Today, as government borrowing costs remain punishingly high, panicked Chancellor Rachel Reeves will try to reassure the markets that the government is growing the economy and cutting the benefits bill.

We'll update this page with any information about benefits changes as soon as we get it.

Reeves is speaking now, she says:

"We will deliver fundamental reform of our welfare system.  That includes looking at areas that have been ducked for too long, like the rising cost of health and disability benefits. And the secretary of state for work and pensions will set out our plans to address this ahead of the Spring statement."

Will there be more?

No, it seems there won't. 

However, there are motions by both Rachel Reeves and Liz Kendall on the welfare cap this afternoon.  Reeves  told the Sun on Sunday that she will “expose how the Conservatives lost complete control of the benefits bill – with a project overspend of more than £8 billion”.

So, there may be more on benefits to come.  We'll keep this page open for the rest of the day, just in case.

Alison McGovern minister for unemployment is standing in for Rachel Reeves and Liz Kendall. 

She says she is never disappointed in her work coaches, the thing that lets them down is the system they work within.

It's on Parliament TV from 16.14 at this link:

https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/e4026aea-0691-4880-8957-3db8c8d0825f

 McGovern explains that the Conservatives have breached the welfare spending cap by £8 billion.

She appears to be claiming that the move from ESA to UC is the cause of much of the rise in benefits spending, because of the hard separation between the level of benefit for those capable of work and those with LCWRA.

She also says that you cannot have a functioning social security system if the health service is not functioning.  For example being told you can only see someone for 10 minutes, having to do numerous admin checks that could be done with modern technology.

We are hearing a great deal about getting people into work, but nothing about changes to the WCA and PIP. Instead, McGovern refers once again to the Green Paper to be published in the Spring, even though Rachel Reeves has said "we’re setting out our detailed plans before Easter".

She confirms that Labour will keep the welfare cap, which is intended to limit the amount that is spent overall on social security.

 It's notable that the house is almost empty.  Jeremy Corbyn has asked questions of the minister.

She moves onto fraud.

And that seems to be it.

There's a link to the written statements by Liz Kendall here

 

 

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    To Ian Strange , thankyou son , thankyou son .
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    Will Schizophrenia and Bipolar be eligible for disability benefits?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Ah Work would be great for me.  I have got Bipolar with psychosis.  Antipsychotic do a reasonable job but anxiety trigger a mild psychosis.  I start to believe everyone is from DWP or MI5 and that they are all spying on me.  A helicopter going over the building I would have to randomly hide  and so on.  Then the whole thing would exhaust me and I would have to go to sleep somewhere.  I would have to out smart though where though so the MI5 agents don't find.

      And they want to muck about with the substantial risk group.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Ah I've got schizophrenia reports are we will have too look for work.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Ah I can't understand why one has to vote down this enquiry! It's just a question.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Ah PIP is not based on the type of illness you have but the level of help you need due to your health condition or your illness.

      There's not a single health condition or illness no matter how severe it's that guarantees you to pass PIP assessment, it's you to prove that you need help with your daily activities due to your health condition.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Ah @Ah Nobody really knows yet they just churning out evil ideas to the media which would take a while anyway I would say 18-24 year olds and depression and anxiety depends how far up the ladder they want to go but then they was on about autism and adhd the other day which I have got but then I’m 50 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    Can the government really take your driving license away  if you commit fraud if your a disabled driver I really don’t think so even police can’t take your away from you if it’s registered disabled car it will never happen so let’s see how far this government gets away with bullying disabled people into work many disabled had to give their working years up due to their disability’s and mental health conditions 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    I wish people would stop listening or reading to what "might happen"

    This doesn't help you. It just compounds your fears further and makes you into a dithering wreck.

    All MSM of all colours don't know any detail, in the slightest.

    Do you genuinly believe they will scrap the LCWRA and have 2.8m people (UC and ESA support group equivalent) lose £400 pcm....by which putting many thousands of people into absolute poverty?

    Do you really believe that is a good move from any party?

    Of course not. IT WONT HAPPEN.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Michael Every Govt uses the same rhetoric- if you can work you must work/ we want to help disabled into work/ benefits aren't a life choice etc
      They have to look like they're being tough.
      You're absolutely right NO ONE KNOWS !
      The media whip people into a frenzy.
      We have to wait.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Michael Totally agree. Don't look into the future;  focusing on the most negative outcomes, that is precisely what causes anxiety. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Michael Thank you for your positive comment.  Even if by some means, some form of this does happen (I don't think they will take it away completely) comments like this will help people who are seriously scared by all of this.   
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    Benefits bring more worries than they solve.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    All these quotes from media papers if dwp force disabled to look for work they would be breaking so many human rights and disability act 2010 which protects the vulnerable disabled people into Forcing them into work. There’s going to be a lot of backlash and human high court cases if the government don’t get these reforms right also I expect these reforms will be for New claims only dwp own words saying 420 thousand will lose lgwra element and that 420 thousand people would be what dwp expect by 2030 extra claims would be on lgwra element so let’s wait and see for green paper in March 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    My post was cut. This is it in full:

    @Harry, re your post below - please understand it is important to differentiate between some disability charities and legitimate disability organisations, which is the subject of the article to which you refer.

    Also, what are these 'upcoming heinous reforms' exactly, when are they coming and how do you intend to arm yourself against them? An answer to those questions would go a long way to ending our baffled trepidation. Do you have privileged knowledge? Please share.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Harry @Harry, Who is Francis? Please tell us all what precisely is the 'onslaught to come' in your view? Why scaremonger and and bandy about these vague and extreme terms? We can't be expected to respond to other threads when you're posting here - tell us what you know and how you plan to prepare yourself. It would be good to see something constructive which might help us.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Frances @ Francis I put exactly what I would do in another previous Benefits and Work thread.
      I'm not repeating it in this one try using your energy to find it, also use some of that energy to respond to the Labour Party too as its not me who are implementing these heinous reforms.

      Regarding the legimate disability charities try reading the article fully perhaps look at the Disabled Charities not run by Disabled People.

      I won't be responding to any more of your posts Francis as I need my energy to prepare fully for the upcoming onslaught to come.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Frances @ Francis I put exactly what I would do in another previous Benefits and Work thread.
      I'm not repeating it in this one try using your energy to find it, also use some of that energy to respond to the Labour Party too as its not me who are implementing these heinous reforms.

      Regarding the legimate disability charities try reading the article fully perhaps look at the Disabled Charities not run by Disabled People.

      I won't be responding to any more of your posts Francis as I need my energy to prepare fully for the upcoming onslaught to come.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    @Harry, re your post below -  please understand it is important to differentiate between some disability charities and legitimate disability organisations, which is the subject of the article to which you refer.
    heinous reforms' exactly, when are they coming and how do you intend to arm yourself against them? An answer to those questions would go a long way to ending our baffled trepidation. Do you have privileged knowledge? Please share.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    Anyone worrying over benefit cuts should watch "What We Know Of Labour's Benefit Reforms" on A Different Bias's channel. It should hopefully put many people's minds at rest.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Ian Strange
      Just for some context Phil Moorhouse (A Different Bias) is generally considered to be on the centre right of the Labour party. With the possible exception of its Brexit policy he rarely criticises Starmer's Labour and spends much of his time finding excuses for for its continuing aping of neoliberal politics.

      Yes we shouldn't worry unduly till the welfare plans have been finalised but to dismiss everything reported on the cuts as just media games and tactics that'll just eventually die down does underplay things imo. Reeves and Kendall have been consistently saying this sort of thing for decades and have provided no contrary evidence that they really don't mean it.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Ian Strange To Ian Strange , ... thankyou son.. again .. thankyou son 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Ian Strange He's a dyed in the wool Labour supporter and it shows. Reckons nothing to worry about; ignoring how the Treasury wants the LCWRA group scrapped. I knew his sort during the last Labour govt 'oh no we won't invade Iraq' etc.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Ian Strange Which channel? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Ian Strange Just Watched what you recommended and I am a good deal calmer than before. Not perfectly so but I'll take what I can get thank you
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    I have just found this in an email I received  about the DWP losing a high court Battle 

    the Judge In summing up, the Judge held that any single one of these grounds, let alone all three, would have been sufficient for the consultation to be so unfair as to be ruled unlawful.

    The judgement relates to Conservative proposals for the WCA, whilst Labour said they would be producing their own plans for benefits changes. Yet when Ellen’s case came to court, Labour fought hard to try to defeat it.

    Because, the reality is that losing this case means that Labour will have to be honest about their proposals in the Spring, if they still intend to produce a green paper.

    They will have to give clear information about the reasons for any changes, the number of people who are likely to be worse off and how much they are going to lose out by. And they will have to give disabled claimants sufficient time to consult with professionals if they need to, before responding.

    Being open and honest about what they are doing is something the DWP have avoided for many years, so this ruling will be a major blow.

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @crystal We are 4 years off a general election. The media and financial markets all want cuts - voters too as they see disabled people as 'getting something for nothing'. Labour won't lose any votes by implementing a slightly tweaked version of the Conservative's plans. We won't see the likes of the Wheelchair Warriors this time either.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    The Times is the current home of the vile Fraser Nelson who seems to have made impoverishing disabled people his lifes mission. Article is likely to involve a lot selective quotes and wishful thinking.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    Why does the media make it even worse for us? 
    If politicians want to help instead of scaring us (and making our conditions worse) by this shaming and threatening approach, we need tailored support with a fallback option. We all want to belong and have purpose, don't they understand? We don't want to be constantly demonised to the point where we feel like it's our fault we're ill.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Clay Clay because they are cowardly bullies 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    If the government needs to save money then they should start with the astronomical wages and subsidy's bill for their housing, cars, dining, alcohol, and attending the house to have a nap after dinner. cut the cost of government and Lords first.
    If the DWP used doctors and consultants records and disabled people to asses claimant's medical condition instead of using outside companies and abled body people. that's two ways to save money, You could save billions off the benefit bill, 
    How about the public have a look into ministers bank accounts would you like that?? you would feel it a great invasion of privacy, well so do we it's not necessary to invade peoples privacy like that.
    Train the people on UC and ESA to do a job that helps them and our country to a better economical place. grow our industry again and this will grow community's and tackle poverty as well as brining down the strain on the NHS with mental health issues like depression. 

      
       
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    Why does the media make it even worse for us? 

    If politicians want to help us instead of scaring us and making our conditions worse by this shaming and threatening approach, w
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    1. Depression and Anxiety will be looked at, it won't qualify for PIP or any high level of incapacity benefit but we know Depression is a terrible illness if left untreated. Since 2023 there's been attack line after attack line against Depression and Anxiety.

    2. Engagement - Dependent on the severity of the illness/disability people will engage with their work coach either once every 3 months, twice a year, once a year as a heads up. 

    3. More medical evidence required, especially for disabilities/illnesses which are recoverable.

    4. The most severely and permanently disabled will be left alone, I don't believe anything will change for them. There will be severe legal consequences if Labour tried anything with them.

    5. 18-25 year olds who are declared fit for work will be lent upon to take up skills, work experience, apprenticeships, studying. I would even guess their rate of benefit will be lower as an incentive to do the above.

    6. An emphasis on working from home. 

    7. NHS needs reform in order to help the fact Britain since Covid is a sicker nation.

    I think that will be the end results of the whole process by the end of this saga. Is that bad? I'm not fond of this obsession with mocking or ignoring the plight of the depressed. 

    It's right to be worried but there needs to be a rational line in the sand, You have to take anything the Mainstream Media says with a pinch of salt, only when you see legislation in black and white which has been given Royal Ascent then it's time to take in the reforms/changes.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Dave Dee I don't know if it's bad or not, BUT the truth is that something HAS to be done about the spiralling costs of sickness and disability.  It will have more than doubled between 2019 and 2029, and we're not talking of small figures, but up to £100bn.  Whether we like it or not, that's not sustainable.   

      PIP is there to cover the extra costs we incur as part of being ill.  I've got both mental health issues (bipolar) and physical ones, and I have to admit that having bipolar doesn't cost me anything extra, and never really has (except when I went bankrupt when it wasn't under control and I was spending money I didn't have).  And during my last assessment I scored no points relating to it at all.   That's quite different to the physical issues, where there are taxi fares etc.   That doesn't mean everyone with mental health problems is in the same position, but perhaps PIP should press for examples of how the illness costs money to the person with it when it comes to anxiety etc.   I know people use their PIP to pay for all kinds of things, but my point is regarding what its actual intended use is.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Dave Dee @Dave Dee you mention in point 3 re most severe by that do you mean if a person is receiving enhanced rate PIP for Anxiety Depression that they will also be left alone 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Dave Dee Hear hear
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Dave Dee And actually, working from home from someone with mental health issues, might be something that could be possible.  It would depend on the skills of the person involved (someone who works in retail, or factory workers etc would find it harder to work from home than someone trained in computer literacy with proofreading skills etc.

      And it would depend upon the pressure the DWP would put on the person working from home to work a certain number of hours from the outset and achieve a certain pay grade.  Pressure like that could put a halt on the whole thing, with people who are already vulnerable.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Dave Dee They think they can write depression and anxiety off, but actually, they won't be able to.  As severe depression can be so debilitating, some people can barely get up, never mind go out to work.  Or engage with people at all. (The new Work Capability Assessment will still cover such things as social engagement as a qualifier for the higher level of assistance.  This is until it is removed altogether but that looks to be some years away.)

      If the Government think they can dismiss depression and anxiety, they can only dismiss mild to moderate depression.  Severe depression  makes anyone uncapable of working and any health professional would know that.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    Dave dee assistant saint to Axab, anyone agree?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    Just as I was starting to calm down. Btw how long would it take for all this nastiness to become law.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Neil Cook Try not to worry.  The Welfare Reform Act Act took over from year from 1st stage reading to Royal Assent. I would imagine this Bill will spend some time in the Lord's due to the provisions within it for example removing driving licences due to fraud- this would residents issues within the Equality Act, for example if a person was a carer for example. For now contact your MPs stating your views and ask how they intend to vote on this legislation 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Neil Cook Welfare Refom Act took about 1 year from 1st Stage until Royal Assent l, however sum with Summer Recess, let's hope the Lord's make ammendments and "ping-pong" between the Lord's ans Commons prolong this I would imagine it will as the Lord's traditionally are uncomfortable with proposed legisation that appears to infringe on civil libertiesI would imagine the clause to remove drivers licences for example could lead to Judicial Reviews for example on the ground I'd a driver has caring responsibilities o- doesnt really compliment the Equality Act does it. For no write to your MPs and family members and state if they vote for this they will lose your vote - regarding the voting process for this legislation it would be useful if the voting records are published and again email MPs who voted in favour- 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    What about those who genuinely can't work for whatever reason how are they supposed to survive when their benefits are taken away, possibly including what pays their rent. How are we supposed to survive then? I can see a lot of people deciding that its just not worth it anymore (if you get my meaning) .moderators please let this one through
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Bert I live in Birkenhead on the Wirral
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Neil Cook Nobody has said or even hinted that those can't work will have to work. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Neil Cook As I said before, don't listen to everything the newspapers and even ministers say right now. So many comments this morning on all of this, just articles from newspapers who don't know anything.  Even Keir Starmer has said those who are genuinely too ill to work won't be forced too.   We might lose money but even then, there is usually transitional protection for those already on benefits. Listen to those like the comment underneath this one, by Dave Dee!  (ANd I'm vocal on this as I know how horrible it is to be frightened by newspaper articles/speculation, as many have said on here, when we don't even know the truth!)
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Neil Cook What about relocation to the North of England rent is cheaper.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    IGNORE the noise until official announcements are made. Firstly surely any Labour plans will have to go through the legislative processes? Then there are TWO consultations which last 12 weeks each. Then potential legal ramifications dependent on how harsh Labour plan to go.

    Universal Credit has taken 13 years to fully implement and it won't be implemented until next year.


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Scorpion Yes. And lets not forget many convinced to themselves that the DWP wouldn't be able to handle fast tracking all the ESA to UC migration cases by the end of this year! Just because you don't want something to be true doesn't make it such, sadly.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Scorpion Universal Credit went under legislation under the Welfare Reform Act 2012, .  It has taken this long to get compulsory and to go across the country, so that is 13 years until affected everyone on benefits.  What is being introduced now will also take some time, as the function of Job Centres have to be changed, the role of Job Coaches has to be looked at and more employed and that will take a long time until it filters down to go across the country.  Especially until it reaches existing claimants.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Dave Dee "Universal Credit has taken 13 years to fully implemented."

      This is not true.

      It was introduced in April 2013 and by December 2018 it was available in every Jobcentre across Great Britain.

      What's coming, by the way, is less complicated than the UC and wouldn't necessarily take that long to be implemented, especially since Keir Starmer and co. think their reelection depends also on this.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Dave Dee Thank you!1  There is a lot of "noise" suddenly on here this morning!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago

    If people wish to bury their heads in the sand then that is their decision.

    After years of experience of knowing the main Disability Charities are not to be trusted and I'm definitely not on my own thinking this;click link below.
    I will get suitably armed and ready for these upcoming heinous reforms.


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Harry Agreed. The two largest showed their hand during the 2010s DLA to PIP. They exist for benefit of their highly paid staff in their London offices, not disabled people.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @Harry I'm with you, I arm myself and get ready rather than getting caught off guard, as we're dealing with three self-centric cruel demons - Starmer, Reeves, and Kendall.

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