“Every time you see a headline on “the cost of the benefits bill”, what you are really reading is “the cost of disabled people”. My col. on Labour’s reported benefit cuts and the toxic narrative of the “moral” virtue of work. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... - ThreadSky

francesryan.bsky.social • 1 day ago

“Every time you see a headline on “the cost of the benefits bill”, what you are really reading is “the cost of disabled people”.

My col. on Labour’s reported benefit cuts and the toxic narrative of the “moral” virtue of work. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/10/disabled-people-labour-benefits-system?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Comments

paulhiggins75.bsky.social•1 day ago

I fully agree that the UK needs 2 ensure benefits r given 2 people who need them.I’ll happily pay my tax 2 ensure this.At the same time I’ve got 3 members of my enlarged family who openly tell u that they falsely came PIP because it’s easily than working.i don’t know how 2 sort this but it’s needed

oldautisticwoman.bsky.social•1 day ago

Ever occurred to you that they are lying to make fun of you?

oldautisticwoman.bsky.social•1 day ago

That's a coincidence! I have a pet unicorn too!

beniandermatt.bsky.social•1 day ago

Every system will sometimes fail. I think the question is: Would you rather accept that a few dishonest people benefit, or that a few honest people suffer. They can't both be avoided.
I'd rather pay for one disabled person's care plus someone else's laziness, than not pay either.

paulhiggins75.bsky.social•1 day ago

Fully agree that ever system does and will have faults. I’ll be the first to say I don’t know the answer to this issue. I have 4 people in my extended family claiming PIP, only 1 is real. If that percentage is close to that across the country it’s more than a few lazy people.

beniandermatt.bsky.social•1 day ago

In my own country I saw a statistic: Apparently here the people who COULD claim benefits, but don't, because of a sense of pride or shame, vastly outnumber the people who commit fraud.

jonmcdevitt.bsky.social•1 day ago

It definitely needs an overhaul, and regardless of my anger when people who need help don't get it, I've seen firsthand how many people game the system here. Whilst a lot of people work very hard, we have a widespread bad attitude to tax and benefits here, from desperately needed wealth taxes down.

chrisfk.bsky.social•1 day ago

I've been in the business of placing students with third sector organisations for over 20 years, observing e.g advice sessions at Citizens Advice incl. in some of the most deprived parts of the W Mids. In that time, I've seen and heard from hundreds of genuine benefits claimants - and no bogus ones

drpaulitious.bsky.social•1 day ago

Gosh it's almost as if Jon and Chris have worked with different groups of people.

purpleelectric.bsky.social•1 day ago

I once heard that the difference between the left and right wings is that left wingers want everyone to get their rights even if some who shouldn't slip through. Right wingers want nobody who is not entitled to get their rights, even if many who should lose out.

purpleelectric.bsky.social•1 day ago

It's a reasonable debate to have. For different things, it is legitimate to be at different points on that spectrum. Benefits for disabilities is one where I would definitely err in the direction of ensuring everyone who needs them gets them.

lzmddings.bsky.social•1 day ago

Could you ask your relatives to share how they managed this. I’m about to apply and many people I know with the same health condition have taken 3 years to get PIP, after numerous denials and appeals.

paulhiggins75.bsky.social•1 day ago

Over play everything is the best way I believe (reddit forums help)
Again-I have never said benefits need to stop.The total opposite I strongly believe that the state should, must give help. But the current system doesn’t work, with simple math the system will stop due to the ever increasing bill.

purpleelectric.bsky.social•1 day ago

It does work.

In any system this massive, there will always be a small number of fraudulent claims. There is no evidence this number is larger than the minimum it will always inevitably be.

And how does cutting payments for legitimate claimants tackle fraud?

paulhiggins75.bsky.social•1 day ago

Again I’m not saying cutting payments. One possible way forward could be to invest in social care to ensure people’s health doesn’t deteriorate so less people need PIP. Example is mental health, in my county it is almost impossible to get help. Sorting the issue at the start saves long term.

purpleelectric.bsky.social•22 hours ago

No argument from me there. That's one of the issues with austerity. There is always a bigger cost down the line. It is far cheaper to tackle problems early than to deal with the consequences later.

aerliss.bsky.social•1 day ago

I'd like to know how they've cheated it so easily, because everyone I know who has gone through or is going through the process says it's an absolute nightmare & utterly dehumanising.

People who genuinely need support, struggle to qualify, so how do people who don't need it manage?

paulhiggins75.bsky.social•1 day ago

100% agree with you. I know people who have applied (and I believe should get it have failed). The system in its current form doesn’t work. It needs changed. I don’t know what into (better people than me will hopefully work that out).

mattevansc3.bsky.social•1 day ago

Very, very simple. We are still viewed as a personal, moral failing. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next cut is announced with “Have you tried yoga?”.

vanadis123.bsky.social•1 day ago

How money is actually wasted:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/11/silent-minority-15-peers-claimed-not-speaking-lords-debate

eagleowlsheila.bsky.social•1 day ago

Great column. Well said.

cdca.bsky.social•1 day ago

laislabonita.bsky.social•1 day ago

If this goes the way I fear it might I’m not sure I will be staying a member - I’m already pretty conflicted.

running2staysane.bsky.social•1 day ago

Same re the cost of SEND education & those a moving parents wanting EHCP and provision for their child's needs. How dare any disabled adult or child expect any support. 🙄🤬

wondermutt.bsky.social•1 day ago

They are doing as they are told by the ultra wealthy who pay their bills. We need to force them to discuss the alternative: a small tax on ultra wealth.

https://bsky.app/profile/wondermutt.bsky.social/post/3lk3mpxvxgs2g

cornishskipper.bsky.social•22 hours ago

France & Spain eg already have wealth tax. New proposal in France to tax those with >€100m @2% would bring in €15bn pa from just 1800 households! #TaxTheRich #WealthTax https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/french-wealth-tax-what-is-zucman-tax-ultra-rich-390086/

b31bowden.bsky.social•1 day ago

I'd like to understand how it encourages people back to work if you cut the main benefit paid to the disabled regardless of if they work or not.

philgroom.bsky.social•1 day ago

Thank you 👍👍👍

kevinmarks.com•1 day ago

Have they swallowed the Sunak Cost Fallacy? It's called Cost/Benefit analysis for a reason. Just looking at costs is insane behaviour.

susanreadsbooks.bsky.social•1 day ago

I thought this was very well argued and hard hitting. What the government wants to do appals me and many others

mrsnodes.bsky.social•1 day ago

It’s never “the cost of helping people sell the phantom shares they get as part of their remuneration to avoid Income tax” is it?

gingertotty.bsky.social•22 hours ago

I basically don’t think they can sink any lower and I’m utterly disgusted with their policy here. So utterly disillusioned - I hate to think politicians are all the same - but Sir Kier needs a bloody rocket for this inhumane bullshit.

I had so much hope.

gingertotty.bsky.social•22 hours ago

You’re supposed to look after the weakest members of society. Do better… it’s a TEAM: humanity contract… and it’s so shortsighted realistically cos we’re ALLLLLLLLL pre-disabled - if we live long enough. Your shameful behaviour is your future punishment. Ghouls

drrebeccaryan.bsky.social•20 hours ago

The mark of a civilized society is that it looks after the sick.

davidaspencer.bsky.social•1 day ago

Some reflections below, from a few years ago, on the longstanding and persistent vilification of the poor @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/six-centuries-of-vilifying-the-poor/

mcochrane13.bsky.social•1 day ago

This Labour gov is so frustrating. They got voted in because the country overwhelmingly wanted a change from the Tories, but they’ve come in as Tory-lite - or in this case, pure solid Tory. Demonising the disabled is just cruel & not taxing the wealthy only shows the electorate who really matters.

dvdjnstndn.bsky.social•1 day ago

Is being a landlord/shareholder a "work-limiting condition"? Feels like there's plenty of "passive income" guys out there who could be encouraged to do something more productive with some targeted taxes. We just need to make getting a job more profitable for them than sitting on their arses!

purpleelectric.bsky.social•1 day ago

Actually, every time I read about "the cost of the benefits bill", all I can think of is all those parasite landlords and stingy employers getting billions of our tax money shovelled their way. Cap rents and increase the minimum wage if you want to cut the benefits bill. Leave disabled people alone.

clearlight.bsky.social•11 hours ago

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/editorial-build-revolt-against-starmers-war-disabled-people

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