed at Cabinet. Should they not, they are expected to resign
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An answer to a written question to The Work & Pensions Secretary has revealed that, in 2018, 5,700 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants attended their health assessment to only be told there was nobody available to assess them. This is more evidence that private companies are unfit to run benefit health assessments. Labour MP for Leeds North West, Alex Sobel,
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Last week, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd announced that her department was looking into combining the health assessments for certain benefits into one. However, rather than remedy anything,this would then risk sick and disabled claimants losing two benefits at once. Currently, benefit claimants who have a health condition or disability face separate assessments when applying for welfare benefits like
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The Scottish Government unveiled its ambitious plans for how it’s going to deliver the 11 welfare benefits devolved to it from Westminster. In a break from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) hostility to claimants, the Scottish system concentrates on claimants welfare, rather than how much they’re costing them. Having looked at the plans, all I can say is
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Disabled workers on Tax Credits can currently receive additional premiums, a Disabled Element (WE) and a Severe Disability Element (SDE). However, if they’re moved to Universal Credit there’s no provision for these and it will see claimants lose over £4,000 a year. There’s been much talk on the news about the loss of the Severe Disability Premium (SDP) for claimants
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