Benefit cuts will cost the economy.

[MistressoftheDarkSide]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/29/labours-benefit-cuts-will-cost-uk-economy-billions-charity-says

Interesting article which repeats what some of us have been saying about the likely consequences of the proposed measures, including increased pressure on services.

CAMHS, special education, large chunks of the NHS, affordable housing, social services….

I didn't want disabled people to starve when I was working. Why would I want other people's blood on my hands so I could pay a little bit less tax?

Also, I wasn't planning on becoming disabled myself. I had this disease waiting in my genetics since birth - I wouldn't have known that when I was meant to be making sure I'd badly suffer when it happened to me.

No one's health is going to last. It could be tomorrow that you're in the same position as me.

We either have a tax, benefit and pension system that’s built on rules and entitlements. Or we have a discretionary system based on tummy feelings. Do you honestly think tummy feelings wood work better?

Some people will never understand, unless it is their reality, or someone very close to them, so that they can see for themselves, the challenges that they face.

I always wonder that about the PIP criteria that posits that if you can microwave a meal unaided, then you can feed yourself.

Has anyone actually looked at the nutritional content and cost of possible microwave-only diets? Doesn’t sound very affordable or healthy to me as a daily solution.

Im sorry you’re in such a tough situation.

Criterion, I mean.

You are completely correct as to why the number of taxpayers is going up.

i was posting in response to the statement
“the ever shrinking Uk taxpayers” (or similar, I forget exact quote,) which isn’t true and hasn’t been for a couple of years.

i’m posting these stats because I’m disabled and I’m bloody fed up of people posting factually untrue things about disability benefits.

i have (personal) opinions on benefits in general and the welfare state but those are opinions not facts.

when people post things like “the majority of pip claims are not for a physical disability” and similar these are factual statements which can be checked and a lot of the time they’re just not true.

now if they wanted to post “I think there should be no disabled benefits” fine. That’s an opinion. I don’t agree with you but you’ve the right to say it and hold it.

but if you’re going to go around lying in such a way that makes people both believe lies and encourages them to hate disabled people then yeah I’m going to pick you up on it.

even the government usually word their attacks on disabled people very carefully so that they are literally true if somewhat misleading.

You score 2 points on PIP for cooking activity if you can only use a microwave for microwavable meals, instead of an oven. And it also still has to take into account whether you can cut vegetables, open tins and cans, etc.

Well said @Octavia64

The misinformation is thigh deep on this thread alone.

Ah really? I need to revise. It’s still suggesting that microwaving is a regular answer to getting a hot nutritious meal, though isn’t it? If I’m here on my own and struggling, one pot recipes are the kind of thing I can just about do unaided and I sit down to chop.

Similarly, in social care now, a client who is only ever able to to access a strip wash is considered to have adequate access to bathing.

These kind of precedents have built up over time and they’re not really good enough. Mostyn is would want better for ourselves and our loved ones.

Yes, those foods aren't good to eat long term. And they're in no way affordable.

Maybe people are imagining they'll live off what's in their larder instead. Except after a few years of poverty, they won't have anything in their larder.

After a few years of this, I start feeling panicky and guilty every single time I have to buy food. A friend of mine took me to Costco recently because they thought it would be a nice trip out for us. I got so overwhelmed by the huge piles of food that I got shaky, burst into tears and had to leave.

That's reality. That's what the apparent privilege of being disabled and on benefits looks like.

This is your choice:

Genuine claimants get what they need - but there will be some fraud.

OR

Genuine claimants will NOT all get what they need - but fraud is reduced.

There isn't a system that ensures everyone who is genuine, gets, and no one who is not, doesn't.

The current media barrage of benefits bashing is trying to ensure that when genuine claimants start to suffer, claims fail, people are starving/freezing to death, committing suicide... you don't feel bad. You can say 'well they obviously weren't a genuine claimant, it's their own fault for being too lazy to get a job'.

Before you make that choice though - consider this.

Reducing the benefits claims is not going to reduce your tax.
It is not going to decrease your outgoings.
It is not going to increase your wage.
It is going to put a higher burden on services, many of which your tax pays for.

So will knowing that a handful of fraudulent claimants are no longer getting away with it keep you warm and cosy and put food on your table? Will that make up for the genuine claimants suffering more?

And keep in mind - you're not 'not disabled'. You're simply 'not disabled yet'. Able bodied, fit, and healthy is temporary.

Perfect response, 10/10 👏👏👏

It really is. I guess some people have such sad lives it makes them feel better to try to lord it over people more vulnerable than they are, even if it means lying and obfuscating.

Despite all the difficulties and challenges, my DH and I have a nice life and are happy enough. I wouldn't want to switch with the haters. I feel sorry for them, being so full of toxicity.

@Octavia64 you have done some sterling work on this thread. Thank you 💐

And keep in mind - you're not 'not disabled'. You're simply 'not disabled yet'. Able bodied, fit, and healthy is temporary.

Too many people forget this. No matter how smart, how educated, privileged, or rich you are, no matter who your family is or how hardworking you are, we are all only one accident or illness away from being disabled.

That’s key, actually. A lot of people really struggle to fully grasp that they’re mortal and fallible.

What a lot of people seem to struggle with is that you can be chronically ill, working and struggling to do so and not entitled to any benefits.

Exactly.

People are all for it until they have to 'deal' with someone like me and they think they shouldn't have to because they're a paying customer.

Thread after thread on here about 'shit service' - people on tills who don't make eye contact, hospitality workers who don't make small talk, shop workers who pounce on them and talk too much and are 'pushy', and all the rest of the ways people feel they are not being served correctly.

I remember a thread a few months ago where a poster complained that a volunteer in Asda ruined her shopping because she was tasked to help choose cards and the op didn't want help, and the op and more than a few posters thought that she shouldn't be there, doing that job if it annoyed customers.

But they must work! They must contribute! Only not where it might affect those paying customers even slightly if you please.

There are only so many places that people like me can be shoved away, but still working, so we don't inconvenience the great and the good and ruin their experience of buying a birthday card or whatever.

And if I sound bitter then I am, because I've had a lifetime of being abused, ridiculed and patronised. Told I'm not good enough to do the lowliest of jobs and yet here people are saying how I must work because I can. I want to work, I do work, I've always worked, but I've been in and out of jobs until this one because people complain about me being too slow and stupid to serve them. I now have an employer that shields me somewhat from the people who treat me like this.

You want disabled people, people with conditions and those with mental health out there working?
Stop shunning them, stop ridiculing them, stop complaining about them.

What a ridiculous dramatic reaction (tho’why would anyone think a trip to Cost o would be a ‘nice outing’ ….????)

Agree

I obviously do feel for you. It's why I asked. I was wondering to myself if you couldn't cook, why you didn't eat some fruits. I know it's not a full meal, but like better than nothing?

Same thought I have now is why you don't eat plain bread? I'm not saying you should. Obviously I think you should have a full and healthy meal. But like wouldn't bread be better than nothing?

Well sorting out PIP is irrelevant - you can work whilst claiming PIP.

The out of work stuff is the ESA replacement element on Universal Credit.

Plenty of older single men live on sandwiches

No, because I can't eat bread.

For goodness sake Hyteffsxg stop hounding Thronglet about what you think she should be eating. She says she has lived with this issue for a long time, so I doubt the suggestions are novel to her.