Cost of Living crisis

Disabled Brits suffering ‘unacceptably poor’ treatment at hands of the DWP, damning report finds

Spread the love

https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/disability-benefits-claimants-unacceptable-service-dwp/

Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, speaking in parliament. Image: Flickr/ House of Commons

Disability benefits claimants are experiencing “unacceptably poor service” from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), according to a damning report from the Public Accounts Committee.

It said that it is “concerning that DWP is not providing a decent service to all its customers, who include some of the most vulnerable in society and some of those with the most complex needs”.

In particular, it said claimants of disability benefits including personal independence payment (PIP) and employment and support allowance (ESA) are receiving an “unacceptably poor service”.

This has the potential to be “detrimental” for people who are already facing “real pressures in their daily lives”, the report found.

It is released as the government continues to pledge to slash the welfare bill, with a particular focus on the growing numbers of people claiming disability benefits.
…

https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/disability-benefits-claimants-unacceptable-service-dwp/

Keir Starmer confirms that he's proud to be a red Tory continuing austerity and targeting poor and disabled scum.
Keir Starmer confirms that he’s proud to be a red Tory continuing austerity and targeting poor and disabled scum.

Continue ReadingDisabled Brits suffering ‘unacceptably poor’ treatment at hands of the DWP, damning report finds

Ministers warned to stop the rush to ‘political suicide’

Spread the love

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/ministers-warned-to-stop-the-rush-to-political-suicide

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference at the QEII Centre, London, November 25, 2024

…

Leading left MP and former shadow chancellor John McDonnell issued the warning to Rachel Reeves as the Chancellor returned from her China trip to confront the bond market crisis.

Mr McDonnell, presently suspended from the Labour whip for opposing the cruel two-child benefit cap, told BBC radio: “There is obviously a problem.

“There’s turbulence in the international markets, and we’ve just got to see those through.

“You don’t turn to cuts, certainly, because not only will that be politically suicidal, that would undermine the political support upon which Labour got elected.

“In addition to that, you would be taking demand out of the economy, and you would be looking at turning a crisis into a recession.

“So I think you just have to see through the turbulence in the markets.”

Mr McDonnell also reminded the government that voters matter more than markets.

…

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/ministers-warned-to-stop-the-rush-to-political-suicide

Continue ReadingMinisters warned to stop the rush to ‘political suicide’

Morning Star Editorial: As Britain freezes, thanks to Reeves, so do its most vulnerable citizens

Spread the love
Image of cash and pre-payment meter key
Image of cash and pre-payment meter key

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/britain-freezes-thanks-reeves-so-do-its-most-vulnerable-citizens

THE stark fact is that Britain’s fuel poverty crisis puts lives at risk.

The present cold snap brings home the extent of the crisis for the elderly, made more intense by the Labour government’s removal of the automatic winter fuel payment.

More than three-quarters of the public want a social tariff to underpin an energy bill discount for those who need it most.

Pensioners are a clear example of a group that includes many of the most vulnerable.

The arguments in favour of a social tariff are simple. It should support all who depend on heating and electricity for their health and wellbeing. Keeping the costs of energy at a manageable level and protecting the vulnerable from the volatility of the capitalist market in energy should be the mark of a modern and civilised country.

…

Continues at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/britain-freezes-thanks-reeves-so-do-its-most-vulnerable-citizens

Keir Starmer says pensioners can freeze to death and poor children can starve and be condemned to failure and misery all their lives.
Keir Starmer says pensioners can freeze to death and poor children can starve and be condemned to failure and misery all their lives.
Continue ReadingMorning Star Editorial: As Britain freezes, thanks to Reeves, so do its most vulnerable citizens

Children’s charities call for action on under-4s poverty in Wales

Spread the love

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/childrens-charities-call-action-under-4s-poverty-wales

A preschool age child playing with plastic building blocks

CHARITIES called for action yesterday after research revealed that most children living in poverty in Wales live in a family with at least one child under four years old.

The study from Barnardo’s Cymru and the Bevan Foundation found that the birth of a baby often leads to a drop in household income while costs increase.

This, combined with low maternity pay, meagre social security benefits and the rising costs of essentials, can push families with young children into poverty.

Sarah Row, a child services manager for nearly 10 years, said she had been shocked by the scale of poverty, poor housing and mental health problems affecting the lives of children and their parents in recent months.

Working in some of South Wales’s poorest communities, she has come across examples of young children sleeping on mattresses black with mould and others spending the night on the floor.

“I have never seen things this bad,” Ms Row said.

“Parents are often reluctant to admit just how bad things are, as they feel ashamed they cannot feed and clothe their children or keep them warm.”

…

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/childrens-charities-call-action-under-4s-poverty-wales

Continue ReadingChildren’s charities call for action on under-4s poverty in Wales