The statistical basis of this story has provoked discussion (see below) but the real issue is the heartlessness of government policy.
Statement from DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts)
But these figures do not tell the whole story. They ignore the suffering of
disabled people who survived, being found fit for work but unable to claim JSA
because they cannot meet the conditionality of the benefit. The suffering of
3000 disabled people sanctioned every month, and who cannot compensate for
their loss of income, because they were found unfit to work, and they are.
The suffering and the humiliation of disabled people who have to prove their impairment/long term health issues over and over again to DWP staff who don’t believe them. The suffering of disabled people being portrayed as scroungers by the media. This suffering cannot be captured by statistics.
Under the last Labour government, the aim was to force 1 million disabled people out of benefits and into work. Almost 10 years later, the aim is the same, while in a meantime a Coalition minister recognised that people on disability benefits were ‘sicker’ than they thought.
And those in the middle group, who would expect before too long to be mandated to the Work Programme, have proved to be sicker and further from the workplace than we expected. So it will take far more time than we predicted for them to be ready to make a return to work
This has not changed. Some people will never get better and need long term support. To pretend that they can do ‘some work’ is disingenuous, as no employer is prepared to offer ‘some work’ to disabled people.
People died because of the welfare reforms, but others suffered and still suffer. Let’s not forget any of them
Statement from DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts)
DWP
has at last published the mortality statistics for the ESA group. It will take
time to analyse them, but what they show is that the WCA is not fit for
purpose. 2500 people have died after being found fit for work. Another
7,200 people died after being placed in the WRAG, the group for disabled people
who can do ‘some work’, another 7540 died waiting to be assessed
The suffering and the humiliation of disabled people who have to prove their impairment/long term health issues over and over again to DWP staff who don’t believe them. The suffering of disabled people being portrayed as scroungers by the media. This suffering cannot be captured by statistics.
Under the last Labour government, the aim was to force 1 million disabled people out of benefits and into work. Almost 10 years later, the aim is the same, while in a meantime a Coalition minister recognised that people on disability benefits were ‘sicker’ than they thought.
And those in the middle group, who would expect before too long to be mandated to the Work Programme, have proved to be sicker and further from the workplace than we expected. So it will take far more time than we predicted for them to be ready to make a return to work
This has not changed. Some people will never get better and need long term support. To pretend that they can do ‘some work’ is disingenuous, as no employer is prepared to offer ‘some work’ to disabled people.
People died because of the welfare reforms, but others suffered and still suffer. Let’s not forget any of them
9 comments:
this for me highlights how out of touch this government is.
they see nothing wrong in depriving ever decreasing benefits from the disabled,
while Ipsa decides that MP's deserve a 10% increase in their salaries.
MP's continue complaining about how difficult it is to survive on a £67,000 plus salary,
but they seem to forget that people on benefits are the ones who are truly struggling
as their benefits are not only being reduced,
but now people claiming ESA are being targeted and being "told they are fit for work"
and they are meant to believe that the government are being fair in what they are doing.
I mean they are allowing people to keep a certain amount of their wages before paying tax!!!!
they go even further by forcing employers to pay the so called "living wage" !!!!!!
that surely makes work look more worthwhile than a life on the dole?
even if people die after being forced off benefits,
it is safe to say that the government don't care
because all they are focused on is saving money while their puppet aka Ipsa rewards them with a 10% increase on their salaries.
the public aren't worthy of similar treatment.
we are only deserving of £7. plus per hour.
even though that still won't enable us to get a mortgage to pay a house.
and to think...MP's use the slogan..."they work for you"
but if that is true why is it we are still working for a pittance and can't afford to buy a house
while the people who say they work on our behalf are often far better off than us
and yet look at the state of the country?
we are the ones who are suffering...not MP's.
they are safe cause they are clever enough to make rules to suit themselves
while making rules to make things harder for us.
but the reality is we the ones complaining are the ones who vote for these people who proceed to make our lives more miserable and frustrating than it already is.
Labour of course use this to its own advantage
and hope to win back trust and votes,
but the reality is 13 years of them is why we are now feeling the pain inflicted by the current administration.
It's not just Tory heartlessness.
In late 2006, Disability Now! magazine focused on the lack of winter fuel payments entitlement for under 60's on Incapacity Benefit (IB), while people aged 60+ such as Harriet Harman with offices to spend their days in heated at public expense did get such payments. And a Labour backbench MP got figures of IB claim closures due to claimant death with seasonal breakdown from DWP showing statistical evidence that more IB claim closures due to claimant death occurred in winter.
So, a few months later, around February 2007 Work & Pensions Secretary John Hutton said it was essential to get IB claimants back to work because, "After two years on IB, you are more likely to retire or die than get another job."
See also April 2010 news announcement, Even harsher new ESA Medical approved ....
Dude Swheatie of Kwug
Maybe this Community Care cartoon is relevant: 'Compassion'?
Dude Swheatie of Kwug
Dude,
I'm glad you pointed out (what I define as political hypocrisy)
yes
the Political party that is currently using the Tory Austerity measures to its advantage,
were Just as hard-hearted as the Tory Government.
On the topic of the current DWP disclosures, today's Morning Star reports Thousands die within a year of being found fit for work.
Today is August Bank Holiday Friday. The victims of the slaughter may never have another Bank Holiday, but the architects of their misfortune will always have a 'silly season' in which to be unavailable for comment when the shit hits the fan and the fruits of their labours are both outlined and obfuscated.
Dude Swheatie of Kwug
Dude,
did you hear about Nygel firminger who committed suicide by slashing his wrists after he was sanctioned by Kilburn jobcentre and pursued by the Department for Work and Pensions?
we were classmates back in the 1970s
and the last time I saw him he looked really down and was drinking a can of beer outside a job center in Kilburn.
I could sense that something was bothering him and now I know exactly what it was.
so sad for a man to throw his life away cause of the harsh benefits system.
I have heard of Nygell through KUWG of which he was an original member, though he left the group to get a job, got sanctioned, fell into the hands of legal loan sharks and rent arrears....
References to Nygell can be found on the Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group blog.
Incidentally, KUWG extend anti-property market greed protest to Genesis HA Willesden offices, Wed 2 Sept, 4pm-5pm
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