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Labour 2024 budget news

Details

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.
    Ah
    · 21 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.
      TD
      · 20 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.
      TD
      · 20 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.
    coolday
    · 21 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.
      Jill
      · 20 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.
      darinfan
      · 20 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.
      BOB
      · 20 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.
    Sammy
    · 21 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? 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Never voting Labour again.
    · 21 days ago
    Life long Labour voter and now it seems mug.. I can’t believe they are pushing ahead with these cruel cuts. Apparently it won’t affect you unless you move, but I need to move to be closer to family who care for me. So now I’m stuck miles from home with no way of being nearer to my family. Celebrated Labour landslide, because I thought it was the end of 14 years of persecution…  How wrong was I? 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Bart
    · 21 days ago
    There’s probably worse to come in the spring when they “reform” the whole system which is government speak for cuts! With the added insult of 1.7% increase in April which does nothing to help with the increasing living costs! 10% just on our energy bills this month! They have just Thrown the disabled and ill to the wolves 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      darinfan
      · 20 days ago
      @Bart Cuts HAVE to be made.  The benefits Bill will rise by an extra 20bn a year by the end of the parliament.  That's utter unsustainable, whether we like it or not.  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Angel
    · 21 days ago
    This transfer to uc fills me with very dark thoughts I don’t think I I will get through this
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jon
      · 19 days ago
      @Jobseeker jeff Jeff just had a message from my work coach about identity meeting next Thursday but already had message about work search and uploading CV I have a CV but don't know how to upload got to do it by next Friday luckily for me but maybe not others I am amenable for part time work
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Murphybear
      · 20 days ago
      @Angel There is a big myth in this country that every single person has a mobile phone.  It’s not true.  I have had problems in applying for things online/buying things etc and so far have struggled to complete forms as they do not allow for people not to have mobile phone.

      Interesting statistic.  40% of the worlds population do not have a smart phone.  A smaller percentage do not have any mobile phone.  
       
      I live in sheltered housing, there are 33 of us.  Many don’t have a mobile phone 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Murphybear
      · 20 days ago
      @MrFibro  Before the recent GE we had an amazing MP who cared for his constituents and helped out as many as he could.  He intervened with the DWP for me when I applied for Pension Credit.  With his help I finally got it, but I was waiting 13 months.  That is totally unacceptable.  I dread to think how much longer I would have waited without him.  Our new MP is Lib Dem.  I have contacted him a few times hoping that he and other MPs could intervene about the cruel cut in entitlement to the winter fuel payment.  I’m still waiting for a response. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jon
      · 20 days ago
      @Jobseeker jeff Well Jeff I went into job centre and asked to use the computers for migration and they said that was fine so I had different sections I had to work through asking about your rent or housing plus savings had to list disabilities then I put in something called the journal that I had come from the ESA support group and that I had transitional protection also had to set up a user name and password then once I had finished got a message saying that someone would be in touch about identification in 2 to 3 days so I'm going to take driving license plus passport and bank debit card as proof so that was it really
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jobseeker jeff
      · 20 days ago
      @Jon @Jon spill the beans Jon how was it?were you made to look for jobs?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Glenda
    · 21 days ago
    So??? I'm none the wiser. What I hope Benefits and Work will clarify, is whether it looks as though the changes planned by the previous governemt and "inherited" by this one, will stand. In particular the policy that those 'currently' - ie in 2025 which is when the previous policies were due to come in - in the LCWRA/Support Group for ESA will NEVer have to have another WCA. ??? I'm keen to know the answer to that.

    Also keen to know when they plan to release their plans, *when* they will actually commit themselves to what they're going to do! On any of it. It's pretty disgraceful leaving vulnerable, especially mentally vulnerable, people hanging. Its an abuse of power, and they seem to be enjoying it. I knew they'd be harsh, but I expected a little more respect from Labour. 
    More fool me.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Glenda
      · 19 days ago
      @Argotina Oh I completely agree Agnotina! sorry my post was misleading.
       in my anxiety i didnt say what i fully meant... which was that I hope B&W will clarify *when the information becomes available*. I agree it is better to do what B&W always do - which is to only say what is factual, rather than speculation not justifiable by the facts of what the Govt have actually said.

      I look to B&W for the only certain info that i can rely on. Which is why i said I hope they will clarify. My post reads as being critical of them, I'm not, not in any way i a just in such a panic and feeling so ill that i didnt explain myself properly
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Argotina
      · 21 days ago
      @Glenda Benefits and work cannot clarify what wasn't said. I have seen elsewhere publications putting forward guesses as to what they might do, as if they actually knew. This just causes baseless panic. Well done for benefits and Work for not printing stuff read between the lines. People are scared enough already. We will just have to wait to get clarification.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    A
    · 21 days ago
    there hideing a load of stuff from us, 

    like thers only 800,000 jobs on offer, how will they divide 800,000 vacancies amonst 3.5 millon disabled?  

    how many of them are part time?  they wont tell no one but tell us half truths.

    how many  % on 


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Murphybear
      · 20 days ago
      @Steve I worked for the NHS for years.  Our unit employed 2 disabled people.  one had severe haemophilia, the other had MS. 

      Sadly they both had many days off sick so we had to cover for them.  The person with haemophilia died when he was 21.  
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MrFibro
      · 20 days ago
      @A Part time, split a full time job into 4 + shifts.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Steve
      · 21 days ago
      @A And now with employers NI going up, there will be even less then, 800,000 vacancies, but the simple fact is, that if employers, wanted, to take on the sick and disabled, then they would all ready, be doing it. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Kat
      · 21 days ago
      @A This is precisely a point I made on another forum: these jobs most of them aren't full time or even 16_18 hours a week! One job I was emailed about was just 2 hours a week on a Sunday evening and would take 2 hours to travel each way assuming buses ran! Unless you live round the corner or drive, you'd be screwed! You could maybe get several little jobs but again there's onlly 800,000 advertised vacancies.....
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    axab43
    · 21 days ago
    The comments are coming out again "it doesn't matter what anyone says, they are going to target the most vulnerable."  These kind of comments only make people even more anxious and don't do any good at all.  From what I read, the changes to the WCA are going to be what the Tories were going to do, ie look at the mobilising question in the assessment and the "getting out and about" question of the assessment is going to be changed.

    This does not seem that drastic a change to me.  As someone else said, it could have been worse.  Can we not catastrophise this, for the sake of those who are suffering depression and anxiety as it is.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Murphybear
      · 20 days ago
      @Philip I signed as many petitions as I could find to try and get the government to retract the winter fuel payment decision.  It didn’t make a blind bit of difference to 
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      MJ
      · 20 days ago
      @Alex Yet pensions went up 4.1 and benefits just 1.7 Apparently 1.7% is not the average of this year, that is over 2.0% and is apparently just a blip. The rise is suppose to take place in April next  year, what will inflation be then. according to the OBR it will go back to about 2.2%. at least.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jon
      · 20 days ago
      @Philip Stephen timms is scared of reeves and kendall
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Alex
      · 21 days ago
      @axab43 I think you're right, they haven't announced anything disastrous yet, and have given us the annual inflationary pay rise.  We need to wait until further news is released and deal with it then. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Philip
      · 21 days ago
      @axab43 They have been given a "bloody nose" from the pensioners WInter fuel allowance debarcal. Hopefully it will make them think twice about any attacks against the sick and disabled. Starmer cannot be trusted but I think Stephen Timms whose taking the lead in benefits will hold the New Nasty party's, feet to the fire. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jane Dane
    · 21 days ago
    It's been clear for a few weeks now that Labour intends to have its 'own plan' in the upcoming white paper. So anything we can conclude right now is mere conjecture. It doesn't help with anxieties, but the budget was actually very good in all but the disability area, so much so in fact that the Tories and the Tory client media didn't expect most of it. It was quite radical. Perhaps there is some glimmer of hope that the reforms to disability benefits aren't going to be anywhere near as bad as we expect them to be. The Chancellor only stated that "a crackdown on fraud in our welfare system, [which is] often the work of criminal gangs", which means one of two things depending on how you look at it. Either they lump us all in among the measures and we all suffer, or they will find a way to actually identify large scale fraud which does indeed cost the taxpayer billions. Not sure how they could do this but then I'm not working in the government and don't have the advisors and professionals to offer up suggestions like they could. Do I expect the former over the latter? Well, yes, sadly.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Argotina
      · 21 days ago
      @MJ Well, some of us have been asking the government to scrap Universal Credit and bring in a less cruel system for years. Can but hope!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      darinfan
      · 21 days ago
      @MJ But the issue here is this: benefits claimants rely on the govt. We have no choice.  The suggestion that this anymore a period of uncertainty than normal just isn't true.  We NEVER know when things might change or how they might change, no matter what the party in govt or how long they have been in govt.  The Tory suggestions about PIP earlier in the year prove that.  Difficult though it us, it's the way our lives are and we just have to accept it.  No govt or party is ever going to promise to leave benefits alone.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MJ
      · 21 days ago
      @Jane Dane "The Chancellor only stated that "a crackdown on fraud in our welfare system, [which is] often the work of criminal gangs""

      No she also said this which is more ominous:

      “First, we inherited the last government’s plans to reform the work capability assessment. We will deliver those savings as part of fundamental reforms to the health and disability benefits system that the Work and Pensions Secretary (Liz Kendall) will bring forward."

      We won't no exactly what this entails though until the Spring.

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Alison
    · 21 days ago
    i am going to tribunal against the dwp for the LCWRA. I had to stop working as a S/E private hire driver last october due to severe dizziness so i had to give up work, my car and revoke my driving licence and the muppets in the DWP think i can work. This is why i am appealing the wca. 
    I have many conditions the worst being fibromyalgia which is a chronic pain disorder. The health professionals say it doesnt get worse they need to walk a day in my shoes because it sure as hell does deteriorate over time. 
    Sorry for long rant everyone!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jas
    · 21 days ago
    It does appear that the main savings will come from tackling fraud and hoping people will be to baffled or frightened to claim. Still nothing really to give people a bit of peace of mind. I guess we will have to wait a bit longer until the plan if they actually have one? Is released in black and white. Expect fireworks with not much of a pop.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Michael
    · 21 days ago
    'Often the work of criminal gangs' they seem to be the key words ,that they will also be targeting the ordinary claimants, and possibly checking what they're spending their money on .
    For instant ,if a claimant has a betting account, etc,
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Ant.
      · 20 days ago
      @Henry
      Very true Henry, see were your coming from now mate.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Henry
      · 21 days ago
      @Ant. Yes I know. Just seems a bit more acceptable in some people's view for some reason.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Ant.
      · 21 days ago
      @Henry Any benefit or wages can be spent on anything you like Henry, and in a supposedly free democracy , rightfully so. Means tested is about meeting the criteria to qualify, and non means tested benefits like PIP means you can have a pound or a million pound in saving, or earn a unlimited income and still be fully entitled to the benefit.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Henry
      · 21 days ago
      @Michael As pip isn't means tested yet, people can spend on anything they like.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    darinfan
    · 21 days ago
    The key thing here is the aim to cut £4.3bn from benefits by targeting fraud (and reducing sickness and disability benefits.  That sounds like a huge amount but, in reality, the expenditure on PIP alone went up by close to £4bn in 2024 compared to 2023, so it's not a huge amount in the great scheme of things.  And something HAS to be done whether we like it or not.  In 2019, there were 3.8m people on PIP or DLA, and last year there were 4.6m people.  That's a huge amount.  
    Even so, what Reeves intimated was that benefits would be reduced through changes to the WCA for universal credit, and thus moving people across from one group to another (LCWRA to LCW).  PIP wasn't mentioned.  The govt has committed to reducing the bill by the same amount as the Tories...but not necessarily taking the same actions to achieve it. 

    Of course, needless to say that the "Live" group of websites is already giving a message of doom that the disabled will see their money cut, as if actual rates for PIP/UC etc are going to be reduced, and going to be reduced imminently.  That wasn't stated in the budget.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MrFibro
      · 20 days ago
      @Dan I wonder how many non doms will actually pay taxes to the UK, whilst living in the UK scott free from taxations.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      alzon
      · 21 days ago
      @A many people say many things many times, it doesnt actually make it fact.

      it would probably be useful to not promote personal theories as facts though, i mean sure it helps a certain political party and their media masters, but not the actual people stuck in this nightmare.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Dan
      · 21 days ago
      @MJ BINGO, this is how they hide their cruelty from the public and mainstream news, @ over £400 p/m. Does anyone really think that the Rich care about us Disabled?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MJ
      · 21 days ago
      @darinfan "message of doom that the disabled will see their money cut, as if actual rates for PIP/UC etc are going to be reduced"

      Well even if they don't actually reduce the rates per se, if as you say they are likely to move people from the Support Group to LCW then they automatically lose money.

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Mandy
      · 21 days ago
      @darinfan This is a calming comment. They literally haven’t said what they are going to do yet either.. But they shouldn’t be going ahead with cuts, life is so expensive now. For example my car has died, to my surprise a run around 15 year old cars. with 100k on the clock now costs £2-3k who has that sort of money?  I can’t work I want to I wish I could but I can’t and this anxiety pushes me away from ever having a life. We need clarification fast. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jane
    · 21 days ago
    Could have been worse. I think they kind of have to say they are going to crack down on benefit fraud and get people back to work, in return for hiking tax. But once they start to actually try to get individuals in a job they are going to realise the complexities are more than they realise. Most people on disability have more than one issue, they are waiting for treatment and support the NHS and social care system are years off from providing and over a decade of lack of investment in housing, public transport, childcare etc are also huge blocks in the way. Not to mention the fact that most employers don't want to employ disabled people.
    I desperately hope that labour start to show some real improvement because the thought of Reform in power really is sickening.
    Thanks to all at Benefits and Work for keeping us up to date and providing the help to keep our heads above water
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    SRH
    · 21 days ago
    It would help if the government would give some clarity on what exactly they mean by changes to the Work Capability Assessment, because on the gov.uk website it clearly states that anyone currently in the LCWRA as an existing claimant will NEVER have to be re-assessed. Yet today's announcement in the Budget has caused me to go into meltdown with Severe anxiety about what changes to the WCA they're actually talking about here. It's bang out of order to cause emotional distress to people with a medically diagnosed Severe Mental Health Disorder, by not explaining what they actually mean by such changes.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      A
      · 21 days ago
      @SRH We need to wait for the white paper to be published, as it'll have more details.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Dean.
    · 21 days ago
    I'm on LCWRA and my first 'reassessment' is in January. I am expecting to continue being 'medically retired' as there has been no change in my health since before being awarded LCWRA. Presumably this means I will continue to be supported by UC and LCWRA. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      ill health retired
      · 21 days ago
      @Michael I was medically retired 6 yrs ago so have a small work pension around £750 a month. I received HB, ct reduction and dhp all of with were stopped as soon as I was told to migrate. I now have to pay more rent due to having extra bedroom and full c/t as my pension is classed as unearned income so is taken off any uc claim. I am over £100 worse off a month & I am only 55. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Dean.
      · 21 days ago
      @Michael Thank you. I am a current claimant with my first LCWRA payment being made in September of 2023 but had been out of work since January 2023 so in January 2025 will be the 2 year mark which is when they are saying I will be 'reassessed' unless there are delays. Naturally, I have the opinion that I am still unable to work being as I am over 25 stone and with HF, Ps and PsA, and nothing has improved since before and at the time of being awarded LCWRA. 
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      Mike
      · 21 days ago
      @Michael I thought it was a life long award. Jesus. They just want us all to top ourselves.. 
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      Michael
      · 21 days ago
      @Dean. It depends. If, like I think they will, change the WCA & remove the 'substantial risk', and change the 'mobilising' task, which will still score points but the highest scoring descriptor will no longer get you LCWRA. 

      This will remove about 93% from LCWRA and they will lose over £400 pcm. 

      Curremt claiments should be OK as it will most likely affect new claiments. HOWEVER, if you do have a reassessment, unfortunately, you too will be assessed against the new descriptors, and unless you have serious mental health problems, with stringent medical support, then you will most likely, lose the LCWRA.

      Again, this is dependant on when the assessment is changed, and if at all.

      I genuinly wouldn't like to hazard a guess at your up and coming assessment, but since no changes have been announced yet, I would assume you will be OK.

      Note that these are my opinions only.
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      Henry
      · 21 days ago
      @Dean. Don't bank on it.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    David
    · 21 days ago
    Life long Labour Voter and former party member. Absolutely disgusted that they are pushing ahead with Tory plans to cut LCWRA. This will and is causing untold suffering to millions. Disabled people across the country will not sleep well tonight.  Shameful. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jon
    · 21 days ago
    I've got a sneaking feeling that labour will get us all on universal credit then hit us with work capability assessments and find a good percentage of us fit for work
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      M shirker
      · 21 days ago
      @Jon @Jon Worth a shot at the tribunal though if get 0 points which I’m expecting next year the back pay could be around £5000 depends what changes Labour make to wca 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      c
      · 21 days ago
      @Jon I have been thinking the same.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Michael
      · 21 days ago
      @SRH This is based on the Tories proposed changes.

      Labour are in power now.

      Turns out Labour are actually more cruel.

      Who would have thought it.

      Well, I did.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Michael
      · 21 days ago
      @Jon This is EXACTLY what will happen.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      axab43
      · 21 days ago
      @Jon to assess everyone would take so long and probably go into years.  I find this kind of thing scaremongering, and the changes they are making include mobilising and changes to "getting out and about" question, according to one section I read.  It does not seem that drastic to me.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Old sick man
    · 21 days ago
    From what date will the DWP be able to access claimants’ bank accounts?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      HRH
      · 21 days ago
      @Old sick man the bill has to be passed by parliament so probably from next year
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Kim
      · 21 days ago
      @Old sick man I'd like to know of its even legal!,( I've got nothing to hide ) but it's an invasion of privacy , so how can it be legal
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      DC
      · 21 days ago
      @Kess If it was paid by an employer the employer will have reported it to HMRC, who then report it to DWP through the RTi system. Essentially it was treated as earnings, notified by your employer via HMRC. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Andrew
      · 21 days ago
      @Old sick man They already have the ability to access bank accounts
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Kess
      · 21 days ago
      @Old sick man I believe they have already been doing it for years. I got a payment into my bank account for £500 over 5 years ago.  My following UC payment was cut by the same amount.  I hadn't informed DWP about the money as the CAB said I didn't have to due to it being something to do with my previous employment and it didn't need to be accounted for in my UC payment.

      I did get the money back as the CAB helped me with it. But the question remains.  How did the DWP know that I had a payment into my bank account  without asking my permission to access my bank details.


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