TheFutileGnome.
@futilegnome.bsky.social
Autistic/ADHD/EUPD
Disability, leftie, occasional photographer. Previous account suspended for wishing ill on Donald Trump.
Disability, leftie, occasional photographer. Previous account suspended for wishing ill on Donald Trump.
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
The legal definition of #disability in the #EqualityAct2010 covers fluctuating conditions & cumulative impact of multiple impairments. The #WelfareBill goes against this by limiting PIP eligibility via 4-point score on one descriptor and the Severe Condition Criteria in UC
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Disability: Equality Act 2010 - Guidance on matters to be taken into account in determining questions relating to the definition of disability (HTML)
www.gov.uk
June 30, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The legal definition of #disability in the #EqualityAct2010 covers fluctuating conditions & cumulative impact of multiple impairments. The #WelfareBill goes against this by limiting PIP eligibility via 4-point score on one descriptor and the Severe Condition Criteria in UC
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
Every single non-disabled person who is supporting the PIP cuts should be handed a £15k “disability costs” bill each year and asked how they plan on paying it. Because people don’t really need benefits? You’ll be able to find £15k on top of rent, food, utilities and your summer holiday? Right?
June 30, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Every single non-disabled person who is supporting the PIP cuts should be handed a £15k “disability costs” bill each year and asked how they plan on paying it. Because people don’t really need benefits? You’ll be able to find £15k on top of rent, food, utilities and your summer holiday? Right?
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
The extra cost of being disabled in the UK will rise by almost 12% in five years, says Scope. That means having to find another £15k a year just to live at the same standard as non-disabled people.
But MPs should cut PIP tomorrow, right? Seems logical and humane? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
But MPs should cut PIP tomorrow, right? Seems logical and humane? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Extra cost of being disabled in UK to rise by almost 12% in five years, says Scope report
Estimate by disability charity published on eve of MPs’ vote on restricting welfare payments for new claimants
www.theguardian.com
June 30, 2025 at 7:44 AM
The extra cost of being disabled in the UK will rise by almost 12% in five years, says Scope. That means having to find another £15k a year just to live at the same standard as non-disabled people.
But MPs should cut PIP tomorrow, right? Seems logical and humane? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
But MPs should cut PIP tomorrow, right? Seems logical and humane? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
Things which grow tiring very quickly. No. 1 in an occasional series:
Being lectured on patriotism and the evils of immigration by rich people living abroad to avoid paying taxes.
Being lectured on patriotism and the evils of immigration by rich people living abroad to avoid paying taxes.
June 29, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Things which grow tiring very quickly. No. 1 in an occasional series:
Being lectured on patriotism and the evils of immigration by rich people living abroad to avoid paying taxes.
Being lectured on patriotism and the evils of immigration by rich people living abroad to avoid paying taxes.
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
Starmer saying he lost his grip on the welfare issue cos he was distracted by foreign policy. When did a Labour leader need to be reminded not to fuck over people with disabilities?!?!?
June 29, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Starmer saying he lost his grip on the welfare issue cos he was distracted by foreign policy. When did a Labour leader need to be reminded not to fuck over people with disabilities?!?!?
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
Liz Kendall's letter to Labour MPs
Kendall... does not say what will happen to the bill... The text cannot be changed before Tuesday... Labour MPs will have to vote for [it] on the basis of assurances that the government will rewrite large chunks of it with amendments the following week
#bbclaurak
Kendall... does not say what will happen to the bill... The text cannot be changed before Tuesday... Labour MPs will have to vote for [it] on the basis of assurances that the government will rewrite large chunks of it with amendments the following week
#bbclaurak
UK politics: Starmer says welfare concessions are ‘common sense’ but dodges funding question – as it happened
No 10 has offered significant concessions to the rebels, estimated to cost around £3bn a year, amid fears over Tuesday’s vote
www.theguardian.com
June 29, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Liz Kendall's letter to Labour MPs
Kendall... does not say what will happen to the bill... The text cannot be changed before Tuesday... Labour MPs will have to vote for [it] on the basis of assurances that the government will rewrite large chunks of it with amendments the following week
#bbclaurak
Kendall... does not say what will happen to the bill... The text cannot be changed before Tuesday... Labour MPs will have to vote for [it] on the basis of assurances that the government will rewrite large chunks of it with amendments the following week
#bbclaurak
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
Here we have it. The percentage on disability benefits is up due to the cost of living crisis. People who were already disabled have applied for financial support they’re entitled to. They hadn’t before when they could cover the extra costs themselves. Not being able to pay bills will do that. ♿️
A minister has finally admitted that spending on working-age benefits is stable, and is not spiralling out of control, despite months of claims from his own department and fellow ministers.
#TakingThePIP #WelfareNotWarfare
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/minister-fin...
#TakingThePIP #WelfareNotWarfare
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/minister-fin...
Minister finally admits that working-age benefits spending is stable, despite months of ‘spiralling’ claims
A minister has finally admitted that spending on working-age benefits is stable, and is not spiralling out of control, despite months of claims from his own department and fellow ministers. Sir Ste…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
June 27, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Here we have it. The percentage on disability benefits is up due to the cost of living crisis. People who were already disabled have applied for financial support they’re entitled to. They hadn’t before when they could cover the extra costs themselves. Not being able to pay bills will do that. ♿️
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
A minister has finally admitted that spending on working-age benefits is stable, and is not spiralling out of control, despite months of claims from his own department and fellow ministers.
#TakingThePIP #WelfareNotWarfare
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/minister-fin...
#TakingThePIP #WelfareNotWarfare
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/minister-fin...
Minister finally admits that working-age benefits spending is stable, despite months of ‘spiralling’ claims
A minister has finally admitted that spending on working-age benefits is stable, and is not spiralling out of control, despite months of claims from his own department and fellow ministers. Sir Ste…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
June 27, 2025 at 6:50 AM
A minister has finally admitted that spending on working-age benefits is stable, and is not spiralling out of control, despite months of claims from his own department and fellow ministers.
#TakingThePIP #WelfareNotWarfare
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/minister-fin...
#TakingThePIP #WelfareNotWarfare
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/minister-fin...
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
Labour MP @nadiawhittomemp.bsky.social
eloquently explains why the government’s concessions on welfare reform do not go anywhere near far enough
I urge every Labour MP to watch this
eloquently explains why the government’s concessions on welfare reform do not go anywhere near far enough
I urge every Labour MP to watch this
June 27, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Labour MP @nadiawhittomemp.bsky.social
eloquently explains why the government’s concessions on welfare reform do not go anywhere near far enough
I urge every Labour MP to watch this
eloquently explains why the government’s concessions on welfare reform do not go anywhere near far enough
I urge every Labour MP to watch this
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
'The hefty cut to health-related support, around 50%, will remain in place for new claimants. A dramatic rise in poverty is inevitable.'
Read our Handbook Editor's breakdown of the Government's concessions - and why killing the bill is the only option.
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/dr-uk-h...
Read our Handbook Editor's breakdown of the Government's concessions - and why killing the bill is the only option.
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/dr-uk-h...
DR UK Handbook Editor on 'Completely Unfair' Government Bill
www.disabilityrightsuk.org
June 27, 2025 at 12:54 PM
'The hefty cut to health-related support, around 50%, will remain in place for new claimants. A dramatic rise in poverty is inevitable.'
Read our Handbook Editor's breakdown of the Government's concessions - and why killing the bill is the only option.
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/dr-uk-h...
Read our Handbook Editor's breakdown of the Government's concessions - and why killing the bill is the only option.
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/dr-uk-h...
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
Now is the test ...
How many Labour MPs
many of them hand-picked by Labour Central Office
when it was actively campaigning against Jeremy Corbyn
have the guts to stand up to Starmer
and put constituents in need
before personal ambition & greed
How many Labour MPs
many of them hand-picked by Labour Central Office
when it was actively campaigning against Jeremy Corbyn
have the guts to stand up to Starmer
and put constituents in need
before personal ambition & greed
June 27, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Now is the test ...
How many Labour MPs
many of them hand-picked by Labour Central Office
when it was actively campaigning against Jeremy Corbyn
have the guts to stand up to Starmer
and put constituents in need
before personal ambition & greed
How many Labour MPs
many of them hand-picked by Labour Central Office
when it was actively campaigning against Jeremy Corbyn
have the guts to stand up to Starmer
and put constituents in need
before personal ambition & greed
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
Please continue to email your MPs about the proposed cuts to UC & PIP.
*Severely disabled people set to lose 5K+ a year*
The Bill also legislates for ‘age related restrictions’ to PIP.
Currently it is available for ALL disabled adults to ‘apply’ for.
#TakingThePIP #disability
*Severely disabled people set to lose 5K+ a year*
The Bill also legislates for ‘age related restrictions’ to PIP.
Currently it is available for ALL disabled adults to ‘apply’ for.
#TakingThePIP #disability
Labour rebels say ‘you can’t suspend us all’ as they hit back at threats over benefits cuts vote
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Labour rebels hit back at threats over benefit cuts vote
Whips have even tried to recruit popular Labour MPs to convince their colleagues to back the measures in a bid to stave off the rebellion
www.independent.co.uk
June 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Please continue to email your MPs about the proposed cuts to UC & PIP.
*Severely disabled people set to lose 5K+ a year*
The Bill also legislates for ‘age related restrictions’ to PIP.
Currently it is available for ALL disabled adults to ‘apply’ for.
#TakingThePIP #disability
*Severely disabled people set to lose 5K+ a year*
The Bill also legislates for ‘age related restrictions’ to PIP.
Currently it is available for ALL disabled adults to ‘apply’ for.
#TakingThePIP #disability
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
Why the new disability benefits concessions don’t make sense, and why the Bill must still be opposed, explained in under 90 seconds:
June 27, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Why the new disability benefits concessions don’t make sense, and why the Bill must still be opposed, explained in under 90 seconds:
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
Well let’s work it out …….
Total welfare spending in 23/24 was around £300bn (I’ve rounded it to make the sums easy).
27% of this was on UC - so £81bn
37% of this was claimed by people in work - so about £30bn.
That is a £30bn subsidy to businesses that don’t pay employees properly.
Total welfare spending in 23/24 was around £300bn (I’ve rounded it to make the sums easy).
27% of this was on UC - so £81bn
37% of this was claimed by people in work - so about £30bn.
That is a £30bn subsidy to businesses that don’t pay employees properly.
June 27, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Well let’s work it out …….
Total welfare spending in 23/24 was around £300bn (I’ve rounded it to make the sums easy).
27% of this was on UC - so £81bn
37% of this was claimed by people in work - so about £30bn.
That is a £30bn subsidy to businesses that don’t pay employees properly.
Total welfare spending in 23/24 was around £300bn (I’ve rounded it to make the sums easy).
27% of this was on UC - so £81bn
37% of this was claimed by people in work - so about £30bn.
That is a £30bn subsidy to businesses that don’t pay employees properly.
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
Just realised that disabled kids and teens are still on DLA so if this bill goes through they'll lose all their support once they turn 18 and have to start a claim for PIP
June 27, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Just realised that disabled kids and teens are still on DLA so if this bill goes through they'll lose all their support once they turn 18 and have to start a claim for PIP
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
This is a sneaky way of dividing the disabled as a bloc. Divide them into the legacy disabled and the newly disabled.
Legacy disabled get their UC and PIP.
Newly disabled? They can get fucked, I suppose 🤷
Legacy disabled get their UC and PIP.
Newly disabled? They can get fucked, I suppose 🤷
![The prime minister and his chancellor, Rachel Reeves, authorised those officials on Wednesday night to offer significant concessions in an attempt to rescue the welfare reform agenda, even though it will leave Reeves having to find more money at the budget.
The chancellor is already thought to be considering tax rises, having promised to reverse cuts to winter fuel payments at a cost of over £1bn. This latest reversal is likely to leave her with several billion pounds extra to find.
The compromise solution would mean the cuts being applied only to new claimants, while those who already get disability payments will continue to do so.
[source : Guardian]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dcvijc5y2e5nzawfqbi7xo7g/bafkreigjzv3ixu2tuvxolxlafl2hy4d542cahanwcajnfvwsgc22t6snne@jpeg)
June 26, 2025 at 9:31 PM
This is a sneaky way of dividing the disabled as a bloc. Divide them into the legacy disabled and the newly disabled.
Legacy disabled get their UC and PIP.
Newly disabled? They can get fucked, I suppose 🤷
Legacy disabled get their UC and PIP.
Newly disabled? They can get fucked, I suppose 🤷
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
NEW PROPOSAL
The rumoured new proposal seems to be that the 4+ rule won’t count if you are an existing claimant but will count for new claimants. This would be a disaster and it is crucial MPs vote against the green paper and follow through on the ‘recommended amendment’. Why? 🧵1/2
The rumoured new proposal seems to be that the 4+ rule won’t count if you are an existing claimant but will count for new claimants. This would be a disaster and it is crucial MPs vote against the green paper and follow through on the ‘recommended amendment’. Why? 🧵1/2
June 26, 2025 at 7:44 PM
NEW PROPOSAL
The rumoured new proposal seems to be that the 4+ rule won’t count if you are an existing claimant but will count for new claimants. This would be a disaster and it is crucial MPs vote against the green paper and follow through on the ‘recommended amendment’. Why? 🧵1/2
The rumoured new proposal seems to be that the 4+ rule won’t count if you are an existing claimant but will count for new claimants. This would be a disaster and it is crucial MPs vote against the green paper and follow through on the ‘recommended amendment’. Why? 🧵1/2
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
I'm not sure how someone so comfortably off develops a mindset that slots so seamlessly into the murder of vulnerable people, but Sir Keir Starmer does it effortlessly.
June 26, 2025 at 11:17 AM
I'm not sure how someone so comfortably off develops a mindset that slots so seamlessly into the murder of vulnerable people, but Sir Keir Starmer does it effortlessly.
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
NEW: Labour's planned disability benefit cuts could affect the majority of current working-age claimants with ischaemic heart disease, inflammatory arthritis, hip and knee disorders and Crohn’s disease, according to analysis of new DWP data
By me, for the Big Issue:
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
By me, for the Big Issue:
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Majority of PIP claimants with heart disease, arthritis and Crohn's at risk of cuts
DWP data obtained by Big Issue shows that the majority of people with heart failure, HIV and arthritis are at risk of losing their benefits.
www.bigissue.com
June 25, 2025 at 10:23 AM
NEW: Labour's planned disability benefit cuts could affect the majority of current working-age claimants with ischaemic heart disease, inflammatory arthritis, hip and knee disorders and Crohn’s disease, according to analysis of new DWP data
By me, for the Big Issue:
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
By me, for the Big Issue:
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
June 26, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
This is not about one bill. Or 'optics'. It's about the moral vacuum at the heart of the Labour Party.
June 26, 2025 at 10:22 AM
This is not about one bill. Or 'optics'. It's about the moral vacuum at the heart of the Labour Party.
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
If you don’t understand why it’s so important the cuts to disability benefits are stopped, these Paralympic champions explain it better than I ever could.
#TakingThePIP
#WelfareNotWarfare
#Ableism
#ChronicIllness
♿️
apple.news/AVZEuXLYOT5W...
#TakingThePIP
#WelfareNotWarfare
#Ableism
#ChronicIllness
♿️
apple.news/AVZEuXLYOT5W...
'I am not a scrounger': Paralympic champions blast Labour over disability benefit cuts — The Big Issue
Three Paralympians join calls for the government to urgently reverse its plans for disability benefit cuts as a rebellion against the government continues to grow
apple.news
June 26, 2025 at 9:48 AM
If you don’t understand why it’s so important the cuts to disability benefits are stopped, these Paralympic champions explain it better than I ever could.
#TakingThePIP
#WelfareNotWarfare
#Ableism
#ChronicIllness
♿️
apple.news/AVZEuXLYOT5W...
#TakingThePIP
#WelfareNotWarfare
#Ableism
#ChronicIllness
♿️
apple.news/AVZEuXLYOT5W...
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
So this awful arse and her horrific campaign manager
got walloped in the 2015 leadership election, because everyone hated her weird, cruel plan to immiserate the disabled
they then subjected us all to *ten years* of tantrums, lies and horseshit, and
came back in 2025 to be told to fuck off again
got walloped in the 2015 leadership election, because everyone hated her weird, cruel plan to immiserate the disabled
they then subjected us all to *ten years* of tantrums, lies and horseshit, and
came back in 2025 to be told to fuck off again
June 25, 2025 at 6:42 PM
So this awful arse and her horrific campaign manager
got walloped in the 2015 leadership election, because everyone hated her weird, cruel plan to immiserate the disabled
they then subjected us all to *ten years* of tantrums, lies and horseshit, and
came back in 2025 to be told to fuck off again
got walloped in the 2015 leadership election, because everyone hated her weird, cruel plan to immiserate the disabled
they then subjected us all to *ten years* of tantrums, lies and horseshit, and
came back in 2025 to be told to fuck off again
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
“Forget the MPs who rebel over cutting disabled people’s benefits - remember those who don’t. Just as Iraq was for Blair, disability cuts is the moral stain that will mark Starmer and his government for years to come, whether they succeed or not.”
My col. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My col. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This ruthless pursuit of disabled people has damaged Labour – no matter what happens next | Frances Ryan
The number of rebel Labour MPs vowing to oppose the disability cuts is growing. But the moral stain could take years to shift, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
www.theguardian.com
June 26, 2025 at 7:03 AM
“Forget the MPs who rebel over cutting disabled people’s benefits - remember those who don’t. Just as Iraq was for Blair, disability cuts is the moral stain that will mark Starmer and his government for years to come, whether they succeed or not.”
My col. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My col. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by TheFutileGnome.
Dunno how Liz Kendall seems suddenly to be escaping criticism and it all be placed on Starmer's Chief of Staff. Kendall is literally the minister for work & pensions and has caused unimaginable suffering, quite literally reverberating in many folk's head as intrusive thoughts.
June 26, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Dunno how Liz Kendall seems suddenly to be escaping criticism and it all be placed on Starmer's Chief of Staff. Kendall is literally the minister for work & pensions and has caused unimaginable suffering, quite literally reverberating in many folk's head as intrusive thoughts.