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Catherine Hale

@catherinehale.bsky.social
484 followers 273 following 149 posts

Founder, Disability Insight. Independent research and policy consultant on disability employment and social security. Founded Chronic Illness Inclusion. #pwME and survivor of medical abuse.

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Reposted by Catherine Hale
George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Here's today's column on the astonishing, ongoing mistreatment of people with #ME/CFS. Please spread it far and wide: the only thing which can break the media's wall of indifference is seeing an article about the issue go viral. Thank you. 1/2 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Abandoned, dismissed and gaslighted: there is no excuse for the way ME sufferers have been betrayed | George Monbiot
Changes in guidance and science seem to have little impact on millions of devastated lives. It’s a social crisis playing out behind closed doors, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Catherine Hale @catherinehale.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
c.org/Dq8ZP29tdm please sign
c.org
Sign the Petition
Axe the Jeremy Vine Show for pushing negative narratives against disabled people
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Disability Rights UK @disrightsuk.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Life as a Disabled person is expensive. That is not the fault of us, but a system that has in-built barriers that cost us more. The benefits system must reflect this, instead of being another barrier in our lives. Our Head of Policy, Fazilet Hadi, writes for The BMJ 📝 www.bmj.com/content/394/...
bmj.com
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Academic Audio Transcription Ltd @aat-transcribes.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Meet Catherine Hale. We helped Catherine transcribe seventeen 1-to-1 research interviews as part of her groundbreaking work on FlexPlus, helping policymakers better understand the needs of disabled working around flexible working. Want to join Catherine as one of our clients? Follow the QR code!
Meet Catherine. (To the right is a photo of Catherine, a smiling white woman wearing rectangular glasses with white shoulder-length hair, sitting against a teal blue background). 

We helped Catherine transcribe seventeen 1-to-1 research interviews as part of her data collection for the Flex Plus Project at King's College London, helping policymakers better understand the needs of disabled workers. We'd love to support your project too. 

Find out more (with an arrow pointing to a QR code which points to https://academicaudiotranscription.com). 

In the bottom left-hand corner is the company logo, a pair of hands over a sideways oriented speech bubble (as if a keyboard), and the words Academic Audio Transcription. 

In the background is a transparent photo of rainbow pastel-coloured paper cut out holes.
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Catherine Hale @catherinehale.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
We need to show rightwing newspapers that actions have consequences. Add your name: goodlawproject.org/s/abb8a1
goodlawproject.org
Jason Arday: Demand a public inquiry now | Good Law Project
Commission an immediate public inquiry into how to ensure a responsible press given its contribution to Dr Arday’s tragic death.
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Rick B @rickburgess.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
If you work in a university, particularly in social policy, mental health, disabilities, and especially if you integrate lived experience and expertise into your work, please have a read and share.
kcl.ac.uk
LEAB Personal Statement on the Genocide in Gaza
The Lived Experience Advisory Board is a group of people with living experience of mental distress and illness as well as professionals with a diverse range of skills, achievements, and…
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
The only research center in the United States focused on disabled parents may close soon due to loss of federal funding. New from me at @motherjones.com. “It is a profound setback for disability rights and family equity.” www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
The only research center for disabled parents is losing federal funding
Staff call it a "profound setback for disability rights and family equity."
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Louise Murphy @louisemurphy.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
The interim report of the Timms Review of PIP was published this morning, and its conclusion is stark: "PIP is not working." Here's a thread summarising what it says, and what we might expect from the final report in the autumn. 🧵
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Disability Rights UK @disrightsuk.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
🧾Next week, we will be giving evidence, alongside others, to the @commonswec.parliament.uk on their new inquiry: Equality at work: flexible working and disability 📅Wednesday 15th July, 2:20pm You will be able to watch live on: www.parliamentlive.tv/Committees
parliamentlive.tv
Parliamentlive.tv - Committees
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Dr Seth Thévoz @seththevoz.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
It never ceases to amaze me how many election pundits don’t understand the dynamics of First Past the Post, and how vote-splitting works under the UK’s electoral system. John Curtice does. Listen to John Curtice.
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Dr Rachel Clarke @drrachelclarke.com · 31/03/2026
🧵/ The NHS is about to undergo one of the most radical – and scandalous - changes in its history. From 1st April (the public are the fools in this), GPs will be contractually obliged to seek remote “advice & guidance” from hospital clinicians, making it even harder to see an NHS specialist.
Screenshot of Times piece with headline "Millions to be denied hospital referrals in drive to cut waiting lists."
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Disability News Service @johnpring.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Self-employed disabled people who seek support through the government’s Access to Work scheme are facing delays of up to 19 months for a decision on their claim, months longer than MPs were told in a Commons meeting earlier this month. www.disabilitynewsservice.com/self-employe...
disabilitynewsservice.com
Self-employed disabled people face waiting up to 19 months for Access to Work decisions, evidence shows
Self-employed disabled people who seek support through the government’s Access to Work scheme are facing delays of up to 19 months for a decision on their claim, months longer than MPs were told in…
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
#MEAction Scotland @meactionscotland.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
The DHSC paused action on commissioning a specialised service for very severe ME/CFS until April 2027 at earliest. This isn’t acceptable @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social! Sign up for our mailing list meaction.org.uk/sign-up for more news. #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #VerySevereME
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Carole Bruce @cabruce.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
The lack of education about #ME to HCPs is not an oversight, it is a carefully planned strategy by those who continue to undermine anyone or anything that might change things for #pwME Our own personal oligarchs maintaining and gaining power while we rot in our beds.
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Scribbler Pen @scribblerpen.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
🚨 Timms' Review of Personal Independence Payment #PIP: Call for Evidence. Closes 28 May 2026 #DWP #DisabilityBenefits www.gov.uk/government/c...
gov.uk
Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment: Call for Evidence
This Call for Evidence is being administered by DWP on behalf of the Timms Review steering group and seeks to gather feedback and insight relating to the areas outlined in the Terms of Reference of th...
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Dr Zara Bain @zaranosaur.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
If you’re hosting in-person-only academic conferences, may I say a hearty fuck you! Yours sincerely, An academic who pre-COVID needed remote access and couldn’t often get it with hugely marginalising impacts on my and others’ like me capacity to contribute to knowledge
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Catherine Hale @catherinehale.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Sue is half the reason I got into disability activism back in 2012 and still try to disrupt the status quo through my work today. This post is vintage Sue! @suey2y.bsky.social
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Sue Marsh @suey2y.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
It’s hard to explain to you how filthy politics is. So I thought I’d tell you how it got me to today's post : "The Sting-Op and "Bob's" Story" open.substack.com/pub/undercla... Please Read, share and subscribe for free.
open.substack.com
The Seaside Sting-Op
"Bob's" Story
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Natalya D @natalyad.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
The Public Accounts Committee seeks about #AccessToWork by 26 Feb. committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evi... Even a v short response with: * Main impairment needs and agreed AtW support * How you found accessing AtW (e.g. how quickly/easily) * Any issues you have ongoing with support is helpful!
committees.parliament.uk
Call for Evidence - Committees - UK Parliament
Submit written evidence to the inquiry: The Access to Work scheme
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Frances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
When ministers defended Starmer over Mandelson’s links to Epstein this week, they rushed to X - a platform that lets users strip photos of women and girls. Is it surely time for the government to log off X? And is social media too toxic for all of us? My col: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Given the toxicity of social media, a moral question now faces all of us: is it still ethical to use it? | Frances Ryan
With so many platforms rife with racism, misogyny and far-right rhetoric, there must be a point where decent people walk away, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Dr Zara Bain @zaranosaur.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
We've got an unexpected gap in our work queue due to shifting research schedules so if you've been keen to use our services to support your research, get in touch! If you include code 'BSKY13' with your message, we'll automatically deduct 13% if you book between now and end of Friday 13th!
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Sue Marsh @suey2y.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
He pushed me down the stairs! Today's Post : "Chuka's Story. The Heir to Blair" open.substack.com/pub/undercla... "We don’t want gloss from a front-man in a suit. We don’t want more broken promises. Cool Britannia closed shop following a corporate takeover by Brexit PLC." RT & Subscribe
open.substack.com
Chuka's Story
"The Heir to Blair"
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Sue Marsh @suey2y.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Pls read share and subscribe for free, for all the leadership shenanigans. underclass.substack.com/p/the-story-... #Burnham #Labour
underclass.substack.com
The Story of Two Andrews
It's my Party and I'll cry if I want to
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Craig Berry @craigpberry.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
The government wants to enhance contributory unemployment benefits - we’re good with that Contribution-based benefits can help the legitimacy of the welfare state. There is a catch though… www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Front cover of report available at https://assets.ctfassets.net/mfz4nbgura3g/7wu3LoA0AQwqvYQVfCiuQd/fb1919402e1775afa23d00cdd8d92e8c/Unemployment_Insurance_report_final_090126__1_.pdf
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Catherine Hale @catherinehale.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Energy limiting conditions are still largely missing from how we think about disability— despite how common they are. Here's my new explainer on ELCs, drawing together my previous research, thinking and practice. disabilityinsight.co.uk/about/what-a...
disabilityinsight.co.uk
What are energy-limiting conditions?
What are energy-limiting conditions? A core concept for disability inclusion policy and practice Energy Limiting Conditions (ELCs) describe a form of disability where energy production itself is im…
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Sue Marsh @suey2y.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Today's Post : "The Starmer Prophecy" Epilogue "..these Ladies of a certain Age and Experience know that leaders come and go. This one now seems unlikely to succeed" May 2023 open.substack.com/pub/undercla... Please read, share and subscribe for free
open.substack.com
The Starmer Prophecy
Epilogue
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Academic Audio Transcription Ltd @aat-transcribes.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Are you a sales specialist with a passion for social justice, research and accessibility seeking remote, flexible, part-time work? We're growing our team of sales and marketing assistants, offering 5-10 hours a week to join us connecting with our audience, crafting content, and converting leads.
academicaudiotranscription.com
Work with us - Academic Audio Transcription Ltd
We’re hiring for 2026 Sales & Marketing Assistant (Freelance Jobshare) x 1-2 Are you passionate about intersectional disability rights, disability justice, and accessibility? Do you love having…
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Sue Marsh @suey2y.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Today's Post : Rod's Story open.substack.com/pub/undercla... Have you ever wondered if the person serving you is being trafficked? No, nor had I. Until I met Rod. Please Read, share and subscribe
open.substack.com
Rod's Story
Modern Slavery?? In MY town?
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Sue Marsh @suey2y.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Today's Post : "The Addenbrookes Infection" How does a Trust become so toxic, it ends with a Letby or an AlderHey? Like this..... open.substack.com/pub/undercla... Please read, subscribe and share. We have to start hearing uncomfortable truths about the NHS, or we can't fix it.
open.substack.com
The Addenbrookes Infection
*Other Trusts may apply
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Catherine Hale @catherinehale.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
open.substack.com/pub/undercla... Sharing with Maeve’s mother @swastrosarah.bsky.social Via @suey2y.bsky.social
open.substack.com
Maeve's Story
"I was hungry and thirsty, were you there? Were you there?"
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Sue Marsh @suey2y.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Good news about Erasmus! Would you please boost my take on what it meant for poorer kids like me? @willblackwriter.bsky.social @haylesben.bsky.social @catherinehale.bsky.social @chrisbracken.bsky.social @stefbenstead.bsky.social @peterstefanovic.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/undercla...
open.substack.com
Erasmus' Story
"Travel the world and the seven seas......"
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Catherine Hale @catherinehale.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Thank you to @kingscsmh.bsky.social for the opportunity to respond to the recent Get Britain Working report by Sir Charlie Mayfield. I’ve looked specifically at how the recommendations could make a difference, or not, to disabled people who are locked out of employment due to inflexible job design
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Prof. Bethan Evans @drbevans.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
If anyone missed the launch event last week for our guidance on more inclusive workplaces for academics with ELC, the recording is now available on our website (along with the guidance) exhaustioneconomy.uk/guidance/ @alisonallam.bsky.social @catherinehale.bsky.social @equihealthfutures.bsky.social
exhaustioneconomy.uk
Guidance - Cripping the Exhaustion Economy
Cripping The Exhaustion Economy Radically Reimagining the Neoliberal Academy from the Sick Bed Guidance We have produced two guidance documents […]
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Catherine Hale @catherinehale.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
So excited to share our new article on energy limiting conditions (ELC) and energy impairment in @ijdsj.bsky.social with Anna Ruddock and Ana Be. Open access www.scienceopen.com/hosted-docum... It discusses the emancipatory research process that gave rise to these terms >>
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Louise Kenward @louisekenward.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Another great article from the brilliant work of @catherinehale.bsky.social & Chronic Illness Inclusion - paper from Catherine, Ana Bê & Anna Ruddock. #DisabilitySky International Journal of Disability & Social Justice. www.scienceopen.com/hosted-docum...
scienceopen.com
Introducing “Energy Limiting Conditions”: The Emergence and Evolution of a New Impairment Concept
<p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="first" dir="auto" id="d1540804e129">The terms “energy limiting condition” (ELC) and “energy impairment”locate the embodied e...
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Catherine Hale @catherinehale.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Great to hear a robust challenge to DWPs misleading stats on out of work benefits. Thank you as ever @benbgeiger.bsky.social
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LSE Blogs @lseblogs.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
The #UK Government would like to get more people who are currently on #disability benefits back to #work. But @catherinehale.bsky.social argues that the current labour market does not accommodate disabled people to return to work. Flex Plus jobs could be a way forward @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
Unlocking the workplace for disabled people – the case for Flex Plus jobs as a pathway to work - British Politics and Policy at LSE
The Government would like to get more people who are currently on disability benefits back to work. But Catherine Hale argues that the labour market in its current state is not fit to accommodate…
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
LSE British Politics and Policy @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
🌟New: The Government would like to get more people who are currently on disability #benefits back to work. But Catherine Hale‬ ‪(@catherinehale.bsky.social‬) argues that the labour market in its current state is not fit to accommodate disabled people wanting to return to #work. #GetBritainWorking
blogs.lse.ac.uk
Unlocking the workplace for disabled people – the case for Flex Plus jobs as a pathway to work - British Politics and Policy at LSE
The Government would like to get more people who are currently on disability benefits back to work. But Catherine Hale argues that the labour market in its current state is not fit to accommodate disa...
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Dr Zara Bain @zaranosaur.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
Have you signed up to @aat-transcribes.bsky.social’s researcher community mailing list? Last week’s mail-out covered recent research on disabled people in work and highlighted work from clients @theadhdacademic.bsky.social & @catherinehale.bsky.social academicaudiotranscription.com/improve-your...
academicaudiotranscription.com
Improve Your Transcripts - Academic Audio Transcription Ltd
Get the FREE guide on improving transcript accuracy through 9 simple tweaks to how you record your research.
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Reposted by Catherine Hale
Frances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
“There’s a longstanding practice in UK politics to force disabled people to fight for their basic rights – a kind of gladiatorial scrap in which the Colosseum is replaced by the set of Good Morning Britain.” Today’s col. on the fallout of more ‘welfare reform.’ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Disabled people want to live a full life. Instead, we’re forced to scrap over our right to food and a wash | Frances Ryan
Britain’s political and media class advocate policies that leave disabled people hungry and dirty. Why are we expected to settle for this, asks Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
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Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
I’m ashamed to live in a country that just passed a welfare bill condemning hundreds of thousands to deeper poverty and despair. I’m ashamed of a Labour government that refused to work WITH disabled people to build a benefits system based on dignity, not punishment. #BinUCBill
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Catherine Hale @catherinehale.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Proud to have contributed to work at the @kingscsmh.bsky.social that can inform an evidence based approach to reforming welfare and employment policy for disability and mental health. Yesterday’s debacle in parliament shows that pursuing cuts by spreadsheet is not the way forward.
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Paula Knight 🎨✒️♿ @paulaknight.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
I think I'll make a t-shirt with the words *these people* on. Because that's what right-wing nondisabled people use to refer to disabled people - as if it will never happen to them, as if 'these people' are other. Good luck with that. #Disability #StopTheCuts
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Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Breaking - Labour is speaking to rebels about more concessions to secure the vote tonight. Let me clear as a disabled person who is sometimes dependent on state benefits and a clinician: there are no concessions that can make us feel safe in an unconsulted process #TakingThePIP
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Helen Barnard @helenbarnard.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
As MPs vote on massive cuts to Universal Credit & PIP today, they should bear in mind: - This does not have public support - This is not the change the public voted for - The public don't believe the only way to meet fiscal challenges is to make disabled people poorer and iller
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Fiona Robertson @fionaswriting.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
EMERGENCY CALL OUT: DISABLED PEOPLE HAVE TEN DAYS BEFORE THE DISABILITY CUTS ARE VOTED ON IN PARLIAMENT WE NEED A REBELLION I am begging, even if you think there's no point, even if you have tried before, please contact your MP and ask them to vote against the cuts on the 1st. FB link in reply.
Fiona Robertson

EMERGENCY CALL OUT: DISABLED PEOPLE

HAVE TEN DAYS BEFORE THE DISABILITY CUTS VOTED ON IN PARLIAMENT

WE NEED A REBELLION

I am begging, even if you think there's no point, even if you have tried before, please contact your MP and ask them to vote against the cuts on the 1st.

If they are Labour, this is vital:

If they are already against the cuts, please write to support them. They will be under enomous pressure from the party and need to know we are grateful, and will defend them against attacks.

If they're pro-cuts, tell them they have betrayed everything Labour was meant to represent, and their ideological crusade is just eugenics. Tell them these are cuts even the Tories didn't dare make and the myth that there's no money in one of the richest countries on earth doesn't fly anymore.And if they're swithering or quiet, these are the most important - tell them they have a chance to be heroes of the Labour movement. Tell them rebellion is a duty and they will be supported and lauded. Tell them this is their chance to take a real stand for the people and yes, Rayner is threatening reprisals but this is the essence of labour solidarity - we stand together as a collective because they can't fire everyone. Don't be the weak link. And then maybe tell them if they do vote for the cuts, you'll spend what's left of your life fighting to get them deselected.

If they are Tories, make the obvious economic case that the loss of people from the workforce to provide care for people who no longer qualify for support, the cost of increased emergency and exacerbated conditions, etc, will cost far more than it could save.

Lib Dems and the SNP should be on board anyway, but write with support and fear. They still need to hear it.Reform... Well. They'll likely vote against as part of their current manipulative 'no really we're friends to disabled people, please ignore our plans to privatise health and social care and do far worse cuts than this to the support you rely on oh and you'll have no legal human rights to challenge any of it'. But probably worth telling them making Labour look bad is possible.

If you can get a meeting with your MP, zoom or in person, even better. But please write. You can use the wonderful site Write To Them (just search those words)

Look at Disability Rights UK and DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts) for information and statistics you can use the comments as I find them. I'll link some in

Our lives depend on this. Please help us.
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Dr Jay Watts @shrinkatlarge.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
🧵 NEW: APPG on Poverty and Inequality's response to the Pathways to Work Green Paper reveals SHOCKING evidence - disabled households face £1,067 extra costs monthly (67% of income) yet government plans devastating cuts that will push 400,000 into poverty. Thread👇#TakingThePIP
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Maike Osborne @maosbot.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
Learning about myalgic encephalomyelitis really changed me. The full depth of suffering associated with this horrific illness is right out in the open for anyone to read about and/or to develop themselves, and our society seems to have decided to address the problem solely by stigmatising patients
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Frances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Nearly half a million people in disabled households will be forced into severe hardship if the disability benefit cuts go ahead, new research by @trusselluk.bsky.social shows. No MP who votes for this can pretend they don’t know. www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
trussell.org.uk
Nearly half a million people in disabled households will be forced into severe hardship if UK government goes ahead with cuts to social security | Trussell
Hundreds of thousands of people will be pushed into severe hardship if government goes ahead with ‘cruel’ cuts to disability payments.
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