'Welfare reforms remain cruel policy despite changes - they are fatally flawed'
But, despite the concessions the government has made, beneath the surface of their welfare reforms remains a cruel, short-sighted policy that risks driving thousands of disabled people in the future into poverty. This is still a fatally flawed bill.
At Mind, we've heard from nearly 600 people with mental health problems who currently receive benefits.
Nearly two-thirds (63%) said a reduction in welfare support would harm their ability to work or even look for a job. That's hardly surprising when 93% said the changes would damage their finances.
How can anyone focus on job hunting if they can't afford the bus fare to an interview, or are too busy working out how to feed their children to polish up a CV?
The government has agreed that protections will remain in place for disabled people currently receiving benefits. But if these protections are right for disabled people now, why are they not also right for disabled people in the future?
The most controversial changes around future access to PIP (Personal Independence Payments) remain. The way new applicants will be assessed from next year will strip away PIP from thousands of people who would previously have qualified. PIP isn't about work incentives, it's there to help cover the extra costs disabled people face.
Scope estimates disabled households need at least an extra £1,000 a month just to have the same standard of living as others. Taking that away might make a government spreadsheet look better, but it strips away a vital lifeline for people who become unwell in the future. Unless the bill is scrapped altogether, it will lead to poverty.
Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here - Lizzy Buchan, Mikey Smith, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke and Ashley Cowburn.
Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox.
And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday.
People tell us they use PIP to pay for essentials like transport (81%), food (78%), and help with daily living when they're too unwell to leave home (70%). Half said that they needed PIP to cover the cost of treatments unavailable through the NHS, such as therapy for debilitating conditions like PTSD.
The extra costs of mental illness may be invisible, but they are no less real. Side effects of antipsychotics, for example, can include tremors, heart problems and drowsiness, which impact on day-to-day life significantly.
Even with concessions, the cuts this bill introduces to future benefits makes it untenable. What we need instead is decent mental health services, evidence-based employment programmes, and compassionate, flexible workplaces.
We urge MPs to oppose these plans and call on the government to build a system that supports people to live, recover and Thrive.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Mirror Daily Digest: Our top stories from energy bills set to rise to a Boeing bursting into flames
In this Tuesday's Mirror Daily Digest, we've pulled together the biggest stories of the day from Peter Andre's 'disgust' at Katie Price's comments, to the tragic story of a woman finding her 'missing' husband's body Welcome to the Mirror's Daily Digest, where we pull together all the best stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Sport teams and more. This Tuesday. we're featuring everything from a warning over an increase in energy bills this winter, to the sad story of a woman who found her missing husband's body in their garden. Elsewhere, we've covered the shocking story of a Boeing bursting into flames during take-off at a Brit holiday destination, as well as Peter Andre's disgust at his ex-wife Katie Price's comments about his kids. Also, we're taking a look at Prince Harry's 'painful' message that could cause heartbreak for the rest of the royals. Millions of UK households warned as energy bills set to rise again this winter Our Money team earlier today reported that millions of households have been warned to brace themselves for higher winter energy bills. Industry experts Cornwall Insight is forecasting that energy regulator Ofgem will increase its price cap to an average of £1,737 a year from the start of October. If so, it would be £17 a year - or 1% - more than the current level of the cap. The predicted rise comes despite previous indications that bills would be lower this winter, and has been driven in part by funding an expansion of the Warm Home Discount for vulnerable households. Ofgem reviews its price cap every three months and is due confirm the level from October 1 on Wednesday next week. The cap from July to September fell to £1,720 a year, but covered the summer when many households use the least energy. The next cap, on the other hand, will prove a double blow as it is when those who can afford to usually turn up the heating. Read the full story here. This morning, our SHowbiz team reported the latest update of the ongoing feud between Peter Andre and Karie Price. Peter said he has has been left "shocked" by comments made by his former wife, Katie Price. The former glamour model has been seen counting huge stacks of money in a video released by her ex, Alex Reid, despite being declared bankrupt twice. In the bombshell video, she tells her and Peter's daughter, Princess, 18, that her younger siblings, Pete's children with his wife Emily, were "irrelevant." Katie can be seen counting cash in the video, before asking her daughter whether singer Peter "go on about" her bankruptcy and finances "a lot". While sitting on a sofa, the television personality said that she was "enjoying counting" the piles of cash, adding: "There's loads here... I'm just sorting it out." Princess asked if Katie would be contributing to hers and Junior's private school fees, before Katie says: "Your dad can sit on that," while raising her middle finger. Read the full story here. Horrified wife finds 'missing' husband's body in garden days after freak accident Our UK News team have shared the sad story of a mum who has recalled the horrifying moment she found her "missing" husband's body just days after he was killed in a freak garden accident. Amy Parry, who had been married to her husband for 17 years, reported Ed missing after returning home to their house in Seasalter, near Whitstable, on April 21, 2025, and finding no trace of him. The mum-of-two had been looking with the police to try and find Ed. It wasn't until two days later, on April 23, that Amy discovered her husband's body behind the shed after being led by the family dog. Amy admitted it was a "complete and utter shock" to find her husband at the family home. "I never thought for one second he was on the property", the devastated mum told KentOnline. "I only found him because one of my dogs kept going behind the back there, and then it just dawned on me. I think I'm still in shock. I feel like I'm talking about someone in a film." Boeing bursts into flames on Corfu take-off as passengers send 'final texts' Stunned holidaymakers have described the horror moment a jet engine began erupting fire moments after take-off, our Travel team have reported. Around 300 people on board a Condor Airlines Boeing 757-300 were left reeling on Saturday night when the plane's right engine started emitting large flames and smoke shortly after leaving Corfu in Greece, with video footage capturing a spluttering fire visible from the ground. Passengers have since revealed how they began sending 'final messages' to their loved ones as smoke rose in front of their windows, fearing they were about to crash. Flight tracking information shows the plane making a dramatic U-turn before it made an emergency landing in Brindisi, Italy. Read the full story here. Prince Harry's secret letter sends 'painful' message to royals after William 'gut punch' Our Royal team have shared the story that Prince Harry's secret letter that was placed at a war memorial sends a huge message to the Royal Family following a 'gut punch", according to a royal expert. It emerged that the Duke of Sussex paid a poignant tribute to his grandfather, Prince Philip, in the letter secretly left at the National Memorial Arboretum on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. It is said Harry asked a friend to discreetly leave the note and a wreath of red poppies at the Burma Star Memorial following the national commemorations attended by the King and Queen. Notably, the letter was also placed after Charles and Camilla left to avoid distracting from the service, which honoured the sacrifice of Second World War heroes who fought and died in the Pacific and Far East.
Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Daily Record
NATO war planes scrambled after latest Russian attack on Ukraine
Around 30 explosions rocked the region of Poltava in the latest missile strikes. NATO war planes have been scrambled overnight as Vladimir Putin launched another round of attacks on Ukraine, despite telling Donald Trump he is in favour of peace. The brutal attacks followed the US president's claims that Putin had agreed to peace talks with Volodymyr Zelensky, with hopes for a meeting by the end of this month. The Russian premier's commitment to peace was immediately questioned due to both overnight air strikes on Ukraine, and his aide Yury Ushakov failing to confirm that he would personally participate in talks with Zelensky, the Mirror reports. The NATO jets were launched due to the intensity of the latest attacks, which saw strategic bombers release cruise missiles while flying over the Caspian Sea. A statement from military headquarters in Warsaw, Poland read: 'On the night of August 18-19, 2025, long-range aviation of the Russian Federation once again launched missile attacks on Ukrainian territory. 'To ensure the security of Polish airspace, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces (RFAF) has activated all necessary procedures. 'Polish and allied aircraft have commenced operations, and ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest level of alert.' The move was 'preventative in nature and aimed at securing airspace and protecting citizens, especially in areas adjacent to the threatened area'. In a phone call between Putin and Trump lasting 40 minutes, the Russian premier said he was in favour of seeking peace, despite striking the city of Kremenchuk with ballistic and cruise missiles. At least 10 huge explosions occurred across the city as a result, with 30 across the entire Poltava region, cutting electricity in thousands of homes. One report warned: 'The entire Kremenchuk is in smoke - close your windows. Terrible consequences after one of the most massive attacks on the city.' Administrative buildings for the energy sector, as well as gas storage facilities, were hit. Regional governor Volodymyr Kohut said: 'The enemy launched a massive strike on the Poltava region. 'Hits and debris falls were recorded in the Kremenchuk and Lubny districts. Administrative buildings of local energy sector enterprises were damaged. In the Lubny district, as a result of the attack, 1,471 residential and 119 legal subscribers were left without electricity. Emergency Service and energy units are working to eliminate the consequences of the attack.' The Chernihiv region was also struck in a drone attack. In the city of Dnipropetrovsk, an apartment block and a school were damaged. Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform he had spoken to Putin and preparations were underway for a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders. He said: 'I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelensky.' This would be followed by a further meeting which would involve Trump, which they are hoping to organise for the end of August. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. However, Putin's foreign affairs aide Ushakov was less positive, although he admitted the conversation had been "frank" and "constructive". He said: 'Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump expressed support for continuing direct negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine. 'In this regard, in particular, the idea was discussed that it would be necessary to study the possibility of raising the level of representatives of the Ukrainian and Russian sides.' He did not say Putin had agreed a meeting, only that the Kremlin could "study" the "possibility" of future discussions involving more senior representatives. He added: 'Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump agreed to continue to closely contact each other on the Ukrainian and other pressing issues of the international and bilateral agenda. 'The Russian President once again noted the importance of Donald Trump's personal efforts to find solutions that lead to a long-term settlement in Ukraine. The conversation was frank and very constructive.' Retaliation from Ukraine saw the Lukoil refinery in the city of Volgograd burst into flames, with the roof of City Hospital No. 16 also struck by a downed drone. Over 15 explosions also rang out across the city and its suburbs during the night. Russia's Ministry of Defence said 13 drones had been destroyed over the whole Volgograd region. The oil refinery - one of the largest in the country - is essential to the war effort. In total, around 270 drones and up to 10 missiles were launched on Ukraine following the White House peace talks. Ukraine said 230 enemy Shahed drones were brought down, as well as two ballistic missiles and four cruise missiles. Zelensky thanked Trump 11 times in less than five minutes during discussions, as Trump pledged to US security guarantees for Ukraine after the war.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Police launch major crime review of Nuked Blood Scandal evidence
Top cops say they are taking allegations of a criminal over-up by the British state "very seriously" and have launched a review of the Nuked Blood evidence Police have launched a major crime review to assess evidence of a state cover-up about human radiation experiments on troops. Officers say they are taking "very seriously" allegations that officials at the Ministry of Defence may have hidden a blood testing programme that took place during nuclear weapon trials in the Cold War. Parliament and the courts have repeatedly been told no monitoring of troops took place. Details of blood and urine testing, and chest x-rays, have subsequently been found on a secret database at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, locked from view on the grounds of national security. News of the review comes after the Mirror revealed the names of Boris Johnson, Keir Starmer, and serving government officials had been handed to police as potential witnesses. Alan Owen of campaign group LABRATS said: "Veterans have been waiting 70 years to be taken seriously, and it is a relief to know these issues are being looked into at long last. What we need now is a thorough police investigation to expose the MoD's institutional rot to the light." The Nuked Blood Scandal blew open after the Mirror uncovered a 1958 memo discussing the "gross irregularities" found in blood tests of Group Captain Terry Gledhill, who flew through the mushroom clouds. The data collected by weapons scientists was later found to be missing from his medical files. A complaint was made to the Met Police in May, with a 500-page dossier of evidence. The Met refused to investigate, saying it was the jurisdiction of Thames Valley Police, which oversees the county of Berkshire where the AWE is based. Victims Commissioner Baroness Newlove intervened to urged a decision in veterans' interests, as campaigners felt the scandal's connections to government and Whitehall made it the Met's responsibility. Chief Constable Jason Hogg of Thames Valley Police said: "Given the extent and complexity of the material within the dossier, and the seriousness and complexities of the crimes alleged against a range of bodies and individuals, TVP is undertaking a thorough review to assess for the crimes that may need to be investigated and where the ownership of an investigation should most appropriately sit. "Please be assured that TVP is taking this very seriously and that momentum is not being lost; we have our highly experienced head of TVP's Major Crime Review Team personally undertaking the review, reporting into one of my assistant chief constables. This is critical groundwork for circumstances of such significance and scale." He said the force was liaising with the Met "to ensure that, for the victims' sake, the decision on ownership and set-up by policing of any required criminal investigation ensures that it is conducted in the most effective way." It comes as the Lib Dems have urged Labour and the Tories to confirm they will co-operate with any investigation. Defence spokesman Helen Maguire said: "As MPs, we owe it to our veterans to assist them in their pursuit of justice, and do whatever it takes to uncover the truth. As more and more of our nuclear test veterans pass away each week, I urge anyone with information to come forward, and the government must go further and faster in their efforts for the veterans." A ministerial review of the files is underway and the first part of the AWE database is due to be declassified later this year. The government says the criminal allegations are false and there is no evidence to support them.
