Purnell: more attacks on the unemployed, etc
- Thread starter treelover
- Start date
ViolentPanda
Hardly getting over it.
This isn't about getting people into work, it's about saving money, as an IB/ESA claim is more expensive than paying the claimant basic JSA or IS.
Plus the victims of this new approach can be shunted toward A4E schemes or other "make-work" bullshit run by friends of the government.
ViolentPanda
Hardly getting over it.
Of curse it isn't, but the rhetoric plays well to the right people in the media, so we get this neo-liberal bullshit rammed up our arses.
Benefits and Work have started their own blog, its free to register, but you can also read it anyway.
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/bl...ll-lose-benefits-as-harsher-medical-approved/
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/bl...ll-lose-benefits-as-harsher-medical-approved/
panpete
Blokes name, birds body.
There aren't the jobs to be had.
Scaremongering just worries the mentally affected people.
There is an election coming so shocking news is bound to be flying around.
Maggie Thatcher wanted the unemployment figures down, and if the tories are continuing in the thatcherite legacy, I cannot see them being overly keen on a big amount of people on the JSA list, if they win the election.
Also, what if the DWP deems someone fit, and they get a job, only to be sacked by thier boss for being too unwell to do the job.
There willl always be benefits for the genuinely needy, but not so for the blaggers. Otherwise there would be riots/a great outcry from the public, not to mention the rising crime figures.
Maidmarian
Stubborn Socialist
I think people should. Things will be loads worse under the tories. Either way campaigns against poverty and inequality are needed.
audiotech
wav, aiff, mp3, ogg, flac
That's a significant part of the globe already. Isn't neo-liberalism brill.
it's been happening for the last 2-3 years, GENUINE needy having their benefits stopped
the mentally ill who are losing their benefits will probably just rot away somewhere rather than organise a riot...
_angel_
.
There is no outcry, the government have deliberately picked a group unlikely to be able to fight back - the sick and single parents.
There's a few mutterings in the press about how the welfare reform has gone "too far" (ie turning down claims by terminal patients) but not much.
Whether they'll have gone too far now targetting people on JSA, we will see. Sadly, most of those unable to find work will probably be the ones that would have/ should have been on sickness benefit of some kind anyway.
I think you're seeing what you want to believe, unfortunately plenty of needy people are and do get their money removed. The bit in bold is most likely the case scenario, or maybe those people won't even get jobs in the first place due to their health problems that the DWP have told them don't exist.
ericjarvis
give a feck for the feckless
I've tried getting a few politicians and journalists to bit on this. I think the trouble is they daren't. What it boils down to is this. A lot of people have made the decision that in order to save money it is essential to cut down the number of people on sickness benefits. However that inevitably means not only real hardship for many, but the very real possibility that people will actually die as a direct result of the policy. I don't think the vast majority of politicians, pundits, or political journalists are prepared to look at the issue in terms of how much money needs to be saved per person that dies in order for it to be acceptable. So they simply won't engage with the issue at all.
I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that whoever wins the election, I will either get my health back within the next six months, or I will be dead within five years or so. There doesn't seem to be any prospect of anything else happening.
The biggest problem seems to be the idea that stress related illness consists of having a headache now and again. In my case it means catching just about every bug that is doing the rounds because I don't currently have a functioning immune system. It means having to be put on antibiotics quite often as the alternative to pneumonia. It means a hugely increased risk of a heart attack. I could go on. But basically what it means is that for myself (and many others) going back to work is not a matter of pain and discomfort, it's something that carries a very real risk of fatal illness.
As it happens I have friends who are lawyers, friends who have worked for the DWP or currently work for them, and even a friend at the Tribunals Service. I've been able to navigate my way through it all with a lot of help. I am absolutely certain that there are people already in deep shit from the reforms already enacted. I am equally certain the the vast majority of the people of Britain don't want to know, and if forced to face the facts will prefer to blame it on feckless fraudsters having unhealthy lifestyles, and bureaucratic incompetence rather than accept the unpalatable fact that in this country a majority of people react to even the possibility that somebody might be getting something they aren't by demanding that anyone that might apply to should be hurt. Our political class pander to this and are too cowardly to face up to what it really means.
20 years ago I used to get a similar reaction when I tried to talk about cuts in the health service in terms of how much money needed to be saved in order to make it acceptable to let somebody die. Doctors know such decisions are made. They are the poor buggers who have to make the choices. Politicians won't. They simply won't accept that it's part of the equation. They haven't the guts to take responsibility for their own policy choices. In the intervening decades they haven't changed.
I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that whoever wins the election, I will either get my health back within the next six months, or I will be dead within five years or so. There doesn't seem to be any prospect of anything else happening.
The biggest problem seems to be the idea that stress related illness consists of having a headache now and again. In my case it means catching just about every bug that is doing the rounds because I don't currently have a functioning immune system. It means having to be put on antibiotics quite often as the alternative to pneumonia. It means a hugely increased risk of a heart attack. I could go on. But basically what it means is that for myself (and many others) going back to work is not a matter of pain and discomfort, it's something that carries a very real risk of fatal illness.
As it happens I have friends who are lawyers, friends who have worked for the DWP or currently work for them, and even a friend at the Tribunals Service. I've been able to navigate my way through it all with a lot of help. I am absolutely certain that there are people already in deep shit from the reforms already enacted. I am equally certain the the vast majority of the people of Britain don't want to know, and if forced to face the facts will prefer to blame it on feckless fraudsters having unhealthy lifestyles, and bureaucratic incompetence rather than accept the unpalatable fact that in this country a majority of people react to even the possibility that somebody might be getting something they aren't by demanding that anyone that might apply to should be hurt. Our political class pander to this and are too cowardly to face up to what it really means.
20 years ago I used to get a similar reaction when I tried to talk about cuts in the health service in terms of how much money needed to be saved in order to make it acceptable to let somebody die. Doctors know such decisions are made. They are the poor buggers who have to make the choices. Politicians won't. They simply won't accept that it's part of the equation. They haven't the guts to take responsibility for their own policy choices. In the intervening decades they haven't changed.
_angel_
.
That's a good post if totally depressing. 
The current trend is for people to pay lip service to the "genuinely disabled" while talking of "getting tough" on fraudsters without ever wanting to acknowledge these reforms are about "getting tough" and maybe even killing some disabled and sick people.
The current trend is for people to pay lip service to the "genuinely disabled" while talking of "getting tough" on fraudsters without ever wanting to acknowledge these reforms are about "getting tough" and maybe even killing some disabled and sick people.
Debbie, who for a living advises people on their rights re disability benefits (also elderly peoples' benefits too) would definitely agree with the thrust of eric's post and with angel ...
i have met LOADS of people who are at the end of their tether - people with mental problems that have had their benefit stopped by some tinpot 'doctor' (if they were a REAL doctor they would know that person is ill). It's a disgrace - its basically the 3 main parties and the media having a gentlemens agreement that the poor and the disabled are fair game to go after...
sihhi
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered
That's a good post if totally depressing.
Disabled people without rich relatives are basically surplus to requirements.
Benefit cuts. FE cuts for 'supported learning'. Cuts for third sector day-time provision.
It is a major plank of class war.
i really think the govt think its good value seeing the mentally ill die if it means saving Sun reading cunts a few bob in taxes
ericjarvis
give a feck for the feckless
Mine was stopped after some civil servant at the DWP changed the diagnosis on my paperwork without reference to any doctor at all, and then at the medical assesment shortly thereafter I was examined by somebody who almost certainly wasn't a doctor at all, and who certainly wasn't the doctor who it was claimed had done the assessment (since he'd examined me 4 years before and it definitely wasn't the same person). There are some pretty serious examples of malpractise going on. Civil servants shouldn't be altering the diagnosis on an incapacity benefit claim, that should be a strictly medical opinion. The DWP don't even have access to documents signed by the examining doctors, so they have no way at all of monitoring whether the contractors they use for the medical assesments are employing qualified staff, or simply handing questionnaires to some bozo on a minimum wage.
Which, in answer to Cobbles, is how the private sector does these things cheaper and quicker. Fraud.
_angel_
.
Am pretty worried about what'll be on offer for my boys with autism when they leave school (there isn't much in the way of playschemes either)
sihhi
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered
Am pretty worried about what'll be on offer for my boys with autism when they leave school (there isn't much in the way of playschemes either)
If it's severe - endless supported training schemes.
If it's not -- endless training schemes.
_angel_
.
I would be surprised if anything supported enough existed at the present -- didn't remploy/ the govt end up cutting a lot of supported employment for people with learning disabilities? This was about the same time they wanted people with disabilities to get into work.
sihhi
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered
I would be surprised if anything supported enough existed at the present -- didn't remploy/ the govt end up cutting a lot of supported employment for people with learning disabilities? This was about the same time they wanted people with disabilities to get into work.
Hundreds lost jobs in 2008, 2009 in Remploy, and now what is left is facing a massive speed up.
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=20763
_angel_
.
Don't even know what to say to that!
There's a petition about this anyway.
http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/stop-the-proposed-changes-to-esa/sign.html#se
fucks sake thats frightening!!!
CH1
"Red Guard"(NLYL)
The sytem is breaking down - like me
An open letter to Gordon's fucking JobCentre NAZIS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
First Steps - an interview you cannot refuse
But I am refusing.
I was rung up at 5.55pm on the day of Gordon Brown's calling the lady pensioner from Rochdale a bigot.
Pushy young woman: Hello, is that Mr David Warner
David Warner: Yes, hey you're not from Bangalore - what are YOU selling?
PYW - I'm ringing from LONDON BRIDGE JOB CENTRE
DW - Why? I'm registered with BRIXTON JobCentre
PYW - You're on Job Seekers Allowance
DW - No I'm NOT
PYW - Then you must be on ESA
DW- So?
PYW - You are required to attend an interview WITH ONE OF OUR PARTNERS as the conditions of claiming benefit.
DW - What does that mean? I've got a Mental Health diagnosis. I just attended my Psychiatrist at David Pitt House last week, and they are reviewing my medication. I have to attend Irene House to see the Employment Service medical assessment people on May 7th. What more do you want? Blood?
PYW - You are REQUIRED to attend an interview at the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre at 3.30 pm on Friday 7th May
DW - That's unfortunate then, because that is exactly the time when I will be at Irene House.
PYW - Under the ESA programme, you are REQUIRED to attend at least FIVE interviews with a partner company in order to "ASSIST YOU BACK INTO WORK"
DW - WHAT!!!! Don't you realise the Prime Minister just called an old lady from Roachdale a CUNT! You lot are a bunch of Nazis!
I am currently having a nervous breakdown and all you want is your pound of flesh!!! You wait till Gordon gets kicked out!!! We'll sort the likes of you out!
PYW - slams phone down
DW - bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Episode 2 tomorrow ( bet you can't wait)
David Warner
P.S. Check my Facebook - there is NOTHING you can do for me! On the other hand you will be paid £50 minimum just for me attending the interview with YOU. (AND you don't even want to pay my train fare. I bet you lot are on bonuses, and all drive to work. You can park in the St Modwen properties Elephant and Castle car park for nothing I expect).
I am not a number - I am a free man! - Patrick McGooghan - The Prisoner
Be seeing you.
--
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000351308894&ref=profile
An open letter to Gordon's fucking JobCentre NAZIS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
First Steps - an interview you cannot refuse
But I am refusing.
I was rung up at 5.55pm on the day of Gordon Brown's calling the lady pensioner from Rochdale a bigot.
Pushy young woman: Hello, is that Mr David Warner
David Warner: Yes, hey you're not from Bangalore - what are YOU selling?
PYW - I'm ringing from LONDON BRIDGE JOB CENTRE
DW - Why? I'm registered with BRIXTON JobCentre
PYW - You're on Job Seekers Allowance
DW - No I'm NOT
PYW - Then you must be on ESA
DW- So?
PYW - You are required to attend an interview WITH ONE OF OUR PARTNERS as the conditions of claiming benefit.
DW - What does that mean? I've got a Mental Health diagnosis. I just attended my Psychiatrist at David Pitt House last week, and they are reviewing my medication. I have to attend Irene House to see the Employment Service medical assessment people on May 7th. What more do you want? Blood?
PYW - You are REQUIRED to attend an interview at the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre at 3.30 pm on Friday 7th May
DW - That's unfortunate then, because that is exactly the time when I will be at Irene House.
PYW - Under the ESA programme, you are REQUIRED to attend at least FIVE interviews with a partner company in order to "ASSIST YOU BACK INTO WORK"
DW - WHAT!!!! Don't you realise the Prime Minister just called an old lady from Roachdale a CUNT! You lot are a bunch of Nazis!
I am currently having a nervous breakdown and all you want is your pound of flesh!!! You wait till Gordon gets kicked out!!! We'll sort the likes of you out!
PYW - slams phone down
DW - bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Episode 2 tomorrow ( bet you can't wait)
David Warner
P.S. Check my Facebook - there is NOTHING you can do for me! On the other hand you will be paid £50 minimum just for me attending the interview with YOU. (AND you don't even want to pay my train fare. I bet you lot are on bonuses, and all drive to work. You can park in the St Modwen properties Elephant and Castle car park for nothing I expect).
I am not a number - I am a free man! - Patrick McGooghan - The Prisoner
Be seeing you.
--
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000351308894&ref=profile
ViolentPanda
Hardly getting over it.
That sort of institutionalised persecution makes me fucking grateful that I'm physically disabled badly enough that I get the highest levels of the DLA components, and that getting them supposedly protects my IB claim from being subject to arbitrary renewal.
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