Author: Anne Pridmore

Rosie Jones expected the themes of her sitcom to be out of date once the Tories left government. So far she needn’t have worried. courtesy BIG ISSUE “I’m not sure how political you want to go,” says Rosie Jones, who is prepared to get very political. The comedian has made her first sitcom, Pushers, about … Continue reading “Rosie Jones: ‘My disability benefits have been cut – but I’m one of the lucky ones’”

Stephen Timms, the Minister for Disabilities at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has been seen to show a distinct lack of compassion and understanding following a contentious meeting with campaigners from the charity Church Action on Poverty. During this encounter, Timms has been accused of exhibiting a lack of empathy and understanding toward … Continue reading “Stephen Timms and His Troubling Stance on Disability courtesy the Poorer Side of Life”

Baroness Lister writing for PoliticsHome: The DWP recently published its annual estimate of fraud and error levels in the benefit system in Great Britain. ‘Official Error’ overpayments had increased from £0.8 billion to £1 billion – over half relating to universal credit. The cost of those mistakes is borne not by the DWP, but by … Continue reading “Baroness Lister: We must tackle the unfairness of debt caused by DWP mistakes”

the Guardian Rare second inquest hears that Jodey Whiting, 42, left notes saying she had no food and could not pay bills A disabled woman killed herself after her benefits were mistakenly stopped leaving notes saying she had no food, could not pay bills and was in “debt, debt, debt”. At a rare second inquest … Continue reading “Disabled woman killed herself after DWP mistakenly withdrew benefits”

threatens Labour’s PIP reforms Disabled people have been left ‘infuriated’ after having their Access to Work grants cut, while some face waiting lists of up to 14 months. The Government’s disability employment scheme has become a “fiasco” beset with payment delays, cuts to grants and year-long waits for support, The i Paper has been told. … Continue reading “” DWP work scheme ‘fiasco’”

Fifteen years ago, I co-founded Touretteshero as a creative response to the increasing impact that my tics were having on my life. I also started writing this blog. Over the years I’ve tackled some tricky topics, both personal and political. I’ve found the words to describe my changing mobility, reflect on the impact of increasing … Continue reading “A Career-Ending Decision? 23rd May”

John McDonnell the Guardian The local elections showed that voters feel betrayed. But in a party that brooks no dissent, that message isn’t getting through • John McDonnell was shadow chancellor for Labour from 2015 to 2020 Sat 3 May 2025 08.00 BST The response from Labour spokespeople so far to the loss of Runcorn … Continue reading “Labour alienated its core and failed to attract Reform voters. Now will Starmer change tack?”

Blue Annoyed – Labour will make work pay It should not be a shock that Nigel Farage and Reform romped home in Local Elections, the threat was made long ago when he was interviewed when he stated that “He did not need to destroy the Tories , but Labour were next” . He was ridiculed … Continue reading “Labours Failure to Read the Room”

– Living Through This Labour Government’s Benefits Cuts Is Brutal’ Cutting disability benefits will do nothing but heighten the scapegoating of disabled people once again – how can a Labour Government introduce such a punitive measure? Penny Pepper asks Penny Pepper 18 April 2025 I never thought I’d say it: Thatcher wasn’t this bad. Back … Continue reading “‘Disability, Illness and Impairment are the Norms of Human History”

New data shows cabinet ministers among MPs at risk as campaign to pressure government over proposed benefit cuts to step up Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor Mon 14 Apr 2025 05.00 BST Guardian At least 80 Labour MPs are at risk of losing their majorities over proposed welfare cuts, according to data shared between Labour … Continue reading “‘Electoral wake-up call’: dozens of Labour MPs risk losing majorities over welfare cuts”