Emma
@epickirbz.bsky.social
Supporting people with 🔵 ME/CFS, 🟣 Fibromyalgia & 🟢🩶 Long Covid |✊ Unapologetically Socialist | ⚖️ Benefits Wizardry in action | ♿ Disabled & Proud | 🧠 SpLD + ADHD | ⚡ Endometriosis | 🌀 Hypermobile | 🐈 Ginger cat sidekick |📍 Sheffield based | ❤️ Leeds made
They say we can’t afford to support disabled people.
But they’ve found £73 billion to hand to private landlords between 2024 and 2029.
They claim they need to make £5 billion in “savings”, so they take it from disabled people instead of introducing rent caps or building council homes. #TakingthePIP
But they’ve found £73 billion to hand to private landlords between 2024 and 2029.
They claim they need to make £5 billion in “savings”, so they take it from disabled people instead of introducing rent caps or building council homes. #TakingthePIP
June 29, 2025 at 11:47 AM
They say we can’t afford to support disabled people.
But they’ve found £73 billion to hand to private landlords between 2024 and 2029.
They claim they need to make £5 billion in “savings”, so they take it from disabled people instead of introducing rent caps or building council homes. #TakingthePIP
But they’ve found £73 billion to hand to private landlords between 2024 and 2029.
They claim they need to make £5 billion in “savings”, so they take it from disabled people instead of introducing rent caps or building council homes. #TakingthePIP
My Hot Take:
We don’t need to thank MPs for signing an amendment that stops disabled people being pushed further into poverty. That’s not allyship, that’s doing the bare minimum of their job.
If it takes public pressure for you to defend our rights, you're part of the problem.
We don’t need to thank MPs for signing an amendment that stops disabled people being pushed further into poverty. That’s not allyship, that’s doing the bare minimum of their job.
If it takes public pressure for you to defend our rights, you're part of the problem.
June 26, 2025 at 10:33 PM
My Hot Take:
We don’t need to thank MPs for signing an amendment that stops disabled people being pushed further into poverty. That’s not allyship, that’s doing the bare minimum of their job.
If it takes public pressure for you to defend our rights, you're part of the problem.
We don’t need to thank MPs for signing an amendment that stops disabled people being pushed further into poverty. That’s not allyship, that’s doing the bare minimum of their job.
If it takes public pressure for you to defend our rights, you're part of the problem.
Thread: The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. Here’s a breakdown of what it does.
June 20, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Thread: The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. Here’s a breakdown of what it does.
In April I submitted an FOI request to DWP asking how disabled people can access forms and communication by email.
They missed the deadline. Then ignored the internal review request.
It’s now with the ICO.
#DisabilityRights #FOI #AccessToWork #PIP #DWP #ReasonableAdjustments #EqualityAct
They missed the deadline. Then ignored the internal review request.
It’s now with the ICO.
#DisabilityRights #FOI #AccessToWork #PIP #DWP #ReasonableAdjustments #EqualityAct
June 20, 2025 at 12:24 PM
In April I submitted an FOI request to DWP asking how disabled people can access forms and communication by email.
They missed the deadline. Then ignored the internal review request.
It’s now with the ICO.
#DisabilityRights #FOI #AccessToWork #PIP #DWP #ReasonableAdjustments #EqualityAct
They missed the deadline. Then ignored the internal review request.
It’s now with the ICO.
#DisabilityRights #FOI #AccessToWork #PIP #DWP #ReasonableAdjustments #EqualityAct
DWP has released internal PIP & WCA training docs on Fibromyalgia & Long Covid after an FOI request.
They’ve redacted parts under Section 31 (crime prevention).
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/free...
#DisabilityRights #FOI #PIP #WCA #LongCovid #Fibromyalgia #WelfareReform #DWP
They’ve redacted parts under Section 31 (crime prevention).
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/free...
#DisabilityRights #FOI #PIP #WCA #LongCovid #Fibromyalgia #WelfareReform #DWP
Freedom of Information Request: PIP Core Training and Guidance (TAG) Materials on Fibromyalgia and Long Covid - a Freedom of Information request to Department for Work and Pensions
Dear Department for Work and Pensions,
I am making a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Please provide the following information:
A copy of the most recent PIP Core Training and Gui...
www.whatdotheyknow.com
June 20, 2025 at 12:21 PM
DWP has released internal PIP & WCA training docs on Fibromyalgia & Long Covid after an FOI request.
They’ve redacted parts under Section 31 (crime prevention).
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/free...
#DisabilityRights #FOI #PIP #WCA #LongCovid #Fibromyalgia #WelfareReform #DWP
They’ve redacted parts under Section 31 (crime prevention).
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/free...
#DisabilityRights #FOI #PIP #WCA #LongCovid #Fibromyalgia #WelfareReform #DWP
Access to Work have refused my reconsideration, again by post, despite requesting email. I sent medical evidence. I work for a DPO. Their own assessor backed support. Still refused. This scheme is failing disabled people. I’m exhausted. And I know I’m not the only one. #AccessToWork #AtW
June 16, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Access to Work have refused my reconsideration, again by post, despite requesting email. I sent medical evidence. I work for a DPO. Their own assessor backed support. Still refused. This scheme is failing disabled people. I’m exhausted. And I know I’m not the only one. #AccessToWork #AtW
This is not a coherent anti-poverty strategy. It is crisis management.
Calling it “resilience” suggests the problem is people not coping, rather than a broken system pushing people into poverty in the first place.
This is not resilience. It is survival.
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Calling it “resilience” suggests the problem is people not coping, rather than a broken system pushing people into poverty in the first place.
This is not resilience. It is survival.
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Labour reveals £1bn plan to replace household support fund for poorest families
Labour laid out plans to spend £1bn a year replacing the household support fund with a new crisis and resilience fund at the spending review.
www.bigissue.com
June 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
This is not a coherent anti-poverty strategy. It is crisis management.
Calling it “resilience” suggests the problem is people not coping, rather than a broken system pushing people into poverty in the first place.
This is not resilience. It is survival.
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Calling it “resilience” suggests the problem is people not coping, rather than a broken system pushing people into poverty in the first place.
This is not resilience. It is survival.
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Can we talk about the fact the gov wants to scrap a benefit that’s existed for over 100 years?
New Style ESA & JSA are based on NI contributions. They're being replaced by short-term insurance. Not if, just how short. A quiet attack on workers' rights.
#WelfareNotWarfare #WorkersRights
New Style ESA & JSA are based on NI contributions. They're being replaced by short-term insurance. Not if, just how short. A quiet attack on workers' rights.
#WelfareNotWarfare #WorkersRights
June 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Can we talk about the fact the gov wants to scrap a benefit that’s existed for over 100 years?
New Style ESA & JSA are based on NI contributions. They're being replaced by short-term insurance. Not if, just how short. A quiet attack on workers' rights.
#WelfareNotWarfare #WorkersRights
New Style ESA & JSA are based on NI contributions. They're being replaced by short-term insurance. Not if, just how short. A quiet attack on workers' rights.
#WelfareNotWarfare #WorkersRights
Missing the March, Not the Movement. Join the online protest on 7 June 2025 at 12pm if you can’t attend in London. Post about disability rights and welfare cuts using #WelfareNotWarfare #TakingThePIP #StopTheCuts #TaxTheRich #DisabilityRebellion
June 3, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Missing the March, Not the Movement. Join the online protest on 7 June 2025 at 12pm if you can’t attend in London. Post about disability rights and welfare cuts using #WelfareNotWarfare #TakingThePIP #StopTheCuts #TaxTheRich #DisabilityRebellion
DWP released new PIP assessor training on ME/CFS—but redacted over 40 pages on due to possible benefit fraud.
Review requested.
No updated training for Fibro or Long Covid either. Transparency matters.
FOI: www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/3023...
#ME #CFS #DWP #PIP #HAAS #training
Review requested.
No updated training for Fibro or Long Covid either. Transparency matters.
FOI: www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/3023...
#ME #CFS #DWP #PIP #HAAS #training
www.whatdotheyknow.com
May 21, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Apathy isn’t harmless. It gives permission for injustice to carry on unchecked.
Sign the petitions, email your MP, join the Mass Lobby.
bit.ly/m/Stop-the-c...
Sign the petitions, email your MP, join the Mass Lobby.
bit.ly/m/Stop-the-c...
May 20, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Apathy isn’t harmless. It gives permission for injustice to carry on unchecked.
Sign the petitions, email your MP, join the Mass Lobby.
bit.ly/m/Stop-the-c...
Sign the petitions, email your MP, join the Mass Lobby.
bit.ly/m/Stop-the-c...
Reposted by Emma
This is not just another petition. It's an official UK Government petition — at 10,000 signatures they must respond, at 100,000 it must be considered for debate. Let's speak out, together.
#DisabilityRights #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs
#DisabilityRights #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs
Petition: Abandon DWP Pathways to Work Green Paper & create National Disability Strategy
The DWP Green Paper Pathways to Work proposes what we think are devastating cuts to disability benefits. We think the Government must drop these proposals and instead begin a process of co-production ...
petition.parliament.uk
May 1, 2025 at 9:53 PM
This is not just another petition. It's an official UK Government petition — at 10,000 signatures they must respond, at 100,000 it must be considered for debate. Let's speak out, together.
#DisabilityRights #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs
#DisabilityRights #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs
Resharing to encourage more to sign!
The DWP’s ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper proposes devastating cuts to disability benefits. This isn’t support — it’s coercion. We need a system built with disabled people, not imposed on them. Sign the official petition today
#ScrapTheGreenPaper
#ScrapTheGreenPaper
Petition: Abandon DWP Pathways to Work Green Paper & create National Disability Strategy
The DWP Green Paper Pathways to Work proposes what we think are devastating cuts to disability benefits. We think the Government must drop these proposals and instead begin a process of co-production ...
petition.parliament.uk
May 8, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Resharing to encourage more to sign!
Reposted by Emma
The DWP’s ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper proposes devastating cuts to disability benefits. This isn’t support — it’s coercion. We need a system built with disabled people, not imposed on them. Sign the official petition today
#ScrapTheGreenPaper
#ScrapTheGreenPaper
Petition: Abandon DWP Pathways to Work Green Paper & create National Disability Strategy
The DWP Green Paper Pathways to Work proposes what we think are devastating cuts to disability benefits. We think the Government must drop these proposals and instead begin a process of co-production ...
petition.parliament.uk
May 1, 2025 at 9:53 PM
The DWP’s ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper proposes devastating cuts to disability benefits. This isn’t support — it’s coercion. We need a system built with disabled people, not imposed on them. Sign the official petition today
#ScrapTheGreenPaper
#ScrapTheGreenPaper
Join us at Sheffield ME & Fibro Group’s AGM with guest speaker Dr Michelle Bull (Physios for ME), sharing insights incl. Norway’s ME/Long Covid conference.
🕒 2:15pm start (Zoom opens 2:05pm)
Register: bit.ly/SMEFG-AGM-2025
#MEcfs #LongCovid #Physiotherapy
🕒 2:15pm start (Zoom opens 2:05pm)
Register: bit.ly/SMEFG-AGM-2025
#MEcfs #LongCovid #Physiotherapy
May 8, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Join us at Sheffield ME & Fibro Group’s AGM with guest speaker Dr Michelle Bull (Physios for ME), sharing insights incl. Norway’s ME/Long Covid conference.
🕒 2:15pm start (Zoom opens 2:05pm)
Register: bit.ly/SMEFG-AGM-2025
#MEcfs #LongCovid #Physiotherapy
🕒 2:15pm start (Zoom opens 2:05pm)
Register: bit.ly/SMEFG-AGM-2025
#MEcfs #LongCovid #Physiotherapy
If Access to Work is cut, small charities lose staff. Communities lose vital services.
📊 26% of charity workers are disabled
💸 34% of small charities have no reserves
🌍 £20bn+ social value at risk
It’s not saving — it’s sacrifice.
#AccessToWork #SmallCharities #Inclusion #AtW #VoluntarySector
📊 26% of charity workers are disabled
💸 34% of small charities have no reserves
🌍 £20bn+ social value at risk
It’s not saving — it’s sacrifice.
#AccessToWork #SmallCharities #Inclusion #AtW #VoluntarySector
Second wave of cuts could lead to ‘decimation’ of Access to Work scheme, but DWP refuses to comment
The Labour government has launched a new cost-cutting drive aimed at Access to Work, which insiders fear could destroy the scheme and lead to disabled people being forced to quit their jobs. Leaked…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
May 8, 2025 at 10:13 PM
If Access to Work is cut, small charities lose staff. Communities lose vital services.
📊 26% of charity workers are disabled
💸 34% of small charities have no reserves
🌍 £20bn+ social value at risk
It’s not saving — it’s sacrifice.
#AccessToWork #SmallCharities #Inclusion #AtW #VoluntarySector
📊 26% of charity workers are disabled
💸 34% of small charities have no reserves
🌍 £20bn+ social value at risk
It’s not saving — it’s sacrifice.
#AccessToWork #SmallCharities #Inclusion #AtW #VoluntarySector
The very thing the government claims to want — pushing more disabled people into employment — is undermined by their own actions.
#AccessToWork #DWP #Disability
www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
#AccessToWork #DWP #Disability
www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
The DWP has tried to hide major changes to a grant scheme for disabled people
A whistleblower has exposed DWP plans for changes to the Access to Work scheme - ones that it hasn't made public yet
www.thecanary.co
May 7, 2025 at 12:24 PM
The very thing the government claims to want — pushing more disabled people into employment — is undermined by their own actions.
#AccessToWork #DWP #Disability
www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
#AccessToWork #DWP #Disability
www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
The DWP’s ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper proposes devastating cuts to disability benefits. This isn’t support — it’s coercion. We need a system built with disabled people, not imposed on them. Sign the official petition today
#ScrapTheGreenPaper
#ScrapTheGreenPaper
Petition: Abandon DWP Pathways to Work Green Paper & create National Disability Strategy
The DWP Green Paper Pathways to Work proposes what we think are devastating cuts to disability benefits. We think the Government must drop these proposals and instead begin a process of co-production ...
petition.parliament.uk
May 1, 2025 at 9:53 PM
The DWP’s ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper proposes devastating cuts to disability benefits. This isn’t support — it’s coercion. We need a system built with disabled people, not imposed on them. Sign the official petition today
#ScrapTheGreenPaper
#ScrapTheGreenPaper
18 weeks waiting for an Access to Work reconsideration. I also submitted a complaint about delays and poor communication—exhausted in Jan and escalated to ICE in Feb. Still no update. These delays are putting my job at risk. Ombudsman next.
#AccessToWork #DisabilityRights #DWP #DisabilitySupport
#AccessToWork #DisabilityRights #DWP #DisabilitySupport
April 19, 2025 at 11:57 AM
18 weeks waiting for an Access to Work reconsideration. I also submitted a complaint about delays and poor communication—exhausted in Jan and escalated to ICE in Feb. Still no update. These delays are putting my job at risk. Ombudsman next.
#AccessToWork #DisabilityRights #DWP #DisabilitySupport
#AccessToWork #DisabilityRights #DWP #DisabilitySupport
A real alternative to Labour in the local #Doncaster Elections in May.
For trade unionists, anti-cuts campaigners, community activists, socialists and anyone seeking a working-class alternative to establishment parties.
www.tusc.org.uk/21300/18-12-...
For trade unionists, anti-cuts campaigners, community activists, socialists and anyone seeking a working-class alternative to establishment parties.
www.tusc.org.uk/21300/18-12-...
April 13, 2025 at 12:46 PM
A real alternative to Labour in the local #Doncaster Elections in May.
For trade unionists, anti-cuts campaigners, community activists, socialists and anyone seeking a working-class alternative to establishment parties.
www.tusc.org.uk/21300/18-12-...
For trade unionists, anti-cuts campaigners, community activists, socialists and anyone seeking a working-class alternative to establishment parties.
www.tusc.org.uk/21300/18-12-...
Disabled people who can walk short distances shouldn’t be afraid to park in a disabled space and walk into a store.
Wheelchair users shouldn’t fear standing up or moving their legs.
Disabled people shouldn’t feel anxious about using a cane only on their bad days.
Wheelchair users shouldn’t fear standing up or moving their legs.
Disabled people shouldn’t feel anxious about using a cane only on their bad days.
April 12, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Disabled people who can walk short distances shouldn’t be afraid to park in a disabled space and walk into a store.
Wheelchair users shouldn’t fear standing up or moving their legs.
Disabled people shouldn’t feel anxious about using a cane only on their bad days.
Wheelchair users shouldn’t fear standing up or moving their legs.
Disabled people shouldn’t feel anxious about using a cane only on their bad days.
125 days since I submitted my request for a reconsideration on my Access to Work claim.
#accesstowork #dwp #delays #Atw
#accesstowork #dwp #delays #Atw
April 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
125 days since I submitted my request for a reconsideration on my Access to Work claim.
#accesstowork #dwp #delays #Atw
#accesstowork #dwp #delays #Atw
I was clutching my pearls for a while there! Legal firms incl. Leigh Day, PLP & Bhatt Murphy are exploring action against £4.5bn PIP cuts + more.
Some measures won’t even be consulted on – just rammed through (4 points rule).
I’ve been hoping this would happen.
#StopTheCuts
#BenefitCuts
#CutsKill
Some measures won’t even be consulted on – just rammed through (4 points rule).
I’ve been hoping this would happen.
#StopTheCuts
#BenefitCuts
#CutsKill
At least three legal firms are examining ways in which they could support disabled people and their organisations to challenge some of the government’s proposed cuts to disability benefits in the courts.
#PathwaysToWork #WelfareNotWarfare
#PathwaysToWork #WelfareNotWarfare
Three firms of solicitors working with disabled people on possible benefit cuts legal cases
At least three legal firms are examining ways in which they could support disabled people and their organisations to challenge some of the government’s proposed cuts to disability benefits in the c…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
April 11, 2025 at 10:25 AM
I was clutching my pearls for a while there! Legal firms incl. Leigh Day, PLP & Bhatt Murphy are exploring action against £4.5bn PIP cuts + more.
Some measures won’t even be consulted on – just rammed through (4 points rule).
I’ve been hoping this would happen.
#StopTheCuts
#BenefitCuts
#CutsKill
Some measures won’t even be consulted on – just rammed through (4 points rule).
I’ve been hoping this would happen.
#StopTheCuts
#BenefitCuts
#CutsKill
In light Green Paper and "Welfare reform" and the increasing barriers to accessing support, there are a number of petitions that may be of interest. To prevent diluting our voices I urge you to sign all of them.
These petitions call for urgent reforms and protections, including:
These petitions call for urgent reforms and protections, including:
April 10, 2025 at 11:49 PM
In light Green Paper and "Welfare reform" and the increasing barriers to accessing support, there are a number of petitions that may be of interest. To prevent diluting our voices I urge you to sign all of them.
These petitions call for urgent reforms and protections, including:
These petitions call for urgent reforms and protections, including:
123 days since I submitted my #AccessToWork reconsideration.
Applied: 26 Apr 2024
Assessed: 20 Nov 2024
Reconsideration sent: 7 Dec 2024
Still waiting. No updates.
#DWP delays are leaving disabled workers without the tools we need.
#DisabilityRights #WorkAndDisability #AccessToWorkFail
Applied: 26 Apr 2024
Assessed: 20 Nov 2024
Reconsideration sent: 7 Dec 2024
Still waiting. No updates.
#DWP delays are leaving disabled workers without the tools we need.
#DisabilityRights #WorkAndDisability #AccessToWorkFail
April 9, 2025 at 8:39 PM
123 days since I submitted my #AccessToWork reconsideration.
Applied: 26 Apr 2024
Assessed: 20 Nov 2024
Reconsideration sent: 7 Dec 2024
Still waiting. No updates.
#DWP delays are leaving disabled workers without the tools we need.
#DisabilityRights #WorkAndDisability #AccessToWorkFail
Applied: 26 Apr 2024
Assessed: 20 Nov 2024
Reconsideration sent: 7 Dec 2024
Still waiting. No updates.
#DWP delays are leaving disabled workers without the tools we need.
#DisabilityRights #WorkAndDisability #AccessToWorkFail