The current form of austerity was introduced by the Conservative-Liberal coalition government that came to power in 2010. The world was still recovering from the aftermath of the financial ‘crash’ of 2008; the most significant global economic downturn since the Great Depression (1929-39). It is effectively a campaign of budget cutting designed to reduce the UK’s (at the time) unsustainable
Read more
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
Read more
Former Tory MP Heidi Allen is the Independent Group’s Welfare Spokeswoman. She recent;y put out a video on social media calling for the end of the benefits freeze. What’s staggering is that since 2015 her voting record on welfare has been to cut, scrimp and exclude those with disabilities. Why should we believe a word she says? Heidi Allen recently
Read more
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
Read more
In an answer to a written question, The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed that welfare reforms are leaving benefit claimants £65 short when it comes to paying their rent. The question by Labour MP Karen Buck, asked for “the average shortfall between housing benefit and rent of people affected by the benefit cap.” However, DWP Minister Justin
Read more
So the 2018 budget was announced today, and after the threat of Tory backbenchers voting down the budget unless changes to Universal Credit were announced, The Chancellor Philip Hammond acted. However, the changes are little more than an a PR stunt to stave off a revolt. Here’s why; Universal Credit was introduced in 2013 by then Work and Pensions Secretary,
Read more
Margaret Greenwood MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, has written to the Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey, to demand the removal of gagging clauses stopping charities from speaking out on Universal Credit, saying: “All civil society organisations… must have the right to speak out about this injustice.” I previously wrote about Citizens Advice and how they cannot be trusted
Read more
This weeks Labour Conference brought a lot of uncertainty to those hoping Labour would commit to scrapping the controversial benefit Universal Credit. In an exclusive, a senior Labour MP has told me that scrapping Universal Credit WILL be included in the next Labour Manifesto. At this weeks Labour Party conference there have been mixed messages on the party’s plan for
Read more
It is well know that Universal Credit is causing hardship, suffering even death. While the public are all too aware of this, employees of The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are living it everyday. That’s why I’m proposing radical action. I will admit that this may not be the most popular of ideas but ask that you hear me
Read more
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) are sending a world renowned human rights and law Professor to the UK in November. What won’t please the government, is that he has asked for public submissions to aid him in his investigation. This will make it hard for the Tories to spin as teething issues. The United Nations Human Rights Council
Read more