We had fantastic response from the public . Unison out today with other unions and disability groups in Wigan petitioning against cuts to PIPS.
We Had an amazing response from the public . Many can’t believe that this government is putting forward such an awful piece of legislation to attack the most vulnerable.
Our message was tax the rich not poor .
The following is some of our disagreements with Green paper .
◦The argument that cutting PIP by changing eligibility criteria will get people into work is totally flawed. PIP is not an Unemployment benefit but based on the extra financial support required for someone who is disabled or ill or both to function as a constructive member of society.
◦Removing this financial support will prevent people who currently do work from being able to access work.
◦PIP pays for human help in the home which needs to be paid for.
◦ It also pays for equipment required e.g. to bathe, this equipment, often needs to be bought in the first place, charged up on a daily basis, maintained and mended, serviced regularly and any faulty parts replaced. This is the same for. power chair etc. Many cannot leave the house without their wheelchair being fully operational, maintained and charged, also need PIP to pay for the insurance in case they have an accident.
◦Many disabled and/or ill people have been forced to retire on ill health occupational pensions which are commonly very small, way below minimum wage quite often clauses on these pensions mean people cannot work, people will lose their pension if they try to work. Without PIP these occupational pensions would not cover the costs of disability and force people into poverty.
◦Where are all the jobs coming from to employ disabled people? How will employers be forced to understand intermittent disability and illness e.g. epilepsy. Will they be trained to understand the need for extended toilet breaks, the demands of incontinence, the space and facilities required in toilet spaces. How will employers manage the absence of disabled and ill employees due to essential medical appointments, often frequent in such cases.
◦How will the adaptations required to employ the disabled community be paid for.
◦Will other staff be trained to assist disabled workers?
◦Will staff who bully or intimidate disabled workers be dealt with appropriately?
◦According to a Freedom of Information Request from DPAC to DWP, 87% of those on the current Standard Rate for Daily Living Activities and 13% on the Enhanced Rate will lose PIP under the new eligibility criteria.
We will be lobbying the next full council meeting on 21st midday asking our local representatives to support our campaign to stop the cuts .
◦Thanks Malcolm Jones Secretary Of Wigan unison Retired Members