Government minister’s welfare benefits statements prove economical with the truth

Sarah Newton, one of two ministers of state at the department for work and pensions (DWP), was in the centre of a heated debate in the House of Commons, this week. The Canary, a website dedicated to independent campaigning journalism, reported that she made some staggering claims. It went on to question how many of …

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Unexpected fall in disability benefit paid to older people

Fewer older people are today paid attendance allowance (AA), a disability benefit, despite an increase in the UK’s elderly population. Government figures show that the number of people over retirement age who receive the benefit has plummeted since 2011. The figures were released by minister for disabled people Sarah Newton, in a written answer to …

Drugs, risks, spending cuts, deaths, new drugs, and so much more

As we reach the start of another year, it seems a good time for me to review the last 12 months, as seen through the eyes of 50shadesofsun.com. January The year began by focusing on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Dr Denis Fedorenko of the HSCT centre in Moscow published a guide to the procedure. …

Assessment complaints for disability benefit up nearly 900% in a year

Complaints about assessments for a key government disability benefit have rocketed by 880% in 12 months, according to official figures. It is a benefit paid to people with diseases like multiple sclerosis and those with other disabilities. Yes, claimants’ complaints about assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), that totalled 142 in 2015-16, rose to 1,391 …

Disabilities: Government loses tribunals, then changes rules

Unhappy about two decisions made against it in legal tribunals, in relation to assessments for a disability benefit, the government now plans to change the regulations to get its own way. Is that a cynical response? Yes. It's like changing the rules of a sport halfway through a game because you don't like the referee's …

Disability benefits: When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?

Sadly, the UK government seems hell bent on ignoring the lessons it should have learnt after the events following the chancellor of the exchequer’s budget speech that included an announcement that cuts would be made to the Personal Independence Payment disability benefit which is paid to people with a whole range of disabilities. They include …

Flat rate universal basic income plan for everyone whether in work, unemployed or with disabilities

 Swiss to vote on UBI on June 5. Several countries around the world are talking about the idea of introducing Universal Basic Income (UBI), not to be confused with Universal Credit which is being introduced in the UK to replace several means-tested welfare benefits. Universal Basic Income is where the government pays everybody a set …

From benefit cuts to tax havens – blame Dodgy Dave

      Prime Minister Dodgy Dave David Cameron and, right, Dennis Skinner, the Beast of Bolsover. Putting aside all talk of the leak of the so-called Panama Papers, the kerfuffle which followed did result in UK Prime Minister David Cameron being labelled ‘Dodgy Dave’, not exactly a term of endearment and one that might well follow …

Fear is real as benefit change countdown continues

   Time marches on and the calendar pages turn ever closer towards the date when the UK’s Disabled Living Allowance (DLA) is phased out for working age people1 and replaced with Personal Independence Payment (PIP). DLA recipients who have not yet been invited to apply for PIP are fearful of the day when the phone …

Crabb set to unveil new plans for disability benefits

Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb addresses the House of Commons. Prime Minister David Cameron is watching on. Stephen Crabb, who was appointed as the UK’s new Work and Pensions Secretary after the resignation of Ian Duncan Smith, is to make a House of Commons speech next Tuesday, April 12. He is expected to set …