Under the last Conservative government, UK residents have all been feeling the pinch a little as there have been many factors which have affected the amount of money we have in our pockets and the cost of the everyday items which we need in our lives. Disabled people have been unjustifiably blamed for the amount the government has been spending as the rate they receive as a benefit has not kept up with inflation meaning they have a lot less than they would have done to spend on the things they need such as different forms of support as well as other things they need. Now that a new Labour government has been elected, people who are in extra need of support will be hoping for a change in legislation that will help to make their everyday lives a bit easier.
This Thursday, many groups of disability campaigners and allies will take their crusade to the next level as they will present a set of solutions to the incoming Labour government to help solve the multiple crises facing disabled people across the UK. The day which will be entitled Disabled People Demand will help form part of a celebration of culture through music, art and poetry. Many different disability focus groups will unite to help take the message to the new government in an effort to solve the crisis facing people with extra needs.
The narrative used by successive Labour, Coalition and Tory governments to cut resources and services have seen disabled people unjustifiably being blamed for government spending.
These cuts to public services were not forced upon the government by disabled people or migrants; they were a political choice.
Now is the time for a new chapter to be written. But disabled people aren’t expecting the new government to come to our rescue.
People who are unable to meet the cost of their every day living need representation and ans support to help solve the problem. our solutions to these crises, solutions borne out of our shared experiences of years and of decades fighting back and challenge the new government to deliver them.
#DisabledPeopleDemand our voices are heard and we demand our rightful full participation in the rebuilding our society.
The event will start at 12 noon, with a series of speeches including from:
John McDonnell MP,
Ben Sellers of Peoples Assembly and
DPAC’s Paula Peters.
This will be followed by a showcase of disabled people’s creativity, including exhibitions, music, entertainment and poetry by
Artist Clare Patey’s “A Mile In My Shoes” project
Billinghurst Collective’s giant playable board game based on the Game of Life
Poets and disability rights activists Penny Pepper & Rob Punton
Musician Ellese Elliott/Mada London – a rising star on the UKs music scene and lead singer of Bang Bang Bunny
The disability movements own in-house music writer & performer over decades, Dennis Queen
DPACs own “Rockin’ Paddy” – John Kelly
Disability Action Research Kollective (DARK) Zine exhibition
Zita Holbourne’s “Deaths by Welfare” exhibition
Calculations have been made that from April 2022 to April 2023, a single disabled adult over 25 years old faces the following cuts, due to rising inflation. Those receiving contributions-based ESA, face a cut of up to £352. Those receiving income-based ESA face a cut of up to £840. This increases the pressure on people with disabilities and have meant that they have been unable to get along with their daily lives.
For disabled people relying on more than 1 benefit, the impact of these cuts will be greater. Families with disabled children stand to lose the most.
Even if benefits are increased in line with inflation in April 2023, they will not regain their 2021 value until 2024. Additional financial support is essential.
The impact of these real term cuts has been devastating. 58% of callers to our energy helpline have benefits as their sole means of income, and on average they face debts of £1,417.20.
