The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is refusing to say which police forces have passed it video footage and other information about claimants of disability benefits who have taken part in anti-fracking and anti-austerity protests. DWP’s attempt to hide its […]
Sarah Newton
Universal credit forces wheelchair-user who can’t heat home further into poverty
A disabled benefit claimant with high support needs who has lost more than £40 a week after having to transfer onto the new universal credit – forcing him into even greater poverty – has challenged the government to defend its drastic […]
Rudd has not delayed roll out of universal credit, DWP confirms
The roll out of the government’s much-criticised universal credit benefit system has not been delayed and will proceed as planned, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed. Reports at the weekend suggested that new work and pensions secretary Amber […]
Ministerial disability group met just three times… and then was scrapped
A cross-government group of ministers set up to “encourage and stimulate progress” towards the inclusion of disabled people in society met just three times before it was scrapped, the government has been forced to admit. Information released by the Department for […]
Bungling DWP announces seventh review of disability benefits errors in a year
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been forced to launch its seventh costly trawl through the records of disabled people unfairly deprived of benefits following years of serious errors by senior civil servants. The minister for disabled people, Sarah […]
MPs hear of ‘despair’ of austerity’s victims in second WOW debate
The experiences of disabled people whose lives have been devastated by austerity-related cuts were discussed in parliament last night as MPs took part in a long-awaited debate on the impact of eight years of cuts to disability support. The backbench debate […]
PIP announcement should mean more claimants are spared reassessments
Work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd has announced measures that should mean fewer disabled people are forced to undergo unnecessary benefit reassessments. Sarah Newton, the minister for disabled people, announced in June that new claimants of personal independence payment (PIP) with […]
UN day of disabled people: Newton silent on international day… again
The minister for disabled people has been unable to explain why she failed to make any public statement to support disabled people’s battle for rights on the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). It is the second year in […]
UN day of disabled people: Cycling benefit fears, public appointments review, and a new ODI network
Half of disabled cyclists fear having their benefits cut or removed if they are seen to be physically active, according to a survey released on the UN’s international day of disabled people. The results of the survey of more than 200 […]
UN poverty report: Newton refuses to apologise for misleading MPs about report
The minister for disabled people is refusing to apologise to MPs for misleading them about a report by a UN human rights expert on the UK’s record on causing and addressing extreme poverty. Professor Philip Alston, the UN’s special rapporteur on […]