A Full-Frontal Assault on Vulnerable Communities

Rob McDowall, Chair of Welfare Scotland, recently spoke out in unequivocal terms:

“The Chancellor’s so-called ‘reforms’ to the benefits system are nothing short of a full-frontal assault on disabled and chronically ill people. These plans are not just cruel – they are an unforgivable act of state-sanctioned harm, designed to strip dignity, security and basic survival from those who already face immense hardship.”

Rob’s words capture the frustration and fear many in our communities are feeling. For disabled people and their families, the prospect of further cuts to essential support is both terrifying and demeaning. Instead of addressing structural economic problems, these proposals appear to shift the burden onto those least able to bear it.

Economic Violence Masquerading as Reform

Rob goes on to describe the reforms as “state-sanctioned cruelty” and “economic violence,” underscoring the profound injustice of targeting disabled people under the guise of cost-saving measures. When the government frames these cuts as necessary, it ignores the very real human cost—families forced to choose between heating and eating, or skipping vital medical appointments because of mounting financial pressure.

The Broader Context: Human Rights and Social Justice

At Welfare Scotland, we share the view that any legislation affecting disabled people and those who are chronically ill must be evaluated through the lens of human rights. Policies that undermine dignity and independence are fundamentally at odds with a fair, compassionate society. As Mr McDowall notes, “Let those with the broadest shoulders bear the heaviest burden.” True reform should be rooted in equity and justice, not austerity.

What You Can Do

• Write to Your MP or MSP: Share your concerns and ask them to oppose these harmful proposals. Go to writetothem.com to find out who your MP is

• Engage with Advocacy Groups: Organisations like Welfare Scotland and Disability Rights UK provide valuable resources for taking meaningful action.

• Spread the Word: Whether online or in person, keep the conversation going. Every voice raised in opposition sends a powerful message.

The government’s proposed benefit reforms are not just another political debate; they are a moral and human rights issue. By standing together, we can demand that our leaders abandon policies that undermine the very people who need the most support. Now is the time to speak up, organise, and ensure that dignity, security, and basic survival are not privileges but rights for everyone in our community.

The main piece of legislation relating to the use of your data is Articles 7(3), 17 and 21 of the GDPR, you have the right to request and require the data controller to delete your personal data and to withdraw and withhold your consent to your data being collected, stored and processed. There are of course exemptions for emergency services, for the administration of benefits, pensions and taxes etc and for the national health service.

Visible Labs describe data brokers as a business, organisation or entity which “…crawls the internet for information and buys it from companies whose services you use. The broker then bundles it up for their own use, or sells it to 3rd parties. The third parties can then use the information collected how they like.”

If you would like to remove your personal information from data brokers lists, you can use the free and simple tool provided by Visible Labs at https://remover.visiblelabs.org.

Visible Labs verify your email address and then ask for your contact information. Their system creates emails personalised with your request for removal and your details to allow the broker to find your information and remove it. The website is secured and your personal information is not saved by Visible Labs.

Some providers do a great job at advertising social tariffs while others do not. The telecoms regulator Ofcom have made it clear that they remain unimpressed by providers who either do not offer these services or who aren’t advertising them widely enough. Unfortunately TalkTalk and O2 are two of the largest telecoms providers who do not have a social tariff. Some providers offer the social tariff to customers for as long as they remain eligible whereas others limit theirs to a set duration after which the special pricing will cease.

When a new order is placed for a social tariff product, the provider will use your details including your national insurance number in order to obtain confirmation from the DWP that you receive means tested benefit.

BT - British Telecom

BT have three such packages available and two include line rental and broadband.

Home Essentials 1 - Unlimited data. Speed up to 36Mbps. 700 minutes of calls to UK based landlines and mobile phones.

• £15 per month

Home Essentials 2 - Unlimited data. Speed up to 67Mbps. Includes unlimited free calls to UK based landlines and mobile phones.

• £20 per month

Home Essentials - Calls only plan - includes line rental and unlimited free calls to UK based landlines and mobile phones.

• £10 per month

To place an order for any Home Essentials package, you need to call 0800 800 150.

Sky Broadband

Sky offer one social tariff product.

Sky - Superfast fibre broadband. Speed up to 36Mbps. Sky Pay As You Go Talk including landline rental cost. Includes a Sky mobile subscription with 3GB data allowance, unlimited free texts, unlimited calls to UK mobiles and landlines and a 5G add-on. Social tariff is available for 18 months after which the customer will move to a standard plan.

• £20 per month

To place an order for this package, you need to call Sky customer services on 03337 593 452.

Virgin Media

Virgin Media have three such packages available and two include fibre broadband.

Essential Broadband - Speed up to 15Mbps.

• £12.50 per month

Essential Broadband Plus - Speed up to 54Mbps.

• £20 per month

Essential Broadband Plus with Stream - Speed up to 54Mbps includes Virgin Media stream box.

• £20 per month

To place an order for this package, you need to call Virgin Media via live chat at https://rb.gy/k5gfl

Lothian Broadband

Lothian Broadband offer one social tariff product.

Lothian Broadband Social Tariff - Fibre broadband with speeds of up to 100Mbps.

• £19.99 per month with a 24 month contract

To make an order for this package, you need to contact Lothian Broadband on 03302 369 900.

Vodafone Home Broadband

Vodafone offer one social tariff product for broadband.

Vodafone Essentials Broadband - Speeds of up to 38Mbps.

• £12 per month

To make an order for this package, you need to register online at https://rb.gy/u8y16

VOXI Mobile

VOXI offer one social tariff product for a mobile phone service. The VOXI service uses Vodafone’s mobile telephone network.

VOXI for now - Unlimited data, calls and text messages. Lasts for 6 months then customer moved to a standard £10 per month plan.

• £10 per month

To place an order for this package, you need to register online at https://rb.gy/ua5sc

SMARTY Mobile

SMARTY offer one social tariff product for a mobile phone service. The SMARTY service uses Three’s mobile telephone network.

SMARTY social tariff - Unlimited data, calls and text messages. EU roaming and 5G at no additional cost.

• £12 per month

To place an order for this package, you need to register online at https://rb.gy/0883d

EE Mobile

EE offer one social tariff product for a mobile phone service.

EE Basics - 5GB data, unlimited calls and unlimited text messages.

• £12 per month

To place an order for this package, you need to call EE on 150 if you are a current customer or if you are not, then call 0800 956 6000.

Other Providers

The above list is far from complete and only highlights a few services I’d personally recommend. I have no business or other relationship with any of the providers or companies listed above. There are a number of other suppliers offering social tariffs and you should view the full list on the Ofcom website at https://rb.gy/f0yqg