Although, typically, the details are obscure, the Starmer government has signalled that it will U-turn over some aspects of the withdrawal of winter fuel payments to pensioners it introduced last year. One down (sort of), but many more to go.

At the last meeting of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) all-Britain steering committee we discussed a letter from Swansea Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC). They have been campaigning to get their local Labour MPs to publicly debate their position on the proposed cuts to disability and other welfare benefits. There is supposed to be a ‘public consultation’ on the plans, so why not tell the public what they think?

It was agreed to fully support their initiative and encourage similar campaigns elsewhere to also put Labour MPs on the spot before a parliamentary vote.

One way is to follow the Swansea model and try and get in-person public debates in as many areas as possible.

But there are many other ways for everyone to join in too.  From writing to your own MP (with an Inclusion London model letter available to use) to supporting the parliamentary motion submitted by the left-wing MP Richard Burgon calling for a wealth tax instead of devastating cuts to disability support.  Just follow the link to start – https://bit.ly/m/Stop-the-cuts

Starmer has been forced into one half U-turn – now let’s stop the disability benefit cuts. ■