“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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For a week now, the world has been talking about Extinction Rebellion and its efforts to force governments to act on climate change. While this goes on, the effects of austerity that even the United Nations condemned, continue to push people over the edge. Despite this, there’s no action to force the government change their ways. What Extinction Rebellion have
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A local council in London has called the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) “grotesque and unbelievable” after they discovered claimants are being visited whilst in hospital. One claimant who missed an appointment because on an operation was shocked when a jobcentre adviser arrived at their bedside. It’s no secret that if you’re on Universal Credit you run the risk
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A study by The University of Lancaster on the effects of austerity in the social security system has labelled the policy as ‘social murder’. While this is of no surprise to many, it does add weight to the growing calls to end cuts to the benefit system. The research titled:“‘Violent proletarianisation: social murder, the reserve army of labour and social
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A Freedom of Information request has shown that since Personal Independence Payment (PIP) came into being in 2013, over two-thirds of cases that go to Tribunal result in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) decision being overturned. This will come as no surprise as the number of decisions emerging in favour of the claimant has always been high. What
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Following my journey through the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) application process and first stage of appeal, I can show how the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are intentionally misleading applicants. The way they are operating is leading to disabled people losing out purely on how things are worded. It’s no secret that applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is
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A report by Work and Pensions Committee has warned that the way Universal Credit is paid per household means abusers could take control of the entire budget, leaving vulnerable victims and their children dependent on an abusive partner to survive. Whilst it’s as start I don’t think that this report goes far enough.
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Just when you think Esther McVey couldn’t sink any lower, she does. After weeks of reports and evidence proving that Universal Credit claimants can’t afford basic food items, she does this… Sunday 24th June started like a normal day for me. Breakfast just isn’t a meal that I can afford to budget for. I’m so used to not having it
Read moreThe DWP says “sanctions” are an important part of the benefits system and it is right that there is a system in place for tackling “those few” who do not fulfil their commitment to find work. But that position looks increasingly untenable. It is frequently suggested sanctions – the temporary suspension of someone’s benefits – are often wrong, harsh or
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The twins, who both had the same genetic condition, went for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments at different times and one was approved, while the other was rejected
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Thiyis Ali’s account of how she has found Universal Credit. A truly harrowing read.
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Friday 15th June 2018 ∼ Alex Tiffin Universal Credit has taken significantly longer to roll-out than intended, may cost more than the benefits system it replaces, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will never be able to measure whether it has achieved its stated goal of increasing employment. In today’s report, the National Audit Office (NAO) concludes that
Read moreThe High Court in London has ruled that the government acted ‘unlawfully’ in denying two men disability premiums on their Universal Credit claim. The Victorian Gothic style main entrance to the The Royal Courts of Justice public building in London, UK, opened in 1882. shutterstock Mr Justice Lewis, was told during a hearing in May that the men have been
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An excerpt from my article on the Statesman website. My diary of two weeks on Universal Credit
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