{"id":88,"date":"2025-08-12T16:41:56","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T15:41:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/martine-arno\/?p=88"},"modified":"2025-08-16T01:15:04","modified_gmt":"2025-08-16T00:15:04","slug":"welfare-bill-whiplash-leo-and-quinn-caught-in-the-crossfire-of-westminsters-policy-swings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/martine-arno\/2025\/08\/12\/welfare-bill-whiplash-leo-and-quinn-caught-in-the-crossfire-of-westminsters-policy-swings\/","title":{"rendered":"Welfare Bill whiplash: Leo and Quinn caught in the crossfire of Westminster’s policy swings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This spring, the UK government introduced the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill<\/a>, sparking fierce debate in Westminster. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first draft<\/a> tightened eligibility for disability benefits and cut the health top-up in Universal Credit\u2014measures aimed at saving billions but warned to leave disabled people worse off. After a backlash<\/a>, Prime minister Keir Starmer reversed some changes, protecting existing claimants, raising benefits with inflation, and adding a \u00a31 billion support package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prime Minister Starmer defended<\/a> the adjustments as \u201ccommon sense\u201d<\/em> and \u201cthe right balance,\u201d<\/em> but admitted \u201cwe didn\u2019t get the process right\u201d<\/em> in handling the reforms.<\/p>\n\n\n

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“COMMON SENSE”<\/strong>: That’s how the Prime minister justified the adjustments. Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister. Photo credit<\/strong><\/strong>: \u00a9House of Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In Newcastle, the impact feels personal. Quinn Elson, who has autism and functional neurological disorder, worries about losing the support that helps him live independently. Leo Prajogo, a wheelchair user for the past three years and disabled long before that, fears life will get even harder. <\/p>\n\n\n

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NOT CRIMINALS<\/strong>: In a heart felt message, a user on Threads expressed their feelings for the Welfare bill. Photo credit<\/strong>: Screenshot from Threads<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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“Support must come before cuts.” – Hannah Cooper, Citizens Advice<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Hannah Cooper, Research and Campaigns Manager at Citizens Advice Newcastle, says “support must come before cuts.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I contacted government representatives for a comment, but received no response.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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