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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People

@gmcdp.bsky.social
721 followers 431 following 87 posts

Disabled People's Organisation (100% exec & staff are disabled people working from Social Model of Disability & Disability Justice) #RightsNotCharity gmcdp.com

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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
See you tomorrow (Sat 22nd Aug) 1 - 4pm. Bembe Cafe Pavilion in Alexandra Park M16 Weather is sunny intervals and light winds, 20 C, no rain and no heatwave! You are welcome to bring picnic rugs and your own food, we will also provide food.
Disability Pride flag colours and text GMCDP Disability Justice Picnic - Disability Pride Weekend
Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (BST)

Bembe Cafe
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
GM Disability Justice Picnic 1-4pm, Saturday 22nd August Alexandra Park Pavilion & Cafe M16 8PJ Food, Drink, games, socialising, open mic.
GM Disability Justice Picnic
1-4pm, Saturday 22nd August
Alexandra Park Pavilion & Cafe M16 8PJ
Food, Drink, games, socialising, open mic.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Hope to see you there @bevcraig.bsky.social We have British Sign Language, and personal care assistants to make it fully accessible.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Together with @acornunion.bsky.social and GM Living Income, GMCDP are holding a GM Mayoral hustings with particular focus on the Cost of Living. Ascension Church Hulme, 282 Stretford Road, M15 5TQ Tues 28th July, 6-8pm. Do They Deserve Your Vote? Register here actionnetwork.org/events/cost-...
actionnetwork.org
Cost of Living GM Mayoral Hustings
Food, rent, and other basics of life continue to be a huge burden for millions of people across Greater Manchester. The cost of living is too high, and wages have failed to keep up. Three organisatio...
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
The Greater Manchester Social Care Commission was set up so that people with lived experience and people in the social care system could talk about improving adult social care. ●Accessible Information and Communication ●Social Care Charging ●Advocacy gmdisabledpeoplespanel.com/gm-social-ca...
gmdisabledpeoplespanel.com
GM Social Care Commission
The Greater Manchester Social Care Commission was set up so that people with lived experience and people in the social care system could talk about improving adult social care. We looked at the pro…
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Right to Food Commission Monday 8th June 1:00 - 2:30pm • Zoom Shape what a new Right to Food law should look like! Book now! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/right-to-f...
eventbrite.co.uk
Right to Food Commission
The Right To Food UK Commission will shine a light on the unacceptable nature of food insecurity in Britain & map out solutions.
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Reposted by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
Manchester Disabled People Against Cuts @mdpac.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Friday afternoon 29th May Resisting Disabled Activist Burnout at Ellen Wilkinson Building Room AG.3/4 University of Manchester www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/resisting-...
eventbrite.co.uk
Resisting Disabled Activist Burnout
Join our hybrid event to share research, stories, and ideas on how to resist activist burnout and support each other as a community.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Right to Food Commission Monday 8th June 1:00 - 2:30pm • Zoom Shape what a new Right to Food law should look like! Book now! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/right-to-f...
eventbrite.co.uk
Right to Food Commission
The Right To Food UK Commission will shine a light on the unacceptable nature of food insecurity in Britain & map out solutions.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Voting in the local elections on 7 May? You need photo ID to vote in a polling station. Your ID can be out of date as long as the photo still looks like you. Find the full list of accepted ID here: electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID #LocalElections
electoralcommission.org.uk
Voter ID
You need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
So often the concurrent conditions and symptoms are siloed and get ignored due to lack of awareness. #HNDay #HypermobilityNeurodivergenceDay #HypermobilityNeurodivergenceAwarenessDay Check out for more info www.sedsconnective.org
sedsconnective.org
SEDSConnective | Hypermobility, EDS & Neurodivergence Charity
SEDSConnective is a user-led charity supporting people with hypermobility, EDS/HSD and neurodivergent conditions through community, resources and advocacy.
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Reposted by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
Alliance for Inclusive Education (ALLFIE) @allfieuk.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Join ALLFIE's launch of a regional Movement for Inclusive Education, in collaboration with @gmcdp.bsky.social, on 30th April 2026📣 Disabled people organising for justice, liberation & systemic change. Join us online or in person in Manchester: eventbrite.co.uk/e/build-incl... #EducateDontSegregate
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
#EducateDontSegregate #InclusiveEducation Join us in-person or online for the launch of a regional Movement for Inclusive Education in Manchester. Thursday, 30 April 2026 11:30am - 6pm International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Manchester M1 5BY www.allfie.org.uk/events/build...
Join us in-person or online for the launch of a regional Movement for Inclusive Education in Manchester.

Thursday, 30 April 2026 11:30am - 6pm
International Anthony
Burgess Foundation, Manchester M1 5BY
Link to book for In-person & online in our bio

We demand immediate action. STOP:
- Funding structures that favour segregated schooling
Cuts to SEND resources in mainstream schools
- Use of force, restraint, and seclusion in educational settings
- Systemic barriers that exclude Disabled people
- Government failure to uphold its commitment under the UNCRPD to Inclusive Education

#EducateDontSegregate #InclusiveEducation
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Disability History Month Celebration - JOY! By Disabled People's Archive & North West Film Archive Manchester Central Library Dec 4 from 12pm to 4pm GMT www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/disability...
eventbrite.co.uk
Disability History Month Celebration - JOY!
The Disabled People's Archive (DPA) and North West Film Archive (NWFA) are hosting a free event to celebrate the DPA's new project & UKDHM.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
JOB! PA to GMCDP Staff Member, closing date: 26 Nov Hours: 28 hours per week, including planned evenings and weekends Location: Hybrid (home-based, travel within Manchester) Salary: £16 per hour; (£29,000 per annum FTE) - funded by Access to Work. Contract: until March 2026 in the first instance.
gmcdp.com
Jobs | Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Celebrate International Day of Disabled People with GMCDP on Wednesday 03 December 2025 For more information and to book your free place: 👉 iddpsocial.eventbrite.co.uk youtu.be/1oOtLS0Yn_c?...
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
Disabled people have warned for years that welfare reform pushes us deeper into poverty and exclusion. Now the UN has called out the UK again. It's time for rights, dignity, and justice at home. We write with @justfairuk.bsky.social in the Big Issue
bigissue.com
Universal credit is back in the dock – this time at the United Nations
United Nations special rapporteurs have called for the UK government to question its reforms to universal credit.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
💼 We’re hiring! Part-time Operational Manager at GMCDP. Join us to keep our operations running smoothly & support disabled people’s rights. 📍 Remote (flexible hours) 💰 £21,600 pro rata (£36k FTE) ⏳ Apply by 27 Oct 🔗 gmcdp.com/jobs #GMCDP #Hiring #DisabilityRights #Operations
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
Benefit Tips Social! Wednesday, October 15・6:00pm Online and In Person at Proud Trust Includes Pizza and creative social session! Book Now www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/benefits-t...
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
We’re recruiting for 4 roles on our Disabled People’s Archive 🎉 Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund (made possible by National Lottery players) we’re looking for an Archive Project Assistant (staff), plus freelance Oral Historian & Evaluator. (1/2)
gmcdp.com
Jobs | Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Don't fight the DWP alone, do it with friends! Benefits Tips Social Wed July 16・6:00pm The Proud Trust 49-51 Sidney St M1 7HB Join us for our hybrid Benefits Tips Social - an evening of disability-related Benefits tips and peer support. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/benefits-t...
eventbrite.co.uk
Benefits Tips Social
Join us for our hybrid Benefits Tips Social - an evening of disability-related Benefits tips and peer support.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
🚨🚨🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨🚨🚨 The United Nations is calling for the UK Government to stop the Universal Credit (PIP) Bill because it will 'deepen the signs of regression' in disabled people's human rights. tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/...
tbinternet.ohchr.org
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
Tell your MP to vote against the Universal Credit (PIP) Bill, it will put 50,000 disabled people into poverty. Also ask them to support these Amendments:
Amendments 14 & 15 by Neil Duncan-Jordan MP - These crucial amendments would remove the dangerous UC cuts from the bill, leaving the bill as an uprating of UC.

Amendment 2(a) by Richard Burgon MP - This would eliminate the punitive change to UC Health, which proposes a lower rate for all but those in the new serious conditions criteria group.

Amendment NC10 by Nadia Whittome MP - This would ensure that there is a human rights analysis of the bill, which has been completely absent thus far.  

Amendment NC11 by Dr Marie Tidball MP - which would put a 12-month timeline on the ‘Timms Review’ and make it accountable to MPs by requiring a vote for any of its recommendations to be implemented. 

Amendment NC8 by John McDonnell - which prevents any proposal from the Timms review adversely affecting anyone’s eligibility for PIP.

Amendment by Debbie Abrahams (19) - which changes the date on which the universal credit cuts start, from April 2026 to November 2026.

Amendment NC4 by Stella Creasy - which calls for a duty to have due regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People in exercising any power under this Act.

Amendment by Kirsty Blackman (33) - which removes the requirement that, for the severe conditions criteria, a diagnosis must have been made by a health professional providing NHS services. 

Amendment by Graeme Downie (17) - which allows for the severe conditions criteria to apply to claimants who have fluctuating conditions, such as Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
Deadline to apply is rapidly approaching, Monday 7th July!
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
The Universal Credit and PIP Bill and Green Paper are the wrong policy approach and harmful. The ‘concessions’ do not alter this. We ask MP’s to vote the bill down on Tuesday. Please continue to seek ways to talk to MP’s and their staff to give them this message.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Human Rights Watch: UK Social Security Plans Will Harm People With Disabilities - Proposed Benefit Cuts Will Worsen Poverty and Undermine Rights
hrw.org
UK Social Security Plans Will Harm People With Disabilities
While the UK government claims its moves “will protect the most vulnerable,” in reality its plans to cut £4.5 billion in disability-linked benefits by 2030 will have a devastating impact on people’s r...
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Reposted by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
LGBT Foundation @lgbtfdn.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Refuse to be invisible! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Now is the time to make our voices heard, sharing our experiences in the EHRC Consultation which affects LGBTQ+ people. We've created a handy guide to help plan your response, get started now and share this post. www.lgbt.foundation/EHRC
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
The Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel (GMDPP) statement on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: gmdisabledpeoplespanel.com/2024/11/27/g...
The GM Disabled People’s Panel is comprised of 16 organisations led by disabled people, we have a breadth of views across our organisations on Assisted Dying. However on the specific matter of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill we believe now is the wrong time to be supporting such legislation. With ongoing austerity, our Social Care, Social Security, and Healthcare systems are in perpetual crisis with unmet need increasing. Disabled People are not getting the support they need to live. As Covid showed us, medical professionals have a low level of understanding of the realities of disabled people’s lives and we were disproportionately the greatest number of dead from the pandemic. We have also been through two United Nations examinations that have found the UK is committing continued grave and systemic human rights abuses of disabled people. Until we can rely on our needs and Rights being met to thrive in society, the risk from this Bill of coerced euthanasia is too great to accept.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
First reading today after Urgent Questions And Statements at 12:30 commonsbusiness.parliament.uk/Document/955... PRESENTATION OF BILLS No debate (Standing Order No. 57) Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Secretary Liz Kendall Bill to make provision to alter the rates...
commonsbusiness.parliament.uk
Order Paper for 18 June 2025
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
There's still time to apply for our CEO vacancy. It's part time and flexible. gmcdp.com/jobs
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Reposted by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
Manchester Disabled People Against Cuts @mdpac.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Save The Date! We will be holding the first GM Disability Pride March on Saturday 5th July in Central Manchester, route will be announced soon. manchesterdpac.com
manchesterdpac.com
Manchester Disabled People Against Cuts
We are disabled people in Greater Manchester and surrounding areas fighting for our rights.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Need help and peer support with your Social Security/DWP? Come along to Benefit Tips Social Thurs 12th June 6-9pm at Proud Place or online, register here gmcdp.com/civicrm/even... Location of Proud Place what3words.com/trees.cling....
Two yellow speech bubbles on white backdrop, in the bubbles are GMCDP cogs.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Are you a disabled leader committed to disability rights and the Social Model of Disability? Do you believe in the power of grassroots activism, user-led change and inclusive leadership? Could you be our new CEO? gmcdp.com/jobs #DisabilityRights #NonprofitJobs #GreaterManchesterJobs #UKJobs
gmcdp.com
Jobs | Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Citizens Advice condemn Green Paper cuts www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
citizensadvice.org.uk
Pathways to Poverty: How planned cuts to disability benefits will impact the people we support
Pathways to Poverty: How planned cuts to disability benefits will impact the people we support
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Reposted by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
catherine c breen @cathycbreen.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
23 May, two days since mass lobby of UK Parliament on 21 May. Recovering at home in Manchester. Read ALT text of the images below for more. Have a good Bank Holiday all @jeffsmithmp.bsky.social @well-adapt.bsky.social @crips-against-cuts.bsky.social @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social @gmcdp.bsky.social
Parliament on 21 May 2025. Three residents of Manchester Withington constituency meet Jeff Smith MP, in Westminster Hall during a Mass Lobby of MPs. 

Despite late trains and cancelled ones, London traffic, crowds, queues, the usual misunderstandings and many reschescheduling communications, we made it!

I spoke with tears at times; passionate and heartfelt. Grateful to Jeff for listening attentively and respectfully in the noisy and busy Westminster Hall. Hopefully, this trip has made sense.

According to one Manchester-based group of disabled leaders, reforms to welfare in the green paper will harm the UK Social Security system, the welfare state, and our economy, nationally, locally and personally. 

To prevent this, we ask the UK Government to work with disabled people, instead of making decisions about us, without us.

Parliament does not yet have the full picture. Vital information is missing. Incorrect, and misleading judgements are harmful.Photo taken in UK Parliament, Westminster Hall. From left to right: Jeff Smith MP; Cathy Breen; Kyda Grabham; Helen Clark.
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Reposted by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
We have just published a joint letter with GM Equality Panel members opposing the DWP Pathways to Work Green Paper, please promote it across your networks and media: Full text with references and Easy Read at link gmdisabledpeoplespanel.com/2025/05/22/g...
Open Letter to All Greater Manchester MPs Regarding the Government’s Green Paper on Benefits
20 May 2025
To the Members of Parliament representing Greater Manchester,
We are writing to you as members of the Greater Manchester Equality Panels regarding the Government’s recent ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper on changes to benefits.  We are deeply concerned that the proposals outlined in the Green Paper risk undermining the dignity, security, and well-being of the very people the social security system was created to support. All the proposed policies concentrate on supply side workforce activation and none address the real problem of demand side labour market conditions. We are concerned that the language being used to talk about the Green Paper will have a negative impact on discrimination against disabled people. We already have seen a rise in disability hate crimes since 2010.
We now have both the Office for Budget Responsibility impact assessment and responses to Freedom of Information requests, that show 1.3 Million disabled people will lose Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Daily Living  and 80% of Universal Credit Health claimants (Limited Capability to Work Related Activity (LCWRA) & LCWRA+PIP) would lose all entitlement, raising the total facing a loss of income to 2 million disabled people . The re-arrangement of Universal Credit conditionality will see 600,000 disabled people  who cannot work subject to being sanctioned for not looking for and finding work. Disabled people are already the majority of foodbank users,  these proposals will see that number likely rise by several hundred thousand. We also know from Professor Ben Geiger that the actual level of cuts amounts to £9 Billion . The impact on employment is not known and will likely not be published until the autumn, meaning no one can make informed decisions about the stated aspirations that this will raise employment. There is a great deal of existing data which suggests it will not, beyond a few percentage points . This raises serious questions about fairness, honesty, lack of peer reviewed independent evidence, and long-term cumulative social impact. We are concerned about the impact on the Government priorities of growth and reducing National Health Service (NHS) waiting lists. In a region like Greater Manchester, where communities are already grappling with inequalities, entrenched poverty, and continuing austerity, these changes will disproportionately harm the people who are already most excluded.
The United Nations has twice reported on the conditions for disabled people in the UK, finding that there were ‘grave and systemic’ violations of our human rights , with further regression. This Green Paper will exacerbate those abuses
We highlight the following key concerns:
1.	Disability and Health Assessments
The proposed tightening of eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Work Capability Assessment (WCA) (before its abolition, leaving a revamped PIP assessment as a single gateway to health elements of Universal Credit) risks excluding individuals with genuine and complex needs, particularly those with invisible or fluctuating conditions. Many of these individuals already struggle to navigate an opaque and stressful process, that has contributed towards over 600 suicides in just 3 years .
2.	Mental Health Oversight
The suggestion that mental health issues are being “over-diagnosed” within the benefits system can be stigmatizing . Mental health is a critical public health issue and dismissing it as less ‘deserving’ of support perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
3.	Conditionality and Sanctions
Proposals to expand conditionality and increase sanctions are counterproductive. Evidence—including from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) itself—shows that sanctions do not lead to better employment outcomes, but do exacerbate hardship, debt, and mental distress .
4.	Consultation Process
There are 22 policies announced but the consultation only seeks to discuss half of these with the most impactful measures instead being put into a parliamentary bill. 
We are also concerned that the consultation process may not be fully inclusive, particularly of disabled individuals, carers, disabled people’s organisations, and frontline support workers. Any meaningful reform must be co-designed with those most affected. 
As MPs elected to serve the people of Greater Manchester, we urge you to:
•	Vote against the proposed changes.
•	Commit to co-producing a disability strategy with disabled people as outlined on the DPO Forum Manifesto .
•	Advocate for evidence and rights-based policies that reflect the lived experience of your constituents and the reality of the Social Model of Disability .
We believe a Social Security system should empower, not penalise. It should be built on trust, support, and to remove the disabling extra costs of disability which are on average are £1,010 a month. 
We hope you will raise these concerns in Parliament and in your work locally, and we would be happy meet with you to engage with you further on this urgent matter.
Yours sincerely,

Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel
Greater Manchester Equality Alliance
Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel
Greater Manchester Equality Alliance
LGBTQ+ Equality Panel
Greater Manchester Older People’s Equality Panel
Greater Manchester Race Equality Panel
GMCA Women and Girl’s Equality Panel
Youth Combined Authority
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Reposted by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
Turn2us @turn2us.org.uk · 14/05/2025
The DWP Pathways to Work Green Paper proposes cuts to disability benefits we believe would be devastating. One of the organisations we work with, @gmcdp.bsky.social, has created a petition, calling on the Government to drop these proposals. Sign here: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
petition.parliament.uk
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 ...
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
We have just published a joint letter with GM Equality Panel members opposing the DWP Pathways to Work Green Paper, please promote it across your networks and media: Full text with references and Easy Read at link gmdisabledpeoplespanel.com/2025/05/22/g...
Open Letter to All Greater Manchester MPs Regarding the Government’s Green Paper on Benefits
20 May 2025
To the Members of Parliament representing Greater Manchester,
We are writing to you as members of the Greater Manchester Equality Panels regarding the Government’s recent ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper on changes to benefits.  We are deeply concerned that the proposals outlined in the Green Paper risk undermining the dignity, security, and well-being of the very people the social security system was created to support. All the proposed policies concentrate on supply side workforce activation and none address the real problem of demand side labour market conditions. We are concerned that the language being used to talk about the Green Paper will have a negative impact on discrimination against disabled people. We already have seen a rise in disability hate crimes since 2010.
We now have both the Office for Budget Responsibility impact assessment and responses to Freedom of Information requests, that show 1.3 Million disabled people will lose Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Daily Living  and 80% of Universal Credit Health claimants (Limited Capability to Work Related Activity (LCWRA) & LCWRA+PIP) would lose all entitlement, raising the total facing a loss of income to 2 million disabled people . The re-arrangement of Universal Credit conditionality will see 600,000 disabled people  who cannot work subject to being sanctioned for not looking for and finding work. Disabled people are already the majority of foodbank users,  these proposals will see that number likely rise by several hundred thousand. We also know from Professor Ben Geiger that the actual level of cuts amounts to £9 Billion . The impact on employment is not known and will likely not be published until the autumn, meaning no one can make informed decisions about the stated aspirations that this will raise employment. There is a great deal of existing data which suggests it will not, beyond a few percentage points . This raises serious questions about fairness, honesty, lack of peer reviewed independent evidence, and long-term cumulative social impact. We are concerned about the impact on the Government priorities of growth and reducing National Health Service (NHS) waiting lists. In a region like Greater Manchester, where communities are already grappling with inequalities, entrenched poverty, and continuing austerity, these changes will disproportionately harm the people who are already most excluded.
The United Nations has twice reported on the conditions for disabled people in the UK, finding that there were ‘grave and systemic’ violations of our human rights , with further regression. This Green Paper will exacerbate those abuses
We highlight the following key concerns:
1.	Disability and Health Assessments
The proposed tightening of eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Work Capability Assessment (WCA) (before its abolition, leaving a revamped PIP assessment as a single gateway to health elements of Universal Credit) risks excluding individuals with genuine and complex needs, particularly those with invisible or fluctuating conditions. Many of these individuals already struggle to navigate an opaque and stressful process, that has contributed towards over 600 suicides in just 3 years .
2.	Mental Health Oversight
The suggestion that mental health issues are being “over-diagnosed” within the benefits system can be stigmatizing . Mental health is a critical public health issue and dismissing it as less ‘deserving’ of support perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
3.	Conditionality and Sanctions
Proposals to expand conditionality and increase sanctions are counterproductive. Evidence—including from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) itself—shows that sanctions do not lead to better employment outcomes, but do exacerbate hardship, debt, and mental distress .
4.	Consultation Process
There are 22 policies announced but the consultation only seeks to discuss half of these with the most impactful measures instead being put into a parliamentary bill. 
We are also concerned that the consultation process may not be fully inclusive, particularly of disabled individuals, carers, disabled people’s organisations, and frontline support workers. Any meaningful reform must be co-designed with those most affected. 
As MPs elected to serve the people of Greater Manchester, we urge you to:
•	Vote against the proposed changes.
•	Commit to co-producing a disability strategy with disabled people as outlined on the DPO Forum Manifesto .
•	Advocate for evidence and rights-based policies that reflect the lived experience of your constituents and the reality of the Social Model of Disability .
We believe a Social Security system should empower, not penalise. It should be built on trust, support, and to remove the disabling extra costs of disability which are on average are £1,010 a month. 
We hope you will raise these concerns in Parliament and in your work locally, and we would be happy meet with you to engage with you further on this urgent matter.
Yours sincerely,

Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel
Greater Manchester Equality Alliance
Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel
Greater Manchester Equality Alliance
LGBTQ+ Equality Panel
Greater Manchester Older People’s Equality Panel
Greater Manchester Race Equality Panel
GMCA Women and Girl’s Equality Panel
Youth Combined Authority
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
The case is over. We forced the DWP to explain its algorithm. Details at Crowdjustice update: www.crowdjustice.com/case/dwp-alg...
crowdjustice.com
Help us fight the DWP’s secret benefits algorithm
We are a Disabled People's Organisation run and controlled by disabled people. We use the Social Model of Disability to fight for our rights and to remove disabling barriers in society.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
SURVEY: Women’s Budget Group (a feminist economics think tank) and Sisters of Frida (a Disabled women and non-binary people’s collective) The impact of the Government’s proposed reforms to disability benefits announced in March 2025. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
SURVEY: The impact of the Government’s proposed reforms to disability benefits announced in March 2025
A Women’s Budget Group and Sisters of Frida research collaboration This project The Women’s Budget Group (a feminist economics think tank) and Sisters of Frida (a Disabled women and non-binary people’...
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Reposted by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
We have lodged a petition on the government's website to stop disability cuts, it if get's 100,000 signatures it will be considered for a debate in Parliament: Abandon DWP Pathways to Work Green Paper & create National Disability Strategy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
petition.parliament.uk
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 ...
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
We have lodged a petition on the government's website to stop disability cuts, it if get's 100,000 signatures it will be considered for a debate in Parliament: Abandon DWP Pathways to Work Green Paper & create National Disability Strategy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
petition.parliament.uk
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 ...
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Adequate Social Security is a Human Right. The British government is abusing our Rights! Social Insecurity Report www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/so... Manchester is hosting the national launch event on Thursday 8th May at which we are speaking www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-devast...
amnesty.org.uk
Social Insecurity Report
We are Amnesty International UK. We are ordinary people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
GM Disabled People’s Panel launches Feeling Good! Small grants up to £5,000 to support the Mental Wellbeing of Disabled People. Read our Report: gmdisabledpeoplespanel.com/gm-mental-we... Deadline to apply- Mon 7th July. tinyurl.com/MHWGDP25
Poster for the grants with sunbeams and drawings of a group of diverse disabled people in a city park with a rainbow hot air ballon in the sky.
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Reposted by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
catherine c breen @cathycbreen.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
During weekly drop-in with @gmcdp.bsky.social peers on 1st April, this is what arose and helped me to focus. More responsive than contrived. Practicing documenting moments in meaningful ways...
An open sketchbook in front of an open but off laptop on a desk. Sunlight makes gentle bands of light and shadow diagonally across the pages from top left to bottom right. 

The scale of the drawing is 2 times A4. The angle of perspective creates a dramatic effect. The drawing centres around a horizontal strip of plastic tape stuck halfway down both pages. 

The tape reads RAGILE FRAGILE in large red capital letters from left edge to right edge. The vertical height of the tape appears to be a sixth of the whole page. Some letters in RAGILE FRAGILE are blurred using a red biro pen to scribble over and around. The unclear letters are R F I and L. The letters remaining clear read AGILE RAGE. 

Using a thick black marker pen, a line creates one box around AGILE following the top and bottom edges of the tape. The same black line makes a 2nd box around RAG and a third box around E. These boxes also follow the top and bottom of the tape. To make the vertical sides of the boxes the black line has to cross the tape 6 times. 

Royal blue wax crayon has been used in a haphazard way in the space below the tape. To fill the lower half of both pages the crayon has been used on it's side in wide swirling motions creating marks with less definition than would be made by the tip of the crayon. The white of the paper is visible unevenly below the blue according to variable pressure applied. Below the word AGILE and RAG blue crayon has caught the tape slightly in a wave like motion. 

Above the tape in the top half of both pages using a range of different coloured crayons on a background of ochre crayon, there is a row of flame like or pine tree shaped forms. The dominant colour filling these forms is bright yellow applied thickly concealing the paper below. Each yellow form corresponds to one of the clear red letters. Each letter is connected to a yellow form by a roughly drawn wick or stem made of a mixture of brown and green crayons used side on and with some definition.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Benefit Tips Social is a peer support group open to disabled people to help you deal with the DWP. Resources, advice, and Solidarity, with a creative social space. Plus: News about government proposals and how to fight them. gmcdp.com/civicrm/even...
gmcdp.com
Benefit Tips Social! | Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
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Reposted by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
Rick B @rickburgess.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Cuts to disability benefits are riding roughshod over human rights. Poverty is a political choice, and ending it is possible should those in powers choose to. by @jen-jen-clark.bsky.social Economic Social & Cultural Rights Lead at Amnesty International UK leftfootforward.org/2025/04/cuts...
leftfootforward.org
Cuts to disability benefits are riding roughshod over human rights
Poverty is a political choice, and ending it is possible should those in powers choose to
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Reposted by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
Disability News Service @johnpring.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Here's proof that when ministers say they had to cut disability benefits cos 'welfare spending' was spiralling out of control, they are lying. Even before the cuts, it was stable. Q from LibDem @MartinWrigley, answer by minister @StephenCTimms: questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Table shows welfare spending as a percentage of GDP, both without the govt cuts announced last week, and with them. For welfare spending without the govt cuts, it shows: 10.9% in 2024-25, 10.9% in 2025-26, 11% in 2026-27, 10.9% in 2027-28, 10.8% in 2028-29 and 10.9% in 2029-30. With the cuts, it shows 10.9% in 2024-25, 10.9% in 2025-26, 11% in 2026-27, 10.8% in 2027-28, 10.7% in 2028-29, and 10.8% in 2029-30.
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Reposted by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
Manchester Disabled People Against Cuts @mdpac.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
What are you doing tomorrow? We hope it’s supporting our protest at Govt cuts to benefits, cost of living, and continuing austerity, come in person or support online, it's all good! 12 noon. Outside Boots, slow walk to Piccadilly. More details in Alt Text!
Join the Resistance!
Tuesday 1st April 12 noon
Assemble outside Boots, 32 Market St, M1 1PL
All Welcome, bring yourself & bring a friend!
https://w3w.co/bared.fresh.drives
🚨🚨🚨Pam & Tony will be providing sign language at the protest.
WELFARE NOT WARFARE!
Community Day of Action
NO RETURN TO AUSTERITY
NO CUTS TO BENEFITS
ENERGY FOR ALL
The protest on 1st April Tuesday, will assemble at noon outside Boots on Market Street for a rally and speeches, then we will slow walk down Market street to Piccadilly (400M) for a second rally, political action theatre from Unite community and open mics.
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Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
What’s one change you want for disabled people in the UK? In July we celebrate 40 years of fighting for disability rights. Help us build a vision for the future by sharing your thoughts in a short vid. Be part of our #GMCDP40 campaign +get your message out there! More info: gmcdp.com/call-videos-...
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Reposted by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People @gmcdp.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
We have joined with other DPO’s across England to oppose the DWP Green Paper. There is also a protest that has been called in Manchester on Tuesday 1st April 12 noon outside Boots, 32 Market Street, M1 1PL w3w.co/bared.fresh....
Community Day
of Action
NO RETURN TO AUSTERITY NO CUTS TO BENEFITS
ENERGY FOR ALL
Tuesday 1st April 12.00pm
Meet outside Boots, 32 Market St, Mcr.
ALL WELCOME
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