Whilst welcoming this move, I can’t avoid thinking about the context. In my view, opposition to ‘benefit cuts’ can fit into the paternalism that sections of the Left have shown historically towards disabled people. Clearly, as I’ve stated elsewhere, it is right to oppose the plans of Kendall and Reeves; however I believe it will be an inadequate response if these plans are not situated within the wider context of disabled people’s denial of full participation in society.

The importance of so called ‘disability benefits’ lies with the fact disabled people encounter a myriad of disabling barriers, each with its own financial cost. In our current system issues around experiencing ill health and social consequences of impairment reality are conflated. This is why I call benefit assessment processes ‘body fascist’ – they are oppressively judgmental. 

Many disabled people live in poverty, but this is not solely caused by having to live on benefits or having impairments. Our social exclusions restrict work and housing opportunities, impact on our daily living costs – transport, diets, fuel, equipment, etc. The attacks on the Welfare State by New Labour exposed its lies and hypocrisy because on one hand it was calling disabled people lazy benefit cheats whilst on the other, promising them ‘equality’ (sic) by 2025!

The current planned ‘benefit reforms’ need to be situated within the context of both the impact upon indivdual lives and the collective impact of the ideological war being conducted by the neoliberals and far right. How disability is framed, who is and who isn’t judged to be ‘disabled’ is part and parcel of this wider agenda. Women and trans people are also being subjected to the ideological war.