go.oot.by.dog Posted March 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/25/tories-shrink-state-wont-say-publicly The Tory view of the state: those who need it don't deserve it This is a rehearsal for the future of the welfare state. The Conservatives' narrative is that poverty is sinful and it must be punished The news leaked last week – if jobcentre workers do not sanction jobseekers, and get them on to fewer benefits, or none at all, they will be disciplined. To encourage them to do so, there are targets and league tables. This repulsive policy was swiftly denounced by the employment minister, Mark Hoban, who denied that any such thing exists. But here it is, from an adviser manager in a job centre: "As you can see, Walthamstow are 95th in the league table out of only 109 [jobcentres in London and the home counties] …Our district manager is not pleased … because senior managers are under pressure to improve our office output and move up the league he has to apply some pressure downwards." Faced with the evidence in pixels, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it was a mistake, and an isolated case, and it was investigating both the mistake and the isolated case – except that by Friday more jobcentre workers had contacted the Guardian to say that targets and league tables, and incentives, are indeed in place. In one jobcentre, it was alleged, the reward for sanctioning a jobseeker is a horribly uncharitable Easter egg. An Easter egg? So Iain Duncan Smith issued a re-denial, and insisted that any jobcentre worker using targets or league tables would be, er, disciplined, although he preferred to use the charmingly punitive phrase, with its weird echoes of Norman Tebbit, "dealt with". And there the circle of madness closed. Though it sounds like a dream from The Thick of It, it isn't fiction. How many benefits have been unfairly removed or reduced? But there is meaning behind this farce; it was no mistake. This is a rehearsal for the future of the welfare state, as seen through Tory spectacles – they are resentful at paying for anything. Need is now irrelevant. The PR for the project, enthusiastically pursued by the Tory press, is ongoing, if unsophisticated. Its purpose is to incite so much contempt for benefit claimants in the wider population, and so much denial about who, and who is not, a benefit claimant, that we will dumbly watch children live in revolting conditions without complaint. Any kind of state intervention is now a blissful boon deserving of a kiss on the ministerial boot. Last week Alan Milburn, the government's luckless adviser on social mobility, said it was "vanishingly unlikely" that the government will meet its child poverty targets. No it won't; of course it won't. Far better to change the way child poverty is measured or, in common speak, stop counting the bodies. "Benefit queen" stories are dripped on the media, courtesy of DWP moles, as if they were representative; and Ukip, that wonky opportunist, jumps on the bandwagon, seeking to make benefit claimants pay for necessities by electronic card, so they cannot squander their bags of taxpayer gold on Sky TV, cider, ciggies, condoms and, presumably, membership of the Communist party of Great Britain. The project chugs on, fuelled by distortion and lies, denouncing the weak, praising the strong – the changes to childcare funding announced last week will largely benefit the wealthy. Who is surprised? This is the tedious narrative. Poverty is sinful, and it must be punished; wealth, meanwhile, can be irritating, but it is essentially benevolent – to the victor, everything. Of editorials denouncing the £17.5m in shares paid last week to the chief executive of Barclays investment banking, the ludicrously named Rich Ricci, owner of the ludicrously named racehorse Fatcatinthehat, there were few. (Rich Ricci is not to be confused with Richie Rich, the comic character played by Macaulay Culkin in the live action film of 1994. His wealth did not succour him particularly, and he owned no horses.) And so the state must shrink to a nub, because the humans who need it don't deserve it. Not that the government will say this publicly yet; it is still better, at this stage, to lie to parliament, to the media, to us all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go.oot.by.dog Posted March 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/q799/magnacube/5aca7600-8dfa-4ea4-a018-6cdd588943ef_zpsb1234c0a.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go.oot.by.dog Posted March 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/anxiety-over-atos-fit-for-work-test-1783531 Anxiety over Atos fit-for-work test brings on father's heart attack JIM ELLIOTT suffered a massive heart attack a day after his 20-minute work capability assessment during which he had complained of chest pains and struggling to breathe. He was still deemed fit to work. A DAD who started feeling seriously unwell during his interview with Atos assessors – and suffered a massive heart attack the next day – has been deemed fit to work. Jim Elliott says he was struggling to breathe, sweating and had chest pains during his 20-minute work capability assessment earlier this month. He was given a glass of water – but then the assessors simply pressed on with the interview. The 55-year-old said yesterday: “All they seemed to care about was getting through the ridiculous list of questions they have, which is supposed to determine whether someone is fit to work or not. “I could have dropped down dead in front of them but all they are interested in is getting people off benefits.†The controversial assessments by the French IT firm are part of a benefits shake-up by the Con-Dem Government, who are looking to cut billions from the welfare bill. Former welder Jim, who had worked all his adult life until he suffered a heart attack 18 months ago, said: “It was very clear that I wasn’t 100 per cent. “I was sweating profusely, my breath was very laboured and I had been confused during the interview. “I wasn’t able to concentrate on a lot of what they were saying. “They gave me a glass of water but that was it. “They were more concerned with asking me questions such as, ‘Can you walk 200m and can you raise your arm up in the air?’†Jim, of Cambuslang, near Glasgow, added: “I was telling them I was stressed and that I was anxious, and that I didn’t feel like I could go out and work at that moment.†The very next day, he had a heart attack as he was walking down a street in Glasgow’s west end. Jim was rushed to hospital by ambulance and ended up spending days in the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank, which has a specialist cardiac unit. But while he was still lying helpless in his hospital bed, a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions dropped through the door of his home telling him he had been assessed as being fit to go back to work. He had scored zero points in the assessment, and a person is only deemed unfit to work if they get 15 or more points. Jim first started claiming benefits after he had a heart attack 18 months ago. But in November, he was taken off the benefits he was on and put on jobseeker’s allowance instead – meaning he has to be actively looking for a job or his payments will be cut completely. He appealed the decision and got a letter telling him to attend an assessment at Atos’s offices in Glasgow’s Cadogan Street on March 4. Father-of-one Jim, who has an 18-year-old son, Brian, said: “My GP told me she has no doubt it was the stress of the appeal and the anxiety that brought on the heart attack. “She said I was definitely having a preliminary attack while in that office. “The consultant at the hospital told me I had suffered a ‘barn door’ of a heart attack. “I’ve never heard of that before but took it he meant a severe one. “I already have a stent in one artery, another which is completely closed and now have trouble with a third, which doctors are trying to fix with the medication they have put me on.†Jim added: “Although I was able to do all the tests they asked, in no way does that equate to being fit enough to do a days’ work – it’s nothing like it. “I would love to go back to work but I can’t. Even doing the simplest of tasks could lead to increased stress on my heart. “I’ve never taken any tablets before, now I am on seven for the rest of my life. “While in hospital following my heart attack, I got a letter from the DWP saying I ‘may’ be eligible for jobseeker’s allowance but that I was fit to work. It’s disgusting.†Jim said: “Before the heart attack, I walked everywhere, and was pretty fit. I was a fast walker and would never wait for a bus. But I can’t do that now. “I even served for four years with 15 Para – the Parachute Reserves – when I was a young man and have done a number of jumps out of planes. “It seems to me the Government want people off benefits one way or another and they don’t seem to care whether it’s by people dying or getting a job. “I wish I could get up in the morning and go to work. “During my career as a welder, I only had one day off – and that was for my mum’s funeral. “I quite liked the work and it’s good feeling that you have done something good and you get paid at the end of the day. “I honestly just wish I could still do it.†An Atos Healthcare spokesman said: “While we cannot comment on individual cases, we can confirm that if our doctors or nurses detect evidence of a serious medical condition in anyone being assessed they take appropriate action such as calling an ambulance. “The role of our doctors and nurses is to carry out work capability assessments on behalf of the DWP under their guidelines and not to conduct a thorough medical examination. “The DWP make the final decision on benefit entitlement.†A spokeswoman for the DWP said: “A decision on whether someone is well enough to work is taken following a thorough face-to-face assessment and after consideration of all the supporting medical evidence provided by the claimant at the time. “If someone disagrees with the outcome of their assessment, they have the right to submit new evidence and appeal.†Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go.oot.by.dog Posted March 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/25/uk-uncut-protest-welfare-changes UK Uncut plans protest over welfare changes Group says it will organise civil disobedience across the UK on 13 April to highlight cuts to benefits coming into force next month Anti-cuts activists are to launch a campaign of "mass civil disobedience" targeting the homes of prominent people as part of a campaign against the government's plans for a "bedroom tax". UK Uncut, which has staged a series of high profile events against the government's austerity policies and last summer staged a sit-in outside Nick Clegg's London home, said it would be "bringing the cuts home to millionaire misery makers" and politicians during a day of action next month. A UK Uncut supporter, who gave his name as Sam Atkinson, said: "We must ramp up the resistance against the attack on benefits for everyone. The cap on benefits and the bedroom tax will have disastrous effects for people. It will make them poorer and potentially homeless." The UK Uncut network, which began as a direct action campaign against corporate tax avoidance in 2010, said it would be organising a day of action on Saturday 13 April. It would not be drawn on the specific details but hinted that campaigners may once again target the homes of high profile figures. "People on benefits are not the problem as the government would have us believe," said Atkinson. "We know it's the banking system, tax avoidance and the government's austerity policies that are designed to make rich people richer and everyone else poorer. There have been protests across the country and now it's time to hit the streets again and take civil disobedience so we can't be ignored. We're going to bring our protest to the homes of millionaires who have got loads of spare rooms and are directly benefitting from or pushing the cuts to housing benefits that are making people homeless. We are going to show them that we will not accept their unnecessary cuts." Earlier this month thousands of people staged protests across the country to call on the government to scrap the "bedroom tax", which will cut benefits for claimants with a spare room. Organisers said some 12,000 to 13,000 activists turned out despite the cold weather in 52 cities. Under the government's welfare reforms those deemed to have one spare bedroom in their council or housing association home face paying £728 extra a year. The move is expected to affect 660,000 people when it comes into effect next month, although the coalition government this week announced exemptions for approved foster carers and parents with "adult children" serving with the armed forces. However, UK Uncut said the concessions did not go far enough and called for a complete U-turn.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In the words of the Kaiser Chiefs "I Predict A Riot" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go.oot.by.dog Posted March 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 So a (SNP) Dundee Council makes a commitment not to use evictions against its tenants who fall into arrears under the new bedroom tax. Perhaps the Shetland Islands Council could follow suit? Perhaps our MPs Mr Carmichael and Mr Scott could share their views on this matter as they seem to be very quiet regarding the upcoming bedroom tax which is hitting some of the poorest and most vulnerable residents. Oh silly me i forgot Mr Carmichael voted in favor of the bedroom tax........ So who speaks up for the ones with no voice? The ones who are least well off? The ones with disabilities? The ones with long term illness? As it certainly does not appear to be our MPs!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2013/march/dundee-promises-no-evictions-under-bedroom-tax Dundee promises no evictions under the bedroom tax 26 March 2013 Dundee City Council is believed to be the first Council in the UK to give a commitment not to use evictions against tenants who have fallen into arrears over the new Under Occupancy Tax – the ‘bedroom tax’ – and their initiative has been praised by campaigners as “progressiveâ€. The Council agreed to a motion moved by SNP Councillor Jimmy Black – which was passed despite the opposition of 10 Labour councillors, the Conservative, the Lib Dem and an Independent Councillor. For more information see http://dundeesnp.org/tag/bedroom-tax/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go.oot.by.dog Posted March 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 Says it all really! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go.oot.by.dog Posted March 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/379841/Rise-in-Atos-rulings-overturned-by-appeals Rise in Atos rulings overturned by appeals THE rate of successful appeals against the Government’s fitness for work tests is rising despite a series of reforms to the system. By: Kirsty BuchananPublished: Sun, February 24, 2013 People claiming Employment Support Allowance must pass a Work Capability Assessment In the quarter to September 2012, 42 per cent of appeals against Work Capability Assessments were upheld but in the first two years of the programme the rate of successful appeals was below 40 per cent. The figures raise fresh concerns about the efficiency of private firm Atos Healthcare, which carries out Work Capability Assessments for the Government. Employment Support Allowance claimants must pass the Work Capability Assessment test. Appeals against the decisions are costing the taxpayer £50million a year. The rate of appeals is also rising despite a raft of reforms to the system. In the 12 months to March 2011, 127,000 cases went to tribunal of which 37 per cent were upheld. The following year 168,000 appeals were heard and 65,400 disabled people (39 per cent) were successful. Justice Minister Helen Grant said: “Appeals can be made against elements of an ESA award, such as the rate of entitlement, as well as the decision to refuse ESA.†Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said failure to get medical assessments right the first time was undermining the Government’s welfare reform programme. She said: “Disabled people and taxpayers are still paying far too high a price for mistakes made in benefit assessments of who is fit for work.†----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And they tell us the Work Capability Assessment process is being improved on all the time yet the number of successful appeals against wrong decision is actually rising..... Go figure Please anyone who does have to go through the absolute indignity of a Work Capability Assessment and is wrongly found fit for work as more than 4 out of every 10 are being wrongly assessed, seek advice from the CAB's Welfare Officer, your GP, even the internet has a lot of useful information on appealing wrong decisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go.oot.by.dog Posted March 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/q799/magnacube/261357_10151596094812193_1529156158_n_zpse359b9f2.jpg www.iainduncansmith.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go.oot.by.dog Posted March 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 I don't think there will be a red carpet waiting for him http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/q799/magnacube/f77fbdd2-2f77-4e28-9f91-ee20d2c88d08_zps9dece4c6.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go.oot.by.dog Posted March 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/latest-news/iain-duncan-smith-heckled-at-edinburgh-speech-1-2860214 Iain Duncan Smith heckled at Edinburgh speech THE UK minister behind the controversial bedroom tax was shouted down by protesters during a keynote speech in an upmarket Edinburgh hotel today. Work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith was twice forced to call a halt to the address to charity leaders after demonstrators smuggled themselves into the event and caused disruption. The Coalition Government minister has been at the centre of angry protests in recent months over the impact of the overhaul of the benefits system. It includes the bedroom tax which will see housing benefit cut for tenants with an empty bedroom in their homes, but has met with opposition from the SNP Government and council leaders in Scotland who will have to implement it. The former Tory leader had been attempting to defend the shift towards a universal credit this morning. But he was silenced as he rose to speak in the George Hotel today by North Edinburgh anti-cuts Protestor Willie Black who shouted him down for several minutes before storming out. A few minutes into the address he was then interrupted by two partially impaired protesters, Sasha Callaghan and Calum McKay, who stood up and began heckling the minister. Mr McKay afterwards: “I’m looking at losing my house, which means I’m looking at moving to a smaller place which means I’m going to spend large periods of time in hospital having a carer to take care of me in my house.†Mr McKay who suffered two strokes and caught pneumonia relies on income support and disability living allowance which are being hit. Ms Callaghan said: “Nobody who is a disabled person deserves what’s happened to us at the moment - all that rhetoric calling us scroungers and skivers. That’s leading to so much disability hate crime.†She said her 19-year-old son, who has learning difficulties, was being hit by cuts to the independent living allowance and claimed the reforms have led to a rise in disability hate crime. She added: “That man in there is responsible for some of the policies and rhetoric that is making people behave like this towards disabled people and actually we wanted to give him a little bit of his own medicine.†Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go.oot.by.dog Posted March 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/q799/magnacube/fdab7463-1f92-4b8f-90f0-e36b7a6f0a63_zpsd1df87be.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandpeat Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 It seems now the Bedroom tax has found a way to be challenged in court, now, who on here said GOVs cannot be forced by courts??? The link is however a great insight into the lives of those who may need a little more support at times. http://wearespartacus.org.uk/government-fails-to-prevent-bedroom-tax-challenge/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go.oot.by.dog Posted March 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 It seems now the Bedroom tax has found a way to be challenged in court, now, who on here said GOVs cannot be forced by courts??? The link is however a great insight into the lives of those who may need a little more support at times. http://wearespartacus.org.uk/government-fails-to-prevent-bedroom-tax-challenge/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Had noticed that earlier on tonight shetlandpeat, but i do wonder what chance they have after the recent retrospective law changes passed by the Government just the other day and also approved by the House of Lords It would seem that the Government are above the judicial system! and if they don't approve just make new laws up to suit themselves. At least they are trying and good luck to them and lets hope we see many more challenges on this draconian measures being imposed on the poor and disabled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandpeat Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 We have worked hard here to high light the full ramifications of these so called reforms, I have also had the pleasure of seeing Sue Marsh at a rally last year. The build up to the Spartacus Report became quite intense. Though with the work of many, they got it published and it made a huge difference. The GOV will not always be able to dictate as they do now. There are too many people who will suffer. We are also seeing the worry on folks faces after being assessed, I was at a meeting yesterday where a presentation of the new reforms was made, when I get the minutes, I will post the pertinent points. Although there is agreement that the system needed looking at, they way the ConDemNation have stigmatised certain groups in society is reprehensible. It used to single mums, then immigrants, now the disabled, the mentally ill, the abused, victims of crimes and injustice and those caught up in a downward spiral following a major change in their lives. With the cuts to Legal Aid and limits on appeals (the new local council tax charge (10% cut in CT benefit) is one that cannot be appealed. With a weekly charge of £2.95 being 5% of a young persons allowance, the councils will have to wait for a number of months before they can instruct a bailiff at £90 to act to recover. This charge affect many who are on a low wage as well. All we can do in some cases is do what we do during times of severe weather, look out for those who may not be able to help themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go.oot.by.dog Posted March 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 [/code] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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