Latest news with #publicconsultation
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
I went to a DwP benefit cut consultation: here's what I found
'We should make the effort,' my wife said when the Department for Work & Pensions (DWO) announced public consultation events on its plans for arguably the biggest shake up to disability 'benefits' - I struggle with the word because I fail to see the benefit of being disabled - Britain has yet seen. The firm tone told me that I had best agree. But she was also right. Democracy withers on the vine if people aren't willing to participate in it while the government's current policy, and especially its rhetoric, could have a severe impact on our family and many like us. Given the chance, we should push back against that. So we signed up, even though the DWP seemed somewhat concerned about letting the public into its events. No location was provided and when it was finally revealed, it was accompanied by a stern instruction: 'Do not share these details with non-attendees, as they will not be allowed to enter the premises for this event.' Perhaps this was with an eye on the demonstration in Manchester that resulted in a stand off between protestors and the DWP staff doing the consulting. Police were ultimately called. The London event we attended - an extra date added to the DWP's disability world tour after the first was sold out - featured no such drama. We arrived a little late, thanks in part to the difficulty we faced in finding a blue badge space near the local tube stop. Note to Work & Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall: if you're concerned about getting disabled people into work, the ability to access the workplace is the first hurdle you have to overcome. Parking is a part of that. But at least my visions of besuited Sir Humphreys serving up fake smiles while wishing they were at their London clubs downing bottles of claret to help them get over dealing with the unwashed were proved false. Several tables were set out, each moderated by a casually dressed civil servant. The atmosphere was relaxed and informal, even if none of us attending felt at all relaxed about policies which could have a devastating impact on those at the sharp end. 'People will starve because of this," one disability benefits campaigner told the Manchester Evening News. This was a point we tried to make, albeit in a more nuanced way. The government has actually eschewed any consultations on changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which will make it much harder for those in need of support with daily living to claim. However, whoever organised these sessions was smart enough to realise that this was going to come up and that trying to shut down conversation on it would go down like a wheelchair with slashed tyres. We were thus allowed to make the point that if you cut support from people who can barely look after themselves at home, you're going to struggle to get them into work. The stated aim, even if the real motivation is to cut costs. Another reform will see employment linked disability benefits - PIP does not depend on one's job status and is not means tested - reduced and made harder to claim. We were asked how long the new contribution linked jobless benefit should last and we made the point that it takes disabled people a lot longer than non disabled people to find work. What about mandatory interviews with job coaches and suchlike? I told our moderator that Scope, the charity, says there are a million disabled people who desperately want to work but can't find it. Rather than forcing people who are probably too sick and/or disabled down to job centres - people whom employers don't want - shouldn't the DWP be focussing its resources on helping these people? Those who are desperate for opportunities, keen as mustard but who may send out hundreds of applications without so much as a single interview? I was throughly impressed with the people we were sat with. A range of disabilities were represented, but common to all was that they were knowledgeable and engaged. I couldn't help thinking that the government might get better results if these people were hired to work in policy. But, of course, the DWP has trouble with employing disabled people. According to an analysis by the Big Issue earlier this year, it lost more employment tribunals for disability discrimination over the last five years than any other employer. As well as criticising, we tried to offer up ideas. Our civil servant dutifully nodded along. They seemed keen to make us feel listened to, even if, by the end, they probably felt punch drunk. Time and again we were told how important our views were. Yet I was still left wondering whether what we said will end up getting dropped into an AI to be distilled before being left at the bottom of a junior minister's red box. And were we just patsies, there so the government could claim it has listened when decisions have already been made? That is my fear. chancellor Rachel Reeves in her flailing quest to balance the nation's books. It speaks volumes that we were given the number of the Samaritans on a handout. 'We understand that this can be distressing,' it said of the proposals. Well, yes. Perhaps think about why that might be?
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Brighton council to unveil plans for Withdean swimming pool
Initial designs for a new swimming pool at a Brighton sports centre will be put on public display on plans for the 25m pool at the Withdean Sports Complex will be unveiled online ahead of a public consultation.A Brighton & Hove City Council spokesperson said work on the pool was hoped to start in the "early part of 2026", subject to a full planning Robins, cabinet member for sport, said the council wanted to provide "modern, sustainable and affordable sports facilities for all". An online survey on the five-lane pool will run until 27 June, and three public events are being can see the plans on Tuesday at Westdene Library, and the following Monday and Tuesday in Withdean Sports Complex.A planning application for the swimming pool is due to be submitted in the summer, a council spokesperson Robins said: "It's incredibly exciting that plans for this much-needed new swimming pool at Withdean are about to be unveiled."I'm looking forward to seeing the plans and would encourage residents to get along to the drop-in sessions and complete the survey to help us shape this exciting and much needed new facility."Councillors were previously told the new facility could generate £12,000 profit per year.
CBC
4 days ago
- General
- CBC
Wellington Street in Verdun won't be pedestrian-only all year
Montreal's public consultation office looked into the idea after hearing from thousands of people, but it says there wasn't enough support for the idea.
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Section of Kings Road in Newbury permanently closes to vehicles
A section of road has permanently closed to motorists following a public consultation. West Berkshire Council said only cyclists and pedestrians would now be able to access the section of Kings Road in Newbury between Gordon Road (east) and Windsor authority said concrete barriers would be put up after the peak traffic period earlier, with more permanent changes to road layouts and signage to follow "in the coming weeks".It said the impact of the changes would be monitored. The decision prompted dozens of people to comment when it was announced on social media. Some described it as "barmy" and "flawed", while others said it would reduce noise for residents living on the stretch of road. 'Improvements' West Berkshire Council said: "We understand that changes like this take time to get used to. "We'll be monitoring the area throughout the summer to see how traffic adjusts and to make sure everything is working as it should. "Thank you for your patience and support as we make these improvements."The council said new road signs and markings would be installed along both ends of Kings Road and the surrounding area, to direct traffic towards Hectors Way via the roundabout at Hambridge were some road closures on Wednesday evening to allow the road markings to be added. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Public backs better protection for animal welfare in Guernsey
People support expanding animal welfare laws, according to the results of a public consultation in from the States Veterinary Office (SVO) found more than 70% of the 266 respondents wanted to strengthen rules to make sure businesses dealing with animals treat them more open consultation made proposals such as the introduction of a star-rating system to grade different businesses, and limits on the number of dogs that a professional dog walker can walk at comes less than a year after the States of Guernsey voted through a raft of new rules such as a ban on animal traps. The States said licensing protects animal welfare, helps ensure public safety and gives the public confidence in choosing animal care open consultation took place between 18 February and 18 March, and found there was also an overwhelming majority in favour of limiting the number of litters a female animal should have a year."Thank you to every member of the public and business owner who took part in this survey," said Grace Hodgkinson, the deputy States veterinary officer."The feedback we have received will certainly help towards shaping licensing conditions for animal-related activities."[We want to] ensure the highest standards of animal welfare in Guernsey."
