Losing Out: tens of thousands lose disability benefits

More than half of new claims in Scotland for the UK Government’s disability payment are refused, with tens of thousands of disabled people completely losing their benefits.

Since the UK Government replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in 2013, 167,000 new claims in Scotland have been unsuccessful, equal to 54% of all applications.

The analysis, produced by the Scottish Government, shows that the share of new claimants awarded PIP has decreased since the benefit was introduced, from 74% in 2013/14 to 56% in 2018/19, an 18 percentage point reduction.

In addition, 39,000 people in Scotland have lost their disability benefits completely (costing them between £1,200 and £7,740 per year) after losing their DLA entitlement when they were reassessed and refused PIP.

Since PIP was introduced, 30,000 people have had to undergo a stressful appeals process, with 21,000 of those having to go to court in order to receive their correct PIP entitlement.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “For disabled people, the stress and anxiety of the application process and face to face assessment process are already hallmarks of the UK Government’s welfare reforms.

“Now this latest analysis shows that those most in need in our society are less likely to get help or have to fight through the courts to get what they are entitled to.

“While tens of thousands of disabled people are facing greater hardship because they have completely lost their benefits.

“We will do things differently as we start delivery of disability benefits over the next 18 months.

“Social security is an investment in the people of Scotland and we want people to receive all the support they are entitled to.

“That is why we are building a new social security system from scratch – with fairness, respect and dignity at its heart.”

Scottish Government Welfare_Reform _Report

Scottish Government social security reforms – Disability Assistance

Greens: Government must ensure public funding protects community assets

The Scottish Government must take responsibility for the funding it provides to Edinburgh’s Christmas and New Year celebrations and ensure that communities and public assets are protected, according to Lothian MSP Alison Johnstone.

Ms Johnstone raised the matter at Culture Questions in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, highlighting local controversy and damage to parks and public assets caused by various events in the city, and received confirmation from the Scottish Government that it provided hundreds of thousands to support these festivities.

Alison Johnstone MSP said: “The Scottish Government must take responsibility for the funding it provides and ensure this supports our communities. Serious community concerns have been repeatedly raised about the impact of Christmas and New Year events, and we must guarantee that these issues are addressed in future.

“Clearly the primary responsibility for these events lies with the City of Edinburgh Council, but Ministers must also use their influence to ensure these events don’t negatively impact our communities.

“Princes Street Gardens’ parks are much loved and sit at the heart of a world heritage site.

“We must make sure this precious community asset is protected so that local people and visitors alike are able to enjoy these celebrations.

“The First Minister recently reminded us that wellbeing should be at the heart of our economy. If government are to live up to this, they must ensure that important public places are adequately valued.”

Letters: Mary’s Meals appeal

Dear Editor,

Mary’s Meals has launched an urgent appeal to feed chronically hungry children in Turkana, one of the driest and most impoverished parts of Kenya.

We already serve nutritious meals to more than 23,000 children in nurseries in Turkana, but primary-aged pupils have not received meals since a programme run by another organisation stopped around a year ago. 

Desperate pupils can often be found watching children at neighbouring nurseries being fed, and we have heard heartbreaking reports of children as young as three saving their food to take home for hungry siblings.

Mary’s Meals already feeds more than 1.5 million children in 18 of the world’s poorest countries every school day. We are determined to continue feeding these children while expanding, as funds allow, to reach primary school children in Turkana.

Your readers can support our appeal by visiting marysmeals.org.uk/turkana or phoning 0800 698 1212.

Best wishes,

Daniel Adams

UK Executive Director of Mary’s Meals

London’s streets ARE paved with gold …

… but only for the super-elite

Becoming socially mobile – moving into a higher professional or managerial job from a working-class background – doesn’t necessarily mean moving away from where you grew up, according to new research published by the Sutton Trust today. Continue reading London’s streets ARE paved with gold …