All Campaigns subcategories:
Disability keywords:
Disabled
Highlight keywords |
Print this article
Search site for keywords: Disabled - Cuts - Jobs - Benefits - Carers - Disability - Welfare - Employment and Support Allowance - Iain Duncan Smith
2,380 dead after Tory attacks on disabled
Killed by benefit cuts
(Click to enlarge)
Simon Gomery
Thousands are dead. They were killed after forced labour or income theft while severely sick or disabled.
At least 2,380 disabled people died between December 2011 and February 2014 after being found 'fit for work' by bullying, Catch-22 'work capability assessments'.
Tory work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith tried to evade floods of Freedom of Information requests. But the full horror of his benefit system was finally revealed on 27 August.
This only days after his department was exposed for cynically fabricating quotes from people 'helped' by benefits sanctions.
'Workhouse'
Duncan Smith says disabled people are to be directed to the 'workhouse', fit or not. We are sent looking for often non-existent jobs, disability benefits withdrawn.
In a speech ahead of the figures coming out, he spoke about "life choices". As a disabled person, I can tell you I have not made a "life choice" to become disabled.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Disabled people often have several complex issues that prevent them from working. I do.
I also believe that disabled people who can, should be able to work. But this must be fully supported, in employment catered to our needs. Those who can't work need to be provided for properly by the state.
Duncan Smith closed the Remploy factories, first established to provide useful work to war wounded. He scrapped the Independent Living Fund, which gave those who need 24-hour care some kind of autonomy.
He cut back our 'access to work' scheme, slashed Employment and Support Allowance, and put disabled people at risk of homelessness with benefit sanctions.
Rigged
He sent very sick people back to work with his rigged work capability assessments. And of course, he brought in the dreaded bedroom tax, which hits disabled people who need 'spare' rooms for equipment and carers.
He says he could live on the £7 a day expected of jobseekers. Yet he's claimed £39 for a breakfast, and claimed money back for his y-fronts and wet wipes - paid for by us. And we, the poor, the disabled, the sick and suffering workers and taxpayers, are made to feel like the scroungers.
- Reverse all cuts to welfare and fully fund care services
- Scrap 'work capability assessments'
- For well-paid, fully supported jobs without compulsion
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
LATEST POSTS
12 May Stop Israeli state brutality
 |
9 May Post-election meetings
15 May Birmingham Socialist Party: How can we fight for socialist change and a new workers' party?
17 May Oxfordshire & Aylesbury Socialist Party: The role of the state
18 May Bristol North Socialist Party: Liverpool - history of socialist struggle
CONTACT US
Phone our national office on 020 8988 8777
Email: [email protected]
Locate your nearest Socialist Party branch Text your name and postcode to 07761 818 206
Regional Socialist Party organisers:
Eastern: 079 8202 1969
East Mids: 077 3797 8057
London: 075 4018 9052
North East: 078 4114 4890
North West 079 5437 6096
South West: 077 5979 6478
Southern: 078 3368 1910
Wales: 079 3539 1947
West Mids: 024 7655 5620
Yorkshire: 078 0983 9793
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999