There were no big surprises for claimants in today’s budget, but a continued lack of certainty about what the future will bring. In particular, there is still no clarity about how the work capability assessment (WCA) will change and no mention whatsoever of changes to personal independence payment (PIP).

WCA

In today’s budget the chancellor announced that “We inherited the last government’s plan to reform the work capability assessment.  We will deliver the savings as part of our fundamental reform to the health and disability benefits system that my right honourable friend the work and pensions secretary will bring forward.”

So, the chancellor appears to be saying that Labour will match the projected savings to the DWP that were to be made by the Conservative’s WCA changes, but she has not confirmed that the savings will be made in the same way. 

ESA to UC migration

It is hardly news, but the budget document does confirm the ESA to UC managed migration has begun.

“The government will accelerate the migration of claimants onto UC from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), bringing the start date forward from 2028 to September 2024. This move will bring more people into a modern benefit regime, continuing to ensure they are supported to look for and move into work. Around half of ESA claimants will receive more financial support on UC, while others will receive transitional protection to ensure nobody is worse off at the point at which they move over to UC.”

Carers allowance

The weekly earnings limit for carer’s allowance is to be increased to the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the national living wage. 

The chancellor also said that Labour also looking at a way to remove the current cliff edge, where going even a penny over the earnings limit ends eligibility for carer’s allowance.

The budget document states:

“The government is also giving carers greater flexibility to work and increase their financial security by raising the Carer’s Allowance Weekly Earnings Limit to the equivalent of 16 hours at the NLW. The changes will support those receiving  Carer’s Allowance, 70% of which are women, to start work or work more hours.64 This is an increase of £45 per week and will allow over 60,000 more carers to access Carer’s Allowance.65 This will be the largest increase to the earnings limit since Carer’s Allowance was introduced in 1976.”

“The government also recently announced an independent review into overpayments of Carer’s Allowance, which will consider how they occurred and what operational changes can be made to minimise the risk of future overpayments. Alongside this, the government will also carry out further work on the earnings limit to explore what more can be done to help support more carers into work.”

Fraud and error

In her speech, the chancellor confirmed that the DWP will be able to access claimants’ bank accounts.

Reeves said “I can today announce a crackdown on fraud in our welfare system, often the work of criminal gangs.  We will expand DWP’s counter fraud teams using innovative new methods to prevent illegal activity and provide new legal powers to crackdown on fraudsters, including direct access to bank accounts to recover debt.”

The budget document confirms that:

“The government is expanding DWP’s fraud and error staff by 3,000, as part of its £110 million investment in 2025-26 to tackle fraud and error. This is expected to deliver gross savings of £705 million in 2029-30. “

“The government will increase DWP’s powers to recover debt as part of the forthcoming Fraud, Error and Debt Bill. This is expected to save £260 million in 2029-30. “

“The government will invest in DWP to carry out additional checks on Universal Credit claimants who have changes in their circumstances, as part of a £110 million investment in 2025-26 to tackle fraud and error. This is expected to save £250 million in 2029-30.”

Universal credit  debt recovery

The government will reduce the proportion of money UC claimants can have deducted to repay debts from 25% down to 15% of the standard allowance.

“In addition, the government is helping low-income households on UC by allowing them to pay off their debts over a longer timeframe and keep more of their UC each month. The government is creating a new Fair Repayment Rate which caps debt repayments made through UC at 15% of the standard allowance. This will benefit around 1.2 million households as they will keep more of their UC award each month, with households expected to be better off by £420 a year on average. Around 700,000 of the poorest families with children will benefit as a result of this change, supporting the government’s ambition to tackle child poverty.”

Benefits uprating

The chancellor confirmed that working age benefits will be uprated by just 1.7% in April 2025.

“DWP and HMRC working age benefits uprating for 2025-26 – The government will uprate working age benefits by September 2024 CPI of 1.7% from April 2025. This will see around 5.7 million families on Universal Credit gain £150 on average in 2025-26.”

Get Britain working

The Chancellor confirmed that “The government will shortly be publishing the Get Britain Working white paper tackling the root causes of inactivity with an integrated approach across health, education and welfare.”

The budget document states:

“ Get Britain Working White Paper – The government will shortly publish the Get Britain Working White Paper which will set out its £240 million investment to trail new ways of getting people back into work. The government will test new approaches and collect robust evidence on how to tackle the root causes of ill-health-related inactivity, support young people who are ‘not in education, employment, or training’ (NEET), and help people to develop their careers.”

“Get Britain Working Trailblazers – As part of the Get Britain Working package, the government will establish eight trailblazer areas across England and Wales that bring together health, employment and skills services to improve the support available to those who are inactive due to ill health and help them return to work. This will include NHS England Health and Growth Accelerators in at least three Integrated Care Systems to develop evidence of the impact of targeted action on the top health conditions driving economic inactivity.“

You can download the full budget document here

 

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 days ago
    So it's looking like if you don't agree to the universal credit commitments ie work search etc you will receive no money
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 18 hours ago
      @Jon That’s why you must inform them of support group status at the beginning of the UC claim.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @Jon @Jon please let us all know. Good luck. Hope it's not too bad for you. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @Indeed @Indeed same here the bank statements one I’m just going to deal with cash anyway 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @Truth I will let you how I get on Thursday at my interview
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @Truth I will let you know about my JSP interview next week then we will no whether to be worried or not
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 5 days ago
    Don't know what to think anymore the media scare mongering and lying and  nothing on .gov is making sense they  added about the budget it doesn't add up to what trustable sources that are nothing to do with the media  are saying  also  seen somewhere  else that people who've been on ESA  for years will be the ones the government are forcing back to work first are they on about support group or the other group  then  it's people with bad knees hips anxiety and depression  and people who've been signed off in the last 5 years  on UC  confusing what's true does people  have to wait til next year nothing is being said now .
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @Lill I think like many here (presumably) - we struggle with anticipatory anxiety and not being given "clear signals" tends to feed this enervating rumination.

      The only advise is to refocus where you can - "on the day" and those things you can control.

      I find I have to completely switch off from online chatter and news articles for a day or so, just to remain emotionally balanced.

      The media is what it is and will feed off and promote potentially inflammatory data for clicks and views. I have a suspicion that many news feeds are now more fully automated as well, so articles will spread like the proverbial plague, along with cookies on our systems triggering specific information to be ranked up in priority.

      So if we tend to look at similar articles, that type of article will appear with greater frequency.

      There are no definite(s) at the moment, so it's best to take everything with a pinch of salt and consider tuning out until next year, if you struggle to deal with uncertainty and tidal waves of gloom.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 5 days ago
      @Lill It's like the media are urgently trying keep this going non stop. You try look up for DWP news and all you get it them saying benefits going get cut and made to work and this thing about vouchers instead of money. What are they playing at here GAMES?If your in support group your unlikely to work again yet all of a sudden there will be work for these people out there as they will change the system on a computer so that you will be fit for work. They need explain this how that will happen. Someone at a desk comes up with a way trick and put more misery on the sick and disabled 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 5 days ago
    My job coach has sent me messages about CV upload and what kind of work am I interested in got interview next week got to take identification
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @A @A I'll be worse off eventually when I'm forced kicking and screaming on to uc. 
      It's dreadful and it's not even about the money, I'd rather not have the horror of it all hanging over me either. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @Jon @Jon ok will log back on here Thursday teatime if you really have to do job search on lcrwa then we all screwed from now on 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @The Dogmother I'm in the support group and if I migrate to UC I would get an additional amount of about £173 per month.. But for the sake of not willing to have anything to do with a work coach and have keep checking a damn journal, I opted to forsake such £173 and rather stay on ESA until I get forced to migrate.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @The Dogmother Income related esa
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @James h Fair enough I will play it by ear for now
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 5 days ago
    IMPORTANT ADVICE

    This is from Disabled People Against Cuts:

    "

    Many ESA claimants who are being moved onto Universal Credit under ‘managed migration’ are being asked to provide a new ‘fit note’ (med 3 certificate).

    This is NOT correct.

    YOUR RIGHTS

    Regulation 19 of the Universal Credit Transitional Provisions Regulations 2014 states that ESA claimants in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG) or support group, are to be given the same treatment under UC.

    This means there is no need for a fit note. A fit note is only required if you are in the initial ‘assessment stage’ of making either an ESA claim or UC claim on the basis of ill health.

    WHAT TO DO

    To assert your rights in this situation, we recommend you post the following text in your UC journal for the attention of a Work coach:

    ‘I do not need to provide a fit note as I have already been assessed as having Limited Capability for Work/Limited Capability for Work and Work-related Activity, (delete as appropriate).

    Regulation 19 of the Universal Credit Transitional Provisions Regulations 2014 applies. It states that my LCW/RA status under ESA should transfer to the Universal Credit claim without the need for a new Work Capability Assessment and the LCW/RA element should be paid from the first UC payment.""


    Please bookmark and share this page!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    I have emailed the BBC on numerous occasions about it's funny how millionaires can claim disability benefits, but, the vast amount of people on welfare benefits, are not and never will be millionaires!! I have more....
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 5 days ago
      @Lea I don't like the idea of turning on other disbaled people. Once you introduce means testing to PIP, it'll become exclusively an out-of-work benefit, as those in work will nolonger qualify. And at which point govt will say there's little point of PIP and will instead increase UC by a few quid a month.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @Lea PIP isn't means tested, which means millionaires can claim. If means testing ever gets introduced then it would affect lots of low paid people who are slightly over the earnings threshold, as well as wealthy people. You can't have it both ways.
      I'm not defending rich people and I don't think it's morally right for them to claim PIP but I also don't want to see means testing introduced.

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    I was reading comments from other forums and sites in regards of this and I didn't get upset over Rachel Reeves' budget, I got upset reading the amount of vitriol, hatred and dare I say jealousy poured onto people out of work due to mental/physical disabilities/incapacities. 

    Britain has a real growing issue with the above and it stems from rags like the Daily Mail, Telegraph and the Sun and their TV affiliate GB News. They hate disabled or incapacitated people on benefits yet they're fine with giving taxpayers money away to everything which has nothing to do with Britain which shows how they are hypocrites who punch down because they're cowards. 

    This has been my main problem with "Conservative" minded people, I was told that Conservative minded people are clever, intelligent and rational but whenever this subject comes up they recoil like snakes just waiting to pour their poison. Is it the Left we should be worried about in regards of Assisted Dying? I think the Conservative minded would love to see in their eyes the "deadwood got rid of" to "save money" which is eugenics by the way.

    Is a life on benefits easy street if you are not sound of mind or if you are physically incapacitated? No it isn't, I'm sure those commenting here can attest to that, it's not a matter of living, it's just existing, especially for people who live alone without family or friends or their faculties. 

    I'm sorry but it bugs me how anyone could punch down and do it so hypocritically too, it's them who needs an assessment to see if they're invertebrates. 

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    Just seen on the BBC news website that housing benefit/local housing allowance is to be frozen next year. The majority of disabled people are in rented accommodation - this is potentially very bad news. Private landlords are selling up due to taxation and impending legislation. And social housing doesn't really exist.

    We're beginning to see the direction the Government is planning in relation to welfare reform.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    Reeves says to catch criminal gangs but she is using it as an excuse to bring in a snookers charter for ordinary claimants to catch anybody who goes a penny over the £6000 savings limit that has not been uprated for decades. Snoop on benefit claimants and pensioners bank accounts. This country is now as bad as China for snooping on its citizens.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    Hi, so i get esa and pip mobility, when i have to move to uc does this mean i will lose pip mobility? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 5 days ago
      @TD Uprating only 1.7% next April dont think you will see uprating much higher if inflation projections are correct for the next few years.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @shawn Thanks for your replies
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @shawn transitional protection guarantees the same amount of allowances when you go to UC, but will eventually dwindle down to basic rate over a 5 year ish period (for instance, not getting the 4 or 5% increase each april). UC is in no way connected to PIP, which is not means-tested, and will remain at the same awards for you.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @shawn No. There are two separate benefits. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    After looking into the new wca changes and throughout the budget and papers all these wca and welfare reforms are targeting people who can work and not those who have chronic progressive conditions incurable conditions which stop you from working so example maybe say your waiting for hospital appointment for operation so you can go back to work thank fair enough or am I reading everything wrong here 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 3 days ago
      @Cst Yes, that is really tough for people who are disabled in a wheelchair but they are not taking out questions to do with mental health, as someone else said on here.  Saying these kind of things just gets people anxious and is serious, if people really do have mental health issues.    People should get facts straight before casting fear and doubt in people's minds who are struggling enough already
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 3 days ago
      @TiredJohn "mythical work from home jobs"

      Key point.

      I'm still waiting for the job fairy to wave her blessed wand over my own circumstance so I can do something productive on this PC and receive remuneration.

      It's near impossible to imagine what "working from home" looks like.

      Basic assembly jobs & stuffing envelopes is chiefly a thing of the past and I would assume that most of us aren't IT literate to the point of being able to earn a living wage, especially considering AI is now expected to affect around 40% of jobs in more developed economies according to the IMF. That is a significant figure and we are talking "millions" of people "currently employed" globally who are likely to be directly impacted over the next few years.

      The administration know this and they also know that these fantasy jobs from home do not exist for the most part.

      Quite the pickle isn't it.

      The economic ship has foundered and the old methods of baling out are ineffective. The carrot and stick meted out by the DWP will be impotent in the not too distant.

      Analysts, one would hope, know this - so I expect, sadly, desperate measures and harebrained schemes will be rolled out in an attempt to keep the party going and to persuade the electorate that "something is being done" ...

      Anyway - all the best with your anxiety and CFS is a real thing.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @axab43 Thier taking out substantial risk mobility and couple other questions 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @TiredJohn https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/work-capability-assessment-wca-changes-explained

      Listed here it says that the questions to do with mental health issues actually are not going to be changed.  As a result in the consultation over the Green Paper, they decided not to go ahead with the changes around the social engagement points.  So no, they are not going to be discarded.  Please be careful saying this as it could make other people very anxious unnecessarily

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @TiredJohn Severe social anxiety is covered in the changes to WCA.  You will get put in the equivalent of UC support group if you get the most points for that.   I don't know here you heard it is going to be ignored.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    Interestingly the Nationwide current account to which my partners benefit is paid is asking a lot of detail confirmations today with a deadline of the end of January to complete. It says it is a legal requirement. The usual details like name address etc are required but also employment details, name and address of employer, annual income, source of income, reason for each account ie current, savings etc. Main source of income ie employment, benefits etc. Expected annual income going into the account. I'd be interested to know if everyone is getting this or just benefit recipients.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 hours ago
      @blandie I got this too I bank with Think Money, I had to confirm contact details, state of I'm employed (yes part time) and estimate income from earnings and benefits!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @blandie i know the tory government wanted to pass the snoopers bill but ran out oftime as an election was called.  Rachel Reeves confirmed in her budget on Wednesday that Labour want to give the DWP snooper powers but as far as i am aware this bill has not been made into legislation yet.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @blandie Yes I had one from Chase Bank but not from the bank my benefits go into. It is a legal requirement now to give those details so they can track you accordingly. I was tempted to give the wrong details though to see what happens :) 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    https://www.campaignfordisabilityjustice.org.uk/

    Interested to know what others think of the recent and ongoing correspondence going back and forth from the Campaign for Disability Justice to the government. Thankful to this organisation for their excellent campaigning work.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    Labour are just carrying on where the Tories left of. I'm sick of the sick and disabled being targeted and making the WCA process harder will force people into poverty and push people over the edge with mental health issues. The WCA process is already an ordeal to go through so making it harder will be horrendous. Thought labour would be more compassionate towards the sick and disabled but seems like they are taking a leaf out of the Tories proposals.  I'm 61 now can't wait till I can retire. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    This is a Labour party in name only, run by a bunch of petty-minded, “scroungers” and freeloaders    they do the same as all other, partys, and target, certain groups, with this bunch, it is the old, sick and the disabled, how brave of them, I worked for 30 years, before I became ill, which then turned into,a disability, and like most on this forum, was made to jump though hoops to get anything.

    And now by putting employers NI, up, there is even less chance, of a sick or disabled, people getting into employment, so call it what you will,“Get Britain Working Trailblazers", makes no difference.

    Also was it just me or did, her statement, on welfare, when she said, about new powers, nosing, into people bank accounts,was greeted with silence.
     
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 5 days ago
      @Pjc Sadly you are not the only one.  The term “benefit scrounger” is used everywhere these days but to tell you the truth most of the people using it are really talking about unemployed people.  They don’t understand how many people are entitled to benefits when they are working or retired 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @Steve Totally agree with you. I'm the same, worked most of my life and now I need a little help, I'm thought of as a scounger by the state. I feel so angry.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    I care for someone who has had psychiatrist involvement off and so through severe depression and anxiety for decades as well as physical disabilities. As you might imagine she is in a medically confirmed depressive episode just now, which the DWP accepts.

    So I do have some understanding of what you are going through. 

    1. The Budget itself isn’t that bad from a benefits perspective. So relax a bit if you can.

    2. Next spring might be a different issue from what has been in the news. I know you will be worried/at your wits end/considering whether life is worth living/etc. 

    3. But, what Reeves has done has been to give herself more time to look at all the options and make the best decisions she can make. That is far better than rushing ill-thought out changes yesterday.

    4. We know she is listening. Look at the Party’s turn around re the BBC reports of Work Coaches being put into psychiatric wards, they are listening. So keep them listening. Consider asking (nicely) your MP their thoughts on the welfare death book that they were recently given, on the Parliamentary Committee reports on welfare deaths, on first hand practical problems you have had. 

    5. Hopefully Reeves Spring Statement on the issue, will be fully considered and fair. But we need to recognise that a lot of younger people are claiming disability/illness post covid lockdowns and the welfare cost is seriously spiralling. That does need funding. That is a political choice. In time shorter HNS waiting lists and more capacity will help naturally resolve the money issue. In the meantime some tightening up is likely, hopefully mostly on those of us who are realistically more able to work and whom employers will realistically employ. The fear really needs removing from the system as that just destroys life and lengths NHS waiting lists.

    6. So, UC Managed Migration aside (it is what it is, and some reports on the forum here are positive), try to enjoy the next half year, and hope that the extra time Reeves has is put to good use, with sensible and realistic input, sound analysis and wise judgement. She has given herself time, let’s give her a chance.

    7. Remember to breathe! My thoughts are with you all.


  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    Jesus Christ. There is no difference between Tory and Labour. I'm disgusted and appalled. It's already making my mental health worse and making me keep drinking. What's the point? This country got sold out a long time ago. Pip is the last remaining bastion of a society that once protected the poor and the sick.

    It's a race to the bottom now.

    Contact your local welfare advice charity people. And your local MP.

    Probably don't vote New Labour in again. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    the bizarre fear mongering in here is alas to be expected. we dont know how labour plan on making the savings, literally no one does, despite their insistence. the fact groups of people appear to be voting up such comments suggest its a co ordinated ploy for whatever reason.

    sigh. like always, im going to wait and if its actual bad news, ill be on to my MP. before that, ill be ignoring the media frenzy. 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 days ago
      @alzon exactly.  I've just read someone say that people with severe social anxiety disorder will be removed from any support under the new WCA changes.  Actually, that is one of the areas covered by WCA changes!  If you have severe social anxiety, to the point of not being able to engage at all, you will be put into the equivalent of the SUpport group.

      It is these kind of comments that can put fear into people unnecessarily.  I had done by own research so I knew I would be ok, even under the new changes. People should be careful about doom and gloom comments on a thread with a lot of vulnerable people.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @alzon couldn't agree with you more comrade
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    If they insist you need to send a fit note or see a work coach, is there anything the claimants can redirect them to such as a Gov article that has the right information?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @Ah Send messages to the Case Manager.

      1 When you have typed your message in the drop down menu choose " payment " so then your message will be routed to the Case Manager who should have had the training in Regulation 19.

      2. Reg 19 states no fit notes needed as in support group

      3. and mention Regulation 44, which gives you transitional protection and no need to attend a work interview.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @Ah 1. if in SUPPORT GROUP before migration to UC, then regulation 27(3) of the Universal Credit Regulations [2013] does not apply

      2. then Regulation 19 comes into effect

      3.i f entitled to old-style ESA on the date of the claim for UC and (in LCWRA cases) had LCWRA, they are (as per 19(4)(a) and (b)) to be treated as having LCWRA without a new work capability assessment OR FIT NOTE
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    I think media may misunderstand her

    Despite the headlines, the budget has not actually committed to implementing the Tory plans for the WCA. Government intends to find savings through their own reforms, to be set out early next year. Details still unknown

    david

    Read 3.45

    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67225b9b3ce5634f5f6ef579/Autumn_Budget_2024__print_ready_.pdf
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @coolday Thanks for highlighting this and trying to be positive and helpful 🙂
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @coolday True.  This has been said many times by Labour: they seek to find the same amount of savings, but how they do it will be different. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 days ago
      @coolday Let's wait and see what changes labour tend to plan about the WCA process. The whole process needs to change but not by making it harder but more compassionate for those who could not possibly work. I know it's worrying and stressful for people and will the changes apply to new clients only or everyone. They need to trial things first to see how they work 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    The transitional allowance doesn't prevent you losing out on money on the ESA to UC transfer. Our council rents have an extra week this year to cover accumulated odd days over previous years. Housing benefit covers it for esa claimants but those on UC have to pay the week's rent. My friend was forced to transfer immediately when her husband died. She gets over £100 per month less  than me, has to pay part rent, lost 3 weeks HB when the claim was being processed. We live in identical flats next door to each other, both single, both disabled and on same PIP. So why does she need less to live on? 

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