Archive for the ‘Welfare and Benefits’ Category

Hardest hit rally

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

Saturday 22 October 2011

Fight the cuts to disability benefits

Join in the protest rally
11am at the Ross Bandstand
Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens

Why protest?

The Welfare Reform Bill is being talked about in Parliament just
now. If passed it could mean that disabled people in the UK will
have their benefits cut over the next few years. We must speak
out against these cuts.

Where and When?

On Saturday, 22 October, The Hardest Hit protests are taking
place across the UK. In Edinburgh a group of organisations are
having an event led by disabled people.
11 am Gather at the Ross Bandstand, Edinburgh.
12 pm People with personal experience of what the cuts
will mean to them as well as speakers from political
parties will be on the stage.
1pm The rally finishes.

Register Now

Make your voice heard. Join the rally or find out more:
e-mail: scotland@hardesthit.org.uk
call: Caitlin on 0131 652 3140 or textphone 0141 341 5347

Spread the word

facebook/thehardesthit #hardesthit
Visit our website and tell us your story
http://the hardesthit.wordpress.com/protest-online

Posted in Events, Welfare and Benefits | No Comments »

Equality and Human Rights Commission – Have your say

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Friday, June 24th, 2011

Have your say on the future development of policy direction at the EHRC.

The first-phase of a three-phase consultation has started with a 22 July 2011 deadline for completing their on-line questionnaire.

This is an ideal opportunity for you to express your views on societal barriers in education, employment, socialising, transport, housing and healthcare.

Further information on the next phase will appear here in the autumn.

This is your opportunity to voice your views on the past performance and future direction of the EHRC.

The launch of the first of the three-phase consultation to develop a plan to cover the Commissions priorities has started and we would like all our members to be part of the process.

All you need to do for now is complete the on-line questionnaire (link below) and return it by email or by post (details below).

There is a consultation document (link below) setting out the ten pledges by the Commission during 2009-2012 for you to gauge their performance.

The ten pledge titles are listed at the bottom of this Blog.

Questionnaire

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/aboutus/stratplan-questionnaire.doc

Return Questionnaire Details

Please send your reply via email to
strategicplanconsultation@equalityhumanrights.com

Alternatively, you can free-post your response to:

Rachel Zaltzman – Strategic Plan
Equality and Human Rights Commission
FREEPOST RRUY-EJHS-CKGT
3 More London
Riverside
Tooley Street
London
SE1 2RG

Consultation Document

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/aboutus/stratplan-about-the-consultation.doc

Further information on EHRC Consultation on Strategic Plan 2009-12

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/about-us/vision-and-mission/our-strategic-plan/consultation-on-our-strategic-plan-2009-12/

The EHRC Ten Pledges 2009-2012

1.  Work to bring about a landmark Equality Act that eradicates unjustified discrimination and releases talent through a simpler legislative framework.

2.  Ensure that the law works for individuals, breaking through injustice, making strategic interventions and supporting individual cases. We would also work with others to increase the availability of legal representation.

3.  Deliver a grants programme that helps to widen the reach of the voluntary and community sector, fulfilling our mandate to strengthen good relations and bring people together.

4.  Work with the public and private sector to provide high quality advice and guidance on the law and ensure the law is enforced.

5.  Inspire the next generation to embrace the values of equality and human rights.

6.   Protect and promote the human rights of all implementing the recommendations of our Human Rights Inquiry to ensure a culture of dignity and respect in public services, and safeguarding our civil liberties.

7.  Build the capabilities of our organisation to act as a modern regulatory body ensuring that breaches of the law are dealt with swiftly, proportionately and efficiently.

8.  Communicate directly with the public, developing new platforms and tools through the Commission’s digital strategy, and give people information so they are empowered to seek redress.

9.  Publish an agenda-setting triennial review to assess the state of equality and human rights across Britain, and make concrete recommendations for reform.

10.  Create meaningful partnerships with our stakeholders to advance equality and human rights across Britain.

Posted in Information, Welfare and Benefits | No Comments »

Independent Living – Making it Happen

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

By independent living they mean having the freedom, choice, dignity and control to live your life the way you want to.  This includes at work, at home and in your community.  At the moment, this isn’t always possible for disabled people.

As part of this review, they are exploring what needs to change to make independent living a reality.  So they want to hear the views of disabled people, and people with an interest in independent living for disabled people.

There are two ways you can be part of the review process and they are as follows:

A survey of disabled people –

This short survey explores what you think needs to change to make independent living a reality.   People can fill it in:

  • Online – click on the link below to take you to the survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ChangesfortheFuture

  • by post – FREEPOST SCO2470, Glasgow, G42 8BR
  • by phone – Freephone 0808 129 2080

If you would like to take part in a different way please get in contact with the details above.

Informal events -

The events are for disabled people and people with an interest in independent living.  These events will be very informal and relaxed.  There are three events:

  • Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living – 20th June (10 to 1pm)
  • Perth Concert Hall– 27th June (12.30am to 2.30pm)
  • Edinburgh, Norton Park – 29th June (10 to 1pm)

Posted in Information, Research, Welfare and Benefits | No Comments »

Welfare Reform Conference Edinburgh.

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

Welfare Reform Conference Edinburgh.

Alexander McGinnity recently attended the Welfare Reform Conference Edinburgh on behalf of SIS.

The Edinburgh Conference on Welfare Reform took place to raise public awareness of the scale and scope of the proposed cuts in benefits and to let disabled people know exactly what is going on amid the political ’spin.’ With guest speakers: Bill Scott (Inclusion Scotland) John Dickie (SCPAG) Sue Kelly (Independent Research Worker) John McArdle (Black Triangle) Sasha Callahan (Activist Direct Action Network) Hugh O’Donnell (MSP) and chaired by Matthew Wheatley. There were three aspects to the discussions: information, campaigning and direct action, with all reaching the same outcome – the need to mobilise and Act NOW!

A massive thank you to Bill Scott and Matthew Wheatley for starting the ball rolling.

Please click on the link below to read Alexanders report:

Welfare Reform Conference

Please click on the link below for a small video on the event:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmPigye4SoQ


Posted in Information, Welfare and Benefits | 2 Comments »

Government to scrap DLA

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

Disability Living Allowance Public Consultation

!! DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE MOVED TO FRIDAY 18TH FEBRUARY !!

In potentially one of the most significant changes to the disability benefits system in years, the government is proposing to replace Disability Living Allowance with a new scheme call Personal Independence Payment. These changes will be introduced in 2013/14.

There is a public consultation running until 14th February 2011 which is seeking your opinion on the proposed changes. Details of where you can view this consultation, as well as how to respond, are shown below.

Some of the main changes from DLA will be:

1. There will be no automatic entitlement to PIP except for those with a terminal illness.
2. The two components of Mobility and Daily Living will each have two rates.
3. Applying for PIP will automatically mean being assessed by an independent medical examiner.
4. To be awarded PIP you will need to have had Spinal Injury for six months.
5. Entitlement will stop after 28 days in hospital but the Consultation paper says that the government will work with Motability to ensure that Motability agreements are supported.
6. Once in receipt of PIP you will be periodically reassessed.

How to respond

You can view the DLA consultation documents in various formats as well as respond to the consultation questions online by visiting the DWP website here.

The following are the direct links to the full consultation PDF and the “easy-read” version:

Full consultation PDF

Easy-read version

You do not have to respond to every single question, however, please remember that you must submit any response before the consultation closes on 14th February 2011.

Queries and responses can also be submitted by email to: consultation.dlareform@dwp.gsi.gov.uk or in writing to:

DLA Reform Team
1st Floor
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA

Tel: 02074497688

Posted in Information, Welfare and Benefits | 2 Comments »

Comprehensive Spending Review 2010

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

So how will the treasury’s proposals affect the spinal injuries community in Scotland?

Yesterday’s much anticipated spending review was always going to involve cuts, the only questions were where, and by how much. Below are some of the stand-out points.

Time-limit on contributory Employment and Support Allowance

A one year time-limit is to be imposed to receipt of contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

Since late 2008, ESA has replaced Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on incapacity grounds for new claimants. Given the increased challenges those with spinal injuries can face when trying to get back into work, limiting crucial support to one year could have a huge impact.

A statement from disability charity, Leonard Cheshire says, “A Leonard Cheshire Disability survey found that employers were twice as likely to interview a non-disabled candidate than an equally qualified disabled candidate. Time-limiting contributory ESA risks penalising people who have worked hard all their lives but then have acquired an injury, impairment or major health condition and are struggling to get back into work through no fault of their own.”

Removing Disability Living Allowance mobility component for people in residential care.

The mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) exists to support people in maintaining their independence by covering some of the additional travel cost they face and it’s also required to gain entry to the Motability scheme. This could mean that those who have finished their rehab at a spinal unit, but are in residential care awaiting their final housing solution, could find themselves trapped indoors, unable to access the Motability scheme or to fund alternative transport.

The government claims this proposal will save £135 million a year, which is a drop in the ocean compared to the £11 billion of welfare cuts announced in the June budget and the £7 billion of additional welfare cuts announce yesterday.

Development of a “Universal Credit”

Over the next two Parliaments the current system of means-tested, working age benefits and tax credits will gradually be replaced with the Universal Credit (previously announced). £2 billion has been set aside over the next four years to fund this. No further details have been announced on this so we can’t really comment. If it does provide a better system of support to those with disabilities then, of course, it should be welcomed, but as ever, the devil will be in the detail.

Give us your thoughts.

What did you think of yesterday’s proposals?

Is the government sticking to its claims of “fairness” or is it simply targeting the most vulnerable in society?

How do you think the proposed cuts will affect you?

As always, feel free to add your comments below or to give us a shout at the office. (Remember that the blog is only monitored during office hours, so please be patient if posting comments outside these times)

Posted in Welfare and Benefits | No Comments »

“21st century welfare” a DWP consultation

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Iain Duncan Smith, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, set out his plans to completely change the benefits system in the paper 21st Century Welfare. This was published on 30 July 2010.

Not only is the plan for a complete root and branch reform of the range of benefits and credits available, but also the way in which these will reduce as people both start and progress in work.

One of the stated potential outcomes of this reform is that it would “allow extra support for things like housing, children and disability”. However, as always the devil will no doubt be in the detail.

The Department for Work and Pensions is holding a consultation on this paper until 1st October 2010, and there are a couple of ways you can respond.

You can view the paper and respond online here.

You respond by mail to:

Benefit Reform Division
Department for Work and Pensions
1st Floor
Caxton House
6-12 Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA

Or by email: benefit.reform@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

You can also request a hard copy of the paper from the DWP via the above contact details.

A full PDF of the paper is available here.

Posted in Welfare and Benefits | No Comments »

Your thoughts on the Budget

Friday, June 25th, 2010

George Osborne’s first budget was never going to be painless, and it has created huge debate amongst political commentators. But for the spinal injuries community, the announcement that all existing and future claimants of DLA will have to undergo a medical assessment undoubtedly stands out most.

This proposal is not due to come into effect until 2013, but considering that DLA is the unofficial qualifying benefit for many other services, it is one that will almost certainly affect the majority of disabled people.

So what do you think? We want to hear your thoughts and opinions on this shake-up of the benefit system. Is the coalition “targeting” disabled people, or is this just part and parcel of a “fair” system of cuts?

Please feel free to leave your comments below. (if you want to know more about posting comments, please see the “How to and FAQs” section on the right).

Posted in Welfare and Benefits | 3 Comments »