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.
    · 4 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.
    · 5 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.
    · 5 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
      @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.
    · 6 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.
      · 2 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.
    · 12 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.
    · 12 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.
    · 18 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.
      · 5 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.
      · 6 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.
    · 19 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.
      · 5 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.
      · 16 hours ago
      @Robin Hood I think people should have to post a justification for a down vote.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 19 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.
    · 19 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.
      · 11 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.
      · 18 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.
    · 20 hours ago
    What’s the betting they will means test pip?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 20 hours 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.
      · 9 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.
      · 17 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.
    · 21 hours 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.
      · 20 hours 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.
    · 22 hours 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.
      · 8 hours ago
      @Dave Dee I can’t find this statement from, Scope anywhere. Do you have a link? Thanks.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 hours 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.
      · 11 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.
      · 19 hours ago
      @robbie Thank you and yes, all that fuss and then she said nothing! I couldn't believe it.



  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 hours ago
    Why was the house notable empty, any guesses ?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 hours ago
      @MrFibro MrFibro They were all as far away as they could get, with their hands over their ears, going la la la.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 hours ago
    'Did she say anything as I can't see what she has said anywhere.'
    @axab43. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 hours ago
    Stop all employment benefits, close down all job centers etc. and just give everyone (with savings less than the average annual salary) a basic income to be able to live simply in a council home with enough to cover food & energy paid for with money from the savings made above and progressive taxation.

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 23 hours ago
    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.


    Here we go again.
    Just like the Tories tried previously, Labour are going to attempt to change get those in LCWRA to engage more with the Work Coach.
    They are using nebulous tricks now, trying to get us in the Job Centre, during migration transfer process for an interview then quizing if we're able to do some type of work.

    Remember they go on courses to do this devious deception.

    Try and counteract this by,for example, asking for telephone interview under reasonable adjustments etc 
    And, if possible,have someone with you.
    Try to record the call too.



    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 6 hours ago
      @Michael Glad it went well for you, Michael. Hope the transition for the rest of us is equally seamless.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 8 hours ago
      @Harry This is not the case, not from my personal experience. When I migrated 2 weeks ago, I visited the job center with my identification, she covered how to use the system and it already showed her I was in the support group on ESA so would be placed in the support group in UC. She said I would receive the occasional phone call to ensure my well being is OK but otherwise I didn't need to do anything.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 hours ago
      @Harry Labour basically copy catting the tories.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 23 hours ago
      @Harry Just like the Tories tried previously, Labour are going to attempt to get those in LCWRA to engage more with the Work Coach.

      Please disregard the word 'change'


  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 23 hours ago
    The only statement I want to hear from Rachel Thieves is I quit. I'm sorry, I have totally fk'd up the country's economy and made life harder for everyone bar the very rich.  

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