DWP ministers

[Zonker]

We all know of the Rt Hon Ian Duncan Smith and the minster for employment Mark Hoban MP as they have been well vocalised of late in various media. Theres one person who seems to have kept her head down in terms of public speaking about benefits that affect people. That is Esther McVey, minister for disabled people.

 

Responsibilities

 

• Cross-government disability issues including Disability Strategy, Paralympics, Personalisation and Independent Living and Right to Control
  
• Disability Benefits – Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Attendance Allowance (AA)
  
• Independent Living Fund
  
• Carers
  
• Appeals reform
  
• Government response to Liz Sayce’s independent review of specialist disability employment
  
• Remploy
  
• Access to Work
  
• Work Choice
  
• Child poverty
  

from

 

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/about-dwp/ministers/

 

Might be the time to ask this particular minister some questions about forthcoming benefit reforms that fall under the above responsabilities.

[Surfer01]

I have already done that and recently received a 4 page reply which at the end of the day told you nothing and was totally non-committal and did not tell me anything I did not know already. It was mentioned that the proper PIP would be finalised before the end of the year.

In reference to PIP, the words "severely disabled" were used numerous times in the letter, but no definition of severely disabled. I used elbow crutches to get around and i am not sure if i would be regarded as "severely disabled" or whether the term only applies to those who are wheelchair or bed bound.

[estellyn]

Relevant to this thread, I think:

 

http://liberalconspiracy.org/2012/11/23/being-poor-like-being-corpse-at-funeral-says-govt-minister/

[Nystagmite]

whether the term only applies to those who are wheelchair or bed bound.

 

Which is an insult to people with things like dual sensory loss.

[Zonker]

I think ill write a letter addressed to the minister for the disabled and see how waffle and non content is received.

 

Came acros this :

 

http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/docs/fulfilling-potential/fulfilling-potential-next-steps.pdf

 

page 35:

 

Replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for 16–64 year olds with

Personal Independence Payment, a non-means-tested and non-taxable cash benefit, to be introduced gradually from April 2013. It will provide a contribution towards extra costs arising from the impact of a disability or impairment for those disabled people who face the greatest challenges to remain independent and lead full, active and independent lives. It will be fairer, more objective and more consistent than DLA and build confidence that the right support is going to the right people

 

Page 50:

Developing approaches to support groups with multiple disadvantages. For example, black and minority ethnic disabled people in socially disadvantaged areas

Im sure the wording on that could have been choosen a little better. At first glance it appears not to be to flattering.

Edited November 24, 2012 by Zonker