MP John Healey’s warning that “public finances look difficult” is grounded in a very real fiscal squeeze — and yes, the pressure is being directed toward disability benefits, especially PIP.
PIP has become the only rising part of working‑age welfare, and with Paul Johnson warning of an “extraordinary surge” in disability spending, the Treasury is treating it as the easiest target for quick, visible savings.
Before cutting support for disabled people, the government should look at MPs’ expenses — there are plenty of savings to be made there, and they ought to lead by example.
It feels like the government is tightening support for disabled people while continuing to spend heavily on managing new arrivals, and many argue that savings should start with those in power rather than those already struggling.
Labour is procrastinating instead of facing Britain’s most serious problems. The answer is simple: stop stalling and call a General Election, because this government doesn’t have the solutions and never will.
The situation is bad, but I still believe a right‑wing government would take things even further — and that’s why the current choices, however flawed, feel like the lesser of two harsh approaches.
PIP isn’t a luxury but the support that covers transport, mobility aids, daily care and the extra costs of disability, meaning it’s the very thing that allows thousands of disabled people to work at all.
It always seems to be the people who struggle the most and have the least ability to defend themselves, who end up being the easiest targets when governments look for savings.
Instead of targeting disabled people, pensioners, low‑paid workers or cutting essential support, the government should focus on reducing costs elsewhere — including migration‑related spending and MPs’ perks — and doing so could free up billions for higher wages and better welfare.
Instead of cutting support for the poor, disabled or elderly, many people argue the government should start by reducing MPs’ high wages and bonuses, and even reconsider the £300‑a‑day House of Lords attendance allowance — because those savings would be a far fairer place to begin.
Tax the rich instead of attacking disabled people, because targeting those who already struggle the most is the least fair option of all.
The government should stop sending money overseas and focus on returning people who arrive illegally, instead of cutting support from those already struggling at home.
It’s disgraceful that our own soldiers go to war, come home injured or maimed, and then receive little to no help from the very country they fought for.
Shockingly, some injured or traumatised soldiers end up living on the streets with no basic support at all, despite having served and sacrificed for their country.
We might as well bring back Robin Hood, because someone needs to stop taking from the poor and vulnerable while the powerful sit comfortably untouched.
Andy Burnham would be seen as a hero if he called a general election, because people feel it’s the only honest way to reset things and give the public a real say.
A general election now would only hand Reform a victory, and anyone voting for Nigel Farage would have to be out of their tiny mind to think that’s a good idea.
Andy should do the right thing, stop listening to his advisors, and remember he’s not a puppet — because following them blindly feels like nothing more than political arse‑licking.
Andy needs to show real backbone and stop acting like a puppet, because people expect their leaders to stand firm and speak for themselves — not behave like every Prime Minister who came before him.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 