CHARGING FOR SERVICES.

Mollie, really well said. I am not actively renewing either my ESA or PIP......... yet, but will continue to renew my membership, indefinitely, to support the brilliant work B&W do on all of our behalf. I'm disappointed that successive governments spare little to no thoughts for benefit claimants and the 'services' that were once available to assist claimants are no longer there. Keep the good work gang.

No disrespect and no offence intended but to quote from above post..." freebies , like the the extra topups the govt is providing, access to reduced medical, dental, optical costs, food banks etc etc"
I would like to add, that none of these are "freebies" NHS dentist????????? Who can find one?
I am 74 on pension credit guaranteed. I was a housewife and unpaid carer of two children and a disabled husband who could only mobilise with a wheelchair. Not even an electric one. Could we afford that? No, I had to push him manually with two small children in tow. Not that I would change a thing, I loved my children and my hub. So I do not consider these "freebies".

Back to dentist... used to get "free" NHS check ups, also "free" hygenist treatment. Now I have to pay over £75 for one session with a hygenist and that's if I can get an appointment. I have friends who live in different parts of the country and although entitled, just cannot get an NHS dentist forcing them to have costly private treatments.

I get no "free optical costs" I think it must depend on where people live. I have to pay proper money for my specs which are not cheap by any means. Yes there used to be "free spectacles" in certain opticians, but I have not seen them for a long time. Plus I do use the cheapest opticians that I can find. Certainly do not wear any designer frames.

ps forgot to add I do not mind paying for the Benefit and Work membership. I think it is great value for money.