The Tories’ shadow justice minister, Nick Timothy, has shamefully called an iftar gathering in Trafalgar Square an “act of domination”. Party leader Kemi Badenoch then doubled down by stating that Timothy was “defending British values”. What, the values of Islamophobia and racism?

Starmer called the Conservatives out during PMQs, stating that the party has a “problem with Muslims”. This is obviously true, given that the Tories are made up of various stripes of raging bigot. However, it’s also deeply hypocritical coming from a Labour party that’s also got a clear Islamophobia problem.

Iftar: ‘there’s always a place at the table’

The 16 March event was organised by the Ramadan Tent Project charity, which seeks to improve relationships between communities. It was one of 18 ‘Open Iftar’ meals held across the UK.

Among the thousands who attended the Trafalgar Square event was London mayor Sadiq Khan, who took to Twitter to state that:

Community isn’t just where we live, it’s how we look after one another.

Tonight, people of all faiths, races and backgrounds came together in the heart of our capital to break their fasts at Ramadan Tent Project’s Open Iftar.

There’s always a place at the table in this city. pic.twitter.com/Zt5ubJDDRu

— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) March 16, 2026

However, a charity bringing people together to share food for an iftar meal is apparently a step too far for Tory Nick Timothy. On the night of the event, the far-right gobshite logged on to Twitter to complain:

Too many are too polite to say this.

But mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination.

The adhan – which declares there is no god but allah and Muhammad is his messenger – is, when called in a public place, a declaration of domination.

Perform these rituals in… pic.twitter.com/PIfJAgb7Zk

— Nick Timothy MP (@NJ_Timothy) March 17, 2026

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Note, in particular, Timothy’s use of ‘ritual’ here. Sure, depending on your theology, a prayer could be considered a ritual – but Timothy is trying to mystify the adhan to make it sound like some sinister cult practice.

Likewise, it’s also worth pointing out that the whole ‘there is no god but Allah‘ bit is, you know, kind of foundational for a monotheistic religion. It’s right there in the name. Likewise, it’s a belief shared by other dangerous Islamists like Charles III, the king of bloody Britain.

‘Utterly appalling’

Starmer took the opportunity to condemn Timothy’s nakedly Islamophobic rant in the Commons the next day. During PMQs, he called for Badenoch to sack her party member:

He said last night that Muslims praying in public, including the mayor of London practising his faith, are not welcome.

If he was in my team, he’d be gone. It’s utterly appalling. She should denounce his comments and she should sack him.

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The Labour leader also drew a parallel between the shadow justice minister and fascist shit-stirrer Tommy Robinson:

Even Tommy Robinson, I can hardly believe I’m saying this, has said today that if the shadow justice secretary had made these hateful comments two years ago the Conservative Party would have kicked him out.

Tommy Robinson isn’t some sort of moral signpost, he was pointing out how much their party has changed. They’re more inclined to his views, and he’s right about that. The fact he’s sitting on her front bench shows she’s too weak and has got absolutely no judgement.

‘The Tory Party has got a problem with Muslims’

Later, Starmer went on to say that:

When I see religious events in Trafalgar Square, when I see Hindus celebrating Diwali, when I see Jews celebrating Chanukah live, when I see Christians performing the Passion of the Christ, or Muslims praying, that shows the great strength of our diverse city and country.

I’ve never heard her party call out anything other than the Muslim events. It’s only when Muslims are praying. The only conclusion is the Tory Party has got a problem with Muslims.

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It’s true that Trafalgar is regularly used for religious events of all stripes. Sadiq Khan echoed a similar sentiment on Twitter, posting:

Here’s an Iftar on Trafalgar Square.

And here’s Easter, Diwali, Vaisakhi and Chanukah.

London is, and will always be, a place for everyone. #UnityOverDivision https://t.co/bqUNBaL0og pic.twitter.com/wm8tvEL6QQ

— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) March 17, 2026

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Likewise, as we stated earlier, the fact that the Tories are a bunch of Islamophobic bigots is a given. However, this attack from Starmer is bloody rich, given that his own party has massively ramped up its Muslim-bashing in recent years.

Just look at their abandonment of the term ‘Islamophobia’, their hierarchy of racism that repeatedly minimises attacks on Muslims, and the party’s inaction on Islamophobia in the NHS. And that’s not even mentioning Labour’s active participation in the genocide of the Palestinian people.

‘Defending British values’

In response to Starmer’s statements, Kemi Badenoch stated that Timothy was “defending British values”.

Now, this is true if – and only if – we hold that Islamophobia itself is a British value. The Tories clearly believe that – Timothy’s rant was an open attack on Muslims praying in public, and his party leader stood by it.

Timothy didn’t condemn Christian, Jewish or Hindu worshippers in the same setting. He singled out Muslims, because he and his party have a problem with Muslims.

However, that hatred of Muslims is, increasingly, becoming a British value. Along with it, racism, fascism and white-supremacist politics are being mainstreamed.

This vague appeal to ‘British values’ is a trap. ‘British values are multicultural’. ‘Christianity is a British value’. ‘Helping those in need is a British value’. ‘Pulling yourself up by the bootstraps is a British value’.

As Badenoch succinctly demonstrated, British values are a shifting, nebulous concept which allows politicians to make their appeals to whichever way public sentiment sways at the time.

If Timothy, Badenoch and their ilk are what British values look like, they can fucking keep them.

Eid Mubarak.

Featured image via the Canary

Contrary to US President Donald Trump’s expectations NATO has refused to join the US and Israel’s illegal war on Iran.

In usual ego-driven fashion, Trump is attempting to gaslight and shame NATO into submission. However, his cynical attempts are increasingly revealing just how embarrassing and pathetically childish the ‘leader of the Western world’ really is.

This will likely be restoring hope amongst Britons that there is a red line for European leaders when working with the US. A red line that many feared did not exist with its member states’ complicity in the genocide on Gaza, which has murdered tens of thousands of Palestinians since October 7th, 2023.

Pres. Trump said he believes NATO is making a “very foolish mistake” in not helping the U.S. in the war with Iran.

“I’ve long said that, I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us. So, this was a great test. Because we don’t need them, but they should have been… pic.twitter.com/RaqKWq3XvA

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— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 17, 2026

Trump in over his head

The US and Israel began waging their brutal war of aggression on Iran, and prolonged Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, at the end of February 2026. Since that attack, many have found relief in seeing NATO leaders largely refrain from giving their support to Trump, despite his protestations. Now Trump is threatening to leave NATO and take his funding with him, in a naked attempt to muster up support.

Attacks on oil infrastructure are hitting the world’s richest where it hurts. As a result, a potential world war looms as obviously the priority is private profits; not people. Nevertheless, the only way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is to end the war of aggression which prompted Iran’s move to counterattack.

Until those calls come thick and fast, Iran is simply following Western precedents in using financial pain to defend its interests:

“This could be World War Three!”

Glenn Beck warns that if Trump and NATO do not manage to reopen the Strait of Hormuz soon, it “will collapse the economy of the West”.

📺https://t.co/aVEfspFSVf@piersmorgan | @glennbeck pic.twitter.com/377LYvoBpS

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) March 18, 2026

Leavitt: “Trump calls out NATO for being what he believes is an unfair alliance for American people”

Trump thinks NATO is “unfair” for not joining his war for Israel. They’re not unfair-they’re just not dumb enough to die for a foreign country’s agenda. pic.twitter.com/HvFz7a6i23

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— Ounka (@OunkaOnX) March 18, 2026

100,000 could lose their jobs in the UK

We have written extensively on the war on Iran given the mainstream media’s reluctance to provide neutral, unbiased and fair coverage on yet another illegal military operation in the Middle East. Not only does the war carry fatal consequences for innocent Iranian and Lebanese civilians, but it will also impact citizens at home in the UK. Our Alex/Rose Cocker wrote:

Trump and Netanyahu’s illegal war on Iran has sent energy prices skyrocketing. The effect on energy-intensive industries in the UK has been immediate and severe. And, as a knock-on effect, as many as 100,000 jobs could be lost across the UK.

Of course, we won’t shed a tear for the impact on highly polluting industries themselves. However, the situation is a striking illustration of the vulnerability created by the UK’s desperate reliance on increasingly volatile fossil fuels.

Thankfully, that resistance is being maintained, and Trump is being left to look like the deranged, sociopathic, self-interested leader that he is.

Despite pressure, the US is receiving a loud resounding ‘No’ apparently:

🚨 US President Trump has asked the world to help US and send warships to Strait of Hormuz to re-open it.

He didn’t get POSITIVE response. US closet NATO allies have also refused to send any warships to Hormuz.

🇬🇧 UK: NO
🇮🇹 Italy: NO
🇪🇸 Spain: NO
🇯🇵 Japan: NO
🇷🇺Russia: NO
🇫🇷…

— South Asia Index (@SouthAsiaIndex) March 16, 2026

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German 🇩🇪 Leader Alice Weidel:

“Trump now wants help for Iran, This suggests that they entered this mission without any brain, the Americans did not think about an exit strategy or how this is supposed to continue”

Every NATO member is grilling Trump 🔥pic.twitter.com/FfpPYX612I

— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) March 18, 2026

This X account detailed how actions have consequences:

NATO wasn’t created to be a clean-up squad for the US.

Had Trump involved allies in planning and had he not spent the past few months trash-talking NATO, hitting allies with tariffs and threatening to annexe European territory by force, things might be different.

Nevertheless, it is worth pointing out that some within NATO appear to feel otherwise. Mark Rutte, Chief of NATO, recently gave the impression that the alliance is there to provide a ‘platform for the US to project power’. This highlights that NATO reluctance isn’t guaranteed; some within it are more than happy to prioritise power over people.

Q: “Trump didn’t consult NATO before the war. Why should they help now?”

Leavitt: “NATO allies benefit more from the Strait reopening than the US does.”

Trump launched a war for Israel. Now he’s asking NATO to clean it up. Because they “benefit.” Benefit from a war they never… pic.twitter.com/qNriAYpE9f

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— Ounka (@OunkaOnX) March 18, 2026

More allies turning their backs on Trump by the day

Criticism of Trump is growing, with even those who have demonised Iranian people and denied their legal right to self-defence now holding the US president to account.

Former US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro isn’t best pleased with Trump signaling his friends are turning on him:

Unjustified? So Iran has just to accept any atrocity and not hit back?
You are nuts.

— Craig Murray (@CraigMurrayOrg) March 19, 2026

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A recent Truth Social post suggests Trump knows he is losing control:

Trump moves to rein in Israel after IDF strikes South Pars gas field, sparking massive Iranian response on Qatari LNG

“Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran.”

The man… pic.twitter.com/XqA89jTBFU

— HatsOff (@HatsOffff) March 19, 2026

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Despite his best attempts, world leaders are increasingly turning their backs on bully Trump and the American empire:

The American empire is completely isolated. Trump threatened to literally invade a NATO ally just six weeks ago, never consulted them about attacking Iran, and is now crying that they won’t join his disastrous war. The world is turning its back on Washington. pic.twitter.com/KPGdo3ixnO

— Furkan Gözükara (@FurkanGozukara) March 18, 2026

Karma is a bitch, after all. Trump has long threatened the safety of apparent NATO allies, as this post from 2024 shows:

BREAKING: The NATO Secretary General says any attack will be met with “forceful response” after Donald Trump said he would encourage Russia to “do whatever the hell they want” if it attacked a NATO country that didn’t pay enough for defencehttps://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3

📺 Sky 501 pic.twitter.com/2PANYPpFYA

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— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 11, 2024

A red line finally appears for NATO

Trump has made endless protestations that other states aren’t spending enough on defence compared to the US, who have long been captured by the military industrial machine. He has gone so far as to withhold support from supposed “allies” unless they commit billions more to military spending. In practice, as with Israel, this approach suggests the US would grant Russia considerable freedom in waging its aggression if toddler-tyrant Trump doesn’t get what he wants.

Hardly a win for citizens across the entire world who fear this new world order of ‘might is always right’ will in time hurt their own families and communities when bombs and bullets fall further afield. A world order that our own leaders have been more than happy to bow down to.

Now it appears that NATO are leveraging their own power and influence, finally seeming to recognise the existence of international law, shocking millions. In contrast to the US demanding higher profits for the military machine, NATO states are now refusing to legitimise the US and Israel’s contravention of the rules-based order. Don’t get me wrong, they could do a hell of a lot more, but it’s a positive change of tack.

Nonetheless, two superpowers are going head-to-head, and we should not take that lightly.

Let’s hope this spoilt president can learn new tricks in his old age and finally understand the meaning of ‘no’. A skill his victims would likely dispute is possible.

Ultimately, the only solution is an urgent regime change in the West to stand the faintest chance of global peace and prosperity.

Featured image via the Canary

On  17 March 2026, students gathered outside Leeds University to protest their institution’s continued affiliation with the forces waging genocide in Gaza and the West Bank. Stationed in front of the student union, they basked in the spring sunshine, determined to make their voices heard.

A beautiful day to be in Leeds!

As I arrived I was surprised to find a hostile neighbourhood auditor skulking around. Another arrived shortly after. 

A creep with a bad camera, watching live streams of young women on campus on a Tuesday lunchtime and stalking students on campus—is no one’s idea of normal. These people are fucking weirdos.

At one point, university security staff were seen chatting casually with auditors on camera for their live streams.

This was after one of the auditors had earlier attempted to intimidate a student.

Questions need to be raised about why they’re allowed to behave in such a manner on university grounds. Yet, even this couldn’t dampen the sunny spirits of the protesting students.

A university apparently wedded to Zionism

The protest was sparked by the university’s invitation to BlackRock Asset Management for an upcoming job fair. For those unaware, the company’s affiliate, Blackrock, is a major investor in defense and aerospace companies, with well-documented ties to Israel. Students have every right to question the inclusion of such a company in the event.

Blackrock, according to the UN, is best known as the largest investor in companies linked to, and complicit in the genocide in gaza. Blackrock and its affiliates are invested heavily in companies such as Lockheed Martin (7%) which create weapons that kill people. As well they hold stakes in companies such as Alphabet (6.6%). Palantir (8.6%), and Amazon (6.6%). Tech companies sell software and capabilities which are used by the IDF to target whoever they decide to call a terrorist today.

The normalisation of their presence at university events, despite their complicity in the ongoing genocide, has sparked anger on campuses across the country for years. These concerns have been reflected in demands made by students at various universities, both during and since the encampment movement.

A crisis of trust

This is not an isolated event. Leeds University has been embroiled in repeated accusations of platforming Zionists on campus.

In 2024 freedom of information requests revealed hundreds of thousands of pounds of investment into businesses directly contributing to apartheid and genocide in occupied Palestine. This happened despite the university’s 2018 declaration that it had divested from the companies enabling the Gaza genocide.

They have also been accused of sheltering a Chaplain who left the university to serve in the Israeli Defence Forces, whose war crimes have been live-streamed for the past two years. Rabbi Zecharia Deutsch was allowed to continue in his role as Chaplain when he returned from Israeli, and even after Jewish students complained about his extremist, Zionist posturing.

It has been a busy week for student activists who also disrupted Chancellor, Rachel Reeves’ visit to campus earlier in the week.

Not only has the university consistently failed to address students concerns properly, they have even gone so far as using the university’s disciplinary processes to repress student dissent on campus. Suffian, a masters student and local campaigner spoke to me about his experiences at the university.

Blackrock — frit!

University security were clearly rattled, calling the police and keeping their distance at the steps of the union. It turns out they weren’t the only ones. Blackrock decided to avoid any negative publicity and cancelled their planned appearance. Direct action works!

I’ve never understood people who think protest and reputational risk aren’t powerful tools.

Universities across the UK are failing to live up to basic expectations held by their student population—the very students whose fees keep the lights on.

Our high streets host banks that profit when children die on the other side of the world. Fast food chains allow their franchisees in Israel to feed IDF soldiers—soldiers found by medics to be intentionally using children as target practice. Amazon vans roll around innocently, all while aiding the targeting of civilians in an illegal occupation, between deliveries. Where does it end?!

Universities have a responsibility to do better and we stand in solidarity with all students standing up for their rights on university campuses—both in Leeds and beyond.

Featured images via Barold

The crisis between Senegal and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has entered an unprecedented phase of escalation after the Senegalese government demanded an international investigation into suspected corruption within CAF, following the decision to strip its national team of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

Reuters reported the official position of the Senegalese government after the CAF Appeals Committee ruled that the Senegalese team had forfeited the final match against Morocco by briefly leaving the field during stoppage time in protest against refereeing decisions, despite winning the match 1-0 after extra time.

The decision resulted in Senegal being declared the loser by default (3-0) and the title being awarded to the Moroccan national team, a move that sparked widespread controversy and official rejection in Dakar.

In a strongly worded statement, the Senegalese government described the decision as “blatantly illegal” and “unjust,” arguing that the circumstances of the case raise serious questions about the integrity of CAF’s administration and calling for an independent international investigation to uncover the truth.

Meanwhile, CAF has not yet issued any immediate response, while the Senegalese Football Federation has announced its intention to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, asserting that what happened is “unprecedented and unacceptable.”

With the case now on the international legal track, all eyes are on the outcome of the anticipated confrontation, in a case poised to reignite the broader debate on governance for AFCON

Featured image via the Canary

The crisis surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final is taking a more complicated turn, with increasing uncertainty surrounding the fate of the prizes awarded to the Senegalese national team. This follows the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip Senegal of the title and award it to Morocco in a controversial appeal.

The Senegalese team had won the final, held on January 18th at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with a 1-0 victory. They received the medals and celebrated with the gold trophy before the CAF Appeals Committee overturned the decision, declaring them the losers due to their withdrawal and awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory, based on tournament regulations.

AFCON reality hits hard

Despite the continental ruling, the championship trophy remains in the possession of the Senegalese Football Federation, which is currently refusing to return it, preferring to await the final ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

The Senegalese Football Federation is treating the matter as legally open, which explains why they are still keeping the trophy, which toured several cities across the country amidst public celebrations of the title.

The possibility of the trophy being displayed abroad also remains, given previous plans to showcase it during the upcoming match against Peru in Paris on March 28, the team’s first appearance since the final.

Gold medals

The fate of the medals awarded to the players and coaching staff after the victory are also up for debate. It is estimated that demanding their return from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is difficult due to the legal and symbolic complexities surrounding such a move.

Financially, the winning bonus is at the forefront, after confirmations that CAF has already transferred $10 million to the Senegalese Football Federation’s account.

Despite the decision to withdraw the title, there are no indications that the money will be returned at this time, as the Senegalese side insists on awaiting the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) decision before taking any official action.

Between a binding continental decision and anticipated legal action, all matters—from the cup to the prize money—remain pending, awaiting the outcome of the CAS hearing in one of the most complex cases in the history of AFCON.

Featured image via the Canary

Iran is considering imposing a 10% toll on all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

This would generate an approximate $73bn a year, which will immediately offset the cost of US sanctions, along with paying for all the damage from the US and Israel’s illegal attacks.

Did Donald Trump think he was the only one with the power to impose tariffs?

Brilliant move by Iran. They are planning to levy a 10% toll on all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This will generate $73 billion a year, completely offsetting US sanctions and paying for war damages. Checkmate. pic.twitter.com/ahjNE3HUEr

— Furkan Gözükara (@FurkanGozukara) March 18, 2026

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Is this one of Donald Trump’s great deals??? https://t.co/MDsV93OZyr

— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) March 18, 2026

The US has spent billions illegally blowing up Iran. Now it will also have to pay to fix it.

$11B spent blowing things up, AND we get to pay to fix what we destroyed. #WarWithoutAPlan#IsThisWinning https://t.co/nuIPZ7EhcM

— Jac 🇺🇸🇺🇦💙 (@JacDalAM) March 18, 2026

Trump is so concerned with breaking international law and ranting on Truth Social that he has forgotten to think through the consequences of his actions.

The previous US presidents that denied Israel’s requests to attack Iran all knew who they were fucking with. Trump was the only dumbass who did not 😂 https://t.co/CUzSWZGk43

— Pistachio 🇮🇷 🇵🇸 (@HarleyShah) March 18, 2026

Although that would rely on him having a brain.

This is what asymmetric strategy looks like. When you can’t control the system, you leverage the chokepoints the system depends on. Hormuz isn’t geography, it’s power.

— DialecticalX (@DialecticalX) March 18, 2026

Sanctions

The US has been imposing sanctions on Iran since 1980. Bill Clinton tightened these in 1995 and banned US companies from dealing with Iran. Congress also passed a law penalising foreign entities investing in the country’s energy sector or selling Iran advanced weapons. The US cited “nuclear advancement” and support of groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Most of the West has labelled Hamas and Hezbollah as “terrorists”. But what the US never said out loud was that it was directly responsible for creating all three of those groups – meaning its sanctions are bullshit. The US has always offered Israel its unwavering support, and it has repeatedly called for both to disarm and disband. Meaning that is also the US’s goal

However, both only exist because of Israel’s repeated illegal invasions of sovereign nations, which the US has both directly and indirectly supported. Hezbollah was formed in 1982 after Israel illegally invaded Lebanon. Importantly, the US supplied Israel with the majority of its weapons for that invasion. Similarly, Hamas’s goal is to:

liberate Palestine and confront the Zionist project.

Hamas was founded in Gaza in 1987 shortly after the start of the first Intifada, an uprising against Israel’s occupation of Palestine. Once again, in 1987,  the US supplied it with “advanced weaponry” to continue its system of apartheid and cruelty.

Importantly, armed resistance is not illegal under international law, no matter how many Western countries label you as a terrorist. So the US may have imposed sanctions in the name of ‘combating terrorism’ – but the reality was merely a resistance that the US itself had created.

Payback

Now, it seems the Iranians want well-deserved payback.

The Iranian authorities have stated that they are now applying the principle of “an eye for an eye.”

— Kevin Muruta (@KevinMuruta) March 18, 2026

To pay for the 47 yrs of illegal sanctions against Iran ~ This will be Justice for Iran 🇮🇷 https://t.co/9U6C6NJ4gA

— Dave Simpson (@DaveSim25817596) March 19, 2026

Trump and his cronies are getting exactly what they deserve. They may not be paying for their Epstein-related crimes against children, but they will hopefully now pay financially for their own stupidity.

The ability to think through your actions and their potential consequences usually develops during toddlerhood. Unfortunately, it seems that Trump missed this crucial developmental milestone.

Featured image via Associated Press/ YouTube

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has put out a call for evidence for the Timms Review into Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

However, as with pretty much everything the DWP does, it’s already looking like it’ll be another major stitch up.

DWP PIP: Timms Review launches call for evidence

In the last few days, the corporate media has noticeably up its demonisation of disability benefit claimants. Of course, that’s usually a tell-tale sign. You can all but guarantee the department has something in the pipeline when the gutter press kicks into gear maligning welfare.

The latest bullshit was the shitrag Daily Mail clamouring:

One in 10 working age Brits are on disability benefits with 1,000 successful claims A DAY

However, as the Canary’s chief DWP botherer Rachel Charlton-Dailey pointed out, that 1 in 10 figure is complete nonsense. And when disabled people make up 25% of the population – she rightly underscored that it should be closer to 1 in 4. What’s more, as Charlton-Dailey highlighted:

that 1,000 is the number of successful claims. The Mail article glosses over the fact that, in those 13 years, 4.4 million claims were denied. It also completely ignores the scale of the backlog to even get PIP.

In short, it was more lowlights in the Mail’s revolting history of vilifying benefit claimants. But crucially, now its agenda in publishing this has been made extra obvious: to manufacture public consent for devastating PIP cuts.

Because lo and behold, less than 48 hours later, the Timms Review has launched its call for evidence. And predictably it’s chock-full of the kind of leading questions that just scream ‘forgone conclusion’.

Just 10 weeks for disabled people to have their say

In a press release the DWP published 19 March, it announced the call, stating:

The Review is examining whether PIP – which supports nearly four million people in England and Wales with the extra costs of disability – better reflects how people’s conditions impact them in the modern world.

The Call for Evidence – which runs until 28 May – is the first step in a wider, accessible programme of engagement, shaped by the Review’s steering group. This will ensure as many disabled people as possible contribute to it, including young people.

The first thing that immediately stands out is that the call for evidence runs for only 10 weeks. Technically, since this isn’t a consultation, that’s not unlawful – unlike the previous Conservative government’s 8-week Work Capability Assessment (WCA) consultation.

Even so, ordinarily, the government will host these in line with its 12-week requirement around consultations. Case in point: the Treasury has announced a call for evidence on the “future of the Advance Corporation Tax regime” today (19 March) as well. That runs for 12 weeks (until 11 June). Because when reforms are for Labour’s billionaire buddies in business, the government will give them ample time to lobby their grievances.

Of course, it speaks volumes that the DWP is giving disabled people – some of whom will need more time to engage – even less time than the standard amount to do so. Ironically, the press release quotes Stephen Timms suggesting:

it is vital that as many people as possible have the chance to contribute.

The DWP likes to talk a big game about listening to disabled people when it’s doing exactly the opposite. Naturally, it’s also not the only ‘stakeholders’ it wants to hear from:

Anyone can respond and those with lived or learned experience of PIP, including disabled people, the organisations that represent them, carers, clinicians, experts, MPs, and other elected officials across the UK, are particularly encouraged to do so.

Those ‘experts’ will inevitably be stacked with talking heads from the likes of Iain Duncan Smith’s Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) and other diabolical think tanks, no doubt.

Constricting PIP criteria: the real agenda – again?

Some of the questions and information the review is seeking could be genuinely game-changing if the DWP responds right. It wants to know about disabled people’s experiences of the assessment process and barriers to it. In other parts of the call, it asks for evidence about reasonable adjustments, experiences with external assessment providers, and both the award review and appeals process.

There’s a lot of opportunity in these parts for disabled people to highlight the many flaws in the current system.

That said, this it the DWP we’re talking about here. The chance it will actually do anything positive to improve the PIP process feel slim to none. At best, it will take forward a few good changes, but use them to package more brutal cuts.

One notable sentence confirming this concerns what the review says it’s “particularly interested in”, states that:

the assessment criteria for both Mobility and Daily Living elements of PIP – including activities, descriptors and associated points – and whether these effectively capture the impact of long-term health conditions and disability in the modern world (from the Terms of Reference)

It’s hard not to see this as a sly to justify constricting the PIP criteria to exclude people. Of course, this is precisely what the DWP previously tried to do to slash people’s access to PIP with its egregious 4 point policy.

Keeping PIP in ‘fixed financial limits’

And question four brings this into focus further. It asks:

What has changed in wider society and the workplace since 2013 (and might be expected to change in the future), how has this impacted PIP and does PIP need to change accordingly?

On its own, that might sound innocuous enough. However, it couches this in calls for:

the factors contributing to increased disability prevalence in society including different conditions, ages, people, and terminal illness

That’s very blatantly a hat-tip to the government’s latest scapegoating around the rise of claims involving mental health and neurodivergence. And of course, the DWP and its lapdog press have been on overdrive stigmatising and trivialising them. The department’s clear goal has been to make it harder for people with these conditions to claim PIP.

To top it off, the review also wants to hear from stakeholders:

how PIP can remain within fixed financial limits

In reality then, this is what it’s all about. The DWP wants to kick people off PIP to slash spending. Making PIP more accessible and inclusive won’t make the department savings. So whatever evidence disabled people provide, a fit-for-purpose disability benefit system won’t be the outcome.

A tick-box exercise

At this point, we feel like a broken record, but it still needs saying: this Labour government has no real intention of genuinely including disabled people in decisions that will deeply impact their lives.

From the moment the government paused its plans for PIP (because let’s be honest, it never committed to chucking its shameful cuts out altogether), it was only a matter of time before it started weaponising bare minimum ‘consultation’ and ‘co-production’ with disabled people. Naturally, it’s all to lay the groundwork for following through with them.

This call for evidence shows that once again, disabled people’s lived realities are little more than tick-box exercises to the callous DWP.

But then, what more should anyone expect from a government that’s already gutted the health element of Universal Credit, is sneakily slashing Access to Work support, and continues to vilify disabled claimants at every turn.

You can respond to the call for evidence until 28 May here.

Featured image via the Canary