The Whip

The news at 12 o'Clock, with Matt Fletcher.

The Government has published proposals

for its new Independence Credit scheme,

which it intends to launch by the end of the year.

But campaigners have criticised the reforms,

which could see a significant reduction

in financial support offered to carers

and those with disabilities.

Politics Now's Laura Ashworth said that the scheme risked

leaving many vulnerable people worse off.

The fact is that under these cruel proposals

There you go.

People with disabilities

will see a significant reduction in real term income,

with no way to make up the shortfall.

Thousands of vulnerable people

will lose a valuable lifeline, and essentially

They'll be here soon.

Be hung out to dry.

But with its Commons majority at risk

in the upcoming Wrexham by-election,

the Work and Pensions Secretary Harriet Noble

has insisted that the scheme is a priority

for the government, delivering on its manifesto pledge

to put ability back into disability.

Okay.

My name's Barbara Wilson,

and I'm a clinical nurse specialist

and medical professional,

and will be carrying out your PIP assessment today.

You are Eleanor Baxter

Emily.

Excuse me?

My name is Emily.

Emily, of course.

And I assume that makes you her carer?

That's right.

And your name is?

Sadie.

And what relationship are you to the claimant?

I'm Emily's sister.

I'm going to ask you a few questions

about your day-to-day routine.

This isn't a medical examination,

just an overview of your conditions

to help us determine where you struggle, is that alright?

But first of all, could you tell me a little bit

about her condition?

I mean, she's right here, you can ask her yourself.

Yes, of course.

Go on!

Well, I-I had a cardiac arrest in my early 20s

which led to a brain injury.

And how did you manage to do that?

Excuse me?

Your injury; How did you manage to do that?

Well, the cardiac arrest was genetic,

and the brain injury was a result of that.

Now, according to my records you've requested

that this assessment should be done in your own home.

Can you tell me whether your condition hinders your ability

to travel?

Well, yeah, I've got some mobility issues.

Mobility issues.

And in what other ways does your condition affect you?

Um, I have short-term memory loss,

and I get tired really easily.

I have problems with my balance,

and my hands shake which makes typing

and writing difficult.

And tell me, have you ever tried harming yourself,

or suicide?

No!

Jesus.

Have you ever considered it?

No!

You'll receive a letter detailing the decision

in the next four weeks, but if she's deemed fit for work

Fit for work?

Were you even paying attention in there?

I'll remind you Miss Baxter that the purpose

of this assessment is to help us make a decision

regarding her abilities.

Hm.

But if she is found fit for work,

you'll be able to apply for a mandatory reconsideration.

Oh, good, more bureaucracy.

And what happens

if this Independence Credit thing

goes ahead?

Well, that's for the government to decide,

but it's likely that the claimant

would have to undergo a separate reassessment.

Another one?

Do you have any idea how exhausting Emily finds

having to do these things every couple of years?

Oh, I'm quite aware.

Or whenever somebody decides

to streamline the system again?

Well...

Look, it's stressful enough

without the threat of sanctions.

Would you really not able to use today's appointment

to decide if she's eligible?

Assuming the scheme goes ahead,

it would be likely to be judged

on a different set of criteria.

Of course it would.

Well, I'm sure you'll appreciate how important it is

that we make sure that financial support

gets to the right people.

Hm, yeah, of course.

Like the shareholders of whichever outsourcing company it is

you work for.

Thank you very much for your time,

and you'll be hearing from us soon.

So in essence, the Independence Credit scheme

spearheads the Government's initiative

to overhaul the existing benefits system

for full time carers and their families.

Instead of a wide variety of sources,

many of which are redundant, thus encouraging wasteful,

wasteful spending, Independence Credit consolidates

the existing benefits and credits

into a single monthly payment.

The relevant departments will introduce

a streamlined application system,

which eliminates the need to apply

to multiple government departments,

both on a national and local level;

It-it-it cuts through red tape,

and it denies undeserved access

to entitlement programmes to those who are just looking

for a free ride.

In order to make the, the process more accessible,

those who require Independence Credit

will be able to apply via the brand new app,

which will soon be available from the App Store.

The App S-the App Store?

E-government in action.

Now, I know you hear all sort of hysterical protest

and terrifying spin

from the opposition's so-called activists,

but let me reassure you,

Independence Credit has been designed with the utmost care,

and no one will be left out.

Does anyone have any questions?

How will this affect benefits?

Ah, yes, yes!

I- I-I-I can answer that.

Not with any specific figures,

but according to the calculations

of the departmental boffins,

you will be significantly better off than

under the existing system.

In fact, detailed proposals are published later this week,

so you'll be able to see for yourself

just how much better off you will be.

This proposal is in complete accordance

with our election manifesto:

"To put ability back into disability."

Honestly, who comes up with this bollocks?

How do you put ability back into disability?

It was a manifesto pledge which I'll remind you,

you were elected on.

It's a nonsense statement, is what it is.

It's one of Damian's diarrhetic brainstorms, no doubt.

Do you know one good thing

about being a government minister?

£150,000 a year and a ministerial car?

It's the one job where you're guaranteed to get fired.

Personally, I can't wait for the day

that he succumbs to his own stench.

And then, they complain that I don't have the figures.

Well, of course, I don't have the figures,

they don't give government ministers the figures,

because we always mess them up.

All I get, are five pages of key phrases

that must be included, otherwise the message calendar

will be 'inaudible, '

or whatever it was they said at the meeting,

I can't remember.

Well either way, I don't think they got it.

Of course, they didn't get it.

They're not supposed to get it.

If they got it, they'd be furious.

Oh, I'm sorry, Nicole, sorry, I'm sorry,

I- I, I'm, I'm venting.

What have you got planned for tomorrow?

You have a briefing

at 10:30 about the Rawalpindi trip, and

Where?

Rawalpindi.

It's in Pakistan.

Right. Got it.

Then you have the Radio 4 interview at noon,

and you're on a conference call with the Moldovans at 2:00.

Oh, yes, yes.

The one trade deal to rule them all.

Shall I schedule another consultation