The Spartacus Network have issued an urgent appeal for claimants to give evidence to a parliamentary review into cuts of £30 a week for new employment and support allowance claimants (ESA). The deadline for responses is midnight on Sunday 15 November.{jcomments on}
The cut, for new claimants in the work-related activity group (WRAG) from April 2017, is supposed to encourage sick and disabled claimants to find work rather than remaining on ESA. Campaigners say it ignores the fact that many in the WRAG are prevented from working by their health conditions and by prejudice amongst employers.
A parliamentary review into the cuts led by Lord Low of Dalston will look at how they will affect disabled claimants and their families. As part of the process a group of disability charities, the Disability Benefits Consortium, are collecting the views of current ESA WRAG claimants.
The DBC are asking for answers to the following four questions:
1 Tell us about the support you receive from being in ESA WRAG. For example, you can tell us about how you spend the money you receive and/or the support that is offered to you to help you move towards employment.
2 What would be the impact on your daily life if you did not have this payment of almost £30 per week? Please feel free to draw on your experience of receiving less money when you were waiting for your assessment for ESA (the work capability assessment).
3 Would there be an impact on your ability to look for work if the amount of money was reduced? What do you think this impact, if any, would be?
4 How ready for work do you consider yourself to be? Would further support help you to feel ready for work if you do not feel so already? What types of support, if any, would be helpful to you?
You can send your answers to:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
With the subject line: Review of reduction to ESA WRAG payment.
Your quote may be included in the DBC’s report, so please say if you wish to remain anonymous.
For more details, please visit the Spartacus Network
