disabled people

The Guardian view on long waits for disability benefits: the system should not push people closer to poverty

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https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/13/the-guardian-view-on-long-waits-for-disability-benefits-the-system-should-not-push-people-closer-to-poverty

A protest at the Houses of Parliament in July 2025. Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing/Getty Image

Long delays in processing personal independence payment (Pip) claims have become one of the most damaging and least defensible failures in the UK’s welfare system. Pip is designed to support disabled people with the additional costs of daily living and mobility, yet for many claimants it has instead become a source of prolonged uncertainty, financial hardship and distress. Waiting months – and in some cases more than a year – for a decision can push people into debt, rent arrears and poverty, especially as Pip unlocks other support such as carer’s allowance.

Parliament has been sounding the alarm over the scale of the problem – but it appears the Department for Work and Pensions has its fingers in its ears. The stock response is that a new “health transformation programme” will lead to efficiency gains made by replacing paper Pip applications with an online claims system. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the chair of the public accounts committee, last week pointed out that MPs had been told “three years ago that improvements would have manifested by now; we are now told that they are a further three years off”.

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Article continues at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/13/the-guardian-view-on-long-waits-for-disability-benefits-the-system-should-not-push-people-closer-to-poverty

Keir Starmer says that the Labour Party under his leadership is intensely relaxed about assaulting those least able to defend themselves - the very poorest and most vulnerable.
Keir Starmer says that the Labour Party under his leadership is intensely relaxed about assaulting those least able to defend themselves – the very poorest and most vulnerable.

Back on track ;)

Continue ReadingThe Guardian view on long waits for disability benefits: the system should not push people closer to poverty

Labour failing to uphold basic rights, watchdog chief warns

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/labour-failing-uphold-basic-rights-watchdog-chief-warns

 Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy (left) and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool, September 28, 2025

LABOUR is failing to uphold basic rights, the new head of the official equalities watchdog has warned.

Protesters, migrant workers and disabled people have been particularly targeted by the government, Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) chairwoman Mary-Ann Stephenson has told ministers.

Dr Stephenson, who took up her role at the start of the month, urged the government to “ensure rights are protected across the nation.”

Her warning comes as PM Sir Keir Starmer is looking to persuade other European leaders to dilute the European Convention on Human Rights to make it easier to block refugees.

Dr Stephenson highlighted areas where “key human rights” are not being guaranteed.

She said: “The government has made commitments to protect everyone’s fundamental human rights.

“While there has been progress in some areas, it is failing to uphold basic rights in others — particularly by permitting heavy-handed responses to peaceful protests, failing to ensure disabled people can access healthcare on a level playing field with others, and allowing labour exploitation to go unchecked for certain workers.

“This failure to uphold key human rights is concerning for each and every one of us. 

“That’s why we’ve written to ministers to urge them to review our new report and ensure rights are protected across the nation.”

The warning echoes complaints made by her predecessor, Kishwer Falkner, about “heavy-handed policing” of Gaza solidarity demonstrations which she said risked a “chilling effect” on protest rights.

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/labour-failing-uphold-basic-rights-watchdog-chief-warns

Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Continue ReadingLabour failing to uphold basic rights, watchdog chief warns

Jeremy Corbyn: Surprise, surprise – Labour is reaping what it has sown

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Image of Jeremy Corbyn MP, former leader of the Labour Party
Jeremy Corbyn MP, former leader of the Labour Party

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jeremy-corbyn-new-party-labour-uk-poverty-b2827322.html

Instead of addressing child poverty, homelessness, poor working conditions or any of the real issues impacting this country, Labour has chosen to deflect the blame and pour billions into arms, says Jeremy Corbyn. Britain is tired of having no political choice – and we’re here to fix that

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Over the past year, the government has continued a programme of austerity and privatisation. It has refused to lift the two-child benefit cap, the single biggest driver of child poverty. It has tried to take away the winter fuel allowance. It has increased the bus fare cap. And it has tried to take away £5bn from disabled people, curating a two-tiered benefit system that deprives thousands of people of a dignified life.

There is one area where the government has been very generous, though: arms spending. Government military spending is now at £31.7bn, which is a 6 per cent increase in real terms from last year. Imagine how much better ordinary people’s lives would be if we spent that money on schools, hospitals and green energy instead.

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People have had enough of a political regime that serves the interests of billionaires and corporations. They have had enough of a government that inflicts suffering at home and enables genocide abroad. They have had enough of broken promises from political parties that fail to deliver real change.

Original article at https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jeremy-corbyn-new-party-labour-uk-poverty-b2827322.html

Keir Starmer says that the Labour Party under his leadership all feel a small part of Scunthorpe.
Keir Starmer says that the Labour Party under his leadership all feel a small part of Scunthorpe.
Keir Starmer explains the moral case for cutting disability benefits. He says work will set you free.
Keir Starmer explains the moral case for cutting disability benefits. He says work will set you free.
Palestine Action joke that appeared in the UK satirical magazine 'Private Eye'.
Palestine Action joke that appeared in the UK satirical magazine ‘Private Eye’.
Continue ReadingJeremy Corbyn: Surprise, surprise – Labour is reaping what it has sown

‘We’ll hound you out of office’: Disabled people’s protest warns Labour

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https://socialistworker.co.uk/labour/well-hound-you-out-of-office-disabled-peoples-protest-warns-labour/?mc_cid=9aa1fd6598

At the Disabled People Against Cuts (Dpac) protest against benefit cuts (Picture: Guy Smallman)

MPs will vote on Tuesday on Labour’s vicious ‘welfare reform’ bill

Disabled people say they are in a fight for their lives. Hundreds of people gathered in the sweltering heat at Parliament Square on Monday for a protest organised by Disabled People Against Cuts (Dpac) and others.

It came amid a growing MPs’ rebellion against Labour’s plans to slash disabled people’s benefits. 

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Paula Peters from Dpac told the crowd, “There is only one thing to do with this bill—bin it.”

The Labour government claims it has to slash the welfare budget, but is boosting military spending. 

Angela Grant from the PCS union said, “They are spending money on selling arms to other countries to kill other people like us. It’s warfare abroad and warfare against disabled people.

“They do not care. They are not listening—until we make them listen. We have seen some U-turns already. That’s people power.”

Disabled journalist Frances Ryan has said, “This is Labour’s poll tax, its tuition fees, its Partygate. Just as the Iraq war was for Tony Blair, disability cuts are the moral stain that will mark Starmer’s government and the party for years to come.”

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Continue Reading‘We’ll hound you out of office’: Disabled people’s protest warns Labour

Ditch ‘repugnant’ welfare Bill entirely, MPs and campaigners urge

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/ditch-repugnant-welfare-bill-entirely-mps-and-campaigners-urge

 Protesters on Whitehall in London, as Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivers her spring statement to MPs in the House of Commons, London, March 26, 2025

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Long a public opponent of the plans, Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth Brian Leishman told the Star: “These so-called ‘concessions’ have succeeded only in turning horrific, cruel and wicked proposals into awful ones.

“I will not be voting for something that cuts £3 billion from the welfare system.

“The government now needs to show some leadership and some common sense.

“They should withdraw the Bill, take the time to talk to MPs, talk to those affected and come back with a plan for a welfare system worthy of the name.”

The view was echoed by Richard Burgon MP, who said: “These changes are nowhere near enough. 

“This Bill is still really all about balancing the books on the backs of disabled people. 

“MPs should not be voting to take away vital support from disabled people who need help washing, cutting up their food, or using the toilet.

“I will vote against the Bill, and I call on the government to withdraw it entirely.”

Mr Burgon highlighted Disability Labour’s continuing concerns about the planned cuts. The group said the legislation still contains raised eligibility thresholds for PIP, reductions in universal credit support for those unable to work, and ”unexplained and unaddressed proposals to change the ’severe conditions criteria’ which determine long-term entitlement to support.”

“It is significant that Disability Labour — the Labour Party’s official disabled person’s affiliate organisation — has issued a statement that the government’s concessions are insufficient and is calling on all MPs to vote against the benefits Bill on Tuesday,” he said.

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/ditch-repugnant-welfare-bill-entirely-mps-and-campaigners-urge

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 ReadingDitch ‘repugnant’ welfare Bill entirely, MPs and campaigners urge