No vote on disability cuts without Wales #NoVoteWithoutWales

 Action, Disability Activism, Letters, local groups, News, PIP, Politics, welfare cuts, Write to your MP  No Responses »
Jun 032025
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

The DWP have cancelled the only in-person consultation event on the disability cuts for the whole of Wales, and do not plan to run another.

They did this after announcing an inaccessible venue at the last minute, in what we believe to be a clear example of disability discrimination.

The consultation was always going to be unfair, given half the proposals – the most important half – were off the table for discussion on day one.

We are demanding that there must be no vote in the House of Commons on disability cuts until a full and genuine public consultation has been carried out in Wales.

Please sign our open letter, and ask your MP or Member of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) to sign too. You can sign, and ask your MP to sign, even if you don’t live in Wales.

Below is a template letter for contacting your MP or MS.

Find your MP or MS using WriteToThem, Find your MP, and/or Find a Member of the Senedd (in Wales)

 

Template letter

[Please use this template as a starting point and use your own words as much as possible.]

Dear [MP or member of the Senedd]

 

I am writing as your constituent to ask that you support an open letter demanding that there must be no disability benefit cuts vote in the House of Commons until Wales has had a full and genuine consultation – #NoVoteWithoutWales

The DWP have now cancelled the only in-person consultation event on the disability cuts for the whole of Wales, and have communicated that they do not plan to run another. Instead they are suggesting an online-only event at the end of the month, probably after any vote has already happened. This isn’t good enough.

The DWP cancelled the consultation after announcing an inaccessible venue at the last minute, in what could only be described as a clear example of disability discrimination.

Given the DWP’s failures, any consultation must now be run independently by Welsh disabled people’s organisations.

Please read and sign here:

https://Bit.Ly/No-Vote-Without-Wales

No vote without Wales! #NoVoteWithoutWales

Kind regards,

[Name]

[Postcode]

[Phone number]

Wales shunned with cancelled consultation on disability cuts #TakingThePIP

 Action, Disability Activism, DWP, local groups, News, PIP, welfare cuts, Welfare reforms  No Responses »
May 302025
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

Welsh disability cuts consultation cancelled

The only face-to-face consultation for the whole of Wales has now been cancelled, after blatant and unlawful disability discrimination by the DWP in arranging such an inaccessible venue at the last minute.

The Cardiff disability cuts consultation on the 3rd was always going to be unfair, with half the proposals, the most important half, completely off the table for discussion.

 

Disabled people in Wales denied a voice

According to DWP email communications, there will now not be any in-person consultation on the disability cuts in Wales.

We demand that any house of commons vote on the proposals must not go ahead until we have had a full and genuine public consultation in Wales.

The DWP are now only offering an online-only event at the end of June. This is not acceptable. It is possible that MPs will already have voted by then.

Join us for a protest in Cardiff on the 3rd June

DPAC are sticking with our existing plans to protest.

Meet us outside the front of Cardiff Central train station at noon on the 3rd.

The DWP have shown themselves to be incapable of organising a fair consultation. Disabled People Against Cuts will hold our own.

Fortunately, we no longer have to worry about transport to an inaccessible location, and we will hold our protest at our original meeting point.

We invite everyone to join us and have their say. We demand that the DWP turn up and listen.

Updated plans for the day are available on our LinkTree: LinkTr.ee/SwanseaDPAC

Labour Minister dodges debate

A poster on a lamppost in Swansea. It says "Missing: have you seen our MP?" and has a picture of Torsten Bell MP.
Missing: have you seen our MP?

The Swansea West MP, Torsten Bell, a DWP minister, who defends the cuts, has insulted us and has refused to debate with us. His excuse was that a public consultation is taking place. Now that there is no public consultation taking place for the whole of Wales, Torsten must stop dodging and finally accept our invitation to debate his policies with Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts. We have written to him once again to ask for a fair and respectful public debate.

Dear Torsten Bell MP,

As you are aware, Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) members in Swansea have repeatedly invited you to publicly debate with us on the issue of disability benefit cuts, which you have defended on Newsnight.

The only face-to-face consultation for the whole of Wales has now been cancelled, after blatant and unlawful disability discrimination by the DWP in arranging such an inaccessible venue at the last minute.

At 6pm on Friday 25 April, responding to our request for a debate, and after press attention over your lack of reply, you told us that you “have to politely decline given the Department is carrying out a public consultation with public events on this issue.”

Given your stated reason for declining, and given (according to the DWP) that there will now be no Wales in-person consultation, Swansea DPAC expect you to now “politely accept” our invitation, as supported in an open letter signed by more than 250 individuals and organisations, including a national Labour-affiliated trade union. (bit.ly/swansea-dpac-debate-invite)

We would ensure that the debate is carried out fairly, respectfully, and in an orderly fashion. Please let us know when you are available and we will book a venue.

We also seek a public retraction and apology for your repeated public accusations of dishonesty against Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts. We robustly defend claims we have made about your language and refusal to engage with us as asked. Given your accusations, we are putting this letter on the record, copying to journalists, and we will publish any reply, so that the public can judge.

Kind regards,

Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts

 

Stop Labour’s disability cuts

The proposals are fatally flawed, and the “pathways to work” green paper must be retracted.

The government must start again on welfare reform, listening to disabled people and carers in a genuine process of co-production. It cannot be an excuse for short-term budget cuts.

A photo of people protesting in Swansea city centre. They are holding a homemade banner that says "Disabled People Against Cuts" with the DPAC logo, which is a pink, purple, blue, green circle being held by four hands of varying skin tones. In the center is a triangle bearing the letters D P A C. Above the banner is a homemade placard that says "Betrayed and ignored by the Labour party". Beneath the banner is a placard in trans pride colours with a Welsh dragon and a DPAC logo. It says "Stand together". A young man and a young woman are holding the banner. To their left is a woman in a wheelchair holding a socialist party placard that says "stop benefit cuts". In the background is a man handing out DPAC leaflets.

Above: Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts protesting

Notes:

Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) Cymru is a group of disabled people from across Wales. It is made up of Swansea DPAC, Cardiff and Valleys DPAC, and individual members in West, North, and Mid Wales. We are affiliated to Disabled People Against Cuts nationally.

Disabled People Against Cuts Cymru are releasing a full press statement on Monday morning. Press queries can be sent to swanseadpac@gmail.com

We also invite anyone interested in coming to our fortnightly meetings, or receiving our meeting minutes and email updates, to please get in touch.

#DearRachel – Leeds action against Rachel Reeves MP

 Action, Disability Activism, local groups, welfare cuts  No Responses »
May 272025
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

A mock-up 'missing' poster for Rachel Reeves, Member of Parliament for Leeds West and Pudsey and Chancellor of the Exchequer. There are two photos of Rachel Reeves, below a heading of 'missing' in white text on a pink background. The text below the photos reads, 'Rachel, aged 46, has not been seen by any disabled constituents for several weeks. Rachel, we are here for you, any time you want to talk about your addiction to cuts, imaginary fiscal rules, discredited austerity economics and expensive corporate gifts.' 'Please email mail@dpac.org.uk if you see this member of Parliament. To help democracy please remind your MP that they must listen to you and not cut what you need to live

Picture shows image of Rachel Reeves with following text: Dear Rachel ... ACTION Leeds DPAC and Leeds, Wakefield & York Unite Community will be sharing the concerns of disabled people in West Leeds about the proposed cuts outside of Rachel Reeves MP's constituency office. Come and join us to offer your solidarity and support. Further information about the event to follow. SAT 31 MAY, 10AM-11:30am BRAMLEY CENTRE LS13 2ET

Missing – have you seen Rachel Reeves MP?

Join our action on 31st May

Leeds DPAC and Leeds, Wakefield & York Unite Community will be sharing the concerns of disabled people in West Leeds about the proposed cuts outside of Rachel Reeves MP’s constituency office.

1. we are collecting letters from people in Leeds and surrounding areas. We will be reading these out on video, and sharing them on social media on the week leading up to the action.
2.  for the action itself we will be reading out the letters (via a sound system) and holding a stall.
Come and join us to offer your solidarity and support.
Saturday 31 MAY, 10AM-11:30am
Bramley Centre LS13 2ET
Facebook event page: https://fb.me/e/2KE3gkXJh
We will be sharing the videos and other information on our Instagram account (@leedsdpac) and on facebook https://www.facebook.com/DPACLeeds
“Rachel, aged 46, has not been seen by any disabled constituents for several weeks. Rachel, we are here for you, any time you want to talk about your addiction to cuts, imaginary fiscal rules, discredited austerity economics and expensive corporate gifts.”

“Please contact Disabled People Against Cuts if you see this member of Parliament. To help democracy please remind your MP that they must listen to you and not cut what you need to live.”

Leeds protest at the DWP disability cuts consulta-sham

 Action, Disability Activism, local groups, PIP, welfare cuts, Welfare reforms  No Responses »
May 272025
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

Summary of the Leeds DWP Consulta-sham 

Leeds, Marriot Hotel   Wednesday May 21st

A photo of a disability protest outside a Marriott hotel in Leeds. In the center is a large Disabled People Against Cuts banner that says 'Rights not charity'. Other placards say 'Hands off PIP', 'Welfare not warfare', 'Blood on DWP' (with two red hand prints) and 'Benefit cuts kill'. There are seven protestors in the photo. On the left in purple is a protestor in a wheelchair. On the right is a protestor with red hair and red boots and a red outfit in a wheelchair. In the background is a security guard looking stern.

6 Leeds DPAC members made their way to the Marriot Hotel to protest against the Labour Government and DWP Pathways to Work Consultation, that has now received the nation-wide moniker of Consulta-sham. One of our member was (un)lucky enough to have been given a ticket to enter the sham and the other 5 of us, made our way to the hotel steps to unfurl our banner and begin our chants. We were met by the DWP lead organiser of the event and 2 security guards who informed us we were on Hotel property and that we would have to stand in front of the steps. The DWP spokesperson tried to be polite whilst we asked why a paltry 20 people had been offered tickets to get in. He said rather confusing that if there was spare space he’d come and invite us in – this never happened although only 15 people turned up for the con-sulta-sham. 

We began our chants, “welfare, not warfare, you say cut-backs, we say fight-back!” Trevelyan Square is a busy square so plenty of people were witness to our protest. We gave out flyers about the Green Paper and explained it’s likely effects on our community. People in general were very supportive. 

We had the pleasure of being joined by activists in Unite the Union and Crips Against Cuts, who raised the volume and energy. A heartfelt thanks to them!

Our comrade inside the meeting stated:

“There were as many DWP staff as consultees in the meeting – clearly not a question of space then. We asked if our comrades could come in as there was spare space but were told that the hotel ‘security’ had blocked the entry of anyone else! The hotel said it contravened their risk assessment. We were asked pre-scripted questions. We were told that we couldn’t comment on proposed changed to the PIP scoring system despite this being the most impactful proposed change. I pointed out it was misleading to call this event ‘Pathways to Work’ given that PIP isn’t an out of work benefit. We explained that DLA and PIP are not lilke4-like so moving 16-18 years olds to PIP may lose their entitlement. I expressed concern about this group were supposed to do without life-supporting benefits, especially those no loner able to live at home or leaving care. The questions were ostensibly focused on getting people into work but I pointed out that without addressing Access to Work or any commitment from employers to step-up their reasonable adjustments the support is not fit for purpose. I stressed that DWP work coaches aren’t knowledgeable enough to understand the range of health conditions they are charged with assessing.”

Ultimately, we all felt this consultation was not fit for purpose. Only asking pre-selected questions about the less impactful changes and only consulting a tiny minority of those affected renders the process toothless. Solidarity to those fighting these poorly thought out proposals

Next action in Leeds on 31st May

Leeds DPAC are running a stall in Rachel Reeves constituency with the Unite Community Leeds, Wakefield & York Branch
1. we are collecting letters from people in leeds and surrounding areas. We will be reading these out on video, and sharing them on social media on the week leading up to the action.
2. the action itself will be
10am – 12pm
Bramley Town Centre
31st May
We will be reading out the letters (via a sound system) and holding a stall.

More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/4069198743403992/

Disability protests in Swansea and Cardiff this weekend

 Action, local groups, welfare cuts  No Responses »
May 212025
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

There are disability protests happening in Wales this weekend in Swansea and Cardiff.

Promotional graphics for social media are given at the end.

Swansea protest to stop disability cuts

Swansea protest - stop disability

12:30pm Saturday 24th May 2025

Oxford Street (Swansea)

Look for the Disabled People Against Cuts logo (a red, pink, blue, green wheel with a black triangle in the middle)

We welcome all support

Web: LinkTr.ee/SwanseaDPAC

Here is our leaflet for the day: swansea-dpac-leaflet (PDF)

 

Cardiff – Sit. Stand. Speak. Fight the benefit cuts. #WelfareNotWarfare

A poster with a person with a walking stick raising their fist and sunbeams radiating from their first. It says: Sit. Stand. Speak. Fight the Benefit Cuts. Join our protest at: Aneurin Bevan Statue, Near Cardiff Castle - Cardiff, CF10 2BU. Time: 1pm. Date: May 24th. It says to bring your signs, your voice, and your power. We stand where Bevan stood - for justice, for people, for dignity. Cut the cruelty, not our support. #WelfareNotWarfare. Partnered with: Don't Call Me Special and Cardiff People's Assembly. The Don't Call Me Special logo is a stylised wheelchair in multiple colours. The People's Assembly logo is a black circle with green and red speech bubbles.

1pm Saturday 24th May 2025

Aneurin Bevan Statue, Queen Street, Cardiff

Partnered with Don’t Call Me Special and Cardiff People’s Assembly

Members of the newly formed Cardiff & Valleys Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) will be showing support on the day and letting people know about the 3rd June lobby of the Cardiff disability cuts consultation.

Here is our leaflet for the day: black and white – dpac-leaflet June3demo cardiffvalleys (PDF)

 

Also, Disability Wales are taking part in a mass lobby at Westminster today

On Wednesday 21 May, Disability Wales and its members will travel to Westminster to take part in a mass lobby against the UK Government’s proposals to slash disability benefits — cuts that threaten the financial security and basic human rights of disabled people across the country.

Disabled people seek to make it clear that we will not be silent whilst our rights and livelihoods are dismantled.

Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) send our full support to the Disability Wales delegation.

 

Protest graphics for social media

A poster with pastel background colours, a microphone, a picture of a street, and a picture of protestors, one of which is in a wheelchair. The text reads: Swansea protest to stop disability cuts 12:30pm Saturday 24th May 2025 Oxford Street (Swansea) Look for the Disabled People Against Cuts logo (a red, pink, blue, green wheel with a black traingle in the middle) We welcome all support Web: LinkTr.ee/SwanseaDPAC

 

A poster with a person with a walking stick raising their fist and sunbeams radiating from their first. It says: Sit. Stand. Speak. Fight the Benefit Cuts. Join our protest at: Aneurin Bevan Statue, Near Cardiff Castle - Cardiff, CF10 2BU. Time: 1pm. Date: May 24th. It says to bring your signs, your voice, and your power. We stand where Bevan stood - for justice, for people, for dignity. Cut the cruelty, not our support. #WelfareNotWarfare. Partnered with: Don't Call Me Special and Cardiff People's Assembly. The Don't Call Me Special logo is a stylised wheelchair in multiple colours. The People's Assembly logo is a black circle with green and red speech bubbles.

A poster with red and green text and banners. It says: no disability benefit cuts. Welfare not warfare. Saturday 24 March. Aneurin Bevan Statue, Queen Street, Cardiff, CF10 ZBU. The placards read: Sit. Stand. Speak. Fight the benefit cuts.

A graphic showing multiple designs for protests. You can make out the words "No disability benefit cuts".

 

The Labour MPs campaigning for disability benefit cuts

 Politics, Action, Disability Activism  1 Response »
May 192025
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

We have seen a letter to Liz Kendall signed by 36 loyalist Labour MPs who have formed a group to support the disability benefit cuts.

While the prospect of a cushy junior ministerial role, or the threat of the whips, might persuade many Labour MPs to vote in favour, this list represents some of the worst MPs, who are actively campaigning for the changes.

They should be lobbied and protested. They should not receive a penny of trade union support. They should be challenged at elections. CLPs must pass no confidence votes and trigger reselection ballots.

The list is:

David Pinto-Duschinsky MP
Luke Akehurst MP
Bayo Alaba MP
Jas Athwal MP
Danny Beales MP
Rachel Blake MP
Nesil Caliskan MP
Luke Charters MP
Shaun Davies MP
Jim Dickson MP
Helena Dollimore MP
Graem Downie MP
Damien Egan MP
Allison Gardner MP
Gurinder Signh Josan MP
Andy MacNae MP
Blair McDougal MP
Frank McNally MP
Samantha Niblett MP
Jon Pearce MP
Gregor Poynton MP
Connor Rand MP
Steve Race MP
Joani Reid MP
Mike Reader MP
Jake Richards MP
Tom Rutland MP
Mark Sewards MP
Sarah Smith MP
Mike Tapp MP
Fred Thomas MP
Dan Tomlinson MP
Jo White MP
Sean Woodcock MP
Steve Yemm MP

 

A letter to Liz Kendell supporting the disability benefit cuts. It has been signed by 36 Labour MPs.

Urgent – ask your MP to attend PIP debate – 7th May

 Action, welfare cuts, Write to your MP  No Responses »
May 012025
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

Write to your MP now to attend the Personal Independence Payment and disabled people debate in the House of Commons.

The debate is being held on 7th May between 2.30 to 4.30 pm in Westminster Hall, and was called by Diane Abbott MP.

You can use our template letter below.

Find your MP here.

 

Template letter

Dear [MP],

I am writing to you to ask you to attend the Personal Independence Payment and disabled people debate in the House of Commons on the 7th May at 2:30 pm. The proposed changes could have a devastating impact on disabled people without any consultation with us.

The upcoming cuts to Personal Independence Payment could result in 800,000 disabled people losing access to funds they need to meet their access requirements. Personal Independence Payments is a non-means tested benefit which provides disabled people the financial means to meet their disability-related expenses, including equipment, services and other essential forms of support. Personal Independence Payment is also a qualifying benefit for many other services, including blue badges and travel cards.

These changes are not being consulted on by the public, and disabled people’s organisations have publicly stated that they were inadequately consulted by the Government. Overall, this is an attempt to pass a proposal which could cause 800,000 people to lose access to vital support, that is part of a package of cuts which could push 350,000 people, including 50,000 children, into poverty without any proper scrutiny or input from the people it will affect.

We ask that you please attend this debate and raise our concerns that huge changes to PIP have been proposed without any consultation or engagement with the disabled people who will be affected.

Kind regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Address and/or Postcode]

 

Take part in a survey

This survey is to gather evidence on how disabled people use Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and how losing access to PIP may affect them.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K8FMZLC

Protest outside Cardiff disability cuts consultation 3rd June (updated)

 Action, News  No Responses »
Apr 182025
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net
A digital graphic by Disabled People Against Cuts promoting a protest. The bold text reads ‘Protest Outside Disability Cuts Consultation - Cardiff’ followed by smaller text that reads ‘Labour's public consultation on disability benefit cuts is unfair and misleading. The most controversial proposals are not even up for discussion - tell the UK government this is unacceptable. Meet outside the front of Cardiff Central train station, bring friends and placards, 12:00pm noon to 4pm, June 3rd 2025’. There is a graphic of a megaphone in the bottom right, and the DPAC logo in the bottom left. A Link to the DPAC Swansea Linktree is at the bottom of the page with following URL: https://linktr.ee/swanseaDPAC

DPAC Swansea are calling for a protest outside the disability cuts consultation in Cardiff.

Meet outside the front of Cardiff Central train station (The government has not yet announced the exact location).

Assemble 12:00pm on Tuesday 3rd June 2025.

Labour’s public consultation on disability benefit cuts is unfair and misleading. We have almost zero faith in a consultation process that starts, on day one, by outlining all the areas it will not be consulting on. The most controversial proposals are not even up for discussion. There is one, and only one, in-person consultation event for the whole of Wales. Our MPs are ignoring our letters.

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/662898879779901/ Please bring friends and placards.

Important: Some people will still want to engage with the consultation protest and we want to respect that. We are considering how best to manage our intervention.

Can you help organise the protest in Cardiff?

We want your help – get in touch with Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts: https://linktr.ee/swanseaDPAC

 

Norwich protest against disability cuts

 Action, All Posts  No Responses »
Apr 162025
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

Norwich March and rally

Saturday 17th May
Norwich, Norfolk

Stop PIP and benefit cuts – End Labour’s war on disabled people.

End austerity cuts to mental health and social care.

17th May 2025 – 12 noon
Assemble at Norwich City Hall, NR2 1NH

Bring friends, family and placards

Facebook: DPACNorfolk.net
www.norfolksuffolkmentalhealthcrisis.org.uk

Disabled People Against Cuts
Campaign to Save Mental Health Services in Norfolk & Suffolk

Poster advertising a protest. Text is all-caps bold red or black. Stop PIP and benefit cuts. End Labour's war on disabled people. Image of a megaphone. End austerity cuts to mental health and social care. March and rally Saturday 17th May Norwich, Norfolk Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) logo - a circle, pink, blue, red, green, with four hands of different skin colours, around a black triangle with the letters DPAC. Campaign to Save Mental Health Services in Norfolk & Suffolk. A logo with blue text and a white hand and a blue hand shaking each other in solidarity greetings. 17th May 2025 - 12 noon Assemble at Norwich City Hall, NR2 1NH Bring friends, family and placards Facebook: DPACNorfolk.net www.norfolksuffolkmentalhealthcrisis.org.uk

Vote Out Austerity

On 1st of May
Do not vote for Labour, Reform UK Conservatives.
They are all for austerity.
End cuts to disabled people’s benefits and services.

DPAC.UK.NET

Poster in striking white text on a black background, except for the center, which has three political party logos in colour. On 1st of May Vote Out Austerity Do not vote for: (In red, with a rose icon) Labour (In a blue circle with an arrow) Reform UK (With a blue tree) Conservatives All for austerity. End cuts to disabled people's benefits and services. Disabled people against cuts circle logo in white on black, with four hands holding the circle and a white triangle in the middle that bears the letters DPAC. DPAC.UK.NET

Protests and events Glasgow and Swansea (updated!)

 Action, News  No Responses »
Apr 152025
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

Upcoming Glasgow Action – Anas Sarwar MSP, Friday,   April 18th

Friday, 18th April at Anas Sarwar’s Office at Brunswick House, 51 Wilson Street, Glasgow, G1 1UZ.  We will be gathering at 12 noon.

Sarwar has made it explicitly clear that he is in support of the proposed Labour cuts to welfare and disability benefits – offering no viable alternative to disabled people in Scotland if Westminster’s cuts are successful.  Successive Scottish and UK Governments have failed us.

We will be highlighting the real impact that his party’s cuts will have on people in Scotland, and the rest of the UK, of which he seems painfully unaware.

Please share widely, if you would like to speak or propose someone to speak, please let me know.

DPAC West of Scotland  dpacwestofscotland@gmail.com

 

Swansea event, date to be confirmed

Labour MPs: no more insults – disabled people demand a debate!

Tired of being ignored, Swansea DPAC will soon be hosting a public debate, with or without our MPs.

We have zero faith in a so-called consultation process that starts out, on day one, outlining all the areas that it won’t be consulting on. There is one, and only one, public consultation process for the whole of Wales. Our MPs are not responding to our repeated attempts to contact them as constituents or as disabled people’s organisations.

We are particularly keen to publicly debate the Swansea West MP Torsten Bell, who has defended the cuts on Newsnight as a DWP minister, and who has been quite rude. From his keyboard, he has called disabled people “keyboard warriors” and a “burden”. We demand a “right of reply” – in person!

We thank our trade union friends for all of their support so far. At our last meeting, we were honoured to accept an invitation from Swansea Trades Council to speak at their May Day rally (see https://www.facebook.com/SwanseaTradesCouncil).

Disabled people know that we are not the only ones targeted by the government, as Reeves and Starmer take the hatchet to jobs, pay, and services everywhere.

Swansea Disabled People Against Cuts   swanseadpac@gmail.com

 

Swansea May Day rally – Swansea DPAC to speak

DPAC Swansea raises high the trade union motto “an injury to one is an injury to all”

DPAC Swansea thanks our friends at Swansea Trades Council for the invitation. We know that we are not the only ones targeted by the government, as Reeves and Starmer take the hatchet to jobs, pay, and services everywhere.

We hope everyone will join us on 3rd May in Swansea.

Trades Union Councils: Swansea

  • Fight for a public sector Pay Rise!
  • Welfare not warfare!
  • Jobs, homes and services, not racism!

Join Swansea Trades Council for our annual May Day rally

Saturday 3rd May, 12 Noon Castle Square – Swansea

Hear speakers from across the movement

  • Trade Unionists
    Anti-Racism Organisers
    Disability Rights Activists
    Community Campaigners

Bring members, family, friends, and your banners and placards.

BFAWU – CWU – Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) – Swansea – GMB – Unite – PCS – Unison – NASUWT

https://www.facebook.com/SwanseaTradesCouncil

Trades Union Councils: Swansea The logo has different colour hands around it in a circle. Fight for a public sector Pay Rise! Welfare not warfare! Jobs, homes and services, not racism! Join Swansea Trades Council for our annual May Day rally Saturday 3rd May, 12 Noon Castle Square - Swansae Hear speakers from across the movement: Trade Unionists Anti-Racism Organisers Disability Rights Activists Community Campaigners Bring members, family, friends, and your banners and placards. Logo for the Bakers Food and Allied workers Union (BFAWU), which has a stylised icon of grain. Logo for CWU The Communications Union, which is a circle and two waves. Logo for Disabled People Against Cuts Swansea - Abertawe, which is a circle being held by four hands, with a black triangle in the middle bearing the letters DPAC. Logo for GMB Union, which is a square. Logo for Unite the union, which looks like it has a flame or a flag rising from it. Logo for PCS, the Public and Commercial Services Union, which has the letters PCS appear large, bold, and in lowercase. Logo for Unison, the public service union, which looks like it has a ribbon running through it. Logo for NASUWT, the teachers' union.

 

Calls for Immediate Release of Siarhei Drazdouski and Aleh Hrableuski

 Action  No Responses »
May 082021
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

This is a press release from the European Network for Independent Living:
In Brussels, 5th May 2021 – Today, as we mark the 8th European Independent Living Day, we are calling for the release of Siarhei Drazdouski and Aleh Hrableuski, from the Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Belarus. Both men have been detained for over three months and are facing up to four years in prison for their work defending human rights. They must be cleared of all the charges and allowed to continue the important work of the Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Siarhei Drazdouski and Aleh Hrableuski were detained on February 3, 2021 and taken for questioning to the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus. Aleh Hrableuski was placed in pre-trial detention, where he will stay until at least August this year. Siarhei Drazdouski was placed under house arrest and has been deprived of all communication with the outside world, including letters. Prior to that, the Department of Financial Investigations searched the organisation’s office and confiscated all equipment.

At present, Siarhei’s and Aleh’s lawyers are under a nondisclosure agreement (NDA). All that is known is that they were charged with fraud, which carries a prison sentence of up to four years. In reality, Siarhei and Aleh are being targeted because the Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities helped people access legal assistance, which they needed after participating in protests (referred to as “unauthorized mass events”). Both Siarhei and Aleh have been recognised by the international community as political prisoners.

The European Network on Independent Living – ENIL, the European Disability Forum and the National Assembly of Persons with Disabilities, from Ukraine, wrote to the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus in February, asking for the immediate release of Siarhei and Aleh from detention, and for all charges to be dropped. Front Line Defenders, the international organisation protecting human rights defenders at risk,  has launched urgent appeals for both men. Despite the international attention, the Investigative Committee continues to persecute them.

With this year’s European Independent Living Day dedicated to movement and mobility, it is worth remembering that fighting for the rights of disabled people is dangerous in many parts of the world, and can lead to imprisonment. Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders has therefore made disability rights defenders one of the priority groups for her mandate. She has been informed about the case Siarhei and Aleh, as well as that of Ana Kotur-Erkić, whose treatment by the public and the local authorities in Republika Srpska ENIL reported on earlier in the year.
The European Independent Living Day gives us an opportunity to come together and stand in solidarity with all those fighting for the rights of disabled people, and to demand full implementation of Articles 4.3 and 33.3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the General Comment 7, on participation of disabled people in the implementation and monitoring of the Convention . We therefore call for the following:

  • Immediate release of Siarhei Drazdouski and Aleh Hrableuski from detention and withdrawal of all charges that are being brought against them;
  • Putting in place conditions for the Office for Persons with Disabilities, and other organisations of disabled people, to be able to safely and independently carry out their work to promote the rights of disabled people, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
  • Involvement of the EU institutions, the Council of Europe and the international community in the case of Siarhei Drazdouski and Aleh Hrableuski, and using any means at their disposal to ensure their release, as well as creating an environment where NGOs can work without state interference and danger of persecution.

Notes for editors:

Siarhei Drazdouski was born on November 24, 1973 in Minsk. Siarhei is a disabled person and a wheelchair user. He graduated from the Belarusian State Technological Institute, and later from the Academy of Management with a degree in jurisprudence. In 1997 he participated in the creation, and in 2001 headed the Association of Wheelchair Users. Since 2006, he has worked in the Belarusian Society of Disabled People. In 2011, he created the Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He graduated from the High Courses in Human Rights in Warsaw. He is one of the experts of the Council of Europe and UN organisations.

Aleh Hrableuski was born on August 15, 1976 in Orsha. Has a higher education in jurisprudence. He is an alumni of specialized programs in the field of human rights, including the High Courses in Human Rights (Warsaw). He began his career while studying as a lawyer at the Free Trade Union. At the same time, he worked as a journalist for the independent newspaper “Kutseina”. For more than 20 years, Aleh’s professional activity has been associated with civil society organizations. He provided cooperation and legal support in the consumer protection society, independent trade unions, patient, human rights organizations, for example, the Center for Legal Transformation (Lawtrend). Since 2017, he has been a lawyer in the free legal office of the Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a human rights organisation, aimed at changing the understanding of disability in Belarus. The office based its activities on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. They raised awareness about disability not being a medical issue, but a barrier in accessing human rights. Belarus has joined the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, inter alia thanks to the enormous work of the Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. For many years, the Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been advising disabled people on violations of their rights, advocating for changes in legislation, and conducting educational activities to change attitudes towards disabled people.

Ways to support Siarhei Drazdouski and Aleh Hrableuski:

You can also support Aleh by sending him a letter or postcard. His address is: Minsk, Volodarskogo str. 2, 220030, Belarus, for Aleh Glableuski [СИЗО №1, Минск, ул. Володарского 2, 220030, Буларусь, Олегу Граблевскому.]

Please join day of action vs £20 cut to Universal Credit – 6 Feb 2021

 Action, News, Universal Credit  2 Responses »
Jan 312021
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net


image with the campaign slogan "No cuts to benefits Keep the £20 uplift & fight for more" with the hash tags #2-More4All #NoCutsToBenefits

#20More4All #NoCutsToBenefits 

Say NO to the proposed £20 per week cut to Universal Credit

Fight for £20 more for claimants on legacy benefits

Disabled People Against Cuts, Homes For All Campaign and People Before Profit are calling a National Day of Action to fight plans to scrap the £20 uplift to Universal Credit.

The government increased Universal Credit by £20 per week at the start of the pandemic, when nearly two million more claimants came onto the benefit, exposing the social security system to greater scrutiny.

Now, while the pandemic is still raging, they are planning to take the £20 uplift away. This seems particularly cruel and unnecessary, especially when Johnson found enough money for a £16 in defence funding in November.

Many claimants never got the £20 uplift in the first place. It was only applied to Universal Credit so those still on legacy benefits and not yet moved over to Universal Credit were missed out. Many of these are disabled and their living costs have been significantly higher as a result of the pandemic and needing to shield.

Out of work benefits in the UK are well below the amount needed for a decent standard of living. All benefits need to be significantly increased, not cut.

We need people to be properly supported in these difficult times. The benefits system needs a complete overhaul. The Universal Credit system doesn’t work – it has been proven be toxic and massively harmful.

As well as fighting for a permanent uplift – we must fight for it to be scrapped and replaced with a social security system that provides a genuine safety net for all that need it.

The free school meals saga shows that when people fight back the Tories can be pushed into U-turns.

We understand that many people are still unable to leave their homes and we are NOT asking anyone to put their lives at risk or to break social distancing guidelines.

We are asking people to do just whatever you can to build support for this issue and to let claimants know there is a fightback they can get involved with.

If you are a member of a union branch or a local campaign please ask them to support the day of action on 6th February.

Here are a few ideas for what you can do:

– Take and share selfies on the day using the hashtags #20More4All and #NoCutsToBenefits.

– Put a poster in your window. You can make one, download one at peoplebefore-profit.com/resources or ask us at mail@dpac.uk.net to post you one.

– Write to your MP to tell them why we need the uplift. There is a template letter you can use below – remember to include information about the issue personally affects you as MPs respond better to personal rather than blanket letters.

– Make your own banners for local banner drops that can be done without breaking social distancing guidelines.

–  Use your local media to raise awareness of the issue.

 

Dear [insert name of MP]

I am writing to ask you as my MP to oppose the proposed cut to Universal Credit by £20 per week. This represents more than one fifth of income that claimants depend on for essentials such as food and heating.

Many claimants who have not yet been moved on to UC missed out on the £20 uplift when it was introduced in March. This is despite the fact that many of those claimants are disabled with underlying health conditions and their expenditures have significantly increased as a direct result of the pandemic and the need to shield for almost a year now.

I ask also that you support the extension of the £20 uplift to legacy benefits.

This personally affects me because… [insert]

Keeping and extending the uplift would have substantial economic and social benefits. These same outcomes will not be realised by the one-off for that has been suggested by the Chancellor as an alternative and to which claimants who have not yet been moved onto UC will be exempt.

UK social security payment levels represent only a relatively small percentage of the Minimum Income Standard (MIS). This is the amount calculated by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation as what is needed for an acceptable standard of living. After the uplift, UC payments are just 43.4% of the MIS.

For those still on legacy benefits, as they have been throughout the pandemic, the amount they continue to receive in benefits represents just 33.9% of the MIS.

One impact of an inadequate income is that it pushes people further from employability: online access, the kind of nutrition able to sustain concentration and the ability to stay clean and presentable for interviews all require a level of income that is not achievable if the £20 per week cut takes place.

Keeping and extending the £20 uplift is vitally important to prevent greater poverty, debt and misery and to help those currently out of work to find employment.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

[name]

[address]

 

 

 

 

 

Belated Round Up of 2018

 Action, All Posts, News  No Responses »
Jan 242019
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

At last we have a belated annual round up setting out just a few of the things we supported and organised in 2018. DPAC was always set up so that if one person was ill or unable to take part in the day-to-day running of things it would still function but 2018 threw up more problems health and family wise for most of us than anyone could have envisaged. And although not all our problems are now solved we’re all still here and functioning – if a little slower than usual.

Once again we want to thank our many supporters and allies for their help in many ways from attending physical and on-line events, producing memes for our use, donating to help us remain completely independent and help others to attend protests and meetings and a myriad of other things. Thanks once again to Paula, Louise and Keith for helping with stalls at a variety of events these not only raise money for DPAC but also promote us as an organisation.

 

 

We’re very grateful to the disabled people who travelled so far to attend our Festival of Resistance during the summer and it was great to meet activists from around the world.

As usual last year we were involved supporting a wide range of events and protests organised by ourselves and others where the impact would have a direct and negative effect on disabled people. This included working with BASW and the Anti Austerity Action Group, RMT, Transport for All and ABC Commuters around transport issues especially driver only operated trains, Fuel Poverty Action Group, Winvisible, No More Deaths on Our Streets, Alliance for Counselling and Pyschtherapy,against IAPT therapies, Supporting NHS marches and anti-racists marches to name but a few.

Members of the steering group have continued to speak at a wide range of events on various topics throughout the year. We’re grateful to them for giving their time and energy to do so and are proud to have them represent us at such times. Paula in particular seems to have been very prolific last year speaking at about 10 major events.

We’ve continued our work with the media and tried to highlight the ongoing injustices and problems that disabled people face in the UK today.

We also had a voter registration drive for the mayoral and council elections because it is so important that disabled people do use their vote to seek change at all levels of the political spectrum.

 

Our initial planned Day of Action to Stop and Scrap Universal Credit had to be postponed due to the awful weather we had last March and was re-organised to take place in April when nationally we had a day out to parliament – again. You can watch the video at this link

https://dpac.uk.net/2018/04/video-dpac-protests-in-parliament-against-universal-credit-stopandscrapuniversalcredit/

We organised High Court vigils with Winvisible and Inclusion London for the Universal Credit case against the loss of Severe and Enhanced Disability Premiums in UC. Fortunately the case was won although of course the government tried and failed to wriggle out of paying disabled people more.

Most protests were supported by on-line actions and we also had an on-line protest against the Spring Budget. Sadly twitter has now stopped people using tweet lists and repeating others tweets en mass so we have been forced to change the way we can use it for protesting.

Some of our supporters from Bromley DPAC went to Calais in March where they were confronted by the harrowing living conditions for refugees

We once again took part in the Lush Summit in London where Paula did a workshop on Universal Credit and  Mary Ellen had her fantastic new art piece ‘UC – A Grave Condition’

We’ve produced several important papers last year as well as helping collect evidence for several consultation responses put together by Inclusion London.

Papers include – an alternative solution to the UK independent living crisis? Independent Living Support for the Future.

UBI: Solution or illusion? The implications of Universal Basic Income for disabled people in Britain. Our hard copy pamphlet on UBI will shortly be available to purchase at cost price of £1 although the report remains available on the website.

And as well as providing supporting evidence for UK consultations Ellen collated Consultation responses: – Latest report to UN Disability Committee launched in Parliament on 25 October (submitted by UK DDPOs) which included evidence of continuing attrocities disabled people had experienced and which we had collated for this report. The UK is not only the first country to be investigated by the UN Disability Committee it is also the only country to be annually monitored. If only the Tories felt any shame…..

And Submission to UN Extreme Poverty rapporteur (submitted from ROFA).

Paula was able to go to give evidence when the UN rapporteur met in East London and people from some of our local groups were able to attend local meetings with him especially Martin in Clacton.

In July the Department for International Development headed by ex- Minister for Disabled People, Penny Morduant, tried to pretend that the UK government cares about disabled people’s human rights and to pretend through hosting a Global Summit that they were good at this.

Naturally we felt the need to host our own events and held a Festival of Resistance to highlight the opposite truth and show those from foreign NGOs who attended what the abysmal reality is. It says much about the DfiD and their support for human rights that their co-hosts of this event were Kenya whose record on LGBT rights is so appalling.

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/global-disability-summit-mordaunt-retreats-from-uks-global-leader-on-rights-claims/

https://dpac.uk.net/2018/07/festival-of-resistance-july-21st-24th/

Amongst our guests were Rose Achayo, Feliza ali Ramos and Alex Marcelo Vazqiez Bracamonte from Bolivia, Antonios Rellas from Greece, John Clarke from OCAP and of course John McDonnell and we were joined by Skype by Naiaty Yaacob from Malaysia.

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/global-disability-summit-dpacs-protest-festival-highlights-government-hypocrisy/

https://dpac.uk.net/2018/07/global-disability-summit-rival-summit-hears-of-international-fight-against-oppression/

It is also worth remembering the disgraceful way in which Disability Rights UK (DRUK) betrayed the disabled people’s movement toadying up to government at this sham summit.

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/global-disability-summit-disability-rights-uk-betrayed-movement-with-speech/

While work for this summit was the main piece of activism last year DPAC’s work to fight for disabled people’s human rights goes on daily both nationally and amongst our many active local groups.

We were delighted that also in July at Unite’s policy conference one of our supporters, Ellen Morrison, gave a rousing and compelling speech in her capacity as a Unite delegateto ask conference to support Stop and Scrap Universal Credit which was carried. We continue our work to get this position formally adopted by Labour instead of the whimpish Pause and Fix stance the party currently continues to hold.

 

Ellen’s superb and emotive speech can be viewed here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WPlGub1kJU

 

We’ve worked with Potent Whisper several times to support his rhyming guide to austerity and later last year on some video work with him that Paul and Keith helped with.

Conference season again saw us busy with meetings and speaking at events at the Labour Party Conference and lobbying Margaret Greenwood, who seems to be largely silent on the hostile environment disabled people face which is unacceptable and must change, followed by our bi-annual trip to the Tory Party Conference in Birmingham.

People from many of our local groups from around the country joined us there and it was particularly good to meet up with them all.

https://dpac.uk.net/2018/10/dpac-protest-at-the-tory-conference-pictures/

 

 

DPAC Protesters blocking Birmingham's tram routes

DPAC Protesters blocking Birmingham’s tram routes

 

 

 

 

We were also able to part sponsor an important disability art exhibition ‘I Protest’ in Norwich something a little out of the ordinary for us but which was a successful event and another way in which to spread information to the public.

I Protest art show https://www.facebook.com/IProtestNorwich/?modal=admin_todo_tour

 

Also last year we undertook a major piece of research into the postcode lottery of social care and charging funded by a grant from Network for Social Change and we have asked Barbara Keeley the Labour Party shadow minister for mental health and social care to provide a room in parliament for the launch of both this research and our work on the future of social care. So far she has not responded however we hope to have a reply shortly.

We’re still collating information on a few things mainly tell your story and on care charging and it would be helpful if anyone who hasn’t could fill in details on the website forms. This information is used for research, evidence, and media information so is vital to us all.

https://dpac.uk.net/2018/10/tell-your-story/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Posted by at 21:19

The Use of Nazi Imagery in Campaigning – is it unfair to the Tories or a True Reflection?

 Action, All Posts, anti racism, Disability History, Disability Rights  1 Response »
Dec 202018
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

The austerity programme was initiated in 2010 by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government. It has brought in its wake the destruction of many social support systems for all of us but for disabled people it has meant a severe decrease in our ability to engage in life. The demise of the Independent Living Fund, reductions in social care, the unwillingness to consider medical evidence, the restriction on support … the list goes on. 

Whether you accept the concept of equality or not, the fact remains that our world is essentially constructed for bipedal creatures with a given capacity for sight, hearing and mobility. The world is eminently suited for all those who can climb stairs, read basic instructions, have a basic understanding of language and its usage and can perform a given set of functions on command. Fail in any of those and you are considered disabled. 

In relatively primitive societies when babies were born with the clear indication that they would never attain the full physical capacity they were exposed on hill sides and left to the elements. One society we know of was Sparta. Plutarch, aka Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus, gives us the Greek story that ancient Spartans threw their stunted and sickly babies off a cliff. Whether this story is true, or a myth, is at this moment immaterial. The fact is that the belief that this was true has fed into social movement such as the Hitler Youth. In the early 1920s, the Nazi party had established a youth movement to train them to become Stormtroopers.

The idealisation of perfect people with the full capacity of bipedal motion reading basic instructions, having a basic understanding of language and its usage and capable of performing a given set of functions on command was the underpinning of much of the Nazi Party ideology. They of course took it one step further still in that they also held that the Aryan was the only perfect exemplar of these perfect people. But that is by the by. What is relative to this article is that the Nazi ideology led to Aktion T4. Starting as a euthanasia program that eliminated disabled infants and children deemed unfit to live and expanding in time to cover disabled adults and the elderly. 

Aktion T4 was a direct result of a new bureaucracy with a mandate to kill anyone considered to have a “life unworthy of living”. The Nazis themselves referred to the victims of Aktion T4 as “burdensome lives” and “useless eaters”.Criteria for inclusion into the programme was not exclusively medical or genetic. People were assigned to the programme largely on ‘Economic Productivity’. 

Aktion T4 killed 70,000 people during its first two years of operation. Initially by starvation and lethal injection. Later, efficiency led to the development of asphyxiation by poison gas.  The program officially ended in 1941 amid a welter of protests from many quarters of German society. It however did go on more covertly. The total number of victims are estimated to have reached 200,000 plus.  Furthermore, it was the lessons the Nazis learned from Aktion T4 that helped them later on in their ‘final solution’.

We have all heard about the Yellow Star that Jews were required to wear under the Nazi Regime. This was but one of the classification symbols Nazis employed.  Notion that the star is but two triangles, one inverted on the other, was employed to classify people depending on their origin, their sexual orientation, their political affiliations, their religion and their overall productivity towards the Nazi war effort. Disabled people, those considered unfit for ‘economic productivity’ and eventually all others who were deemed ‘anti-social’ by the regime were accorded a Black Triangle. Which, incidently, is why the DPAC logo contains a black triangle at it’s centre.

Coming forward to the present day, prior to the Austerity programme, there were still many matters lacking for the ability of disabled people to fully engage in public life. But things were improving slowly, admittedly, but surely. We were gradually getting the notion of the Social Model of disability accepted. The notion was become accepted that people were disabled not by their impairment but rather by the society they were living in. All that went to the wall with the Austerity programme. We are currently facing the basic notion that impairment is a personal fault that society does not have to make room for, make concessions to or accept responsibility for. Unlike Aktion T4, the Austerity programme has not quite taken an active hand in killing disabled people. But disabled people are still dying as a result of austerity. 

Many disabled people do view the assault on their ability to engage in public life by the myriad of cuts, both in personal support and in social support, as akin to the intent of Aktion T4. I posit that this view is far from irrational. In fact, it is the only logical way to see the impact of the Austerity programme which is essentially a means of minimising Governmental responsibility for those it governs. 

Governments are there to set the stage on which we live our daily lives. If it makes it more difficult, or rather impossible for some of us the traverse that stage then government policy is wholly responsible for our inability to live full lives.

Austerity is responsible for killing each and every person who has found it impossible to live up to the expectations of economic activity as set by the governments that have initiated, and followed, the precepts of Austerity. Further, call a rose by any other name, and it still has thorns. Saying that Austerity is over has not meant that the impact of Austerity is no longer there. As long as disabled people are forced, through the actions and lack of action, by this or any other government, to live restricted lives, through lack of social support, we will, quite rightly, continue to see their actions, or lack thereof, in the same light as Aktion T4.

Miriam Binder

 Posted by at 21:09

Any DPAC’ers in Northumberland?

 Action, All Posts, Disability Rights  1 Response »
Dec 202018
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

I am a longstanding DPAC supporter and now also Disability Officer for my local Labour Party (Berwick upon Tweed).  I would like to make contact with any other DPAC supporters in Northumberland to discuss campaigning against the Tories ‘hostile environment ‘ & how we can promote justice for all disabled people. Please contact me, Sarah, on sreqwerty@gmail.com

 

 Posted by at 21:00

Universal Credit – High Court case and Unite Day of Action December 1st

 Action, All Posts, Benefits, Universal Credit  No Responses »
Nov 262018
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

Actions against Universal Credit:
a hostile environment for women & children

Single mums challenge UC
working allowance disaster

Tues 27 & Wed 28 November 2018

High Court, Strand, London WC2A 2LL

Single mums are in court to challenge the government over the Universal Credit payment system which is inflexible and doesn’t reflect reality.  The rigid ‘assessment period’ causes wildly fluctuating benefit and debt. Part-time dinner lady Danielle Johnson from Keighley, West Yorkshire, is paid on the last working day of the month. But her monthly UC assessment periods are rigid – running from the last day of each month, meaning that if she is paid before the last day of the month, because payment falls on a weekend or non-banking day, she is assessed as having been paid twice that month, and not at all the next month (so she could be subject to the benefit cap). Claimants are unable to change their assessment period. Ms Johnson also argues that the system is discriminatory because it disproportionately affects mainly single mothers. Child Poverty Action Group and Leigh Day solicitors have joined together. See Leigh Day’s press release.  The UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights recently condemned UC as ‘misogynist’.

10.30am: Court case starts in Court 1.  Go into court to support the claimants.  Continues Wednesday, check court listing here

Read “Universal Credit: a hostile environment for women”, by Selma James, Solveig Francis

UC Unite call out 1 Dec 2018.JPG

UC parliament square wide photo.JPG

Saturday 1 December 2018

National day of action to STOP Universal Credit
Called by Unite Community

London-wide 2pm: In the shadow of Grenfell Tower, meet at Ladbroke Grove tube, London W10 6HJ

UK-wide info, including England, North of Ireland, Scotland and Wales, see Unite website.
 Posted by at 17:43

CWU seeking support to keep your local post offices open

 Action, All Posts  No Responses »
Nov 152018
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

The CWU’s fight to save our nation’s cherished Post Office network, which has been recently launched by the union in response to the bombshell announcement that 74 Crown offices are to be franchised (privatised) to high-street retailer WH Smith – a move which will impact some 800 jobs and drastically cut services to communities.

CWU is fighting back, with a range of high-profile local and national campaign activities being planned over the next couple of months – particularly in the run-up to Christmas.

We’ve created dedicated campaign website – www.saveourpostoffice.co.uk – which has all the essential facts, aims and demands and also features a quick and easy ‘write to your MP’ guide.

From the main page of the site, simply click to find your own MP and then click again for a model letter to her or him – or write to the Government Minister responsible for the Post Office, Greg Clarke, urging him to stop the wrecking of our Post Office.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward says: “At a time when the government is claiming to be on the side of workers, it is an outrage that it is allowing well rewarded jobs to go from a public service, handing them straight to a second-rate employer like WHSmith – recently rated as the worst retailer on the high street who will undoubtedly provide a significantly inferior service.”

And he’s asking all CWU members to “please visit the campaign site, write to your MP and watch out for upcoming Save Our Post Office activities in your local area.”

Can you help? Here’s what you can do…

  1. Go towww.saveourpostoffice.co.uk
  2. Enter your address
  3. Your MP’s name will appear
  4. Write your message
  5. Share with colleagues, friends, family etc
  6. Thank you

Dave Ward says:

“Together, united, we can stop this attack and save this cherished Great British institution.”

December 1st protests are planned for Aberdeen, Crawley, Nottingham, Chester, Basingstoke, York, and Bristol – with further events in other localities being discussed and organised as well.

We need YOU – December 1st Day of Action

“Come and get involved in the big nationwide Campaign Day to Save Our Post Office,” is today’s message from our general secretary Dave Ward.

Since the launch event last Thursday, enthusiasm is growing around the country, with protests, petitioning and lobbying gathering pace – and Dave is urging reps to “please remember to take these petitions around your unit.

“We’ve got around 190,000 members of this union, so between now and the Big Day, let’s get as many of our own people signed up as we possibly can,” he urges.

“And while you’re asking people to sign, please flag up the nearest December 1st event to them and boost the attendance on the day.”

Saturday December 1st will see protests in cities and towns in every region of the UK, in our defiant response to Post Office bosses’ announcement of the ‘franchising’ of 74 Crown offices to retailer WH Smith, impacting on some 7-800 jobs – marking a change in their strategy from managed decline to terminal decline.

“And that’s what we’re facing unless we can force a change of direction,” says our general secretary, who is also pushing forward the union’s vision for a positive future for our post office network – as the real hubs of our communities.

 Posted by at 18:38

Day of Action for Disability Equality in Education, November 21st, nationally

 Access to Work, Action, All Posts  No Responses »
Nov 152018
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

Our first day of action for Disabled Equality in Education will see meetings and events in colleges and universities, as well as schools where SEND cuts are destroying integrated education and will culminate in a meeting in parliament where we will bring forward demands for change.

 

Parliamentary meeting Wednesday November 21st House of Commons, Committee Room 10  from 5.30pm – 7pm. Some tickets are available for this event and we want as many disabled people as possible to attend:

please email DPAC or elaneheffernan@btinternet.com for tickets

 

Briefing Document from ALLFIE can be read here https://www.allfie.org.uk/

Cambridge

Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) now has a Cambridgeshire and Essex branch! Come and join us for this protest about disability equality in work. We will be highlighting the government’s persecution of disabled people, reading the names of people who have died because of the horrific cuts and sanctions regime of the DWP, and agitating for real equality of access to work.

We are in solidarity with the UCU Day of Action for disability equality in education, for which events are taking place all day at the Cambridge University Students Union. If you’re going to one of the UCU events, come and join us at 2:30 in Market Square to take the message to the public.

Wednesday, 21 November 2018 from 14:30-16:30,

Market Square Cambridge

Cambridge.

https://www.facebook.com/events/304326216958523/?notif_t=plan_user_invited&notif_id=1542299943763655

Liverpool 

Support Wed 21st national UCU Day of action for disability equality in education at Liverpool University

Come and join us

12.00 Rally University Square (Brownlow Hill)

We will be leafleting:

10.45  502 Teaching Block  (Mount Pleasant next to Student Guild)

11.45 502 Teaching Block  (Mount Pleasant next to Student Guild)

The UCU is taking action  to challenge disability discrimination on campus and barriers faced by disabled people in education.

Our union branch recently passed a motion expressing concern about the disability discrimination on campus which is heavily impacting staff and students and demanding that the University complies with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to disability. The issues on campus were also reported in the media.
https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/union-backs-claims-of-widespread-discrimination-by-hostile-university/

Please come and show your support.

Please contact UCU equalities officer if you can help.  Kirsteen.paton@liv.ac.uk

https://www.ucu.org.uk/disabilityequality?utm_source=lyr-ucu-members&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=members&utm_term=all&utm_content=Day+of+action+for+disability+equality+in+education:+21+November+2018

 

There will be a disabled member of staff speaking, Kirsten (our UCU equalities officer at Liverpool) and a message of solidarity from DPAC would be great.

 

We are leafleting the 502 teaching block because access is none existent or very difficult.

 

 

 Posted by at 18:30

Together, Disability History Month Events in and around Newham.

 Action, All Posts, Disability Activism, Disability History, Disability Rights  No Responses »
Nov 072018
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

Dear DPAC member

We would love to see you at our forthcoming Together! 2018 Disability History Month Festival events in East London, celebrating Disability Art, Culture and Human Rights. Everything is free and inclusive and everyone is welcome. This is the only national Disability Arts event led by a Disabled People’s Organisation. Further programme details are on our website at https://www.together2012.org.uk/activities-programme/together-2018-disability-history-month-festival/

Regards and all best wishes
 
Ju
 
Dr Ju Gosling FRSA
Artistic Director

Together! 2012 C.I.C.
Disability Arts, Culture and Human Rights
ju@together2012.org.uk / 07973 252751
www.together2012.org.uk
Facebook: together2012cic
Twitter: @ukdpctogether
Registered office: 90A Tudor Road, London E6 1DR.
Community Interest Company No 8443767.
Vat No 257 6833 66.


TOGETHER! 2018 FESTIVAL CALENDAR
Full venue details are at the end of the calendar

Friday 23 November 2018 7-9pm: World Premiere of ‘When You See Me’ & Festival Opening This new drama (pictured), commissioned by us from our associate company Act Up! Newham, and written and directed by Trevor Lloyd, is inspired by the Circus 250 anniversary. Stratford Circus 1.

Sunday 25 November 2018 1-2pm: Paracarnival Parade Fresh from winning the Judges Choice award at Hackney Carnival, Paracarnival comes to Newham with a procession of locally based Disabled artists and friends. Gallion’s Reach Shopping Park Beckton.

Saturday 1 December 2018 2-5pm: ‘VIBE: The Art of Transatlantic Inclusion’ A simultaneous symposium and exhibition about our two-year tactile sound project with Concordia University, Vibrafusion Lab Ontario and Disabled artists in Montréal. Vicarage Lane Community Centre Stratford.

Monday 3 December 2018 11am-1pm: Reading for Human Rights On International Day of Disabled People, join us to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights by reading from this and the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People at Beckton Globe Library. Easy Read, BSL and different languages texts available. The event will be live-streamed.

Friday 7 (6-8pm), Saturday 8 (12-8pm) & Sunday 9 December 2018 (12-8pm): Together! 2018 Disability Film Festival Our international film festival brings together films of all budgets and genres, by Disabled filmmakers or featuring a central Disabled character. Old Town Hall Stratford. We also offer a two-day workshop for emerging Disabled filmmakers on 6 & 7 December – email info@together2012.org.uk for further details.

Tuesday 11 December 2018 11am-2pm: Newham Disabled Reps Forum host a musical celebration of Disability History Month, including lunch and a raffle. Speakers include Disability History Month director Richard Rieser. Vicarage Lane Community Centre Stratford.

Friday 14 December 7-9pm: Together! Music Club and end-of-festival party Celebrate this year’s Disability History Month theme of music with an Open Mike night featuring Together! 2012 artists and friends, compered by Ju Gosling aka ju90. Vicarage Lane Community Centre Stratford.

Plus the Together! 2018 Open Exhibition, bringing together amateur, community, emerging and mid-career Disabled artists with a local connection. Vicarage Lane Community Centre Stratford. Dates tbc.

We aim to be as inclusive as possible of audience members as well as artists. All venues have step-free access and limited Blue Badge parking. Live audio-description is available on demand; productions are amplified with induction loops. BSL interpretation is provided for performances where speech is the main communication form. No need to book unless you wish to reserve seats (advised for groups of 5+). To reserve seats and find out more, email info@together2012.org.uk

FESTIVAL VENUES

For specific details, see Disabled Go.com 

Beckton Globe Library 1 Kingsford Way, London E6 5JQ. Nearest station (accessible): Beckton (DLR). 020 3373 0853. Bus routes include: 101, 173, 262, 300, 366, 376, 474.

Gallions Reach Shopping Park, 3 Armada Way, Beckton, London E6 7ER. Nearest station: Gallions Reach DLR (fully accessible). Bus routes include: 366, 262 & 101. Large free carpark. Click here for further details.

Old Town Hall, 29 The Broadway, Stratford, London E15 4BQ. 020 3373 7033 /07791 291 685. Nearest tube, overground and DLR stations: Stratford (fully accessible). Bus routes include 25, 69, 86, D8, 104, 108, 158, 238, 241, 257, 262, 276, 308, 425, 473, N8, N86, 010, A9, 741 & UL1. Blue Badge holders can prebook parking; others are advised to use the (old) Stratford shopping centre carpark.

Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford, London E15 1BX. 020 8279 1001. Nearest tube, overground and DLR stations: Stratford (fully accessible). Bus routes 257, 69  and 308 stop outside Stratford Circus in Great Eastern Road; 25, 86, 104, 108, 158, 238, 241, 262, 276, 425, 473, D8 alight at station. Very limited Blue Badge parking nearby; otherwise use the (old) Stratford shopping centre carpark.

Vicarage Lane Community Centre, Govier Close, E15 4HW. Nearest tube, overground and DLR stations: Stratford (fully accessible). Bus routes include: 101, 104, 300, 474. Street parking.

 Posted by at 16:20

DPAC Choir needs volunteers

 Action, All Posts, Resources  No Responses »
Nov 042018
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

We’re looking into the possibility of setting up a DPAC choir to sing at various events. If you would be interested in joining this please email us at mail@dpac.uk.net

There would be no regular commitment needed although if possible people might want to attend one or more rehearsals. Please also let us know if you have a (polite) name for a DPAC choir.

 

 

DPAC Protesters blocking Birmingham's tram routes

DPAC Protesters blocking Birmingham’s tram routes

 

 Posted by at 21:01

New Monthly Demos Against UC at DWP Head Office

 Action, All Posts, Benefits  No Responses »
Nov 042018
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net

Monthly demonstration against Universal Credit outside DWP headquarters, Caxton House. Tothill Street. London. SW1H 9DA (near the Houses of Parliament)

Meet 12 PM – 1pm on the 1st Friday of each month including December and January.

Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group used to demonstrate regularly outside their local jobcentres. But they’ve closed both of the local jobcentres. It is now easier for many  to get to the DWPs National Headquarters in Westminster than to get to their nearest remaining jobcentres.

KUWG cordially invite other Londoners, and allies to come and join them.

To contact KUWG please message them via their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/kilburn.unemployed

 Posted by at 20:54

Important Consultation on Cutting London Bus Services

 Action, All Posts, transport  No Responses »
Oct 122018
 
DPAC Logo with text underneath "Disabled People Against Cuts" and then web address dpac.uk.net
Consultation – Share your views on TfL proposals to change 33 bus routes in London

TfL are reviewing bus services that serve the central London area and have made proposals to restructure and change the frequency of 33 routes and to introduce an additional service. This is said to be the biggest shake-up in more than 16 years of London’s bus network.
The new proposals would see the 48, 271 night service and RV1 routes axed. Elsewhere, they are planning to shorten 13 routes, and decrease frequency of a further eight routes. Some routes would see frequencies increased. One new route between Fulham Broadway and Oxford Circus will be introduced under the proposals.

Concerns
TfL’s own impact assessments on these changes show that they would disadvantage disabled people who might need to swop from one bus to another to get accross London. Where there is only one wheelchair space on each bus and prams often are allowed to use this space this could mean far longer journies for disabled people and having to wait at an interchange in cold or wet weather.

In particular Rv1 which they plan to axe completely is the only direct accessible route between London Bridge and Covent Garden.

59 and others not going to Kings Cross requires a change as the tube from Euston to Kings Cross is not accessible and vice versa of course.
205 not stopping at Marylebone which is one of the main rail stations and the only rail station to Oxford, Aylesbury. Banbury, Leamington, Warwick and Solihull.

In a city where only a third of the Underground is accessible, Disabled and older people rely heavily on bus services. Buses are the only mode of transport in London that is fully accessible (despite some regular issues). The plans, which are subject to a public consultation, would hugely affect Disabled and Older People served by the routes, especially the routes that are axed. Reducing the frequency would have a disproportionately negative impact on Disabled people, especially wheelchair and mobility scooter users who already have to fight for their right to access the wheelchair priority space – It is the only space that can host a wheelchair user, one at a time.
TfL’s proposals are based on the fact that passengers could use other nearby routes to complete their journey, when the routes have been shortened or restructured. But it completely ignores the fact that interchanges (such as Elephant and Castle) can be a real challenge for Disabled and Older People and especially for Visually Impaired or autistic people.
Take action – Respond to the consultation
TfA will respond to this consultation in order to share our concerns. We are looking for as much evidence and examples as possible. If you would like to contribute to our answer, please email us your feedback by Friday 2nd November: joshua@transportforall.org.uk.It is important that you share your own views on the proposed changed and especially the impact that it will have on your daily life. You can respond to the consultation yourself by sending your views by Friday 9th November 2018:
 Posted by at 13:30
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