I didn't know about this, but holy fuck that chills me.

Yes, exactly this. It's about people being able to make a decision - on an individual level - as to how *they* feel about continuing or otherwise.

Mother's Day (UK) 2020, just as lockdown was beginning. We persuaded the SSPCA to release King Henry from jail to our care. This was him when he came home ❤️

Evening

I must be hypnotising the bots :)

Yes, there is still a non means-tested sickness benefit but it's one rate, not linked to previous earnings as you used to get.

Until the early 90s, those who claimed Gov longterm sick benefits (Invalidity Benefit) were paid varying rates according to their NI conts. Stopped mid-1990s.

Once upon a time (and I'm old enough to remember it) that was one of the things NI was used for. The more you had paid, the higher your sickness benefit.

Really interesting piece (and nice that it's not paywalled). The basic rate of UC is pitifully low.

Those mad deep dives are what makes your podcast so special. I love hearing about connections I would never have otherwise known about.