Email from Peter Kyle MP & cabinet minister (Brighton)

Peter Kyle MP & cabinet minister (Brighton)
From:peter.kyle.mp@parliament.uk
To:XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Tue, 29 Apr at 15:28
Dear XXXXXX

Thank you for writing to me about the Government’s welfare spending announcements and for sharing your experience and worries. I do not want anyone to feel ignored on this and I want to state from the start that I want a welfare state that is there for all of us when we need it, now and in the future, that protects those most in need, and that delivers equality and dignity for all. There will always be some people who cannot work, and Labour will protect them.

If you are worried about your income, fear a loss of money or need more help please contact the Welfare Rights team at the council. You can phone them on 01273 291116 on Monday Tuesday Wednesday, 10am to 1pm or email anytime: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The charity St Luke's Advice Service is also excellent. Their website is: www.stlukesadviceservice.org.uk/welfare-benefit-advice/

By telling me your story and how changes will impact you means I can raise this at Government level. Liz Kendall’s aim in making changes is to reform the welfare system to make it more sustainable, protecting the most vulnerable, and supporting more people back into work.
There is a good explanation in this paper: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6...pathways-to-work.pdf
although I appreciate it is a long read.

I am very conscious of any changes which might impact anyone adversely and I continue to challenge the plans to ensure they will work. Please also note that that we are not taking forward the previous Government's changes to the Work Capability Assessment which will mean 370,000 people will now be eligible for the new UC health element at £50 per week and will gain £2,600 per year.

I have been sent many emails from constituents and I am in the process of meeting local charities who support those on benefits within our city. I want to understand their views on the changes and I want to ensure that this information is fed into the Government’s work.

I have also been in touch with national charities: Scope, Trussell, Mind, Citizens Advice and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in my bid to listen and learn.

I do not want anyone to feel ignored on this.

There is also a national consultation on the issue and I urge everyone to engage on this. There are virtual meetings as well as in-person. The details are here and hopefully you can pass this on: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/path...-working-green-paper

I’m very aware from my postbag that constituents are telling me that we need to ensure that the changes to PIP entitlement rules do not leave households in dire poverty. So I want to reassure you that I continue to look at this element and talk to Liz Kendall and Rachel Reeves.

Yours
Peter


Peter

Peter Kyle MP
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

01273 933380
Website: www.peterkyle.co.uk/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/peterkyle
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hoveandportslade