1 more than meets the eye why the welfare cuts will hit blind and partially sighted people...
TRANSCRIPT
1
More than meets the eye
Why the welfare cuts will hit blind and partially sighted people particularly hard
2
Economic context
• The Comprehensive Spending Review means £18bn savings have to come from welfare
• Other government plans predicated on making welfare savings
• Contraction of the state - this is a long-term project
3
Political context
• Promise of fairness - “we are all in this together”
• Welfare Reform Bill
• A narrative about simplification and helping people into work
• Comparison with the Health Bill
4
Public perceptions
• No more “something for nothing” attitude on the increase
• Squeezed Middle• YouGov and other
polls show attitudes are hardening
5
Fairness
• Progressive or Regressive?
• Poverty alleviation or social mobility
• Simplified benefits system not necessarily fairer for people with complex needs
6
Welfare Reform Bill
• January 2010 - December 2010 (tbc)
• Many proposals - but focus today on disability benefits
• Government majority dictates amendments will need to be made in the Lords
• Labour emphasis on responsibility
7
Key proposals
Opportunities
• Might be some people who gain from the Universal Credit
• Simpler forms
• A more responsive and flexible system?
8
Key proposals
Many more threats
• DLA reform and introduction of Personal Independence Payment in 2013
• Review of DLA mobility in residential care
• Employment and Support Allowance time limit
9
DLA reform
• More than £1bn budget cut by 2015
• DLA “past its sell-by date”
• No more automatic entitlements
• New assessment
10
DLA reform
• Re-assessment for existing claimants
• Periodic reviews
• New components for Personal Independence Payment
• Qualifying period
• Adaptation to impairment
11
Out-of-work benefits
• Incapacity Benefit re-assessment began in April 2011
• Work Capability Assessment problem
• Employment and Support Allowance time limit
12
Other issues to consider
• Benefits cap
• Universal Credit
• Disability premium and passporting
• Welfare-to-work and sanctions
13
Analysis
• Targeting vs universalism
• Who wins?• Legal aid and
advice?• Clearing the poor
away?
14
What can you do?
• Hardest Hit campaign
• Short window to influence the Bill
• October crunch date
• Liberal Democrats key
• Show what impact a loss of DLA would have
