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More than meets the eye

More than meets the eye. Why the welfare cuts will hit blind and partially sighted people particularly hard. Economic context. The Comprehensive Spending Review means £18bn savings have to come from welfare Other government plans predicated on making welfare savings

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More than meets the eye

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  1. More than meets the eye Why the welfare cuts will hit blind and partially sighted people particularly hard

  2. Economic context • The Comprehensive Spending Review means £18bn savings have to come from welfare • Other government plans predicated on making welfare savings • Contraction of the state - this is a long-term project

  3. Political context • Promise of fairness - “we are all in this together” • Welfare Reform Bill • A narrative about simplification and helping people into work • Comparison with the Health Bill

  4. Public perceptions • No more “something for nothing” attitude on the increase • Squeezed Middle • YouGov and other polls show attitudes are hardening

  5. Fairness • Progressive or Regressive? • Poverty alleviation or social mobility • Simplified benefits system not necessarily fairer for people with complex needs

  6. Welfare Reform Bill • January 2010 - December 2010 (tbc) • Many proposals - but focus today on disability benefits • Government majority dictates amendments will need to be made in the Lords • Labour emphasis on responsibility

  7. Key proposals Opportunities • Might be some people who gain from the Universal Credit • Simpler forms • A more responsive and flexible system?

  8. Key proposals Many more threats • DLA reform and introduction of Personal Independence Payment in 2013 • Review of DLA mobility in residential care • Employment and Support Allowance time limit

  9. DLA reform • More than £1bn budget cut by 2015 • DLA “past its sell-by date” • No more automatic entitlements • New assessment

  10. DLA reform • Re-assessment for existing claimants • Periodic reviews • New components for Personal Independence Payment • Qualifying period • Adaptation to impairment

  11. Out-of-work benefits • Incapacity Benefit re-assessment began in April 2011 • Work Capability Assessment problem • Employment and Support Allowance time limit

  12. Other issues to consider • Benefits cap • Universal Credit • Disability premium and passporting • Welfare-to-work and sanctions

  13. Analysis • Targeting vs universalism • Who wins? • Legal aid and advice? • Clearing the poor away?

  14. What can you do? • Hardest Hit campaign • Short window to influence the Bill • October crunch date • Liberal Democrats key • Show what impact a loss of DLA would have

  15. Thank you Andrew Kaye 020 7391 2136 andrew.kaye@rnib.org.uk

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