TV writer Annalisa Dinnella has warned that disabled creatives are at risk after Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) claimants had their payments and support withdrawn with no opportunity to appeal. Dinnella said cuts to the Access to Work (AtW) scheme have left her without support, making it increasingly difficult for her to perform.
Access to Work scheme cuts
Access to Work is a government programme aimed at supporting disabled people to take up or remain in work. The support package covers a wide range of interventions beyond 'reasonable adjustments' associated with overcoming work-related barriers resulting from disability, and is agreed based on individual need.
Dinnella told the Guardian: "Thanks to recent cuts to my AtW support, it has become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, for me to perform." She submitted a reconsideration request and her MP, Ellie Reeves, also contacted the DWP on her behalf.
Appeal rejected
Within weeks, the DWP sent her a letter stating her appeal had been rejected. Dinnella said: "So where do I go from here? Nowhere. There is no recourse to appeal against an appeal. I find myself at a legal dead end."
In response to a written question by Liberal Democrats MP Steve Darling in September, Labour Party MP Sir Stephen Timms denied any change to the AtW scheme. However, campaigners have accused the government of cuts by the back door.
Government response
Timms said: "In the past, some guidance restrictions have not consistently been implemented. The guidance is now being applied more consistently. For the last year, work has been underway to improve Scheme decision-making by applying the guidance with greater consistency, to provide a fairer process. This may mean that some awards change at the point of renewal, but there has been no change in Scheme policy, or instruction to reduce support levels."
A DWP spokesperson told Big Issue Magazine that the government was working to fix inherited issues in the AtW system. "We inherited an Access to Work scheme that is failing both employees and employers, which is why – as part of our welfare reform – we consulted on how it could be improved. We are reviewing all aspects of the scheme and will develop future policy with disabled people and the organisations that represent them."
