Latest news with #ElspethEdwards
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'I was in a little anxious void waiting'
A Worcestershire woman said she felt as though she was living in a "little anxious void" as she waited for the government to vote on welfare cuts. On Tuesday evening, the welfare reform bill passed by 75 votes after offering last-minute concessions to appease Labour rebels. Elspeth Edwards, 21, from Pershore, claims £600 per month in welfare and said: "It has been an absolute emotional rollercoaster because the entire time I've not known what I can do with my life." But the prime minister said the welfare bill ends mandatory reassessment for those with severe disabilities, calling it the "right thing to do". Ms Edwards is unable to work due to her conditions, as she faints multiple times a day, is in "immense pain constantly" and suffers from severe fatigue. Speaking at the House of Commons on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer said it also rebalanced universal credit, which he says is "long overdue" and sets out a pathway to reform Pip. The original welfare reform bill, which would have affected Ms Edwards, included proposals to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip) and cut the health-related element of universal credit. The changes made by the passed bill will now not include Pip, which will see no changes until a review has been completed. However, under the plans, under-22s will also no longer qualify for the health element of universal credit. The government initially announced its plans for a shake-up of the benefits system in March. Discussing her life since March, Ms Edwards said it had been "incredibly stressful". "I've not known what I can do with my life," she said. "It's like I've had to put my life on pause in like anxious little bubble because I couldn't plan for university. "I couldn't even apply for university because I didn't know if I had the financial stability to be able to go. "I was basically sat in this little anxious void waiting for an answer." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Starmer backs Chancellor Rachel Reeves after tearful appearance at PMQs Government wins vote on watered-down welfare bill after concessions Starmer's approach to welfare reform 'appalling' - Swinney
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Worcestershire woman 'anxious' over government vote on welfare cuts
A Worcestershire woman said she felt as though she was living in a "little anxious void" as she waited for the government to vote on welfare Tuesday evening, the welfare reform bill passed by 75 votes after offering last-minute concessions to appease Labour Edwards, 21, from Pershore, claims £600 per month in welfare and said: "It has been an absolute emotional rollercoaster because the entire time I've not known what I can do with my life."But the prime minister said the welfare bill ends mandatory reassessment for those with severe disabilities, calling it the "right thing to do". Ms Edwards is unable to work due to her conditions, as she faints multiple times a day, is in "immense pain constantly" and suffers from severe at the House of Commons on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer said it also rebalanced universal credit, which he says is "long overdue" and sets out a pathway to reform original welfare reform bill, which would have affected Ms Edwards, included proposals to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip) and cut the health-related element of universal changes made by the passed bill will now not include Pip, which will see no changes until a review has been under the plans, under-22s will also no longer qualify for the health element of universal credit. 'Incredibly stressful' The government initially announced its plans for a shake-up of the benefits system in her life since March, Ms Edwards said it had been "incredibly stressful"."I've not known what I can do with my life," she said."It's like I've had to put my life on pause in like anxious little bubble because I couldn't plan for university."I couldn't even apply for university because I didn't know if I had the financial stability to be able to go. "I was basically sat in this little anxious void waiting for an answer." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
