Work & Pensions Secretary Esther McVey
A “SACK Esther McVey” campaign has been revitalised after the shock revelation that she sits on the advisory board of the Samaritans.
Now Work & Pensions Secretary, the then disabilities minister was responsible for attacking the benefits of 1.2 million disabled people under the Con-Dem coalition.
Her benefit “sanctions” policy was blamed for suicides among benefit recipients who faced destitution after losing their income. Samaritans charity workers offer a listening ear to people in emotional distress, particularly those contemplating suicide.
Labour will find increases in the state pension age are unacceptable, just as cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance, personal independence payments and universal credit are — it needs to change direction immediately, writes PCS general secretary FRAN HEATHCOTE
Digital ID means the government could track anyone and then limit their speech, movements, finances — and it could get this all wrong, identifying the wrong people for the wrong reasons, as the numerous digital cockups so far demonstrate, warns DYLAN MURPHY
A new report from the Citizens Advice destroys the government narrative about disabled people ‘choosing’ not to work, showing the £3,000 annual cuts will create a two-tiered system based on claim dates rather than needs, writes DYLAN MURPHY