Work programmme charities gagged by Government

Organisations that sign up to deliver the government Work and Health programme must agree not to.attack Esther McVey or the DWP. I expect that clause to be there its standard, but why would charities  sign up to such a scheme in the  first place? Organisations that undertake government contracts cannot be seen to disagree with policy. These organisations claim to support the rights of disabled people, those rights have been adversely affected by the very same policies. Its a very clear and 'dangerous' conflict of interests, which should not be allowed.

The Government won't care they want to silence those who speak out against them, and this is job done, in a way that they hope won't be noticed. The charities should know better, although I know in reality they won't care either, most don't work with us, but apparently 'for' us. They say what they like without listening to disabled people. This  scheme raises their profile, brings in funds and it meets their definition of helping people, though I don't agree with the definition.

These charities won't be able to effectively challenge any DWP policy or action. If they provide welfare advice that is mostly rendered useless, they are no longer umpartial, they are paid by the state. They can no longer claim to be supporting our rights because they are participating in work that harms those rights. They have also allowed themselves to be gagged, they have agreed to stay silent. They can no longer play any real part in stopping this government. They have betrayed the very people they supposedly support.

Sanctions used as punishment at will

Proof if it was needed that there is no sensible approach to the use of sanctions. It is used to punish vulnerable people, just because #DWP can.

Brown envelope fear factor

Brown envelope 'terror' turned out to be no more than a benefit increase that actually wasn't. Tory welfare policy has many of us scared of opening our post.

Prime Minister for a day

If I was PM for a day I would:-

* Scrap Universal Credit and continue the old system of seperate benefits.

* Take the points system out of sickness benefits like ESA. If you are sick you are sick thats enough, there is no right or wrong sick. GPs not professionals who don't know claimaints would decide if someone was able to work. No 2 tier payments, the same rate for  everyone.

* Scrap PIP and return to DLA, so that all needs are considered, not selected ones.

* Provide a social care system that treats people as people with rights and real life choices.

* Make return to work  support for everyone supportive and person centred, not threatening. Give the person control
And responsibility for their own programme.

* Ensure that any empty building was used to provide housing for homeless people.

* Ensure all tax due is paid and that the money and any penalties are used to properly fund public services.

* Keep public services public. No private companies should be allowed to bid for contracts.

* Scrap the 2 child limit and rape clause for benefits.

* Ensure everyone has timely access to free health care when they need it. Improve staffing levels and pay  within the NHS.

* End the benefit freeze and punitive sanction regime.

Disability rights myths, or what the Conservatives tell you

Myth Disability Living Allowance is self assessed by claimants with no checks.
Fact Decisionmakers decided all claims advised by healthcare workers. DMs chose whatever evidence they need to decide. This could be a report from a professional involved in the claimants care or a medical by a DWP appointed professional.

Myth Personal Independence Payment is targeted at those who need most help.
Fact Based on a points system it cherry picks the needs it includes. Changes in the rules mean many with significant needs, lose out because they don't have the right needs. Many get less help than under DLA.

Myths Relatively few claims for PIP are appealed.
Fact Appeals are  at record levels. Currently around two thirds of appeals succeed. This seriously  calls into question the claim decision making process.

Myth Disability and sickness benefits were changed to combat fraud.
Fact Fraud for these benefit is around 0.5 %. Much higher  for Housing Benefits and Working Tax Credit. DWP inflate stats often for benefit fraud by including official error. This idcwhere claimants gave the correct information and DWP paid the wrong amount.

Myth Disabled and elderly people get free social care.
Fact There are savings and income limits before any help with cost is given. Care needs are assessed and only eligible needs met. Means tests are carried out, most people contribute to the cost.

Myth Disabled people get free cars.
Fact People on the  higher rate mobility component of DLA/PIP or the forces equivelant can lease a car using their benefit. Its either the car or the money. Cars have advance payments that must be paid, and any adaptions must  be paid for.

Myth Disabled people don't pay rent or council tax.
Fact Housing Benefit/Local Housing Allowance rarely meets the full cost, and not everyone qualifies. Most people under 65 now have to pay some council Tax, if they get any help.

Myth Disability related equipment is free. Fact Whats on offer if you qualify is limited and there are long waits. Most people have to buy to get what meets their needs. We often pay luxury prices for essential items.

Myth DLA/PIP meets the extra costs of disability.
Fact It comes nowhere near for many. Transport a big cost for many, special clothing, footwear, prepared food if you can't cook, or special diets. Equipment that you can't have free, contributing to care. Meeting the cost of activities you have to have someone with you, LAs won't usually cover that, and more. The money runs out long before the list does.

Myth Disabled people have their bills paid. Fact Anything we owe, and its pretty much the same as anyone else plus disability costs comes out of our income. Benefits if we qualify, vary on circustances, most struggle to make ends meet.

I take my rights

As The British Survey of Social Attitudes shows more people think disabled people need more support I ask if they understand that we need not passive protection but our rights back? We don't need looking after but to be empowered.

The Government want disabled people to be full participants of society. I agree I want that too. I want to take an active part in society, to be able to choose to study or volunteer, if I want to. I want to have a social life, I want to be able to pay my bills without worrying. I want those who can work to be able to do so, not by force but by being given real choices that empower them I want disabled pople to able to choose where and how they live in the same way as anyone else does. I am not asking to be given these things as a favour, I'm claiming rights I have in law, the right everyone has to live life on their own terms. These are human rights and disabled people are human beings too.

To be able to use these rights disabled people need support and that has been stolen from us by The Government. Cuts that have taken our benefits have reduced our imcome so that many people can no longer make real financial choices. These changes are not because as the Govenment wants you to believe, we aren't as disabled as we claim, or so they can support those more in need. It is just because they can. Its not even because there isn't the money. The government find money to support the rich, we pay the price. It isn't possible to participate in society if keeping your home or buying food is a challenge you cannot meet. It costs more to live with a disability than to be  non disabled and the income aimed at meeting those needs often doesn't and many are being denied this at all under new rules. Cuts take away our rights.

Many disabled people need support to do daily activities, from the basic getting up and eating, to going out and being part of our community. The law says we have the right to this but the government have taken it away. The reality is that many have no support at all or so little they have to choose between eating and peeing. Without support we cannot have the lifestyle of choice other people we are denied that right.

Rights theft thats what the Government are doing. Whatever they say its nothing more or less. Its not targeting support, its not stopping fraud, disability benefit fraud is less than 1%, some other benefits are significantly higher. They are not tackling equality, giving us rights or helping us be part of society. Their actions do the exact opposite on all counts. They claim they want to support us, I don't want what passes for support on their terms, I don't even want to be given my rights that will have Tory conditions attached, not the same as rights in law. I want to be empowered to live as I choose. I take my rights, they are mine to take, not theirs to give.

Blog based on a conversation with Neil Crowther via Twitter.

Action not reflection needed

As civil servants faced the UN Committee on the Rights of Disabled People and faced criticism, the Government have pledged to reflect on its failure to engage with disabled people and their organisations.  It is nowhere near enough, and lack of engagement is not the only serious failing

After tens of thousands of deaths, and many more disabled and vulnerable people seriously harmed urgent action is needed to stop further welfare related deaths.

The Govenment has a record of hiding death rates and other information that hides the truth of the dangers of this regime. It is currently pursuing court action to hide a Work Capability Assessment outcome report in order to protect commercisl.inrerests. Those who facilitate this regime should not be protected, those subject to the risks of it must be.

Many of those subject to the punitive regime had genuine reasons for not complying. Some were in hospital seriously ill, even close to death, or they had already died before being sanctioned. Some had appointments cancelled or rearranged by contractors but still face sanctions for not attending the original assessment. Othera had genuine disability related reasons such as mental health that affected their ability to comply, not being able to read letters, or not being able to access assistance with claims. This is meant to allowed for instead many were sactioned. Not having money to pay rent or buy food puts people at serious risk. Many have lost their homes or been malnourished, some starved to death.

A court decison found those needing assistance because of psychological distress should qualify for PIP, or get increased payments. The government response was to change criteria to exclude those claiments from PIP. Other such changes have been made when Government decided too many people qualified under equipment provisions.

Many Government policies involving cuts  have been aimed at disabled and vulnerable people and despite many demands the Govern refused to carry out a culmative risk assessment.

There were concerns about the effects of the WCA expressed, and known to the Government they were ignored, many claimaints paid the ultimate price.

David Gauke, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, lied in parliament only recently that PIP appeals were low, on the day they reached record levels. Around 2/3 are successful. They clearly want to hide the fact the system is failing, and more so that challenges to it are mainly successful.

The time for reflection is over, there must be speedy and definite action to correct a system that causes serious harm to those it is designed to support. The welfare system itself is not fit for work. This must stop, there must be no more deaths.

Source Disability News Service

No more welfare deaths, act now

David Metcalf had  mental health conditions that meant he could not work for nine years. He was found dead on a beach after his sickness benefits were stopped.The coroner gave an open verdict unsure if Mr Metcalf had meant to enter the water. He had recently been seen by mental workers and police after concerns were raised after  he gave personal documents to someone saying he didn't need them anymore. I hope he rests in peace.

He is just one of tens of thousands of people who have died shortly after their benefits have stopped. Some committed suicide, some died of their assessed conditions, having been assessed as fit for work, or having lost disability benefits because they were no longer deemed to have the appeopriate care and mobility needs to qualify. Many thousands more hsve suffered serious harm for the same reasons, either by self harm or because their assessed conditions have worsened through being made to seek or undertake work, or not having the care or mobility support they need. How many more will be allowed to die or be harmed?

The Government know that concerns have been raised about the WCA the test for ESA, and that appeals against PIP decisons are at their highest levels with around two thirds having benefits reinstated or increased. The Government is being investigated by the UN for human rights abuse of disabled people. The Government have, and continue to hide damaging welfare statistics that would tell the truth about their dangerous regime.

If this isn't enough for them to be stopped nothing ever will be. If people aren't angry enough to fight for rights it will be too late. There must be no more deaths, too many have paid with their lives. Nobody can predict if they will ever need the support of the welfare state, if we don't act now future claimants may not survive the experience.

Can't work is not won't work

Some people on Employment & Support allowance  are sqnctioned for up to 6 months if they don't or can't take part in work related activities deemed suitable by Job Centre staff or their appointed providers. ESA is paid to those unable to work due to disability or illness with those in the work related group, WRAG, assessed as able to take part in certain activities and deemed likely to return to work within 6 months In reality its anyone who does not score 15 points in any one section of the Work Capability Assessment, regardless of how many points they get above 15 over the whole assessment. These are still often significantly disabled people.

These activities can be anything that the worker decides is appropriate, it may be work schemes, education, training or anything else judged relevant to your situation. Your benefits can be sanctioned if you do not participate.  In short people already too ill to work are punished if they do not do activities similar to those demanded of unemployed people. This on  top of changes that mean that from  earlier this year  new ESA claimants  in the WRAG now get the same amount of benefit as Jobseekers Allowance clainmants,  a cut of £30 per week.

I have long thought that the Conservative Government saw those that can't work in the same  light as those that won't. Certainly this appears to be proof that they view those with heath conditions as simply unemployed. Whilst in reality the effects of significant and/or longstanding medical conditions mean that finding and keeping work is a major challenge for many people if they are able to work at all. Forcing people to do activities they do not feel, or are not capable of, puts them at risk, both from the effects of the activity, and from the fear of what will happen if they do nor comply. 

Many thousands have already died or been seriously harmed by Conservatives welfare policies, this regime also puts people at serious risk. The government must now be held accountable for its actions and failure to keep its pledge that those unable to work would be supported.

Note Those in the Support Group of ESA receive higher benefit payments and do not have to participate in work related activity.

PIP petition please support the Labour Campaign

Please sign and share the petition to ensure disabled people get the support tbey need. The Conservatives are trying to overturn a court ruling so that they can stop 160K getting the level of PIP or personal.Independance Payment they are entitled to.