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 hours ago
    This is getting out of hand it really is I am genuinely terrified, I just want to be left Alone with what I get because I cannot cope in any way shape or form any other way than I am now. 

    Sorry bout this for founding so depressing but i can't help it
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 3 hours ago
    A Paul McCartney lyric says it all..We All Stand Together......aaaahhhhhh
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 3 hours ago
    Universal credit barriers mean disabled women face ‘terrifying’ risk of destitution, MPs are warned https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/universal-credit-barriers-mean-disabled-women-face-terrifying-risk-of-destitution-mps-are-warned/
    Not sure if this is of any interest to you all.  But I've posted it anyway. 
    Haven't been on here in such a long time. Found some very interesting comments. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 hours ago
    Just seen an article in the I paper (not sure how much credence I would give to this) but it seems the thrust of Labour's welfare is going to be on those with health issues currently not working, being expected to look for work, ie an expansion on conditionality which forms a core element of standard UC 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 hours ago
      @Matt So if people have long term mental health issues, due many differing things, and cannot leave the house, they expect them to look for work?  When their physical and mental health means they cannot even walk down the road without help?

      Good luck with that
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 hours ago
      @Matt BULLY / FORCE   folk with life long disabiltys  back to work . 1920s work house style .  EVEN IF  ur age age 61 - 65 , industrial accidents & work caused UR  disability. & you already payed 42 yrs CLASS1 NI / TAX (PAYE )  NI  pay 35 yrs  class1 (ni)  yur STATE NEW OAP  is payed for cant get it to 66 rising .  NI  goes towards NHS / BEFITS UC , PIP AA , LCWRA   OUR  money we payed in over life time work . LABOUR 2024 BALL BARIC / GOES AGAINST HIGH COURT RULE 17/1/ 2024   STAND FIGHT GOVERTNMENT .    
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 5 hours ago
    Health Transformation Programme…. Now on DWP website…. This I think will be the future.
     
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 8 hours ago
    S you are very welcome indeed you helped to calm me down a bit as well which I am very grateful for.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 9 hours ago
    The big issue claims that Disability benefits are more positive for the economy than costly, economists have found, as the government pledges to slash the welfare bill to save money.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 9 hours ago
    My last post: apologies for resending, a very kind contributor has already replied to the effect that they think that even if PIP is means tested, I would qualify under the benefit cap. It would be really helpful if the Government would just gone with it and publish their Green Paper.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 hours ago
      @YogiBear Are you two related bears? Pooh and Yogi? Or just a coincidence? :D
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 hours ago
      @Pious That makes too much sense. So they probably won't. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 hours ago
      @Pious Is this a fact or opinion. Can you please provide the link to the source re means testing please? Many thanks.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 hours ago
      @Pious I agree with a lot of what you are saying but where do you draw the line? Someone will be a few pounds out and maybe need it. Much like WFA 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 hours ago
      @Matt Yeah, I would be protected as well, but I can understand why they might means-test PIP like they do with UC. If you're earning six figures a year—or even £40-50k—you could arguably afford to cover the additional costs yourself.

      It's about where you draw the line, though. Maybe they'd base it on savings rather than earnings—like with UC, where you lose eligibility if your savings exceed £16,000. Now, nothing I've read suggests they actually plan to do this, but I can imagine it being a way to save a considerable amount of money.

      You also have to consider that some people on PIP are only receiving LCW/LCWRA, meaning they’re in a much worse financial position than someone who can work and still qualify for PIP. Pragmatically, a line has to be drawn somewhere.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 10 hours ago
    Hello all, to follow on from a previous comment by me to explain that I do get PIP and am employed as well, although salary barely above minimum wage. If I lose PIP (standard care and mobility) then it is going to be VERY hard to live on the salary alone. I live in the South West, a notoriously bad area for pay, and the cost of living, especially housing, extortionate (and I've got a good landlady). 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 hours ago
      @Matt Have you thought about relocating too the north plenty of cheap houses in Newcastle Sunderland Middlesbrough etc
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 16 hours ago
    Sorry ....... I just simply cannot get all of you out of heart and my minds eye ! honest ... I can be no more profound x 
    You are all my family ... every one of you ... deny you ... and turn you away never . x 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 16 hours ago
    why do terrible things happen to good decent people , I am lost and I have never hurt an animal or living soul. I hate wordsmith 's twisting words professional politicians who know nothing about mental illness , o they may cut and slash and feign false witness against my wonderful disabled family . Everything I believed in is gone now . Sacrificed on the alter of misguided political opinion . For what headlines , politicians talking about things they know prevcious little about . To balance the books on the sufferings of poor poor souls I know the struggles every single day , just to smile and be at peace just before the heavens fall and the heavens have fallen in this yesterday . Disabled girl boy woman man if you could but only know how much I love and respect you all , no exceptions all of you my erudite in word and deed , sometimes funny to read all of you sometimes tears just flow to be part of all your stories , to be l blessed In all of your gracious companies . We fight and we fight on , you here me all children , I know to be betrayed ,, just no words .. for an ideology that goes against all gods teachings .. you in your small corner and I in mine x
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 hours ago
    I'm on esa and pip due to physical illness, but all this 'green paper', 'ruthless cuts', ' welfare reform 'and vilifying of the sick and disabled is taking a massive toll on my mental health. 
    They(starmer, reeves, kendall)are making us more ill....but that's what they want !!!!!!!

    The audacity and cruelty of them taking from the most vulnerable, while they get their allowances  and extra heating allowance for their second homes....while us disabled and pensioners are surviving on a pittance and now have to worry about  potential destitution and possible homelessness in the near future. 

    It's disgraceful. 

    I emailed my local labour mp a while ago but she hasn't even the decency to acknowledge my concerns. 

    They can all go to hell.
    There will NEVER BE ANOTHER LABOUR GOVERNMENT. And as a lifelong Labour voter, I say...GOOD RIDDANCE. 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 hours ago
      @Rose Yes, me too. And glad I did not vote for this lot.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 hours ago
      @Rose Everyone knows the 3.5k free heating  allowance MP.s get. And subsidised canteen, and ect ect free loading. 

      Couldn't make it up.


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 hours ago
      @Rose Apparently a lot of what Labour may be implementing was already on the table for the Conservatives if they had stayed in power. I embrace change as long as it is done fairly and with a majority agreement. We are all aware that our biggest enemies are the people who fake their claims. It gives us all a bad name
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 9 hours ago
      @Rose Same, every time I hear labour are for the working people all I hear is they are against people like us
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 10 hours ago
      @Rose @Rose Me to I left labour ages ago but the problem is no body likes benefits no more Labour tories or even reform so theirs only the Green Party left but they will never get into power 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 23 hours ago
    Thus government and ALL the previous governments have lost the grip of running this country- let’s start with the money wasting and I do mean wasting taxpayers MONEY, look at the the councils, public sectors, civil servants, House of Lords, NHS and the military defence and I could add a few more have wasted taxpayers money running into billions and we are really talking about BILLIONS a huge amount of money which could have be used in a more impartial prudent ideas. I gather when this government came into power (so they say) that they have a twenty billion black hole to balance the economy or put this country on track - simple just tax the super wealthy the very richest of people in this country that’s a fraction in this country of one percent tax (1%) and the black hole this government keeps howling on about will disappear, instead they going for the huge majority of this country of the working people, pensioners, businesses, people having to wait longer on the NHS, the vulnerable society on life saving benefits and many more…
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 hours ago
      @Frances Not if their using common sense. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 hours ago
      @Robin Hood Totally agree. Their making the wrong decisions and penalising the poor and those on benefits for their economic incompetence. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 3 hours ago
      @Robin Hood Universal Basic Income …Now!
      A major shift like the start of the welfare state, because this most definitely isn’t working anymore, and it’s cruel and inhumane. It’s turned our society into a hateful one.
      I know they say trials have found it not to be workable, so fix it so it is. It can’t be any worse than this shambles, and we need a total change of direction.
      Don’t just change gears, change cars! Let’s do something different and get some fresh hope into the country. 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 hours ago
      @Frances Predictable
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 9 hours ago
      @Robin Hood Ever since we left the EU our GDP have fallen big style so all these plans to get disabled into work seems to me they have not got the money anymore I'm afraid the economy will not grow like we were in the EU I think the country might of made a big mistake leaving I'm dreading what they have in store I'm an amputee and severe arthritis but nothing anyone can do but wait to see what happens 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 23 hours ago
    Don't lose hope yet there's still MPs charities  ect who talk about concerns for disabled  people and I think the activists will just take it back to court if this war on disabled people doesn't stop it has been going on years if you look back over the years these changes were put forward but nothing happened there's more noise now from reeves but but at this point it doesn't mean much when listening to the debate there was no body saying they will just strip people the bits I got from it was poverty and a proper plan is needed I'm sure I heard in a round about way that everything won't just happen over night and if they got to update jobcentres and get people who can get better with right support sorted that won't be easy it would be silly to make announcements this year for cuts if nothing is ready and reeves was blasted in debate in her absence for messing with fiscal rules and there were 4 people arguing against  cuts I think this is being debated again .
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 23 hours ago
    For goodness incorporate a disability working element (similar to what they had in tax credits) to UC.

    LCW at the same as a standard unemployed is a disgrace as well.

    Take away the fear of losing about £400 a month if you even attempt to try work.

    The amount of people doing nothing because of that fear is large I would say.

    I worked part time the best I could and could survive thanks to the tax credits top up.

    If you think I am now gonna attempt to work and lose £400 you must be joking no way!  I literally can't afford to take the risk.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 15 hours ago
      @Sandy F So agree.  The biggest barrier to work is the DWP/Gov. 

      I am guessing more hoop to jump through rather than any realistic policies that would allow some to contribute. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 hours ago
      @Sandy F Doing such a thing would mean PIP would become a out of work benefit!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    What’s the betting they will means test pip?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 hours ago
      @Chocolady Maybe but who ever thought that there would be discussions about means testing pensions and calling them a benefit. It’s very uncomfortable and upsetting when so much is changing 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 16 hours ago
      @Chocolady I was wondering do you have a source re the government saying they may well means test pip? Just so I can contact my MP.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 hours ago
      @Chocolady Must be odds on chocolady 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    Can someone tell me .  When u migrate from ESA to UC the three weeks you don't get paid do the DWP backdate it as if u get housing benefit how do I pay your rent for those three weeks u don't get anything.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 12 hours ago
      @Bob You get 2 weeks paid esa & housing once you open a UC claim. 5 weeks later you will recieve your 1st month UC. Nothing is backdated but you actually gain a week because both ESA & housing have paid you 2 weeks when closing the legacy claims, as previously stated.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 hours ago
      @Bob You move onto u/c which is paid one month behind so I had to find my own rent for a month than u/c housing element take over payments for your rent 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    Just watched parliament tv it shows every meeting today also dwp consultation today I was pretty amazed of how many mps are actually listening to charity organisations and disabled people on welfare reforms I personally think the media are making us disabled people over think and panicking us have a look when you get time and comment below 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 hours ago
      @Kara I'm still a curtain twitcher but like it.😏
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Diceman24 Yes I feel the nudge units at play, generating the idea that everyone on ESA/UC/PIP is a "low down" scrounger so socially it's had an impact whether they change PIP or not.  I can't remember a time where it was ok to demonize the sick and disabled, perhaps during the Nazi reign in WWII when they wanted them gone, us "gone". Feel like a burden so we consider death or that we are not worthy of basic human respect & decency. Sickness and disability claims have expanded for many reasons but it seems there's a stereotype at play, not a great idea to impart policy in the Sun -  only provides hate figures for the Sun readership.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    I'll quote from Scope, nothing has changed. 

    "

    The Green Paper will be revealed in Spring and Reeves will make a statement on March 26th, there are massive changes coming but it could take years for them to be implemented along with the consultation process for the green and white papers, then the passage through parliament and the lords and any legal challenges."
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    'Did she say anything as I can't see what she has said anywhere.'

    What I was trying to say (!) @axab43, was you've nailed it. 

    She utters noise like the teacher in the tv Peanuts cartoon. Whar, whar, whar. Just on and on. Nothing meaningful for any of us, 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 15 hours ago
      @robbie Yes. Very disappointed in this new government.  Also bored with hearing about past gov when they now hold the future and seem intent on continuance rather than change. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 23 hours ago
      @robbie Thank you and yes, all that fuss and then she said nothing! I couldn't believe it.



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