Westminstenders: The Bill Cash Appreciation Society

[RedToothBrush]

We've had a new thread pretty much everyday for the last week or so, so I'm short on inspiration.

There haven't been too many new developments today. There have been two ministerial resignations. Both were ministers close to Boris Johnson.

We had a vote to add an extension if we still have no deal agreed at the end of next week to the Withdrawal Bill. May has said she will do this anyway; this would merely tie her hands. It passed by 5 votes. It now is fast tracked to the committee stage and third reading.

A business of the house amendment by Benn to secure a debate and Indicative Vote 3 next week failed after a speakers vote. Bercow followed convention and didn't create a majority where there was not one (though under Erskine May he is free to do the opposite at his discretion).

Corbyn has met May for talks which have been described as construction, though we have no further details though curiously Emily Thornberry put out a statement demanding a ref on whatever was decided which suggests Corbyn isn't keen on the idea. Rumours are of Schrodingers Customs Union: somehow being in a union but not a union. It can't be called a customs union. And Liam Fox has said Corbyn can't have his union. Though he may have a vested interest as he loses his job if Corbyn gets his way.

Oh and the Commons photocopier broke so no one knows what is currently supposed to be happening.

Otherwise it's been a quiet day, all things considered. Too quiet?

The leavers won't back down. There are a few about but not many.
It's ok to change your mind for loads of other things or vote in a G E for different parties when your circumstances change or even vote for the common market in 75 then vote leave in 2016 ( I know a few of these ) but change your mind now or back another vote? No way.
I don't think a vote will change much but I can see the thinking behind it. Plus it would buy some more time.

Stipey very sorry you had to go through that, my dd was the same the she was in receipt of DLA highest rate for care & mobility, the PIP assessor lied & lied on the report her benefit was cut to middle rate care & no mobility award, she couldn’t face appealing I did try to persuade & support her to appeal but she said she couldn’t face any more humiliation.

Remind me when brexit is over with to start over again nagging MPs about benefits. I've learnt how to do it now.

to all who have been or going through PIPS process. Having gone through it myself during chemo I know exactly what you all are going through. I had all mine took away including ESA during chemo because I had survived longer than 6 months (thankfully
all reinstated after 3 month fight and 1 week before I retired). My Macmillan nurse at the time was absolutely fabulous and all support staff helping me through treatment and fighting DWP. I hope all of you facing reassessment good luck and don't give up. Get as many specialist letters as possible. Go to local disability charity who will help you fill in the forms. Take a family member or close friend with you for face to face meetings and you can record your interview. ( look on form at back and it will tell you you can request this,). There is good advice from disability charities on his to fill in forms and tips. Hope this helps.

Thanks SoS that’s the other shame about brexit having been so dominant, such a lot of really pressing injustice & awfulness being swept under the radar, the millions of children living in poverty the report last night about the Harlow office block, the rise in the use of food banks the list goes on & on.

Uri Geller
@TheUriGeller
yes I did it @HouseofCommons ! I bent the pipes, and I won't apologise, you all deserve it! #brexit #startfromscratch

It's hard to pick what the most urgent problem after brexit and I do feel sorry for everyone who voted leave genuinely thinking it would change things for the better.

Good news for disabled people retired. You will no longer have to face reassessment for PIPS. I think that is from this April but not sure it may well already be in place. My original DLA was for life but still got reassessed then had to change to PIPs.
ESA is important but you don't get ESA when you retire but if you were entitled to it up to your retirement you can then claim pension credit with disabled element.
In the end I got my car back ( instead of the money I have a car as I would go mad without it literally) and my pension and pension credit means I'm actually slightly better off than I was.

Hazard
the problem that will be the most pressing after Brexit will be the hardest to solve
it will be the incredibly urgent need to raise taxes enough to end austerity
without causing further civil unrest

stripey so sorry about both your pip assessment and your DSs school. My mother went through similar for her DLA assessment, full of downright lies and inaccuracies. She won her tribunal at least.

With the amount of money being spent on Brexit its hard to see after its all over whatever party is in power not having to do a period of austerity. The Tories will blow as much money as possible trying to get their deal/ way. I mean £11 million for an apartment in America for trade ambassador to do trade deals after brexit?

TalkinPaece
I'll get my helmet ready for the influx of hate directed at benefit claiments then 😨

I've had a bit of practise and the raging person usually concludes I'm one of the few genuine ones who deserve it.

Hazard
Ah yes, deserving and undeserving claimants
and the ones with the audacity to own a television

No matter what happens in the next few days, the wounds of Brexit and Tory Austerity will take many, many years to heal

I'm saddened but not surprised to hear of so many problems with benefits decisions.

If you can bring yourself to appeal, there's a very good chance that you'll succeed - around 70% of people do.

However, as this article shows, too many people are put off the idea of lodging an appeal www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2018/september/4-out-10-pip-claimants-do-not-appeal-it-would-be-too-stressful

Yes it is the 'shame' of having to go through such a process that stops people claiming or appealing. Yet there are others who do try to commit a form of fraud that cause people with real disabilities to go through such degrading assessments. They do exist, those that 'play' the system. We can't ignore that fact.

stripeychina 💐 apologies for the late reply - I’ve been offline for some time this evening. I’m so sorry you’re in this position. It’s just wrong and makes me so angry. Susan too 💐 People should not feel unable to claim what they are entitled to through fear of ending up worse off. DH and I are lucky in that, although we are far from wealthy, we are not in the position of so many others, having to worry about how to put food on the table or pay the bills. I’m well aware that could change, especially with DH’s health. What happens if I’m unable to provide adequate care for him in the future? We do have savings but we had to pay for help that would not last. But, as I say, for now we are amongst the lucky ones. Just watched C4 New’s report on breadline Britain. So many people with next to nothing. It’s heartbreaking.

to all battling with this (I’m sure there are a fair few lurkers this applies to as well) and also to Chevvy and all others (sorry, I don’t remember the names I’m sure there’s at least one other poster) putting in the hours at the food bank.

for everyone struggling. I can't understand how a medical condition signed off by medical practitioners can be assessed by a random person with a clipboard.

"People should not feel unable to claim what they are entitled to through fear of ending up worse off. "
ditto, ditto, ditto.
So sorry to hear this.

Well Dominic Lawson can fuck right off with this irresponsible bollocks.

www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/lord-lawson-must-accept-leave-vote-no-second-referendum-1-5978997

Oh, just when I thought I couldn’t love Led By Donkeys more...

twitter.com/bydonkeys/status/1113827097930280960?s=21

Letter from May to Tusk.

Gah wrong thread.