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.
    · 21 days ago
    Claimants to lose disability element of Universal Credit £400 a month
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @Michael Do you know how long a period of time it takes for these premiums to "taper off?"  I am due for pension in 4.5 years.  Can't come soon enough to get away from being treated as almost a criminal on sickness benefits!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Kara You DO get transitional protection moving from ESA to UC, to a point. 


      Transitional protection effects those who recive the premiums, both enhanced disability premium (if you receive pip daily living componant at enhanced level)  and Severe Disability premium (if you are in receipt of pip daily living component) . These 2 total £102.35 pw alone. These taper off after a period of time on UC - this is the biggest scandal of the lot and nobody highlights. Those people are in effect losing over £400pcm in the not too distant future....as those amounts taper off so you recive the same as anybody else on UC in the long run.

      If the LCWRA group was removed also, in effect, that group of people would be losing over £800 pcm.

      Now that, is shocking.

      Personally,  I don't believe they will remove the LCWRA element.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Bert Since the change over from ESA to UC, in my case a barbaric process with no "transitional" protection, UC pays me just over 400 per month and that's it. If they took that away I'd not be able to cope. My long term partner is now on SP but had to go on my UC claim and give his details to the DWP.  I'm in the LCWRA group of UC. What concerns me is the 2022 DWP intervention into our surgeries, my GP was under enormous pressure from colleagues who supported the reforms so he had pressure too. He values the Hippocratic Oath and maintains he is a Dr to aid well being so his focus isn't on the gov reforms, I don't know if I could survive without him. I had such respect for Reeves in the past, thought she was THE Labour leader in waiting, but now she's turned on everything she stood for. Shows us how power corrupts. 

      I'll work if something comes up but I'm undergoing tests atm. My little sister died suddenly and without warning due to a heart defect we were not aware of. The DWP didn't care about her suffering and made her walk in the rain to the JC for standard JSA. They treated her with  utter contempt and she was dying, no work coach is qualified to assess HF. So my GP is erring on the side of caution and overseeing my tests at the NHS. His son attends a school I worked at - it was a nice job with good pay ( private sector) and I'd love to do it again if well. So my GP helps with my health and options not jack boots. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Scorpion One minute it's long term sick WILL be forced to look for work, next minute it's COULD be forced to look for work.
      Posting these articles really isn't helping. Ultimately we won't know anything for sure until the Green Paper comes out.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Scorpion That is interesting.   

      SO many quotes for newspapers in the past hour or two and this is just another quote.   This is exactly what the disability welfare expert from Scope told me to ignore until we know all the details as the newspapers make something out of nothing.

       Someone has just said they are terrified by all of this.  Do you want people to be terrified for the next few months even years until anything reaches them?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    According to the daily telegraph we could lose 5 thousand pounds in benefits which would include many thousand claimants.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Bert And there are around 3.5m claiming those benefits.  So quite clearly it is therefore not meaning everyone.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Bert I think it’s the difference the one where you look for work and don’t £156.11 and £416.19 and get people off totally. This seems evil to me 


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Bert COULD.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Bert Could.  The Telegraph has also predicted world war three dozens of times in the last three years.  As yet neither prophecy has come true.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Bert We have to tighten our purse strings as you keep saying every single day.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    Just see this which maybe of interest. They really are on a hiding to nowhere with all this.  Employers will be far too scared to take disabled and long term sick on due to the associated risks to their health. They! actually understand that fact.   fact. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/dwp-sick-benefits-universal-credit-pip-assessment-b2690289.html
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Darinfan It *is* the LCWRA group Labour are looking to scrap!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Fred "Likely."
      "Could."
      "One option being considered."
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Fred And it seems the independent is guessing, and not very well considering scrapping the LCW group will NOT see a reduction in benefits.  That would be the LCWRA group.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    So, whilst a lot of people say ignore the press etc. It's important to say that John Pring of Disability News Service, has said the Tesurary is pushing for Liz Kendall to scrap the LCWRA group of UC.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    There's a good article on the BBC news website, which is very balanced, about the dilemma facing Labour, it's grassroots support and welfare reform. It's probably the best article I've seen. Worth a read.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Matt The BBC don't do balanced unbiased news.

      It's the very last place you should be looking.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Matt Yes, and no intention to scare people with it either.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    May I propose Axab for a sainthood?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    Today’s Times newspaper confirms Labour want to scrap the LCWRA group; and make everyone do some level of engagement. Sadly not surprised.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Fred As I have said before, Labour are not expecting anyone to gain work. Their plan is to get claimants on the lowest level of UC; so they get the same money as someone unemployed.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Scorpion "Hundreds of thousands" could see reductions in benefits according to the Times.  But there are well over three million in UC LCWRA group and ESA support group combined.  That would suggest it's not likely to affect everyone. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Rik It doesn't confirm it.  It says it could happen.  Seems highly unlikely, though, considering that would mean people who are literally unable to get out of bed being forced to look for work. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Rik @Rik They had a similar article in the I newspaper other day it said they want autism adhd and depression to see a work coach in the future just depends when in the future and if it gets the go ahead it’s only ideas for now and their will be a consultation like they did for pip in the spring 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Rik I'm terrified (ASD/MH issues for life) by this.  

      I'm not lazy, I have skills (not social ones), I would love to try some work because my life is just passing me by but I am not well.  

      I get moments where I think I am on top of the world but then something goes wrong and reality hits and ruins it.  What help can I get that is not treating me like dirt?  It can take me weeks of trying just to go on a train journey (which I used to love doing). Many times I just get endless insomnia and have to cancel the trip at the last minute, letting everyone down.  
      because we are easy targets.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    Its odd what is going on. I have just received a 32 page pip 1043 form today dated the 24th January 2025, And the first place I thought I would find information regarding this particular form would be on here. But I can not find any information at all regarding this particular form, All I can find is information stating that in the bottom corner of a pip form should be Ar1 but that is not on this form either. Any ideas? Or has it just been released?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @Joseph PIP 1043 is the same as AR1 form (quick Google search brings up this site's associated link)
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    People need to try forget this rubbish  what someone saying is right on here its  true I've heard similar  it isn't just going to get passed either people gonna be needing along rest after the worrying and distress don't listen to what you see or read because something has stood out and the could happen is not the same as will happen and will happen hasn't been said and then you got bits where it says such and such is  calling for this and that or that such and such as indicated  this is going to happen ignore speeches ignore the media listen to people organisations who know what their talking about.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    Hi all these reforms so much ifs and buts flying around on media sites are making everyone’s health issues worse so I would say let the government work with charities and laws which dep seem to be doing. Please remember there’s a lot of difference between mild to severe conditions. Perhaps if you suffer from mild conditions maybe volunteer work maybe good but if you suffer from severe conditions than the medical evidence will come into play so let’s all not panic and just wait after all we all want the result we deserve. Its a good sign the dwp are not rushing these important reforms because dwp and charity’s and law want the correct results 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    We will have too tighten our belts
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    I will keep posting these articles to make severely disabled people aware what these horrendous Labour mp's are attempting to implement .

    I remember reading other disabled people's comments saying ignore what Ian Duncan Smith Conservative party was going to implement.
    Well we all know what occurred there.

     Why isn't Scope and other major disability organisations not fighting these heinous measures???

    I believe personally pre-warned is prearmed and I'm sticking to that philosophy it helped me and many of my disabled friends.



    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 days ago
      @Harry Scope is fighting these measures as someone has posted today, as they have been challenging the Government on them.  The person I spoke to said they are fighting the measures and in talks with the Government along with other charities.

        And no-one is saying ignore what is going to happen, but that we don't know what is going to happen.  People may think prewarned  is prearmed but only supposition and guessing can do a lot of harm to people with mental health issues, as has been seen on this thread with the panic and fear some people have had in reading some of these comments.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 days ago
      @Harry We don't even know what the measures are so at present there's nothing to fight.
      All we have is speculation by rags using inflammatory language to stoke fear.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    Thx axab43 for your message I have epilepsy&special needs so just like you am worried but you’re message was awesome I have phoned in scope in the past for help . And now if  am ever worried I take your advice and phone them thx again 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 days ago
      @Tom Thank you.  Yes, do phone them.  They cannot say exactly what is planned or what will happen but they were very reassuring to me and helpful.  I hope you find them the same.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 days ago
      @Tom Yes do phone them.  The person I spoke to so helped me and they do know what they are talking about as they will know far more than we do.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    Just hurry up with the green paper I am losing patience now what a carry on
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    Axab, thank you for your sanity in an insane situation 
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      · 21 days ago
      @axab43 I think it’s disgusting that SM are allowed to scaremonger like this. It’s done a lot of damage to people’s MH. 
      There was speculation for months over the green paper with regard to changing PIP to a non-monetary benefit, then nothing. Timms then confirmed Labour were planning their own reforms. 
      Yes, this is what he was referring to, however, I do believe that (and quite rightly so), there will be a mass of up-risings and HR court cases if the government effectively take away HR of disabled people. 
      Labour have already upset pensioners over the removal for most, of the winter fuel payment. They will sign their own fate if they do the same to the disabled (remember, some of which will also be pensioners). 
      And massive damage like this is on par with what IDS did to the disabled which resulted in so many deaths during the last WCR fight. (Read John Pring’s accounts of this). 
      I will await for news without further speculation and try not to worry everyone, until it’s in black and white! ;)
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 days ago
      @Neil Cook Thank you.   
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 days ago
      @Neil Cook Thank you!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    I will say it again, after some keep posting fearmongering articles or sections of what ministers say in a speech!  After becoming very distressed on all of this, I phoned Scope, where there are disability advisors who are expert in this field.  He said to take no notice, at this point of what newspapers, or even what ministers seem to hint may happen, (which, again, he suggested could take a few years to reach us, after the progression through Parliament and the implementation into practice.  Universal Credit took 13 years to be fully implemented!)

    As someone else said below, there does seem to be some who deliberately post worst case scenarios, despite those who may  be severely frightened by all this.  Don't take any notice until it is actually announced, and then bear in mind it could take several years to reach us.  Again, not from myself but from disability welfare experts!  I post on this as, having severe mental ill health issues, I know how this affected me before speaking to the Scope advisor and feel for those others who have severe mental health issues or may be distressed by all of this!  
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @axab43 There's also the issue that govts are very good at leaking the ideas they are toying with so that they can gauge the response such issues might get from the press and the public. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @axab43 Is it unbiased factual news, though?  Does a headline referring to a "panicked" chancellor sound unbiased to you?  It doesn't to me.  
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @MJ What is posted by those who run this site is factual news! I come here to listen to their take on what is happening, and I like reading the comments by most of the people on here of how they feel..  The owners of this site have even said themselves, don't listen to the news/speculation/gossip, come here and we will tell you the facts when we get them!    Even then though, there is no telling how long those factual changes will filter down so it affects us personally.  Everyone was terrified of Universal Credit and it has taken 13 years to be fully implemented.   As I have said before, these kind of things needs to be said to help the people with such mental health issues that they get terrified of it all.  If people don't have those mental health issues, yes they may want to speculate about the worst that could happen. 

      Maybe a trigger warning should be put on for those who will panic to the point it will give them sleepless nights! (And I normally don't like trigger warnings but when mental health is involved, it is seriously needed!)




    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 days ago
      @axab43 Why do you come here and keep saying over and over stop fearmonging If news posted on here and people's thoughts on the matter causes you distress? 

      This site let's us know what's going on. People like myself want to hear the news. We like to voice our opinion on the subject. People speculate. There are times I don't want hear, I don't want to look, other times I want to know what people think, good or bad. This is a very respectful forum, allow people to let concerns out. It's good to have a place like this to voice your concerns without people telling you not to and making you feel bad for doing so. What do we do, bottle it up? Not to worry and sing Kumbaya. I'm worried and I won't pretend not to be. Truth is it is not going to be good no sugar coating it.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 days ago
      @xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Exactly. Some comments can be very distressing!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    This is the nightmare I wanted to avoid, I have been the way I am for just over 30years, what am I supposed to do I'm in no fit state for any of this.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    Neurodivergent people on benefits to be helped into work in bid to cut welfare bill, says Minister Stephen Timms.

    Conditions that are considered neurodiverse:

    Autism spectrum disorder
    Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
    Dyscalculia (difficulty with math)
    Dysgraphia (difficulty with writing)
    Dyslexia (difficulty with reading)
    Dyspraxia (difficulty with coordination)
    Tourette's syndrome


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Scorpion Everyone was saying Stephen Timms was a nice guy he's nothing but a yes man.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 days ago
      @CarolK But to me, adding "in a bid to cut welfare bill" makes it not necessarily voluntary, as their intention is more cutting welfare than helping people.

      In addition, the DWP have never helped anyone fit or not fit to get employment.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 days ago
      @Scorpion Helped not forced, I'm optimistic this might be voluntary.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    By reading this, from Alison McGovern, what's coming sounds very worrying:

    These are her own words:

    This had removed conditionality for those on welfare with a health condition at the same time as those considered healthy faced lower incomes and more sanctions.

    Add to that a four-year freeze to the rates of Universal Credit in the late 2010s except for the highest tier of health-related benefits. The result of this was to squeeze the incomes of those trying to find work and hardening the barrier between those on Universal Credit actively looking for work, and those who’ve been told that they were unable to work,

    Then we’ve seen the steady rise in the number of people on the highest tier of health benefits where there are no requirements to look for work or to get any help to make the steps on that journey.”





    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Scorpion imo, It hasn't removed: 

      Employment Rights Act 1996 - Section 44

      Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

      Human Rights Act 1998

      Mental Health Act 1983

      Disability Discrimination Act 1995
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