To wonder how the UK will look in 3 years time?

That is the basic rate for standard mobility which very few would get alone. The standard rate for daily living is something like £75 and many many people get standard for both which amounts to over £100 a week. PIP is also not an amount to live on, it is money for the extra costs of a disability. basic living costs would be covered by Universal credit or ESA if someone could not work. There work in this area and very rarely see someone just getting £29 a week PIP. It's more often enhanced rates for both amounting to over £750 every four weeks. or a combination of both components.

What is the point in tackling your addiction if you end up worse off financially for it?

How many people end up financiallly better off for having an addiction than for not having one? Addictions are extremely expensive. And you can't claim benefits just for having an addiction; you would have to prove serious mental or physical health problems as a result, and even then it's not that easy.

Basic rate PIP for daily living is £29 a week. A lot of people will only qualify for that, hardly enough to live on, but as far as I know there isn't a breakdown of how many get highest rate and how many get lowest rate.

How is PIP “difficult to get” if almost 4 million people get it? This huge number is significantly higher than all other comparable countries. Why?

I know the answer to this. Look at this link

1

the link looks strange, but it's Scottish Gov doc.

Number of disability benefits recipients in the UK is dramatically higher than in Denmark, France, Norway, Sweden - all comparable countries.

"This research has found that extra costs benefits are uncommon in other countries. Indeed, in a New Policy Institute report for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, MacInnes et al (2014 – emphasis added) argue that, as far as they are aware: ‘no other European or OECD country […] makes such extensive use of a cash benefit to meet the additional costs of disability.’7 As a result, the sample of countries examined was necessarily constrained – including only countries with broadly comparable benefits. To this end, this report presents an examination of assessment for disability benefits in: Denmark, France, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden. Even in countries where extra-costs disability benefits are offered, their reach is far more limited than in Scotland/UK (see Table 2)." 1

No other country, at least in developed world, pays monetary disability benefits in such amounts and such vast number of conditions. For sure no other country pays it based on self declared impact which cannot be confirmed by objective medical tests, e.g. bloods, CT, MRI etc.

So I can go to my GP, complaint about depression, anxiety, CFS, whatever, something which doesn't have defined investigation. Get antidepressants, CBT, whatever else prescribed, it doesn't help of course. Or long waiting list. I'll spend 6-9-12 months "working" with GP to get my condition established and then I'm set for life. Ongoing reviews of course, but nothing helps. In the meantime because of life with no purpose my mental health truly deteriorates.

Hear me out - there are absolutely horrifying disabilities that of course should be supported, probably much more generous than now, incl carers support.
But funny that the number of PIP claimants increased so drastically with transition to UC which I believe is less generous than the previous benefits set up.

Because 4 million people are entitled to it. It has a fraud rate of 0%. If people are thinking you get it, so can I. They do also have to apply and be assessed, thereby also having to be eligible. Social media might highlight this, but it doesn't give you a condition you don't have.

Have you ever claimed it, or helped anyone else to do so? If so, you'll know why it's difficult to get. If not, probably not your best area to make claims about.

If on paper, it isn't fraud, then it isn't fraud at all. And she needs to not worry about what other people are entitled to.

Why would Musk be entitled to PIP, what elements of his daily living or mobility does he struggle with?

The country has been getting worse since at least the bank financial crash in the noughties, which we all paid to bail us out of. No one government comes out of it well, as it’s so difficult, and I don’t believe there is a single party that will improve it. The balance of rich to poor continues to get bigger, with many more very wealthy. The government(s) will continue to leave them alone, whilst taxing the poor and middle earners. Hopefully, whatever party gets in next time, we will at least be spared Trump look alike gaslighting.

The extreme far right still exists in the 90s it was the National Front in BNP,318,Blood and honour the white power music sales and Nazi ideology wing.
The name's change but the message is always the same.

How is PIP “difficult to get” if almost 4 million people get it? This huge number is significantly higher than all other comparable countries. Why? I don’t even blame
people on an individual level as believe exaggerating SEN/Care need is to get cash (as otherwise life would be very hard financially) and by nature humans are greedy and the country as a whole encourages greed and self interest. Social media also spreads how to claim and many jobs also allow people to gain insight to see who is getting what for what etc and ‘you think well they are - so I am’ etc.

How can the OP report for fraud? On paper it isn’t fraud as Tory gment expanded disability legislation to include claimants who to many on the ground would not perceive to be entitled.

Both DLA and PIP claims and entitlment are increasing - not everyone believes the current system works and that all those “entitled” should be. It’s very naive to believe everyone who claims tells the truth or is in genuine “need”

Elon Musk would be entitled to PIP if in the UK. Some believe this is not who the benefit should be for.

I honestly think that people nowadays have really no idea what a nazi actually is or means.

It's incredibly insulting to people whose lives and families were truly affected by nazism.

Yet people still continue to bandy the word about.....

This is disgraceful. Whatever side of politics you're on.

I know. It’s just one of my pet hates.

Yes, of course. That is what I meant.

He didn’t get off. A jury found him not guilty.

Away with you and your common sense …. 😁

I thought perhaps by now it might be possible to have a civil exchange with you.

But no. Lesson learned.

Excuse me - you previously stated that you would not engage with me any more.

Would you like me to retrieve the post in question? Or does your word carry no weight?

I am surprised he got off. But juries sometimes make surprising decisions. I don't know why you think it means the UK is sinking into the abyss, though.

Take away benefits from addicts and see what happens to the crime rate.

A suspended Labour councillor who said far-Right activists’ throats should be cut thanked jurors after they cleared him of encouraging violent disorder.

Ricky Jones, 58, faced trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court accused of the offence after he described demonstrators as “disgusting Nazi fascists”.

Just one reason why the UK is sinking into the abyss.

You’re lucky you haven’t been told you’re making it all up, that’s usually the way these conversations go.

What I find amusing is that you are not allowed to state that SOME people are abusing the system and you know this for a FACT because they either have very loud voices, and take personal calls to DWP in earshot of others! Or are telling you how to claim the maximum amount as they think that is what you want to do and they are helping you.

I knew far more than I would ever want to know about one of my ex neighbours including her health conditions and exactly what she was claiming. She was proud to tell me what she was getting and exactly how she got it.

I can not state that the SM accounts are true but I know my experiences are valid.

I was made redundant because of COVID and didn't want to be reliant on benefits so used pension pot money whilst applying for hundreds of jobs.I had to admit defeat and claim from last year.
Once you're over 55 no one wants you even part time jobs are ridiculous..an example Harry Cory 12 hours a week on a 3shift rotation so you couldn't get another part time job because you're beholden for 12 hours and there are many more of the same.
I now volunteer for NHS to do something worthwhile in the community.

I know there are a lot of lies told on SM about PIP claimants.

It os odd how those lies always include a detailed knowledge about health conditions and benefits recieved. PIP claimants must be very free with their personal info.

No one is spying on anyone but if you live near people in small communities you get to know them and you know their situation. Some are happy to discuss.

Yes, there are some people who could work (even part time) and it is true that certain loopholes in the benefit system incentivises them to stay in or worsen their situation. Just because you do not know any, others do. It requires a lot of manpower to bring these cases to conviction because of the level of surveillance required. With cash strapped councils/government departments it makes no sense to chase these cases from a financial prospective.

We have moved away from it being shameful to be on benefits (quite rightly) and more along the lines of claim what you are due. However with 23% of working age people in the UK now claiming some form of benefit. It is not wrong to say this is unsustainable and start having conversations about what has happened and more importantly, how to reduce this number.

Labour's current response is just tax working people more and working people are querying this when they see people with minor (in their eyes) disabilities who are not working getting more money than them. Part of the issue is Labour's refusal to define exactly who they mean when they speak about working people. Do they mean people who are over the limit to receive UC or those taking home amounts above 100K or those deemed to be millionaires.