Dear Mainstream Media
I'm mystified, totally puzzled.
I know there are lots of cuts happening all at once and group after group must be lobbying for column inches or news slots. Students, middle income child benefit recipients, housing benefit claimants frightened they are about to become homeless, nurses, fire fighters, police, local councils - we all want you to take our cause to heart, to tell people what is really happening on our behalf.
Students have marched, with youth and vitality and could presumably do so until 2015. The broadsheets were falling over themselves to tell the higher rate tax paying, cornflake-munching- commuters of Britain just how much they stand to lose in child benefit. (£1,055 per year for the first child, £696.80 for each additional child). You've made sure that most of us know how many police officers we could lose or how pay freezes faced by nurses will add up.
But there is a group who might as well not exist. The newspapers rarely write about us, (unless it is to demonise or deny us with Daily Mail Group hyperbole) the TV stations turn a blind eye - there is not even a political party prepared to stand up for us. We have no-one but ourselves, yet our voices are probably the weakest in society. Most of us can't physically march, some can't even speak at all and others don't know what is being done to them. We have no networks of influential contacts, most can't attend rallies or flash-mobs.
Sick and Disabled people are now facing cuts of up to a third in their incomes. Since George Osborne's Comprehensive Spending Review last October, there has been a steady drip-drip of almost daily announcements that have stripped away decades of hard-fought dignity in just a few short months.
-Employment Support Allowance (ESA) will now be time limited to 1 year (Cost : £4752.80 pa)
-2.27 Million of the 2.5 million claiming ESA will now be considered fit for work (91%)
-Up to 750,000 of the most profoundly disabled who claim DLA will also be found fit and have their benefits stopped (25%)
-Benefit rates have been frozen (Potential loss of up to 15% of income over 5 yr parliament)
-Housing benefit caps will make many disabled people homeless
-Work support schemes are being scrapped at a time when unemployment is already creeping towards 3 million. The "Access to Work" programme will be scrapped, which helped small and medium sized businesses adapt premises, job centres face cuts and a private, American firm (ATOS) have been given an almost total monopoly in forcing us into work, paid commission for each "success"
-Local councils face cuts so vast (27% over 5 yr parliament) that they have already started to cut vital support services - pulling funding for hospices, axing specialist school provision, closing hospital wards, cutting care packages - the list goes on and on. This article might help to put things into perspective http://diaryofabenefitscrounger.blogspot.com/2011/01/nowhere-to-turn-for-vulnerable.
-Disability Living Allowance is to be scrapped and replaced, whilst adults needing full time residential care and children in hospital will have the basic right of mobility taken away from them, with the scrapping of mobility payments for these groups.
These are not people with a little twinge here and there. A few headaches or a sore finger. They are the Mum with breast cancer or teenager with heart disease. They are our sons with leukaemia or our profoundly disabled sister with muscular dystrophy. They are the college friend who broke his spine in the army or the lover who nearly drowned on holiday and was left brain damaged. The wife or the daughter or the nan who used to run marathons, now fighting for every agonised breath from lung disease.
Most aren't born sick. The odd headache or a twinge in the chest becomes a tumour or a blood clot and life changes forever. That Thursday morning doctor's appointment stops the world from turning and the blood runs cold in your veins. Most face disability in a heartbeat as their car flips into a ditch or their ski comes loose. Lawyers and bankers and producers and columnists don't have a special immunity gene. Their spines crush and their previously taken-for-granted bodies let them down just as easily as those of cleaners or shop-assistants. This is the most important issue any of us will face - and we will face it. One in three will develop some kind of cancer, over 10 million in the UK suffer from a disability or chronic illness.
In exactly one month, DLA is due to be slashed by parliament. By the 14th February, if sickness or disability come for you or your loved ones, (and sadly, the statistics are that one day, in some form, they will) you may find that all those NI payments and tax contributions have been for nothing. You may find yourself totally dependent on a partner financially, unable to get treatment, care or equipment to make your already unrecognisable life liveable. If you have no partner, you may find yourself in abject poverty, or even homeless as you try to face the un-faceable. If your soft and perfect new baby turns out to be autistic or dying, you may have to helplessly watch them die. If you think this is dramatic or overly emotional, actually it probably isn't dramatic enough. I have one month to make you aware of what your future could hold.
Today, we use the only tool we have - the blogosphere. Happily, the internet is awash with eloquence, passion and determination. Bloggers all over the web have agreed to write about this today. The hashtag #ombh will be used on Twitter to bring these articles together. Wherever you look, I hope you read stories like this. You can help by posting this and articles like it (see http://thebrokenofbritain.blogspot.com ) on Facebook, websites and Twitter, by calling radio phone-ins and writing to your MP (a template letter will be available at Broken of Britain too) Sign petitions, tell your friends, write to the papers. You can use the "One Month Before Heartbreak" picture at the top of my site as your avatar or you can blog yourself.
Just help. Please. Before you realise that we were right, but we couldn't change things in time to save your Mum or your wife or your son.
Friday, 14 January 2011
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Define Fair
http://www.daa.org.uk/index.php?mact=Blogs,cntnt01,showentry,0&cntnt01entryid=323&cntnt01returnid=98
"A report commissioned by Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People (NCODP) found that due to cuts in benefits and local services the poorest 53% of disabled people in the county of Norfolk, around 100,000 people and their families, will see their living standards decline by a third over the next four years."
Well, firstly, well done NCODP. Reports like these help to crystallise just how unfair these cuts are in the minds of those still wavering over the "We're all in this together" "We will protect the most vulnerable" "There is no Alternative" rhetoric.
What I really want to point out (and have been meaning to for ages!) is that sick and disabled people already live on very little money indeed. Here are the current levels of sickness and disability benefits from the DWPs own website:
Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
You need dialysis at home at least twice a week?
You are 100% blind and 80% deaf?
You have had both legs amputated above the ankle or were born without legs or feet
You are severely mentally impaired with severe behavioural problems and need help with personal care day and night?
If "no" you are not likely to qualify for DLA but may still claim."
So, only 9% of claimants are currently being found too ill to work and placed in the Support group of ESA. These claimants would be very likely to qualify for some level of DLA too, though not necessarily the top rates by any means.
Therefore, most people unable to work because of severe illness get just £388.45 per month to live on.
The most profoundly disabled - those unable to walk at all who need all of their care needs met might receive an absolute maximum of £903.76 per month.
Please don't be fooled though. The higher amount must cover modified transport, wheelchairs, hoists, carers and extra dietary and equipment needs. Over 2.5 million sick and disabled people live on just under £400 per month.
Just to really put all of this in perspective, this chart shows that the UK actually has the lowest benefit rates anywhere in the developed world. (See last entry in table) http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/1/11/935567/-Social-Security-rescue-needs-no-draconian-fixes
Cutting that by a third really tells us all we need to know about this coalition doesn't it?
"A report commissioned by Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People (NCODP) found that due to cuts in benefits and local services the poorest 53% of disabled people in the county of Norfolk, around 100,000 people and their families, will see their living standards decline by a third over the next four years."
Well, firstly, well done NCODP. Reports like these help to crystallise just how unfair these cuts are in the minds of those still wavering over the "We're all in this together" "We will protect the most vulnerable" "There is no Alternative" rhetoric.
What I really want to point out (and have been meaning to for ages!) is that sick and disabled people already live on very little money indeed. Here are the current levels of sickness and disability benefits from the DWPs own website:
Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
Weekly rate during the assessment phase
The assessment phase rate is paid for the first 13 weeks of your claim while a decision is made on your capability for work through the Work Capability Assessment.
Age of claimant Weekly amount
A single person aged under 25 up to £51.85
A single person aged 25 and over up to £65.45
Weekly amount during the main phase
The main phase starts from week 14 of your claim, if the Work Capability Assessment shows that your illness or disability does limit your ability to work.
Type of Group
A single person in the Work Related Activity Group up to £91.40
A single person in the Support group up to £96.85
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Care Component
Highest Rate £71.40
Middle Rate £47.80
Lowest Rate £18.95
Mobility Component
Higher Rate £49.85
Lower Rate £18.95
Now, be under no illusion, DLA, Disability Living Allowance, the second set of figures, only apply to the most profoundly disabled people. Sickness and disability benefit fraud rates are less than 1% (DWP own figures) and the application process is stringent. Here are the DWP guidelines on who is likely to qualify for the benefit:
"Do any of the following apply to you? Age of claimant Weekly amount
A single person aged under 25 up to £51.85
A single person aged 25 and over up to £65.45
Weekly amount during the main phase
The main phase starts from week 14 of your claim, if the Work Capability Assessment shows that your illness or disability does limit your ability to work.
Type of Group
A single person in the Work Related Activity Group up to £91.40
A single person in the Support group up to £96.85
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Care Component
Highest Rate £71.40
Middle Rate £47.80
Lowest Rate £18.95
Mobility Component
Higher Rate £49.85
Lower Rate £18.95
Now, be under no illusion, DLA, Disability Living Allowance, the second set of figures, only apply to the most profoundly disabled people. Sickness and disability benefit fraud rates are less than 1% (DWP own figures) and the application process is stringent. Here are the DWP guidelines on who is likely to qualify for the benefit:
You need dialysis at home at least twice a week?
You are 100% blind and 80% deaf?
You have had both legs amputated above the ankle or were born without legs or feet
You are severely mentally impaired with severe behavioural problems and need help with personal care day and night?
If "no" you are not likely to qualify for DLA but may still claim."
So, only 9% of claimants are currently being found too ill to work and placed in the Support group of ESA. These claimants would be very likely to qualify for some level of DLA too, though not necessarily the top rates by any means.
Therefore, most people unable to work because of severe illness get just £388.45 per month to live on.
The most profoundly disabled - those unable to walk at all who need all of their care needs met might receive an absolute maximum of £903.76 per month.
Please don't be fooled though. The higher amount must cover modified transport, wheelchairs, hoists, carers and extra dietary and equipment needs. Over 2.5 million sick and disabled people live on just under £400 per month.
Just to really put all of this in perspective, this chart shows that the UK actually has the lowest benefit rates anywhere in the developed world. (See last entry in table) http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/1/11/935567/-Social-Security-rescue-needs-no-draconian-fixes
Cutting that by a third really tells us all we need to know about this coalition doesn't it?
Cameron's Cuts
Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts
Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts
Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's cuts
Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts
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Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts
Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts
Cameron's Cuts Cameron's cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts
Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts
Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's cuts
Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts
Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts
Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts Cameron's Cuts
"any cabinet minister … who comes to me and says 'Here are my plans' and they involve frontline reductions, they'll be sent straight back to their department to go away and think again"...."Our plans involve cutting wasteful spending....our plans don't involve an increase in VAT...."I wouldn't change child benefit, I wouldn't means test it, I don't think that's a good idea"....."It is sick and frankly disgusting to say we will end the two week cancer guarantee" ....."Hospitals are my number one priority to be totally protected"......"I Absolutely support the EMAs"....."I will lead the greenest government ever"......"Tax office is to soften stance on tax avoidance, FT"....."Tax breaks for wealthy heirs, FT"..... "measures to tackle the budget (VAT) would have to be "pretty permanent" - but he (Cameron) hoped the 50p tax rate for top earners would be scrapped, BBC"....."This is the support, trust and respect that parents of those with disabilities deserve. Because we can never forget what an amazing job they do. Just consider what it would mean if the army of parents and carers in this country gave up, packed up, said they couldn't cope any more. The financial cost of looking after those children would be immense" ....."David Cameron and Mr Osborne sought to kill off Labour claims that they would slash public services by pledging to match the (Labour) Government's (spending) plans during the first two years of a Conservative government. The pledge ran until 2010/11, Daily Mail, Feb 08"
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
This is what cuts Mean
http://purple-noise.blogspot.com/2011/01/beginning-of-end.html
This is Depressing. Horrifying. Disgusting. Shocking. Frightening.
And exactly what I've been warning of.
Really, do you want this?? Tea Party Britain? Scared, frightened, desperate, miserable people who've already been dealt the hardest blow? I'm crying as I post this, because this poor soul is just the start. How many suicides shall we allow? 5? 50? 500? 5000? They're coming, because this group already face the greatest pain, the fiercest battles, the nastiest taunts.
Dear God, what are we coming to?
Sure, click on her link, but I'm posting the text below just in case.
Again, Tweet, Share, Link, write to your MP, sign petitions, tell friends. I'm really not given to over-
reaction, so trust me. This is just sick.
This is Depressing. Horrifying. Disgusting. Shocking. Frightening.
And exactly what I've been warning of.
Really, do you want this?? Tea Party Britain? Scared, frightened, desperate, miserable people who've already been dealt the hardest blow? I'm crying as I post this, because this poor soul is just the start. How many suicides shall we allow? 5? 50? 500? 5000? They're coming, because this group already face the greatest pain, the fiercest battles, the nastiest taunts.
Dear God, what are we coming to?
Sure, click on her link, but I'm posting the text below just in case.
The beginning of the end
Just a quick note - I'm talking about suicide in this post, MY suicide. If you don't wish to read this, please click the X now. Some people don't like reading about such things, some people think it's wrong to talk about it before the event, some people are simply upset by the subject. I respect anyone's choice not to read this post, so please take this as your only warning and leave now if you wish.
So the time I've been dreading is nearly here. Any time from next month onwards I could receive the letter which changes things forever. The white envelope with "this is not a circular" emblazoned across the front, its contents demanding that I outline in excruciating detail every little thing I face on a daily basis. Guilty until proved innocent. The migration from incapacity benefit to ESA requires that I be reassessed, the fact that things haven't changed for me since my last assessment doesn't matter. It's not enough for them that I write "unchanged", I have to sit myself under a microscope and allow myself to be scrutinised until they are satisfied that I am not a fraud.
There are a few ways this could go:
I fill in the form, they accept that and I move to ESA with no problems.
I fill in the form and they "require further evidence" in the form of a face-to-face medical examination.
I get refused without a medical.
I get refused after having the medical.
Any result other than option 1, and I will end my life. The form itself is difficult enough when I had to fill one in a few years back I ended up in hospital from the sheer stress of it all. I know that once I have spent the amount of energy it will take to do the form, I won't have any left for anything further, medical included. I will not be having a medical. It is simply not something I am able to go through, I just don't have the ability. The last medical I attended very nearly killed me. The only thing that prevented me deleting myself back then was some serious input from friends who arranged an advocate to attend the medical with me, and by some stroke of luck an understanding examining doctor who within 5 minutes called the assessment off because on seeing how distressed I was she said it would be torture to force me to continue. There is no way I would be that lucky again, and knowing how it was last time there is no way I would be able to survive that process again.
To fail this assessment at any stage would leave me in poverty and ultimately homeless. Many people don't understand how this would happen, so let me explain. To fail to qualify for ESA would mean initially to claim Jobseeker's Allowance. OK, so for a few weeks I'd have less money to live on but would still survive on basic rations and have a roof over my head, fair enough. But soon I would be made to attend interviews, workshops and sessions all supposedly designed to help me find a job. Let's leave aside that many of these sessions are soul-destroying; pointlessly "sitting in a room for 8 hours a day with a couple of newspapers and a broken computer" seems to be a common theme from those currently subject to such an arrangement. But the point is - I can't work. Now if I can't work, how am I supposed to attend these sessions? If I was able to get to the required sessions, I would be able to get a job and wouldn't be in this position in the first place. So what would happen is, I don't manage to attend the session. Depending on the policy at the time (it seems to change quite often depending on which bare-faced liar - sorry, government minister - is speaking) I would face either a reduction in JSA, or no benefit for a fixed period of time, or get the benefit cut altogether. And there's the problem: no benefit means no home, no food, no nothing.
There is also the double-whammy of my Disability Living Allowance renewal, which will take place some time this Summer. Usually this would be a stressful enough process in itself. However this time we are told that any information used in the DLA assessment may affect existing IB/ESA information. Meaning that I could in theory be subjected to two assessments in a single year, both with the same possible outcomes of failing and losing everything.
I've been homeless before, and I'm not doing it again. I've slept under bridges, on stranger's floors, in the stairwell of a block of flats. I've given blowjobs in return for a coffee and sometimes a bath, I've slept with men to secure a warm bed for the night. I've washed my knickers in the sink in Asda's toilets. I've gone months without brushing my teeth. I once allowed a homeless guy to touch my breasts in return for him going into Tesco and stealing me a pack of sanitary pads, not wanting to steal myself and not being able to get them any other way. I've recovered from a paracetamol overdose, alone, lying in an alcove underneath a multi-storey car park.
I do not wish to go through any of that again, nor should I have to. However if I fail this reassessment - which is a likely outcome - I would be forced to. Unless I choose the only other option: death.
So I have my plan. I know how I will die if the time comes. I have undertaken much research to choose the method most likely to be successful for me, and I have acquired the means necessary to do so. Don't get me wrong I'm not about to voluntarily pop my clogs in the next 3 days or anything. But I would much rather die in comfort in my own home than wait until I'm on the streets with no resources to finish the job properly, so I have made the preparations while I can.
Let me get something straight here: I don't want to die. Sure, I've felt suicidal in the past and made attempts on my life in the past, but on the whole I want to try to live. Everything I do is based on survival, from moving house to a place that feels safer, to injuring myself as a way to cope with the otherwise uncopeable. It's an oft-quoted phrase by people who talk about suicide, "I don't want to die, I just can't face living any more". And that's the position I would be in if I was forced into poverty and homelessness, I would rather die than live like that. I want to make this clear, I'm not just some loony who was going to kill herself anyway. If I press the button it will be as a direct result of the assessment process. The process which has been made increasingly more difficult to pass even for those who are terminally ill or in hospital at the time. The process where those examining are given targets and incentives for failing people. The process where time and time again it has been proved that the examining professional has lied and written down something completely different to what the claimant has told them, or disregarded medical evidence provided by a claimaint's own doctors. The process that may not even include a doctor, where someone claiming on mental health grounds could get assessed by a physiotherapist. The process which is based purely on numbers and luck, and not on an individual's actual circumstances and needs.
That is what will kill me."
Again, Tweet, Share, Link, write to your MP, sign petitions, tell friends. I'm really not given to over-
reaction, so trust me. This is just sick.
George Osborne, The Artful Tax Dodger Pt 2
Just for fun, after writing http://diaryofabenefitscrounger.blogspot.com/2011/01/george-osborne-artful-tax-dodger.html I thought I'd finish the "I'd do Anything" lyrics.
If anyone wants to get together a choir of urchins and use it for propaganda, just let me know ;)
Altogether now.....
I'd do anything,
For rich, pals, anything
Yes I'd do Anything..
Anything?
Anything for Blue.
Would you sell our trees?
Anything
Raise tuition fees?
Anything
Ignore every plea?
Anything
Trash economies?
It's what I do...
I'd do anything,
To keep, me, in the swim,
Yes I'd do anything
Anything?
Anything, for Blue.
Would you keep your cash?
Course I would.
In a private stash?
As I should.
Watch the protests clash?
If I could
As you sneer and slash?
My destiny
I'd do anything
To shaft you
Anything
Yes I'd do anything
Anything?
Anything, for Blue"
If anyone wants to get together a choir of urchins and use it for propaganda, just let me know ;)
Altogether now.....
"I'd do anything
For you, Blue, anything,
Yes I'd do anything
Anything?
Anything for Blue....
Would you twist the facts?
Anything
Bring us Maggie back?
Anything
Give us all the sack?
Anything?
Make a Lib Dem pact?
Dear Nicholas.....
I'd do Anything
Though arrogant and dim,
Yes I'd do Anything
Anything?
Anything, for Blue.
Would you stuff the poor?
Anything!
Change protection laws?
Anything!
Slam shut every door?
Anything
If they ask for more?
I'd let em starve.....
For you, Blue, anything,
Yes I'd do anything
Anything?
Anything for Blue....
Would you twist the facts?
Anything
Bring us Maggie back?
Anything
Give us all the sack?
Anything?
Make a Lib Dem pact?
Dear Nicholas.....
I'd do Anything
Though arrogant and dim,
Yes I'd do Anything
Anything?
Anything, for Blue.
Would you stuff the poor?
Anything!
Change protection laws?
Anything!
Slam shut every door?
Anything
If they ask for more?
I'd let em starve.....
I'd do anything,
For rich, pals, anything
Yes I'd do Anything..
Anything?
Anything for Blue.
Would you sell our trees?
Anything
Raise tuition fees?
Anything
Ignore every plea?
Anything
Trash economies?
It's what I do...
I'd do anything,
To keep, me, in the swim,
Yes I'd do anything
Anything?
Anything, for Blue.
Would you keep your cash?
Course I would.
In a private stash?
As I should.
Watch the protests clash?
If I could
As you sneer and slash?
My destiny
I'd do anything
To shaft you
Anything
Yes I'd do anything
Anything?
Anything, for Blue"
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Nowhere to Turn for Vulnerable
I have to accept that the majority of people still support cuts to public spending. http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/archives/2945
I think that in a fuzzy, undefined way, most of them think the cuts will mainly come from dole scroungers, healthy cheats "on the sick", cutting extortionately high housing benefit enabling massive immigrant families to live in mansions in Mayfair and mopping up the rest, the catch all conscience salve of "efficiency savings."
We're talking about at least £83 Billions of cuts. I'm sure most of us don't have a clue about how much money £83 Billions actually is - well it's eye watering. If you believe a single word I write, then believe me, it's not coming from "efficiency savings" and a few scroungers. Remember, tax rises on top of this £83 Billions (mainly VAT) will only account for around £20 Billions. (Only!)
Of course, I am most passionate about cuts to disability and sickness benefits. So often, this group can't answer back, (literally) can't physically march endlessly up and down Whitehall, and they don't have the financial alternatives to benefits that healthy people do. I know it's easy to turn a blind eye, (no pun intended) or believe the oh-so-smooth Mr Cameron when he assures you that the "poorest and most vulnerable" will be protected, but it's just not true, and my Conservative, Lib Dem and Labour friends are united in their belief that this section of society are being scapegoated, let down and abandoned in a way that is truly sickening.
This post won't be short and snappy. It might be a little detailed and specialist, but if you read it all, you'll find a litany of cuts that will make the world an impossible place for many of the most physically and mentally disabled in our society. I don't want to live in this cruel place and whatever your political persuasion, I think you'll agree. Get a cup of tea, find a quiet half hour, and please, please read this.
Sarah and Keith are in their forties. They have two children, Oliver and Ruby. Oliver is 11 and Ruby is 9. Sarah used to be a Paralegal, but she developed MS 6 years ago. Keith was a Fireman. Oliver was born with severe physical and learning disabilities and is largely dependent for his care needs.
Keith had to first come to terms with his son's profound disability. Then he was dealt the double blow of finding that his wife too, had a progressive, degenerative illness that would shorten her life and slowly take her away from him. He faced a choice : Give up work and look after his family, or see his son and eventually his wife, go into care.
He gave up work and the family became completely dependent on the state for their housing needs, income to buy food and pay bills, care needs for Sarah and Oliver, and transport costs. Nonetheless, Keith undoubtedly saves the state thousands of pounds every month. The cost of pemanent residential care for Oliver would be massive and it will not be long before Sarah would also need full time, residential care. Keith does all of this, largely alone, with just the occasional support of a local hospice for Oliver, that provides a few hours respite care once a week. Oliver does go to a special school and with his modified transport provided through DLA, Keith's dream, is that, with state assistance and Keith's ever constant support, one day, he will be able to live independently, and manage some kind of fulfilling work.
After a year or so, when their lives had somehow settled into the new, (previously unimaginable) routine, Sarah found that claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) meant that she could in fact, still work part time as a paralegal. The higher rate mobility allowed her to pay for transport to and from her office and her small firm of lawyers applied for an "Access to Work" grant which meant that they could install a ramp and a special desk to enable Sarah to actually enter the building to do her job.
Today however, Sarah has become too ill to work. Her speech is slurred, she needs help feeding herself, dressing, and she uses a special chair to allow her some mobility. Now that she can no longer work, she has to claim the ridiculously entitled Employment Support Allowance (ESA).
Ruby is a young carer too. Unpaid and unrecognised, she reads to her Mum and brother, makes them meals and drinks and takes on many other small tasks to help her Dad.
Keith suffers from intermittent depression when the stark reality of his situation becomes too much to bear. However, he has no choice but to carry on, daily trudging through the enormously repetitive and physically demanding job of caring for two severely disabled loved-ones. There are regular hospital stays to deal with, Consultant's appointments, costly prescription charges for Sarah, 40 page plus forms to fill in for every bit of help - for DLA for ESA, for modifications to their home (though Keith does as many as he can himself if he can every find an hour or so).
Sarah has to be "assessed" every few years to keep her financial support. Incredibly, the private American firm ATOS, used to "assess" ESA claimants, placed Sarah in the Work Capability Assessment Group, meaning that she was considered by their non-medically trained assessors to be capable of doing some kind of work. (Only 6% of claimants are now being found entitled to long term support under ATOS's assessments. ( http://diaryofabenefitscrounger.blogspot.com/2010/11/compass-report-into-esa-assessments.html)
Oliver is regularly rushed to hospital by ambulance, his life in the balance, but so far, the incredible local children's ward have saved both his life and his fiercely nurtured dignity.
I think that in a fuzzy, undefined way, most of them think the cuts will mainly come from dole scroungers, healthy cheats "on the sick", cutting extortionately high housing benefit enabling massive immigrant families to live in mansions in Mayfair and mopping up the rest, the catch all conscience salve of "efficiency savings."
We're talking about at least £83 Billions of cuts. I'm sure most of us don't have a clue about how much money £83 Billions actually is - well it's eye watering. If you believe a single word I write, then believe me, it's not coming from "efficiency savings" and a few scroungers. Remember, tax rises on top of this £83 Billions (mainly VAT) will only account for around £20 Billions. (Only!)
Of course, I am most passionate about cuts to disability and sickness benefits. So often, this group can't answer back, (literally) can't physically march endlessly up and down Whitehall, and they don't have the financial alternatives to benefits that healthy people do. I know it's easy to turn a blind eye, (no pun intended) or believe the oh-so-smooth Mr Cameron when he assures you that the "poorest and most vulnerable" will be protected, but it's just not true, and my Conservative, Lib Dem and Labour friends are united in their belief that this section of society are being scapegoated, let down and abandoned in a way that is truly sickening.
This post won't be short and snappy. It might be a little detailed and specialist, but if you read it all, you'll find a litany of cuts that will make the world an impossible place for many of the most physically and mentally disabled in our society. I don't want to live in this cruel place and whatever your political persuasion, I think you'll agree. Get a cup of tea, find a quiet half hour, and please, please read this.
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Sarah and Keith are in their forties. They have two children, Oliver and Ruby. Oliver is 11 and Ruby is 9. Sarah used to be a Paralegal, but she developed MS 6 years ago. Keith was a Fireman. Oliver was born with severe physical and learning disabilities and is largely dependent for his care needs.
Keith had to first come to terms with his son's profound disability. Then he was dealt the double blow of finding that his wife too, had a progressive, degenerative illness that would shorten her life and slowly take her away from him. He faced a choice : Give up work and look after his family, or see his son and eventually his wife, go into care.
He gave up work and the family became completely dependent on the state for their housing needs, income to buy food and pay bills, care needs for Sarah and Oliver, and transport costs. Nonetheless, Keith undoubtedly saves the state thousands of pounds every month. The cost of pemanent residential care for Oliver would be massive and it will not be long before Sarah would also need full time, residential care. Keith does all of this, largely alone, with just the occasional support of a local hospice for Oliver, that provides a few hours respite care once a week. Oliver does go to a special school and with his modified transport provided through DLA, Keith's dream, is that, with state assistance and Keith's ever constant support, one day, he will be able to live independently, and manage some kind of fulfilling work.
After a year or so, when their lives had somehow settled into the new, (previously unimaginable) routine, Sarah found that claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) meant that she could in fact, still work part time as a paralegal. The higher rate mobility allowed her to pay for transport to and from her office and her small firm of lawyers applied for an "Access to Work" grant which meant that they could install a ramp and a special desk to enable Sarah to actually enter the building to do her job.
Today however, Sarah has become too ill to work. Her speech is slurred, she needs help feeding herself, dressing, and she uses a special chair to allow her some mobility. Now that she can no longer work, she has to claim the ridiculously entitled Employment Support Allowance (ESA).
Ruby is a young carer too. Unpaid and unrecognised, she reads to her Mum and brother, makes them meals and drinks and takes on many other small tasks to help her Dad.
Keith suffers from intermittent depression when the stark reality of his situation becomes too much to bear. However, he has no choice but to carry on, daily trudging through the enormously repetitive and physically demanding job of caring for two severely disabled loved-ones. There are regular hospital stays to deal with, Consultant's appointments, costly prescription charges for Sarah, 40 page plus forms to fill in for every bit of help - for DLA for ESA, for modifications to their home (though Keith does as many as he can himself if he can every find an hour or so).
Sarah has to be "assessed" every few years to keep her financial support. Incredibly, the private American firm ATOS, used to "assess" ESA claimants, placed Sarah in the Work Capability Assessment Group, meaning that she was considered by their non-medically trained assessors to be capable of doing some kind of work. (Only 6% of claimants are now being found entitled to long term support under ATOS's assessments. ( http://diaryofabenefitscrounger.blogspot.com/2010/11/compass-report-into-esa-assessments.html)
Oliver is regularly rushed to hospital by ambulance, his life in the balance, but so far, the incredible local children's ward have saved both his life and his fiercely nurtured dignity.
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Since May, the family have first been concerned, then astounded, then terrified and now desperate as they've heard the endless drip-drip of announcements from the new coalition government.
The Access to Work programme has been cut, meaning that if Sarah was still at the law firm, they would never have been able to afford the ramp and desk that meant she could work for those extra few years. http://www.labourlist.org/some-cuts-dont-make-the-headlines
Their benefits are to be capped at £26,000, with only Sarah and Oliver's DLA payments excluded. They will almost certainly have to move, as from now on, their home needs will be assessed on the cheapest 30% of available housing. A local charity had raised thousands to install a special "Sensory room" for Oliver with lights and shapes and colours that help to stimulate his educational development. They will probably have to leave it all behind as the new home will need to be smaller.
Oliver's special school provision is to be axed, http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2a6f0496-f996-11df-9e29-00144feab49a.html#axzz1AjCGUdhq despite promises that it would be protected. The nearest school he could go to now is over 20 miles away, leaving his education in grave doubt.
Sarah was due to appeal the decision made by ATOS that she was capable of work, (40% of assessments were going to appeal with evidence from CAB that around 70% of appeals were being upheld with representation http://www.cas.org.uk/news/2010/may/call-to-end-misery-and-hardship-for-sick-and-disabled ) but legal aid has been slashed and she will no longer qualify. The government are also talking about limiting the right to certain tribunals anyway, so it's unlikely Keith can even represent her himself..
Oliver will never have the option to live independently now, as the Independent Living Fund is to be scrapped. http://www.scope.org.uk/news/independent-living-fund-comment This would have topped up his care by, perhaps £300 or £400 a month, meaning that with Keith's help, he could have lived in accommodation with only limited assistance. Going into permanent residential care would cost the state many times more and another cut announced, is that Oliver would no longer be entitled to mobility assistance in residential care. http://www.touchstoneblog.org.uk/2010/10/dla-and-residential-homes-a-nastier-cut-than-you-may-think/ He would lose the tiny bit of independence this afforded him and be stuck staring at four walls, unable to get out. Anyway, Keith can't bear it, so will probably just carry on caring for him at home until he's too old or frail himself.
The next time Oliver needs to stay in hospital, the family will lose his DLA. All the extra costs of car parking, extra care for Sarah while Keith is at the hospital with their son, accommodation for overnight stays, will now have to be found from somewhere. The last time he was admitted, there were only 4 trained nurses for every 28 patients instead of the usual 8. The hospital is even talking about closing the ward altogether because of the "efficiency savings" they are expected to make, (which are actually stealth cuts). This means Oliver will have to go to the larger hospital 34 miles away, where he knows no-one and Keith will incur even more costs visiting and transporting him.
In fact, even DLA is to be abolished, replaced with Personal Independence Payments. http://disabledpeopleprotest.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/dla-to-be-replaced-by-pip-from-201314/ First the government said they would need to cut around 20% of claimants altogether, recently the figure of 25% was suggested. As Sarah is only in the Work Capability group, it's unbelievable, but likely that she could be one of the 25%. They live in fear. If Sarah loses her DLA, they will lose Keith's Carers and Attendance allowance too.
Because local government faces cuts of over 7%, the council have cut £200,000 of funding to Oliver's hospice that Keith so relies on for a few hours respite. They have no choice but to close now, leaving the most disabled local children without this incredible resource that helps to develop them into adults who can play some role in society.
Keith and Sarah have looked at Keith returning to work, but it would mean most of their benefits would be cut, Oliver would have to go into care, and Sarah would simply have to wait for Keith to be off shift to get any care herself. Besides, Fire fighters are being cut too, so it's unlikely there would be work for him anyway. http://www.nhsonline.net/news/article.asp?CategoryId=37&ArticleId=4631
George Osborne announced in his Comprehensive Spending Review that for those on ESA in the Work Capability Group who have working partners, the benefit is now to be time limited to one year. (retrospectively) http://www.disabilityalliance.org/esacut.htm This means that Sarah would no longer have any personal income at all, despite contributing tax and NI for years as a paralegal. Ironically, this particular cut makes it impossible for Keith ever to return to work again.
The family is under so much stress, that Ruby is frightened to go to school, in case her home has been taken away when she gets back. Sarah has considered committing suicide to ease Keith's burden and Keith cries himself to sleep when he thinks no-one can hear him.
It is entirely possible they might end up destitute or even homeless.
Will you help? Will you stop this? Is it really credible that families like Keith, Sarah, Ruby and Oliver carry the burden of our financial woes while RBS give Hester a 2.5 million bonus?
Share, Retweet, Link, Write to Your MP, sign the petitions, join a Disability anti-cuts group, tell your friends, write a blog post or an article for your newspaper.
The dearly fought principles of equality and human rights for all, basic rights to dignity and a life as fulfilling as it is possible to live are being ripped away. The logical conslusion of these cuts are unthinkable. Please, please, don't let them happen.
** The family above are an example of real life stories. Names have been changed.
The family is under so much stress, that Ruby is frightened to go to school, in case her home has been taken away when she gets back. Sarah has considered committing suicide to ease Keith's burden and Keith cries himself to sleep when he thinks no-one can hear him.
It is entirely possible they might end up destitute or even homeless.
Will you help? Will you stop this? Is it really credible that families like Keith, Sarah, Ruby and Oliver carry the burden of our financial woes while RBS give Hester a 2.5 million bonus?
Share, Retweet, Link, Write to Your MP, sign the petitions, join a Disability anti-cuts group, tell your friends, write a blog post or an article for your newspaper.
The dearly fought principles of equality and human rights for all, basic rights to dignity and a life as fulfilling as it is possible to live are being ripped away. The logical conslusion of these cuts are unthinkable. Please, please, don't let them happen.
** The family above are an example of real life stories. Names have been changed.
Monday, 10 January 2011
Com Res
If anyone thinks I'm pleased to see tonight's Com Res Poll
Con 34 Lab 42 Lib 12
Then all I can say is, it's about flippin time.
Con 34 Lab 42 Lib 12
Then all I can say is, it's about flippin time.
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