Professor John Robertson OBA
The BBC Scotland report on the Scottish Labour leader sheepishly going along with the PM’s welfare ‘reforms’ , well more savage cuts for the disabled, from only yesterday, looks likely to drop off the page soon. Maybe, when you read this, it already has.
The actual report, get it quick before it disappears, finds it impossible to conceal the awfulness of the callousness in Starmer and Reeves’ plans, try as it might, so its presence has been diminished fast in the hope that no one sees it.
What are the Labour plans?
PIP pay
Numerous individuals will lose access to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is not related to employment but rather intended to assist with the additional costs associated with disabilities.
Frozen payments
Payments will be frozen, with no increase to match inflation, as part of the planreports Birmingham Live. “We have a duty to get the welfare bill on a more sustainable path and we will achieve that through meaningful, principled reforms rather than arbitrary cuts to spending,” a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson said.
Universal Credit basic rate
The basic rate for Universal Credit will increase for those searching for work or already in employment. However it will be reduced for those deemed unfit for work.
Employment support
The savings of £1 billion will be invested in a significant employment support initiative for job seekers. Mr Taylor warned: “The Chancellor has a choice – cut benefits and increase poverty, or invest in an equal future for disabled people. Making the wrong choice will have a devastating impact on disabled people and their families.”
Under the proposed plans, it appears even those with extreme disabilities deemed unfit to work are at risk of losing money.
For comparison, how has BBC Wales covered the issue?
From BBC Wales yesterday, a far more truthy report than BBC Scotland would ever dare:
The UK Labour government has created a “hostile welfare environment” because of potential cuts to benefits, Plaid Cymru has said. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called the current system unsustainable and changes are expected in the coming weeks.
During Senedd First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday, Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth accused the first minister of “defending the indefensible” and refusing to criticise her own party over planned and previous cuts. Eluned Morgan said Plaid “bottled it” by voting against last week’s Welsh government budget, which allocated £1.5bn more than originally expected to Welsh public services.
Citing cuts made at Westminster to winter fuel payments, the continuation of the two-child cap for certain benefits and the planned welfare cuts, ap Iorwerth said “it’s always defend, defend, defend”.
“You’re defending the indefensible week after week,” he said, asked the first minister if she supported cuts to welfare to save money. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2d4zjn72lxo
What is the main problem with Labour’s benefit cut plans for the disabled?
According to the IFS, more than half of the recent increase in claims for disability benefit, deemed unsustainable by Starmer, is due to a surge in mental health conditions since the pandemic and any attempt to cut those benefits will exacerbate those same mental health problems with a consequent surge in costs for, in the main, healthcare, policing and education. Full IFS report at: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/role-changing-health-rising-health-related-benefit-claims
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
The people of Scotland need to stop complaining about the policies of democratically elected Westminster governments.
we need, instead, to concentrate on getting them kicked out of our nation by solidly and consistently voting for independence supporting Scottish parties and RELENTLESSLY demanding independence.
John Lawson
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As a Scot living with the enemy I can’t recommend this enough. Why listen to people hundreds of miles away and probably have never been to Scotland. I think the only thing any self respecting Scot should be doing is forcing the English pigs out of Scotland and its influence on our politics. If any of them complain, show them some justice.
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”Where’s Anas ?”
This will soon be released as a rival to the popular ”Where’s Wally?” series of publications . Readers are faced with various crowded scenarios at Holyrood , Labour Party meetings , BBC studios , etc… and attempt to identify the elusive Anas .
A prize will be awarded to the first eagle-eyed reader who can spot the Branch leader – but not , as rumour has it , a seat on the Board of GB Energy .
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As usual I will be eagerly watching FM’s Q’s and I sincerely hope Swinney gives Starwars a verbal doing.
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Unfortunately it won’t matter. He, Sarwar, is the B.B.Cs anointed one, so he will shielded constantly. As for gaining Independence, nowhere in sight, mainly due to the number of doubters in our midst, compounded by the fact we don’t seem to have a coherent strategy.
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Blanket SNP BAD “news” stories by MSM don’t help either.
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